Once again, the Father’s Day brunch was held at Burrows Hall Community Centre in Scarborough on Sunday June 11th and was attended by 174 alumni and friends. The brunch is an annual feature organized by the executive of the alumni Association with the object of raising funds while affording us the opportunity to meet old friends and to enjoy good food and lively entertainment.

The meal prepared by Terry Headley was up to its usual standards. Although, we are thousands of miles from our native country, we can still find the ingredients to make the dishes and drinks that we used to enjoy as children, no doubt due to the large number of us who have emigrated here in the past decades. As we ate, there was melodious background steelpan music played by Earl Wong.

After the delicious meal, our master of ceremonies, Arthur Henery introduced the other entertainers, led by alumnus Conrad Griffith, who took us back to the 1950’s, singing "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay", "Under the Boardwalk" and "Save the last dance for me". We of that generation were humming the tunes and mouthing the words, reminiscing, reminiscing. O for the good ole days!

Barney Singh in Creolese took us into the Vreedenhoop magistrates court, reminding us of how a "cuss" became elevated to "definition of character" before "your warship". He had us erupting into peals of laughter, describing how the plaintiff, a highly successful and popular entertainer in a well known Georgetown pleasure house, mentioned her influential, professional former clients. "Isn’t your warship the one with the mole pun his....?"

The most memorable performance was that of the Arabian dancers, Salome and Zenobia - sensuous and swinging. All eyes were riveted on the swaying hips, not least of all those of the buxom Zenobia who showed us that size does not inhibit freedom of movement.

Many of us in the audience were invited to emulate the performers. Audacious Arthur has practiced all year, but could not dethrone Limping Leyland as lead dancer of the executive. Other members distinguished themselves by their ability to run away from the action. Those who cried shame were in reality envious of the fleet-footedness of their colleague. Better to run away and live to fight another day.

The principal prize in the raffle was a vase painted by Joan Muss which was coveted by all who attended. For the second year in succession, this prize was won by a member of the Bishops' High School Alumni Association, prompting the observation of one of my colleagues that there were as many old students from that school as there was from QC. Food for thought!

Altogether, it was a wonderful afternoon’s entertainment. Next year we hope to persuade more alumni to support the school to which we owe so much. Where else can you get a gourmet meal, great company and enthralling entertainment for $25.00 or less, while contributing to a really deserving cause?²

Written by Leaster Fernandes