Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
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Dear Friends
I am going to start a series on Ms. Kitty Marcus, the memories, setting up an account, etc.
All being done to reward her for all her past collaboration at the
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From: salborbolla@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 23:03:38 -0600
Well, i agree with Glen Mckoy let us know where to send the money and am all for it , Ms. Kitty was like a step mother to us all.
I'll contribute $ 200.oo
God bless
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From: mckoy43glen@hotmail.com
Date: Sun, 17 Feb 2008 17:34:32 +0000
Gentle men, I so agree , with what that has been said, as we all know, in order to do things we require money.
All I can say is when a final decision in done etc., just tell what the bank account is, so I can forward my contribution.
This all I have to say on this matter for now.
Yours always in full support,
Glen McKoy...
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From:Nigel P. Boos
Sent: Sunday, February 17, 2008 11:21 AM
Subject: Kitty Marcus et al.
Jon,
Thanks for your support.
Just a cautionary note: Since this initiative came from Glen, I suggest that, to avoid duplication of effort, with a number of folks going off in different directions, ONE man should head up this exercise, and everyone else who contributes towards it should operate under his direction –
I further recommend that Glen Evelyn himself should be asked to manage the whole thing, but that individuals / volunteers who wish to get involved should let it be known to him so that he can delegate as he sees fit.
This is not a difficult exercise. It merely needs some coordinated control with good communication from the get-go.
I think it's a worthy project and I heartily support it.
Regarding the Chinese lady who ran the monks' kitchen, I have to confess that I don't remember / know the lady, so I will bow to your better judgement in this case.
Of course, there is no way we could really recompense / honour everyone to whom we may be indebted, but perhaps ASOBA, through its Presidency, might develop a list of names of people worthy of mentioning, as a first step.
The we can see what we can do
Nigel
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On 17-Feb-08, at 9:50 AM, Jon Golding wrote:
Nigel
This is an excellent suggestion and hopefully Fr Cuthbert has the time ti do it.
But let's not forget the other 'inmates' at the old people's home on the hill who might be able to help under Fr Cuthbert's direction.
There is Ms ?? (Chinese lady who ran the refectory and monk's kitchen for YEARS) I can't recall her name but saw her and Kitty about 5 years ago at a function up there.
She is still going strong and living in the house next to the Old People's home and a good friend of Kitty's).
These are the unsung heroes behind the scenes who gave some balance to the hard-discipline Dutch monks.
Let's make sure we do not forget any others in favouring Ms Marcus but I think that they are the only two left.
I do like the idea of the Austrian Ambassador if we have one.
I'll check with my diplomatic contacts.
Forget the government - this is a private thing among a private school club!
I especially like the idea of a trip home to her relatives.
Let's see who else can add to this from this mailing.
Regards
Jon
----- Original Message ------------------------------------------
From:Nigel P. Boos
Sent:Sunday, February 17, 2008 1:11 AM
Might I suggest that Fr. Cuthbert could be asked for his advice, as to how we could best show our affection and appreciation for the loyal and kind services offered to the students of the
Would she, perhaps, like us to offer her the gift of a return to her homeland and to her surviving friends, for a visit; or how about our approaching the Austrian High Commission in Trinidad to ask them to officially recognise her services to education in TT by bestowing on her an official honour of the Austrian Government?
A long shot, perhaps, but these are only suggestions . . . .
Anyone got a better idea?
Nigel
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On 16-Feb-08, at 10:33 PM, gevelyn1@bellsouth.net wrote:
Apart from Don´s good memory all we know about Miss Marcus is that she was exposed to more than 50 years of Abbey-school-boy-trauma.
According to Jon it's more complex than us just spelling-it-out to the government.
On his advice we need a voluntary compiler.
Before submitting an application we would have to find the appropriate person willing to undertake putting together proof of performance of service.
Jon also mentioned that because The Abbey was NOT government-owned eligibility criteria would be colder.
Lets face it awards are political.
How about something more practical?
A new mattress?
Smile
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Original message from "Don Mitchell CBE QC" <idmitch@anguillanet.com>:
I remember Kitty Marcus when she first arrived at Mount.
It was probably about 1959.
At first, she was just the Headmaster's secretary.
She sat in Bobo's office while we got licks.
She gradually got promoted to teaching responsibilities.
She told us her story in one of the early classes.
She had been a PhD student in either Chemistry or Physics in a University in
Then came the 1938 Anschlaus.
The German Nazis invaded
Her Jewish parents took her mother and her on a boat going to the
The
The boat ended up in
That is how she became a resident of
She and several other Austrian Jews.
Her parents died there.
She eventually became one of our teachers.
Her problem was that, compared to the Nazi mentality of our more successful Dutch tutors, she was not able to impose her Teutonic will on us West Indian boys.
The result was too much noise in the class.
I ended up not learning much from her.
But, as the years passed, I leaned to appreciate how much she had gone through just to survive.
She has my utmost respect.
Don
----- Original Message --------------------------------------------------
From:azizul mohammed
Sent:Saturday, February 16, 2008 6:33 PM
I am with u and maybe at the next reunion we can organise a an award from all of us is it up for discussion guys
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From:gevelyn1@bellsouth.net;
Date: Sat, 16 Feb 2008 12:40:23 +0000
To All,
The dream is to recognise Miss Kitty Marcus for sharing knowledge.
Yes she is due and more than eligible to receive a National Award for outstanding Teacher, Secretary and Lady.
As far as I know NO one from Mt St Benedict has ever even been submitted.
Not even posthumously.
Now that we have a data base what are we going to do with it?
I suggest we all write the Government and ask for a end-of-tour-public-service-medal-of-merit to hang on the neck of the "Queen of The Abbey School".
They can keep the Trinity, Chaconia, and Hummingbird for less important people.
80% of men got these in the past and the rest women. Principals, Teachers, Directors --EVERY Educational institute in
Should we name and design our own?, A Heart? Is this email causing your stomachs to turn sour.
Well withdraw.
Glen
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Glen Mckoy <mckoy43glen@hotmail.com>:
All men dream, but not equally.
Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds wake in the day to findthat it is vanity; but the dreamers of the day are dangerous men, for they act their dream with open eyes to make it possible. T.E. Lawrence.
Idle Thought: "The chains of habit are generally too small to be felt until they are too strong to broken" / Samuel Johnson.
Ashwagandha Root: This herb is used extensively in Ayurveda, the traditional medicine of
It stimulates immunity and, as an antioxidant, reduces cell damaging free radicals, particularly within the brain cells.
The herb's anti-inflammatory properties have been shown to be helpful for such inflammatory conditions as arthritis.
In one study, it increased oxygen-carrying haemoglobin, which rejuvenates cells.
In addition, 70% of the men in the study said that their sexual performance improved-some men even reported fewer gray hairs. (check with yuh Herbs doctor)
Prayer: Some studies suggest that prayer promotes healing- even when the patient is unaware of being prayed for.
For example,in a study of 393 heart patients at
Neither patients nor doctors knew who had been prayed for.
After 10 months, the prayed for group had required less medical care- and had lower mortality - than the group not prayed for.
Predictions that missed the Mark.
The telephone was not widely appreciated for the first 15 years because people did not see a use for it.
In fact, in the British parliament it was no need for telephone because "we have enough messengers here"
In 1876, an internal memo read: "This telephone has too many shortcomings to be seriously considered as a means of communication."
Even Mark Twain, upon being invited by Alexander Graham Bell to invest $5000 in the new invention, could not see a future in the telephone.
The only thing
Big Jam tomorrow, all excited, upcoming events, some surprises in future issues,
Hint: Who was the first president of the Abbey old boys club??
Take care all my friends, will try to keep you interested from time to time, everything within moderation of course.
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From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)
Sent: Mon 2/18/08 7:24 PM
My Brothers,
I can't believe it, we are almost there and the pledges to come who knows, my brothers for myself, I look at these events as closure to things that had to be done, as mature men we have to feel, those who did share part of our life on the mount, in so many different services, we must offer a token of thanks.
These are my personal feelings , and may not be the same as another Brother...
Best Regard to all my fellow dreamers, as this whole thing still exists in Cyber Space, we are the "SITE" internetly speaking.
Glen McKoy / parrot troop l 1968-2008 / PROUD MEMBER
Big Hi goes out to G#2,Tarzan,Aziz,G#3,Coscarat,Che, G#1 over n out ... ... ...
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From: azizul mohammed (salo00011@hotmail.com)
Sent: Tue 2/19/08 12:16 AM
OK I am in $100. but I also like the idea from Nigel about going to the Austrian embassy maybe the day we are presenting the award and ticket we can invite the Austrian embassy to also present an appreciation .
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On 17-Feb-08, at 7:59 PM, Tim Healy wrote:
Nigel,
I second the motion if Laz appoints Glen.
Glen, if you need help just let me know.
I pledge $100 to the fund.
Someone tell me where to sent it.
Nowadays does it matter what country (other than
I remember Kitty typing up my letter of commendation.
I still have it. She is a gentle soul and we took advantage of that in class.
Tim
(I agree with the appointment of Glen, Laz, editor)
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"Moffie, Edgar"
Saturday, February 16, 2008 11:44:42 AM
Glen,
I agree with you.
I´ll take your words and say that Miss Kitty Marcus deserves this award and even more.
Among our Mount boys we have a lot of talent friends that can bring up the design.
Who does not fill comfortable as you say may withdraw.
I saw Miss Kitty this Carnival season at St. Peter´s Home and we were refreshing our minds about the old school days, she made me fill like when I joint the Abbey in early 67´s (a child).
I wonder how many of you all have fill this way every time you go up the hill to meet our old best friends from all time.
Edgar Moffie
Tag No. 98 (don´t remember)
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From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)
Sent: Tue 2/19/08 12:50 AM
Just Great Aziz, but from now on, brothers , Glen Evelyn is where all pledges should (un-officially) be sent to, because we are still waiting for the silent one ,The God-Father of knowledge and wisdom, the (Circular) our dear brother Mr. Ladislao Kertesz , is a little slow on important decisions , like these, so to be patience.
My Brothers The Ox is slow but the earth is patient .
(Chinese philosopher and the the sage CONFUCIUS (551-479 BC) was born in the
Tomorrow is another day,
bye for now, your truly
Glen McKoy.
(Please go ahead, sorry for the delay in responding, editor)
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Rafael EcheverrÃa
Sunday, February 17, 2008 9:17:19 PM
I wish to join my voice to all in the well deserved recognition to Miss Marcus.
We must all feel proud for had having her as our teacher.
When I recently met with her again - after 40 years - in last November 2007, she did not only remember me but also asked for my brother Gustavo.
I have a photograph which I treasure taken during my recent visit to Mount which I would like to share.
She wondered about how my laptop worked (Ha!).
She never stops having that inquisitive mind of a teacher.
We must all feel very proud of her.
Rafael (CheChe)
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Sorry for the delay,but I am remodelling my home and it is getting rough for me to stay upto date.
Ladislao, Ed.
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Now to the photo section.
07GM0673GMACA, Glen Mckoy at a boat festival near a rocky beach.
08LK0026PCA, Pedro Castro, at dinner in Caracas.
08EZ0534GRP, Carlos Dvorak, Oscar Cantore, Enrique Zanelli, Victor Zanelli, Bro. Rupert, Fr. Cuthbert, Fr. Augustine
08IG0936DINGRP, Oscar Cantore, Alfredo Montiel at dinner ESMERALDA´s visit to TT
