gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "The United States imports over 4000 metric tons of ginger annually from the Caribbean, Australia, China, Brazil and Central America.  In some cultures ginger is considered a medicinal product having one set of healing qualities when used fresh (nausea, heart palpitations, rheumatism) and another when dried (headaches)."
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "The first American colony to be established was Jamestown, and that John Smith who led the expedition in March, 1607, on his way stopped at Portsmouth in Dominica in the West Indies hoping to create a settlement there."
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "The producers of Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest were so mesmerized by Dominica's natural beauty, that they decided to also shoot scenes for their next movie, Pirates 3: At World's End, at the same time."
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Sidney Poitier, born of Bahamian parents, weighed only three pounds at birth and was not expected to survive. He not only lived to be 80 years old, but was the first Black performer to win an Oscar."
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Although the sugar cane plantations in the West Indies first produced molasses and sugar to supply Britain for trade and consumption, this industry gave rise to the distilled rum industry.  Sugar cane was first brought to the West Indies by Christopher Columbus from the Canary Islands."
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "The word 'barbeque' dates back to the sixteenth century when in the island of Hispaniola (Haiti and the Dominican Republic) the Arawak Indians dried meat suspended from sticks over a wooden fire."
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Chutneys originated in South Asia! Like many spices and spicy condiments, they were introduced to Europe and the Caribbean during colonization by the British.  After colonization, mango chutney became the British standard.  Since they are meant to be eaten fresh, they normally do not contain preservatives.  They may be found both as a powder and in a chunky consistency.  Chutneys are normally a blend of sweet and spicy ingredients."
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Originally named the West Indies by explorers seeking a sea route to India, the Caribbean is the region of tropical islands in the Caribbean Sea situated between North and South America and east of Central America. The islands extend for nearly 1,700 miles from Cuba in the west to Barbados in the east. With over 200 island territories, the Caribbean is actually home to millions of people too!"
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Did you know that bananas are thought to alleviate symptoms associated with stress, anemia, PMS, depression, strokes, high blood pressure, heartburn, hangovers and morning sickness?"
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Did you know that a banana contains more potassium, phosphorus, protein, carbohydrates, Vitamin A and iron than an apple?"
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Did you know that although grapefruits were first discovered in Barbados in the 18th century, they were first called “grapefruit” in Jamaica in 1814? "
gstDidYouKnow[gnDidYouKnowMax++] = "Did you know that jerk which is native to Jamaica was originally done using pork and mutton (goat)?  Today many other foods including tofu, chicken,  beef and fish are ‘jerked’.  "