Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner Writer

Mayor of Montego Bay, Councillor Noel Donaldson (right), presents two paintings to tennis stars, Venus Williams (left) and her sister, Serena (not in photo), during a cocktail reception hosted by Half Moon last Tuesday evening. Sharing in the occassion...

WESTERN BUREAU:

Whether it was Super-Clubs' vice-president Sam James or tennis' Williams sisters, the excitement in Montego Bay this past week centred mainly on them.

Yes, James was right up there creating waves as the tennis greats were, but in a different way. From Sunday, January 28, to Thursday, February 8, five parties had already been hosted by his family, his 'watering hole' buddies, employees or 'bestest' friends.

In the case of the Williams sisters, they stormed into the Second City last Tuesday, and as mini-hurricanes, dashed into the CARICOM meeting at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, just so they could greet Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller before checking into what Serena has labelled, "The most beautiful suite I have ever stayed in," at theelegant Half Moon Resort.

Tennis clinic

After tennis clinic for some 40 children and 15 minutes spent giving tips, they were ushered into an invitation-only cocktail reception in the Arcadia II Room at the resort, where a group of adult fans waited their turn to get snapshots with the girls.

Serena exited this event early as a result of reported stomach cramps, while the pleasant and well-mannered Venus accommodated anyone who requested a photo opportunity.

But another party was in full force, and Sam James was determined to surpass best friend Metty Scarlett Jones' record of having the most birthday parties.

Incidentally, James and his posse need no real reason for merrymaking, so their celebration started at his Spring Farm, Rose Hall residence the previous Sunday, where wife Yvonne, and son, Sam Jr., served up an awesome scallop, topped with steak that melted in the mouth.

Delicious dishes

Festivity number two started as early as 4:00 p.m. last Monday, and was hosted by Superintendent of Police Jasmin Tomlinson Brown and husband Owen, at their Wiltshire manor. A woman of no mean order, especially in the kitchen, the female top cop presented a fare of curried goat, stewed pork, steamed roast fish and chicken 'run down'.

Tom Tavares-Finson and daughter Leah, Dr. John Gordon, and the regular crew, attorney-at-law George Thomas, banker Vandyke McKenzie, who escorted Godfrey Dyer in Odette Soberam's absence, and Metty Scarlett Jones were all in attendance.

Revelry number three was put on by the staff of Grand Lido Braco at Rio Bueno's 'Yow' and, of course, Scarlett Jones found her way to Trelawny. Party number four climaxed later that evening in another setting at Jean's Blue Marlin in the popular Whitehouse fishing village, in Montego Bay, where curried goat, pumpkin soup and fried salt fish are a man's best friend.

Certainly not satisfied this was enough celebration for one man, the group again staged a 'drinking hole' soiree at Palm Bay, in Bogue, where the best stewed conch, dasheen, fried dumplings and mackerel rundown held centre stage on Thursday night.

But, this was not the apex to the series of celebrations, James and his regular crew along with Andrea Lyle, Odette Soberam, Stafford Wilson, Dr. Kingsley Thomas, Linton Latty and Supt. John Morris drank Champagne, red wine and feasted on good fellowship.