Private Pilots, Sun n' Fun Fly-In, and Small Hope Bay Lodge

For decades Small Hope has been a superb resort for private pilots! In fact, the Small Hope founder, Dick Birch, was a pilot. And his son, Jeff, now the owner/manager, is also a pilot. We have an international airport just minutes away from us, making getting to and from the resort a piece of cake!

We also offer a Private Pilot package, perfect for those flying to the Bahamas for a weekend (or more), or doing some island hopping.

We have regular specials just for private pilots too! We have an Island Hopping special, and a $300 Fee Credit, both of which make the incentives to fly down to Small Hope too good to pass up!!!

And beginning the evening of Wednesday, May 6th, 2016, Jeff Birch will be representing Small Hope, Andros Island, and the Islands of the Bahamas at the annual Sun n' Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida.

Stop by and say hi if you are in the area. See what specials we are offering for the show! Or just fly down to Andros and come visit us at Small Hope.

Once you get here we have diving, snorkeling, fishing, nature tours, or just relaxing on our gorgeous beach! There is something for everyone!!!!!

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Jeff is Back and Kicking!!

 Jeff is Back and Kicking!!!

What started off as a simple and amazing family vacation, turned for the worst when our vehicle went off the side of a dark road, and crashed into a wall. Brian, my son, sustained minor injuries, while I shattered my tibia and fractured one of my cervical vertebrae. 

However, just as the kingsmen placed humpty dumpty back together, the amazing surgeons in Hawaii were able to put me back together as well. 

I am now on the road to recovery, and though my bones may have been broken, my spirit is still intact. I would like to thank you all for your words of hope and encouragement. They truly meant a lot to me. Small Hope is all we need when the going gets tough, and allows us to persevere!!!!

Love Always, 
Jeffrey Birch 

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Annual Small Hope Bay Lodge Staff Party

Nassau Here We Come

Every September Small Hope Bay Lodge closes temporarily to undergo maintenance, repairs and inventory. The first order of business however is the annual staff party. 

Whether it is at Captain Bill's Blue Hole, Somerset Beach, or right at Small Hope the staff party is always a ton of fun. This year Jeff decided to fly everyone over to Nassau and hold the party at Traveller's Rest, a beach side restaurant run by his mother, Joan Hanna. 

Austin, Nicky, Fede, Dale and Tony on the Pursuit

On the morning of the party everyone woke up and headed to the airport, except for a select few who elected to go to Nassau in The Pursuit, Small Hope's 21 foot V-hull. 

Tony and Inez cutting the rug

Arriving in Nassau everyone dispersed for a couple hours to do a little shopping before meeting up at Traveller's for some food, some drinking and of course some dancing. With a live band playing throughout the day there was always someone on the dance floor. Alvin, Jardie and Tony especially enjoyed dancing the day away. 

Alvin gets the dancing started

The food was of course delicious and once everyone had digested a little it was time to hit the water. 

having fun out on the water

There was not a dry seat in the house as everyone had a blast riding on the tube! Fede and Jeff were excellent captains...they only dumped a few people off. 









All in all is was a great day in Nassau and a terrific staff party, one we will not soon forget. A big thank you goes out to Jeff for planning such a wonderful day and leaving everyone with some amazing memories. Annual renovations and inventory are now getting underway at Small Hope,  everyone is getting excited for October and looking forward to the new season!

 Highlights from the 2012 Small Hope Staff Party

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Celebrating Forty Years

Celebrating Forty Years at Small Hope Bay Lodge!

   2012 marks the 40th year that Irene, one of our beloved chefs, has been with Small Hope Bay. While now a days Irene can always be found in the kitchen whipping up Small Hope favorites such as her conch chowder or her famous kidney bean soup (recipe to come) that was not always the case. Irene first came to Small Hope as a babysitter. She made her transition into the kitchen after a desperate Dick Birch had a dining room full of guests and no chef to cook for them! So it was Irene to the rescue!  Cooking had always been her hobby but after that first dinner of white rice and steamed pork chops she made it her career, or rather Dick did as he refused to let her leave the kitchen claiming that her cooking was just too darn good!

Irene in her Chefs

When asked about some of her favorite memories she says "please, with all the memories I have I could write a book about Small Hope, and it'd be a good one too"! She laughs as she recalls a particular time years ago when she would watch Jeff Birch and his cousin ride home from school on Marquita, the family donkey. 

While picking the favorite of her memories would be impossible do, Irene says she loves working for the Birch family, first Dick and now Jeff. Small Hope Bay is her home and she couldn't imagine being anywhere else. This works out great for the rest of us here at Small Hope as Irene is an irreplaceable member of the family and Small Hope would not be the same without her! 

Thanks Irene for all that you do! 

Forty years and still going strong! 

We love you!

              

Irene and Shonnel

             

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Stargate!!!

We have had several divers doing some Specialty dives lately. Last week one of our guests, along with Jeff and Divemaster Fede took the short flight down to one of our most spectacular dive sites . . . Stargate. Stargate is an inland blue hole only accessible by plane. The dive is 120 feet deep and is one of the most incredible dives you will ever do!

 

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Irene’s pancakes

With the weekend upon us, why not treat yourself to some pancakes for breakfast??

A little taste of Small Hope at home.......

Irene’s pancakes

4 cup. flour

1 teaspoon. baking powder

3 eggs

1 cup. sugar

1\4 teaspoon nutmeg

1\4 teaspoon cinnamon

½ c. cream

Water or milk as needed

Combine wet ingredients and beat in flour and spice till just smooth.  Add a

Little cold water if needed.  Best if rested cold an hour before

using.

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Everyone likes cookies......

Oatmeal Cookies

 

Ingredients

¾ cup shortening
½ cup brown sugar (packed)
½ cup granulated sugar
1 egg
¼ cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon soda
½ teaspoon cloves
1 cup raisins
1 cup chopped nuts
3 cups quick-cooking oats

Method

Heat oven to 350˚.  Mix thoroughly shortening, sugars, egg, water and vanilla.  Stir in remaining ingredients.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls 1 inch apart onto greased baking sheet.  Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until almost no imprint remains when touched with finger.  Immediately remove from baking sheet.

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Vicki & Gregg get married.............

o          Small Hope's first wedding of the year was a quiet, intimate occasion. It was a simple ceremony on the beach with Reverend Hamilton. Below are a few words from Vicki and Gregg......

 

  J  Jeffery Birch. MR. Oscar Munroe, Mel, Antonio, Dennis, Randy, Almondo, Ulysses, Aidan Joe and all the special people we met during our stay that weren't listed here. Thanks so much to all of you. When we left Small Hope bay it was like leaving a friend behind. We appreciated all the things you did for us to help us relax and enjoy the most special time of our lives. The triple Pineapple rum punch also helped enormously. We love Small Hope Bay!

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Breakfast wonderful breakfast

Breakfast at Small Hope!



Start the day with a hearty breakfast! Decisions, decisions…..fried or scramble eggs, pancakes or French toast, ham or bacon…maybe a little of everything! We also have fresh fruit, a range of cereals, toast and jam and there is always a pot of coffee brewing.

If you are feeling a little adventurous, ask for the Bahamian Breakfast Special!


“Chicken souse”  boiled chicken & vegetables in a lemony broth

“Corn beef & grits” (known as Fire Engine, by the locals) -corn beef with green peppers and tomatoes in a thyme sauce

“Stew conch” a thick soup with conch and potato

“Sardines & grits” the name says it all!

Well, this makes me hungry, how about you? Pin It Now!

Bonefishing Andros Island Testimonial

Jim and Liz were visiting Small Hope recently and enjoyed a day of bonefishing with one of Small Hope fishing guides "Bonefish" Bradley and here are a few words about their day...............


Jim and Liz enjoying some bonefishing with guide Bradley

My wife Liz and I decided to do some bonefishing while at Small Hope Bay. Their guide is "Bonefish" Bradley Mackey. We both had a great time. Bradley puts you on the fish and then it's up to you! We both caught fish, thanks to him, and added another super experience to our stay at SHB! If you want bonefish, see Bonefish Bradley!

Jim & Liz Smith
Eureka, CA

Small Hope Bay Lodge is now a Orvis Certified Fishing Lodge!! Come and stay with us for your next fishing vacation.............. Pin It Now!

Child Friendly Resort



Bring the kids!! The beach located in front of the cabins is a shallow beach, great for the kids! There is also a tidal pool at low tide which is fun to explore with little ones. We have 2 sandy, white beaches for sand castle making & splashing in the waves. There are sand toys and a wooden swing set on site. On the dock we have mask, snorkels fins, & life vest for all ages,  if your child is 6-9yrs, try a SASSY Dive. Our game room has toys, a climbing structure and a ping pong table.

Small Hope is like one big playground for kids-they are surrounded by nature.

Oh, did we mention COMPLIMENTARY babysitting every night from 6-8:45pm!

Check out our 5night/6 day family package!

We look forward to meeting your family!

Check out our YouTube video of some children have some beach fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WQFEkPOpEc 

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Bahamaian Curry Chicken

Having trouble desciding what to have for dinner why not try cooking up this recipe....

Curry Chicken

Ingredients



12 lbs Chicken wings, cleaned disjointed

¼ cup curry powder

2 tbsp. salt

1 tsp. pepper

¼ cup lime juice

1 onion

2 carrots

3 potatoes

¾ cup curry powder

2 tsp. salt, as needed

2 whole allspice

1 bay leaf

¼ cup cornstarch

2 tbsp. sugar.

Method

1. Clean the chicken wings, appropriately.

2. Season with curry powder, salt, pepper, and limejuice.

3. Toss until well coated. Set aside.

4. Cut vegetables as directed. Set aside.

5. Heat a pot on the stove until nice and hot.

6. Place the curry powder in the pot and cook in dry pot until nice and toasted, about 3 minutes.

7. Add the chicken and toss in the curry powder until well coated.

8. Add enough liquid* to pot just enough to barely cover the chicken.

9. Bring to a boil, and reduce the heat to low.

10. Add salt, whole allspice, and bay leaf. Cook for 15 minutes.

11. Add the vegetables to the pot, and cook for an additional 25 minutes or until vegetables are tender.

12. Taste and adjust the seasonings as necessary.

13. Thicken with cornstarch and cold water if to watery.

If bitter, add equal parts sugar and pineapple juice, until taste has been adjusted.

*Note: For extra flavor chicken stock can be used instead of water for liquid, but reduce the amount of stock.

Note: Serve with White Rice and Coleslaw

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Closing time at Small Hope.........

Dennis painting outside of cabins

Moose making new tank racks 

Antonio painting Ralphy

We have been closed for a little while now, and the whole family is working hard to get ready to re-open on the 14th of October. The rooms have been striped, painted, and fixed up. The boats have been sanded and are ready to paint. New tank racks and seats have been made for the big boat. The maintenance sheds have be sorted out and cleaned so that they're prepared for a new year. The kitchen has been packed up, and it is getting a deep clean and a new coat of paint. Also, the office has started its clean up; it has been all hands on deck! As the saying goes, "Many hands make light work..."

Dive masters study hard

The dive masters have been studying hard in the past weeks, and they are ready to further their dive education with Mike. They have all passed their first two exams for Technical Diving International (TDI) Understanding Nitrox and TDI Gas Blender!! So a big congratulations to all dive masters, and keep up the good work in the coming weeks with your training!!!

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The Birch Family

The eldest Birch children all stopped in to have lunch at Small Hope today and said "Hello!" to all of our big Small Hope family. They hope to see you all soon! Pin It Now!

No Guest Leaves Empty Handed from Their Andros Island Bahamas Vacation

We don't get it. It defies all logic, but some people actually leave Small Hope Bay Lodge at the end of their vacation! We are always sad to part of our family go, but we're heartened that with a return rate of over 70%, chances are, we'll all meet again at Small Hope Bay Lodge. Many of our guests are even annual visitors, coming back to the tropical warmth of the Bahamas again and again.

Since we want to send each family member off with more than just memories of warm breezes and cool, clear tropical seas, we recognize at least one of their many achievements during their stay on Andros Island with a Certificate of Achievement. While Certificates of Achievement in Diving, Snorkeling and Bonefishing are common enough, recently guests have been recognized for their prowess in parenting, grand parenting, hammocking, beachcombing, crabbing, hot tubbing and just plain "chillin'." While many of these activities may not seem notable to the uninitiated, our guests know that at Small Hope Bay Lodge on Andros Island, Chillin' Down and Coolin' Out is an art form and a way of life!

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From Jeff Birch

To all that read this.... Welcome to Small Hope Bay Lodge. My father entertained our first guests in 1960. My father always said "Change is the only immutable law of life" yet he kept Small Hope the same.... friendly, active but not overwhelming, committed to welfare of our community and people. Known as the thinking persons resort. All being said this is my first "blog" "What’s Up" entry and I have to say I am excited. This is my first entry and I am excited about how Small Hope has integrated technology. Soooooo.... "change is the only immutable law of life".... but we keep figuring out how to not have to impact your life when you are here, but you have access should you need it. Our family has committed ourselves to offering a great vacation with diving, fishing, eco adventures, hammocking, talking, relaxing etc etc yet have access to wireless ( of course not during cocktail hour), the internet, the moon, the stars, the sun rising and the world going around every day with a smile, a love of what we have.
Thanks to Nicole to figuring out how we can work on keeping "What’s Up" up to date. We want you to stay with us. ... stay tuned. This picture was taken by a guest, Shelley Burg in November 2006.
"May we be strangers no more".

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