Double celebration for the Earles

One Hundred and twenty close relatives and friends from Holland, Canada, Trinidad and the United States on Saturday, August 21 disregarded all other competing engagements to join Joseph and Pearl Earle in the joyous celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary and 80th birthdays at the Knutsford Court Hotel in St Andrew.

Earle, a former principal of the Calabar, José Marti and Ascot high schools, now retired, said "I do" to his lovely bride, Pearl, née Ramsay. She was a special adviser to then Minister of Labour, Social Security and Sports, Portia Simpson Miller. On September 3, 1960, they tied the knot at the University Chapel, Mona, St Andrew.

The festivities saw their two children, consultant radiologist, Dr Sharon Earle-Edwards, and attorney-at-law and talk show host, André Earle, jointly emceeing a programme described by many as "well-organised", "fabulously entertaining" and "the best they had savoured in a long time".

Entertainment was provided by a mixture of family, friends and professionals, including trumpeter Dwight Richards, pianist Dennis Rushton and comedian Christopher 'Johnny' Daley.

One of the special highlights of the evening was the Earles' launch of a scholarship fund, which will be available from January 2011, to a needy student residing in one of the communities in the vicinity of their church, Hanover Street Baptist, in Kingston.

In attendance were: the Reverend Luther Gibbs, who officiated in the 1960 wedding ceremony, and Mrs Gibbs; Dr Jonathan Earle, who was best man; Marjorie Thomas, maid of honour; Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller; Dr Celia Earle; Dr Thelma Stewart; and Dr the Honourable Olive Lewin, OJ.