A Truly Enjoyable Affair to Remember
The Freeport News, March 15, 2004

Guests attending the Grand Bahama Children's Home luncheon on Friday were taken on a romantic journey down musical memory lane by entertainers and performers at the annual event to raise funds for the home.

Held in the Camelot Room of the Crowne Plaza Resort and Casino at the Royal Oasis, the event lived up to its billing as "An affair to remember," as more than 600 guests dined on a exquisite meal and had their glasses constantly filled with fine wine. The room was decorated in light blues, yellows, greens, fuchsia and purples, depicting the atmosphere of spring that the GB Children's Home fund-raising committee sought to achieve.

Throughout the room guests - reveling the spring-time ambiance - voluntarily made spontaneous donations all afternoon. Executives from Polymers donated $1,000; Seventeen Shop owners contributed $250; J. Arnold chipped in for $100; another donor gave $500, and the list grew.

In addition to the primary goal of the luncheon, raising funds to maintain the GB Children Home, the committee's secondary objective was to ensure that the audience enjoyed ever minute of the affair, and their purpose was accomplished in the on-stage performances.

Master and mistress of ceremonies David Wallace and Sarah Kirkby set the stage for the fantastic entertainment that followed by performing a "rap" duet that some in the audience said would be a hit if it were recorded on a CD.

The opening act a Cabaret Show by the Port Lucaya dancers, who were dressed in skin baring purple chorus-line costumes, literally took guests' breath away. Their enticing rendition set the stage for the remainder of the show, which included a tap dance performance by the GB Dance Theatre. Dancers skilfully moved to music from the 30s, 40s, 50s including '42nd Street' and 'West Side Story.'

The audience demonstrated their approval with loud applause. Among special guests at the head table were Prime Minister Perry Christie, Governor General Dame Ivy Dumont, Minister of Tourism Obie Wilchcombe, Minister of Financial Services and Investment Allyson Maynard Gibson, Minister of Social Services and Community Development Melanie Griffin, Lady Edith Turnquest, Marguerite, Lady Pindling; Grand Bahama Children's Home Patron lady Henrietta St. George; and her husband, Grand Bahama Port Authority Chairman Edward St. George.

It was not a day for speeches; instead, it was an afternoon of giving and having a deliciously enjoyable affair to remember. Lady Henrietta St. George, in her brief welcome remarks, thanked the many gold sponsors and patrons of the Children's Home, and extended special thanks to the guests who travelled from Nassau.

The afternoon concluded with the Port Lucaya Dancers inviting the audience to participate in a dance routine, from the popular new release from R and B singer R. Kelly, 'Step In The Name of Love.'


Related Links:

Friday, March 12, 2004
An Affair to Remember Photo Gallery
Spring Luncheon benefiting the Grand Bahama Children's Home