Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Canadian High Commissioner Claudio Valle (centre) and wife Louise greet Chris Bovell as they hosted a Canada Day Reception, held at Seymour Avenue on Friday June 30. - Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer
CANADIAN HIGH Commissioner HE Claudio Valle, and his très fab wife Louise Valle, will be taking leave of our shores soon, as their official tour of duty comes to an end. The Valles, through their various assignments, have not only distinguished themselves as exemplary public servants but have made fast friends of the many Jamaicans with whom they have interacted.
Now, on July 1, Canadians the world over don their national colours and celebrate their National Day. This year, however, here in Kingston, the celebrations were moved forward to Friday, June 30, as with July 1 falling on a Saturday, the 30th made a far more practical day to celebrate. So last Friday evening, the preferred address was the very elegant grounds of the official residence of the Canadian High Commissioner on Seymour Avenue, in St. Andrew, Golden Triangle.
DRESS CODE
The dress code, as suggested by the invitation, was red and white in colour and casually elegant in mode. Being their last time hosting the celebrations, the many colleagues, friends and associates the Valles made here were out in their numbers. The flawlessly manicured lawns and grounds were decorated to reflect the spirit of the occasion with suspended red and white orbs, billowing lanterns, miniature flags, and the red maple leaf every which where, adding just the right touch of fabdom to an occasion steeped in regal elegance.
Make no bones about it, Louise Valle is not only style perfect, she is the diplomatic circle's first lady of the haute elegance, and so nothing less than a touch of the elegant would have sufficed as the backdrop for the reception.
Not only were the leading fabulissimo out, there was high-drama to boot as in his farewell speech, High Commissioner Valle became all choked-up and was almost reduced to tears as he gave an overview of his tenure here, and placed Canada's role around the globe in international perspective. It was a truly touching evening and a number of lace hankies made their way from designer handbags and were seen meticulously dabbing at the corners of some flawlessly made up eyes!
DIVINE RECEPTION
So, amid the sips and spills, tears and fears brought on by separation anxiety, it all made for a simply divine 'little' reception, made that much more so by the musical offerings of the Jamaica Military Band, which was simply fabulous in its performance. From the beautiful rendition of both the national anthems of Jamaica and Canada, to the entertaining medley of 'chamber' music they provided to the absolute delight of guests.
And then there was the fare! My dears, a fabulous feat of finger offerings that paid compliments to the culinary traditions of both Jamaica and Canada, and how!
Among those out celebrating were: Governor-General The Most Honourable Professor Kenneth Hall and Her Excellency Mrs. Rheima Hall; Opposition Leader Bruce Golding, Foreign Minister Senator Anthony Hylton; Deputy Foreign Minister Senator Delano Franklyn; Ambassador Douglas Saunders; retired Foreign Minister Hon. KD Knight; MP Mike Henry and wife Dawn; British High Commissioner HE Jeremy Creswell and his companion, the lovely Dr. Barbara Munske; Chinese Ambassador HE Zhenyu Zhao and Madam Zhao; Japanese Ambassador HE Hiroshi Sakurai and wife Kinuko Sakurai; German Ambassador HE Volker Schlegel; Spanish Ambassador HE Jesus Silva; Indian High Commissioner HE Kailash Agrawal; Mexican Ambassador HE Leonora Rueda; Chilean Ambassador HE Alfanso Silva; Deputy Chief of Mission Canadian High Commission Bryan Burton; British High Commission First Secretary Andy Jones and his fabulous wife Pearl Jones and Bertrand Bainvel of UNICEF.
The lovely Edith Jarbeau, who jetted in from Canada, for the do; Hon. John Issa and his fabulous daughter Muna Issa; Ambassador Madge Barrett; Ambassador Maxine Roberts; Earl Levy and his fab wife Beverly Junor-Levy; Chris and Michelle Bovell; Emile George and wife Dr. Pamela George; Kenny Benjamin; Robert MacMillan, out with Lisa Marzouca; Dr. Oswald Harding; Joy Mahfood; George Fatta; Marguerite Gauron; Paul Issa; Hon. Barbara Gloudon; Capt. Michael Lyn and his wife, social empress Thalia Lyn; Robert Cartade; Jennifer Lim; Roy and Sylvia Collister; Col. Trevor McMillan and wife Dr. Olivia MacDonald; Horace Bogues; Mrs. Lois Sherwood; Dr. Charles and Corina Meeks; Patrick Lynch; Mike and Peggy Fennell; Aubyn and Tamara Hill; Romi Suboki; the lovely Marguerite Spence and her much celebrated daughter Cindy Breakspeare-Bent.
We also saw: Jasper Burnett; the elegant Carol MacMillan; Stuart and Yvonne Fisher; the fab looking Janet Farrow and her equally fab daughter Gabrielle; celebrated artist Gene Pearson; John Marcocchio and his fabulous wife Dr. Maria Protz Geoff and Jean Brown; Robert Stephens; Andrea Bickhoff-Benjamin; Dr. Jonathan Greenland and wife Dr. Rebecca Tortello-Greenland; Digicel's David Hall and his betrothed, the lovely Liz Sheehan; Flour Mills Jim Gill and wife Marina; Dexter Chin and the lovely Robertha Matthies; Nathalie Thompson; Brian St. Juste; the lovely Allison Peart; Tom and Tracy McHardle; Bruce and Carolyn Terrier and their daughter Tiffany Terrier; Joan Lindo; plus several scores others.
