We dinghed in to M-O-W for the first annual Sojer Day Celebration. This 2.5 mile long island has 300 local residents who form a close-knit community, are very conservative and religious, and are proud of their Loyalist heritage. All of this was celebrated today with family members coming from the other islands and Key West to renew their ties and share their history. It is also a fund raiser for local needs, including a new high school. We did see a few teens sporting i-pods and talking about souping up their golf carts for speed and sound so you wonder how many will stay here.
The Opening Ceremony was memorable for the enthusiastic performance of the M-O-W primary school students in full costumes and leading the audience in hymns and “Britannia, the Pride of the Ocean.” Several small homes were open to showcase photos, tools and artifacts from past generations. This was Uncle Will’s home and is now called Kolnonia Kottage. William Albury started boat building at age 14 and this led over time to establishing Albury Boats and the Albury Ferry Line which provides transportation amongst the islands.
Festivals always mean food and we were hungry. Here’s Bob in a very long line waiting for a conch chowder dinner. It was worth the wait and the portions were heaping. Everyone knows Lola's Bakery up on the hill but she also sells cinnamon rolls and fresh bread from her golf cart daily and she will not take "no" for an answer,
The Opening Ceremony was memorable for the enthusiastic performance of the M-O-W primary school students in full costumes and leading the audience in hymns and “Britannia, the Pride of the Ocean.” Several small homes were open to showcase photos, tools and artifacts from past generations. This was Uncle Will’s home and is now called Kolnonia Kottage. William Albury started boat building at age 14 and this led over time to establishing Albury Boats and the Albury Ferry Line which provides transportation amongst the islands.
Festivals always mean food and we were hungry. Here’s Bob in a very long line waiting for a conch chowder dinner. It was worth the wait and the portions were heaping. Everyone knows Lola's Bakery up on the hill but she also sells cinnamon rolls and fresh bread from her golf cart daily and she will not take "no" for an answer,
The afternoon events included a sisal rope making demonstration and the Junior Sailing Club racing amongst the moored boats in the harbor. These young sailors were very quick and agile and made their forbearers proud. The last gaff wooden schooner made in 1964 in the Albury yard was also on display. It is now named the “William H. Albury”, is 70 feet long and has 2,100 sq feet of sail. It is now the flagship for the Bahamian Adventure Sailing Program. 
