- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
From left, staff members dance up a storm last Friday, while another staffer accepts a gift from Mr. Joslin.
Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
LAST FRIDAY, the Texan rancher and financial powerhouse, Dennis Joslin and his lovely wife Jane, threw a 'Yuletide Celebration' for his staffers, associates, and friends. The venue was the fabulous Pavilion in the Gardens of the très chic Terra Nova Hotel, over there on Waterloo Road, in New Kingston. My Daahlings, it not only rained cats and dogs, it poured with the ferocity of a vengeful shrew! The downpour however, was no match for the many staffers, associates and friends, who ignored the torrents to attend the Do.
Scheduled to commence at 6:00 p.m., the rains did intervene to the point of delaying the prompt start of the proceedings; and even occasioned a few no-shows. By and large however, the prevailing mood was no rain was about to reign on what, based on last year's do, was expected to be a fabulous affair, chockfull of surprises and delightful entertainment!
There would be no disappointment!
Luvs, Dennis Joslin is your consummate host. Shy and retiring, he never fails to surprise his staffers with his fun-filled games and or surprise packages! At last year's Do, guests were pleasantly surprised when envelopes which they were presented with upon arrival, were opened to reveal cash surprises from JA$50 to US$200. This year, as an added bonus to the festivities some guests were treated to gift baskets, whilst staffers of Dennis Joslin Inc., nominated a number of candidates from among their ranks, for the role as to whom best typified the Santa Claus ideals. To the surprise of those so identified, they were presented with cash prizes.
Following upon this interlude of gift-giving, dinner a faultless fare was taken; and in between the pitter-patter of the rain-drops, the tinkle of glassware as guests revelled in the libations, the inimitable Rupert Bent and Friends took the stage, his fabulous wife, Cindy Breakspeare, on vocals, and raised the temperature of what was a cozy little and oh so beautifully done-up giant marquee, that served as the Pavilion.
With the former Miss World belting out some of the finest contemporary arias ever penned, the mood was set for an evening/night of romance in music, and revelry. And revelry it was later when the celebrated party band, Fab 5, took the stage. My Dears, it seems the rains gave those in the Pavilion added impetus to party and party they did!
Dears, it was like unto a celebration of the rites of passage! The working year had come to a close and baby-dolls, revellers were only to happy to see her go. And so they partied and partied! They danced and danced, the rains just licked her wounds and retreated into the clouds, as it became clear, this was one party she was not about to put a damper on!
It made for one rocking affair!
Among those out celebrating and sharing in the mood of festivity, were: Minister of National Security Dr. Peter Phillips, his wife, noted attorney-at-Law, the charming Sandra Phillips; security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin; Robert MacMillan; noted attorney-at-Law, Derek Jones and his wife Maureen; the lovely Dawn Young; Ken Tomlinson; Brent Ciurlino (jetted in from Washington DC) and fiancee the absolutely lovely Dr. Kim Brown; her twin the equally lovely Karen Brown-Whyte; Mr. and Mrs. Paul Chin; the charming Janet Farrow; Howard McIntosh, squiring the beautiful Aisha Richards; Dereck Rose; the lovely Gillian Bent; the always charming Karlene Pinnock; Errol and Joslyn Shakespeare; Garfield Robinson; Margaret Curtis; Dean Elliott; Karen Bailey; Carlton Simpson; the lovely Carol McNair; and ace radio jock and personality François St. Juste, who compered the affair; plus several others.
Rain? What rain? Indeed, it was a marvelous do!
And so, with Christmas out of the way, the rush is now on, and at full speed too. And as is usually the case at this time of the season, the rush is all about who is throwing what, where and just who is going where, to ring in the New Year?
RING IN THE NEW YEAR
Well, My Dears, the invites are out and the buzz is that Kenny Benjamin's annual New Year's shindig is the hot-ticket of the season for the socially well-heeled, the powerful as well as the cosmopolitan crowd. The security conglomateur is all set to host another of his much celebrated New Year's affairs with his signature élan. And Luvs, we are talking hot-to-trot here, as the buzz is that many a St. Andrew socialite and snob-society members who jetted off to spend Christmas with family and friends abroad, are all braving the hustle and bustle of the airports to return for the Do!
HEDONISTIC
For the party crowd however, it is all about Hedonism II, over there in Negril, and Hedonism III, in Salem, near Runaway Bay, as both GM Richard Bourke and Kevin Levee of Hedonism II and III respectively, promises not just your traditional party and revelry, but magic and fantasy above and beyond fabulous!
Doves, wait for this!
NEW YEAR GETAWAYS
For the jaded however, seeking to get away from the polloi, the destination is fabulous Port Antonio, where Valerie Marzouca's Blue Lagoon has been the hot destination for the chic and those in-the-know, for years now. Here, it's all about flawless and attitude-free celebrations, as international and national jet-setters unwind here under the stars and with a feast for godlings and goddesses, to boot!
Then it seems that the ultimate get-away for the chic, this year, is the island of St. Barts, as this is where Anthony and Jeanne Watson and their son, James, headed just right after their triumphant 'Christmas' party. And with St. Barts long being the haunt of the glamorous Issa girls, the buzz is that this is where the fabulous Suzanne and Jackie Issa will be ringing in the New Year as well.
And speaking of the fabulous: international 'A' Crowder, and hotel magnate John Issa celebrates his birthday tomorrow, no plans for a party however, as daughter Zein Issa Nakash is expecting the 'stork' to deliver a little bundle of joy. She and hubby Chris Nakash are expecting the arrival of their second child a son the first grandson to be born to the pioneering architect of Jamaica's modern tourism industry and his fabulous wife, Aida Issa, and so the family is on baby watch. Still speaking of birthdays however, the charmingly lovely Polly Brown celebrated her special day last Monday, at a quiet and intimate dinner with family and friends at one of Kingston's leading restaurants.
Nubian Prince, Dennis Lee, celebrated his special day on Christmas Eve.
On Christmas Day however, the absolutely and stunningly gorgeous Sophia Max Brown, took a break from her hectic pre-Christmas and New Year schedule to relax and enjoy a few glasses of champagne with family and friends, as she celebrated her birthday.
The following day (Boxing Day) it was glamour-maven, Lisa Marzouca, who was blowing out the candles on her day, as it was her day to celebrate.
Champagne wishes all around and many a-fabulous returns!
