An introduction to VI culture for us mainlanders

Wow! That is very cool! I don't know about the rest of you, but I kind of like the idea of having a Contessa on the island.... it adds a little more international flair... mystery and intrigue. Anyone know if she/they contribute to the local culture, or is the land just an investment or snow bird nest? When I searched this forum for "contessa" I didn't get many hits.

The Castle Aura is the Contessa's vacation home. She lives in Port Jefferson on Long Island. She is a long time visitor to St Croix and a great Lady. She contributes to many many charities on the island. For a little St Croix history check out.
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1134/is_n4_v107/ai_20549275/pg_1?tag=artBody;col1

John

HA! I didn't know it was THAT Contessa, Contessa Nadia De Navarro widow of real-estate magnate Sid Farber and owner of the Pink House in Belle Terre, if you think the castle here is cool, the Pink House is huge and quite literally pink. We used to walk along the top of her wall on our way to the beach in high school (until the security guard came out and yelled). I am continually amazed at how wonderfully small this world is.

HA! I didn't know it was THAT Contessa, Contessa Nadia De Navarro widow of real-estate magnate Sid Farber and owner of the Pink House in Belle Terre....I am continually amazed at how wonderfully small this world is.

Hey, Allmashup, I was brought up in a Sid Farber house. If my dad hadn't bought that $13,000 post WWII house all those years ago the Contessa might not have ever had those big homes. I think since we're almost related to her, she should invite us to stay in her house in St. Croix.

Even when she's out and about"on STX, she has "people" who stay with her. I believe she is quite elderly.

John,
What an article! And I thought the civil war history, washington political intrigue and CIA spy scandals of my northern Virginia were interesting. Geez, it's like I'm in Mayberry compared to St Croix!

I guess I'll have to brush up on my bowing skills for chance encounters with the Contessa. I can't wait for the chance to make up stories for my visitors and grand kids, about the Bulgarian Contessa in the castle on the cliffs..... hmmmm, could she be the daughter of the witch in Hansel and Gretal? Or, is she the Queen of all good fairies. It depends on whether the kids are being brats or not.

Hi, EngRMP,

This just in from the NYT - thought some of us royalty-watchers might be interested...

Sid Farber, Builder of Homes And L.I. Industrial Buildings
Published: November 28, 1985

Sid Farber, a residential and industrial builder, died of pnuemonia Tuesday at Mather Memorial Hospital in Port Jefferson. L.I. He was 72 years old and had homes in Belle Terre, L.I.; Manhattan; St. Croix, V.I., and Monte Carlo.
Mr. Farber's developments ranged from Uniondale to Port Jefferson and included projects in West Hempstead, Massapequa, Huntington, Selden and Smithtown.
He was perhaps best known for the thousands of moderate-priced houses he built during his first 25 years in business, beginning in 1950.
His company, which has constructed office buildings, industrial buildings and shopping centers, has more recently built town houses and single-family homes in Port Jefferson and Medford.
Mr. Farber, who was born in Mineola, L.I., attended Lafayette College in Easton, Pa., and served in the Army in the Pacific during World War II, rising to the rank of captain.
He is survived by his wife, the former Countess Nadia de Navarro, a former Bulgarian muscial-comedy star, and two brothers.

Thanks

OK, great, so the lore has more fuel....

So, Captain Sid (aka "Vicious") Farber, in his trusty Sopwith Camel was escaping enemy fire over the ocean when he discovered the small island of STX (let's hope the kids don't check these facts too closely). With amazing skill, he landed his aircraft on the hill that now hosts the castle. Maybe it was a Bulgarian fighter pilot who was chasing him, and crashed on the island, but Farber saves him. Ohhhh, this story is going to require a camp fire and marshmallows!

Very interesting guys! I'd like to see a Discovery or History Channel special on the Virgin Islands.