An end to and era

[coppersun2001]

:'(This is probably one of the most difficult posts that I have ever written and it may take me awhile to finish it as already I have tears in my eyes and am very choked up. Got a huge lump in my throat.

Last night was the end of the Checkpoint for me as we all love and knew it. Pam and Clive said goodbye to the Checkpoint. There just not enough words to describe my feelings for them but will post that on the other board.

How can you describe the warmth, friendliness, affection, security one feels about a bar. Yes it was only a slab of cement, posts holding up a multi colored canopy, with shelves holding the spirits served. But as my sis Coll said when we were there that the Checkpoint was the golden thread that holds all of our friendships together, actually she was talking about Mark then, and I totally agree with her, however, when you really think about it, it was that little bar in the middle of the plaza. How many of us came to depend on it for dropping off supplies, meeting friends for coffee, meeting new friends, having a night cap with treasured people from past years, what did I think of when getting off the plane in POP, basically it was how soon can I get this luggage dropped off and get to the "CHECKPOINT!" But alas this is no more for me. I cannot get past the crap that Peter -the owner has done, unfortunately he has bullied his breaking of the lease with Colleen and for me that is unforgivable. I don't understand how some folks think that they can just walk in and do things such as this. I for one will not forgive him for this nor will I ever frequent this establishment again. EVER! I can't believe that he thinks that the "little gold mine" is the slab of cement and a colorful canopy. What the gold mine was, was the folks who put their hearts and souls into it. The people who gave back to the community of Sosua, the folks who ALWAYS had a smile for the new tourists and a hug for the returnees. THIS WAS THE CHECKPOINT!. I hesitate to say that it will remain the same. I highly doubt it! Good luck with that Peter, you will need it! ( and trust me I really want to put this in a stronger voice but........)

But enough of the bitterness I feel inside my heart. I WILL remember the "Checkpoint" as it was very fondly. I will cherish the friendships that I made there. The long lasting ones will be with me til I die. I SHALL remember and the memories will never go away.

I want to thank the Checkpoint for:
Colleen and Mark
Carolyn
Pam and Clive
Linda
Loose and Nancy
Sunny
Dave and Kath
Phil and Lois
Denise and Con
Karen
Ed
and so many more!

Thank you thank you thank thank you thank you!!!!

Good bye Checkpoint

[sunny]

Oh Kris now you have made me cry. I knew this post was coming and you said it so well. Peter is soon going to find out that Checkpoint was the people behind the bar, not the bar itself. You can rest assured that Spanky and Colleen are not going to give him the fabulous chili recipe or Colleen's secret for those perfect burgers, my lips are sealed too.

It is funny, since I heard the news my burning desire to return to the DR has waned. I think the attraction for me was Checkpoint and Colleen and Mark, I too looked forward to getting there soon after my plane landed. I would hop on the free shuttle and head to the Checkpoint. My coworker called me the other day to see if I had a package for Colleen again this year and I told him no. Last year he so graciously took her down some bar supplies, Venus razors and Hawkins Cheezies.

You said it Kris, it is the end of an Era. Well put my friend.

[missingdr]

I read the posts regarding the Checkpoint as we all know it a couple of days ago and at that time I couldn't reply. Now I would like to say that on my first trip to the DR , the Checkpoint was the first place that I looked for and I always told people that if you are going to Sosua or close by make sure you stop off there.

I am truly going to miss the original Checkpoint . Colleen may God bless you always.

Missing....

[Sosua Gal]

Thanks for your kind words, everyone. We are going to move this forum to a new place that old friends can catch up on and stay "Friends of Sosua" I am just working on how to do this as soon as possible.
Love you all, and Kriss, (CopperSun), you have also brought tears to my eyes!!!
Love, Colleen

[Lois]

I could not have put it in better words then Kris did. She is so right, Checkpoint was not just a bar, but a place where people could enjoy a great cup of coffee, a great conversation and of course a great Cerveza and most of all, great friends.

This past February after being delayed at our local airport for 17 hours we finally arrived in the D.R. after hours of not having any sleep. Our first stop after checking in, was of course, Checkpoint (da heck with sleeping). We were even more blessed, as Colleen, with her huge heart, was manning the bar herself as most of the staff were on a cruise.

Checkpoint has lost all the people that put their heart and soul into it. Checkpoint, might have employees working there now, but Mark and Colleen had friends and plenty of them. It is a loss to Sosua and when we arrive in Sosua in 2009, our first stop will definitely NOT be Checkpoint anymore. The atmosphere, the laughter, the friends will not be the same and as Coppersun said, we will also not frequent Checkpoint again. Actually, they should change the name, as Checkpoint will always be Mark and Colleen's.

We will also remember the "Checkpoint" as it was very fondly not as it is now, as there will be no more good memories made there.

We want to thank Mark, Colleen, Spanky and Pam for making the "old" Checkpoint, the greatest place to go in Sosua. We have been blessed to meet you all. Some of the people we have met at the "old" Checkpoint, are the best and nicest people you could ever meet and we are proud to call them our friends.

Colleen, you are such a strong lady and you know we all love you. No words can describe now we all feel about the way you were treated.

It might be a goodbye to "Checkpoint", but definitely not to the friends we have been blessed to have met.

Colleen, you were the connection, and you will forever be in our hearts. It is through you, that we met people who will always be great friends (definitely including yourself), even though we might not be able to see them as often as we would like.

Hugs and kisses to you.

Love yeh...............

[mommacat]

Such sad news that Checkpoint has changed hands. Definitely will never be the same, sorry to think that what was such a wonderful meeting place with the best staff and owners who were so warm and welcoming will no longer be there.

Hugs and best wishes to all. Cat