Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Dr. Barbara Munske (left) jokes with Robert MacMillan and his sister Judy at his cocktail reception last Friday. - Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

Now, there are some absolutely fabulous reasons for throwing a party, at least within the ranks of the 'A-crowd', and tops among those reasons are a grudge fest - a party thrown for the sheer purpose of not inviting some. Then there's the 'just because' - no reason(s) needed here, as this party celebrates life, friends, the bounties and, of course, appreciation of one's friends and their achievements.

Well, my daahlings, as if to underline this here very point, the Honorary Consul of Iceland, Robert MacMillan, threw a 'just because' party at his swanky St. Andrew residence last Friday evening, that was all that and then some!

And what made it even more so, my dears, it rained cats and dogs, leading into and through the shindig, but precious angels, those who made the cut of colleagues and associates paid nearly no mind to the showers, as they braved the inclement weather to break bread and make merry, with the host.

Gracious living

Col. Trevor McMillan (left) hangs out with Simone Khourie, Patrick Lynch and Richard Khourie.

Now, those of you in the know will recall that Robert MacMillan's house was styled from its creation for gracious living and elegant partying. Its poolside bar, styled like a Spanish hacienda, boasting a treasure trove of movie memorabilia, framed against a '50s and '60s backdrop of black and white photographs and collectibles, add voluble charm to this designated party area.

And, if that is not your thing, a hop, skip or jump away is the fabulous grand verandah, accessorised by Romanesque colonnades, and home to a most imposing concert grand piano, that has accompanied personalities such as Paul Robeson, Nat King Cole, Doris Day, Sammy Davis Jr. and Xavier Cougat, Bill Haley and the Comets in concert, here in Kingston, 'back in the day'.

Well, sweet-things, it was here at this address that guests gathered last Friday for 'drinks and light snacks' as per the invites that went out, bidding those identified to attend at the home of the esteemed Rotarian.

My dears, it was just what the doctor ordered and, in a word, fabulous! The host was in his ackee, and it made for a most relaxed occasion, greeting each guest individually and then in turn presenting each new arrival to those already in attendance.

And with Kingston's two leading waiters - Richard Douglas and Dwight Henriques - leading the charge in seeing that each empty glass was replenished in a most timely manner, and a buffet of delightful finger-foods presented by society caterer Maree Sigurdson, my dears, rains and all, it was clear sailing all the way.

Doves, the invites did say cocktails were from 7:00-9:00 p.m., but, my dears, that little stipulated time constraint failed to mention the 'after party', and with polite company and premium libation flowing, it was well into Saturday morning before what was definitely a fabulous smasheroni ended.

And none of that 'grab something and wave' business either, as it was simply not that kind of an outing! In fact, for the most part, the music that kept people together for the entire evening was the dying art of conversation, not to mention it was an outing of the civilised class.

Hot notables

French Ambassador Francis Hurtut (centre) chats with Fiela Mazzocchi-Alemanni and husband Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni, EU delegation head in Jamaica.

It was definitely a hot-number all right with among the notables out being the Hon. Glynne Manley; MP Dr. Peter Phillips and his fab wife Sandra Minott-Phillips; Senator Tom Tavares-Finson and his fab wife Rose Tavares-Finson; Senator Col. Trevor McMillan and his wife, Dr. Olivia McDonald; head of EU Delegation Ambassador Marco Mazzocchi-Alemanni and his lovely wife, Fiela Mazzocchi-Alemanni; American Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson and her hubby Howard Johnson; British High Commissioner Jeremy Creswell and his German companion, the lovely Dr. Barbara Munske; French Ambassador Francis Hurtut; Spanish Ambassador Jesús Silva; Canadian High Commissioner Denis Kingsley and his very charming wife Jo Ann Kingsley; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda; Chilean Ambassador Alphanso Silva and his lovely wife Ada Silva; German Ambassador Jurgen Engel and his wife Ana Engel.

We also spotted Deputy British High Commissioner Paul Nicolopulo; U.S. Embassy economic and political attache Lloyd Moss; Travis MacMillan; Monsignor Father Richard Albert; socialites emeritus Roy Collister and his charming wife Sylvia Collister; socialite Beverly Junor Levy; Hon Desmond Blades and his wife Peggy Blades; Hon. Dennis Lalor and his wife Diane Lalor; the esteemed Chris Bovell and his fashionable wife Michelle Bovell; Joe Matalon and his fabulous wife Bernadette McKinley Matalon; Paula Issa and his elegant wife Oriente Issa; the affable Charles Hanna; Paul Stockhausen and his lovely wife Becky Stockhausen; the lovely Janet Farrow and her beau, fashion designer Bill Edwards; Peter Millingen, his fabulous wife Stacy Barbar Millingen, and many more.