Daviot Kelly, Staff Reporter

Odette Barron (left) and Sheree Jones didn't let the intermittent drizzle stop them from hanging out at JPS Media Appreciation Party, held at Solaris at Mar-Bella Estate, St. Thomas, on November 26.

They say you can build a pretty picnic, but you can't predict the weather. Well, the Jamaica Public Service corporate communications crew did have the perfect little media party planned and even though the remnants of a nasty weather condition did sprinkle the Solaris mansion, in St. Thomas, with showers, it did not stop the guests who made the trip out to 12 Miles from having a good time.

Merritone Disco, with the young lion, Craig Ross, at the turntables kept the guests bubbling from start to finish with his vast collection of hits from yesteryear to the present. The dancing was almost non-stop especially after the rains abated. And even though there was a slight drizzle afterward, it didn't dampen the mood or the spirits. The media folk showed they knew all the moves and were ably joined by their JPS hosts. The best dancer award was a real tough one.

It was ironic that President and CEO Damian Obiglio was hosting his first media appreciation party at the same venue where his predecessor was given a fine farewell.

The menu was named for the various media houses spanning the island; each food station dedicated to one particular form of media. For instance, the TV Land menu consisted of 'Reggae' Rice and Peas and 'Love' Festival; the Radio World included 'Power' Pressed Green Plantain and 'Irie' Stir Fried Vegetable; and the Print Centre offered 'Glean' in the sweetness of sugar cane and 'Youth'ful Brownies.

There was no shortage of prizes, which hinged on your knowledge of music titles, your media colleagues and what they do. Guests were also quizzed on JPS media parties of the past and the 'name that song' segment had them testing their music knowledge.

CEO of JPS, Damian Obiglio, gets some dancing tips from (from left) JPS' Alicia Lyle, director of human resource services; Kathy Cooke, manager of external affairs in their western operations, and Winsome Callum, corporate communications officer.

(From left) David Wong-Ken, owner of Solaris; Tony Ray and Damian Obiglio, CEO of JPSCo hob-nob at the company's Media Appreciation Party, last Sunday .

The mussel's man was a big hit at JPS Media Appreciation Party. Here, male guests couldn't help but dig into the delectable dish. - photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer