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Green for Green: An Evening with Daryl

Published:Sunday | April 17, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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We had to capture the vivacious Diana Stewart's back view as she has a word with R. Danny Williams.
Father and son Douglas (left) and Daryl Vaz.
Mother-daughter duo of Karlene (left) and Sophia MaxBrown.
Deborah Newland catches the attention of the camera. - Colin Hamilton/Freelance Photographer
The fabulous Melanie Schwapp.
The always beautiful Christelle Harris.
From left: Racquel Dadlani, Ann-Marie Vaz and Aroon Dadlani pose for the social pages.
Trisha K. Thompson (left) and her sister Ann-Marie Vaz are tickled by what Prime Minister Bruce Golding has to say.
Delano Seiveright with his date, Nalini Jagnarine.
Neadene Tufton keeps it sleek and sexy.
From left: Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, John Desnoes and Daryl Vaz talk shop.
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Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

The constituency of East Portland is part of the greenest parish in the island. So it's only fitting that its Member of Parliament Daryl Vaz and his wife, Ann-Marie, raised some 'greenbacks' to make the infrastructure, education and health needs of the constituency match the rich, lush splendor of the parish. To assist in that regard, the Vazes dispatched letters to donors/regular supporters, outlining the needs of the West Portland Development Fund and invited them for 'An Evening with Daryl'.

As far as political fund-raisers go, this one hit it out of the ballpark on Friday, April 8 at the Terra Nova All Suite Hotel in St Andrew. Were it not for the dominant green in the superb decor by Ann-Marie Weiss, one could easily have assumed this was any other upscale, elegant soirée. And it was tastefully executed too, not outlandish but effective for its sophistication.

Passion and commitment

Prime Minister Bruce Golding praised the information minister for his "passion, commitment, drive and inspiration". "Daryl is a hard worker, he has integrity and always goes the extra mile," He said every government should have one like him because he never has to hurry him up to do anything, "if anything, I have to slow him down," the prime minister quipped. He said he was happy to have Daryl on his team and grateful for his support.

In his remarks, Vaz pledged to continue working hard in representing the people of West Portland and he would continue to put country before politics and operate with accountability.

"Jamaica is alive and well because of the hard decisions taken by the Government and we will continue to work hard to achieve success," he said.

Lavish setting

Formalities aside, guests continued to circle the pool to access the lavish stations: Moët champagne and Rum Fire martinis, main course food station, pasta prepared to order, very lavish seafood, sushi and salad and sushi bar and an endless liquor and beverage bar.

Pedestal tables punctuated by cosy sofas and club/lounge seating areas dotted the perimeter of the pool while Sparkles Disco provided background music from the seclusion of its own tent. And hovering above were large screens that showed scenes from the progress in the constituency since Vaz began work there.

Conversation was easy and at least two of the host's colleague ministers present said they were so impressed, they would be using his model to host their upcoming fund-raisers.

Among the large gathering, we spotted Finance Minister Audley Shaw, Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton and his wife Neadene, Transport and Works Minister Mike Henry and his wife Dawn, National Security Minister Senator Dwight Nelson, Howard Hamilton, R. Danny Williams, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart, Gassan Azan, Chris Zacca, Trisha K. Thompson, David Hall, Mark and Jenny Berry, Richard Byles, Leslie Chang, Stephen Chang, John Desnoes, Glen Christian, Richard Fontaine, Vitra Gopee, Gary Craig, Daina and Richard Stewart, Philip and Melanie Schwapp, Gary Hendrickson, Robert Cartade, Y.P. Seaton, Delano Seiveright, Knolly Moses, Miguel and Olive Smith, and many more.