Saturday, 24 February 2018

Circular No 851






Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 24 of February 2018 No. 851
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Dear Friends,
Some interesting comments below.
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Harold Imamshah
Excellent; was a Reunion held and was an Alumni Association formed? That was a lot of admirable work.
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Keith Allen
Hi Fr. Harold.
Apparently it never happened. When I left I wanted to join the association and enquired of it.
Fr Superville who was the principal at the time indicated that nothing was happening with the association and gave me the file to see if I could do something.
I tried but unfortunately it never got off.
I was doing some cleaning and came across the file compiled by the beloved Ms "Kitty"Marcus with most of the names of the Abbey Old Boys I think I need to scan it and post
Bless up
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Sir Art did a lot of work, but you must remember no internet, so he relied on mailing letters, very slow process,
He is still in contact with those boys from that time.
I know Sir Nigel Boos is a past president of that same group.
Sir Joseph B M Drax, did keep a fire burning and was in contact at all times with father Cutty, and kept a local chapter active for many years, however, there were no contact with the boys outside Trinidad.
Then Sir Ladislao Kertesz, put us on the map, and here we are now 2015,
The Ox is slow but the Earth is patient.
As it was written, many things will be revealed, at the appropriate time, thank Sir Keith Allen, perfect timing & thank you for your silence for so long, a job well done, we have 107 members on facebook, right here & right now,
So that’s His-Story,
Cheers Glen,
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From: Tony Vieira <tandjv@networksgy.com>
Date: 14 Mar 04:53 (PST)
Las,
Brendon Gurley was in my class at the Mount, the class that graduated in 1964, Don Mitchell was in that class, so was Joel Guy Blandin, the picture of the class is in circular 101.
We became good friends, it was Edward Lloyd and I who took one look at Brendon and said that his forehead was too big, and so we called him five head.
Brendon and I became such close friends that his parents approached mine, and I [as a Guyanese] was allowed to stay with the Gurleys when we were let out for short holidays, wonderful family.
I remember one Carnival, Brendon and I crawled under the fence of the country Club and we had a ball, I asked him why we don't just buy a ticket, his response was "Nah no fun in that".
At this same Carnival jump up at the country club the young lady who won the miss world title that year, a Trinidadian girl was there, and Brendon and I ogled her all night, we even spoke to her.
Sometime in the 70's Brendon married a Guyanese Girl, who I knew very well, my father was the best man at her father's [Hilary Gonsalves] wedding, so we practically grew up together, and when Brendon came here for the wedding he asked me to be his best man. First public speech I ever made.
I have not seen Brendon for 30 years but hearing that he died came as a complete shock, accompanied by a great sadness; strange isn't it?
I do not see him for 30 years, but when I hear that he had died it struck me with such force, it's as if knowing that he was alive and well somewhere on the planet was enough, even though we don't see each other, now that I hear that he has died, I feel this emptiness inside and I will miss him, it is a strange set of beings we humans are.
Anyone in Trinidad who is in contact with his family please give them my deepest condolences.
Is anyone in contact with his younger brother Christian? or know how I can contact him? in the attached picture which I searched for in the old circulars to send it to David Bratt,  look at the back row on the right I believe that that is Brendon [but it could be Simon some thing or the other] then Blandin, then me, then Piton.
If that is not Brendon then he and Edward Lloyd are missing from this photograph of the 64 class. I wouldn't know why that was.
Michael Azar has called me twice over the past week he now lives in Portland, Oregon same old "big Joe" full of energy.
Puds Laquis and I were discussing the circulars last year in Trinidad he, as I did, thought that it was an incredible exercise and whatever the difficulty we have to find a way to keep it going, you can count on me.
I think that you can count on Michael Azar also, from our discussions he knows a lot about the Internet web hosting and so on.
What do you say Big Joe?
Tony Vieira
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MISTERIOUS OLD BOY FROM GRENADA
I have found the following story in the internet when looking for Paul Slinger, who appears in the list as being an oldboy from Grenada.
So I am enclosing excerpts of three different articles where the name Paul Slinger appears, maybe someone can confirm if he is the oldboy that went to MSB.
The story is about Hash House Harriers, if you want to know more about the sporting event please look up the internet.
Basically Hashing originated in Malaysia sometime in the early 1930s. British senior officers invented the game to keep their men fit and burn off the excesses of weekend partying. Leaders or hares would mark a trail--and many false trails--through the dense jungle around Kuala Lumpur. The hares were then pursued by teams of "hounds" vying to reach the finish line first. As added incentive, there was cold beer waiting for the winning team at the finish line. The name Hash House Harriers was adopted in honour of their beloved Hash House pub, which of course sponsored many of the events. Not much has changed, but today, everyone wins and gets beer.
About our friend, the writer continues
Two weeks later, I was down at the Portofino Restaurant, in St. George's, waiting with about 60 other eager hashers. The leader or "Hasher Master" that day was Grenada's HHH founder and premiere hasher, Paul Slinger, who describes hashers as "drinkers with a running problem." After getting directions to the hash we piled into cars and headed to Grand Etang National Park, the starting point of that week’s hash.
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Another writer wrote:
Following a brief stop for refreshments, continue to the Tower Plantation House to meet Paul Slinger, the owner of this fully operating fruit and spice plantation located in an area of wooded hills behind the island’s capital, St. George’s. After a tour of the historic house and a walk in the manicured garden, you may wish to visit St. George’s main shopping streets before returning to the ship. B L D
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And lastly the following appears in the HHH internet page:
Paul "Rigor Mortis" Slinger, Hash Founder.
It is said that Paul first hashed around the time that Napoleon was defeated but that is just bragging on his part - we all know he goes further back in time than that. He also claims that his real hash name is "Semper Rigourus", a soubriquet which he boldly asserts has been attributed to him by many a Harriette - and if you believe that you'll believe anything.
Paul, one of the original pirates that ravaged this part of the world, brought over the hash from Trinidad with his fellow pirate, Englishman Peter Frearson, who had in turn contracted this disease (and others) in the Far East. Paul is easily recognisable at any hash - both for holding a beer in each hand and for his horribly ugly knees.
He met his martyr of a wife, the lovely Victoria "Quick Drawers" Slinger at a hash. He was wearing long pants at the time - she couldn't see the knees.
They committed matrimony soon after.
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Bull N0. 3 OVERSEAS ABBEY SCHOOL INTERESTED STUDENTS. O.A.S.I.S.
By Arthur Knaggs
This is the transcript that I made of the original Bulletin.
It is missing the photos and advertisement.
June 1982
Dearly Beloved fellow Urchins of the Old Establishment.
You look at our heading and wonder, no doubt. With all the strife in the Middle East, perhaps this will have a new significance to those who hunger and thirst in these hard times. It certainly is no indication of the fountain of youth when I look around at my old school pals and have visions of the wheel chairs and walking sticks – No sir, this is my chosen new title of our little periodical; which, when-ever Fr. Cuthbert digs me for complaining about Mount Inside or outside, I retaliate by writing. I thought of Mount Overseas, but ended up with
OVERSEAS ABBEY SCHOOL INTERESTED STUDENTS.
That is the good news.
The hard and testing news is that during these hard and pressing times, and considering the fast failing Canadian dollar, I, the one-man committee, is suggesting an annual subscription of $10.00 U.S. dollars, mainly to cover postage; but also to help pay off my mortgage, carry my children through school, upgrade my subscription to the Old People’s home (where we will all no doubt end), and enable me to send a donation of $5.00 to Fr. Adelbert for a beach picnic to Maracas Bay, to help wash all the troubles and worries he is accumulating by marriage counselling. Theoretically, there is no such thing; as we have learned that the sacrament makes two people one, and it takes two to have differences.
The second greatest gift a spouse can give their partner is a Marriage Encounter Week-end – ask about it. You already know that the first greatest is your undivided love and attention.
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PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? – Well, earlier this year, our Company, R.N.G., meaning Real Nice Guys, had our Sales Convention at Mount Gabriel, a Ski Resort, and you should have seen your “boy” dashing down the slopes – a real thrill and treat.
I also met in Montreal, Raymond Devaux, who is well established in business up here with his fingers in many pies; his hobbies are golfing, skiing and drinking wine like all good Frenchmen. Also met J.D.Miller, who lives in Montreal with Michellene, and a host of his tribe. Both quite well. J.D. was out in Nova Scotia exploring the possibilities in the Offshore Oil here, as he is thinking of getting back into the “Black Gold” business.
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We are happy to tell you that Ms Marcus, M.I. Queen and former Secretary of the M.S.B.C., is coming along slowly but surely. She needs our playful support.
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Fr. Cuthbert writes to state he is taking Fr. Paul and Kitty Markus to Holland this month, but not why?. Understand Kitty is not well but no news yet on Fr. Paul. Heard that Abbot Bernard has improved very much but is still in Holland. He met my brother, Jack, in Mayaro – Jack works for AMOCO on the Offshore there. He says terrible floods in Central Trinidad, only way to Mayaro is by boat. Bernard Lange teaches at Mount and puts out the Mount Inside magazine.
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Here is a card I received from Bro. Roland, who is editor of the MSB Newletter, and always keeps me on the mailing list.
Subscription is 5 “Our Fathers”, 10 “Hail Marys” and a blank cheque.
PEACE
Of your Charity pray for the late Father William Boers, O.S.B.,  Monk and Priest who died suddenly on Tuesday 29th September 1981. He was 70 years old, having been professed for 48 years and ordained priest for 42 years.
Father Anselm van der Heijdt, O.S.B., Monk and Priest who died suddenly of a heart attack on Tuesday, 3rd September 1981. He was 65 years old, having been professed for 43 years and ordained priest for 38 years.
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Fr. Vincent, our principal, left for the U.S.A. early in the morning of Tuesday, 30th March for a medical check-up. Our prayers accompany him we trust all will go well.
Our senior students have been exposed to Lectures on Banking Diplomacy & International Relations. Also, students have made tours to Lopinot, Iscott, Tritoc and the Pitch Lake and only last week an enjoyable visit to Caroni came off.
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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.
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Photos:
87UN0012Jubileum p40
17AA1215AAUTUCUPITA, Adolfo Aumaitre
04LK0001HAHPLC, Hector Ahow
11LK4863LKEAAU, Ladislao Kertesz and Adolfo Aumaitre





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