My, my, my, it is that time of the year when I give an overview of our Jonathan Grant High
School Class of “88 and friends reunion. Take a deep breath, now relax, and enjoy the read.
Like all the other years, my husband and I got to the beautiful Island of Jamaica a few days
before the reunion started. We arrived on the Island on October 16, 2024. First order of
business was to get patties, coco bread, kola champagne and Big-Jo box juice from Tastee of course, just a few miles outside the Mo-Bay Airport. Then it was time to hit the road.
We took a nice, relaxing scenic route up the coast to the beautiful, lush green Parish of
Portland. There we checked into the Geejam hotel, this hotel has the most comfortable,
thoughtfully decorated rooms and property, and had amazing views. We spent a few glorious days there. Upon checking in the rain was falling, so we relaxed in our room until
dinner time. Then we had a delicious meal, listened to music and the crickets then went back to our room. The bed was so comfortable when morning came it was almost difficult to get up. We however conjured up the energy to go for breakfast, ackee and saltfish with boiled provisions and fried dumplings was for me and an omelette with toast for my husband. We spent the rest of the morning chilling on the property. For dinner we went to
Osheas876kitchen. Guys let me tell you, if you haven’t been, Osheas876kitchen dinner on the beach is a must do. For dinner we were served, escovitch fish, curry goat, oxtail, festival, rice & peas, freshly made june plum juice, a bottle of Moscato and water. Need I say every morsel was eaten, don’t judge me, yes, I ate it all with my husband, LOL! We then took a short tour of the town, went to The Blue Lagoon, and then went back to the hotel.
Much thanks to the staff at Geejam Hotel and Osheas876kitchen for an amazing few days in the absolutely beautiful Parish of Portland, Jamaica. This is a must do again in the very near future.
The day came when we had to check out of the hotel and head to Vybz River to meet up with the group to get the reunion started. We had breakfast and head out, with much reservation about leaving this beautiful hotel. Back down the coast we went.
Friday, Vybz River: This river is in Laughlands, St. Ann just outside of Runaway Bay. Prior to
leaving Portland I received a call from Ms. Loretta, my contact at the river, letting me know that unfortunately we will not be able to go into the river as it had been raining for a few days and river “come down” so the water is rough and not safe. I thank her for the information and let her know we would still stop by, but we will not be staying. To my surprise, Ms. Loretta made fish and fruits for us. Which was very good, I was there sharing fish and fruits like how Jesus shared the 5 loaves and two fish, lol! She also left to make us festival and other goodies, but unfortunately in the interest of time we had to leave before she returned.
Vybz River was a vibes all by itself. The people them di a gwan wid demself like dem figet dem age paypa. Nuttin but niceness an laughta. Di muzik did nice, dancing did on point, mi nah lie everyone had a great time at Vybz River.
We got to Grand Palladium hotel, and check in took us 1 hour and 33 minutes to check in 32
people, from meeting with our contact person to completion, and the receptionist that checked us in was able to tell us that we are missing three people that did not check in, (they were checking in later that night). A BIG thank you to our booking agent, Floyd, with Island Trotters. Travel agency. He ensured that all details were in place for us, even though I consistently WhatsApped, voice-noted and emailed him a bit too much, I wanted to make sure this year at the hotel went smoothly. He did not disappoint. We were greeted with welcome drinks. We had one area by ourselves where we were all checked in, not bouncing from one desk to another. Very friendly staff who were accommodating to a request for one of our group members who needed special accommodations for the stay. After checking in it was off to our rooms for a little relaxation and freshen up. We then went to dinner. After dinner some of us went and rested our weary feet while others went out and enjoyed the hotel nightly activities.
Saturday: A few of us went walking on the beach, did some exercise, dipped in the water, and went to get ready for the day. We all went down for breakfast. After breakfast, I handed out a few goodie bags to the Committee members that I brought for them. My husband and I went to Lucea SDA Church with 3 other group members. Towards the end of Sabbath School, one of our group members, who was not at Church with us, ran into the church, touched my husband, and ran back out of the Church. Needless to say, my husband went outside as he thought something was wrong. She was just next door with another group member whose tire got damaged on the way down on Friday getting it patched, LOL. Service was great. The Children story spoke about the “Mattress Is Coming.” A man went up into a coconut tree to pick coconuts without any protective gear. While in the tree, he slipped and started to fall so he held onto a branch. His wondered if he would die because he was so far up in the tree and there was nothing there to break his fall, so he would surely hit the ground hard and surely die. While dangling there someone shouted to the neighbor to bring a mattress so the man could fall on it and would not get hurt or worse die. The man was still dangling, his only hope currently was to hold on, because people were under the tree shouting to him to “hold on the mattress is coming”. So, he held on. Eventually the mattress came, and he let go and fell on the mattress safely with no injury. The moral of the story, regardless of what life throws at you in your spiritual journey, hold on Jesus is coming.
Saturday Night: Mi seh, di people dem come out in dem blue jeans and white top looking like the rock stars they are. Absolutely beautiful ladies and handsome gentlemen. We were able to all sit in the same location for dinner. We then headed to the Infinity area where karaoke was the order of the evening. I handed out goodie bags as a thank you for contributions made towards a project I am working on. THANK YOU EVERYONE!! If I tell you all that we did not have a BALL at the people them place for karaoke, I would be lying. Who was not singing to dem person, sang to the group, even my husband got dragged on stage by some person I will not call names, LOL! The highlight of the evening was where all 30+ of us got on the stage and sang “That’s What Friends Are For”. ABSOLUTELY AMAZING. After all this amazement, we went to change and off to the all-white party on the beach it was. Dancing till late into the night with sand between our toes. The night was about the JGHS class of “88 and friends both at the karaoke and the beach party. Some people went to the snack bar after the beach party, some went to bed. As for me and my tired feet I went to bed.
Sunday: We had our usual Sunday Praise and Worship on the beach, some people shared
testimonies, we prayed, briefed the group on things and went to have breakfast. Fun day in
Negril was upon us. We got ready and left for the beach in Negril. We caravanned there, I
believe with 9-11 cars and vans. We got to Long Bay Beach, Negril and the fun continued. We played dandy shandy, sightings, did some exercise on the beach, made friends, and such. You should see the grown and mature people hopping, skipping and bending down to miss getting hit by the ball. While other were either stretched out on blankets on the beach side or in the water. The plan was to go to Rick’s Café for dinner and watch the sunset, but we were hungry and the price at Rick’s was daunting. We settled for Pushcart Restaurant for dinner, with the idea of going to Rick’s after dinner for the sunset. Some people were disappointed as they were looking forward to going to Rick’s for their lobster dinner. The food at Pushcart was good, not much to write home about. The nyamming’s platter was not bad. Some people said the fish was not good. The rain fell so we decided to stay at Pushcart and made the best of the evening instead of going to Rick’s because we would not have been able to see the sunset due to the overcast skies. Heading back to the hotel was a caravan of well tired people. Upon arriving at the hotel, some went to enjoy the hotel activities while other went to bed.
Monday: We had breakfast. It was a beach day for most. Who was not a model, was doing
something else, but the beach it was. Lunch was at the Poseidon restaurant (a seafood spot) at the hotel, we had escovitch fish and all the fixings. All agreed that this was the best meal at the hotel by far. We got some R & R after. For dinner we came out in our bandana attire and Jamaican black, green, and gold color attire. Di tings slap weh, di colors dem shot, di people dem sell off. Rolled right into the silent headphone party. Nuttin wasn’t normal or silent about dis party. It was done like only the JGHS class of “88 and friends know how to do it. Fun cyaan dun!
Tuesday: We met for breakfast and said our goodbyes. I took my husband to the airport and
waited for the group to meet up in Mo-Bay. We caravanned to the school grounds and people went home in their different rides. I went to the Rok hotel for some rest, then met up with a few group members at Gloria’s Restaurant for dinner. Dinners was good and my friend got their lobster that they were not able to get at Rick’s Café, mission accomplished, LOL!
Wednesday: My intent was to sleep most if not all of the day, BUT plans changed. I had
breakfast at the hotel, relaxed a bit then went to Spanish Town to meet up at “curry yard” with others, hang for a while then head back to the hotel. Had dinner at Ocean7 while others headed to Timber Lounge. I was too tired to do the drive there. Reports from all parties in attendance and pictures, indicate a great time was had by all who went. This Wednesday link- up had to happen as one group member had to fly home on Thursday and would not make the Thursday link-up.
Thursday: Giving back to our Alma Mater, Jonathan Grant High School, is a large part of our
reunion each year. This year was no different. The Class of “88, friends and family donated a refurbished Math Lab with a brand-new Smart Board, printer, projector, as well as other
learning tools for the students. The turnover of the Math Lab was tied in with the Annual Prize Giving Ceremony where students and teachers were given recognition for their hard work. This project was well received by the principal and faculty of the Math Department, one of who is one of our very own batchmate of 1988 who is now a Math teacher at JGHS. In attendance at this Ceremony was the Regional Director for Region Six (St. Catherine), Mrs. Forbes-Hall, who expressed gratitude on behalf of the Ministry of Education and Youth, Jamaica to the Class of 1988, friends, and family for the donation of the Math Lab to the school. We endeavor to continue our commitment by giving back and impacting the lives of the students at Jonathan Grant High School. Thanks to the lead organizers of the Math project, Ms. Claudel C. Bull, Ms. Erica Cowan, and Mr. Kevin Francis. Huge thank you to the people who donated financially this project. Without your donations this would not have been possible. Not to be outdone, the JGHS class “89 presented the clothing and textile department with a sowing machine that will greatly benefit the students at the school. Thank you, class, “89 for your donation.
Thursday night: We met up at Palms Restaurant and Lounge for our link-up before the rest of us had to fly home or “get back to life”. This was a great link-up, dancing, fellowship, and saying goodbyes until next time. Of course, it would not be the JGHS class of “88 and friend reunion if there was not a little hiccup somewhere, just a MINOR one. I ordered my meal at 8pm before others got to the restaurant, why in tarnation at 9:10pm I still did not get my meal, a vegan pasta dish? While others who ordered 20-30 minutes after I did were either eating their fish or finished. I was not waiting a minute longer, so in true Stephne tempo, I cancelled the order. I did not care that I was hungry. Principle is principle and yes, I did make a complaint to the manager. Lawks; hungry nearly mad mi after. I had to stop on the street across from the hotel and get a bun and cheese when I drove back to Kingston after 10:30pm because the hotel restaurant had closed, Gloria’s was closed, Ocean7 was closed, and I had no choice. Thank you to the corner vendor who was open late.
Friday: I got up, went walking, drank my jelly coconut my friends brought for me on Thursday, went sightseeing downtown Kingston, went back to the hotel and had breakfast, chilled for a few, then took my happy self to the airport and fly back home.
It was an absolute pleasure seeing my batchmates and friends, spending quality time with
them, giving back to our Alma Mater and just letting down our hair. For the first time since we started our reunion, I was able to TRULY enjoy it from start to finish. This year’s reunion gets my vote as the BEST one yet.
Thank you to the Committee Members, Christine Barkley-Anglin, Sophia Henderson, Carl
Williams, Lascelle Warmington, Jacqueline Wynter, Carlene Najair and Stephne Ellis for
your/our tireless work! You are all appreciated, you all ROCK!
Until next time peeps. Walk good, live good. Do for others as much as you can without
reservation, expecting nothing in return. #LiveLoveLearnLaugh. #PeaceLoveRespectHumility to all.
Thank you to my editor, my favor first born child, Danielle. Who believes I should leave her
everything I own in my will. I love you princess!