The old guard

 Jamaica has recently lost so many of the old guard singers who have rocked the world with great reggae music, the latest being Jimmy Cliff, that it's depressing.

And seeing how shaky the great Ernie Smith looked didn't help my feelings of unease.

Steve Higgins greets Ernie Smith 

In fact seeing him needing to sit on a stool to perform, reminded me of the last time I saw the late, great Pluto Shervington. He died about 3 weeks after I saw him perform (around 2years years ago,) while also needing a stool, as he was obviously not well. (JOAN, MY VIEWS.: A.J delivered! 💓)

The good thing about Ernie though is that although he looked very shaky, his voice was still powerful, so let's hope he will be around for many more years.

This event was the annual Christmas Carol service which I look forward to. 

This turned out to be much more than just regular affair though.

Apart from the pleasant surprise of having Ernie Smith appear, the Cuban pastor from a nearby church, also visited, all dressed in Jamaican colors and did a Bob Marley number.

 Not bad at all.

The other surprise appearance was by Father Richard Holung with some members of the 'Brothers of the Poor' and they too did a number.

Father Holung also looks shaky.

Father Holung greets Ernie Smith 

Bwoy, all my contemporaries are looking shaky, so I guess I am too.

Man I hate old age😡.

Well at least our Consul General is still young!😊

He loves to perform and did a decent job as usual.

And of course there was the performance from the regular choir, the South Florida Caribbean Chorale, and the organizer, Steve Higgins.

Steve Higgins always puts on good concerts and it's now a family affair, as his young son Matthew sometimes performs, and last night he brought on another son who plays the drums.

Steve Higgins in front on keyboard and son behind on drums.

I always enjoy his productions and saw many familiar faces, as we start gearing up for the Christmas holidays.🌲⛄☃️🌰

Pretty good start of the season.

Nb. Bernie Smith was buried Saturday 16th May 2026. Link: https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2026/03/reggae-supreme.html?m=1.

Jamaicans early?

 I never knew Jamaican people could be  early!

Well most were for the fund raising concert put on by celebrated Jamaican tenor Steve Higgins, to raise funds for the victims of that terrible hurricane, Melissa.

This was held in Plantation, Florida.

 I arrived promptly at 3 pm and the church was already full to the brim. We only got seated in a small room (prayer room?) behind the regular seating area.

Others who arrived after that had to stand till they found and transported chairs which must have been in storage.

Late comers waiting for seats.

It was a really good concert with not only the tenor and his chorale taking us through several genres of Jamaican music, from Belafonte to Marley. 

I especially appreciated how MC/ host Higgins paid tribute to some of our great writers/musicians, who wrote such memorable lyrics.  

Special mention was made of Noel and Beverly Dexter, Olive Lewin and Paulette Bellamy.

My favorite rendition was "the Prayer"  performed by Steve Higgins and Dahlia Wynter.

In my book, only Bocelli and Celine Dion could have outperformed on them👍.

There was a surprise performance by 'Brick and Lace who did Jimmy Cliff's 'many rivers to cross' among other songs.

The two sisters who used to perform in Jamaica under that moniker were good.

 Then they disappeared. I should have expected that they disappeared to the USA!  The other surprise was that now they are three! Another sister?

The new Brick and Lace?

It was a very entertaining afternoon and I am sure they raised a lot of funds and got many other donations, as the air was one of 'Jamaicans anxious to assist their fellow country people who suffered terribly from the devastating ravages of Melissa. '

Hope the donations get to the thousands who need it most.

Yes, I am a born cynic but my decades of seeing the wrong people benefitting from everything, hasn't cured my cynicism.

It has only fertilized it.

The pastor with tenor Steve Higgins 

The cultural mix

 I love Tamarac. It's such a fun city with a warm culture.

One Love is the unofficial Jamaican motto.

Today we seniors had a program called 'the cultural mix' where we celebrated our diverse cultures using food, fashion and dance.

It sure was fun.

Norma and I 

Jasmine

Edith

A variety of desserts

These are candle holders used in Hannukah

Jamaican flag big and bold

Ecuador flag

Venezuelan flags aplenty 

Joan, a super volunteer

Phyllis is 93 but rarely misses an event!

Eric

There was also a good selection of dishes from various countries, all brought by the attendees.

Curried chicken

Roti

Colombian potatoes?

Rice and peas

A Jamaican favorite, turned cornmeal aka polenta

Then it was time to demonstrate the dances from various countries..

Colombian rhythm.

         Puerto Ricans demonstrate their moves.

       Everyone got up for Bob Marley!

Exotic Latin moves.

A Honduran lady kept her flag throughout!

Maria from Ecuador sure knows her thing!

Yup. We have a wide representation of people from all over the world.

And it's peaceful coexistence.

Tamarac is in reality the city of your dreams.

100 not out👏

It sure was a great celebration to honor Mrs. Violet Edwards (fondly known as Miss Vie or Aunt Vie) on her 100th birthday.  

She does not look a day over 75 and the function celebrating the milestone with a splash, was held in Parkland, Florida on Saturday night.

Channel 10 was there and aired this excellent report.

The you tube link is at:

https://youtu.be/DcS95kqOOkE?si=cgPMlIHQVADN7IE4.

I had a great time and took a ton of pictures as usual.😁

You know what was particularly inspiring? The fact that Miss. Vie got all the well deserved accolades while she was alive. As normally people have to die before you are told of their good works. 

And Miss. Vie herself shared some of her secrets to long life and happiness. Laugh a lot, don't worry, maintain a positive outlook on life, be kind and sociable. 

She is by far my most impressive role model and am so happy I was invited to share this milestone.

Great memories.

Famous songbird Marcia Griffith, former backup singer to Bob Marley, pays tribute.

Son-in-law attorney Everett, pays tribute.

Daughter Dr. Christine Edwards with husband Everett 

Jamaica's Consul General Oliver Mair hails Miss Vie.

In-law Dr. Hope Smith admires the cake with Miss. Vie.

In laws Colin (also leader/founder of Tallawah Mento Band) and wife Anette Smith pose with Miss Vie.

Jamaica's celebrated tenor Steve Higgins serenades Miss Vie.

Consul General Mair

Wayne Armond, (left) former leader of Chalice dance band now plays with Tallawah Mento Band led by Colin Smith.

Tariq Smith, Tallawah's drummer.

There was lots of entertainment throughout including music by Tallawah Mentor Band and a Mentalist/ magician?

The "mentalist" used Shadrach for one of his schemes😊

The dance floor was well used all night.

Drop foot, (Shake a leg) yes Miss. Vie👏👏🎂

Marcia Griffiths in action, members of Tallawah Mentor Band behind.

Carol and Shadrach. The huge venue in the background.

Tenor Steve Higgins with Carol 

With my designated driver/friend, Carol.

(Photos by Carol.)

Marcia in action

Happy my grandson came

The guest of honor enjoyed every moment.

When Miss Vie got her Batchelors degree at age 96, (4 years ago: https://joan-myviews.blogspot.com/2022/06/reflections-on-aging.html?m=1,)  she set up a scholarship fund to help needy Jamaicans in her homeland attend the University of the West Indies. For her 100th celebration, Miss Vie requested that invitees contribute to that scholarship fund instead of bringing her gifts.👏👍

Incidentally, we Jamaicans celebrate Senior Citizens Week Sept 24 to 1 October, so Miss Vie outstanding celebration was well timed!

It sure was a great night all round!😊

 The food and general catering service was top of the line, the decorations superb, the entertainment appropriate and enjoyable, and the valet service went like clockwork.