Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor
Left: KSA Engineering's Steve Ashley (left) and wife, Betty (second left) chat with Steve and Karishma Khemlani at the KSA Christmas party last week Thursday.
Right: Betty Ashley and Harold Brady test the dance floor at the SA Engineering Limited Christmas party, held at Norbrook Drive, St. Andrew, on December 8. - PHOTOS BY WINSTON SILL /FREELANCE PHOTOGRAPHER
THE HOLIDAY partying season is definitely upon us, and not only with a bang, but with a flourish and then some, and my word, talk about a bumper season! Well precious angels, we are definitely in the throes of one!
Separate and apart from the fabulous Yuletide parties, dears, there are many a birthdays this time of the year as well.
On Sunday, the lovely Jane Joslin will be celebrating her birthday, in Athens, Texas; the charming Eva Myers of Evita's Restaurant in Ocho Rios, will also be celebrating her birthday, as well as the 16th anniversary of her restaurant. The celebrations are scheduled for this Sunday; clothier to the fabulous, Sophia MaxBrown, will celebrate on the 25th, as will the fabulously lovely Carol Bourke, but her party was last Saturday night (more anon). Leading hotel magnate and international 'A-crowder' John Issa, will celebrate on the 29th, and it will be an intimate affair with family and a critical short list of friends.
And dears, these are just a few of the premium celebrations adding cachet to a hot season. Anyways, happy birthday wishes all around and Champagne toasts and caviar treats, y'all.
Dears it's all about lavish settings, premium libations and preferred guests. And, as for the dress code pumpkins it's as if guests everywhere are saying, "We've earned the right to look fabulous," and they are laying it on.
'PARTY' PEOPLE
All these ingredients were in place last Thursday, for the annual KSA Engineering Yuletide shindig, hosted at swanky Norbrook residence of KSA principal, Steve Ashley and his fabulous wife Betty Stephenson-Ashley.
Now, theirs is an annual shindig that has become a social staple over the years, particularly so within the ranks of the ruling political potentates, the business classes and even more so, within the ranks of those euphemistically referred to as the 'Men in Grey' - the supposed wing of the PNP who not only decide the course of the party, but are instrumental in deciding its leaders. Others simply call them the 'Kitchen Cabinet'.
Well my dears, it has been a widely held notion in political and social circles (for some time now) that Steve Ashley is one of the Patterson's administration's 'Kitchen Cabinet officers'. So it's no surprise to some that his annual KSA engineering do is more often than not abuzz with PNP officialdom.
Hosted Thursday night of last week, the annual shindig was all that and then some and little wonder here as the Ashleys Norbrook home. Designed with spirited entertainment in mind, the house is done in ultra-mod décor, the grounds, a botanical gardens of the finest order, a fabulous collection of imported orchids and other exotic plants taking pride of place in a wraparound garden.
Anyway my daahlings, with the party being hosted poolside, access was via an alcove of jade and guests began trooping in by the 7:00 p.m. appointed hour for the commencement to the festivities. As the evening wore into the night, dear hearts, the residence was ablaze with the who's who of politics, medicine, busines and the social scene.
One-man aggregation Floyd Folkes played some fine music from his strategic perch between the pool and designated dance floor. His selections went from the very laid-back to the upbeat. Guests took turns either shaking a leg or just sitting back and allowing the music to transport them to another place and time.
In between the sips, spills, thrills and nostalgia, there was no escaping the fact that the hosts were expecting a very special guest, as one table was prepared at the garden end of the poolside. It read: " Reserved For The Hon. Portia Simpson Miller and party".
Well my dears, when she arrived, some time after 10:00 p.m., the party took on a whole new energy, as she became the central force. Some others queued to wish her well on the hustings, others just to bask in her reflection.
With libations flowing, a traditional Christmas fare on offering and fab company in attendance, the do went on way into the night and the early hours of Friday and pumpkins it was all good and then some!
PNP PARADE
Among those at what the affair were Health Minister John Junor; Transport Minister Robert Pickersgill and his
companion, the lovely Fiona McNeil-Rerrie; MP O.T. Williams; former MP Horace Clarke; Dr. Vin Lawrence; mogul Vincent Chang; Kenny Benjamin; Hopeton Cavan; Silma Edwards; John Crooks; Yvon Desulme and his wife Cynthia Desulme; Cindy Breakspeare; Nathan and Ann Richards; Raymond and Mary-Helen Reece; Howard Aris; Steve and Karishma Khemlani; Lance Johnson; DT Brown and wife Pat; Jacqueline DaCosta and daughter Helen DaCosta; Dr. Guyan Arscott; Tunty Barrett and wife Ambassador Madge Barrett; Milton Weise; Ambassador Anthony Hylton; Paul Burke and wife Angela; Mrs. Valerie Juggan-Brown; Dr. Lennox and Kate Francis; Harold Brady; Dr. Lorna Simmonds; Dr. Winty Davidson; Jackie Cooke-Lloyd; Superintendent of Police Asan Thompson; Rajiv Bakshi and companion Dorothea Gordon-Smith; Robert Stephens; Maureen Webber; Vinay Walia; Linda Miller; Dr. Andre and Gina Foote; Tony Shaw; Dawn Young; Norman McDonald; Betty Delfosse-Ingleton; Wesley Saulter; Sonja Sutherland-Dumetz; Andre Hylton; Mrs. June Lawson; Kuldip Kapoor; Mrs. Lynette Pottinger; Mr. and Mrs. Richard Harrison; Benny Goldstein; Mr. and Mrs. Morris Chin; Yoav Kahanov; Edrica Smith; Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Fisher; plus several others.
