[News Boquete] Chocolate Begins as Fruit

Read the Newsroom Panama article and join us for our next hands-on workshop

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Hello News Boquete, I've known this since I planted my first cacao trees, but something about it has deepened recently as I watch guests move through the cacao grove during our workshops and farm tours: Chocolate begins as fruit. Not as powder, candy, or a finished bar, but as something alive, growing beneath the trees, surrounded by birdsong, humidity, fermentation, and seasonality. Earlier today, I reread the newest article I wrote for Newsroom Panama after seeing it published online, and I realized the piece is not really about chocolate at all. It is about the moment people begin seeing chocolate differently. The article follows one of our recent workshops from the cacao grove through fermentation, roasting over fire, hand peeling cacao beans, stone grinding, and tempering chocolate by hand. But underneath all of it is something more grounded, the experience of reconnecting chocolate to the land that produced it. https://newsroompanama.com/2026/05/18/the-moment-people-realize-chocolate-begins-as-fruit/ Because so many people asked after our last gathering, we will be offering another hands-on chocolate workshop here on the farm on Sunday, June 14 from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. We will keep the gathering intentionally small, as always, so there is time to move slowly, ask questions, work with the cacao by hand, and spend time together around the table. If you would like the workshop details, simply reply to this email with WORKSHOP and I’ll send everything over. Warmly, Lyn Bishop  Founder, Quetzal Cacao P.S. One of my favorite moments is watching people notice cacao flowers for the first time. They are so tiny that many guests walk past them at first, and then suddenly stop and lean closer to the trunk once they finally see them. Lyn Bishop Correo 0415 00085 La Concepcion Bugaba Chiriquí 0145 Panama - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

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[News Boquete] Fwd: Upcoming Community Chats

Please note there is no chat next Monday, May 25th To make reservations go to eventsboquete.org/reservations <http://eventsboquete.org/reservations> Schedule 260518.jpg ___________________________________________________________________ The above message was distributed by /News Boquete/, a free subscription-based community service. /News Boquete/'s _*ONLY*_ public email address is news.boquete@gmail.com. For more info and use policy, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/24y1vz2vae9iaen/News_Boquete_Policy.pdf?dl=0. *If replying to this message, reply *_ONLY_* to the *_ORIGINATOR_* (typically your email's 'Reply To' function works; do not use 'Reply All').* To stop receiving these emails, send a message to news.boquete@gmail.com with the word /_unsubscribe_/ in the subject line or body of the message. © 2005-2026, /News Boquete/. All rights reserved. Public redistribution strictly prohibited without prior written permission.

[News Boquete] You’re Invited! 🎉 Bingo for a Cause – TOMORROW - Support People with Disabilities in Boquete

The Boquete Handicap Foundation (FPI) and ACCB are excited to invite you to a fun-filled afternoon of Bingo that makes a real difference in our community! 📍 Event: ACCB Bingo 📅 Date: *TOMORROW*, May 19, 2026 🕓 Doors Open: 4:00 PM 🔢 First Ball: 5:00 PM 🏁 Game Ends: 6:00 PM *Location: *Stone Cabins *Why come?* Enjoy 6 exciting games of Bingo, with scores displayed on a large screen. Our announcer will be there to guide you and answer any questions. Best of all, your participation supports people with disabilities living in Boquete. *Ticket price:* $15 for 3 cards – each valid for 2 rounds -- *Yuri Pittí Montenegro* /Directora Ejecutiva - Capítulo de Boquete/ /Executive Director - Boquete Chapter / /We support people with disabilities in the Boquete District so they can access healthcare, education, food, and recreation. Ask me how you can help!/ /Apoyamos a personas con discapacidad  del Distrito de Boquete, para que tengan acceso a salud, educación, alimentación y recreación. ¡Pregúntame cómo puedes apoyar! / ___________________________________________________________________ The above message was distributed by /News Boquete/, a free subscription-based community service. /News Boquete/'s _*ONLY*_ public email address is news.boquete@gmail.com. For more info and use policy, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/24y1vz2vae9iaen/News_Boquete_Policy.pdf?dl=0. *If replying to this message, reply *_ONLY_* to the *_ORIGINATOR_* (typically your email's 'Reply To' function works; do not use 'Reply All').* To stop receiving these emails, send a message to news.boquete@gmail.com with the word /_unsubscribe_/ in the subject line or body of the message. © 2005-2026, /News Boquete/. All rights reserved. Public redistribution strictly prohibited without prior written permission.

[News Boquete] The passing of Keith Woolford

💙 It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of the passing of Keith Woolford — a beloved member of this community and a man who truly left his mark on so many of us. Keith was more than a long-time resident. He was the kind of person who made this place feel like home. Whether he was cracking a joke that could lighten any room, stopping to lend a hand without a second thought, or helping a nervous buyer drive off in the right car — Keith showed up, every time, with warmth and integrity. For so many of us, Keith was the first person we ever bought a car from. And that’s no small thing. In a world where trust can be hard to come by, Keith gave it freely — because he earned it. He knew his stuff, but more than that, he genuinely cared about the people he was helping. His humor, his friendliness, and his big heart will be deeply missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing him. A celebration of life will be held for Keith in the near future and we will let the community know the details in time. ___________________________________________________________________ The above message was distributed by /News Boquete/, a free subscription-based community service. /News Boquete/'s _*ONLY*_ public email address is news.boquete@gmail.com. For more info and use policy, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/24y1vz2vae9iaen/News_Boquete_Policy.pdf?dl=0. *If replying to this message, reply *_ONLY_* to the *_ORIGINATOR_* (typically your email's 'Reply To' function works; do not use 'Reply All').* To stop receiving these emails, send a message to news.boquete@gmail.com with the word /_unsubscribe_/ in the subject line or body of the message. © 2005-2026, /News Boquete/. All rights reserved. Public redistribution strictly prohibited without prior written permission.

[News Boquete] Emails from News.Boquete

For some time people have not been receiving these emails from News.Boquete, particularly when their email addresses are with Yahoo, AOL or certain others.

We have made several changes to the way News.Boquete emails are distributed, which will result in better and faster delivery.

Because of these changes, the first emails you receive may come with a warning message about spam. If you see that, click on the "It's Safe" or "Not Spam" message (you may have to click several times) and after that it should not happen again.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

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The above message was distributed by News Boquete, a free subscription-based community service.
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[News Boquete] Fundraising Event For The Cats

my logo - Copy - Copy (2).jpg Come on out to listen to Scotty play on Thursday May 21st from 5:00 to 8:00 pm at Big Daddy's for a fundraiser to benefit the cats of Kirsten Cares For Cats.  There will be an assortment of raffle prizes, a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction. Chris has 2 meals planned with a portion of the meal price being donated. Music, friends, fun and prizes with proceeds going to support the cats with food, veterinary care, fostering, building structures, medicine and specialty diet food. *BONUS ****  A generous donor will MATCH all proceeds up to $5000 from now until June 30th. *DOUBLE your DONATION.* See you there. Kirsten Cares For Cats zoeyquimby@gmail.com <mailto:zoeyquimby@gmail.com> WhatsApp 6446-2794 kitten holding.jpg cbe51880-415b-4c86-b070-7fea9e2ca869.jpg 7ce0e55e-297c-40f5-9ef0-535aeaf0021a.jpg b477bce6-9084-4536-8674-3fce63c6b474.jpg -- ___________________________________________________________________ The above message was distributed by /News Boquete/, a free subscription-based community service. /News Boquete/'s _*ONLY*_ public email address is news.boquete@gmail.com. For more info and use policy, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/24y1vz2vae9iaen/News_Boquete_Policy.pdf?dl=0. *If replying to this message, reply *_ONLY_* to the *_ORIGINATOR_* (typically your email's 'Reply To' function works; do not use 'Reply All').* To stop receiving these emails, send a message to news.boquete@gmail.com with the word /_unsubscribe_/ in the subject line or body of the message. © 2005-2026, /News Boquete/. All rights reserved. Public redistribution strictly prohibited without prior written permission.

[News Boquete] URGENT REQUEST FOR BLOOD FOR JIMMY SULLIVAN

URGENT REQUEST FOR BLOOD FOR JIMMY SULLIVAN

Jimmy is in a critical health crisis and requires 2-3 pints of B+ or O+ blood immediately.

Please consider donating if you can. You must be between 18 and 65 years old.

The process is as follows:

Go to the new building at the Regional Hospital in David. 

Check in at reception, and you will be directed to the "Blood Bank" - you will need to talk to a security guard.

There is a second reception at the blood bank where your information will be taken. You can specify the patient for whom you are donating (James Sullivan - Room 227A). Please do not try to visit Jimmy at this time. 

You will then be given a form to complete, meet with a nurse, and have a blood sample drawn.

Once approved to donate, the process takes approximately 15 minutes.

Your blood donation will be delivered to Jimmy immediately.

If you plan to donate, please call either Chris Brown (+507 6427 9866) or Aileen Provan (+507 6649 0146). One of them will try to attend with you to help with the process.

Thank you, Boquete Community!

 

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[News Boquete] Not Your Usual Panama City Excursion!!!!!!!!

Do you need a break?  Want to get out of town for a few days?  Let's go to Panama City and skip the canal and Old Town, and have some new experiences!!!!  And maybe make some new friends!!!  This trip leaves from Boquete.  For any questions or payment instructions, your local contact in Boquete is Katie Pallo at WhatsApp #6163-0225 *TO NEWS BOQUETE:  PER OUR PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE, I BELIEVE THIS EMAIL FITS ALL OF YOUR GUIDELINES.  PLEASE ADVISE IF IT CAN BE DISTRIBUTED!  AND THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR HELP!* ___________________________________________________________________ The above message was distributed by /News Boquete/, a free subscription-based community service. /News Boquete/'s _*ONLY*_ public email address is news.boquete@gmail.com. For more info and use policy, visit https://www.dropbox.com/s/24y1vz2vae9iaen/News_Boquete_Policy.pdf?dl=0. *If replying to this message, reply *_ONLY_* to the *_ORIGINATOR_* (typically your email's 'Reply To' function works; do not use 'Reply All').* To stop receiving these emails, send a message to news.boquete@gmail.com with the word /_unsubscribe_/ in the subject line or body of the message. © 2005-2026, /News Boquete/. All rights reserved. Public redistribution strictly prohibited without prior written permission.

[News Boquete] MOP Plans Road Patching Operation known as ‘Tapa Huecos’ in Alto Boquete Panama

REPRINTED FROM NEWSROOM PANAMA

The Ministry of Public Works announced a road patching operation, known as “Tapa Huecos,” for deteriorated streets in the corregimiento of Alto Boquete in Chiriquí.  The announcement came during an inspection tour of key road projects in Boquete, where damaged pavement has become a visible concern for residents and drivers. Patching work is intended to address problem areas that can affect vehicle safety, travel times, and daily movement within the district.  Boquete is one of Chiriquí’s most visited areas and a major hub for local commerce, tourism, and neighborhood traffic. Road maintenance in the district is important not only for residents but also for the broader flow of people and goods through the province. 

Operations like “Tapa Huecos” are typically used to target the most damaged sections of roadway while longer-term improvements are planned or evaluated. In areas with heavy traffic and weather-related wear, this kind of maintenance can help improve circulation and reduce further deterioration.  The Ministry’s inspection of road projects in Boquete reflects ongoing attention to infrastructure in western Panama, where road conditions play a central role in access to communities, markets, schools, and service areas. For districts such as Alto Boquete, even routine repair work can have a direct impact on daily mobility.  Public works maintenance remains a recurring issue across Panama, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where traffic and climate can accelerate damage to paved streets. Patchwork repairs are often one of the first responses to visible road wear.

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[News Boquete] MOP Plans Road Patching Operation known as ‘Tapa Huecos’ in Alto Boquete Panama - resent copy

REPRINTED FROM NEWSROOM PANAMA

The Ministry of Public Works announced a road patching operation, known as “Tapa Huecos,” for deteriorated streets in the corregimiento of Alto Boquete in Chiriquí.  The announcement came during an inspection tour of key road projects in Boquete, where damaged pavement has become a visible concern for residents and drivers. Patching work is intended to address problem areas that can affect vehicle safety, travel times, and daily movement within the district.  Boquete is one of Chiriquí’s most visited areas and a major hub for local commerce, tourism, and neighborhood traffic. Road maintenance in the district is important not only for residents but also for the broader flow of people and goods through the province. 

Operations like “Tapa Huecos” are typically used to target the most damaged sections of roadway while longer-term improvements are planned or evaluated. In areas with heavy traffic and weather-related wear, this kind of maintenance can help improve circulation and reduce further deterioration.  The Ministry’s inspection of road projects in Boquete reflects ongoing attention to infrastructure in western Panama, where road conditions play a central role in access to communities, markets, schools, and service areas. For districts such as Alto Boquete, even routine repair work can have a direct impact on daily mobility.  Public works maintenance remains a recurring issue across Panama, especially in urban and semi-urban areas where traffic and climate can accelerate damage to paved streets. Patchwork repairs are often one of the first responses to visible road wear.

___________________________________________________________________
The above message was distributed by News Boquete, a free subscription-based community service.
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