Leonians celebrate

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

It's still the sign of Leo and so the celebrations continue. Among the celebrants today: Opposition member of parliament and former Miss World, Lisa Hanna; style belle Marilyn Bennett of J. Wray and Nephew; Howard Mitchell; Montego Bay's stylish Jacqueline Bird; twin brothers Mark and Andrew Cole of SuperClubs Resorts. International track superstar Usain Bolt celebrates his birthday tomorrow as well; the lovely Dawn Smikle; New York-based media power player David 'Squeeze' Annakie and Jamaica-born New York-based designer, Courtney Joiles.

On Sunday, son of former Prime Minister Edward Seaga, Andrew Seaga; the charming Barbara Robinson; the beautiful Christine Smith, former tour-desk manager at Hedonism III and La Face model, Kimanni Tajha Barrett, all celebrate their birthday.

Then, come Monday, it's all about the sign of Virgo, and so birthday wishes are extended to: businessman Lachu Ramchandani; celebrated musician Maurice Gordon; man-about-town, Kevin Sean Bourke; and New Yorker Donna Bell, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, who all celebrate on the first day of the sign of Virgo.

Maurice Green, will celebrate on Tuesday the 24th. The celebrated Guy Morris; and international motivational speaker Janese Shakur, of New York and north coast habitué, both celebrate on Wednesday. Twin brothers, Desmond and Donald Panton; Michan Ormsby; New York-based Juanita Bernard and the lovely Lindsey Barclay, all celebrate the following day. Hotelier Ron Droegmyer and the lovely Shellian Bailey celebrate on the 27th; Indian High Commissioner Mohinder Grover; businessman Richie Sinclair; Alex Haq; the lovely Charmaine Elaine Harrison and Gordon Wedderburn all celebrate next Saturday. First lady of haute style, the ultra-fab Cecile Levee, celebrates on Sunday, August 29. Special belated birthday greetings to the beautiful Nickesha Lumsden, 'Kaylea' to her friends and admirers, who celebrated her birthday yesterday.

Adult-fantasy playground

For many, in the decade of its operations, Hedonism III was the ultimate adult-fantasy playground! For others, it was much more, as it afforded them the opportunity to not only enjoy the facilities and amenities of the fabulous resort, it provided them with an opportunity to interact with the Jamaican staff at a level prior to unknown.

Last weekend, the famed resort shuttered its doors, but it was not all about partying until you drop. It was more of a reflective, almost sombre atmosphere, with tears flowing aplenty. It was also a time for some guests to give back to those who have contributed to their enjoyment and well-being, and while some guests engaged the communities from whence the staff came, one guest, Canadian Michael Allen of Global Village, took it further by joining forces with the president of the resort's staff association, the irrepressible Serena Williams, by presenting back-to-school kits for the children of the staff. The kit included, a sturdy, yet fashionable knapsack, text books, colouring books, drawing books, pencils, pens, crayons, markers, plus toys, items of clothing and other goodies.

This was no easy task and, despite the obvious challenge in cataloguing and making sure all the staff members' children were provided for, Allen and Williams came together with a number of the staff and human-resources department. They first collected the names of each staff member, determined the number of their offspring, and packaged and labelled each kit for presentation. It was a task that took nearly three days, but there was no mistaking the heartfelt response from those benefiting from the initiative.

Kudos to Williams for spearheading the initiative and for championing the cause of education, as her way of contributing to ending the cycle of poverty and ignorance which breeds the societal ills that the country bemoans every day. To Allen, who sourced and shipped the supplies, it proved a timely and very welcome intervention.