2007 Reunion Report

On Friday July 13, 2007 the Atlanta Committee welcomed the guests for the Meet & Greet reception held at the Marriot Hotel in Windy Hill for the long awaited Reunion 2007. This represented the outcome to a process that started in 2006 with a small group of dedicated people. As the weeks sped by, plans fell into place and then suddenly it was D-day, Friday the 13^th.

As committee members we set our sights on raising funds for sending back home to support the St. Boniface Church and Basic School and the Harbour View Primary School. We decided that equally important to enjoying ourselves was the need to maximize funds in assisting the two schools, therefore the events had to be run professionally while maintaining the best use of precious funds. We recognized that the Registration process would be the critical aspect at the Meet & Greet so we devised a customized, professional, state-of-the art system to deliver 100% accuracy while ensuring smooth crowd control and flow. Our guests began filtering in at around 7PM, and within minutes the numbers grew. On arriving guests entered the registration area where they were directed to one of the four registration desks. Everything flowed smoothly as they were greeted by a bevy of smiling volunteers who looked up names, fitted armbands, handed out packages and then ushered them into the meeting hall. There was so much excitement and unreserved joy at seeing each other that frequent small congestions were created and ever so often had to be cleared by ushering the groups from the registration area into the meeting hall. Then as we entered the hall we were absorbed into an environment of joy, surprise, laughter and happy chatter, all to the background of old favorites and pan music. The air was filled with a spirit of love & friendship. Friends were greeting friends, renewing acquaintances, and even making new friends. We were reminiscing the old times while still catching up on current affairs. Later the official opening to the Re-union weekend was made in a brief ceremony which was preceded by the traditional opening prayer. No sooner than the ceremony had ended the meeting and greeting continued. But the evening whisked by so quickly, that in no time it was midnight. No one wanted to leave, but alas we had an early morning to prepare for and it was necessary that we all had a good rest for the long day ahead of us. Another successful Meet and Greet event was concluded without any noticeable problems. So, onto the picnic…

Saturday the day of the picnic at the Wade Walker Park in Lithonia started out bright and early for the members of the Atlanta committee. A call at 7:30AM from the Park heralded the ICE-Man cometh. No, it wasn’t Jerry Butler but the guy from the Atlanta Ice Company delivering the ice to cool the beverages of the day. This signaled that the day had begun. Things began to unfold rapidly and the set up started in earnest. Things began to take shape and then the banners of our Sponsors Grace Kennedy & Air Jamaica Banners were proudly displayed. Then out of nowhere, as it does in good ole Georgia, down came the showers. I thought I was experiencing a flashback of Hurricane Flora that washed out Riverside Drive back in the day. The showers came down in buckets and wash-pans. It persisted for about 1½ hours, and then suddenly, as it does in good ole Georgia, the sun emerged and the skies cleared. Then it was time for cleaning up and drying out. We were just about ready when the first set of guests began arriving. We had to make several adjustments as the rain had soaked the playing field and flooded our food pavilion. Again the registration went very smoothly with guests receiving their bracelets as passport for full access to food and drinks. Security was tight (Gun Court style), Karlene was on the grill pushing out hot dogs and hamburgers throughout the day, while Captain Mike and the crew were cooking up a storm for the main course. Food and drinks were nuff and DJ Migraine had the place rocking with hits of the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. People danced and were just plain having fun with the various games and fun stuff provided for the day. The field was soaked so we had to cancel the volley ball games, and move the scrimmage to the dry section of the field. The event was closed down at 4PM to allow guests to watch the Harbour View Under 17 football team as they demolished a highly touted Under 19 Atlanta based team. And so, we began the hard work of cleaning and packing up. People chipped in even as they left the park, it went like clock work and in no time all evidence of the over 500 people enjoying themselves in Pavilions 1,2 & 3 at the Wade Walker Park disappeared. And so, on to the next event, the party.

The party, the party oh what a party. Sticking with the talent from the south, the committee brought in guest DJ Ron Burke of Florida’s Mystik 1400 radio station and Leslie (Les) Grant, originally of Point Four Disco. Paradise Club rocked from 10:00PM to 4:30AM Sunday morning. The place sell-off and not a bottle with a cork. Space was at a premium on the dance floor and we partied “all night long”. Dance activity was interrupted for the traditional Awards function, followed by the dinner service. The Honoree for this Reunion was Mary I Bond who could not make the trek to the ATL to collect her award, however a suitable replacement was found in her daughter Diane Bloomfield who collected it on her behalf. A Posthumous Award was made to Roxy Williams and the HVFC award was made to Derrick ”Coach” Golding. The session ended at 4:30AM and as usual we had to chase Maudy out of the building so that they could close the club. It was a fitting end to a great weekend. There were reluctant good-byes and bitter-sweet sentiments as we parted, with the common wish of “bye for now …. we will see you at the next reunion”.

The Harbour View 2007 Reunion had officially ended. Except for some minor glitches the Reunion was a success. The objectives were met. The guests came, enjoyed themselves and have all now returned home safely. On top of it all we were able to make a significant contribution to our alma mater, Harbour View. So, the baton has now been passed back to the Advisory Committee for the planning of the 2009 Reunion.

The Georgia Peach Committee thanks the volunteers who helped to make this yet another memorable reunion.

Georgia Peach Committee: Dr. Wayde Marr, Gary McCook, Wayne Chin, Denham Gouldbourne, Alan Miller, Jean Burke, Marie Duncanson, Diane Bromfield , & Arlene Lewis-Marr

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Special Thanks to all who supported the 2007 Reunion in Atlanta.
with your support.
The Harbour View Advisory Committee was able to Donated Funds of US$3,000 to the St. Boniface Church and Basic School
and the Harbour View Primary Schools following damages caused by "Hurricane Dean".

The three day Bi-annual Harbour View Community Reunion that took place in July 2007 in Atlanta generated profits that were issued
to the two beneficiary of US$1,500 (J$105,000) each.

The letter signed by Committee member Michael "Fateye" Thompson states " We are especially proud to know that we have found
ourselves in a position to give a little something back to the institutions that continues to serve the beautiful community of Harbour View."

The presentation was made, through the Harbour View Football Club and its General Manager, Clyde Jureidini
the Harbour View Advisory Committee
representative in Jamaica.

Caption 1:
Harbour View Advisory Committee Member, Clyde Jureidini (left),
Mrs. Desreen Thomas, Principal of St. Boniface Basic School and
Reverent Father Leslie Hoo-Sang, Pastor of St. Boniface Church,
accepts the cheque of US$1,500 while the happy students and teachers look on.

Caption 2:
Harbour View Advisory Committee Member, Clyde Jureidini (left),
Ms Paulette Cole, Vice Principal of Harbour View Primary School
watches as the two students volunteered to thank the presenter of the US$1,500
cheque from the Harbour View Advisory Committee to the School

October 8, 2007
Mrs. Karen Thompson
Harbour View Advisory Committee
http://www.hviewtower.com

Re: Harbour View Advisory Committee’s
Gift to St. Boniface Church & Basic School

The St. Boniface Church and Basic School join me in expressing thanks and appreciation to the
Harbour View Advisory Committee for their kind and generous support to the Church and Basic School,
through the gift of one thousand five hundred dollars (US $1,500), which was raised from
the Harbour View Reunion held in July 2007 in Atlanta.

Mr. Clyde Jureidini who brought the above cheque, indicated that you wished to be advised of the
area on which the money would be spent.

While there are many situations that need urgent attention, the areas selected are either to re-roof the
Basic School or refurbish two (2) shipping containers which were donated to provide additional
facilities for the school. All these efforts will require further funds and this is being addressed.

We are heartened and encouraged by a number of thoughtful and responsive members and friends
and give God thanks for them.