On our way back to Karanambu, after our leave, we stayed in Georgetown to celebrate the 80th Birthday of our dear, dear friend and colleague, Diane McTurk.
The excitement had been building all week, as the plans took shape. We all agreed that a full surprise would be too much for "D". So we told her half the guest list, which was over 100!! The hosts of the evening were the Chairmen of the Karanambu Trust and the Karanambu Lodge, Mr. Paul Stephenson, and Major General (retired) Joseph Singh
The venue would be the Umana Yana in Georgetown, which is a huge conical thatched roof building that can hold 200-300 people. We spent all day blowing hundreds of orange and green balloons, stringing fairy lights and arranging potted palms from the National Parks Department.
The Masters of Ceremony, none other than yours truly!
The Honorable Prime Minister and his wife, Mrs. Hinds
joined our guest of honor in the front row
as friends and family in celebration of Diane’s Birthday made speeches of thanks and reflection.
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| Sydney Allicock, Chairman North Rupununi District Development Board (NRDDB) |
Diane took the opportunity to thank everyone “very much indeed for the tremendous outpouring of emotion…I am not at all sure I agree with you or even know of whom you were referring, but never mind that now.” She continued on to express her deepest desire to focus on the preservation of the pristine Wetlands of the Rupununi and the unique biodiversity, to which she has dedicated her entire life.
The guest list was very impressive, from the honorable Prime Minister, The Diplomatic Corps, Friends and Family.
The entire event was donated.
The entire event was donated.
Major General and Mrs. Singh arranged for an
AMAZING birthday cake!
AMAZING birthday cake!
DDL supplied us with RUM to make our famous
Karanambu Rum Punch and Cara Lodge catered the event!
We supplied the decorations, but had tremendous help putting them up AND taking them down
Ilze (VP Shedd Aquarium - Chicago), Andrea, Teri (GM Wilderness Explorers - Guyana),
Robin (Solar Engineer - Peace Corps - Karanambu), and Salvador
Robin (Solar Engineer - Peace Corps - Karanambu), and Salvador
IT WAS INDEED A DAY TO REMEMBER!
Special thanks to all of those who made it so memorable!
Special thanks to all of those who made it so memorable!
To see the slideshow shown at the party for Diane of pictures throughout the years,
click here:
