Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 25 October 2008 No. 364
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Dear Friends,
Here is the resume of the visit of Capt. Victor Zanelli, and the Chilean School sailing ship ESMERALDA.
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Chris Knowles
Friday, July 4, 2008 12:31:05 AM
Dear Ladislao,
Please add the following item to the next Circular and to any posting which is currently in use for the Old Boys.
Thanks,
Chris Knowles
1. ABBEY SCHOOL OLD BOY VISITS TRINIDAD IN ‘HIS SHIP’.
2. REUNION PLANNED.
1. THE VISIT.
On the evening of Tuesday June 3rd, CAPITÁN DE NAVÍO VICTOR ZANELLI SUFFO hosted a reception on board the Chilean Navy training ship Esmeralda, a spectacular barquentine (a four-masted, tall, sailing ship, with the fore sail rigged square) that was on a short official visit to Trinidad.
Victor Zanelli is a former Abbey School student, who attended the College in 1970/71, during which time he was a member of the Aqua Lads swimming team.
He had asked that some of the guests should be former classmates, other Mount Saint Benedict Old Boys and their wives, and members of the Benedictine monastic community.
Two fellow team mates (past Aqua Lads members) were included among the Old Boys’ party.
The majority of the guests were representatives of government, the Embassy of Chile, other diplomatic missions, the Trinidad & Tobago military and other invitees.
The formal part of the reception was from 7 to 9 pm, during which time The Abbey School Old Boys had arranged for some local musical entertainment and presented Capt. Victor with a formal commendation in the form of a stylised scroll and other mementos from themselves and the monastic community, honouring him on his elevation to rank and command.
The more casual part of the reception went on for a couple of hours afterward, when Victor invited the Old Boys to the excellently appointed Captains’ Salon.
On the following Friday morning, just before the ship sailed, there was a tour of the ship during which Victor presented mementos of the vessel to those who were present (and a lot of photos were taken!).
This was Victors first visit to Trinidad and Tobago in over 35 years.
Later during the ship’s stay, the Trinidad Old Boys arranged an evening of local hospitality for the visiting Old Boys from overseas, and visits to the Mount to see the community including the Abbot and Frs. Augustine and Benedict, to Maracas Beach, to Balandra to see turtle activities, to several restaurants, and of course a shopping trip.
The past students of The Abbey School include a group of illustrious achievers in the professions, public service, business and the legal bench.
Discussions are ongoing (among the group) to formally incorporate an Association the purposes of which would include: social and recreational activities, to foster the spirit of brotherhood and collaboration; attention to the needs of the Abbey and of necessitous old boys, and helpful projects related to common societal interests.
2. THE REUNION
A reunion of The Old Boys is being planned for 30th August 2008 at the Mount.
More details are not yet available, but will be posted as soon as they are.
In the meantime anyone interested and able to attend can send their name and email address to Chris Knowles at knowlescb@hotmail.com and also to Winston Ramsahai at infosanpedro@yahoo.com
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From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)
Sent: Tue 4/15/08 9:23 PM
My dear old man,
Please continue to ramble on, and tell me more stories o.k.
Love you man,
Best regards
Glen.
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From: tevelyn@rogers.com
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:16:42 -0400
Glen
Re. the story of the Chest. one thing I noticed was the markings at the bottom of the candle holder.
I think I am right in saying that prior to 1912 when the St Benedictine monks arrived in Trinidad, they were in BRAZIL and were asked to leave so they approached the Archbishop of Trinidad & Tobago to allow them to set up in T'Dad and the land they were offered was situated at the top of Mount Tabor and all it had was an old Hut which was still standing in 1945.
You had to go along the path of the old Resevoir turn to the right and climb have done that.
I have read some of the coments of old students and it has saddened me.
I CONSIDER 1945 TO 1949 TO BE ONE OF THE PERIODS OF MY LIFE THAT I WILL NEVER FORGET and so it was not difficult for me to remember.
Today all the renovations on my house that I have done was the direct result of the things I learnd on Saturday mornings from Fr. Ildefonse.
Well my friend I could go on and on but do not want to bore you, with the ramblings of an old man.
Regards
Trevor
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"gevelyn1@bellsouth.net"
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 7:50:56 PM
Trevor,
Thanks to our friend Glen Mckoy (most gifted Mount-High-Schooler) for keeping things -ALIVE-.
I want to ask if you have the same problem with the Evelyn surname being also a girls first name?
Sometimes I am less than thrilled when I get a Pay-check or Airline ticket reversed and have to explain.
(The only thing worse is having to add your mothers maiden name like in Venezuela.).
As far as I know it is English and we were not exiled because of atrocities commited but simply because we were without education-- the biggest crime of all. (hate to expose us in public).
I was thinking of getting it tattooed on my arm but people might ask if it's my girlfriends name.
Unlike you it was not my best years but Mount sent me off (no pun intended) with God´s word and ready to defend any Roman Catholic institution.
Cheers
Evelyn Glen
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Glen Mckoy
Tuesday, April 15, 2008 5:14:41 PM
My dear Trevor,
I have been writing some stories to keep the guys interested, and have drawn quite an audience.
I have over 50 brothers, or more, I send emails to now, on my list.
I also have Wayne Brown on the list, Nigel said he is a good writer, but he has not said anything yet, but he does read all I send him.
I was speaking to Arthur Knaggs on the phone Sunday, he is doing well, since his hernia operation, last December.
He said he can travel again.
So he will be in Trinidad for a few days.
He don't have the internet, at his house, but do catch up when he goes to his daughter's house.
Tim Healy and myself lived on White Stones, we know every spot up there.
I will show you on a map sometime where our den was.
Trevor all your stories are welcomed, I also need some help , in keeping this fire burning.
Sometimes I get writer's block ha ha.
Ask Nigel, and I start to make up things up Ha! Ha!
So many more tales to tell.
In one of your emails, you did state, how some comments, made by few, did upset you, well of course it must, but we have traveled far from that now, and just look at the amount of boys that have stepped forward, since those unpleasant comments, to be counted, for their good memories on the Mount.
Thank you for your replies ,
Best regards Glen.
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From: tevelyn@rogers.com
Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2008 15:53:10 -0400
Glen
Thank you for the kind words and I would be honoured to be part of the MSB old boys Knights.
I still have a few more things to send to Nigel with whom I have been in contact during the last months of 2007
I know somewhere in this house there are more pictures etc but its to find them some day.
I hope in the not too distant future.
Nigel has asked to draw a map of White Stones & mount Tabor as I remember them and I am in the process of doing so but have been buisy cleaning up the yard since the snow has gone.
I would welcome any Emails from you at any time.
Regards
Trevor
1945 to 1949
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tevelyn
Wednesday, April 16, 2008 12:49:25 PM
Ladislao
Thank you for circular No 334 I have noted that Cecil Ince has stated that Fr. Bernard and Fr. Gantaume were at one time ABBOT of Mt. St. Benedict.
Well my friends this is not possible for the position of ABBOT is a consecrated position and you are an ABBOT for life just like a BISHOP or ARCHBISHOP.
Before Fr. Adelbert the monastery was a Priory and Fr Prior was Hugh Van der Sanden.
The Priory was raised to ABBEY status in 1947 and the monks voted for Fr.Adelbert then.
He was blessed for this position by The Archbishop of Port-of -Spain FINBAR RYAN.
I remember this very well for he was my favouret Priest.
We had one hell of a celebration Well so long for now
Regards
Trevor
1945 to 1949
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From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)
Sent: Tue 4/01/08 9:52 AM
Well Hello,
My dear Brother, Mr. Sarkis Farchakh, (member of Parrot Troop since 1968).
How yuh doing man??. Farchakh, you said, thank you for the emails, I have been sending you?? but I, don't have your email address, and this is the first time I saw your name, until today, however this site, works in mysterious ways.
I could see your face, right now man ,you still have that, big smile,?? hope so.
I will pass your message on, and some one will get in contact, with that, very good scout, Renny Villafana for you.(member of Parrot Troop also).
I remember going to a few parties at Renny's House, Garage Party, learning very painfully, how to communicate , with the opposite sex.
Nigel or Hudson or Winston should have this information.
Good to hear from you brother, I hope, number one, you are in good health, and all is well, with you and yours, got your numbers, you were always busy man, but at our ages now, we must pace our selves, and stop and take some deep breaths, so relax a little, so we can do it all over again.
Tomorrow. cheers!
Thank you, all is well on my side, I am sending this email, to Hudson also,
Best regards, and take care, my brother,
Glen McKoy, 80 Adelaide ave, Halifax N.S b3n2n8, Canada / tel: 902-443-5437
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From: Sarkis@aecservicesinc.com
Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 13:16:15 -0400
Hi Glen,
Sorry for no talking to you before but because of being busy, hope you understand.
How is your family and brother Hudson, down here in Tampa I am working in a construction and designing company, mostly dealing with gas station, have been in Tampa since june 2003.
I don’t have Renny Villafana e-mail or phone, I don’t know if you have it or find it.
He used to travel a lot to Venezuela, and the last time I talk to him was on January 2004.
I’ll appreciate if you can get his info.
Thanks for the e-mail you have been sending to me.
My home phone is (813) 9916469 and cel (813)4693595, say hello to those guys we know if you see them personally, and call me any time, bye and be good!
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Don Mitchell CBE QC
Monday, June 23, 2008 9:10:17 PM
EXERCISE FOR PEOPLE OVER 50
Begin by standing on a comfortable surface where you have plenty of room at Each side.
With a 5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides, and hold them there as long as you can.
Try to reach a full minute, and then relax.
Each day you'll find that you can hold this position for just a bit longer.
After a couple weeks, move up to 10-lb potato sacks.
Then try 50-lb potato sacks.
Then eventually try to get to where you can Lift a 100-lb potato sack in each hand, and hold your arms straight for more than a full minute. (I'm at this level.)
Once you feel confident at that level, put a potato in each sack.
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That is for now, till the next one
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Photos:
64DM102EDIPOOL, Pool as it was.
08GM0104GMIFAM, George Mickiewicz and family
57IF0029GRP, Lots of UNKNOWNS
04JS0001JSK, John Skinner
