An Afternoon with Uncle Mac kee
Nevis is known for being a refreshingly laid-back vacation destination, but according Four Seasons Nevis, West Indies staffer Tara MacIntyre, it’s “the beauty of the people here and how they share their local lore,” that makes Nevis so special. “They grow all their own herbs and vegetables,” MacIntyre continues, “and use all sorts of other plants for medicinal purposes. And they share all this accumulated knowledge with each other and visitors.”
Four Seasons employs many Nevisians, but the one staffer who really stands out as embodying the Nevisian spirit of warmth and sharing, says MacIntyre, is Mac kee France, the Director of Recreation. “We call him Uncle Mac kee because the children just flock to him, the adults too,” says MacIntyre. “He has such a natural way with people. A major people person.”
After attending university in France, Mac kee returned to Nevis to teach French at the local school. Not long after that he began working nights at the Resort to supplement his teaching income. Before long, he was promoted and left his teaching job. “But in a way,” says MacIntyre, “he’s still involved in education. He oversees our schools and beach program and Kids Olympics.”
A self taught golfer and tennis player, he often hits the courts and greens with guests. “90 percent of my work is with the guests,” Mac kee says. “Fortunately, I’m a Leo, so I have the personality for it.”
His latest effort to enhance the Resort activities is the coconut experience. “What he does is invite guests to come at 3:00 pm for a picnic on the lawn by the pool and a coconut climber comes,” explains MacIntyre. “The climber is like a spiderman. He climbs barefoot way up to the top of the tree and brings down coconuts. The guests are the edges of their seats. It’s so exciting, and very much a local experience.”
The experience also includes a lecture from Mac kee in which he explains how Nevisians use every bit of the coconut for everything from food and desserts, to toys and medicine. Then he serves guests coconut milk and water from the coconuts the climber just retrieved.
“He’s just such a character,” says MacIntyre, “a truly special person.”
