tune in to the TATLER for the talk of the town
Indeed the week started with drummming in the lecture hall, Institute of Jamaica and whilst many through the eloquence of Professor Rupert Lewis discovered the Maroon Cultures in the Americas (lest we thought they were only here) and through the graciousness of the Embasy of The United States enjoyed the Smithsonian Exhibition; others always two or rather three steps ahead of the pack were en route to meet Colin Powell perhaps soon to be Secretary of State.
In fact in the same way that Gorbachev once endorsed ‘Pizza Hut’ do not be at all surprised if you see him biting into a succulent piece of jerk and endorsing `Real Jamaica Jerk’. Let’s just call it `chicken power’ and leave it at that.
And if few can say no to Jamaica’s Brooke Astor then consider Beaujolais Nouveau, Anthony Bell, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Michael Lyn and Dave McRae a table that looked like Fortnum and Mason and a guest list that many only dream of acquiring much less realising.
If the flow of Beaujolais Nouveau 2000, the cool breeze, non-stop conversation, and laughter was anything to go by then, some have found the magic formula. Let’s just say that some barely made it to work on Friday and rain does not a great party stop! The plane lifted early en route to Toronto where Michel Lee Chin was feting Jodi Ann Maxwell.
Jodi in true Jamican style has been wooing audiences in Toronto with her intelligence, flawless diction and speech content.
Fact is parents, teachers and students of all shade want some of the Jodi magic. Now can you imagine what would happen in our own educational system if the teachers were as dedicated as those at Ardenne!!
The throwers of the swell party in Kingston Thursday night seemed to have put many in the right mood for the rest of the weekend. Some jetted across to the second city where the official opening of the Ritz took place Friday evening hosted by Michelle Rollins, widow of John.
The Sangster International Airport Montego Bay resembled those of our richer Caribbean relatives as the G5’s spread out with over 30 crew members. Sing that song ladies this time adding those magic words `The Lord is my shepherd I see what I want…………………..’
The Ritz was busy and as you can imagine, the other deluxe properties experienced the boom.
Cocktails at seven saw over 300 family, friends and associates of the Ritz Rollins family sipping cocktails and nibbling wonderful tidbits. Dresses were from every designer of worth and the men (those who understood that is) stood in sartorial elegance).
Dinner was superb a blend of both cultures each bite incredibly more delicious than the one before. But it was the jerked marinated pan seared filet mignon Caraibe with the magic of Orett Rhoden on piano that created the perfect environment to allow the millionaires and dare we suggest billionaires in the room to start making notes. Any land for sale, how about great houses-
Kingston was mentioned several times at my table and then there was the standing ovation for Prime Minister Patterson who gave a `comprehensive’ after dinner speech. `No protocol’ the P M’ spoke of wanting ` a good return on our money’ of Jamaica having a head start in the field of tourism and how no other country irrespective of size has contained in one natural area – a cultural propensity, such a tradition of warm hospitality such as Jamaica…………It has been kept too long a secret.
A property such as “The Ritz”, places Jamaica in the top draw where tourism is concerned.
Proud Ritz general manager, Douglas Brooks in his usual humility perhaps summed up his role perfectrly when he said that “we’ll know that we’ve done a good thing the day we welcome new chains to Jamaica!”.
Yes Doug let’s drink to `The Four Seasons’. Indeed the more the better.
Many quality tans were in the room and Tatler had the most fun with a wonderful group of people at table #20 Robert and Greta Von Hagge and Alberto and Katherine Rivera Torres the latter looking forward to their own customised home golf course to be created by Robert Von Hagge. (Naturally I’ll be at the golf course warming in Mexico) Anita and James C. Stephens from Houston Texas and Joan and Paul Britton also of Cedar Palcid Circle Houston Texas. We discussed shopping, holidays, skiing, flying, the deliciuos food, Jamaica, more of Jamaica and much more Tatler has to mention Mrs Peter Phillips (possibly the new first lady in waiting who was looking wonderful) I hope the picture comes out as I was in shock so could hardly hold the camera steady. We know just how stressful building a mansion can be.
Margaret and Richard Bernal. Margaret’s busy in the States compiling her list of great Jamaicans as well as planning her son’s weding.
Michelle Rollins’ father Michael Metrinko a strong 90 plus who spent over 20 years on the New York Stock Exchange and is worth a cool at last count US 60 million.
John and June Cash, Tony and Sheila Hart, (Sheila in a dancing mood) Grace Rollins, US Ambassador Stanley Mclelland still bubbling from the Beujolais Nouveau party, Minister Pickersgill, perfect in his formal attire, Janet Madden somewhat subdued, Beverly Perry visiting from overseas and many more bystanders.
A Bientot!
PS It’s going to be a black and white affair for Utopia on December 23 at Blue Mountain Inn. How lovely. And the well mannered Mr Pollack assures Tatler that it’s about everyone. Well I’m taking a large posse as many bystanders from overseas will be on the rock.
