From Morant Point to Negril

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

It was definitely a beautiful weekend. while Kingston and all parish capitals were in the throes on Independence celebrations, the party people got away from it all and the destination of choice was Jamaica's north coast, with Montego Bay being the preferred party stop for the hip and chic, both locals and foreigners.

Mind y'all, it was not all about Montego Bay, as quite a number of the hip chic jetted into the island for one last hurrah at Hedonism III, in Runaway Bay, St Ann. The countdown to the closure and re-branding of the fab resort continues. And then, it's still the sign of the Leo, and so the celebrations continue from Morant Point to Negril and it was all good! Amid the celebrity sightings, fainting grooms and more cancelled visas, it made for one scrumptious weekend of parties, gossip and icy-cold mimosas!!!

Celebrating, birthday

And as Leos continue celebrating, birthday felicitations to: Ronnie Burke, founding member of the enterprising group of musical entrepreneurs who first brought Reggae Sunsplash to the world; former Deputy Commissioner of Police Mark Shields; Tracy-Ann Robbins in Montego Bay; Tasha-Kaye Myers in Kingston; the lovely Tanya Cameron in Paris, France; and Adam Salem in Barcelona, Spain, who are all celebrating their birthday, today.

Social writer, Nikki Cunningham and Brian-Paul Welsh both celebrate this Sunday. On Monday, Caribbean-culinary arbiter and cook-book author Rosemary Parkinson, and hotelier Jerome Miller, both celebrate their special day. The absolutely lovely Alicia Wiggan celebrates on Tuesday, August 17, along with Vivene Lue-Tenn; Collette Garrick; and Dwight Berry in Boca Raton, Florida. On Wednesday, the lovely Keisha Guscott; the fab Renee Alani Johnson; and the happening Candy Hannan in Lauderdale Hill, Florida, will be busy celebrating their special day. The grande dame of chic, Marilyn Bennett; former high priest of partying, Howard Barton, now New York-based celebrated chef, both celebrate their birthday next Friday, August 20.

And still in the spirit of Leo, belated birthday wishes to Merita Charles, mother of Lorna Golding and her brother, Pearnel Charles, who became a centenarian on Tuesday August 10.

The beloved matriarch of the illustrious Charles family, of Lime Tree Garden in the parish of St Ann, was first toasted on Sunday August 8, as family, friends and well-wishers gathered at the home of Pearnel and wife Gloria. The buzz is it was quite the do as children, their spouses, grandchildren and great grandchildren came together to pay homage to the distinguished woman who, through her children, has given so much to this nation in public service. (See details in Sunday's Outlook)

Special day

He has quite a way to go to his half a century but, yesterday, the 'finance minister' of the Guardsman Group, Vinay Walia, celebrated his special day, as did social-activist Lawman Lynch. Bishop Robert Thompson and ceramist Norma Rodney Harrack both celebrated on the eighth. Champagne wishes all around with caviar treats!

And it's official! as first announced in 'Something Extra', junior minister and MP Dr Laurie Broderick and his long-time companion, Sandy Gregory, have decided to say their 'I dos' in November. And it seems that November is the preferred month for the fab to exchange marital vows this season, as also walking the aisle this November is businessman Rodger Brown, and his ultra-fab companion, wedding and events-planner extraordinaire, Shana Newman, who have made November 20 the day they say goodbye to the single life!