- PHOTO BY NATHANIEL STEWART
Guests hit the dance floor and partied way into the night at Terrence Williams' 50th birthday celebrations in Christiana, Manchester on Saturday, August 6.
Barbara Ellington, Senior Gleaner Writer
REACHING 50 in today's high stress world is a significant milestone and more so because the average 50-year-old looks like a well preserved 40. So five years ago when Terence Williams a native of Devon in Manchester and who now resides in Atlanta, decided to celebrate his half century, he said it had to be in the form of a family reunion at his brother, Robert Williams' house in the parish.
IN FOR A TREAT
They were in for a treat as Rob's house is so strategically perched on the hills of Sedburgh, Christiana, it commands a panoramic view of Chudleigh to the left, Colleyville in the north and as far away as Spaldings. And there were several nooks and cosy balconies for guests to cluster in groups and await the inevitable chill that is characteristic of North Manchester.
What made the event special was the much anticipated reunion with Rosemarie Williams Auburn, who came from London for the party having been separated from the rest of her siblings at age six. Elder sisters Phyllis Williams Tomlin and Feda Williams Watson, completed the emotional reunion with brothers: Howard, Morris, Franklyn, Robert and Terrence.
"It's amazing to think I have all these people and I have felt alone all my life," said Rosemarie who was making the first trip back home in 46 years. And why did it take so long before she became aware of her family members?
"When you are six and taken away, you have no control over your destiny," she said.
And so they came; relatives and friends from The Cayman Islands, Chicago, South Carolina, Atlanta, London and as far away as China.
Very soon the family gathering began to look like a Knox College past students reunion as many of these kinfolk had attended the illustrious institution in the neighbouring town of Spaldings, Clarendon. And with each arrival there were several hugs and squeals that said, "distance may separate but blood is thicker than the Atlantic Ocean."
At first they just listened and sang along to the music but once the stomachs were full, the crowd could not get enough of the endless selection of oldies and other hits played by Black Acid with guest selector Ruddy J from Atlanta.
The much anticipated menu began with manish water, curried goat, gungo peas and rice, roast yellow yam and salt fish, roast breadfruit, boiled corn, stuffed roast fish, jerked chicken, tender to the bone corned pork, cornmeal dumplings, fresh vegetable salad and boiled bananas. The tasty feast was prepared by chefs Leonard Wilson and Keith Dixon.
GUEST LIST
The 300 long guest list included: M.P. Audley Shaw; Dr. D. K. Duncan and his partner Beverly Anderson Manley; Imani Duncan and Basil Waite; Marsha-Ann Hay, the Holmwood past students rowdy crew of Michael Reid, Millicent Campbell, Joan Alexander Violet Griffiths and Jasseth Scott, Lt. Col. Audley Carter and his posse from the JDF; Doreen Lawson Brown; Yvonne McLeod Myrie; Nevine and Rod Heaven; Paulette Daley; Marie and Michael Brown from Charlotte, North Carolina, Michaella Williams came from Florida; Dawn and Wilbert Glenville who came from Chicago for the party; ShaSron Sullivan from North Carolina; Zachary and Joel Williams; Chris Williams, James Auburn; Owen Palmer, Phil Williams; Colin Chen; Grace Duncan; Delroy Jaghai in from Florida; Major Richard Reece and his wife Pam; Derrick Stewart; Ruth Small; Margueritte Cooke; beauty queen Tonoya Toyloy and her parents Frankly and Jacqueline Toyloy as well as brother Franklyn Jr.; Dean and Ena Wanliss from Atlanta as well as Winnie, O'Neil and Ane Wanliss; Ruddy Notice from Atlanta; Richard Thompson from Virginia; Banga and Marlene Edwards from Fort Lauderdale; Holmwood principal Paul Bailey; businessman; Lincoln Smikle in from China; Frank Reid from Charlotte, North Carolina plus a contingent of 18 from The Cayman Islands.
