One Year Anniversary

This past weekend, the Gallon Jug community remembered those lost in the plane crash that took the lives of Sir Barry Bowen, teachers Mike & Jill Casey, and their two children, Makayla and Bryce, on February 26, 2010.

The Gallon Jug school has been formally renamed the Casey Community School. On Friday, the flag was raised to half staff. There was nary a dry eye as the students remembered their beloved teachers with original poetry, the Rainforest Song (see post on 9 March 2010), posters and Mike's favorite "chicken dance."

In San Pedro, Sir Barry was fondly remembered:

http://www.ambergristoday.com/content/stories/2011/february/25/remembering-sir-barry-bowen

Although a year has gone by, Sir Barry and the Caseys are sadly missed, gone but never forgotten.

Casey Community School

We're back in Gallon Jug after 2 months in the USA. It was our annual visit "to buy socks and underwear," visit family and friends and attend to medical matters. But it hasn't exactly been a smooth reentry since our computers have made it clear that they don't "like" being shut in a hot and humid room for 8 weeks. This isn't exactly a news flash for us as it is always touch and go whether they'll boot up or not after an absence. The climate simply isn't computer-friendly and aside from leaving them running, or operating the AC for 2 months, we just take our chances. Bruce will eventually get it sorted out (parts are in the mail) but it does mean we're off to a slow start.

So, back in Gallon Jug and ... back to school. Formerly known as the Gallon Jug Community School for the past 20 years, our local school has been renamed the Casey Community School. The new name honors former teachers Mike and Jill Casey who were killed in a plane crash in February, along with their 2 young children, Makayla and Bryce, and Gallon Jug property owner, Sir Barry Bowen.

All are sorely missed here as the new school year begins.

Sir Barry Bowen, a Personal Tribute

Lady (Dixie) Bowen & Sir Barry Bowen on "expedition" in Gallon Jug

Sir Barry invited Bruce and I to move to Gallon Jug from our tiny run down, rented house in Cayo in 1990. It seemed like an offer too good to be true for a pair of idealistic and poverty-stricken conservation biologists. We deliberated for awhile until circumstances beyond our control forced us to accept. Yes it's true -- we weren't too sure a move to Gallon Jug would be good for us.

It turned out to be a major turning point in our lives and careers. Anything we may have accomplished in Belize we owe entirely to Sir Barry and the secure home base he provided in Gallon Jug. He built a house for us in 1993 where we have lived ever since. This home and office was freely given ... and he never would accept even a Belize shilling from us in exchange.

Sir Barry shared with us a true commitment to conservation in Belize and a deep love for the Gallon Jug Estate. He loved birds and wildlife. That is not to imply we agreed all the time or even part of the time -- in fact we had many "spirited" discussions on the subject. We will miss those discussions and his excitement at sharing every new bird he'd seen with us. Sir Barry made all things possible for us and so many others. We miss him deeply.

Tragedy

Sir Barry Bowen, owner of Chan Chich Lodge and Gallon Jug Estate, was killed in a plane crash last night, along with 4 beloved members of our community, GJ Community School teachers Mike & Jill Casey and their two young children. Channel 5 news report here.

We are in mourning.