Frank and Kathryn May smiled for our cameras at the Jamaica Committee Pineapple Ball at the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall in St James on Saturday, October 3. - photo by Janet Silvera

WESTERN BUREAU:David Pinto seemed as if he were sculpting love notes in his wife Sheila's hands while the two lent their ears to the inimitable One Third's rendition of Baby Come Back.

Yes, love was in the air at Jamaica Committee Pineapple Ball on Saturday, October 3, and that emotion rang deep - a love for education, charity, people and the desire to change lives.

Jacky Shepard, Moyra Fitzroy, Adam Shepard, Michele Rollins, Cheryl Lyons and the rest of the team were bent on equalling their 2008 $4 million mark in the ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall and they possibly did, because Jamaicans from all across the island came out in their numbers to support this worthy cause.

If they had it their way, Edna Manley College of the Visual and Performing Arts, Maxfield Park Children's Home, SOS Children's Village, Westwood High School, Wise Women's Club of Montego Bay, Optimist Club of Rose Hall, HEART Academy, PALS, Committee for the Upliftment of the Mentally Ill, Animal House, Cornwall Regional Hospital, Hampton School and the Epilepsy Society of Jamaica would benefit from the event every year. "We gave over $4 million last year to all these charities," stated philanthropist Moyra Fitzroy.

Jamaica International Insurance Company's Angella Reynolds is picture perfect as she makes her entrance at the Pineapple Ball.- photos by Janet Silvera

tribute to The Gleaner

Now in its ninth year, the Pineapple Ball has become a staple for the city of Montego Bay and the most happening event of the year.

This year, the organisers paid tribute to The Gleaner Company, awarding the newspaper firm the 2009 excellence award for its contribution to promoting fairness and integrity.

The organisers also established a scholarship for the social sciences, tenable at the University of the West Indies in the newspaper's name.

Doctors Don and Tracy Gilbert enjoying their night out.

Donning their best dresses and finest Caribbean ensemble were Phillip and Fernanda Hofer, Dermott and Pam Connolly, Paula Hurlock, Shona Muschette, Joe and Pamella Hylton, Kishim and Shobhu Samtani, Sergo Buisereth, Joseph Forstmayr, Omar Robinson, Cecil Cornwall, Simon and Kerry Ann Casserly, Howard and Haixara Bowen, Howard Pottinger, Peter Williams, Kathy Marley, Wyley Sweeny, Isa Casserly and Stanley Constantine, Carlene Harrison, Beverly Gordon, Cynthia Scott, Mayor Eccleston Haughton, Jeremy Cooper, Rob McKinny, Angella Whitter, Dr Angella Samuels-Harris and Shernett Robinson.

Janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com