The High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Jamaica, Reverend Dr Iva Gloudon hosted a cocktail party Monday evening, in celebration of her country’s 53rd year of Independence.

The event — organised by the High Commission, communications consultant Marcia Erskine and Ann-Marie Wyss, who handled the design concepts including the dramatic backdrop of Government House, Whitehall, one of the impressive group of mansions located at the north-west corner of Queen’s Park Savannah fondly referred to as The Magnificent Seven — was held in the Grand Jamaica Suite of the Jamaica Pegasus hotel.

The High Commissioner used the occasion to laud recently retired former Trinidad and Tobago Minister of Foreign Affairs Winston Dookeran for his contributions to the development of Trindad and Tobago.

“Tonight,” shared Gloudon “at our national awards ceremony in Trinidad and Tobago, he will be presented with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (ORTT), our highest national award.”

Mustard Seed Communities founder and Trinidad and Tobago national Reverend Monsignor Gregory Ramkissoon was acknowledged for his dedication “in caring for some of the most vulnerable populations in Jamaica, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic and Zimbabwe”.

Tribute was also paid to visual artist Dr Leslie Aitcheson Toby, a Trinidad and Tobago artist, now deceased, who worked for many years as a practising physician in several countries, including Jamaica, and established his private practice at The Nuttall Memorial Hospital in Kingston.

“This quintessential Renaissance man produced several mixed media drawings,” explained, the commissioner, “of the magnificent architectural buildings of Port of Spain that are on exhibition here today.” Indeed the collection, curated by Dian Watson, held pride of place in the reception area.

The formalities commenced with the singing of the Jamaican and Trinidad and Tobago national anthems by soprano Velia Espeut, followed by a welcome and address from the T&T high commissioner.

In her address, Gloudon underscored her government’s commitment to supporting Jamaica on its journey towards a brighter economic future. “A strong Trinidad and Tobago will only have longevity if there is a strong Jamaica!” she noted.

In the thought-provoking address, mention was made of Jamaica’s outstanding performance at the recently concluded IAAF World Championship, as well as “the tremendous improvement in Jamaica’s economic outlook with business and consumer confidence growing rapidly”.

With a toast raised to the republic of Trinidad and Tobago by Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade AJ Nicholson, the red velvet cake — created by the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel — cut, a commemorative plaque was then presented to immediate family members of the late Dr Leslie Aitcheson Toby. After, it was time for the UWI Panoridim Steel Orchestra to resume its musical stylings of soca and reggae medleys before passing the baton to The Bare Essentials, led by front man Errol Lee.

Guests enjoyed local as well as popular Trinidadian fare in between ‘getting on bad’ and playing catch up with each other.

It was soon time to focus once again on the main stage for a live performance from special guest artiste, Trini soca sensation Kenneth ‘K-Rich’ Richards. There was much reluctance to end the fête, but as guests bade fond farewells each received a red, black and white gift bag containing a catalogue of Toby’s artwork entitled Treasures of Port of Spain, a clay souvenir from the Mustard Seed Communities commemorating T&T’s 53rd anniversary, along with miniature bottles of Angostura Single Barrel Reserve and the iconic Angostura aromatic bitters.

Happy Anniversary, T&T. Cheers to many more!