In the 5 Oct. 1976 issue of the Caymanian Compass, the top article, titled “Delegate returns from C.P.A. conference”, reported “Mrs. Sybil McLaughlin, who took part in the 22nd Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference in Mauritius as an observer, returned to Grand Cayman over the weekend. Over 200 parliamentarians from 45 Commonwealth countries attended the conference from 17 September to 1 October.”

The front page also featured a photo story on Delworth McLaughlin showing off his new gasoline pumps as they were “the first brand new ones ever delivered in Cayman, all the rest have been second hand.”

In the 8 Oct. 1976 issue, the top article, on the lead-up to the following month’s general election, was titled “Political campaign moves into top gear” and reported that “the situation was becoming more interesting.”

The article went through some of the changes and activities. One was that George Smith, a new candidate for George Town, would be teaming with Annie Huldah Bodden and Truman Bodden, and that Exco member Berkley Bush was campaigning solo. Other candidate alliances and upcoming campaign meetings and rallies were also shared. Also, “The Police confirmed today that no incidents have been reported in any part of the country arising out of political campaigning.”

Another article on the front page, titled “A.L. Thompson begins dairy operation”, reported that “Lawrence Thompson, known more for his building supply business than dairy farming, has proved himself a versatile grower of fruits, vegetables, etc., as well.”

It noted, “He keeps a small herd of dairy cows which are fed imported feed and milked every morning by his farmhand and then immediately thereafter, the milk is pasteurised and packaged for sale.” It said the operation produced about 60 quarts each day and were available at Thompson’s house across from Smith’s Cove, at A.L. Thompson Hardware and at Comart in George Town.

An article on page three, headlined “Coconut Place will be the first Seven Mile Beach shopping plaza”, reported that a new shopping plaza, containing 10 stores, was in the first stages of construction at the site on West Bay Road, across from the Caribbean Club. Principals in the project were York Kirkconnell, Mike Kirkconnell and Mervyn Cumber.

“The shopping plaza will become the main headquarters and the second location for Coconut Car Rental, featuring a reserve car park for 28 rental cars and a repair shop situated behind the retail shops,” the article noted.

It added that, although no leases had yet been signed, “there is a waiting list of merchants interested in locating at Coconut Place.” The first two shops and car rental business were hoping to be in place before Christmas.

An advertisement appeared for MacDonalds Restaurant & Bar, next to Kirk Plaza, on page 8. The restaurant offered an “Egg MacDonald on an English Muffin” as one of its “many good things to serve.”

The Cayman Compass searchable archives, going back to 1965, are now available here.