Rotary’s Boxing Day Luncheon Celebration for Seniors

By Christopher Tobutt

It was Rotary’s great big Annual Boxing Day Luncheon Celebration for Seniors, and everyone was having a great time as they settle down at the tables in the big hall at First Baptist Church. The Rotarians work so hard each year preparing to make an extra-special day for Cayman’s senior citizens to remember, and this was the 55th year they have been doing it. Lots of other people make time to help, too, and companies chip in with all the Christmas gifts – a small mountain of them piled up near the door. There were singers and musicians, and Miss Cayman Islands Universe Mariah Tibbetts, had turned up too complete with her crown, because it’s nice to have some royalty to greet the guests.

“I am here to talk to seniors and greet them and see how their Christmas was,” Ms. Tibbetts said. “We need to support them in our community and I think this is the perfect opportunity to do so. They are the backbone of our community. I want to be as connected to my culture and my community as I can be. These are the perfect people to teach me that.”

Soon, food was served, and it was time for lots of fun and games. Some of the seniors got up to dance, and there was a competition for the best dancer. There were lots of prizes and entertainment too, including steel pan and some Christmas songs. It was a great time to see old friends and a chance to catch up on things. The food was lovely, and Rotarian Chris Johnson was busy in the kitchen helping to get everything ready, with help from lots of others.

Rotarian Brendon Lyons said, “Today is our 55th year for our Senior Citizens Party. We have a number of companies that support us with the food. Lots of prizes and surprises here today we have ‘Most Grand Children,’ ‘Eldest Person,’ and ‘Best Dancer. We have lots of entertainment, prizes and surprises happening today, and Deputy Governor Franz Manderson is here today, too.

Gina McBryan President of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, said, “We’ve done it every year since we started the Club, and we are so happy to be able to do it. Because of the pandemic this year we just didn’t know if we would have this much of a crowd, so we are excited to see the seniors coming in.

Myrtle Thomas and her husband Oswald Thomas have been coming to the party year after year. They love the friendly atmosphere and all the fun and food, and of course, the competitions.  “I come here every year I really like it. This is the sixth year running I have entered the Prettiest Hat prize, and won it. Oswald my husband has a lovely hat too, but he didn’t want to wear it,” she said. Melburn Campbell loves the activities like the dancing competition too, but he didn’t take part in any of them this year, he said.