Left to right, R. 'Bill' Clarke, Jackie Milling, Hon. Oswald Harding, Irwin McNally, Marigold Harding, Alan Deans.
Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
AND SO the day we dedicate to celebrating the deeds of our heroes and founding fathers has come and gone!
Mind you, it would seem a lot more sensible, practical even, if we celebrated Heroes Day before we actually celebrated Independence Day. But then again, this is not the style of those who govern. And so we actually celebrate our independence, before we acknowledge those who fought for same. Talk about putting the cart before the horse!
Anyways, the task of nation building is a journey, not a destination, and so we pray and press on. In pressing on, however, we continue to lay the building blocks that will eventually contribute to being the foundation of this great island nation.
And so, we commend the practice of honouring those whose contributions continue to not only chart a path for our development, but also provide inspiration, through their deeds and or accomplishments. Too often though, it is a case of too little, too late. The political divide oftentimes seems to get in the way of reasonable discourse and so many a king, goes abegging for honour in his own country, whilst some hack gets adorned with some trappings of official honour that has neither been earned nor justified.
Sadly, these acts do not strengthen our institutions, but cause them to be disparaged. It is only when justice appears to be manifestly done, however, that respect for national honours and/or awards take on the prestige that they, who have earned them, can wear them with the pride and/or joy.
SHONE LIKE A BEACON
In this respect, Dr. Oswald Harding, 'Ossie' to his many friends and colleagues, has shone like a beacon, in his many years of public service to this nation. A native of West Kingston, the urbane attorney was called to the Bar some 38 years ago. His has been a career path that has seen him serving at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, the Attorney-General's Department, chairman of JAMAL, and 25 years of unbroken service in the upper chamber of the houses of Parliament. The latter for which he was admitted to the rank Order of Jamaica, in the investiture ceremony at Kings House last National Heroes Day.
The honour was one well deserved for a man with a record of faultless continuing public service, who along with his wife of 36 years, the charmingly and elegantly grand Marigold Harding, have not only raised a beautiful family, but have never shunned the call to serve fellowman and or country.
A celebrated bon vivant, with a grand appreciation for life's bounties, it was no surprise that to celebrate his being awarded the Order of Jamaica last Monday, friends and colleagues were invited to Hardingham the Hardings Jack's Hills family residence, to share in a vin d'honneur, it was a like unto a feast of fabulousness and then some.
NO CHALLENGE
My dears, it was one of those typical October days in Kingston, in that it rained like everybody's business. This, however, was no challenge for the very many friends, colleagues and well-wishers who were invited to the mid-day affair at Hardingham, as indeed, it also rained dignitaries and personalities of the highest order.
Doves, you have all heard the term creme de la creme. Well pumpkins, it was like that, on Monday in Jack's Hills, and then some.
Luvs, the invite did say 12 noon-2:00 p.m., but nary a soul paid that any mind as guests began gathering at the fabulously done-up home of the Hardings, from as early as 11:30 a.m. and when dusk began to fall, there were still many in attendance.
With the honouree adorned in the regalia of his office, and his wife looking as elegant as ever as they did the rounds, welcoming the sea of guests. Guests danced between raindrops as they not only savoured the company, but drank copiously of the absolute beauty and fabulousness of the gardens. The gardens were augmented by sculptors and a dazzling collection of orchids, and plants and fauna from the exotica. The affair was pretty nigh unto one fabulous garden-party, the battery of wait staffers, in almost militaristic style, keeping guests supplied with the vin d'honneur, or any other choice of libation. It all added to a very spirited affair, the chitter-chatter of polite conversation and even more polite laughter, adding to the pitter-patter of the rain.
INDULGED THE
ESOTERIC SENSES
Lunch was a feast, and marvellously so. It was a fare, fabulously continental and wonderfully island in its chic, and had many a guests throwing caution to the dietary winds as they simply indulged the esoteric senses. Dears, it was also veritable social feast too, as dignitaries and officials turned out in force for the affair. We are talking the Who's Who, from the judicial, legal, political, literati, artistic and the diplomatic communities.
They included: German Ambassador HE Dr. Christian Hausmann and wife Mrs. Harriett Huber; Cuban Ambassador HE José Piedra Rencurrell; Peruvian Ambassador HE Humberto Urteaga; High Commissioner of Trinidad and Tobago HE Dennis Francis; Information Minister Senator Burchell Whiteman and wife Joline Whiteman; Senator Syringa Marshall-Burnett and hubby Jasper Burnett; Senator Anthony Johnson; Senator Bruce and Lorna Golding; Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips and his wife Sandra Phillips; Education Minister Maxine Henry Wilson and hubby Gladstone Wilson; MP Mike Henry and his fianceé Dawn Chambers; MP Pearnell Charles and wife Gloria Charles; MP Dr. Ken Baugh and wife Vilma Baugh; MP James Robertson; Hon. Dennis and Diane Lalor; Oliver Jones; Frank Phipps QC; Clive and Ophelia 'Ricky' Morin; Jennifer Lim; Ryan Peralto; Enid Bennett; Eunice Morrison; High Court judge Billy Walker and wife Angela Walker; High Court judges Basil Reid and Lloyd Ellis; Professor Edward and Sheila Baugh; Professors Hugh and Dorie Wynter; Dr. Trevor McCartney; Col. Trevor
MacMillan and wife Dr. Olivia 'Peaches' McDonald; Dr. Douglas and Hyacinth McDonald; Dr. Lawrence Bambicole; Dr. Tunde and Mrs. Bewaji; Dr. Conroy and Magda Cooper; the Hon. Daisy Coke; Bill Clarke; Carmen Moss-Solomon; Wallace Campbell; Mr. and Mrs. Fitz Harrack; Eddie Shoucair; Seragh and Effie Lakasingh; Alvin Chin; Merrick and Camille Needham; Dorothy Bradford; Kermit and Yvonne Tucker; Ray Chen; John and Marie Issacs; Prudence Kidd-Deans; Sonny and Joyce DaCosta; Betty Ashley; Manadi Konate; Mr. and Mrs. Reuer Yehuda; Peter Niernan, visiting from the UK; Sonia Jones; Karen Rochester; Wilbert Yuen, who provided faultless music; Jeremy Harding and companion Nina Chang; Zachary and Tamara Harding and their offsprings Tori and Zora Harding; plus a number of others.
Indeed, it was a simply fabulous affair!
