Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Sinead O'Connor during a performance. - Contributed
WELL MY dears, the rich, famous, and international jet-setters continue to fly in for a little R & R. Among the internationally recognised notables jetting in within the last few weeks, were the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson, who is currently holidaying on the north coast and staying shy of the paparazzi.
Luvs, also visiting is fabulous singer Sinead O'Connor, and dears, she is just the latest celebrated recording star to jet into the island to collaborate with the celebrated Riddim Twins, Sly Dunbar and Robbie Shakespeare, so sweethearts, y'all can expect even more fabulous music from the happening Ms. O'Connor.
And the mega-wealthy parents of Mrs. Jane Joslin, Joe and Bobby Gibson, jetted in from Tennessee, while their grand-daughter, the lovely Jane-Katherine Joslin, flew in from Chicago, for a few days of sailing around the island with Dennis and Jane Joslin, on the Lady BJ.
99TH TRIP
Also visiting is Chicago-based real estate powerbroker turned film producer, Joe English, now on his 99th trip to the island and hoping to make it number 100, by mid summer.
Well, my dears, to celebrate English's 99th visit, the charmingly fab, Janet Farrow, hosted a wonderful little dinner party at her fine St. Andrew residence, that was indeed, one fine outing and with some fabulous people in attendance too.
Dears, the charming Ms. Farrow, certainly knows how to throw a fine shindig, and the do she hosted on Monday in her usual regal style, made that much more so with premium libations flowing like everybody's business and a fare so fine, the taste-buds still do water, as they recall the fare of lamb, jumbo-shrimps and mussels done to perfection and served up with a delightful Mexican salad and focaccia bread, that truly took the cake!
SINFULLY GOOD
And then there was that absolutely delightful island cheese cake, served at just the right portion to titillate the taste buds, but left you wanting more, that was soooo sinfully good, and y'all know it was murder on an already spreading girth. But diets be damned in the face of such temptation!
It was a fine evening alright, made that much so by the society, as among the short list of guests in attendance were: Security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin; Stephen Facey; Rod and Nevine Heaven; Anna Chin and Howard Barton, his wife Nancy Kalb (Naance, to friends) and their daughter Alicia, visiting from New York.
Dears, it truly was one fine evening!
Then the fabulous Anabella Seaga, now Mrs. Michael Zia-Mian, jetted in for a few days, and my word is she looking fine!
Also visiting as guests of German Ambassador Dr. Christian Hausmann and wife Mrs. Harriett Huber, are their daughter, Nina Hausmann and hubby Jan-Dirk Seiler-Hausmann, both in from Germany for a few days of R & R; as well as family friends Michael Bosbach and wife Gabi Scholz.
And speaking of things diplomatic: Kingston is presently in the throes of diplomatic departures as quite a number of leading members of the diplomatic community are set to leave, by mid summer.
Dears, already there have been a number of farewell doos and lots more to come, as by this time next year, Kingston will have a whole slew of heads of missions. More anon.
Yesterday, however, was the 81st birthday of that sprightly party-animal Mrs. Edith Jarbeau, she being the mother of the wife of Canadian High Commissioner, to mark this here birthday, however, the lovely Mrs. Jarbeau. Took off for her native Montreal, for a month or so, to catch up with family and friends.
Champagne wishes le grand dame, and beluga dreams!
And dears, the electronic invites for the 20th wedding anniversary do, of Peter and Annabella Proudlock at their fabulous Ocho Rios residence are out, and dears, they are hot, so wait for more on this one!
But speaking of Champagne, caviar and birthdays: Dears, it's the only talk in town, as Sunday, the Most Hon. P.J. Patterson, turns 70, whilst there are no officially planned dos, to celebrate this milestone, parties and celebrations there will be and a-plenty! Dears, there will be parties from the nation's capital of Kingston and all the way to Negril, as friends and well wishers, queue to mark the occasion.
Dears, the official celebration will get under way this Sunday with a service of thanksgiving, at the Boulevard Baptist Church, to be followed by a gala reception on Monday at the PM's official residence, Vale Royal, but the talk about the town is all about the mega party to be hosted in Negril tomorrow evening, and Children, there's absolutely no rooms to be found in the leisure capital of the world, this here weekend as the resort mecca preferred hotels are solidly booked for this one!
But Doves, the premier event - will be the cocktail and dinner party to be hosted on Sunday evening, by a long-time friend, Doreen Frankson, at her St. Andrew residence, and will see only a critically hand-picked shortlist of friends, in attendance.
Dears, the phones have been ringing off their hooks for this one, as 'would-be guests' try to make the cut! Alas, the die is cast and not even the most creative St. Andrew gate crashers will get in on this one, as we are talking Prime Time here, and nothing but!
And so my dears, while it has not been officially proclaimed as such, it is indeed, the PJ Patterson weekend, and then some! So, Many a-happy returns Mr. Prime Minister, and champagne toasts on your birthday!
