By Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner WriterMIKE TO WALK THE AISLE
Daahlings, and the word is - publisher and long-serving JLP parliamentarian Mike Henry and his live-in companion, the absolutely charmingly beautiful Dawn Chambers, are all set to walk the aisle on December 12, as the couple readies to exchange marital vows.
Wait for this one as it promises to be one fabulous affair and then some, but more anon.
GRANDAD
Also over the moon is Ambassador Peter King, with the arrival of his first grandchildren as daughter-in-law, Laura King, gave birth to triplets last week, with hubby Julian King, by her side. The triplets (two boys and one girl) Maya Rose, Cameron Jacob and Griffin Graeme - are all doing well, this to the absolute and total delight of parents and grandparents.
Then the fabulous Myrna Hague once said she is not afraid to sing the 'ugly notes' - meaning notes that takes such facial dexterity that they might not show her best features! Well Daahlings, people are still applauding her absolutely wonderful performance at the Prime Minister's Independence Gala, lauding her vocal reach and dexterity.
JETTED AND FETED
Then it was five years to the day, last Thursday, that the charmingly lovely Katy Darling decided that the time had come to leave Jamaica after some near 20-odd years of making this here fair isle her home!
Well, the fabulous Ms. Darling is back with her two off-springs, Lisa-Anne and Blake Magnus, for a few weeks. Chic society has been out in droves welcoming them back, since she jetted into Kingston last Thursday. And little wonder here as the former 'High-Priestess of Chic and Party Society', known for the fabulous soirees and simply dee-vine Croquet parties at her then Jacks Hills, St. Andrew, home, has been surely missed since her relocation to Maryland, in the United States.
The show continues and the next two weeks promise to be a-sweltering smelter of fabulousness as the visit of the lovely Ms. Darling is celebrated to the hilt, and then some!
This week the celebrations are in Negril, to continue next week across the city of Kingston.
HOTNESS AT HEDONISM II
And speaking of Negril, this week it is all about Hedonism II, over there in that mecca of hotness, sun and frolic as it is the first reunion of the resorts most celebrated entertainment co-ordinators. This week, it's all about 'living la vida loca'. And how, as the former co-ordinators whose duty it was to assist with managing the entertainment spectrum for guests will be whooping it up themselves like there will be no tomorrow!
Sweet-things, it promises to be one fabulous week and then some and most definitely not the kind of partying for the feint-of-heart, or virgin aunts.
ADIEU COMMISH
It's now two more weeks before Canadian High Commissioner, HE John Robinson, departs our shores, as he retires from the Canadian Foreign Service and returns to his homeland. There is no letting up in the spate of dinners, cocktails and or general receptions being thrown in honour of the outgoing High Commissioner.
To say that High Commissioner Robinson has been wined, dined, feted and made to feel at home, on this the eve of his departure, by snob-society and by his diplomatic colleagues would be perhaps over-simplifying the emotive response that has attended the news of this departure and impending retirement.
The farewell receptions have covered the entire spectrum of the island, beginning from the most northeast and fabulous Port Antonio, and reaching all the way to Montego Bay, as even though people gather to honour the career diplomat in homes and country clubs and holiday homes, there is no joy in seeing this gentleman go, only a twinge of sadness.
And so, the round of farewell doos continues.
Now, two Sundays ago, security conglomateur and bon vivant Kenny Benjamin, threw a simply marvelous little dinner party at his oh so fabulous Stony Hill estate residence, in honour of out-going High Commissioner Robinson.
Doves, hosted in the estates' upper gardens, rich in exotic and rare plants and fauna and adorned with a rushing waterfall, with a moat-like little stream dominated by a rare collection of Japanese Koi that is a true beauty to behold, as it meanders through the gardens and settles under a simply resplendent Gazebo.
The inimitable Floyd Folkes was his usual musical one man orchestra as he entertained, and lavishly so from a repertoire that saw guests snapping to the tunes of yesteryear, a number of current arias, and selections of choice renditions taken from the pool made famous by now-in-the-news, celebrated folklorist Louise Bennett Coverley.
ROLL CALL
Among those out were: Minister of Information Senator Burchell and Joline Whiteman; Head of the EU Delegation Ambassador Gerd Jarchow and Mara Mandara, his son Oliver Jarchow, visiting from Paris; Indian High Commissioner Inder Choper and his elegant wife Neeta Choper; the elegantly beautiful Alix Pardo; Head of the International Seabed Authority Ambassador Satya Nandan; his Deputy Nii Allotey Odunton; UNESCO Regional Director, the charming Helene-Marie Gosselin; Social Empress and business dynamo the lovely Thalia Lyn; Dr. Dhiru Tanna; GM Guardsman Group of Companies, the lovely Valerie Juggan-Brown; JPS Co. Head Charles Matthews; Head of Carreras William Telling; Head of the PCJ Winston Watson and his Barbadian wife Denise Watson; restaurateur Rajiv Bakshi; Al Niazi and Charmaine Johnson Niazi; Dr. Napoleon Ochoa; the simply beautiful Aloima Suarez; and the elegantly svelte Sonja Sutherland; plus a number of others. It was however, one charming Do, fabulously so, and then some!
High Commissioner Robinson leaves on August 27, his successor, High Commissioner designate, Claudio Valle, should be in office in early September.
