St. Martin News Network - St. Maarten

“Play Like We Used 2” Brings Generations Together Through Culture, Community & Play.

PHILIPSBURG:--- Laughter, storytelling, childhood memories, and cultural connection filled the atmosphere this past weekend as the Play Like We Used 2 initiative successfully brought seniors, children, parents, and community members together for a heartwarming intergenerational cultural experience focused on reviving traditional Caribbean games and living heritage.

The initiative, organized by Julia Grigg, was designed to reconnect younger generations with the simple joys, traditions, and social experiences that once shaped Caribbean childhoods through outdoor games, storytelling, clapping rhymes, riddles, and shared cultural memories. The project also created a meaningful opportunity for seniors to actively participate as knowledge bearers, sharing their lived experiences and traditions with the island’s youth.

The event was made possible through the valued support of Het Cultuurfonds Caribisch Gebied (CCG) and the dedicated collaboration of the St. Maarten Senior Citizens Recreational Foundation (SSCRF), whose involvement helped ensure that seniors were able to come out, participate, and truly enjoy the experience alongside the children and families in attendance.

Special appreciation is also extended to the parents and guardians who ensured that their children came out to “Play Like They Used 2,” embracing a day centered around movement, connection, laughter, and community participation.

The initiative aligns with broader efforts to preserve and safeguard intangible cultural heritage through active participation and intergenerational exchange. According to the project overview, Play Like We Used To focuses on reviving traditional Caribbean games, documenting oral traditions, and fostering meaningful interactions between elders and youth through community-centered play sessions and cultural storytelling. The project further emphasizes cultural preservation through documentation, educational tools, and public engagement activities designed to ensure these traditions remain accessible for future generations.

Organizer Julia Grigg shared that the inspiration behind the initiative came from a desire to bridge generational gaps while preserving cultural traditions that are slowly disappearing in today’s technology-driven world.

“So many of the games, songs, and traditions we grew up with created real human connection, creativity, and community interaction. I wanted our seniors to feel valued, heard, and celebrated while giving children the opportunity to experience the joy of authentic play beyond screens and devices. Watching the generations laugh, learn, and connect with each other was truly beautiful and confirmed exactly why this initiative matters,” Grigg expressed.

Throughout the day, participants engaged in traditional games, storytelling moments, and interactive activities that promoted social interaction, cultural pride, and joyful community participation. The atmosphere reflected the true essence of Caribbean togetherness — one rooted in shared experiences, oral traditions, laughter, and collective memory.

The Play Like We Used 2 initiative continues to serve as an important reminder that culture is not only preserved through archives and history books, but through active participation, storytelling, and community engagement across generations.

BOPP Student Registration Officially Closed Following Strong Student Demand.

PHILIPSBURG:--- The Department of Youth hereby informs the public that student registration for the 2026 edition of the Business Outreach & Placement Program (BOPP) has officially closed after reaching and surpassing the program’s registration capacity within just five days of opening.
Student registration officially opened on Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 and, due to the exceptional response and growing popularity of the program amongst young people, the Department was required to close registration by Saturday after the maximum capacity had been exceeded.
The overwhelming interest shown by students once again reflects the growing demand for meaningful opportunities that provide workplace exposure, practical experience and professional development for youth on Sint Maarten.
Now entering its 28th year, BOPP continues to serve as one of Sint Maarten’s longest-running youth workforce development initiatives, connecting youth between the ages of 16 and 24 with both public and private sector host organizations for summer work experience placements.
The Department of Youth extends sincere appreciation to all students who registered and demonstrated interest in participating in this year’s program. The Department also wishes to thank the many businesses, organizations and government departments that continue to support BOPP and contribute toward the development and empowerment of the nation’s youth.
The Department remains committed to providing students with a valuable and meaningful work experience that not only strengthens their professional skills, but also allows them to build connections, expand their networks and gain exposure to potential career pathways and future employment opportunities.
Students who successfully registered will receive further communication regarding the next phases of the program, including orientation activities, interview scheduling and pre-placement training. Registered students are strongly encouraged to check their emails regularly in order to remain informed of all activities and important updates leading up to the training component of the program.
The Department of Youth is also continuing its appeal to businesses, organizations and government departments that have not yet registered as host organizations to come on board and support this important youth development initiative. By participating in BOPP, organizations play a direct role in helping to shape, mentor and prepare the future workforce of Sint Maarten.
For additional information, persons may contact the Department of Youth at telephone +1 (721) 542-2709 ext. 2754 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

South Omega Leo Club Calls for Greater Road Safety Following Recent Tragedy.

lesomesg25052026 PHILIPSBURG:--- The Sint Maarten South Omega Leo Club extends its deepest condolences to every family that has lost a loved one in a motorcycle or scooter accident. Our thoughts and prayers are especially with the families and friends affected by the recent tragic accident in Baie Nettle, which has once again shaken our community and reminded us how fragile life truly is.

Far too many young lives are being lost or seriously injured on our roads. As a youth organization committed to community service and youth development, we are calling on all motorists to exercise greater caution while driving, especially in school zones and around motorcycles and scooters.

We urge drivers to:
• Slow down and obey speed limits
• Avoid distracted driving and phone use behind the wheel
• Be mindful of young and inexperienced riders
• Give motorcycles and scooters enough space on the road
• Drive responsibly at all times

We also encourage our young riders to prioritize safety by wearing helmets, avoiding reckless riding, and respecting traffic laws.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. One careless decision can change lives forever. Together, we must work to create safer roads and protect the lives of our youth and community members.

Drive Safe. Arrive Alive.

Civil Servants face another year without COLA, Irion warns.

irion25052026 PHILIPSBURG: --- Former Minister of Finance and Member of Parliament Ardwell Irion warned during today’s parliamentary meeting that civil servants may once again be left without a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) due to the government’s continued delay in presenting the national budget.
Addressing Parliament during the public meeting, Irion criticized the coalition government’s handling of the country’s finances, stating that the absence of an approved budget is directly impacting workers and ordinary citizens.
“Civil servants can’t get a COLA because there’s no budget,” Irion declared during his address. He further stated that government employees would also be unable to legally receive their increased vacation allowance payments, which were expected on June 14.
The MP painted a grim picture of the economic consequences of the delayed 2026 budget, arguing that each month without financial approval deepens the financial strain on public servants and the wider population.
“Every month that this government sits in office is a day that you get poorer,” Irion said.
According to Irion, Parliament had previously received correspondence from the Minister of Finance outlining a timeline that indicated the draft budget would be submitted by May 1. However, he noted that Parliament is still awaiting the document, while lawmakers are expected to travel for upcoming inter-parliamentary meetings, raising further questions about when the budget debate will actually take place.
The former Finance Minister also criticized what he described as misplaced priorities within government and Parliament. He pointed to the swift scheduling of political meetings, including recent motions of no confidence, while discussions on revenue-generating measures and financial reforms remain stalled.
Irion reminded Parliament that members had requested meetings as far back as December 2025 to present ideas aimed at generating additional revenue for the country, but those discussions have yet to materialize.
He also accused the government of lacking creativity in addressing Sint Maarten’s financial challenges and relying instead on increased tax revenues from high fuel prices while refusing to provide tax relief measures to consumers.
The remarks are expected to intensify public debate surrounding the delayed budget process and growing concerns among civil servants over compensation and economic relief measures.

Coalition silent as URSM Feud explodes in Parliament.

coalitiongovernment25052026 PHILIPSBURG:--- The coalition government came under sharp scrutiny in Parliament as several Members of Parliament appeared unwilling to confront the growing political crisis engulfing the URSM, choosing instead to remain largely silent while serious allegations were traded on the floor of the House.

Notably, MPs Chris Wever, Veronica Jansen-Webster, Raeyhon Peterson, and Viren Kotai made it clear during proceedings that they had only signed on to the speakers' list to safeguard their speaking time during the second round of debate. The move drew criticism from observers who expected coalition members to aggressively question the deepening conflict within the governing ranks.

Instead, Parliament witnessed a dramatic and unprecedented public feud between Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and the Minister of VSA, Richinel Brug, both of whom invoked parliamentary immunity to accuse one another of wrongdoing.

The bitter exchange exposed fractures within the URSM and intensified concerns over the stability and integrity of the coalition government. Yet despite the explosive nature of the allegations, MPs aligned with the URSM faction largely avoided pressing the Prime Minister on accusations involving integrity breaches, bullying, and political hijacking.

Rather than holding the country’s leader accountable, several coalition-aligned MPs appeared more focused on shielding the Prime Minister from political damage. Questions posed during the debate often seemed designed to assist or defend the embattled leader rather than demand clarity and accountability.

Equally alarming to many observers was the muted reaction from coalition members when the Prime Minister informed Parliament that most house doctors were operating without the required certification. The revelation — one with potentially serious implications for public health and patient safety — failed to trigger outrage or sustained interrogation from coalition MPs.

Critics say the silence spoke volumes.

For many watching the parliamentary session, the message was unmistakable: political survival and coalition preservation took precedence over transparency, accountability, and the people's interests.

As tensions within the URSM continue to escalate publicly, an increasing number of citizens are questioning whether the coalition still possesses the moral authority and political courage to govern effectively — or whether internal political warfare has now completely overshadowed the country’s pressing national concerns.