Some one hundred senior citizens from throughout Anguilla have had the opportunity and privilege to enjoy a fabulous lunch and fellowship in the run-up to the 47th Anniversary of the Anguilla Day Revolution.
In addition to the luncheon, they were able to share stories of the past, particularly about the Anguilla Revolution and how, in one way or another, it affected their lives and changed the course of the island’s history.
The luncheon event, on Thursday, May 22, was held at Italia Restaurant at CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa, overlooking the 18-hole Greg Norman Championship Golf Course, one of the leading and scenic golf courses in the Caribbean.
The 100-plus senior citizens were welcomed by Mr Stephane Zaharia, Vice President and General Manager of the property. He took the opportunity to tell them about various matters relating to the upmarket resort where a new hotel – the Reef by CuisinArt – is under construction at the golf course. He also mentioned the unique hydroponic farm which produces an assortment of vegetables for the resort. Mr. Zaharia was delighted that it was possible for resort to sponsor and host the luncheon and to provide an opportunity for the senior citizens to dine and fellowship at one of Anguilla’s leading tourism properties.
Executive Director of the Anguilla Hotel and Tourism Association, Mrs Gilda Gumbs-Samuel, was grateful to Viceroy Anguilla which sponsored and hosted a similar luncheon last year. She was delighted that when contacted, by her, CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa readily agreed to host and sponsor the event this time.
“We just wanted to give something back to our senior citizens,” she told the media. “One of the things I am also thinking about doing, is to have a once-a-month breakfast for seniors and to try and capture a lot of Anguilla’s history from them before it dies.”
The luncheon was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Home Affairs. Permanent Secretary, Ms Aurjul Wilson, expressed appreciation to CuisinArt Golf Resort & Spa for its kind gesture as the corporate sponsor of the event. “Everybody has enjoyed what we had to offer, and I think it has been a really beautiful environment in which the elders were able to interact with each other,” she stated.
Ms Wilson explained that the luncheon was separate from that which the Government of Anguilla sponsors each year on Anguilla Day. That event will be held, as customary, at the Blue Ridge Conference Centre at South Hill on Friday, May 30, following the Anguilla Day Parade at the Ronald Webster Park.
