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Herbal Harmony Expands into Period Care with the Launch of Her-Comfort
Dominica-based entrepreneur Rachel Shillingford continues her commitment to women’s wellness with the introduction of a new sanitary napkin line.

Herbal Harmony, a Dominican wellness brand founded by entrepreneur and PMOS advocate Rachel Shillingford, is expanding its commitment to women’s wellness with the launch of Her-Comfort by Herbal Harmony, a new line of daytime sanitary napkins.

The launch marks another milestone for Shillingford, who has continued to use both her personal platform and her business to encourage conversations around women’s menstrual, hormonal and overall wellness.

Her-Comfort features a cotton top sheet and an anion strip. The product is made in China and distributed by Herbal Harmony, Coulibistrie, Dominica.

Inspired by Women’s Voices
The idea for Her-Comfort emerged after Shillingford attended a wellness forum where women expressed their desire for better sanitary napkin options, particularly products featuring cotton.

The conversation stayed with her and prompted her to consider how Herbal Harmony could respond to a need women were openly expressing.

“As a woman and as someone who has spent years advocating for conversations around menstrual health, I couldn’t simply hear that conversation and forget it. I began thinking about how Herbal Harmony could play a role, and today, that thought has become a reality,” said Shillingford.

For her, the launch represents more than adding another product to the business. It reflects the importance of listening to women, recognising their concerns and exploring practical ways to respond to their needs.

“Last year, I introduced Harmony Flow by Herbal Harmony, our cycle-tracking app designed to help women better understand and keep track of their cycles. This year, I am proud to introduce Her-Comfort. Both reflect my continued commitment to creating more opportunities for women to engage with their menstrual health and wellness,” Shillingford added.

Championing PMOS Awareness
Shillingford’s work in women’s wellness extends beyond products. Throughout September, she used her personal platform and Herbal Harmony to advocate for PMOS (Polyendocrine Metabolic Ovarian Syndrome) and encourage broader conversations about hormonal and metabolic health.

Her September advocacy included educational and community-focused activities designed to help women learn more about PMOS, feel supported in their wellness journeys and recognise that the condition involves more than its commonly discussed symptoms.

Among the activities were Spill the Tea on PMOS, a Facebook Live discussion featuring endocrinologist Dr. Natasha Maxime-Fritz, and Sip Tea & Chat, a community wellness event that created space for learning, conversation and connection. She also participated in school visits , awareness activities and used media opportunities to continue bringing attention to PMOS.

Through these efforts, Shillingford continues to encourage women to ask questions, seek reliable information and have more open conversations about their health.

Her advocacy is closely connected to the mission behind Herbal Harmony: to contribute to women’s wellness through products, education and meaningful community engagement.

A Growing Commitment to Women’s Wellness
From herbal teas developed for different wellness needs to menstrual health advocacy, Harmony Flow and now Her-Comfort, Herbal Harmony continues to explore ways to serve its customers while keeping women’s needs at the heart of its work.

The introduction of Her-Comfort represents a new chapter for the business and reflects Shillingford’s belief that women’s everyday comfort deserves attention.

Her-Comfort by Herbal Harmony is being introduced as a daytime sanitary napkin option featuring a cotton top sheet and an anion strip.

About Herbal Harmony
Herbal Harmony is a Dominican wellness brand founded by Rachel Shillingford in 2022. Inspired by her personal experiences with reproductive health and a desire to make use of Dominica’s natural resources, the business offers herbal tea products and promotes conversations around women’s wellness.

Under Shillingford’s leadership, Herbal Harmony has grown beyond herbal teas to include menstrual health advocacy, educational initiatives and new offerings that reflect the evolving needs of its community.

Through her work as an entrepreneur and advocate, Shillingford remains committed to encouraging women to become more informed about their bodies and to making women’s wellness a more visible part of everyday conversations.

Her-Comfort by Herbal Harmony — because comfort should always be part of her care.

EMERALD AQUATICS CLUB MAKES IMPRESSIVE DEBUT AT THE 14TH ANNUAL OCEAN SPRAY SHORT COURSE NATIONALS IN SAINT LUCIA

Roseau, Dominica – October 12, 2026

Emerald Aquatics Club proudly represented Dominica at the 14th Annual Ocean Spray Short Course Nationals, held on October 10 and 11, 2026, in Rodney Bay, Saint Lucia, marking an exciting milestone in the Club’s journey.

Competing for the very first time, Emerald Aquatics’ young swimmers delivered an outstanding performance, securing three (3) bronze medals. These were proudly earned by:

* Kerniya Seaman – 400m Freestyle
* Khalil Seaman – 100m Breaststroke
* Zurie Charles – 200m Freestyle

This remarkable achievement marks a significant milestone for the Club and is a true testament to the swimmers’ determination, dedication, hard work, and passion for the sport.

The Club participated with a team of just 10 swimmers, competing alongside six (6) other clubs, many of which fielded teams of more than 20 swimmers. The competition brought together approximately 205 swimmers, making Emerald Aquatics’ achievements even more commendable.

Despite being one of the smaller teams at the event, Emerald Aquatics demonstrated that success is not determined by team size, but by dedication, perseverance, determination, and the willingness to give one’s best.

What makes this accomplishment even more meaningful is the limited access to adequate training facilities and opportunities in Dominica. Despite these challenges, the swimmers rose to the occasion, competing with confidence, determination, and a strong sense of pride.

Head Coach, Ms. Daley, expressed her pride in the swimmers’ achievements, stating:

“This experience has been nothing short of amazing for our swimmers and the Club as a whole. For many of our athletes, this was their first opportunity to compete at this level, and they rose to the occasion, giving their very best.

Returning home with three bronze medals is a commendable achievement, but beyond the medals, what makes us most proud is the courage, determination, and resilience displayed by each swimmer.

They stepped outside their comfort zones, embraced the challenge, and demonstrated tremendous potential. This experience has not only boosted their confidence but has also laid a strong foundation for their continued growth and development.

We are incredibly proud of every swimmer, and we believe this is only the beginning of greater things to come for Emerald Aquatics.”

The competition provided invaluable exposure, allowing the swimmers to experience a competitive environment, interact with athletes from other clubs, and gain a better understanding of the standards required to excel at regional competitions.

Emerald Aquatics Club wishes to extend its deepest appreciation to the dedicated coaches whose unwavering commitment, patience, guidance, and countless hours of hard work have helped shape these young athletes. They continue to go above and beyond to ensure that the swimmers are prepared, motivated, and confident.

The Club also wishes to express its heartfelt appreciation to its valued sponsors, Timbos Suites and Benjos Seamoss, for their generous support and contributions towards making this journey possible.

Their willingness to invest in young athletes and believe in the vision of Emerald Aquatics Club has played an important role in providing the swimmers with this invaluable opportunity.

As a developing club, partnerships such as these mean a great deal, and the Club is truly grateful for their commitment to supporting youth development and competitive swimming in Dominica.

Emerald Aquatics Club also extends its sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Sports and Youth Affairs and the Honourable Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica for their invaluable support and assistance.

In particular, the Club acknowledges the Prime Minister’s contribution towards facilitating training opportunities for its young swimmers, which played a significant role in their preparation and performance at the competition.

This achievement reflects not only the swimmers’ hard work and determination, but also the collective efforts of those who believe in their potential and are willing to invest in their future.

In a special message to the swimmers, the Club stated:

“To our incredible swimmers, we could not be prouder. You stepped onto a regional competitive stage for the first time, faced new challenges, and represented your Club and country with determination and courage.

Whether you returned with a medal or achieved a personal best, every one of you is a champion in our eyes.

This achievement belongs to all of us — our swimmers, coaches, parents, sponsors, and the entire Emerald Aquatics family.”

Looking ahead, the Club intends to participate in additional swimming competitions throughout the Caribbean, ensuring that its athletes receive the exposure, experience, and opportunities they need and deserve.

This first competition has reinforced the Club’s belief that Dominican swimmers have the talent, determination, and potential to compete successfully on the regional stage when given the opportunity.

The Club emphasized that its journey is about more than winning medals. It is about building confidence, developing discipline, creating lasting memories, and showing young athletes that their circumstances do not define their potential.

Team Manager, Ms. Nelisha Chaseau, echoed these sentiments, stating:

“We may be a small club, but we have big dreams and even greater determination. Our journey has only just begun, and this experience has shown us that with hard work, dedication, and belief in our swimmers, there are no limits to what we can achieve.

We are building something special, and from here, we are only going up!”

Dominica Association of Tampa Bay to Celebrate Dominica’s 48th Anniversary of Independence with “Madras & Bling” Celebration

The Dominica Association of Tampa Bay (DATB) invites the Dominican community, Caribbean nationals, friends, and supporters throughout the Tampa Bay area to join in a vibrant celebration commemorating the 48th Anniversary of Independence of the Commonwealth of Dominica.

The celebration will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 6:00 PM at the Fair Oaks Park Community Center, 3400 E. Louisiana Avenue, Tampa, FL 33610.
This year’s exciting theme, “Madras & Bling,” will showcase the beauty, color, elegance, and cultural richness of Dominica and the wider Caribbean. Guests are encouraged to embrace the theme by wearing traditional Madras attire accented with their favorite touch of sparkle and glamour.

The evening promises to be a joyful expression of Dominican heritage, music, culture, community, and national pride. Entertainment will include music by Dumage Int’l Band, bringing the rhythms and sounds of the Caribbean to what promises to be a memorable Independence celebration.

Dominica gained independence from Great Britain on November 3, 1978, and nearly five decades later, Dominicans at home and throughout the diaspora continue to celebrate the nation’s journey, traditions, resilience, and distinctive cultural identity. The Tampa Bay celebration provides an opportunity not only for Dominicans to reconnect with their heritage, but also to share the warmth and richness of Dominican culture with the wider community.

Tickets are $60 per person. Payments may be made via Zelle at [email protected] or Cash App at $datbdom78.

For tickets and additional information, contact Doreen at (813) 297-1182 or Jacquee at (813) 802-6473.
The Dominica Association of Tampa Bay encourages everyone to come dressed in their Madras & Bling, bring their Dominican pride, and prepare for an evening of celebration and fellowship.

Come celebrate 48 years of Independence - our culture, our heritage, our pride!

World Food Day Program of activities

🚨 STOLEN BIKE ALERT – POINTE MICHEL 🚨

A bike belonging to Davidson Andrew has reportedly been stolen from Lordbore, Pointe Michel, near the Credit Union construction site.

The bike was last seen at approximately 11:00 a.m. today, Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen bike is asked to contact Davidson Andrew at 613-3398.

The public is kindly asked to be on the lookout.

PLEASE SHARE TO HELP RECOVER THE STOLEN BIKE!