The Birch Family and Small Hope Staff
Dick and Jeff
Mona, Peter and Jeff
Jeff's son, Brian, Jeff, and his daughter, Casey - all doing great!
Nicole, our webmaster and Internet Marketing Consultant
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For those of you who have never visited Small Hope, the Lodge was built by Canadian transplant Dick Birch. Together with wife Joan and their three children he opened the place in 1960 as the first dive-dedicated resort in the Bahamas. It started with four cabins.
His brother joined him. The ensuing years brought 16 more cabins, two more wives, step children, adopted children, former and future husbands, in-laws, out-laws, and a legacy of intertwined lives that continues on to this day. Half a dozen family members have been laid to rest here, some far too soon. Dick himself died in 1996--but his extended family carries on the vision. (See "In Memoriam")
Today, Dick's son Jeff runs the Lodge, with considerable help from Assistant Manager, Mike Hornby. Dick's widow, Mona, now lives in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, where she helps us out from time to time while teaching college English. Dick's son-in-law Alec, married to daughter Margo, organizes the flight service that transports guests from Fort Lauderdale to the Lodge.
Family members living fulltime on Andros include the Douglas clan--son Peter, wife Gabrielle, and kids Cara, Ginger (Cara and Ginger are away at college - Cara is attending Howard University in D.C. and Ginger is attending the College of the Bahamas in Nassau), and Adam. Jeff 's kids, Casey and Brian, are seen from time to time as Casey goes to college at Macalester in Minnesota and Brian is finishing up High School in Nassau.
Family members who have homes on Andros and can often be seen about include; Dick's daugter, Margo and Alec and their daughters, Lauren (in college in Canada) and Danielle (just graduated from college in Canada); Dick's son Scot and wife Stella and their sons, Teano and Tecaco.
Dick's daughter Heidi and her husband Capt. Robert (with sons Kalen and Nyall) still call Andros home for part of the year, and have a house here.
Holidays often bring in more family members, including Joan and Duke Hanna from Nassau; Rosi and Helge Lovdal from Norway; Krista and Evan Lippincott (with sons Andrew and William) from Maryland; and Topher and Priete Kurth (with kids Tecoco, Teva, and Hede) from Washington State.
Nicole Jackson now lives full time in Denver, Colorado. She is currently doing the websites and internet marketing for Small Hope and the Androsia Batik Factory.
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The Staff
Staff members are a part of the family at Small Hope, and many of our guests get on a first-name basis with them. So for those who are wondering, "Who's who"? This is the roll call:
 Currently our very international dive staff includes Mike Hornby, James, Moose, Renauldo, Peter Douglas, Jeff Birch, Cy, and of Skeebo (you better believe it). We have Americans, Canadians, and Bahamians in the current mix.
 The rest of our staff has quite a few of the "old familiar faces:" Inez, Florine, Shonelle D., and Sharon take care of the cottages and laundry; and our office personnel is Anastasia, Bhruna, Fredina, Nikki, and Tracy (Skeebo's wife).
 Wait staff include Jazzie (Inez's daughter) and returnee Judy Anne. When we need extra help for the dining room, Betty and Barbara moonlight here ...
Our cooks are Irene, Michelle, and Shanny lead by our food and beverage manager/executive chef, Renauldo. They are doing wonders revamping our menu!
Maintenance and yard crew include Terrence H. (the main man!), Mitchell, Terrence R, and Abba.
Jeff Cartright, Glister, Bradley, and Skeebo are our fishing guides.
Our bar is well stocked and tended by Relda and Fredina M.
And yes, marine biologist Tim Turnbull is still on the island from time to time, and actively keeps his eye on our reef; and we DO hear from former favored SHB divemaster Brad; he and wife Nan and son Dylan stop in and visit from on occasion.
Life goes on at Small Hope Bay, as it has for the last forty-odd years, in a chaotic and often passionate fashion. Always there is "The Story": The setting is magnificent, the characters most interesting, and the plot line classic!
Jeff and his new wife, Sandra - Married March 24, 2007
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Sandra's Dad, Sandra, Jeff, and Margo (Jeff's Sister) who helped make it all happen!
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Jeff and Sandra's son, Christian - "Jeff's a daddy again"!
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For those interested in the latest family info:
Hopefully this will not make you feel too old ...
Moose, Margo son and one of our Dive Instructors, just had a son on October 20, 2005. His name is Ethan Ian Blackwell. Margo's daughter, Danielle, just graduated from Western University in Ontario, Canada and Lauren just graduated from high school in Nassau (she is now off to college in Canada). Peter's daughter, Cara, is a senior at Howard University in Washington D.C. and his daughter, Ginger, is a sophomore at College of the Bahamas in Nassau. Jeff's daughter, Casey, is a junior at Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota, and Brian is a senior in High School at St. Andrews in Nassau.
What will happen next?
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Dick Birch "In Memoriam" |
