SCENE……….!
BELLS, BAUBLES and BLING…..
A farmer in the dell
A farmer in the dell
Hi ho a derry oh
A farmer in the dell
A farmer takes a wife
A farmer takes a wife
Hi ho a derry oh
A farmer takes a wife…….
By the last line I hope that you’re singing at the top of your lung capacity. I certainly was when I learned that bells were ringing in celebration of the recent nuptials of my friend and master grafter, Eldridge Thomas whom we all call “Sparks”. Well, Sparks married his lady love, Vivian earlier this month and we wish the newlyweds all the happiness they wish themselves and then some. For those of you who shop monthly at the Bordeaux Farmers Market, Sparks is the fruit juice vendor whose stall is adjacent to the stage. Next time you see him, congratulate him and wish him well.
We attended two really terrific gatherings this past week. First was the 125th anniversary party for Bulgari, held at the Yacht Haven Grande store location. Store manager, Susan Chandler and her staff hosted a really delightful anniversary party. The food was good, the company was great and the setting was super. Just to be surrounded by all that bling and understated opulence was wonderful….and some of it was in the showcases.
To mark this auspicious occasion, Bulgari created special silver anniversary jewelry and committed to donating part of the proceeds from each sale to Save the Children to improve the quality of education for millions of children living in war torn countries around the globe. Here in St. Thomas, there was a raffle held and the winner, Jennifer Sibilly won the special jewelry created for this event. Lucky lady!
We chatted with Erica Benjamin who purchased a gorgeous ring and declared, “I’ve never bought myself anything like this before, and now it’s time”. We agreed. We also had a lively and stimulating conversation with Angela Rennals Atkinson and Sonia Boatwright. 
Enjoying the ambiance and hors d’oeuvres were Sharon Pool, Janet Reiter, Mark and Terri Sabino, Tom Bolt and Jeni Smith, Bob Austin, Patsy Breunlin, Margo Bachman, Marie Therese Bridgeman, Rob and Amy Ripley, Lynda McLean, Dee Brown, as well as John and Joanne Jacob whopicked up a beautiful trinket to take home.
The repast of Moroccan chicken salad with toasted almonds; smoked salmon mousse with caviar; mascarpone and blue cheese mousse with mango chutney and candied pecans; and wild mushrooms with Boursin in filo dough was prepared by Patricia La Cort, chef/owner of Grand Cru and Oceana restaurants.
Carl Thomas kept the champagne flowing.
Saturday evening we headed to Frenchman’s Reef and the annual UVI gala. And what a gala it was. Faculty, staff and a few students joined UVI president David Hall, his wife, Marilyn and daughter, Sakile to celebrate the end of a momentous year for the new prez. And we had two past presidents join in the fun. Both Orville Kean and Laverne Ragster with their spouses were on hand to enjoy the festivities.
We saw our Miss America contestant, Shayla Solomon with her aunt Inez Bartlette, also, Henry and Terralyn Smock, Yvonne Thraen, Blanche Mills with her daughter, Natasha, Jemima Parris, Joy Caines, Lorna Chesterfield, Larry Sewer, Ilene and Curtis Garner, former Miss UVI, Sharifa Maloney, Malcolm Kirwan, Eric Christian, Nasseer Idrisi, Caryl Johnson, Kenny Hughyue and Janice, Lorraine and John Lynch, Profs. Solomon Kabuka, Yegin Habteyes, and Ededet Iniyama, with his wife, Grace. Dr. Iniyama won the final door prize of the evening, a nifty notebook. Other door prize winners included, Angela Belfon, Monifa Potter, Cheryl Mingo, Dr. Kathleen Dudamaine, Debra Pennington, Sharleen Fahie, and Maritza Swan.
It was so good to see UVI kitchen manager, Willie Stephen, actually sitting to share the meal with friends rather than scurrying around feeding folks. This was his night to relax and enjoy. Way to go Willie!
After the buffet lines disappeared and the first round of door prizes were distributed, Spectrum Band hit the stage and heated up the ballroom. Kicking off the dancing with the ever popular Electric Slide, the band kept guests at the gala moving and shaking way into the night. It’s safe to say that a good time was had by all.
SCENE………!
Send invitations to private and public events to [email protected] or [email protected]