After all the hoopla, celebrations continue

Published: Friday | March 27, 2009


Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor


( L - R ) Suzie Benjamin, Lucius Thomas - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer

And so, after all the hoopla and all, West Portland remained green. The champagne celebrations however, were anything but, and could be found not only in West Portland but all across the island, especially in upper St Andrew.

And yes, the "argument done"... for now, as there are still some outstanding challenges to be heard by the courts!

Hottest reality show

And on the weekend, the action was at the 'très fab' SuperClubs Starfish Resort in Trelawny where the finals of the region's hottest reality show - 'Caribbean Model Search' - was being filmed live, for telecast at a later date. But my dears, talk about hot, it was like that and then some as the resort was kept jumping, with general manager Richard Bourke leading the way. The finalists themselves were sizzling like everybody's business as they sashayed on the beaches of the resort in challenge after challenge, in an attempt to cop the coveted crown as the Caribbean's next supermodel!

My dears, wait for this as it promises to be one sensational show and contest. But, with the Starfish Resort being the perfect location for the finale, we are talking hot and happening like the perfect family playground. Mai tai was the perfect libation for the mid-afternoon shoot. And Merl Graham proved the perfect hostess, serving them up along with Caribbean rum-punch, with all the charm and pizzazz of the true professional. Congrats and then some, y'all!

And my dears, the season of fabness is upon us once again!

Sweet-things, the buzz is all about the upcoming Easter holidays and the season's most anticipated cultural outing - The National Dance Theatre Company's (NDTC) Easter Sunday morning performance, at the Little Theatre, on Tom Redcam Avenue, near New Kingston.

My daahlings, this is the season's premier cultural outing and for the many dance aficionados, patrons and supporters, this event is the revered outing that is a must-attend.

Cultural outing


The NDTC Singers in performance. - Ian Allen/Staff Photographer

And so already, tickets for this highly anticipated cultural outing have been selling like they are going out of style!

Anyway my dears, it all promises to be the crowning moment of the Easter season, as the promised programme is nothing short of excellence in dance and song. It is a precursor to the NDTC's season of fabness that will follow!!

Then Howard Barton and his fab wife Nancy Kalb Barton and their adorable daughter, Alicia, arrived in Kingston, on Monday, on their annual 10-day spring-break stopover, fresh from their vacation to Turkey to catch up with family and friends and, naturally, some sun and relaxation, before heading back to their Manhattan home next Thursday.

And speaking of international travellers, former Canadian High Commissioner Claudio Valle and his fab wife Mrs Louise Valle, fly out today en route to their home in Canada, via Florida, after a brief vacation stopover. They enjoyed the beaches of the fabulous gated- resort community of Silver Sands, in Trelawny; a few days in Mamee Bay, near Ocho Rios, St Ann; plus a number of dinners, receptions and get-togethers in their outing.

Meanwhile, their predecessor, former Canadian High Commissioner John Robinson, arrived late last week, caught up with his successor at a number of dos hosted in their joint honour. He is currently enjoying the sights and treats of the nation's capital, before he too heads to the north coast for some sun and downtime.

Then belated birthday greetings to the absolutely gorgeous Suzie Benjamin, who celebrated her birthday on Monday of this week, away from the rock, as the head-turningly fab beauty is travelling, and so saw in the celebrations with family and friends in Toronto.

'Jamerican' Joe English, celebrated his on St Paddy's Day!

Tomorrow being the 28th, former Commissioner of Police, Lucius Thomas will take birthday honours.

Now, the fab Karen Stephens celebrates her birthday this here Tuesday, March 31st, in the Big Apple, with the buzz being it will be all that and then some!

Music powerhouse Sharon Burke will take the birthday honours on the following day, Wednesday, April 1.

The budding entrepreneur, Anders Jones, celebrates on Thursday, April 2.

A date he shares with the wife of the Dutch non-resident Ambassador to Jamaica, Mrs Etty Villanueva, who will be celebrating her birthday over in fabulous Cuba.

And come next Friday, it will all be about the absolutely stunning Tricia Forbes, as the former model and high priestess of fabness, celebrates her birthday on April 3.

Champagne toasts all around, along with beluga treats my dears!


Etty Villanueva - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer


Joe English - Photo by Haile A. Clacken


Sharon Burke - Contributed