• US Consul General in Aruba - The Consul General of the United States from Curacao was in Aruba on June 29 and 30, 1998 and received american citizens at the Office of Foreign Affairs.

• Sidney Ponson, the twenty-one year old Aruban pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles was recently hailed as "the primary reason the Yankees are in their first mini-slump In more than two months" by the New York Times. Ponson held the Yankees to two hits over six and two-thirds innings, as the Orioles won, 2-0. According to the NY Times, "One of only a handful of players from Aruba, Ponson is the organization's best prospect." Not only making us proud to have him as a very promising Major League player, Ponson has introduced Aruba to a very wide audience.

• Aruban Cuisine made news once again - this time in the words of Carlos Quiros, an Argentine writer who dedicated a four page article in the cooking section of EL CLARIN to ATEX' 98. Quiros states that "Unlike most countries in the world who have a national anthem filled with arrogant phrases, Aruba's anthem states 'The best quality of its people, is its great cordiality.' and that's not a lie." In an attempt to make his point he says that "Adding 'their great cuisine' to the anthem phrase, would be fitting."

More snippets to come as July progresses

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Aruba will be represented once again in the Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-22) that will be held between the 24th and 26th of September in Ocho Rios, Jamaica. The conference is expected to attract in excess of 1000 delegates including travel agents, suppliers, international media and government representatives from the Caribbean Tourism Organization's 31-member countries.

Aruba's delegation will be headed by tourism Minister Lili Beke and ATA Director Jan van Nes who will be accompanied by Mr. Castro Perez Eco Tourism Manager from ATA Aruba who is one of the main organizers of the Aruba Perrier Reef Care Project 1998. This project is one of the candidates for the Islands' Magazine 1998 Ecotourism award - this year's winner will be announced towards the end of the conference.

Also present for the conference will be Kimberly Miluka Greaux from St. Paulus School who will be representing Aruba as one of the winners in the Conde Nast Essay competition. In her essay entitled "The perfect day on my island", Kimberly helped a visitor to the island discover the true Aruba, from its folkloric traditions to its natural attractions.

The many travel agents attending the conference will also be exposed to Aruba's appeal in a spotlight presentation about Aruba that will be a feature of this year's conference.

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The General Federation of Women's Clubs established since 1890 in Washington DC has 6200 affiliated members worldwide. Each club is distinctively different in membership, interests, resources, challenges and opportunities but together they share a 108-year history of commitment to improving the communities in which they are located.

Since the 1950's, the Community Improvement Program has been the foundation on which the General Federation of Women's Clubs have built not only a heritage of accomplishment, but also a vision for the future. Through the years, the Community Improvement Program has developed and involved, helping clubs meet the varying and changing needs of their communities.

During a recent dinner event, President of the Women's club of Aruba Mrs. Lilian Martis, was honored with international recognition at the Fairmount Hotel in New Orleans. This recognition was presented to her by an executive of Shell Oil, Mrs. Norma Williams in the presence of over 2000 ladies from across the world. The "Free PAP test campaign" for all women in Aruba was the project presented to receive this award. This project also excelled in the Aruban community last November and was the project of the year of the club for club year 1997-1998. It was quite remarkable that Aruba was the only international club to receive an award. Mrs. Lilian Martis took the opportunity to once more extend her gratitude to everyone who helped in realizing this project, especially Mrs. Adelaida Ponson chairperson of the Health committee and all her committee members who made the project possible.

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According to producer-director Norbert A. Aleman, the show has just undergone some changes and its content has been revamped with added characters - Hollywood superstars including a comic Cher, a different Barbara, in addition to totally new Michael Jackson, Reba Macintire and Madonna. They have been spiced them up with outrageous costumes, spectacular designer evening gowns and great wigs. The Jewel Box Revue is consistently Aruba's most successful show featuring award-winning female impersonators who perform nightly except Sunday, at 9:00 p.m., Wednesday & Friday at 10 p.m. Box-Offices are located in the lobby of the Royal Cabana Casino and at the Royal Plaza in Oranjestad, across the cruise ship terminal. Tickets are also available via De Palm Tours, at any of their locations.

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To this end, the task force has presented the ASERCA offer to the Government and Parliament of Aruba for Approval. Anticipating the above-mentioned approvals the final drafting of the Letter of Intent is currently under way. Plans at this time call for official signing of the Letter of Intent after which parties will proceed with all the final requisites for a final closing latest 45 days later.

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[All information courtesy of the Aruba Tourism Authority]