In keeping with its well-established tradition Din l-Art Helwa held its 41st anniversary dinner at San Anton Gardens on July 28. The splendid gardens, beautifully lit for the occasion, with the historic San Anton Palace as a backdrop, provided a most enchanting setting.
This beautiful and elegant mid-summer social event was attended by about 400 members and friends of the association. President and Mrs Eddie Fenech Adami graced the occasion by their distinguished presence. Guests of honour included Tourism Minister Francis Zammit Dimech, Australian High Commissioner Richard Palk and Mrs Palk, Italian Ambassador and his wife Dott. Paolo Andrea and Mrs Trabalza, and Dottoressa Anna Maria Di Marco. Many other leading personalities were also present.
Welcome drinks, kindly offered by Wands Ltd, were enjoyed on the Palace terrace before dinner. A delicious five-course gourmet menu was served with great finesse by Osborne Caterers. The evening was enhanced by melodious dance music played by the Quacks composed of Dr Malcolm Crockford, Dr Anthony Bernard, Mrs Antonella Bernard, Dr James De Gaetano, Mrs Mario Mifsud and Mr Adrian Curmi Dimech.
Prizes donated by Bianchi Group of Companies, Vodafone Limited, Albert Caruana, Madeleine Gera, Paolo Bonnici Ltd, Westin Dragonara Hotel St Julian's, Marks and Spencer, David Arrigo, Xara Palace Hotel, Mdina, Wands Limited, the Body Shop and Heritage Homes were raffled.
Those present heartily acclaimed the success of the event which also serves as one of the main fund-raising occasions for the good cause espoused by Din l-Art Helwa that of safeguarding national heritage.
Revlon launches new products
Revlon recently launched new products during an event held at the Le Meridien in St Julian's.
The venue to launch the breakthrough Luxurious Lengths mascara and a new forumula of nail enamel, was set up with decorated tables each seating 10 guests. The Revlon products launched were placed on the tables for guests to try out.
The evening started off with a short history of the first Revlon nail enamel delivered by Giselle Balzan Demajo, director of Charles de Giorgio Ltd. Three Revlon make-up artists then applied the products on models, each explaining the features and benefits of each product.
This was followed by a short quiz for the guests who thoroughly enjoyed the mix of questions. The winning team was presented with a prize for each participant.
The evening reached a climax when the winners of the Circle Fabulash Mother of the Year Award were announced. Anne Marie Galea Naudi, winning mother of the year, was presented with her prize, a weekend break for two at the Radisson Golden Sands Resort and Spa, together with a Revlon goodie bag and a voucher courtesy of Transforma.
The winning voter for this competition, Clare Cassar, was presented with a voucher for a Mediterranean cruise for two on board the Voyager of the Seas, courtesy of Executive Holidays.
The winning statement read: "Revlon is a mother's best friend because it helps enhance her inner beauty to become radiant and fabulous".
The launch was followed by a reception for all those present. Guests included members of the press, TV personalities as well as Revlon clients.
Valletta Waterfront chapel reopened
The Chapel of the Flight to Egypt by the Holy Family located at the Valletta Waterfront was officially opened with an evening of sacred music by Mozart, Verdi and Schubert.
The chapel, constructed under the reign of Grand Master Pinto in the 1750s, was used by departing and arriving sailors before being abandoned. In addition to hosting cultural events, the chapel will also be a site for worship with Mass being celebrated regularly by the chapel's rector, Fr Paul Attard.
The opening of the chapel, under the patronage of the Prime Minister, featured performances by soprano Marita Bezzina and flautists Silvio Zammit and Ramona Zammit Formosa.
Coeliac Association organises summer barbecue
The Coeliac Association Malta has recently organised another successful summer barbecue for its members, families and friends. For the second consecutive year, this was held at the Settimo Cielo Pool Deck of the Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel. Everybody enjoyed the delicious gluten-free spread specially prepared by the hotel's chefs.
This event is one of a series of fund-raising activities organised by the committee to help raise funds to create awareness about the coeliac condition in Malta, especially among the catering sector. If there is any cross-contamination in the preparation of the food, an individual with a coeliac condition could turn very ill for days.
The local association is a member state of the Association of European Coeliac Societies. Participation in the annual AOECS conference is of the utmost importance as it is through these meetings that the welfare of a coeliac individual comes first and foremost. There are on-going new developments, research and new gluten-free products on the market.
The association would like to thank the sponsors who helped to make this evening a success by donating hampers and gifts to be raffled during the event - the Golden Tulip Vivaldi Hotel, Foster Clark Products Ltd, V.J. Salomone Nutrition Line, V.J. Salomone Marketing Ltd, Alf. Gera and Sons Ltd, Collis Williams Ltd, Zamco Caterware Ltd, Consolidated Biscuits Co. Ltd, Victor's Jewelers, Edwin Caruana, Alf. Mizzi and Sons (Marketing) Group, P. Cutajar and Co. Ltd, Direct Imports Ltd, Marsovin Ltd, Mirachem Marketing Ltd and Emmanuel Delicata Co. Ltd.
The evening was rounded off when two of the association's young members presented a bouquet of flowers to Mary Rose Caruana, the association's chairperson.
Xuereb - Sultana
The Holy Family Chapel in Sghajtar, Naxxar, was recently the wedding venue of the marriage between Sharon Xuereb, B.Ed. (Hons), daughter of Anthony and Frances Xuereb of Hamrun, and Jeffrey Sultana, B.Sc. IT (Hons), son of Joseph and Martha Sultana of Cospicua.
Nuptial Mass was celebrated by Rev. Dr Charles Tabone, OP, and Fr Gerard Bonello, MSSP. The ceremony was witnessed by Adrian Mizzi, B.Sc. IT (Hons), and the bride's brother, Dr Alan Xuereb, M.Phil. (Jur.), LL.D. Antoine Galea, B.Sc. IT (Hons), carried out the duties of best man.
The bride was attended by Dorianne Vella as maid of honour, and Kathleen Castaldi as flower-girl.
A reception was later held at Castello dei Baroni in Wardija. The couple spent their honeymoon in Madeira.
Silver wedding annivesary
After 25 years, the bells of the Holy Cross church of Floriana rang again on July 19 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the marriage between Bernardette née Grech and Joseph Sammut, of Fgura.
Mass was celebrated by Fr Julian Sammut, OFM, the groom's brother, and Fr Frederick Otierne, who came from America for the occasion.
A reception was held at Villa Overhills, Birzebbuga.
Students from health and beauty school
Students of Audrey's Health and Beauty Centre of Mtarfa, who recently completed their health and beauty diplomas, celebrated the event with their teacher Audrey Falzon at the Corinthia San Gorg.
Distinctions and credits were achieved in all categories and students were highly praised by international examiner Jill Wilshaw, chief examiner of ITEC. Students sat for diplomas in beauty, holistic massage, reflexology, stress management, diet and nutrition. A watercolour painting was given to the students who gained the highest points in each category: Ashley Mallia, Ian Sammut, Emma Zammit, Sabrina Micallef and Nadia Polidano.
For more information regarding courses offered at Audrey's Health and Beauty Centre visit www.audrey.rabatmalta.com or phone 2145-9673 or 9945-3638.
For your diary
YWCA (Malta) is organising a barbecue under the stars at Razzett l-Abjad, l/o San Gwann on Thursday, with music, dancing and singing by Ira Losco, J. Anvil, Julie and Ludwig, Adrienne, and Mariella and Geordie. The evening will be a celebration of August birthdays, reaching the climax at midnight with the cutting of a one-square-metre birthday cake kindly sponsored by James Caterers. For tickets, at Lm6 per person, phone 2158-0982 or call at ABC in Valletta and the Strand, Sliema. All proceeds will go to Dar Niki Cassar, the YMCA Homeless Shelter in Valletta.
The AX Foundation will be organising a barbecue night in aid of Caritas on Saturday. The barbeque will be held by the pool in the exquisite surroundings of the new Sunny Coast Beach Club Resort, in Qawra. Entertainment will include live Neapolitan music. Tickets, at Lm10 including wine, are available from the Sunny Coast (tel. 2157-2994), the Suncrest Hotel (tel. 2157-7101) and the Victoria Hotel (tel. 2133-4711).
A day's outing in aid of the Little Sisters of the Poor will be held at the Radisson SAS Golden Sands Hotel, Ghajn Tuffieha on Wednesday September 6. Transport available. For booking and information phone Blanche Martin on 2133-0387.
Vodafone Malta Foundation supports Id-Dar tal-Providenza
The Vodafone Malta Foundation is supporting Id-Dar tal-Providenza by raising funds for the renovation of the swimming pool. Following the refurbishment, this pool will provide Id-Dar tal-Providenza with an urgently needed facility.
"Over 40 years, Id-Dar tal-Providenza has grown beyond recognition. It is now the leading provider of residential care for people with physical and intellectual disabilities. To continue functioning, it needs a lot of financial support and the Vodafone Malta Foundation is making a contribution towards ensuring that those who are vulnerable in our society are given the care they deserve," said Vodafone Malta Foundation chairperson, Gemma Mifsud Bonnici during the presentation of the donation to Mgr Lawrence Gatt, Id-Dar tal-Providenza director.
Id-Dar tal-Providenza started operating on September 12, 1965, when Mgr Michael Azzopardi decided it was time for action. During a live radio programme, he became the first person to publicly suggest that a home should be opened to care for those with physical and intellectual disabilities. This was to be done not just for the benefit of those being cared for but also to relieve their families.
"For the past 40 years, Id-Dar tal-Providenza has been caring for a number of persons with different needs and today, it provides accommodation and caters for all the necessities of 120 residents. Throughout all these years, we have managed to make ends meet thanks to the many benefactors, such as the Vodafone Malta Foundation, both in Malta and abroad, who share noble ideals and who have taken the initiative to contribute in some way to keep such a good organisation going," said Mgr Gatt.
Epoka returns to Valletta Waterfront
Epoka, the celebration of Maltese traditional music, arts and crafts returns to the Valletta Waterfront from Wednesday to Sunday.
This event, being held along the Pinto Marina quays for the second year, will feature exhibitions on traditional musical instruments and quarry tools as well as medieval games, traditional food and entertainment. In addition to public demonstrations by artisans of their work, this year's Epoka will also offer visitors to the Valletta Waterfront the chance to take part in a medieval banquet complete with Knights. A full programme of entertainment has also been planned, including traditional Maltese music and the return of the Zoo comedy show in 'Zoo Goes Epoka'.
This year's festival will be taking place on the quays opposite the outlets that line the Waterfront. Therefore, access to these outlets will not be restricted in any way and those wishing to enjoy some late night shopping or an evening out at one of the bars or restaurants can do so without any difficulty.
For more information call 7938-0488 or visit www.epokafestival.com.