- RICARDO MAKYN/Staff Photographer
Ephel Sandford (right) and a female guest groove to the sounds of oldies at his home, during the party in Clarendon on Wednesday.
Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
THE TRANQUIL district of Sanguinetti in Clarendon is not the usual party venue for seasoned Kingstonians but that is where Hugh Sandford of Satyn Consultants/Alpha-Tech Consultants Limited, journeyed for his annual staff Christmas party on Wednesday, December 29. The venue was the warmth and comfort of parents Ethel and Perline Sandford's home.
Although everyone sported cardigans and jackets to ward off the unusually low temperatures, that did not dampen the spirits.
The celebration took on dual significance as elder brother Lambert Sandford and his family were home for the holidays from Alabama, U.S.A., and being the family's chef par excellence, Lambert shared his culinary expertise with some finger-licking delights. He was ably assisted by sister Monica Lawrence and some community cooks.
Earlier showers and subsequent overcast skies encouraged the hosts to erect tents for the bar and buffet area and from as early as 2:00 p.m., the pulsating sounds of Soul Beat Mobile Sounds from neighbouring Fine Grass, filled the atmosphere with oldies from the '60s to the '80s and for the younger crowd, some soca and dancehall favourites. Dancing continued way into the night.
The Sandfords' front lawn was punctuated with domino tables as Kingston guests pitted their skills against seasoned veterans from the community.
OLD MEMORIES
Talk centred around old memories and the obvious signs of a return to normalcy in the surrounding cultivation following the passage of Hurricane Ivan.
Meanwhile, Hugh Sandford who had previously demonstrated his expertise at seasoning meats, showed off his skills as bartender (more like a bar tough some felt), while his children, nieces and nephews offered guests liberal servings of manish water. The bits of green banana, a vital ingredient of this Jamaican favourite, were lovingly devoured.
Other items on the scrumptious menu included: curried goat that just slid off the bones, stewed and jerk pork, barbecue chicken, potato salad, gungo peas and rice, assorted vegetable salads, boiled corn and yam.
Those who had embarked on their post Christmas diets, could feast on assorted fruits which included sugar cane, water melon and oranges.
Sharing the moment were: Akissa and Peta-Gaye Sandford and their mother Elaine Sandford, Dwayne Lawrence and his sister Kerry-Ann, Yvonne Myrie, Albert Fearon, Mercelyn Samuels, Jimmy Clarke, Evon Cottrell, Gladstone Miller, Juley Robertson, Ian Lawrence, Bradley Sandford, Charlene Sandford and Curline Farquharson visiting from New York.
We also spotted Alicia Brown, Pauline Daley, Oscar Francis, Linett Cole, Calmeleta Campbell, Movhan Hamm, Errol Cohen, Anthony Dunkley, Eugennie Bowen, Michael Johnson, Damion Simpson, Myrtle Willis, Rema South, Isadora Stanley, Patrick Skully, Mr. and Mrs. Tass Dyer, Clive Francis, Robert Francis, Alfred Anderson, Catherine Johnson, Noel Morgan, George Johnson, Lascelles Thompson and several others.
