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A note of thanks from grateful seniors

Helping hand: Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, serves food at the 21st Seniors luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December at the St Paul AME Church hall in Hamilton (Photograph submitted)

Dear Sir,

The 21st Annual Seniors Party was held on December 7, 2019 at the St Paul AME Centennial Hall in Hamilton, hosted by Carol Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions. The theme was: “How Great Is Our God! Can’t Give Up Now!”

Ms Clarke and David Thompson opened the party. Prayers were offered by the Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, who gave up his seat at the head table and diligently assisted in serving the 500 partygoers.

A vote of thanks was given by Ms Clarke. Francine Lee and Malinda Jennings then did a duet selection, accompanied by master of ceremonies Sean Tucker on the piano. They roused the crowd with Just Can’t Give Up Now.

The Reverend Leonard Santucci, pastor at Vernon Temple AME, then presented the afternoon meditation entitled God’s Greatest Gift Is Still The Same — Jesus (John 3: 16)

After the raffles, David Bean Jr rendered his instrumental by playing a cherry leaf. It was an unusual ministry, but truly a gift from God.

The Reverend Alistair Bennett, the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church, Warwick, offered the blessing.

Lunch was then served. We had soup or fish chowder, fruit cup, turkey, ham, cassava pie, mashed potato, macaroni ‘n’ cheese, peas ‘n’ rice, broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, stuffing, rolls, cakes, cupcakes, Jell-O, cranberry punch, water.

Special presentations were then done by Ms Clarke to the MarketPlace, English Sports Shop and Butterfield & Vallis for their support over the past 21 years.

Also to the family of the late Gladstone Shelton Fleming for his 20 years of assistance, to Myrtle Burrows as she had reached 100 years, to Jane Famous for her tireless assistance over many years, and to Walter Brangman and Edna Dill for 21 years of assistance.

Greetings were then given by the Reverend Nicholas Tweed, host pastor of St Paul AME Church. The Deputy Governor, Alison Crocket, gave up her head table seat to serve the seniors.

The Premier, David Burt, served and donated the grand prize raffles, which were two lots of airline tickets for two to anywhere that American Airlines flies. He also greeted the gathering with dignity and pride.

A salsa dance interlude was then rendered by Richie Spence and eight-year-old Nache Anderson-Clarke.

Raffles continued. The ever popular “Five Keys” were then featured. Surprise selections by Proclaim It, an a cappella ministry, were then enjoyed.

Raffles and Santa came next. Remarks were then given by Ms Clarke. Raffle attendants were Leslie Robinson, Ms Jennings, Messr Anderson-Clarke, Aran Telford-Brangman and Cairo Tucker.

Volunteers were the Bermuda Police Service, Impact School, Dellwood School, Curtis Lee and others.

The hosts would like to thank all volunteers, participants and sponsors. Thank you to everyone. You all know who you are.

CAROL A.E. CLARKE

Pembroke

Red charmer: David Burt, the Premier, charms a potential voter at the 21st Seniors luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December at the St Paul AME Church hall in Hamilton (Photograph submitted)
Naturally 10: Proclaim It, an a cappella singing ministry, surprised seniors at the 21st Seniors luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December at the St Paul AME Church hall in Hamilton (Photograph submitted)
Santa’s helper: Alison Crocket, the deputy governor, speaks at the 21st Seniors luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December at the St Paul AME Church hall in Hamilton. Ms Crocket gave up her head table seat to serve the seniors (Photograph submitted)
Time to serve: Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, serves food at the 21st Seniors luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December at the St Paul AME Church hall in Hamilton (Photograph submitted)
Food patrol: Chief Inspector Scott Devine leads Right Reverend Nicholas Dill, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, with plates of food at the 21st Seniors luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December at the St Paul AME Church hall in Hamilton (Photograph submitted)
A good time had by all: the St Paul African Methodist Episcopal Church Hall in Hamilton was full on December 7, for the 21st Seniors luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December (Photograph submitted)
Premier guest: David Burt, the Premier, hugs with senior Joan Dismont, while flanked by her daughter Michelle Dismont-Frazzoni, granddauter Kari White her great-grandson, Jeremiah Bridges, at the 21st Seniors’ luncheon hosted by Carole Clarke and Bermuda Overseas Missions in December at the St Paul AME Church hall in Hamilton (Photograph submitted)