endless whirl of social events she's been invited to during this party season.

Indeed there's hardly room on her mantelpiece for any Christmas cards this year -- those gilt-edged invitations just keep rolling in.

Alas, there was one event that this particular socialite was quite happy not to have attended.

Which of the Island's many upmarket restaurants do you think those hard working boys and girls at the Ministry of Works and Engineering were invited to for a glass of Christmas champers? The Hamilton Princess perhaps? Or how about one of our ritzy south shore resorts? Actually no. As a sign of gratitude to staff for a year of stinting hard work and commitment, the powers that be at W&E suggested an end of ... CedarBridge Academy's canteen.

Furthermore, staff were asked to fork out $45 for the privilege of a ticket.

Now you might argue that it's good to see that at least one Government minister is keeping a close eye on his department's purse strings, and I'm sure that Alex Scott is no Scrooge when it comes to dishing out festive cheer.

Nevertheless Hester thinks this is taking fiscal caution a little too far.

Not surprisingly the event eventually had to be scrapped anyway -- due to a lack of interest.

And speaking of parties, Hester was more than a little miffed not to be invited to the nuptials of Hollywood A-lister Michael Douglas , who married his fellow thesp, the gorgeous Catherine Zeta-Jones in New York last month.

The good news is it looks like the glam couple have had the sense to spend the holiday season away from the paparazzi in Bermuda this year. Hester's spies eyeballed the relaxed pair taking a leisurely stroll down Front Street on Tuesday, no doubt getting in a last bit of Christmas shopping.

Although snubbed, Hester is never one to bear a grudge over a misplaced wedding invite and is gracious enough to reveal that new mum Cath looked positively radiant as she wandered around the stores. Hollywood royalty though she is, the `Entrapment' star even had time for a glowing smile and warm hello to passing locals -- Hester has always had a bit of a soft spot for those dark, brooding Celts.

Angling for a Boxing Day invite chez Cath and Mike for a turkey sandwich and glass of mulled wine? Certainly not -- Hester would never be so vulgar.

Besides, if Madame Premier's experiences with our wonderful postal service in recent weeks is anything to go by, (just why did those Constitution letters take so long to be delivered?) the invite probably wouldn't arrive until Valentine's Day.

For all those who believe that our very own Johnny Barnes is a unique phenomenon, a gleaming example of the Island's warm and friendly spirit, Hester brings bad tidings.

It would appear that Mr. Barnes has some competition for the title of World's Most Enthusiastic Arm Flapper -- or at least he did.

Hester hears word from across the drink that the good folk of Byram, New Jersey, were greeted every morning by `Waving Willie', who acknowledged passing motorists from a lawn chair outside his home every day without fail.

But our sprightly homegrown talent has finally managed to see off the competition. After 60 years on the job Willie sadly died last Sunday at the ripe old age of 80.

Who knows, should Johnny ever tire of Bermuda's pinks sands and Rum Swizzles, Hester's sure he would find suitable employment in America's Garden State.

Mr. Barnes is not Bermuda's only claim to fame. Hester can reveal that the Island is on a very short shortlist of countries that US President-elect George W. Bush has actually visited.

Reacting to criticism that the soon-to-be most powerful man in the world lacks foreign policy experience, Gee-dubya's staff this week rushed out a list of nations that had been honoured by the great man's presence. There, between Mexico and Canada, is Bermuda, which Gee-dubya says he visited with his family.

However, Hester takes the claim with a pinch of salt. Remember how he totally fudged those three questions on naming world leaders of obscure countries? Perhaps he's confusing us with Australia.

So here's a New Year's challenge. Can anybody actually ratify that the leader of the free world did once drop in on these shores. Answers on a postcard please.

And finally. It never ceases to amaze Hester how frequently she ends up writing about the boys and girls of Bermuda's Police Service.

This week's crime scene was the Esso gas station on Par-La-Ville Road where a squad car was seen pulling in to stock up on no doubt essential supplies.

Nothing unusual there you might think, after all it must be the most heavily patrolled forecourt on the Island with a round-the-clock Police presence.

But what caught Hester's eye was an enormous Christmas tree poking out of the boot of the vehicle.

Hester just hopes that the fir was destined for the office of new Commish Jonathan Smith and that the officer involved was not planning on doing a spot of domestic decorating while on the job.