Three weeks ago when we carried a feature on how many icons in the hospitality turned out to pay last respects at the funeral of Mrs. Mabel, (Mabel, Mabel, Set the Table) Stovell Robinson upon her passing at age 83.

At that time Opposition Leader Kim. Swan spoke of how Mabel and other ladies of the Belmont Hotel staff for years-on-end dazzled tourists with their efficiency, charm, grace, homegrown courtesy and love.

Well, many of those grey-haired icons were back together again on a happier occasion. It was a fabulous reunion dinner and dance at the Ocean View Golf Club for colleagues who worked at the Belmont in Warwick and Harmony Club in Paget during the glory days of Bermuda tourism; when Bermudians were an integral part of a vacation experience.

Keynote speaker at the event was Opposition Leader Swan who with almost messianic zest and zeal told about how he as a teenager was developed into a young man while working with those yester-year iconic ladies in the Belmont dining room, and along such gentlemen as Cleve Dillas and Earl Bailey to mention a few. He said Mr. Bailey's elevation in the mid 70s as Belmont's Maitre D' was a milestone, along with his assistant Devoye Augustus and such captains as Stephanie Darrell, Florence Darrell and Jean Simmons.

"I hold them in awe and respect them for the jobs they did. They were professional," said Mr. Swan, adding that his greatest ambition is one day to own his own hotel which would be a guaranteed success with waitresses like Vera Johnson, Marion Simmons, Marion Simons, Stephanie and Mrs. Christopher. They were like therapists to their guests, countless repeaters who requested tables on their stations. Also he singled out for praise, Chef Leo Bethard.

The stage for the reunion was set at Mabel's funeral. It was organised by Mr. Bailey along with Beverley Stoneham and Jackie Darrell. It was a fun-filled evening, reminiscing about 'back in the day'