It has been quite busy preparing for the festive holidays at St. Brendan's Hospital. One event which was recently held, needs public attention in light of the huge success that resulted. Through your medium, may I give an enormous thank you to the below-mentioned for their various contributions to the Clients' Christmas Party held on December 4, 1999.

Argus Insurance staff (Cynthia Williams, Wanda Benjamin, Carmen Adebiyi, and Shawnette Place), Music (Deallo Sharieff, Jermaine Postlewaite), Places Gombeys, LOM Staff (Charla Douglas), Donations and Discounts (ACE Foundation, Bank of Bermuda File Staff c/o Velma Small, Celebrations, St. Brendan's Recreational Therapy Services, St. Brendan's Dietary Service, Flanagan's, Paraquet, Cafe Lido, BGA, La Trattoria, Four Star Pizza, Debra Wellman, Jamaican Grill, Spring Garden, Chopsticks, MarketPlace, Crow Lane Bakery, Somers Distributors), Decorators, Pick-Ups and Party Bag Stuffers (Donna Edwards, Marionette Simons, Graham Simmons, OKeisha Clarke, Gary Williams, Zaynette Richardson, Keicia M. Place, Tiffany Trott, Tiffany Pitcher, Greshona Gibbons).

My clients attended this party and had a great time. For a few of the volunteers, it was their first time interacting with the clients and it was hard to tell who was having more fun. Thank you for your support. Have a Blessed Holiday and Happy New Year.

Thank you Mr. Editor.

LINDA TROTT Director of Volunteer Services St. Brendan's Hospital Where's our money? December 14, 1999 Dear Sir, I'm writing this letter on behalf of myself and the few employees of the Marriott Castle Harbour who were wrongly compensated for their years of service. Many of us worked 1-13 years with the company, but only received for the department and the length of time worked there. So although you've been with the company for the 13 years, but decided to change departments, you only receive from that time until the end of closure. If you were there in that department for a year you'll get -- if not you see nothing although you've been with this hotel for 13, 6 or 1 years.

To discover this was a shock. Staff was not informed of this until we got our envelopes in our hands. We the staff of the Marriott Castle Harbour were true and loyal with this company right up to the end and this was our reward. Some received full pay, because they stayed in the same department all those years, but for the rest of us who worked long and hard for the 1-13 years received nothing, because we decided to change departments but still working for the company.

Because of what Marriott and Club Med have done to the hard working people of this country, I pray that Government would look deeper in before they allow another hotel to come in and deceive the hard working and loyal people of Bermuda.

WRONGLY TREATED St. David's Good deed for Xmas December 15, 1999 Dear Sir, Please allow us the opportunity to use your newspaper to publicly thank the many people and organisations who supported our Community Service project last Friday night. To recap, several children from our school (Clearwater Middle School -- Middle Level Three) willingly donated three hours of their precious Friday night (Friday nights are always precious to adolescents) to wrap gifts on Reid Street. All of the proceeds were donated to the Hands of Love Ministry to help needy families during this season of giving.

When we started this venture we were very excited at the level of support that we received from businesses, parents, and the community. To that end, we would like to thank the following persons for their support: Andrea Spencer and Kitson and Company for the use of the building, Patrick Pedro of the Stationery Store who donated tape, Dilton Caines from Staples Limited for tape, Nelda Simons and Beverly Robinson of Liberty Theatre who generously gave popcorn and soda to the children whilst they were wrapping, Mike Johnson and Ada Barboza of the Little Theatre who donated free movie tickets to the volunteers, The Captain, VJ and ZBM for granting us the opportunity to come on their show, after our appearance broadcast a free commercial for us, Dick Perrault of Bermuda Wholesalers Limited who donated the wrapping paper, Mr.

Dickinson of Marks and Spencer who allowed us to borrow a table, Stuart's for placing signs up, The M3 teachers at Clearwater, parents; especially Mrs.

Cynthia Smith, who volunteered their time and all of the students who came out to give back to their community.

This community effort proves that the future of our lovely Island is indeed bright if it is left in the hands of children that are eager to serve their follow man.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the Clearwater Middle School.

TAMICIA DARRELL & DEONN FUBLER Clearwater Middle School Phone service for Xmas December 16, 1999 Dear Santa, For Christmas this year I would like a phone. Maybe I should be a bit more specific. I actually do have a phone. It's a very nice phone in fact. It's brand new, has all kinds of neat little buttons, and even a speaker. Its been sitting here on my office desk since September. The problem is, I still have no phone service. So Santa, I know it's a difficult task, but can I please have phone service from BTC for Christmas. That's all I'm asking for this year.

If you feel this request is too difficult to fulfil by Christmas, well Santa, I understand. After all, BTC has had the initial request since August and I'm sure they're not nearly as busy as you are at this time of year.

Santa, if you can't deliver service by Christmas then maybe I can propose an alternate request. Since your elves probably have a bit of downtime just after the holidays, maybe you can have them come over and run cable to my office since that seems to be the problem the BTC is having.

Thanks Santa. I hope you enjoy the cookies and Black Seal. I'll leave them right next to my phone! SKATE IT Limited Helping to fight diabetes December 1, 1999 Dear Sir, With eleven percent of the Bermuda population diagnosed with diabetes, we are facing an epidemic that is only destined to get worse if lifestyle changes are not instituted.

We need the community's support. Bermuda Broadcasting Co. Ltd. has shown its commitment to improving the health of the Bermudian population by initiating and producing two wonderful programmes on Diabetes and Health for success. We would especially like to thank Honey Adams, Mike Smith, Tammy McRonald, Suzann Holshouser and the camera crew for their tireless efforts in producing these shows.

In addition, we would like to thank Lindo's Markets, Cellular Centre, Kitson and Co., Ministry of Health and Family Services, Bermuda Diabetes Association and the NDC for making this all possible.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank all the schools, teachers, students and parents who participated in the various Health for Success, Bermuda Diabetes Association, Nutrition and Health incentive Programme activities.

Somehow the message of eating healthy and increased activity has to be disseminated to everyone and this can only be done if the community is behind these endeavours.

Bermuda Broadcasting Co. Ltd. and the sponsors have shown their commitment, so come on Bermuda start eating healthy and do more exercise and get energised! JUST DO IT Thank you for your time and interest.

DEBBIE JONES AND BETSY BAILLIE Bermuda Diabetes Centre Stop the drinking December 17, 1999 Dear Sir, The Police Commissioner is adamant that there will be no unauthorised public consumption of alcohol on New Year's Eve. Perhaps he can explain the drinking which takes place on a daily basis (for the last 3-4 years) by the `gentlemen' who congregate by the roadside across from St. Anne's Church Hall? CHURCH BAY RESIDENT Southampton Comment on two stories December 15, 1999 Dear Sir, I'd like to comment briefly on two of today's headline stories in The Royal Gazette as seen on the Internet.

1: On the construction workers plight -- if things are so bad in Bermuda why are so many Jamaicans going to Bermuda and staying illegally, often found (if anyone looks) on construction sites? 2: On the gambling issue -- Why would the Bermuda Government take advice on a financial matter from Julian Hall considering his present (bankruptcy) predicament? JOE LINDO Delaware, USA Thanks from bike owner December 17, 1999 Dear Sir, This is addressed to the extremely kind person who, yesterday, finding my keys still in my parked scooter (yet again!) took the trouble to take them and the scooter number to Hamilton Police Station. Scooter and owner were re-united last night thanks to your good offices and those of the Hamilton Police Station. I could not believe my good fortune when the Police called last night to say they had my keys.

Since I cannot thank you in person, please know that your kind act filled me with a joy and relief more than you would ever imagine.

MRS. DIANA MARTIN