Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer
An elegantly dressed Tayana Henry at a party hosted for the Olympians by The Jamaica Pegasus hotel in New Kingston. - Photos by Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
My dears, there's none so blind as those who simply refuse to see! And it is abundantly clear to all, but those at the centre of the organising committee charged with implementing the Olympic home-coming celebrations, that all is not well.
While the Olympians are the people's heroes and heroines, the celebrations to honour their achievements have been less than honourable.
One bright spot
Luvs, in a nutshell, those behind the overly long and very drawn-out celebrations have failed the Olympians, and the country, to effectively produce, manage and deliver a compact, orderly and proper programme of celebrations, worthy of being classified as a national event. In this respect, it is not worthy of the those in whose name it was supposedly being executed.
However, there's one very bright spark from the unfolding debacle, and that is the mea culpa from Strawberry Hill, which has unreservedly apologised and sought to make amends for the breakdown that resulted in what should have been one of their finest hours, to one of unequalled embarrassment.
With a world-class reputation for faultless service and unimpeachable style, the breakdown is particularly sad, coming as it did at the most inopportune of moments.
Pegasus do
All was not lost, however, as on Monday evening of this week, the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, in association with the SuperClubs Resorts, threw a simply smashing little do for the Olympic team members, at the celebrated 17th floor Talk of The Town restaurant.
It was quite a refreshingly fab outing for both the specially invited guests and Olympians.
My dears, Monday's event was hosted by general manager Eldon Bremner and hotel manager Nancy McLean, and the celebrated twins, Zein Nakash and Muna Issa, representing SuperClubs.
A number of specially invited guests were in attendance, the stars of Beijing, and their teammates were under no stress to perform - and so party they did, in what was truly a very relaxed atmosphere. It was that much more so because this was one outing at which they did not have to sing for their supper.
No drawn-out speeches or acts of officialdom here. A mere interlude, chaired by Marcia Erskine, during which the Olympians were thanked and lauded for their achievements, on behalf of the people of Jamaica.
Complimentary stay
In a presentation from SuperClubs Zein Nakash said all 19 members of the Olympic team who medalled would get one week complimentary all-inclusive stay at a SuperClubs resort of their choice; and all other members of the team would get a two-night stay. Each athlete is allowed to take one guest.
It was also announced that Grand Lido Negril would now name a suite in honour of Usain Bolt.
Among the notables out were Usain Bolt; the unflappable Asafa Powell; the oh-so-charming Veronica Campbell-Brown; Information, Sports and Culture Minister Olivia Grange; Mexican Ambassador Leonora Rueda and her deputy, Abraham Montes de Oca; Jennifer Lim; businessman Desmond Panton; his sister-in-law Janet Panton; chair of the UDC Louis Williams; businessman Christopher Nakash; Dawn Young; Olympians Donald Quarrie, Bertland Cameron; Grace Jackson and Kathy Rattray; cricketing ambassador Courtney Walsh; sports broadcaster Keith Brown; broadcaster Norma Brown-Bell; Ali McNab; Bruce James of the famed MVP club; Dr Patrice Charles Freeman; Damian Cox; Colin Leslie; the lovely Lystra Sharpe and her daughter, Kerri Sharpe; Robert Stephenson; the charming Enid Harrow; Freddie James of The Quad; Marcia Erskine; Verica Bennett; Carmen Clarke; Gary Robotham and Prudence Simpson.
And, my daahlings, the age of Libra rages on with Opposition Spokesman on Tourism, Dr Wykeham McNeill, celebrating his birthday today.
And champagne is definitely in order my dears, as October 10 is also a very special day for Ron Brown and wife Valerie Juggan-Brown, as the couple celebrate their 21st wedding anniversary.
UPCOMING BIRTHDAYS
Then, the absolutely fabulous Jennifer Izzo celebrates her birthday on the 15th, and buzz is Negril will be blazing!
Hotelier Brian Sang will blow out the candles on his birthday on the 18th. As will Dwayne Mair.
The 20th will see Texan multimillionaire Dennis Joslin joshing it up for his birthday.
The fabulous Nagina Newman celebrated her 30th over last weekend, with lots of style and flair with a shortlist of family and very close friends in attendance.
And belated birthday greetings to Joel Ellison, who celebrated his special day on the 4th. Happy birthday y'all, with champagne toasts and beluga treats.
Donald Quarrie 'boogies down' with the Olympians at a celebration party hosted by The Jamaica Pegasus hotel on October 6.
