Seated clockwise around the Nooners’ table upstairs at the Continental restaurant on July 4, 1997 are Fred Smith and Jim Conestre from the nearby U.S. consulate, Hugh Bignell, Ross Rourke, Ronnie Blair, Cameron MacMillan, Ron Reeve, Stuart Wright, Sonny Goodman and Garth Serrurier. Standing left to right are Peter Bleau, Austin Reed, Cliff Littledale, Jack Ward, David Baker, Bill Boden, Tom Moore, David Blinco, Tony O’Neill, Mike McCormack and Clive Meredith. It is comforting that while many of the Nooner circle and their wives are no longer with us, their presence is still felt. (Photo from the archives of Barbara “Babs” Bignell)