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The paintings of Italian-born artist Agostino Brunias, who made a profession of depicting the island in subdued, stylized settings that covered up the harsh realities of colonial control, were my first visual introduction to Dominica. However, as soon as I step onto its winding roads, which begin to twist shortly after I arrive, it becomes evident that this region, which is situated in the center of the Lesser Antilles’ curve, is anything but tame. The two-toned leaves of its bois canot trees, which change color from green to white when they sway in the wind, shimmer and bristle with the power of the volcano. It lulls with the erratic sound of its numerous waterfalls, scatters rainbows haphazardly across its breathtaking horizons, and enchants from the depths with its vibrant coral reefs. And it roars come storm season.
The indigenous Kalinago people of Dominica survived invasion by the French and British, who imposed slavery on the Africans who now make up four-fifths of the island’s population and left a linguistic legacy of English and French-based Creole, by mastering the lush tropical rainforest that covers more than 60% of the island. If you visit Trinidad for roti and Jamaica for jerk, you should travel to Dominica for green things like bush rum and flower teas. There are a ton of medicinal herbs in the forest.
The Jungle Bay Dominica resort, located smack dab in the center of the Soufrière jungles, leans into nature instead, maybe realizing the futility of fighting against the earth’s generosity. When I finally get there, the kitchen is closed. Joanne Hilaire, the operations manager, tells me that they never let guests go hungry, though, so I can feel the warmth of Dominica’s welcome. The cook is preparing an excellently stewed dish of beans with taro, rice, and plantain for our late dinner, off the menu, while I have a refreshing ginger-lime cocktail that is a local favorite. When I wake up the following morning, I find that my villa’s doors open onto a private veranda that faces southwest toward Soufrière Bay, where the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean converge. I let the light wake me for the remainder of my stay by leaving my blinds open.
17-year-old Prom King found dead just one hour after being reported missing
Tragedy struck in Appanoose County, Iowa, earlier this summer when 17-year-old Ayden Beeson, a popular high school student and Prom King, was found dead shortly after being reported missing. On June 26, 2024, Ayden disappeared while swimming at Rathbun Lake. Despite a swift response from the Appanoose County Sheriff’s Office and Water Rescue team, his body was recovered from 15 to 20 feet of water. Ayden was pronounced dead at the scene.
Ayden was a well-known figure in the Centerville School District, excelling in both football and tennis. Superintendent Mark Taylor described him as “a great kid being lost in the prime of his life,” noting how he was “nice to everybody” and a “really popular kid that everybody liked.”
The Centerville Community Schools expressed their grief on Facebook, stating they were “deeply saddened” by Ayden’s passing. The district highlighted his involvement in the school community and remembered him for being “genuinely kind.”
Ayden’s untimely death has left a significant impact on his community, as friends, family, and classmates mourn the loss of a young life full of promise.
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