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PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL/FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson (centre, standing) with (from left) Dr. Sonia Henry-Haywood, Janice Gentles and father V.G. Henry (seated).
Minister Henry-Wilson's surprise birthday party was held at the residence of Dr. Wykeham McNeill and his wife Sheila, Hopefield Avenue in St. Andrew, on Wednesday.
Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
MY DEARS, it was meant to be one of Education Minister, the Hon. Maxine Henry-Wilson's finest hours, when it was all over however, a new star was born as everyone left the soiree very impressed by the minister's teen daughter Seya-Ann Wilson, organiser of the surprise!
Known within the ranks of her party as a hard task master with exceptionally great organisational skills, these same skills have been deployed in service to country.
Through it all, Mrs. Henry-Wilson has remained the consummate politician, shrewd, wily, and when underestimated by her opponents, they pay the political price at their own peril.
Married to one-time radio and television personality, Gladstone Wilson, the union has produced one offspring, the rather charming Seya-Ann Wilson.
ORGANISING EVENTS
Now in her teens, to say that Seya-Ann grew up in a home charged with political activism, would be a gross understatement, as she grew up constantly seeing her mother planning and or organising political and or social events for her many friends and colleagues. These were done in and out of the party, and very nary any time to acknowledge her own achievements, much less celebrate them, and the life of Maxine Henry-Wilson, is punctuated by many a achievements, highlighted by many a firsts.
Now, those of you who have planned surprise parties know that this is always a touch and go situation, and stands a much greater chance of being successful if the event is planned as close as is possible to fit into the schedule of the beneficiary of the surprise.
Well, Seya, understood all this and more, and had access to the telephone numbers of all her 'political aunts and uncles' within the ranks, as well as access to family friends and well-wishers.
She began her planning by first telephoning family friends, Dr. Wykeham and Sheila McNeill, to ask them if they would assist her in her venture by hosting the event at their flawlessly appointed Golden Triangle, condominium. When they agreed, the die was cast and the wheels were sent in motion for what proved one fabulous celebration.
With her mom's colleagues on board, it was then on to asking family and friends to join in the conspiracy, and here, impressed by her efforts and generosity of spirit, she met no obstruction to her carefully crafted plans.
Well precious angels, the do was on Tuesday night, and how!
Scheduled to commence at 8:00 p.m., guests began gathering from half past seven for the do, and by the top of the hour, the McNeills' fabulous residence was abuzz with family, friends and members of the ruling political politburo.
POWER-GAGGLE
Well my daahlings, with most of the expected guests gathered and waiting anxiously, the question on the lips of those gathered was what time exactly, would the birthday girl make her appearance?
They did not have long to wait for the answer, as sometime around 9:00 p.m, Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson, walked into her very own surprise birthday party, on the arms of hubby Gladstone Wilson to a chorus of surprise! This segued into the happy birthday chorus, and as if on cue, what was then a muted gathering erupted into a fabulous fanfare of animated chatter and social buzz.
With the music now audible, guests queued to personally and individually greet the birthday girl, as well as to share their wishes and goodwill, the lawns and wrap around verandah never looked better and how!
My daahlings, it was the social and political epicentre of the Jamaican universe, as every-which-where one looked one saw the political denizens and the social and entrepreneurial elite, and since there's no buzz like the buzz of celebrity, dovecakes, the place was cooking!
Sweet-things, we are talking a power-gaggle here of the highest political order and for my word, charmingly so, at ease and at play, and nary a hint of politics in the air. Well, almost.
Anyways, pumpkins, it was like that hot!
Dinner was a treat taken within an hour or so after the arrival of the guest of honour; and with dinner out of the way, guests then gathered on the verandah for the cutting of the birthday cake.
Nothing boring or tiresome here, just a few toasts from friends, as Wykeham McNeill chaired the brief proceedings that had a number of her ministerial colleagues and husband - all lauding and commending the birthday celebrant for her dedication, commitment, loyalty, service to her country and party, and selflessness as a friend, over many a moons.
GUESTS IN ATTENDANCE
In response, she thanked her friends and colleagues for being in attendance; praised and thanked her daughter for her initiative in planning and bringing to fruition the party; and paid tribute to her parents, and immediate and political families, before slicing into her birthday cake with hubby Winston.
Among those out celebrating with the minister and her family were father V. G. Henry; sisters, Dr. Sonia Henry-Heywood and Janice Gentles; Kenny Benjamin; Joe Matalon; Valerie McNeill; Foreign Minister K.D. Knight; Transport Minister Robert Pickersgill and companion Fiona Rerrie-McNeill; Security Minister Dr. Peter Phillips and wife Sandra; Health Minister John and Urla Junor; Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke; Technology Minister Phillip Paulwell; Tourism Minister Aloun Assamba; State Minister Harry and Venise Douglas; State Minister Donald Rhodd and wife Barbara; State Minister Fitz Jackson; Senator Kern Spencer; Alethia Barker; Horace and Norma Clarke; Arnold 'Scree' Bertram; Colin Campbell; Heather Robinson; Ambassador Raymond Wolfe and wife Sharon; Dr. Andre Foote and wife Gina; Leslie and Deidre Chang; Eileen Wolfe; Vinay Walia; Mikael and Michelle Phillips; Dawnette Turner; Donovan Nelson; Claudia Hill; Natalya Heywood; siblings Candace and Simone Gentles; Carol Williams-Simpson; Andrene Rhoden; Shana Bernard; and lovely Ashleigh Fernandez and Master Jordan McNeill and a number of others.
