PHILIPSBURG:---  As the year came to a close, Orco Bank proudly reflected on the meaningful moments shared during the annual End of Year Dinner and Party for Seniors in Sint Maarten, organized by the Helping Hands Foundation. The event brought together seniors and differently-abled community members for an evening filled with warmth, music, and togetherness.
Held at the Seniors Recreational Center in the Hope Estate, the celebration welcomed approximately 125 to 150 seniors, offering a festive atmosphere with live entertainment, food, drinks, and joyful moments of connection. With the support of multiple sponsors, including Orco Bank, the event created a memorable and inclusive experience for all in attendance.
“Supporting initiatives that bring joy, dignity, and connection to our senior community is something we value deeply,” said Judy King, Country Manager of Orco Bank Sint Maarten. “December is a time for giving and reflection, and we were honored to support this event alongside other partners who share the same commitment to community care.”
Orco Bank remains committed to supporting local organizations like the Helping Hands Foundation, whose work continues to positively impact the lives of seniors across Sint Maarten. As we move into the new year, Orco Bank looks forward to continuing its role as an engaged and supportive community partner.
For more information about Orco Bank, please visit https://www.orcobank.com. Stay connected and follow us for daily updates on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OrcoBank and LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/orco-bank.

PHILIPSBURG (DCOMM):--- It’s a new year – 2026 - and many set out their goals, which also include achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.

As we step into the second half of the decade, the landscape of personal wellness is shifting from restrictive dieting toward long-term, sustainable health integration.

Every year the Collective Prevention Services (CPS), a department within the Ministry of Public Health, Social Development and Labor (Ministry VSA), as part of its annual health observances calendar, highlights and creates awareness about health matters.

For the month of January, CPS is profiling healthy weight and nutrition.
CPS would like to offer some tips designed to help individuals set realistic goals that prioritize both physical vitality and mental well-being.

The beginning of a new year often brings a surge of ambitious health resolutions that can be difficult to maintain. However, 2026 is being hailed as the year of "Functional Longevity."

Experts suggest that the most successful individuals are those who move away from "all-or-nothing" mentalities and instead focus on incremental habits.

The key nutrition and wellness tips for 2026 are: prioritize whole, nutrient-dense foods where you focus on "adding" rather than "subtracting." Incorporate a wider variety of leafy greens, ancient grains, and lean proteins to support gut health and steady energy levels.

Hydration with intention. Beyond simple water intake, focus on maintaining electrolyte balance, especially for those with active lifestyles.

Mindful movement. Instead of grueling, unsustainable workout schedules, aim for 150 minutes of moderate activity per week that you actually enjoy, such as brisk walking, swimming, or functional strength training.

Rest as a pillar of health. Sleep hygiene is now recognized as being just as critical as diet. Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep to regulate metabolic hormones and cognitive function.

The role of professional guidance. While self-motivation is vital, CPS emphasizes that the foundation of any health journey must be built on professional medical advice. Individual health profiles vary wildly based on genetics, age, and pre-existing conditions.

The most important health goal anyone can set this year is to schedule an annual physical. Do It Yourself health can only take you so far.

Regular screenings and consultations with a primary care physician are essential to catch underlying issues early and to ensure that your nutritional or fitness changes are safe for your specific body chemistry.

CPS recommends that all individuals maintain a "Health Log" to share with their physicians, noting any significant changes in energy, mood, or physical performance.

Contact your family physician or CPS at 914 for more information on maintaining a healthy weight and the nutritional benefits for 2026.

On behalf of the Board and staff of the Sint Maarten Library

The passing of Marc Marshall invites us to pause — not only in sorrow, but in reflection.
Marc served as General Manager of the Sint Maarten Library for a period of two years. His time with the institution unfolded during a demanding chapter, marked by transition, pressure, and complex challenges. It was not an easy season, nor a simple role to carry.
Yet even in turbulence, Marc showed up.
He accepted responsibility at a time when the Library was navigating significant change, and he did so with commitment and resolve. He understood the weight of the position and the expectations that came with it. While circumstances were often difficult, Marc remained present, engaged, and willing to shoulder the task entrusted to him.
Beyond roles and outcomes, we remember Marc foremost as a person. A man who cared deeply, who tried, who bore responsibility in the public eye while carrying his own private battles. Those who worked with him knew his humanity — his moments of warmth, his sincerity, and his desire to do right by the institution he served.
As a Board, we believe it is important to honor Marc not by overstating his tenure, but by acknowledging his willingness to serve during a challenging period and his contribution to the ongoing story of the Sint Maarten Library. Institutions are shaped not only by their successes, but also by those who step forward when the road is uncertain.
Marc Marshall was one of those people.
We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, colleagues, and all who knew him beyond his professional title. May he be remembered with compassion, fairness, and grace —and may his memory remind us of the human beings behind the positions we hold.
To honor and acknowledge his life, the Sint Maarten Library will host a Celebration of Life tribute on Thursday, January 22, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., in Room 202 at the University of St. Martin (USM). The tribute will include a short program reflecting on Mr. Marshall’s life, leadership, and contributions to the Sint Maarten Library and the wider community.
In observance of this tribute, the Cay Hill and Belvedere Library locations will be closed on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The Main Library will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. All locations will reopen on Friday, January 23, 2026, for regular service.
Board of Directors and staff of
Sint Maarten Library

PHILIPSBURG:---  The House of Parliament will sit in a Central Committee meeting on January 16, 2025.

The Central Committee meeting is scheduled for Friday at 10.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Minister of Housing, Spatial Planning, Environment, and Infrastructure will be in attendance.

The agenda point is:
Nature Policy Plan Sint Maarten 2025-2029 (IS/365/2025-2026 dated November 18, 2025)

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations.

All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament