Jean Raynor's Golden Birthday party

Fifty seems to be the new 40 and many persons lucky enough to attain this significant milestone in their lives, use the opportunity to throw lavish celebratory bashes. Saturday, July 23 was Jean Raynor's turn, and family and friends converged on the Cherry Gardens lawn to mark the occasion with her.

The carpet-like lawn of the Raynors' Cherry Gardens residence was festooned with black and gold tents, pastel-coloured lawn chairs and sofas, as well as pedestal tables for the cocktail hour. The garden filled with a variety of blooming orchids, provided additional colour asguests sipped and listened to Senor Daley and Stokey Love's excellent repertoire of oldies. Bordering the formal seating were food stations for international, Jamaican, seafood and dessert stations,

The birthday girl made her grand entrance in a black two-piece ensemble on the arm of hubby Lancelot 'Bobby' Raynor. Master of ceremonies Barrington Brown smoothly guided proceedings of prayer, speeches and toasts. The list included: Aubyn Hill who lauded Jean for being an active member of Nation Growth, and Maurine Chang, who spoke of her valuable contribution to St Andrew High School Parent-Teacher Association. Other toasts came from husband Lancelot, Craig Nehemiah, children Dayna, Catherine, Michelle and Richard Raynor, Tony Martin, Laurel McPherson, Patrick Palmer, Dan Chang, nephew Jason Prince; a neighbour and schoolmate from St Mary, Arnold Pryce; Vinette Smith, Pauline Gooden, Rev Franklin Jackson and wife Janet, Christina Green, Pauline Patterson and Judith Fong were followed by the celebrant's reply.

Guests present included Aubyn, Tamara and Alana Hill; Nyika Taylor, Ricalya Robb, Sharon Peart, Esmie Levy, Beverly Lee, Hope Stewart, Jacqui Neilssen, Marilyn Bennett, Minna Israel, Milverton and Mignonette Reynolds, Albert Lyons and Dorothy Barnes, Alexander Hill and Toni-Ann Smith, Owen Walcott and Rita Walcott, Courtney Mair, Garth Martin, Garth Sherwood, Willard Bourne, Wilton McVoitte and Winsome Mitchell, Merle Williams, Craig Nehmiah and Melissa Chin, Chris Walter and Carissa Leys, Kevin Samuels, Tameka Smith and Michelle Jackson, Dave Smith and Cyrena Forbes, Marlon McIntyre and La-Dena Taylor.

Also out for the celebration were Nyika Taylor, Pauline Gooden, Pauline Gooden, Ricayla Robb, Sharon Peart, Barry and Hollie Levy, Basil and Pam Nelson, Brian and Judy Fung, Dan and Madge Chang, George and Sonia Alric and Sharon Tate, Barrington Brown, Tommy Thomas, Sonia Elliott, Howard Cooper, Joseph and Annette Francis, Keith and Winsome Martin, Naresh Kirplani, Winston and Barbara Barrett, Owen Walcott and Rita Walcott, Willard and Shirley Bourne, hair stylist, Pearline Patterson; Craig Nehemiah and Melissa Chin, Dasbert and Juline James, Donna Hart and several more.

Barbara Ellington & Dayna Raynor

Photos by Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer