Five years ago, it would have been difficult to find a "greathouse" for sale. Today, there are a myriad. In fact, the opportunities to own historic properties are incredible, with options ranging from greathouses to in-town houses to large acreage with old sugar mills, factory and village ruins, all in varying states of preservation and all unique! Many of the homes were built with the old yellow Danish brick which was abundant (leftover ballast from the ships) and also with cut coral stone, also in good supply and very solid to provide hurricane resistance. Some great houses were built along the coastline and others nestled in the hills. The in-town houses were built by wealthy, European merchants, often in the neo-classical style, with arches, quoins, and galleries, or small shingle-sided hip roof cottages built by Africans and their descendants. The properties are numerous but here are a few to start.

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Clean, fresh, and uplifting...Tamarind Spa is a lovely tranquil place to pamper yourself or a loved one. The minute you walk in you smile . . . the spa is bright and airy with a spectacular ocean view. The staff is equally cheerful with excellent skills and top notch products. According to Julie Streetman, the spa's coordinator; "the spa is all about details - it's about being attentive and making clients feel relaxed and special."

Tamarind Spa recently opened in suite #9 of Tamarind Reef Resort. It offers a variety of massages, skin and nail care treatments with an enviable view of the Caribbean Sea. It's a great place to unwind and get pampered while watching the rolling waves, swaying palms and sailboats. All you need is a cocktail while you relax remarked a recent guest . . . and yes . . . you can do that. The Deep End Bar and Restaurant is just steps down the path.

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As a former Professor at the College of the Virgin Islands (CVI) for twenty years, I was more than ready to celebrate the 50-Year Golden Jubilee on January 27!

Visitors and residents who "discovered" St. Croix in the 50s, 60s, and 70s, watched St. Croix grow from 2,000 to 62,000 people. I came to St. Croix in 1960 and watched this growth from 1962 to 1986 when the VI Legislature voted to open a 2-year Community College in the Territory. This was the beginning of CVI on St. Croix and St. Thomas with campus development proving to be quite a challenge.

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Enduring monuments of former days, the historic buildings of Christiansted and Frederiksted, exemplifying Danish tropical town architecture characterized by arched walkways, or displayed in a handful of great houses scattered outside the towns, contribute to the very special atmosphere found on this island. While the glory brought about by the riches garnered from the lucrative cane sugar cultivation is no longer a part of our economy, the fact that we still possess so many handsome structures as legacy of those times is worthy of celebration. Over the years, numerous hurricanes and an earthquake with tsunami, fires and the impact of the tropical climate have all been major challenges to preserving this legacy, yet we can observe a substantial number of buildings, public and private, that have successfully weathered all these hazards.

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Do you have a constant yearning to be out on the crystal blue Caribbean water? From those looking for picturesque scenery, to those who want to cruise fast, jump some waves, and feel the wind on their face, West End Water Sports is the place to be on St. Croix. Located on Rainbow Beach, 1 mile north of the Frederiksted Pier, West End Water Sports caters to all ages and experience levels and provides a new fleet of top-of-the line jet-ski's for you to rent year round.

Jet-Skiing is a great time for people of ALL ages and experience with the modern "Jet-Ski" being much sturdier and easier to ride than its predecessors of years ago. Brian and Scott, the friendly owner/ operators, explain how easy it is by telling new riders simply to "hop on, press start and squeeze the trigger (after the safety briefing of course!)."

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For many couples, planning a wedding is like stepping into a scene from Lord of the Rings. It is a journey, arduous at times, smooth at others, that begins with a ring and (hopefully!) ends in a joyous celebration where you are the honored guest.

Remember that there will be challenges along with the triumphs. As you embark on your journey, you must be careful to avoid one of the main pitfalls along the way--indecisiveness. As you go through the gauntlet of budgets, families, dresses, seating arrangements, etc. you will be tested. The one thing that will get you through, your shield, your armor, your tour de force is not only your ability to make decisions, but to stick to them, execute them, and move on.

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by Niarus Gillian Benjamin

"My name is Niarus Gillian Benjamin. I am married to Jason Walker. I have two daughters Keren, 3 and Rayna, 2 and two dogs Mortimer and Pepper.

I was born in Dominica, West Indies and came to St. Croix when I was 9. I attended Evelyn Williams Elementary School, Arthur A. Richards Jr. High, and Central High School, graduating in 1989. I went to Moore College of Art and Design in Philadelphia (1989-1994), graduated in 1993 Suma Cum Laude, with a major in Fashion Design and Construction, but did an extra year in painting and drawing. I interned at Anne Klein in New York and, with a scholarship to Indonesia to study batik, I worked there with Twila Wilson who is still my friend. I do freelance 3-D interior drawings for her design business.

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Nestled in the lush vegetation of the old Queen Quarter Hotel is the newly renovated and recently opened Reminisce Restaurant. Run by long-time locals, Win Welsh and Nicole Bogel, they love listening to the stories brought to them by guests each week of what life was like at one of their favorite places back in the 60s and 70s. Win will be at your service during the day and Nicole at night.

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By Karylyn Parsons - The Prestige Wine Group

We are so thrilled to have Jim Bernau joining us this year for the Food & Wine Experience!

2011 was an amazing year for WVV, winning both Oregon Winery of the Year AND Wine & Spirits magazine Winery of the Year! What better way to celebrate than to hit the beach in the beautiful VI.

Like Sauternes and foie gras, oysters and Champagne, the pairing of Pinot Noir and salmon is legendary. WVV makes wonderful Pinot Noirs and protects that pairing by practicing ecological sustainability. "Salmon Safe" is a program that strives for clean watersheds for native salmon to spawn and thrive. This year, Jim was awarded the first ever "Hero of Salmon" for his efforts and now Willamette Valley Vineyards will be one of the first wineries in Oregon to become carbon neutral.

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Excerpts from Shards from the Past by Chris Goodier

Small objects rise to the surface of the earth sometimes and place themselves in our paths as mememtos of the past. On St. Croix, strollers find chaney--shards remaining from fine china imported in the 18th and 19th centuries when the island was covered with sugar cane. Greathouses were outfitted lavishly with the finest mahogany furniture, porcelains, glassware, silver and linens, but these luxury trappings eventually fell by the wayside.

Contents of the greathouses were swept away by hurricanes, earthquakes, and a massive fire burn. A way of life was gone, but shattered porcelain, left behind in the ruins, reappeared on the soil all over the island especially after great rains.

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