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Ambassadors give back

Published:Friday | November 18, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Having cocktails (from left) are Dorothy Pine-McLarty, Keneea Linton George and Lynda Packerd at the launch of 'Behind the Scenes at Kings House 1873-2010'. - Contributed photos
Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson shows off a copy of 'Behind the scenes at Kings House 1873-2010' with Earl Jarrett of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS). The book was launched in New York on Wednesday. JNBS sponsored the book.
Holding copies of 'Behind the Scenes at Kings House 1873-2010' are (from left) Margaret Ahnert, Ambassador Brenda LaGrange Johnson, Michele Rollins and Marsha Metrinko.
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Barbara Ellington, Lifestyle Editor

NEW YORK:

More than US$10,000 was donated to the King's House Foundation by three former United States ambassadors at the New York launch of the Jamaica National-sponsored book, Behind the Scenes at Kings House 1873-2010, on Wednesday night.

Former United States ambassador to Jamaica, Brenda LaGrange Johnson, and her husband, Howard, opened the doors to their beautiful New York apartment for the launch, as they hosted the event to kick off this year's American Friends of Jamaica (AFJ) annual gala set for tonight.

In attendance were former United States Ambassador Sue Cobb and her husband, Ambassador Charles Cobb. Ambassador Glen Holden, who also served in Jamaica, and LaGrange Johnson, made the substantial donations. Holden worked with foundation chairman Dennis Lalor in the original restoration exercise for King's House.

Head of Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS), Earl Jarrett, told The Gleaner he was very happy that the ambassadors were inspired to make the donation, and that all of the hard-cover copies of the book have been sold out (guests purchased copies of the book).

In attendance at the launch were: Consul General in New York, Geneive Brown Metzger; Brian George and wife Keneea Linton George; Dacia and Larry Leeds; Lester Spaulding and wife Dr LW Koengeter; Michele Rollins; Marsha Metrinko; Leon Mitchell; Manuela Goren; Monica Ladd and her husband, Gleaner Chairman Oliver Clarke. Also in attendance were: Wendy Hary; Caron Chung; Richard Pino; Drs Laura and Dhiru Tanna; Branda Costen; novelist Margaret Ahnert (The Knock at the Door); fashion designer Anne Bowen; Dorothy 'Mickey' Pine-McLarty; Winsome Chin; Jim Cada; Derryck Cox; Dr Donna-Marie Mamaseh; Jennifer Cooke; Keisha Phipps; Athena Lord and Bev Levy among others.