question to all the helpful people on the sight.

Hello Ellen,

I don't. (can't answer for everyone, but pretty sure most don't. A couple might be part of a hotel/tourism or chamber organization though).

Why do you ask?

--Islander

I asked because you all are so helpful and always there for anyone who wants information non matter how many times the same questions are asked!
: )

You are all truly very generous people with your time and knowledge.

Ellen

"Welcome to the islands, mon". You are experiencing one of the many reasons so many find the islands attractive... the friendly, helpful people... even if there are a few wisecrackers like myself!

Hello Ellen,

Back around 1998 a small group of friends were eating chili, drinking beer and discussing how the VI government had not met the deadline for putting up the official tourism website despite having shelled out big money for it. There was a moment of silence and then a wonderful idea – ‘we can build a site!’. And so we did.

We started with a site about St. Thomas and general VI information. As users requested more information we added Water Island, then St. John, then St. Croix. We added e-post cards, wallpaper downloads, newsletters with short articles/pictures. Added a message board, added a relocation section which eventually we spun off to its own site. The project just kept growing. About midway through - the costs of equipment, servers/hosting, domain names, programs became a little more than we anticipated. Additionally we all had full time jobs so late nights were becoming almost an every night thing. A friend, this time over tacos and beer, said keep it going, sell advertising, sell books - have it pay for itself, but keep it going. And here we are - still growing.

It has developed into something much greater then we originally had imagined, rather than just a website it is a community. And today like the first day we do it for the same reason - for you. If there wasn't you and the others who are seeking information and who enjoy and participate on the site then there really would be no point.

I think the site’s regulars participate for the same reason; for you, to help and to participate and enjoy the community we have here.

I am changing my answer to your original question. Yes, all the board regulars volunteer at a visitor center – a Virtual Visitor Center right here on the site! And I am very grateful for their participation.

Thank you! (tu)

--Islander

And thank God for that. It's amazing, the ideas that can come up over beers!

I have to say, I've found this site an invaluable resource and a wealth of info for preparing for my pre-move, and I don't know what I would have done without. I've also found it quite entertaining at times, and have gotten a good chuckle or 10 out of some of the threads. One in particular, which has since been heavily edited, but that's another story.

Anyway, yeah Ellen... the folks you see posting regularly on here do all of us a great service and they're pretty damn nice, too. I had the pleasure of meeting some of them while I was down in June... Ronnie, Loyal Reader (still thinking about that pork on pork), Ric and Linda J at... at.... at.. Off the Wall (hang on... let me get a tissue), as well as some other visitors like Mike and Linda (twindomes) and my main squeeze, Kate (although I haven't gotten to squeeze her lately).

So, that's me. LONG LIVE THE BOARD!!!

Steve,

We 'regulars' would love to hear more about exactly how you and Kate met. Rumor has it that you met on this board??? 🙂 Okay, enough, but really if you want to share...?

Teresa

Hi Teresa,

Rumor? I thought it was common knowledge. Yeah, we met through the board. She'd sent a PM once, as we were both heading down on June 1st, although she was a one way to STT and I was doing this house-sitting gig on STX for a month. We started emailing back and forth and calling each other, talking about how excited we were, the hopes, the concerns, etc... We have several common interests, so we hit it off quite well and were keen to meet up, although I wasn't planning on getting to STT on that go 'round. LR said I should try to make the trip, as well, and Kate eventually sold me on it by saying a round trip on the seaplane was going to be cheaper than a hotel on STX for 3 or 4 days, so.... she REALLY wanted to meet me.

Anyway, I went directly from the airport on STX to the seaplane and to STT, met Kate, spent 3 lovely days seeing the island, hung out on Ronnie's veranda, had dinner with LR and J, and spent a little more money than I needed to spend. I returned to STX for the house-sitting gig, then Kate came over for a visit about a week later, had another week long whirlwind of fun and excitement, then she flew back to STT, where she's been in a mind-crushing depression ever since.

So.... that's my story and I'm stickin' to it.

Whatever!!!!!

Kate,

You know it's true. C'mon, admit it.

I'm watching the boats in the harbor while contemplating which waterside restaurant to go to for dinner. Who's depressed now?

Awww.... our first online spat. Ain't that precious?

Sailorgirl,
I can only speak for myself. The rewards of "helping" on this board come back to you. I found an apartment when I desperately needed one, bought a car (well, it was lemon but what the heck) and have made some very good friends on this board. It is worth it - thanks to Islander and all the crew!
Pamela

Steve, are making the BIG move down to to the VI? And is the romance moving forward? Sorry to put ya on the spot, BUT...hey, you both are public now!

LOL - That is what this board is all about!!! Sharing vauble information and haveing good ISLAND times !!!!!

Sqeeterz, moving is definitely the plan, man... I just need to make sure I have something lined up for work. I loved it there and it's where I want to be... badly... but, it's pricey down there, so a job helps, you know? I've got a flight reserved for Aug11 now, so if I can nail something down between now and then, I'm outta here.

As to the romance, I'll defer that one to Kate. Gotta watch what I say around here. Two minutes after my first post an email popped into my box beginning with "So, what's the deal with...." Those emails are never good.

Right-o... Sorry to get off subject again, Pamela... and cheers to Islander and Co for giving us this forum so people like me can post things that completely veer off topic.:)

Sailorgirl,
LindaJ & I found this sight when we were planning to move to the islands. In those days there was not a separate moving board. We asked tons of questions. The people here answered them very patiently. We feel a debt of obligation to answer the questions of folks who are considering moving here. Besides other peoples' questions bring back the memories of our experience in making our move.

Ric

Wow!

I knew there was a story behind it all.

It's all very cool.

With all the info.. it still seems like you just got to get down there and do the digging, meet the people, the employer, follow up on the daily trader, network, ect.. ect... which all makes sense unless you are a nurse or doctor and have things really planned out in advance.

Ellen

Rest assured 90 per cent of the employers want to see your face here before hiring. There are hundreds of people that email, call, or fax resumes every week! Those that present themselves usually get the work!

RL

Steve,
was only kidding around!
Pamela