Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson and husband Howard Johnson. - file

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

Well, over in Montego Bay, it's Josef Forstmayr, who is the Honorary Consul of Austria and not Switzerland, as we asserted last weekend, replacing legendary hotelier Heinz Simonitsch, who retired.

Meanwhile, over in Kingston, it's Ulie Bangerter, who is the new Honorary Consul of Switzerland, replacing businessman Peter Bangerter, who also retired recently.

And so it is, with congrats being in order and extended to both Josef Forstmayr and Ulie Bangerter on their appointment.

And continuing to speak of fabulous Montego Bay, it's the preferred getaway this here weekend for leading socialites, as the international jet-setters and moneyed fly into the island from all over the globe to join their Jamaican counterparts as they party and dig into their designer pockets to support the annual Sugar Cane Ball, being hosted at the world-acclaimed and indulgently fabulous Round Hill Hotel and Villas, under the social baton of the resort's manager, Josef Forstmayr.

Fine outing to be

It's his annual quest to raise funds for the Hanover charities. And luvs, with the theme for this year's event being black tie or gold, y'all know it's going to be one fine outing.

And with tickets to this prized annul calendar social event being a mere US$200 per person, y'all know it will be kicking!

Now, that's Saturday night, on Sunday night it will be the Tryall reception being hosted by U.S. Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson and her husband Howard Johnson. Invitations have not stated the occasion for the reception, so speculation is rife that it is on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary. Whatever the reason for the celebrations, the buzz here is expect a gala and nothing but, as the very cream of Jamaican society is expected, as are a number of New York's well-heeled.

And it's still all about the age of Aries, my dears, and among the beautiful people celebrating their birthday are: the lovely Gina Foote, who celebrate her special day last Monday, and was treated to a surprise outing by hubby Dr. Andre Foote.

The buzz here is that the preferred venue to make the special occasion was the fabulous Velisa's Restaurant, Devon Road in New Kingston. Spotted sharing in the magic of it all included: Dr. Wykeham McNeill and his gorgeous wife, the fabulous Sheila Benjamin McNeil; the flawless Beverly Barakatt; businessman Leslie Chang and his absolutely fabulously stunning wife Deidre Hart Chang; and the lovely Solange Barakatt; plus a number of others.

Also celebrating on Monday, was noted attorney, George Fatta, who was guest at a surprise dinner thrown in his honour by his very close friends, who surprised the legal luminary at one of Kingston's leading restaurants.

On Sunday however, it was all about the fabulous Nevine Heaven, who celebrated her special day at a poolside soiree, hosted by close friends over there in luxurious Jacks Hill. We are talking one heck of a poolside to-do as in one fine lounge and lyme as friends got together, rolled out the barbecue and were most definitely not afraid to pop the corks on the bubbly; with Brent Ciurlino donning the apron and commandeering the kitchen to roll out some of his famed Italian creations, all the time with his fabulous wife the lovely Dr. Kim Brown Ciurlino, being his able assistant. (Wink-wink!).

And speaking of Dr. Kim Bbrown Ciurlino, the fab Mrs, is expected to be an auntie soon as the stork is expected to deliver a bundle of joy to her twin sister the lovely Karen Brown Chang and her hubby, Andrew Chang, by mid year!

And the word is that the GeeJam mansion over there in the ritzy neighbourhood of Millsborough, St. Andrew will soon be jumping to the patter of little feet as also expecting the stork, is music executive Jon Baker of GeeJam Studios and Records, and his companion, songbird, the lovely Nordia Witter. The word here is that the stork should make her delivery by mid April, and so plans are now in place to transform the GeeJam mansion from reggae's premier party locale to include a crche, so it back to Port Antonio for the all night partying!

More anon, all around here.

Now, Monday being the 19th, the lovely Joan Miller, formerly of Morant Bay, St. Thomas, but now of Toronto Canada, will be celebrating her birthday, and the word here is, expect the "real celebrations" later, here in Jamaica, as the word is it will be all that, and then some!

And speaking of Canada, former Canadian High Commissioner to Jamaica, HE (Ret.), Claudio Valle and his fabulously fashionable wife the tres elegant Louise Valle, are expected to make their first visit to Kingston, come mid March, this being their first visit since their retirement last year and the word here is that theirs will be one fine visit with snob-society a-queuing to play hosts to them.

Well, his predecessor Ambassador (Ret) John Robinson has just returned to home to Canada, after a two week visit here that saw him also guesting at the 40th wedding anniversary gala reception of Earl and Beverly Levy; plus being the special guest at a number of dinners and soirees hosted in his honour.

More anon, my dears, as some fab parties are not only in the making, they are in the stars!