Mrs Dinwiddy lights Rotary Club Tree

The tree

Mrs Dinwiddy stands with David Thursfield as she
turns on the Christmas tree lights

Cayman National Orchestra and Choir

Arie Barendretht, President of the Kiwanis Club, gets
into the Christmas spirit

Wednesday,  December 15, 2004

H.E. the Governor Bruce Dinwiddy, his wife Emma and Hon Linford Pierson Speaker of the House, were the special guests of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman’s Annual Christmas Tree lighting ceremony where Mrs Dinwiddy switched on the lights of the tree now standing by the Court House. 

The master of ceremonies for the evening was David Thursfield. Russell Hollebon gave the opening prayer and President of the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman, Ray Whittaker gave the welcome address.

The Governor, himself a Rotarian, delivered his own Christmas address to the assembled Rotarians and others who had come to watch and listen to the Cayman Orchestra and Choir’s first performance since the hurricane.

The Governor spoke of Christmas preparations and reminded those present that “the last preparations we all made were for the onslaught of Hurricane Ivan.” 

He spoke about the very different Cayman we were faced with in the immediate aftermath of the storm but how we had clung on, “to the gift of life.” 

He also considered how many people this year would not be able to take the trappings of Christmas for granted, as some were still unable to return to their homes, while others were facing financial hardships as a result of the destruction wreaked by the hurricane. He also praised the collective recovery effort and said Christmas was a time for thinking about others. He concluded by offering his Christmas wishes on behalf of his wife and himself. 

After his speech Mrs Dinwiddy lit the Christmas tree without a hitch and then Mr Pierson, another Rotarian, gave ‘The Announcement’, from the book of Matthew.

Rotarians Cathy Chesnut, Peter Kosa and Terry Burke also gave readings. The Cayman National Orchestra and Choir gave a splendid special presentation of their own composition as well as performing other well-known memorable favourites, not least “O Christmas Tree.”

The ceremony marked the start of the Rotary Club’s work to raise money for the many acts of charity their members will be involved with over the Christmas season. This year Mr Whittaker told those present that the service clubs across the Islands such as the Lions Club, the Leos, the Kiwanis as well as the Rotarians would be working together this Christmas to raise funds rather than competing for donations.

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