Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Ashleigh Fernandez (left), Dr. Wykeham McNeill (second left), his wife, Sheila (right), with his son Jordan McNeill at Dr. McNeill's 50th birthday party, held at Montgomery Road, Stony Hill, on Thursday, October 11.- Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

My dears, it was one fine celebration and then some, as PNP insider though he might be, his very close friends include some very well known supporters and members of the JLP, and gathered as they all were, in harmony for the special birthday celebrations, made for an even more fabulous time.

Pumpkins, we are talking one fine outing here, and an even finer do as guests not only braved the inclement weather to make the trip from various domiciles across the island, they wore their partying shoes and high spirits and it made for wonderfully marvellous outing!

With rain pelting down from the skies, the fabulously lush gardens of the venue was like a rain forest. With musical maestro, Andrew Henry and his Renegade Disco in the house, even the rain was more like a partying guest, rather than an intrusion.

perfect twosome

Oh what a night! Former security minister Dr. Peter Phillips and his fabulous wife Sandra Minott Phillips looked the picture of the perfect twosome as they pretty much basked in each other's company. Phillip Paulwell and his beautiful companion spent a good chunk of the evening trying to avoid the prying camera lens, but were captured nonetheless. Their colleague Bobby Pickersgill, took to the dance floor and danced like no one was watching, his companion, the lovely Fiona McNeill Rerrie, proving a fabulous dancer. While Junior Minister and MP Daryl Vaz, seemed not able to find his groove; his political associate Howard and Linda Mitchell, had no such difficulty!

Between the sips on premium libations, the dancing, the politicking, there was a brief interlude during which Howard Mitchell chaired what was essentially a love fest that saw the celebrant being toasted by his uncle Laurie Sharpe; brother-in-law Kenny Benjamin; and long-time friend, Dr. Andre Foote.

And so did as those out included: mom, Valerie McNeill; Bishop Robert Thompson and wife Charmaine - who blessed the evening's proceedings and the birthday boy Moxie and Laurie Morrison, brother David McNeill; John Junor; Richard Lake and the gorgeous Lisa Hanna; Chris Dehring and wife Allison, Uncle Laurie and Barbara Sharpe; Joseph Manley and his wife Della; Audrey Marks; Andrew Issa; Valerie Juggan Brown; the tres elegant Toni Parke Panton, Gina Foote, Dwight Salmon - who journeyed from Miami, Godfrey and Odette Dwyer - in from Montego Bay; Msgr. Richard Albert - who brought blessings on the cake and Jean Lowrie Chin.