Members of the Jamaica Rent-a-Car Association, were in elevated and joyful spirits as the organisation celebrated its 68th year of existence and simultaneously staged its 49th annual meeting at the newly opened Grand-A-View Restaurant and Cafe last week.
The event was also a celebration of its newly inducted 10-member board of directors, which includes President Rena Forbes, who was re-elected for an additional term; Patrick Small, Nicholas Lynch, Orville Spence, Wayne Stewart, Barrington Cole, Robin DeLisser, Garth McLeod, Roan Wedderburn and Yaneke Sailsman.
Everything was on point: the afternoon was warm and sunny and the food prepared by Grand-A-View's culinary department, headed by esteemed Executive Chef Dennis McIntosh, was succulent, from the roasted suckling pig to the honey-roasted chicken, to the dessert and the Grand-a-View's signature cheesecake.
To top things off, guest speaker Dr Wykeham McNeill was his usual affable self, cracking jokes and pointing out how much he enjoyed the pork which he was forbidden to eat Montego Bay songbird Karen Smith, was in her element singing from a terrace above, before sashaying down the steps to put on a stellar performance enjoyed by all.
But these were not the only elements of joy. For those who were interested in trying out new, flashy cars, there were motor vehicles in the parking lot from ATL Automotive Honda and Kia collection for test driving. And, for those who were feeling a bit lazy, they had the option to simply relax and enjoy the astounding view of the entire Montego Bay waters from Grand-A-View, and revel in the soft Caribbean breezes wafting across the property which, all combined, made the event a very memorable one.