Heard in the Hive

Around 150 refugees who are accommodated in homes run by the Church's Emigrants' Commission were treated to a special lunch at the Bugibba Holiday Complex.

The aim of the event, organised by a group of friends of Dar l-Emigrant, was to offer an opportunity to these individuals to feel welcomed notwithstanding their difficult situation.

The event, which was attended by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca, the Minister for Justice and Home Affairs, Dr Tonio Borg, and the founder of Dar l-Emigrant, Mgr Philip Calleja, was held in conjunction with Dar l-Emigrant.

The special lunch catered for families and individuals hailing from various countries including Algeria, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Kurdistan, Morocco, Somalia, Sri Lanka and Sudan.

"I would like to thank the group of volunteers who as soon as I mentioned the idea to them, immediately embarked on seeking the required logistical support so that this event could take place. Through their contacts, we have obtained the support of G. Molten Ltd, Melita Insurance Brokers Ltd, Round Table 2, Simonds Farsons Cisk plc, and last but not least Winston Zahra Jnr, director of Island Caterers. Our heartfelt thanks also go to these companies who extended their support to this group in various tangible ways," said Dar l-Emigrant director Fr Alfred Vella.

"It is also encouraging to see all these refugees sharing together the little joys that can be experienced when human beings respect each other while hoping for a better future," Fr Vella said.

Earlier on, a bazaar was held for these immigrants, who were given foodstuffs, clothes, utensils and other things for free. This bazaar was supported by a number of companies including Big Bon, Chemimart, and Vivien Corporation, and the parish priests of Attard, Burmarrad and Marsascala.

Solana Hotel and Pergola Hotel business associates' party

During the festive season the directors and management of Solana Hotel and Pergola Hotel hosted their business associates for a reception at the Solana Hotel in Mellieha.

The reception party featured culinary specialities from Café Puccini, La Valle Trattoria and Vistana Restaurant, outlets within Solana Hotel and Pergola Hotel. The invited business associates were hosted by director John Grima and general manager David Debono.

All guests expressed positive comments which consolidate the hotels' corporate strategy of setting new product and service standards within the industry in the northern part of the island.

St Andrew Society's annual Burns supper

The annual Burns Supper organised by the St Andrew Society (Malta) was held on January 23 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

A welcome drink for the arriving members and their guests was heralded by the skirl of the bagpipes ably played by John Van Dyke.

The evening got under way with the top table being piped to their seats by Warrant Officer Mario Farrugia. The top table was made up of Mrs Helen MacLachlan, president of the society, accompanied by her husband Duncan, the British High Commissioner Vincent Fean and Mrs Fean, the Australian High Commissioner Richard Palk and Mrs Palk, Professor Peter Vassallo and Mrs Vassallo and Chief Justice Emeritus Professor J.J. Cremona.

The dinner was preceded by Rev. David Morris giving the Selkirk Grace and the company then enjoyed a traditional Scottish evening of fine fare, speeches and toasts.

The company rose as Mr Farrugia piped in the Great Chieftain, followed by the Haggis itself and the Quaich and Famous Grouse (supplied for the evening by Wands Ltd) were carried for the evening by guest piper Mr Van Dyke.

Hugh Brown met the procession at the top table and proceeded to address the Haggis in his own inimitable style. His panache mixed with the pregnant pauses as he gauged the company and his coquettish teasing was pure Hugh Brown and deservedly got a rousing ovation and set the tone for the quality of the evening.

After a dinner prepared and served to perfection by the Crowne Plaza staff, complemented by fine wines sponsored by Emmanuel Delicata, the long anticipated toasts and speeches began.

Mr Fean toasted the President of Malta and Professor Cremona toasted the Queen.

The Immortal Memory was presented by Professor Peter Vassallo and was a cleverly researched piece praising Burns not only in the Professor's own words but also in the words of Burns' contemporaries. Professor Vassallo has an innate ability to hold his audience and you could have heard a pin drop as he documented exactly what Burns meant for him - an ever welcome and erudite guest.

Joe Huber, a regular participant at these events, wore a slightly different hat on this occasion and toasted the lassies in a unique blend of oratory and song. There never was any doubt about Mr Huber's interpretation of Burns in song and those present were left in no doubt about his skills in charming the lassies. This was a fast-flowing, witty and fitting praise of the fair sex and to a man the company rose to toast the lassies.

The reply, when it came, was very much to the point. While thanking Mr Huber for his kind words, Mrs Dianne Smith stole his thunder by claiming all the credit for the ladies, from Eve right down to the present. Not only did Mrs Smith grab the glory but laid most female woes directly at Adam's door. She wasn't on the floor long but she had firmly made her point and walked off to rapturous applause.

Mrs MacLachlan then thanked all those involved in the evening's entertainment including all the speakers, the pipers, Professor Joe Vella and Mr Huber for the musical interludes, Messrs Wands Ltd, Emmanuel Delicata for the wines that accompanied dinner, and the Crowne Plaza for the sumptuous meal.

The entertainment continued when Professor Vella accompanied Mr Huber in a selection of Burns' beautiful love songs before the company were invited to stand and join in the singing of Auld Lang Syne bringing a wonderful evening to a close.

Vittoriosa Historical Society annual lunch

The Vittoriosa Historical and Cultural Society held its annual lunch at Selmun Palace Hotel, Mellieha, recently, which was attended by a hundred members. Vittoriosa Archpriest Joseph Caruana was the guest of honour.

Canon Paul Raggio, the newly elected president, thanked all members for attending the society's activities throughout the year and particularly the cultural tours organised by the ladies group of the society. He also showed gratitude towards the outgoing president Mr C.C. Gatt who recently retired after 20 years.

He also said that although most of the society's past works are now being looked after by the local council and the Cottonera Rehabilitation Committee, the society still felt the need to continue instilling love towards our heritage and culture.

Canon Raggio ended by stating that the society is this year celebrating its 50th anniversary. He recalled previous presidents - Dr Louis Buttigieg, Canon Anton Zammit Gabarretta and Francis Mallia, former director of Museums - who together with Lorenzo Zahra had founded the society in 1954.

Junior Chamber Malta organises welcome party

Junior Chamber Malta (JCM) recently organised the JCM annual welcome party to launch its programme of activities for 2004, as well as to introduce the organisation to both new and potential members.

This event was held at the colourful Art Gallery Il-Forn in Vittoriosa. During the evening, JCM president 2004, Michael Ellul, presented an overview of JCM's role within a local and international perspective and the array of projects planned for this year with the active participation and interaction of the JCM board members present.

The annual welcome party event was of special significance since JCM is this year celebrating its 10th anniversary since its foundation.

This event was sponsored by JCM's partners Marsovin Limited and Jos Vincenti (1911) & Co. Ltd. Other JCM partners include HSBC Bank Malta, Air Malta, the Westin Dragonara Resort, Vodafone Malta Ltd, Clayton Communications Co. Ltd, General Soft Drinks Ltd and Digital Security Ltd.

Junior Chamber Malta is affiliated to Junior Chamber International (JCI), a worldwide federation of young leaders and entrepreneurs aged between 18 and 40 that believes in the advancement of the global community and the creation of positive change. The federation has over 200,000 active members worldwide and millions of alumni participating in projects and events. JCI is present in more than 6,000 communities in over 100 countries.

Members meet at local, national, and international events to exchange ideas and share best practices, to network and to organise projects and related activities in accordance with JCI's strategies in four key "areas of opportunity", namely business, individual, community, and international development.

Successful projects in recent years included the Best Business Plan Competition, the Malta Tourist Week, the Business Education Action Programme (BEAP) training events, as well as JCM member participation at international JCI conferences.

For more information and membership in Junior Chamber Malta, interested persons are invited to visit www.jcmalta.org or e-mail the secretary general, Gertrude Farrugia Wismayer, at gertrude.farrugiawismayer@jcmalta.org.

Graduates in Health Services Management celebrate

A group who have graduated Masters in Health Science (Health Services Management) from the University of Malta's Institute of Health Care recently celebrated the event at a graduation party held at the Forum Hotel, St Andrew's. This celebration had been long awaited following two years of hard work and sacrifices.

The guests of honour were Dr Sandra Buttigieg, director of the Institute of Health Care, Dr Natasha Azzopardi Muscat, co-ordinator of the Health Services Management Division, and Dr Kenneth Grech and Michael Bezzina, lecturers within the Health Services Management Division.

Towards the end of the evening, these were presented with small tokens of thanks by the graduates. Other lecturers who were able to attend included Dr Hugo Agius Muscat and Dr Isabel Stabile.

The enjoyable evening, whose main organisers were Dr Tanya Melillo Fenech and Gertrude A. Buttigieg, drew to a close with the graduates, their partners and their guests chatting and dancing to the background music provided by the impromptu DJ Dr Mario R. Sammut.

People

Charles Caruana, MIM, MGCL, AMMInst, managing director of Alcasons Group, was recently elected Fellow of the Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators (FIPMA). This new accreditation came after over 20 years of managerial studies and experience.

With a mind for business and the determination to strive in his career, Mr Caruana played a key role in the restructuring and expansion of Alcasons & Group, to include Alcasons Co. Ltd, operators of Amalgamated Laundry and Dry Cleaners, this year celebrating their 50th anniversary, Alca Properties Ltd, operators of Alca Real Estate Agents & Developers and the group's latest venture - a subsidiary company, Wergers Food Chain (Malta) Ltd, operators of Wergers - Not Just Burgers Food Restaurants, where he is chief executive.

Apart from serving on various boards of directors he also served as president of the Textile Services (Laundries') Association and was the first Maltese patron to be elected as member of the Guild of Cleaners and Launderers (UK). In 1995 he was also admitted as a member of the Chamber of Commerce and Enterprise.

President and Mrs de Marco's engagements February 9-15

Tomorrow
6 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco arrive at Malta international Airport from a state visit to Libya.

Tuesday
9.15 a.m. The President attends a concelebrated Pontifical Mass on the occasion of the feast of St Paul at the collegiate church of St Paul Shipwrecked, Valletta.

12.30 p.m. The President unveils a plaque at the Palace, Valletta, commemorating the message given by Pope John Paul II to the Maltese people during his 2001 visit to Malta, In the footsteps of St Paul.

Wednesday
9.30 a.m. The President visits the new block of St Vincent de Paul Residence at Luqa.

6.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco attend a concelebrated Mass on the occasion of the World Day of the Sick at St Therese Sanctuary, Birkirkara.

Thursday
10.15 a.m. The President is presented with credentials by Mr Tajeddine Badou, Ambassador of Morocco, at the Palace, Valletta.

11.15 The President is presented with credentials by Mr Christian Valentin Colteanu, Ambassador of Romania.

1.15 for 1.30 p.m. The President and Mrs de Marco host a luncheon in honour of the newly accredited ambassadors of Morocco and Romania at San Anton Palace.

Friday
10 a.m. The President inaugurates the international conference on "Inter-Cultural Communication and Diplomacy" at the Coastline Hotel, Salina Bay.

11 The President receives the co-ordinator and executive committee members of the Malta Gay Rights Movement at the Palace, Valletta.

11.45 The President receives Mr Howard Lee, international director of the International Association of Lions Clubs, and is presented with the Head of State Medal.

For your diary

YANA is organising a day-trip to Gozo on Tuesday. The group will be meeting at Cirkewwa at 8.45 a.m. and will board the 9 a.m. ferry. Bookings must be made by today, on 2189-2394 or 7906-7626.

Caritas Co-operators are organising a day at the Westin Dragonara Resort, St Julian's, on Wednesday.

There will be coffee at 10.30 a.m., followed by a talk by Dr Natalino Pace Axiaq on "Certain aspects of the law on succession" at 11 a.m., Mass at noon, lunch at 1 p.m. and tea at 3.30 p.m.

For further information contact Marilouise Mifsud (tel. 2133-0471), Josephine Farrugia (tel. 2132-0016), Mary Darmanin Demajo (tel. 2131-3486) or Phyllis Ciappara (tel. 2134-2910).

Ward u ZgHar is organising a talk led by Dr Pierre Calleja, at the Centru Hidma Socjali, St Venera, on Wednesday at 7 p.m.

The group will be meeting for a picnic at Saqqajja on Sunday at 10.30 a.m. For more information phone 2141-8174.

The Mission Fund is organising a garage sale, in aid of the poor in Third World countries, at 21, Triq l-Imhalla, Naxxar, from February 16 to 18, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Ceramics, household items, toys and books will be on sale.

For further information contact the Mission Fund on 2141-3664.

The Rehabilitation Centre for the Physically Handicapped at Corradino, Paola, will be organising a coffee/morning tombola, at the Sunny Coast Leisure Club, Qawra, on February 19 at 9.30 a.m.

For tickets, at Lm1.50 each, phone the Corradino Centre on 2169-3863 or 2143-6421.