'Captain' Bourke's 50 knots!

Chester Francis-Jackson, Outlook Writer

What better way for the gods to bestow their blessings on mortals, than crowning them with longevity! And what better way for mortals to acknowledge this gift, than to celebrate those birthdays!

Well, while each birthday is worthy of being celebrated, some are more worthy than others, especially those signifying a milestone such as a new decade, or the attainment of what some cultures consider adulthood. Whatever the number, there is no denying that some birthdays are more special than others.

So, no surprises here that on the eve of his 50th birthday, the lovely Carol Bourke and her daughter, Samantha, organised and hosted a fabulous birthday bash for husband and father, hotelier Richard Bourke. It will long be remembered as one of the truly great birthday parties! Hosted at the fabulously happening Blue Shutters Villa on the beach in Runaway Bay, the party was truly spectacular. In fact, it was a dream party, with all the necessary ingredients to make it the fabulous success it was. The picture-perfect location and the intimate and interactive mood of the gathering of friends, relatives and admires of Bourke made for a very warm, and welcoming atmosphere.

fabulous array

Blue Shutters is a gem of a beach-front villa, boasting its very own private beach, sprawling lawns that look out to the wide expanse of the Caribbean Sea. Now imagine the lawns decorated to facilitate banquet-style dining, as the outer west perimeter wall is ringed with a number of white marquees, serving as the various stations for the fabulous array of dishes. Two party-sized bars, one faultlessly posited within feet of the entrance, the other nestled atop the sea, served as anchors to what was clearly the SS Richard Bourke. The birthday boy opted for the dress of a sea captain, and nattily so, as he, his wife and daughter, 'officiated' at the receiving line.

There was no escaping the feeling of lightheartedness and familial camaraderie upon arrival. Many anecdotes all evening and night by friends told Bourke stories from his early days at prep school, his days at Campion College, and stories from his vocation.

The evening evolved into a continent of fabulousness when songbird Karen Smith, accompanied by the Jackie Jackson (her hubby's) jazz band, not only entertained flawlessly but serenaded the birthday boy as only she can. She had guests on the edge of their seats and on their feet, simply wanting more! No long speeches were required and none given. Bourke thanked his guests for journeying to share his special day with his family and relatives and then charged them with enjoying themselves, and so they did!

The duo with the interesting moniker of Sly Slick and Wicked (of Trelawny), were the DJs at the control, with the music of the '60s, '70s and '80s, guests simply took to the dance floor and ate up the musical offerings by dancing up a magical glow! There was none of that murder music or any of that other cacophonous stuff, that passes for entertainment in some quarters these days. This was music which was all about love, the joys of loving, heartache and celebration, as well as the trials of life. And everyone danced, almost sans care!

Guests

Among those spotted were Custos of Trelawny Paul Muschett and wife Sheona; Noel and Sharon Sloley; Marissa Dalrymple; father of the birthday boy, Paul Bourke and wife Yvonne; father- and mother-in-law, Baldwin and Shirley Pitter; uncle Garfield Bourke; brother Brian Bourke; sisters Kathy Francis and husband Dr Lennox Francis; Nichola Dixon and hubby Simon; Lana Viinamae and hubby Allar and family, in from Toronto; Joanne Bento and husband Anthony, in from Antigua; friends Moya Baston, who jetted in from Dubai; Betty McIntyre, in from Atlanta; John and Jennifer Webb and family, in from Toronto; Kim Hudson, in from Orlando; David Khouri, in from the Cayman Islands; Gaby Taylor, in from Florida; Margaret Wright, in from Delaware; Barb Ramsden, in from Toronto; and David Matheson, in from the Guernsey, Channel Islands, England.

Also out were Douglas and Melanie Graham along with her sister, the lovely Elizabeth Terry; Jamie and Camille Delgado; Sam and Yvonne James, their son, Sam James Jr and his German companion, Nina Pfab; Guy Morris; Phillip and Jean Croskery; Dermott Connolly and wife Pam, spending their last night in Jamaica, before moving to Puerto Rico to take up a fab new posting; Daine Thomas; Odette Rose; Gary Williams and wife, the lovely Anna Williams; Winsomme de Mercado; Xavier and Roma Chin; Edward Da Costa; the charming Laura Heron; Chris and Gillian Zacca; Anthony and Jane Ziadie; Anthony and Angeline Harris, who cycled over from Kingston for the occasion; PJ Gibson and wife Tracey; Patrick Wong and wife Peta-Gaye MacMillan; Phillip and Patty Paxton; Drake and Nanny Paxton; Joanne Paxton; Patrick Brady; Elaine Lynne-Cooke; Marty and Brianna Hansen; Lance and Mary-Ann Parish; Patrick Drake; the lovely Alex Ghisays; Gary Stephens; the charming Karen Lanigan; Ricardo Bowleg; Barbara Burton; Newton Forest; the lovely Karen Zacca; David Fernandez and wife Coral; Richard Radcliff; Candy DePass; Scott and Tricia Robbins; the charming Rose Richards; André Danpaul; Christopher Sun and his companion, the lovely Pamela DeLisser; the fab Tabitha Aethey; Joe Adduci; Dennis Seivwright; Sebastian and Chelsea Campbell; Fred Smith; twin brothers Mark and Andrew Cole; Larry and Suzelle Snowden; model Nadine Willis; singer Ashley Martin, looking like 'all that!'; Germaine Wilson and his fiancée the gorgeous Tara Hylton; plus a number of others.