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Mandeville was bubbly for New Year's Eve

Published:Sunday | January 9, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Joyce Powell poses for the camera.
Bubbly trio from left: Julie, Jean and Chas Bird.
Paul Brown and Lisa Lu Yen on the dance floor.
Chetwind and Juliet Chuck have some fun with the photographer.
Dr Marc Panton and wife Coleen.
Lambert Sandford, visiting from Huntsville, Alabama, and Doreen Lawson enjoy their drinks.
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Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

Residents of cool, cool Mandeville, Manchester, rang in the New Year at Ryde Entertainment's All-Inclusive party, Bubbly, at the Godfrey Lands residence of Debe and Jody Chen on December 31. Music was by DJ Smoke of Renaissance Disco.

Although many were still shell-shocked from the sudden passing of beloved friend/citizen Howard 'Howie' Chin, they put on a brave face in honour of his memory. And the Chens who are neighbours of widow/radio personality, Donna Chin got her blessings to go ahead with the party.

The unusually low temperatures were forgotten as everyone warmed up with libations from the bar and Chen's fabulous cuisine. The theme was black and gold with  hats and favours and décor by Blue Ember Concepts proclaiming the festive hues from dance floor to buffet area. The party planners were Débé-Ann Chen and Ryan Knott.

The lavish menu included split pea soup, Red Bull barbecue pig's tail with pineapple raisin compote, shrimp toast with sweet and sour sauce, plantain in orange juice, Peking duck wraps, shrimp ceviche shots, wine-poached pears on crème fraiche, roasted breadfruit on rundown reduction, caviar cream cheese canapés, hummus with pita chips, Ryde chicken salad on melba toast and grilled marinated veggies.

After midnight, the main course comprised baked ham with sorrel chutney, deboned chicken with raisin sauce, suckling pig, white polenta, gungo peas and rice, and plantain in orange juice. Champagne, noisemakers and whoops of joy greeted the dawning of 2011 and there were lots of hugs and kisses to go around.

Guests out included Dr Robert Chen and Claudette Peart; Jeremy Chen; Nikki Swaby; Dr Ryan Knott; Yvonne and Kerrith Masters; Juliet and Chetwind Chuck; Merline Morrison, Ethol Powell; Joyce Powell, Lambert Sandford visiting from Huntsville, Alabama; Doreen Lawson, Olive Smith; Miguel Smith Jr and wife Tanya; Dr Marc Panton and wife Coleen; Drs Patrice and Horace Freeman; Paul Brown and Lisa Lu Yen; Jackie Foster; Lovey Anderson; Jeanie Larmond; Shalema Powell; Deborah Ricketts; Lisa Stultz, Natalie Longshaw and André Hall; among others.


PHOTOS BY Barbara Ellington