Keeping Montego Bay abuzz

Chester Francis-Jackson, Gleaner Writer

Montego Bay is definitely the preferred destination this week, as starting last evening, Jesus Silva, the Spanish ambassador to Jamaica, journeyed to the Second City to confer on entrepreneur and philanthropist Michele Rollins the Order of The Civil Merit of Spain, on behalf of King Juan Carlos, in recognition of her role and contribution in facilitating the enhancement of Spanish interests in Jamaica.

With the investiture ceremony slated for the historic Rose Hall Great House no less, with a cadre of friends and well-wishers, including former US Ambassador to Jamaica Brenda LaGrange Johnson and her husband, businessman J. Howard Johnson, you know we are talking a fab do. And with Rollins having cast her hat into the political ring and is now seeking a seat in the US Congress, you know we are talking a savvy social outing in MoBay.

Political temperature

And speaking of politics and politicians and MoBay, the political temperature of the Second City will be upped a notch this weekend as regional leaders are all set to descend on the fab resort capital of the Caribbean for the 31st CARICOM Heads of Government conference, commencing July 4, at the Rose Hall Resort and Spa. And with the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and a number of other international bigwigs also slated for attendance, y'all know we are talking some fab parties, receptions and other dos, so luvs, let the partying begin.

Then, Kenny Benjamin has added the Orkin franchise to the Guardsman Group of Companies many services. The group, which is the region's largest private security conglomerate, officially launched its Orkin franchise in a high-powered corporate launch at the group's corporate headquarters on Old Hope Road on Tuesday, with among those out endorsing the company's move into the pest control business Commerce Minister Karl Samuda.

Extending a very special wedding anniversary greeting to Lance Parrish and his wife Mary-Ann Parrish, who celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on Tuesday, June 29. The buzz was the celebrations were all very intimate, restricted to a shortlist of immediate family and friends!

On Wednesday, June 30, American financier Mark Jones and his wife, the lovely Julie Jones, celebrated their 14th wedding anniversary with a rather intimate dinner in Kingston. Then, the Jolly Boys are in town this weekend and they promise to give nothing but a fab performance as aprecursor to their European tour, slated to get under way soon.

Hailing from Port Antonio, the mento band has made mento sexy again, as their latest cover of Amy Winehouse Rehab is nothing short of creative marketing and showman brilliance, jazzed up as it is in the deep rural mento sounds, and makes them one of the hottest bands on the circuit.

And with the buzz out of London being that the city is all gaga about this traditional folk band out of Jamaica, the word is they are the dream find for the summer that was in a musical slump, before word leaked of their impending tour. So wait for this one.

Birthday wishes

Happy birthday wishes to the ultra-gorgeous Dr Saphire Longmore Dropinski, Andrea Bickhoff Benjamin and the lovely Sheryn Hilton-Parker (in Israel) who all celebrate their birthday today. The lovely Sandy Chue-Alexander, Rebecca Harper, and the charming Tanya Pessoa will all celebrate their birthday tomorrow. The lovely Michelle Dawson celebrates on July 4 while businessman Billy Woung will celebrate the following day. Interior designing empress Jane Issa of the Couples Resort dynasty and noted defence attorney and Government senator, Tom Tavares-Finson, will both celebrate on July 7. Conglomateur Kenny Benjamin, Howie Baker and the lovely Nordia Witter all share the 8th.

Then very special belated birthday greetings to the charmingly lovely Betty-May Ashley, who celebrated her birthday on Sunday. Also celebrating on the day were former Chief Justice Lensley Wolfe and international reggae singer Freddie McGregor.

Many happy returns to y'all, with champagne toasts and beluga treats.