A Debt of Gratutude
A Debt of Gratitude.
For the past 22 years Julie, George and I have been able to work at one of the most beautiful locations on the planet 7 mile beach. Like a marriage it has been for better and worse. Better being just going to work and worse being hurricane Ivan, 911 and financial crisis of 2008. When people say there are too many people to thank I now know what they mean. I have tried to go through and highlight some of the people who have really made a difference to the business and to us. None of this would have been possible without the help of Charles Adams and Peter Dutton. They suggested to Captain Charles Kirkconnell to give us the opportunity to reopen the Royal Palms we are forever in their debt.
The Opening Team
When we decided to reopen the Royal Palms we called upon people that we had worked with for the past few years in Florida. Some came willingly others needed a little more convincing. They were taking a big risk moving to a new country and opening a new business. We also enlisted friends we had worked with before at DJ’s Cafe. Those people such as Dwane Panton William Ebanks, Sherlene Bodden, Emmy Rose Wells, Steve Pillar, Mary Meiser, Mike Dramis, just to name a few became the foundation of what was to be the manner in which we conducted business for the next 22 years.
Through The Years
There have been many many wonderful people that have worked with us over the years and some not so wonderful but I won’t dwell. We did our very best to hire every Caymanian that came to the door and to find the right fit. We also relied upon people from other nations India, Philippines, Canada, Columbia, Italy, Hungary, Australian, South African, Jamaica the list goes on and on.The foreign workers that come to Cayman make incredible sacrifices to do so, they leave their loved ones at home so they can support them sometimes not seeing them for years. They bring so much to the table here introducing us to different cultures and beliefs.Thank you so much.
If you have worked in a restaurant you know the work is very hard. Every person has their responsibilities whether working in the kitchen, on the floor, behind the bar or doing general maintenance they are all equally as important and have always had our respect. However everyone knows the ladies in the office are the most important Joy Merren and Thea Loyd. I want to take this opportunity to thank Emily Shaw for steering us in the right direction these last few years and to Will for his time at the Palms. As parents Julie and I are extremely proud.
The Music
What a time we had. From Byron Lee to Sean Paul to the Wailers but especially to the local musicians who made the Royal Palms a destination week after week. Coco Red, Irving and Johnny and Skanky Musical Crew , Burman Scott Los Tropicanos, Tony Mosley, Bona Fide, Sea n B Band, Danny Loops, Chuck Haylock, and a very special thanks to DJ Linbern Eden. Forgive me I know I have forgotten many. They all brought a wonderful experience for visitors and locals alike. What a place it was, the ocean, the music, the dancing. Thank You.
The Players
Here is a list of the people that made it happen over the past 22 years, my apologies if I have forgotten someone.
Aaron Turner
Abraham Whittacker
Adam Bodden
Afzal Peer Ishmail
Agatha Cherry Wilson
Agata Kalici
Ahmet – chef
Alan Simpson
Alex Santos
Alex Roberts
Alexandra Kinsella
Alexandre Brown
Alia Love
Alia Mohamed
Alica Robinson
Alieah McFarlane
Allison DiMauro
Alyssa Granny
Amber Rosen
Amy Wooliston
Ana Bagherpour
Andrea Lallorenzi
Arnold Diamonte
Andre Seivigny
Andrew Prendergast
Andreas Lallorenzi
Andrew Predergast
Angela Frataroli
Angela Kailan
Angelina Hiebert
Anita Douglas
Anna Bagherpour
Anna Gill
Arnold Diamonte
Anthony Gonsalves
Aric Holtz
Ashlee Delander
Ashley Kinder
Augustin Morales
Beata Zapart
Ben Marwood
Ben Stover
Benjamin Gartland
Berkley Burrrowes
Bernie S Praehauser
Brad
Brad Day
Brett Moor
Brigitte King
Camilla Shaw
Carla Schultz
Carlie Rowell
Carlington Grant
Carlos Martinez
Carlton Burrowes
Carol Henry
Carol Swaby
Carolina Walesiak
Cassious Ebanks
Cavell Cole
Cher Kuttner
Chito Arranchado
Chloe Willis
Christ Tagsip
Chris Searl
Christine Anderson
Christopher Norris
Christopher Robinson
Christopher Smith
Claire Dubuque
Clarissa Steele
Claudinei Rodriques
Colissa Hill
Conrad Gough
Copeland Green
Courtney Powell
Dacinda Robinson
Daisy Ann Bush
Damian Wallace
Damian Willis
Damien Massey
Dan Hollis
Daniel Da Rin
Danielle Ebanks
Danita Wood
Danya Ebanks
Daphine Seymour
Darcy Bush
Darin Krockmeyer
Darin Marchewka
Darius – busser
Darren Baber
David Bonell
David Meyer
David Gilroy
David Furniss
David Watler
Delano Reid
Delores Bonthome
Dennis Manuel
Desiree Ebanks
Devon Robinson
Dervla Walsh
Diana Issa
Dinko Karnincic
Dion Brandon
Dion Woods
Dip Baishya
Don Blair
Donavan Henry
Donny Taylor
Dorian Sanchez
Dorylene Temada
Drew – busser
Dwene Ebanks
Eddie O’Hanlon
Edourdo Gordon
Eileen Shanker
Eli Ruela
Elvin Facturanan
Emily Rogers
Emma Graham Taylor
Emmy Rose
Ennie de Gentie
Erica Bone
Erin Watson
Errol Simms
Eduaro Gordon
Eumir Visande
Fabio Viscentin
Falynne Murphy
Faraz Hosein
Franscico Baccal
Francisco Cruz
Frank McCoy
Gabriello Moya
Gammy Rankine
Gareth Hall
Gary Huskes
Gaylie Edwards
George Cortez
Georgina Ellish
Gladwin Lavia
Gloria Alaurin
Golbourne Grey
Gonzalo Balta
Gunalan Ganesan
Hansel Rankine
Helene Belanger
Hilal Baba-Nas
Holly Love
Horace Graham
Hyacinth Hurlock
Ivo Lidorio
Jackie LoRusso
Jacqueline Forbes
James Gillies
Jan Asmundson
Janel Damiani
Jason Maddy
Jassette Barnett
Jean Louis Lebreux
Jenna Montgomery
Jenna Nixon
Jennifer emory
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Roy
Jennifer Zander
Jeremey Watler
Jerome Nabong
Jesper Callisen
Jessica Caicedo
Jessica Ferris
Jessica McGrath
Jessica Manderson
Jessica Skinner
Jhonny Corpus
Joan Walsh Simms
Joel Jeaneau
John Graham Taylor
John Sumoro
Jomar Del Rosario
Jonard Bongcales
Jonathan Dionne
Jonathan Gibson
Jonathan Krause
Jonathan Macdonald
Josdy Reyes
Joneson Nabong
Jose Hilalgo
Josh Brown
Josh Carrig
Josie Brown
Joy Powery Ebanks
Jules Plunkett-Cole
Julian Elliot
Julienne Wong
Juliet Facey
Julliet Hoybia
Kalyla Melliot
Karen Funez
Karen Rowe
Kari Jenson
Karissa Ross
Karl schmore
Katrina Lebar
Katrina Watson
Kayan Morgan
Kayleih Jennings
Keegan Galt
Keiron Watler
Keisha Welcome
Kendal Malewicz
Kennedy Powery
Kericha Rhone Ebanks
Kevin Cambell
Kirk Foster
Kristie McMillan
Kristine Williams
Kristy Johnson
Kwame Mathias
Lachlan Morris
Lana Hargrave
Larissa Petish
Larissa Portnoff
Lativa Wright
Laura Buttigieg
Laura Brown
Laura Mcabe
Lauren Buckley
Laura Quinn
Lauren Cooper
Len Ryder
Levon Bodden
Linda O’conner
Linda Parsons
Lindsay Hetherington
Lindsey Allen
Linford Green
Linsey Gammel
Lisa Dunbar
Lisa – ling ling
Lori Van Leeuwen
Lotoya Smith
Lotoya Wright
Louane Martin
Loud Downs
Louise Patterson
Luca Grimaldi
Luke Boituc
Mable Christy
Marc Andre Macdonald
Marietta Stegbuchner
Mario Allen
Mark – waiter
Mark Haring
Marnel Gauchier
Martin Bilsbourough
Marvin Pena Callingasan
Mary Meisner
Massimo Ruggieri
Matt Day
Matthew Day
Matthew McTaggart
Maureen Temprine
Maximillano Lezzi
Maxine Mcrea
Megan Ellish
Megan Thibault
Mehmet Tekin
Melanie Hulse
Melinda Gough
Melinda Myogoros
Mellecia Cholette
Meredith Johnson
Mica Koll
Michael Lemay
Michael Slater
Michael Taylor
Michela Bolta
Michelle Storchi
Mike Dramis
Mike Gillooly
Misael Orosco
Mitchell Forbes
Mohammed Said
Nail Nark
Natalie Guyton
Natasha Gammel
Natasha Weir
Natasha Zoltoff
Neil Abbleby
Neisa Miller
Nical Hidalgo
Nicolas Banks
Nicole Lynn Bratusa
Nicole Stafford
Nina Alcala
Nora Flores
Norma Johnson
Norman Christopher Mclaughlin
Odette Patterson
Olive Walters
Olivier – chef
Oscar Hernandez
Owen Evans
Pamela Larson
Patricia Hildrige
Patrizia Roncato
Paul Rousseau
Paul White
Paulo Fernandes
Pearl Nelson
Pearl Ryan
Pedro Nelson
Peter Lamb
Phil Cassingham
Phil Walsh
Phillip Comeau
Phyliss Longue
Quintin Nelson
Rachel Christ
Ramzi Chebbi
Ran Lloyd
Rebecca Schumaker
Renzel Carza
Renee Renaud
Rennard Powell
Ricardo Hamilton
Richard Serafica
Rizal Pickard
Rob Neesome
Robert – chef
Robert Jackson
Roberto Alaurin
Rodrigo Pineda
Romula Hoybia
Rosetta Scott
Ruth Williams
Samantha Eggar
Samantha Richards
Sammy Gee
Sandra Gallimore
Sarah Blunden
Sasha Carrig
Saha Frederick
Sathananthan Omanthu
Scott Mcleod
Sebastian Rousell
Shamara Jackson
Shanika Williams
Shannon McVeigh
Sharon Brown
Sharon Sauderson
Shuan Neveling
Shawn Leger
Shayma Hamdi
Shelly Dowbiggin
Sheri Hughes
Sherlock Brooks
Sherman Green
Simone Porter
Soccorro Fernadez
Sophie Pryor
Stacy Dieckman
Stephanie Brownridge
Stephanie Bush
Stephania Gandolfi
Steve Pillar
Stuart Mena
Sule Surges
Susan Wong
Sylie Dupras
Tamika Solomon
Taneisha Mason
Tanesha Ramsey
Tara Dunbar
Tara Rivers
Tara Kepner
Tarrah Crowley
Ted Smith
Terry McGuiness
Thomas Lyons
Tina Rivera
Tisha D’hue
Tobias Larcher
Tom Murphy
Tom Skully
Topaz Groves
Torres Bordes
Tricida Dixon
Tyson Davies
Valeska Borden
Vaugh Bodden
Veronica Sneesby
Victoria Bryson
Wayne Hibbs
Wendy Palla
Winsome Buttram
Yolanda Ebanks
Zac Kepner
Zachary Parham
Abraham Whittacker
Adam Bodden
Afzal Peer Ishmail
Agatha Cherry Wilson
Agata Kalici
Ahmet – chef
Alan Simpson
Alex Santos
Alex Roberts
Alexandra Kinsella
Alexandre Brown
Alia Love
Alia Mohamed
Alica Robinson
Alieah McFarlane
Allison DiMauro
Alyssa Granny
Amber Rosen
Amy Wooliston
Ana Bagherpour
Andrea Lallorenzi
Arnold Diamonte
Andre Seivigny
Andrew Prendergast
Andreas Lallorenzi
Andrew Predergast
Angela Frataroli
Angela Kailan
Angelina Hiebert
Anita Douglas
Anna Bagherpour
Anna Gill
Arnold Diamonte
Anthony Gonsalves
Aric Holtz
Ashlee Delander
Ashley Kinder
Augustin Morales
Beata Zapart
Ben Marwood
Ben Stover
Benjamin Gartland
Berkley Burrrowes
Bernie S Praehauser
Brad
Brad Day
Brett Moor
Brigitte King
Camilla Shaw
Carla Schultz
Carlie Rowell
Carlington Grant
Carlos Martinez
Carlton Burrowes
Carol Henry
Carol Swaby
Carolina Walesiak
Cassious Ebanks
Cavell Cole
Cher Kuttner
Chito Arranchado
Chloe Willis
Christ Tagsip
Chris Searl
Christine Anderson
Christopher Norris
Christopher Robinson
Christopher Smith
Claire Dubuque
Clarissa Steele
Claudinei Rodriques
Colissa Hill
Conrad Gough
Copeland Green
Courtney Powell
Dacinda Robinson
Daisy Ann Bush
Damian Wallace
Damian Willis
Damien Massey
Dan Hollis
Daniel Da Rin
Danielle Ebanks
Danita Wood
Danya Ebanks
Daphine Seymour
Darcy Bush
Darin Krockmeyer
Darin Marchewka
Darius – busser
Darren Baber
David Bonell
David Meyer
David Gilroy
David Furniss
David Watler
Delano Reid
Delores Bonthome
Dennis Manuel
Desiree Ebanks
Devon Robinson
Dervla Walsh
Diana Issa
Dinko Karnincic
Dion Brandon
Dion Woods
Dip Baishya
Don Blair
Donavan Henry
Donny Taylor
Dorian Sanchez
Dorylene Temada
Drew – busser
Dwene Ebanks
Eddie O’Hanlon
Edourdo Gordon
Eileen Shanker
Eli Ruela
Elvin Facturanan
Emily Rogers
Emma Graham Taylor
Emmy Rose
Ennie de Gentie
Erica Bone
Erin Watson
Errol Simms
Eduaro Gordon
Eumir Visande
Fabio Viscentin
Falynne Murphy
Faraz Hosein
Franscico Baccal
Francisco Cruz
Frank McCoy
Gabriello Moya
Gammy Rankine
Gareth Hall
Gary Huskes
Gaylie Edwards
George Cortez
Georgina Ellish
Gladwin Lavia
Gloria Alaurin
Golbourne Grey
Gonzalo Balta
Gunalan Ganesan
Hansel Rankine
Helene Belanger
Hilal Baba-Nas
Holly Love
Horace Graham
Hyacinth Hurlock
Ivo Lidorio
Jackie LoRusso
Jacqueline Forbes
James Gillies
Jan Asmundson
Janel Damiani
Jason Maddy
Jassette Barnett
Jean Louis Lebreux
Jenna Montgomery
Jenna Nixon
Jennifer emory
Jennifer Johnson
Jennifer Roy
Jennifer Zander
Jeremey Watler
Jerome Nabong
Jesper Callisen
Jessica Caicedo
Jessica Ferris
Jessica McGrath
Jessica Manderson
Jessica Skinner
Jhonny Corpus
Joan Walsh Simms
Joel Jeaneau
John Graham Taylor
John Sumoro
Jomar Del Rosario
Jonard Bongcales
Jonathan Dionne
Jonathan Gibson
Jonathan Krause
Jonathan Macdonald
Josdy Reyes
Joneson Nabong
Jose Hilalgo
Josh Brown
Josh Carrig
Josie Brown
Joy Powery Ebanks
Jules Plunkett-Cole
Julian Elliot
Julienne Wong
Juliet Facey
Julliet Hoybia
Kalyla Melliot
Karen Funez
Karen Rowe
Kari Jenson
Karissa Ross
Karl schmore
Katrina Lebar
Katrina Watson
Kayan Morgan
Kayleih Jennings
Keegan Galt
Keiron Watler
Keisha Welcome
Kendal Malewicz
Kennedy Powery
Kericha Rhone Ebanks
Kevin Cambell
Kirk Foster
Kristie McMillan
Kristine Williams
Kristy Johnson
Kwame Mathias
Lachlan Morris
Lana Hargrave
Larissa Petish
Larissa Portnoff
Lativa Wright
Laura Buttigieg
Laura Brown
Laura Mcabe
Lauren Buckley
Laura Quinn
Lauren Cooper
Len Ryder
Levon Bodden
Linda O’conner
Linda Parsons
Lindsay Hetherington
Lindsey Allen
Linford Green
Linsey Gammel
Lisa Dunbar
Lisa – ling ling
Lori Van Leeuwen
Lotoya Smith
Lotoya Wright
Louane Martin
Loud Downs
Louise Patterson
Luca Grimaldi
Luke Boituc
Mable Christy
Marc Andre Macdonald
Marietta Stegbuchner
Mario Allen
Mark – waiter
Mark Haring
Marnel Gauchier
Martin Bilsbourough
Marvin Pena Callingasan
Mary Meisner
Massimo Ruggieri
Matt Day
Matthew Day
Matthew McTaggart
Maureen Temprine
Maximillano Lezzi
Maxine Mcrea
Megan Ellish
Megan Thibault
Mehmet Tekin
Melanie Hulse
Melinda Gough
Melinda Myogoros
Mellecia Cholette
Meredith Johnson
Mica Koll
Michael Lemay
Michael Slater
Michael Taylor
Michela Bolta
Michelle Storchi
Mike Dramis
Mike Gillooly
Misael Orosco
Mitchell Forbes
Mohammed Said
Nail Nark
Natalie Guyton
Natasha Gammel
Natasha Weir
Natasha Zoltoff
Neil Abbleby
Neisa Miller
Nical Hidalgo
Nicolas Banks
Nicole Lynn Bratusa
Nicole Stafford
Nina Alcala
Nora Flores
Norma Johnson
Norman Christopher Mclaughlin
Odette Patterson
Olive Walters
Olivier – chef
Oscar Hernandez
Owen Evans
Pamela Larson
Patricia Hildrige
Patrizia Roncato
Paul Rousseau
Paul White
Paulo Fernandes
Pearl Nelson
Pearl Ryan
Pedro Nelson
Peter Lamb
Phil Cassingham
Phil Walsh
Phillip Comeau
Phyliss Longue
Quintin Nelson
Rachel Christ
Ramzi Chebbi
Ran Lloyd
Rebecca Schumaker
Renzel Carza
Renee Renaud
Rennard Powell
Ricardo Hamilton
Richard Serafica
Rizal Pickard
Rob Neesome
Robert – chef
Robert Jackson
Roberto Alaurin
Rodrigo Pineda
Romula Hoybia
Rosetta Scott
Ruth Williams
Samantha Eggar
Samantha Richards
Sammy Gee
Sandra Gallimore
Sarah Blunden
Sasha Carrig
Saha Frederick
Sathananthan Omanthu
Scott Mcleod
Sebastian Rousell
Shamara Jackson
Shanika Williams
Shannon McVeigh
Sharon Brown
Sharon Sauderson
Shuan Neveling
Shawn Leger
Shayma Hamdi
Shelly Dowbiggin
Sheri Hughes
Sherlock Brooks
Sherman Green
Simone Porter
Soccorro Fernadez
Sophie Pryor
Stacy Dieckman
Stephanie Brownridge
Stephanie Bush
Stephania Gandolfi
Steve Pillar
Stuart Mena
Sule Surges
Susan Wong
Sylie Dupras
Tamika Solomon
Taneisha Mason
Tanesha Ramsey
Tara Dunbar
Tara Rivers
Tara Kepner
Tarrah Crowley
Ted Smith
Terry McGuiness
Thomas Lyons
Tina Rivera
Tisha D’hue
Tobias Larcher
Tom Murphy
Tom Skully
Topaz Groves
Torres Bordes
Tricida Dixon
Tyson Davies
Valeska Borden
Vaugh Bodden
Veronica Sneesby
Victoria Bryson
Wayne Hibbs
Wendy Palla
Winsome Buttram
Yolanda Ebanks
Zac Kepner
Zachary Parham