Some 300 seniors enjoyed the lunch with their families and carers. (Robert Luckock photo)
MARIGOT–More than 300 senior citizens, carers and family members were treated to the annual Thanksgiving lunch organised by Foundation for Hope and Music Development in the Lycée/Collège Mont des Accords refectory on Thursday.
The elderly from Bethany Home and all the major districts of the French side – French Quarter, Grand Case, Agrèment, Hameau du Pont, La Savane, Cul-de-Sac, and Sandy Ground – were represented, making it the most well-attended lunch in years.
Pastor Eugene Hodge gave a blessing before lunch was served.
As is customary, a handful of elected officials and prominent personalities joined the elderly for the lunch. Seen interacting with the elderly were Fourth Vice-President Steven Patrick, Movement for Justice and Prosperity (MJP) President Louis Mussington, former President of the Collectivité Alain Richardson, Territorial Councillor Maud Ascent-Gibs, Chargée de Mission for education Evelyne Fleming and others.
A delegation from the Chamber of Commerce CCISM was there, as well as former Dutch-side politician Michael Ferrier, who is often seen supporting French-side events.
Conspicuous by his absence was the late entertainer Adrien “Ady” Richardson who passed away earlier this year. Richardson was a regular performer at the lunch over the years and at events in the Bethany Home, and was much loved by the elderly for his natural gift for singing and humour.
His shoes were filled by his brother Shabba, who proved to be a worthy successor in entertaining the gathering and playing with Boulogne Combo Band from French Quarter.
Sharisa Richardson, one of Ady’s four children, gave a heartfelt tribute to her father, and thanked the audience and organisers for dedicating the lunch to him.
“He was the best father you could wish for. He put a smile on everybody’s face,” she said. “He never showed us children if he was angry, he just said, ‘Do your best and take it to the Lord.’ He may not be singing anymore, but he is singing with us today in spirit.”
A highlight of the entertainment programme was a performance by Cuban dancer Yanet Garau-Rodriguez from the Rosario Cardénas school in Havana which teaches classical, ballet and folkloric dance. She was invited in the context of an artistic and cultural project called “Art au Service de L’Espoir” which is being developed through a partnership between Centre Culturelle Robert Loyson from Moule in Guadeloupe and Association Sandy Ground on the Move, to benefit schoolchildren in St. Martin.
Aside from Boulogne Combo, the entertainment featured gospel singer Rita Richardson, Funtopia, a Hector and Thomas comedy sketch by the Sandbox Tree actors, comedian Fernando, DJ Vibes and performance by Lycée students.
Organiser Paul Whit, President of Hope and Music Development Foundation, thanked Còllege students for helping to serve the lunch, and the Collectivité for the annual subvention. He said it was appropriate for the lunch to be a tribute to Ady Richardson.
“His passion was his music and making people happy,” he said of the late entertainer. “He gave so much of his own talent and heart to the community. We work from our hearts, as he did. It’s important to be kind to each other, that’s the way we were brought up.”
Emcee Dutty Sham paid tribute to Whit, who has organised the lunch every year since 2009.
Source: The Daily Herald https://www.thedailyherald.sx/islands/92890-thanksgiving-lunch-for-elderly-honours-memory-of-the-late-ady-richardson
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