Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
Left: ( L - R ) Jackie Bird, Joan Lee and Karen Neita, stroll gingerly across the sodden turf for a day of fun. Right: Cecile Levee (left) and Ann Chen enjoy a tranquil raft down the river. - CONTRIBUTED
THE FLAMSTEAD Heritage Trust Fundraiser hosted last Thursday, to benefit Hurricane Katrina's victims, at King's House, proved a musical treat as people came from as far away as Montego Bay and Morant Bay for the affair.
They came from all ends of the island and from across the social divide, and in drenching rain, too, underlining the fact that tragedy is no respecter of persons, and when it does strike, its saving grace is in its ability to unite disparate forces in service.
And dears, a pretty penny was raised in the process and funds continue to come in.
Kudos to Ambassador Peter King and the governors of the Flamstead Heritage Society, for leading the way in this undertaking.
The legendary Joyce Campbell, turned 80 on Tuesday of this week. To mark the birthday however, the charming Ms. Campbell, threw a little celebratory bash last Saturday night at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel. That was such a social hot number, people are still talking about this one, and the verdict is it was a smasheroni and then some.
Pumpkins, we are talking a class-act here. Among those who jetted in for the celebrations were the fabulously lovely Minna Israel (in from The Bahamas) and Brian Sang, (in from Barbados) who shares the same birthday with the diva of dance.
Tuesday, my dears, was indeed the big day for many of the 'in-crowd' as also celebrating on Tuesday, was the charming Elise Yapp, who was the guest of honour of an intimate do thrown in her honour by family and friends over there in Ocho Rios; man-about-town Robert Haughton, returned from his weekend jaunt over in Harmony Hall, to share drinks with his friends. Brian Sang was the special guest at a rather charming little affair hosted in his honour on Monday night into Tuesday morning, as friends braved the ominous downpour and treacherous roadways to make Sang's 40th birthday, a memorable occasion and then some!
Luvs, it was and sensationally so.
And speaking of fabulously and memorable birthdays.
Doves, y'all have heard of the North Coast Ladies Who Lunch; well pumpkins, this grouping of simply fabulous women, who get together just because, did it again. This time the location was Leathe, near Montego Bay, at the lovely estate of Francis and Doreen Tulloch, as the ladies gathered to commemorate the Virgo birthday of fashion belissima grande, and North Coast premier socialite Cecile Levee.
Dears, it was a day of fine dining, elegant living and haute style, as after a morning of rafting it was then on to a picnic-style brunch, in the elegant gardens of the resort attraction, where white-gloved service was the order of the day, the fare - something sensational and then some.
Dears, champagne wishes all around and caviar dreams.
Now, today is officially Michelle Hussey Day, as the fab Miss, is celebrating the magical five-zero. Also celebrating today is Anil Kalra.
Sunday has been declared Jennifer Lim's day, as this leading socialite, along with David Burton, and Machel 'Dove' Duff, will all celebrate their birthday on this special day.
Come Wednesday however, the focus will shift to Mandeville, as businessman and the girls' favourite Super Plus son Dr. Robert Chen will celebrate his special day.
Dears, happy birthdays all around and many happy returns, y'all!
And then my dears, Style, ya'll know, is as style does. And so it is not what is done that makes a deed, or action stylish, it is who does it! And so it is that when celebrated hotelier Peter Fraser, announced to his friends some time ago, that he had cancelled his plans for an Argentinean vacation, opting instead to take a week-long vacation, here in Kingston, there were those who thought the idea more than a little balmy, as indeed, in the minds of many, Kingston, is a place to get away from, not go to, particularly, for a holiday.
Pity those my dears, who think of the city of Kingston, as a necessary evil instead of the hustling, bustling metropolis that it is. It represents the seat of the nation's government and is the happening place - the very soul and flavour of the country.
It is the home of the island's burgeoning theatre movement; the epicentre of the our highly acclaimed music industry; the fashion centre of the Caribbean; The cultural capital of the region; and boasts a culinary repertoire and diversity that equals that of any recognised world capital; and to crown it all, there are the beaches of Hellshire and or Port Royal, with their offerings of Fish 'n' Festival, for the laid back adventurer; or the choice of browsing through any of the leading galleries and the fabulous collections of Jamaican and regional masters.
Then there are the various historical sites and points of interest - The legendary Port Royal and its sunken treasures; a visit to the mineral baths of Rockfort; Hope Zoo and Gardens; The Blue Mountain range; or a dancehall encounter of the up-close and personal kind, with a visit to any of the many 'juggling-sessions' that highlight the city's nightlife!
And so, on the face of it and beyond, Peter Fraser is more than right, Kingston is indeed, one mighty fine place for a vacation, and after all when the North Coast town of Ocho Rios/Cardiff Hall is your home, and the fabulously chic and oh-so upscale Royal Plantation Hotel is your place of work, then Kingston, represents a fabulous vacation destination.
And so my dears, it's destination Kingston, all this week as Peter Fraser and friends, set about the rediscovering of the beauty and joys of this city, and for my word, there's an awful lot to enjoy in the process!
