The wedding date is set!

Chester Francis-Jackson, Contributor

My dears, the election season is upon us but so too are the sign of Capricorn and the Christmas season. But the story of the season is that love is not only in the air, it has found a way!

And so, after the emotionally charged proposal of PNP candidate Dr D.K. Duncan, to his long-time love, the very elegant Beverly Anderson-Manley, at her 70th birthday party, in early November, the word now is that the fabulous Anderson-Manley has set a January 21 date for the nuptials. The date was arrived at after consultation with the couples' children, as both wanted the wedding to be a family affair and the date was most suitable to facilitate their attendance.

The marriage will be the icing on the cake, signalling the official commitment of the two to each other, following their relationship, spanning over two decades. Despite the urging by their friends and offspring, they got no closer to walking down the aisle. Many attributed the absence of a wedding to the reluctance of Anderson-Manley to take the plunge, as friends of the couple have confided that Dr Duncan had proposed at least on two prior occasions, but she was not ready. Well, the story is, at the constant urging of friends, things came to a head in November, when the couple who were at a private dinner party, were once again urged to make their union official. Dr Duncan hinted that he would do just that, at the birthday party he planned for her.

And on the night of her 70th birthday and in a most chivalrous manner, Dr Duncan not only got down on his knee to propose, he serenaded the love of his life in such a moving way, it brought tears to the eyes of many in attendance.

For many, however, that Dr Duncan had proposed was not enough. They wanted a commitment by way of a date for the wedding. And so, when word came that a date had been set, the news was welcomed and celebrated, as friends raised a toast to the couple who were on the campaign trail.

The couple tried valiantly to keep the news of their impending nuptials out of the public arena. But being public personalities, that was always going to be difficult, especially after their engagement was made public. And despite early denials from the couple themselves, a close friend confided in this here scribe, that the 21st had been confirmed, as this date would give Anderson-Manley's two children, Natasha and David, who both live in London, enough time to attend. And with the date set, we say, congrats!

Capricorns

And as Capricorns celebrate, we offer birthday wishes to Michael-Anthony Cuffe; the lovely Ingrid Hamilton; Godfrey Lothian; the charming Sabrina Williams, formerly of Chudleigh, Manchester, now in Florida; former Jamaica Tourist Board dynamo and promotion guru Dave Rodney, now resident of the Big Apple, but here in Jamaica celebrating his special day and to see in the holidays; Carl Tulloch, formerly of Runaway Bay, St Ann, now in the United Kingdom; former model Kurt Hentley, now in Spain; Randa Moran, wife of former European Union Head James Moran, now in Brussels, Belgium; and the lovely Chidi Beneth, in Lagos, Nigeria - who all celebrate their birthday today.

Tomorrow will see Nubian prince Dennis Lee; the lovely Terrie Creary; Courtney Walker of the Jamaica Symphony Orchestra; businessman Darrel Brown; the beautiful Franceen Duffus, in Clarendon Park; the fab Fiona Pajotte, in Trinidad; and the fab Christine Gillett, in the UK, all make one fab Christmas Eve.

On Christmas Day, the ultra gorgeous clothier Sophia Max-Brown; hotelier Carol Bourke of Jewel Resort; the fabulous Thelma Johill; the elegant Barbara Hart; Milton Scarlett of Guardsman; Rosemarie Ennis; Errol Yarru; the lovely Cherry Merlene Jackson, formerly of Hertford, Westmoreland, now in Florida; the charming Melva Morris, formerly of Linstead, St Catherine, now in Freeport, New York; Dwight Berley, in Newark, New Jersey; and Wayne
Simmonds, formerly of James Hill, Clarendon, now in the UK, will share the same birthday.

On Monday, Cheddy Parchment; 'Ms Hotness' herself, Sharon Beckford, of Bling-Bling; the lovely Karlene Craig of the Guardsman Group; the fabulous Diana Wilson; the fab Judith Manning; the lovely Candace Dujon Buchannan, in New York; and David Beaupin, in Limoges, France, will all make it a very special day of celebration.

On Tuesday, Barry Moncrieffe, the elegant Barbara Chambers, the affable Capt Rupert Bent, the lovely Damali Little-White, Charles Allwood, Eron Samuels of the Ministry of National Security, the fab Alsia Foster-James; and the fabulous Gina Jarrett, now in Florida; will share the same birthday.

Come Wednesday, the eve of the General Election, PNP Campaign Director Dr Peter Phillips; celebrated architect Eran Spiro; celebrated musician Wayne Armond; the fab Simone Harris; Victor Hay; the lovely Julan Mahabeer; Ricky Douglas, now in New Orleans; and the lovely Nadine Watt, now in Mount Vernon, New York, blow out the candles.

Thursday is Election Day, but for trailblazing hotelier and philanthropist John Issa, and family, it will be all about celebrating his birthday! Also celebrating  will be the charming Ima Crook; businessman Paul Lyn; the lovely Cindy Lightbourne; Dr David Lambert in Ocho Rios; model Rohan Cole, formerly of Hedonism II, now in Atlanta, Georgia; Dario Matthew from Spanish Town, now in West Hempstead, New York; and Omar Newell, also in New York.

Many happy returns all around with champagne toasts and beluga treats to birthday celebrants and a fab Christmas and peaceful elections to all!