Jackie Chance-Bird (left) and Nerissa Braimbridge get ready to open the dance floor.
Courtney and Judy Hamilton were the life of Sandy Haven's first anniversary celebration.
The affable Cecile Levee and husband Kevin.
Ian Gentles and Skeeter Jeffrey.
From left: Janet Smythe-Currie, Lisa Lewis and Carroll Couri.
Ann and Stephen Ueker in a loving mood at the first anniversary of their Negril resort last Saturday night.
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Janet Silvera, Senior Gleaner WriterWESTERN BUREAU:
No one tells the story about the sleepy fishing village in Negril that was home to the hippies of the 1960s better than president of the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Evelyn Smith.
"Fifty years ago, it was common for the few residents to wake up and see visitors, then known as 'hippies', sleeping under the nearest coconut tree," said Smith, as she spoke glowingly of the powerhouse tourism mecca's diva [color:d4bf=blue !important][color:d4bf=blue !important]resort - Sandy Haven - which helped in transforming the landscape of the [color:d4bf=blue !important][color:d4bf=blue !important]resort [color:d4bf=blue !important]town.
Smith was speaking at the first anniversary celebration of the boutique resort, owned by Stephen and Ann Ueker, last Saturday night.
Like the JHTA president, Minister of Tourism Dr Wykeham McNeill had only praise and admiration for the couple, who he said took a leap of faith in 2012, purchasing and completely remodelling a former budget-category property into a magnificent four-star resort.
Only one year in the market and Sandy Haven stakes its claim in contributing to Negril's international acclaim, which is now home to more than 7,000 [color:d4bf=blue !important][color:d4bf=blue !important]accommodation rooms.
But the Uekers' have done far more than that. They have enhanced the free spirit that the 'capital of casual' has become known for, acknowledging that, no matter how luxurious the resort is, Negril remains the let-down-your-hair and do-just-about-anything destination.
The celebration was tagged, 'A Taste of Jamaica', obviously selected by the food and beverage connoisseur in the family, Stephen Ueker, while the decor of Chinese lanterns and lounge chairs on [color:d4bf=blue !important][color:d4bf=blue !important]the [color:d4bf=blue !important]beach spoke of Ann.
Several of their neighbours, friends and well-wishers were out to support the anniversary celebration, with Charela Inn's Daniel Grizzle playing emcee to the event.
janet.silvera@gleanerjm.com
Photos by Janet Silvera