Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Birthday smooch from Bobby Pickersgill for 'Babsy' Grange. Looking on is MP James Robertson. They were attending 'Babsy's' 60th birthday party, held at Strawberry Hill Hotel, Irish Town, St. Andrew, on Saturday 29. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
SHE IS regarded by many within the ranks of the Opposition JLP as their equivalent or answer to the PNP's Portia Simpson Miller.
Now, she has worn many a moniker, but bitterness is most definitely not one of them, and this is despite many reasons to be.
After all, Olivia 'Babsy' Grange has not only paid her dues, politics has extracted its pound of flesh from this daughter of the inner city, who was detained on trumped-up charges, spent some seven months in
detention, and only released on condition that she go into 'voluntary' exile, during the heyday of the political madness that characterised the politics of the 1970s.
But then again, that is altogether and entirely a
different matter, as the times are changing, and we the people are changing ahead of the times!
Now, this here scribe is sure y'all can remember when ageing was a process feared by the many and dreaded by the others. Well, that was then, today, we celebrate life, not fear it. And since ageing is part and parcel of the process of living, those privileged enough to
experience a full life, revel in the status.
Now, last Thursday the erstwhile music-producer, impresario and cultural promoter turned politician, 'Babsy' Grange, celebrated her 60th birthday. The
celebrations, however, were not on Thursday, but followed on Saturday evening, at the absolutely fabulous Strawberry Hill Spa Hotel, in the St Andrew hills.
Luvs, 'Babsy' Grange is a very remarkable woman. And we are talking one who rose from very humble circumstances in West Kingston, suffered the indignities of abuse by the state, yet through it all, maintained her composure and focus to rise and serve in the highest levels of Government, managing to walk with kings and not lose the common touch
The consummate people person, the rather affable politician is equally at home along the corridors of power, as well along the lanes, byways and poverty-stricken alleys of the inner-city slums a quality that endears her to the common people.
FABULOUS NIGHT
And so, her 60th birthday celebration saw a mix of the political classes and social classes. And dears, it made for one fabulous night!
Luvs, 'Babsy' invited her family, friends, colleagues, well-wishers and constituents to join her as she marked her special milestone.
Well dears, the affair, for the most part, was more of a fabulous testimonial than a party, at the outset, as the evening began amicably enough with a smart cocktail reception. Mind you, while the majority of guests joined in for cocktails, there were those who just used the time to meander around the beautiful property, ooh-ing and aah-ing at the beauty that was the city of Kingston some
distance away.
And as guests gathered and/or meandered, the question on everyone's mind was just where exactly was the birthday girl. Well, pumpkins, she made her appearance closer to 9:00 p.m. sporting a form-fitting 'little black gown', that boasted a strategic slit up the front, that played a little game of peek-a-boo with every step she made, as she ascended to the wide expanse of lawns reserved for the partying arena.
Guests were then invited to join her on the lawns for the officialdom to begin, and once under way, it never stopped taking on religious, dancehall and the tones of a flawless testimonial in stages, with the birthday girl closing out this here section, and from here on in, it was straight juggling!
Among those out celebrating were: mom, the lovely Raphalita Walker and hubby Gifford Walker; her daughter the beautiful Paula Surtees and her hubby Jonathan Surtees and their two lovely daughters; Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, The Most Hon. Edward and Carla Seaga; PNP Chairman and Minister Robert Pickersgill; MP John and wife Urla; Junior Tourism Minister Dr. Wykeham and Sheila McNeil; senators Dorothy Lightbourne and Prudence Kidd-Deans; MPs Mike Henry and wife Dawn Chambers; Andrew Holness and wife Juliet, James Robertson, Dr. St. Aubyn Bartlett, Shahine Robinson, her sibling Peter Fakouri; Independent MP the fabulous Verna Parchment who organised the event for her cousin.
Also out were: Canadian High Commissioner HE Claudio and Louise Valle; Ed McKie; the elegant Jennifer Lim; Howard Aris; Mrs. Marguerite St.Juste; Harold Brady; the fabulous Joan Russell; Banker Barry Chisholm; Dorothy Johnson; Peter and Susanne Couch; Russell Hadeed; Enid Harrow; Oswald James; Hyacinth Bennett; Granville Davidson; Mrs. Daphne Hurge; Hillary Bramwell; Rochelle Cameron; Sean Azan; the elegant Josephine McGann; Desi Jones; Sophia Squire; Dwight Moore; Nathalie Thompson; Ronnie and Suzie Burke; Gussie Clarke; the bubbly Pat Nelson; Clifton "Specialist" Dillion; Tommy Cowan and wife Carlene Davis; Wayne Nunez; Sharon Burke; Jon Baker of Gee-Jam Music; Brandon Bakshi; Trefina Asidu; Frank Liwall; Veronica Green; Mr. and Mrs. Gary Royes; Robert Haughton; Kim-Marie Spence; Kenneth Shaw; Marcia Davies; Roy and Millicent Walker; Sammy and Dawn Heron; Andre Grange; Kaz and Michiko Asonuma; Chris Shackleford; Lloyd Lovindeer; Richie Stephens; Buju Banton; Vybez Cartel; Twins of Twins; Clancy Eccles Jnr.; and Candy Issacs; plus several scores more.
