Students of St. Alban's K.I.D.S. basic school perform at the launch of the charity event. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Honeychiles, it is easily one of this season's best kept secrets, but pumpkins, it's all about fabulous Port Antonio, this weekend as the international rich and famous continue to make Portland the get-away and party retreat of the jet set and/or international gadabout!
Now, y'all now that the fabulous Francesca von Habsburg has made Port Antonio, her winter home for many a mango season now! And with recent property acquisitions by billionaire Michael Lee Chin and his expected redevelopment of his childhood home town expected to get underway soon, y'all know we are talking nothing but smasheroni here.
Well, the fabulous prefers the company of the fabulous, so little wonder that this weekend Port Antonio is expected to be abuzz with high-glam and international lan. The town will be coming alive - and remember it's all very hush-hush, that one Icelandic billionaire, his friends and entourage, will jet into the island and head straight for Port Antonio, where he will celebrate his 40th birthday!
And, my dears, we are not talking about just another 40th birthday celebration here, but according to the buzz, it will be a multimillion-dollar shindig, and nothing else. Talk about putting on the Ritz, well pumpkins, those in the know are all very tight-lipped, but the word is this one will be the great-grandmama, of all celebrations, and then some, as if the organisers had rented the parish of Portland itself, for the affair!
Top cop's birthday
And speaking of birthdays, no multimillion-dollar celebrations here, but on Wednesday of this week, it was all about Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas, as the nation's top cop celebrated his birthday, and in the muted style for which he is much admired by his cadre of officers and rank and file police personnel.
Many a happy returns here, and nothing but!
And speaking of those executing Herculean tasks!
This gentleman prefers to operate from behind the scenes and really with as little fanfare as is possible, but those in the know, know that Hilton Kingston's general manager, not only manages one fabulous hotel, but Frank Rosheuvel is also very bullish on Jamaica, and even more so, Kingston.
Indeed, a few years ago, when the famed JAPEX trade fair made its debut in Kingston, Frank Rosheuvel was one of those whose instrumentality and commitment was largely responsible for the tourism trade fair showcasing its wares in the nation's capital, as well as for the resounding success the show enjoyed.
Originally hailing from Curacao, Frank Rosheuvel arrived in Jamaica just under 10 years ago; his task then, to make the Hilton Kingston, not only the city's leading hotel, but also a profitable endeavour!
Well, there are few today, who could argue honestly that he has not achieved those objectives. That he has my dears, and not only so in surpassing expectations, a philanthropist by heart, he founded The Hilton Caribbean K.I.D.S. Golf Tournament, a vehicle dedicated to the uplifting and improvement of the learning conditions of socially challenged students as well as kindergarten students in general.
Now in its seventh year, the Hilton Caribbean K.I.D.S Golf Tournament has raised millions of dollars for the benefits of institutions such as The Marigold Child Care Centre; The Glenhope Place of Safety; Gladys Sherriff Basic School; VOUCH and The Bustamante Hospital for Children, plus a number of others.
Goal
Well, the goal for the Hilton Caribbean 2007 annual charity Golf fundraiser is $12M. Slated to get under way on June 16 at the Caymanas Golf and Country Club, this year's event was officially launched at the trendy 18th floor Les Ambassadeurs Restaurant, at the hotel on Tuesday. Judging by the show of corporate support at the launch, then the goal will be easily surpassed.
And to add some more spice to what is already quite an attractive package for participating sponsors and patrons, this year's activities have been expanded to include a live television telethon; a cultural street festival; a K.I.D.S art exhibition; and a New Orleans-styled food festival!
Doves, we are talking a more than a worthy cause here. Tuesday's New Orleans themed launch included dancing girls, cultural presentations and one awesome culinary offering, that made for one fabulous feast, and nothing but!
Those out showing support for the very worthycause included Education Minister Maxine Henry Wilson; Deputy Tourism Minister Dr. Wykeham McNeill and his fabulous wife, the stunning Sheila McNeill; Security conglomateur Kenny Benjamin; Carlton Levy; Canadian multi-millionaire and owner of the Hilton Kingston, Ron Kelly; real estate developer Robert Cartade; SuperClubs' Stuart Fisher; AIC's Aubyn Hill and his fabulous wife, Tamara; Harold Brady; Chunky and Jan Lopez; David Mais; Larry Stewart; Honorary Consul of Ecuador Clelia de Berretto Hunter; Former Miss World and reigning beauty, Lisa Hanna; International Financial Consultant Mark Jones and his son, the founder of the American-based charity organisation, Teens For Technology, Anders; celebrated artist Christopher Gonzales; ceramist and sculptor extraordinaire, Gene Pearson; the lovely Jacqulynne Hussey Pearson and their children; CVM's Dr. David McBean; Carrole Guntley of the Tourism Ministry; NCB's lovely Sheree Martin; Robert Haughton; Bert Fowles; and the fabulous Tiffany Rosheuvel.
Ron Kelly, owner of Hilton Kingston hotel and Sheila Benjamin-McNeill.
General Manager of Hilton Kingston hotel, Frank Rosheuvel (right), shares a secret with Rodney Davis, president and CEO of Cable and Wireless, Jamaica.
Lisa Hanna and Carlton Levy at the Hilton Kingston hotel K.I.D.S charity event launch.
Owner of the Hilton Kingston hotel, Ron Kelly (left), chats with General Manager Frank Rosheuvel at the K.I.D.S seventh annual Hilton charity event launch, held at the Hilton, New Kingston, on Tuesday, March 27.
