Despite a gloomy forecast of cold and rainy weather, scores of KCOBA Atlanta supporters braved the elements to rock to the sounds of DJ Migrane in the town of Alpharetta north of Atlanta recently. It was the Atlanta Chapter’s Annual Scholarship Dance to benefit KC. And partygoers were not disappointed as DJ Migrane kept the crowd on their feet with his unique blend of old and new school rhythms.
“This was the best party,” remarked Marcia Daley, a former president of the St. Hugh’s Alumnae chapter in a sentiment echoed by many who vowed to definitely attend the next one. In addition to great music, a sumptuous buffet was served featuring jerk chicken and escoveitch fish from Captain Mike’s Restaurant, delicious vegetables from Kool Runnings Restaurant and rice and peas cooked up by Toni Laman.
Partygoers came from all over the metro area. Jamaica’s honorary consul to Atlanta, the Honorable Vin Martin and his wife Hazel came from Stone Mountain while Clayton County’s District Attorney Jewell Scott and her husband Lee came up from the South Metro county to party with us.
Hazel Harry, Chairperson of the Atlanta Caribbean Folk Festival and her husband Gordon came with her brother Carl Lashley and his wife Barbara all the way from Henry County and said they “had a blast-the party was outstanding.” Barbara and Cecil Parkinson from Grayson had a “fabulous time” and really enjoyed when the DJ turned on the Soca music.
One of the early arrivers was none other than the man who opened the first Jamaican restaurant in China, KC old boy Glendon Thompson. Also at the party was award winning school counselor Elaine Bryan and her husband Greg. And the president of A Fashion Affair, Norma Jean Martin, was resplendent in beautiful dress that was no doubt the handiwork of one of her talented designers.
The Atlanta Jamaica Association was well represented by vice president Trevor Smith, Treasurer Joy Booth and assistant treasurer George Aird. Also in evidence was Manchester High alumna Beth Powell-Jackson as well as St. Hugh’s alumnae Marcia Daley and Annette Stewart.
When I first arrived in the clubhouse to help with the setup I was pleasantly surprised to see that Everett McNish, a past president of the Atlanta chapter had already put out tables and chairs and stocked the bar with ice. And when I saw the decorations, I immediately knew that Joan McNish had been there and left her imprint. We are deeply indebted to them both, as this is the second year in row that they have facilitated our use of the beautiful clubhouse and set an outstanding example of service to the cause of Kingston College.
Harry Henry arrived early to help set up the bar and we were encouraged when he stated that he doesn’t drink anymore. But when he later added, “I also don’t drink any less,” we became a bit concerned. Nevertheless the bar, despite some initial hiccups did extremely well thanks to the efforts of another past president Earl Pitter and director Conrad “Atom” Jones.
It’s always great when you see a plan become reality. And it takes a lot of work to make a good plan succeed. Derrick Wright kept everyone thinking about how our ticket sales were going and did a good job tracking and collecting the pre-sold tickets. Vice President Winston Stewart managed the bar contributions table ably assisted by his brother Karl. Patrick Hector joined Ricky Edwards and Barry Miller in manning the check-in table.
With this event, Atlanta became the first KCOBA chapter to sell tickets online. This was thanks to the efforts of our own award winning programmer, Earl Adams who turned on PayPal on the website, a move which resulted in several tickets being sold via the internet for the party.
While they didn’t have to labor over a stove all night, Alicia Adams, Arlene Barrett, Calys Stewart, Toni Laman and her mother Merrill Chevannes took care of business in the kitchen and made sure the partygoers were well fed. Garfield Parker and Earl Pitter wore delivery hats by transporting food from the restaurants to the venue.
Weeks before the party Sedley Morris, Seymour “Ricky” Edwards, Conrad “atom” Jones and Glen Laman went over to Captain Mike’s Restaurant to help season up the jerk chicken for the party. This enabled Captain Mike to add his secret sauce to “jerk it” just right.
The bar was the recipient of many donations, which helped to keep our overall costs down. Those who donated included: Barry Miller, Victor Aldin, Patrick Hector, Ken Gordon, Karl and Winston Stewart, John and Billy Walker, Derrick Wright, Carl Scott, Sedley Morris, Everton Barrett, Ricky Edwards, Patrick Black, Garfield Parker, Conrad Jones, Harry Henry and Ned Ritchie-Horton.
Thanks to everyone who pitched in to make this party the success that it was.
And a BIG, big thank you to all our supporters who came out made this event our “best ever.”
