Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
IT'S AN ill wind that blows no good, and Hurricane Ivan, for all its wrath and displacement, was not an ill wind, as in the midst the dislocation, drama and savagery of it all, Ivan left a fabulous sense of community in its wake.
Luvs, no photo opportunity here. This is not the way of the civilised. But there were many a sterling moments in its wake as some
members of the ruling class, the social élite, all chipped in as good neighbours, to make the dislocation suffered by others, that much easier
to bear.
Now, who would have thought it? Aida Issa cooked up a storm for friends and neighbours in the aftermath of Ivan, while hubby, John Issa made sure there was ice and a care package available for all.
TELEPHONE HOTLINE
Their daughter Zein Nakash, maintained a telephone hotline, providing a calming influence and a more up-to-the-minute account of the actual path of the approaching hurricane, as she and hubby Chris Nakash monitored its approach via the Internet and international telephone links to the weather centre in Florida, even while some on the national airwaves were prophesying impending doom.
Thalia Lyn also cooked up a storm (no pun intended) for her neighbours her Old Stony Hill residence becoming like a haven for neighbours at their wits end as they suffered in darkness and with no potable water for two-weeks.
For the wider Kingswood/Diamond Roads communities and beyond. However, it was her hubby, Captain Michael Lyn, to the rescue, as it was he chain-saw in hand who single-handedly spearheaded the clearing of a pathway through the many downed trees and upended utility poles in these communities.
Kudos also, to Anthony Miller, who helped in this effort.
Michael Lee Chin jetted in and after a tour of the island, left with a firm commitment to the redevelopment effort by his NCB.
Lascelles Chin donated food to some shelters.
Eldon Bremner, the general manager of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel and resident manager/food and beverage director Nancy McLean, proved to be unimpeachable beacons of corporate conscience as they not only catered to the many guests who checked into their hotel to outwait the hurricane, but also assisted in providing meals for a home for the elderly and some shut-ins.
Ann Marie Feanny, still shed tears as she recalls that in the midst of the howling winds, her mom was home alone in Mandeville a situation that was soon rectified after she placed a call to the Guardsman Mandeville Offices after explaining her concerns. She requested their assistance in posting a guard at her mom's home, only to be called a short time later by her mom, who advised her that indeed, a security officer had reported for duty at her home.
Belated wedding anniversary wishes to SuperClubs Hotel chain tycoon John Issa and his elegantly grand Jordanian-born wife, Aida Issa, who celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary last Thursday.
John and Cherise Windle jetted in from their California home to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary on the island, with family members and friends.
The couple who tied the knot in 1999, were hoping to celebrate their fifth anniversary aboard the same yacht on which they were married, but the passage of Hurricane Ivan, made for changes.
The couple celebrated in fine and elegant style at the upscale and oh so trendy Hedonism III, near Salem, Runaway Bay, last Friday, joined by friends who jetted in from New York, London and California, for the occasion.
BEST WISHES
Best wishes also to Manoj Mukkado and his lovely bride Tammy Davis, who jetted into the island just days after the hurricane for their honeymoon, following on their September 18 wedding in Chicago.
The couple he a real estate power-player with the renowned Keller Williams Reality of the 'Windy City' and she, one of Chicago's more celebrated artists and Francophiles both decided on making Jamaica their honeymoon destination. While here, they will spend their honeymoon between Grand Lido Braco Resort, in Trelawny and the very upscale resort community of Silver Sands at Villa Je Suis Content. They will go on a number of excursions to some of the North Coast's more famous landmarks, before returning to Chicago and the prestigious Wells Street Tower Condominium in the affluent downtown Chicago Printers Row neighbourhood, where they will make their home.
And then, Gary Matalon and the lovely Tina Dyers, (she of Kentucky Chicken fame) tied the knot in Nassau, over last weekend in a fabulous ceremony attended by family members and close friends. The reception will follow in early October.
