By Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner WriterOH, MY fabulous soul, what a weekend! The partying! The celebrations! The sheer fun of it all! The Romans never had it so good and how!
Doves, call it whatever you will, but from Negril to Morant Point, it was one weekend of almighty partying with the chic and absolutely gorgeous out and sashaying the fabulous stuff like it was the only game in town! Doves it was, and when Monday morning arrived, it came none too soon for some, happy to take a break from the hotness that was!
Turtledoves, it was the mother-of-all-celebrations as Jamaicans took to the highways and by-ways in search of the ultimate in partying and simply made the four-day weekend one that will long be remembered for its absolutely wonderfully dee-vine doos!
To be sure, there were some rains, but the partying public would have none of it and even though the rains did grace a number of affairs with her unexpected presence, she was not frowned upon but was welcomed with the relish of a long lost relative and how!
But more anon about the absolutely riotous goings-on.
Belated champagne wishes to the former President of the NDM, Hyacinth Bennett, who celebrated her special day last Thursday with a Do at her St. Andrew residence attended by close friends and family members.
Champagne wishes are also extended to Kevin Levee and his simply gorgeous dish of fabulousness of a wife, the beautiful Cecile Levee, who celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary on Monday.
On Sunday, however, it was all about Renford Williams, who celebrated his birthday over there in Runaway Bay with family and friends.
VISITORS FROM ABROAD
And speaking of Runaway Bay, it is currently the vacationing haunt of Chicago based American publicist to the rich and famous the simply fabulous Midge Kimberly, who is currently in the island for a few days of R&R before returning State-side.
Also visiting from Chicago this week are Raynard and Cindy Branch, who are on their fourth trip to the island since first discovering its beauty and wiles two years ago. And the spate of farewell doos continues for outgoing Canadian High Commissioner HE John Robinson, with the definite word now being his successor Richard Valle and his fabulous wife Louise, are all set to return to Kingston come mid-September.
Also leaving this season is Her Excellency Florentina Ukonga, the best dresser of a Nigerian High Commissioner; as well as His Excellency Isao Otsuka, whose tour of duty also comes to an end this summer!
Champagne wishes y'all, as you all take leave of these shores.
Doves, one of the many functions the various missions here in Kingston provides is the many bursaries, grants and or scholarships they offer to Jamaican students, and or entrepreneur, designed to promote higher education, and or a greater awareness of technology as well as better grasp of international business practices through these interventions.
Sadly, however, there is not widespread knowledge of the myriad opportunities that the various missions and or embassies are gateway to, through their various agencies, and consequently, a number of these opportunities go a-begging as they are not utilised!
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
Now there has always been a long-standing history of educational co-operation between the American people through its Embassy here and the facilitation of access to higher education to qualified Jamaicans through a variety of programmes sponsored by the US embassy. One such area of co-operation is the annual Fulbright-Humphrey scholarship programme, that has facilitated a number of Jamaican scholars studying in a number of prestigious American universities and colleges across the continental U.S. and thus not only broadening their academic base, but also effecting a deeper cultural understanding of their host, in the process!
Last Thursday, the charmingly lovely Orna Blum, she being the American Embassy Public Affairs Officer, hosted a charming little reception over at the poolside of the tres chic Courtleigh Hotel, over there in New Kingston, to announce this year's awardees of the Fulbright-Humphrey scholarships, that really was every bit the stimulating affaire, as it was relaxing! With the Maurice Gordon trio, providing some very entertainingly melodious notes guests lazed the early evening away a-meeting and a-greeting each other as they shared libations and snacked on a fare of simply delicious finger foods, lavishly laid out alongside the bar area.
CAMARADERIE
Now, there was an air of camaraderie very present in the atmosphere and palpably so as indeed, the Fulbright-Humphrey scholarship programme is an old one and over the years has produced quite a number of distinguished Jamaicans, who have served with credit in the public and private sectors of the country. And so it was, that last Thursday's affaire was more to be likened unto a reunion of sorts of members of an exclusive fraternity, celebrating their achievements; as well as a welcoming party for the new members of the fraternity. It all made for a buzzing little affaire and how, as indeed, the affaire represented a sterling opportunity and showcase for those with the scholarly mind!
There was a somewhat brief ceremony, during which this year's scholars were presented. They were: Leon Dundas, Humphrey Programme awardee; OAS Ecology Programme awardee Kamilah Hylton; Fulbright Programme Awardees Kallia Wright and Rochelle Clarke. And Marjorie Smith; Wayne Wesley; Mervin Chisholm and Sandra McLean-Chisholm - all awarded Fulbright/Laspau Faculty Development Scholarships.
