2009-06-25 23:24:01 -

TORTOLA, British Virgin Islands (AP) - Queen Elizabeth II has made the unofficial patriarch of an idyllic Caribbean island a Member of the Order of the British Empire.
Philicianno «Foxy» Callwood received the MBE in honor of the legendary New Year's Eve bashes he has thrown on the British Virgin Island of Jost Van Dyke since 1960.
On Thursday, British Virgin Islands Premier Ralph O'Neal called the recognition «a special moment not only for Foxy and his family but also for the entire BVI.

Callwood received the MBE on Wednesday at Buckingham Palace in recognition of contributions to the Caribbean islands' culture.
Every New Year's Eve, thousands of revelers from across the world dance the night away at Callwood's establishment, Foxy's Tamarind Bar and Restaurant.