Charlestown-Nevis-Mrs. Janet Hendrickson was all smiles on Monday 29th April.
After all, as the Minister of Social Development, the Hon. Hazel Brandy Williams noted in her brief address, she really only ‘celebrates her birthday, every four years!’
The fact that the 80 year old birthday celebrant who was born on the 29th of February, was celebrating such a milestone, was truly significant.
The party would have started long before, as her children had journeyed all the way from the United Kingdom for the occasion and other family members had travelled over from St.Kitts.
However, the Seniors’ division of the Social Services Department, led by Mrs. Garcia Hendrickson, held a brief ceremony at her home in Brick kiln village on her important day.
Hon. Brandy-Williams noted that although Mrs. .Hendrickson was born in England, since getting married to Mr. George Hendrickson, who is a Nevisian and fellow ‘Brick Kilian’, she has adopted Nevis as her home and has even been very active in assisting with the planning and execution of the Brick Kiln reunion. Her grandson even came up with the logo which the proud village now uses for its promotional exercises.
The Minister then wished her a happy birthday and presented her with a gift basket, complements of her Ministry and the City Drug store, which has teamed up in making such occasions more meaningful to the celebrating seniors.
Coordinator of the Seniors’ division, Mrs. Garcia Hendrickson, noted in her remarks that Mrs. .Hendrickson told her that on her last visit to the UK, where she was born, she started getting anxious to returning ‘HOME’ (Nevis).
Husband of the celebrant, Mr. George Hendrickson, thanked all for helping to make the day such a meaningful one and thanked his wife for the contributions that she has made to his life and to the community of Brick Kiln.
Mrs. Hendrickson in her response, thanked everyone for making her day such a special one and pointed out that her family had chosen to pamper her for the day. A gesture that she really appreciated.
All present then sang the birthday song and some of the children and grandchildren also added their voices in expressing gratitude and best wishes to the ‘birthday girl.’