Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Left: The 'grouping' game was full of hilarious moments like this one.   Right: From left: Kerry-Ann Watkis, Shauna-Gaye Briscoe and Roxanne Samuels seem to have the same comic object in their gaze. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Cari-Med Ltd., the local distribution giant, hosted a groovy get-together last Friday for those persons who help to spread their message - the media.

Held at the head offices on Lady Musgrave Road, St. Andrew, guests were ushered into Cari-Med's world in which every corner and crevice advertised one of the company's myriad of products. To cool you down, you were offered a Cari-Medley drink made with a mixture of the company's Valle fruit juices, with or without alcohol, whichever you preferred.

Sales and Marketing Director Lana Bennett promised guests "an evening of fun and relaxation," and that's what they got. Employees from Spa Aesthetique offered massages to weary guests and with the Rising Stars finale fresh in everybody's mind, the Cari-Med folks created the Celestial Lounge, an area where guests could sit in plush sofas and chairs and watch the proceedings.

But there was plenty of entertainment otherwise. Dub poet Fuzion, known to his work colleagues as Rudolph Thomas, created quite a stir with his selections which either sent shout-outs to Cari-Med or saluted the ladies. The Griot Band took care of the musical duties, performing mostly rocksteady and lover's rock tunes. The crowd didn't seem to mind as their selections were well received.

Wacky stunts

There were spot prizes galore either for trivia on Cari-Med and its various products or for wacky stunts. Speaking of wacky, the invitation promised doses of laughter and guests got it from veteran comedian Owen 'Blakka' Ellis. From his first lines he had them laughing uncontrollably and it never abated.

A video vignette showed the hard-working members of staff going about their daily business with a few words from directors and the head man himself, Glen Christian. When it was time for him to speak in person, he admitted they never thought they would be around for 20 years. He opined that with great employees, customers and of course, the media, they envisioned being around for another 20 years - at least!

Left: Lana Bennett (left), sales and marketing director of Cari-Med Limited, and Maxine Mitchell, of Communications Business Solutions Ltd., take a leisurely stroll into Cari-Med's media appreciation party.   Right: Grabbing on for dear life! During the 'grouping' game at the Cari-Med media party, there was plenty of grabbing and bunching.