Circular No 362

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 11 October 2008 No. 362

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Dear Friends,

Now a little on SCOUTING.

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Re: Pictures from the Mount 2

Rafael Echeverría

Monday, July 7, 2008 8:26:32 AM

YES !!!! ...... What Jan says is correct !!! ...

I was also wondering was Big Joe doing in that picture of 1969 since he left Mount before I did and I left in 1967 ??? ...

And yes ! .. it was the first time I see Cutty in scout's uniform ... incredible !!! ...

As I said ... the pictures are real jewels

Attila ! ... Thanks !

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On Mon, Jul 7, 2008 at 5:25 AM,

Jan Koenraadt <jankoenraadt@casema.nl> wrote:

Dear Attila,

I am very amazed with your scout- and tug-of-war-pictures.

These are the jewels of all the old pictures to me.

In my scout group we did not make such complicated structures, only the tripod or quadropod with one or two floors.

I wonder if you people gave the strength any thought at that time if all the scouts would go into the tree houses together?

In fact only two bamboo beams are holding the whole floor, ha ha.

My job is to ask building permits for houses at the county.

I don't think I would get one with this structure for so many people.

So many memories the picture brings back, tying all those nuts with rope, bowline, clove hitch, whatever.

And Father Cuthbert in scouting uniform, never seen before!

In the tug-of-war picture I only recognise you.

In the scout picture the guy with the shades is Big Joe Azar to me.

But I don't understand, what he is doing with the MSB-scouting in 1969 as he graduated long before that maybe 1966 or so.

Also the boy with black hair, first above Fr. Cuthbert, to me that is Larry Thomas, older brother of Richard Thomas.

He must have graduated in summer 1967, so what is he doing with MSB-scouting in 1969?

Or I am mistaken, or he stayed at the Mount to do his A-level or something.

If you count from bottom to top, #8 is umistaken Peter Quesnel, #10 is Richard Knox.

He was in my class in June 1965, and probably failed one exam after I left.

The faces get vague higher up, I wouldn't have recognised you I think.

But you are hanging out most in the air . . .

Thanks for the pictures, I enjoy them!

Greetings Jan Koenraadt

----- Original Message ------------------------------------------------------------

From: Attila GYURIS

Sent: Sunday, July 06, 2008 7:27 AM

Subject: Pictures from the Mount 2

Caura River Scout camp - Tree House, sometime in 1969.

Many familiar faces there. I am sitting on top of the tree in front of the top tree house with the cowboy hat and the lamp hanging.

There are Fr. Cuthbert, Big Joe Azar, Oscar Cantore, Peter Quesnel, McCartney (the first in the bottom), above him is the the elder of the Roquefort brothers, Richard Knox half way up, John Pugh is sitting on the branch on the right side of the top tree house with the bush hat.

If anybody can fill in more names, please do so.

Attila Gyuris

(Need the photo, ed.)

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Re: Pictures from the Mount 2 - CAURA RIVER SCOUT CAMP

Attila GYURIS

Monday, July 7, 2008 8:52:40 PM

Caura River Scout Camp 1969.jpg (487KB)

Jan:

You are welcome.

Glad you enjoyed them.

If I run across any more old MSB photos I will continue to send them.

To be sure, I am not 100% positive of the year of the picture.

It could have been taken sometime in 1968.

But I am sure it was taken in one of those two years.

Not before and not after.

I guess it was a good thing we didn' t have to worry about getting any building permits for those two structures !!! Hahaha

As one engineer to another, and between us, I admit I was in charge of building the tree houses.

We had a lot of fun building it.

And they were good tree houses as far as tree houses go.

It was something different to do from the usual Quadrapod structures that we always built.

I had really wanted to build this instead, so I asked Cutty and he gave his OK.

Actually, if I remember correctly, both tree houses were quite strong.

The proof was that nobody got hurt.

And some of us spent the night camping up there.

If you look at the top tree house, the floor was supported by two strong bamboo beams joining in an apex (stronger).

The third, (base) support beam in the rear was incredibly strong stuff too.

The floor area was done with whole (not split) bamboos.

Also, the wall had two more strong horizontal support beams, so the floor beams didn't have that much to support, except the floor platform and the human load upon it.

The bottom tree house was supported by the two parallel tree branches, so that wasn't going anywhere.

Believe me, we tested it well before getting inside.

It was stronger than a brick shithouse and much more flexible.

Also it was quite small inside, as it could fit only maybe 4 boys maximum, so overload was not really a problem.

Remember that the good thing about the green bamboo that we used is that it doesn't fail suddenly.

It is very flexible but incredibly strong & lightweight at the same time.

And flexibility is a good thing.

When it starts to overload, it starts to bend a lot first, so there is plenty of warning before any catastrophic failure occurs.

For these reasons, to me, this bamboo is the perfect natural structural construction material.

They use it for building some incredible scaffolding in India and SE Asia high-rise buildings.

Like this: http://pixdaus.com/single.php?id=25402

OK... enough of the engineering stuff...

Jan: perhaps, with your computer skills you could put numbers above the boys and start adding some names like we did in the other pictures.

To answer some of your questions:

Big Joe Azar was one of the Scoutmasters and he was helping helping Cutty.

Carlos Dvorak was another one of those Scoutmaster helping out Cutty.

He would come up for the Saturday morning Scout meetings and would attend camps with us.

Yes I think the guy above Cutty's head is Larry Thomas.

I don't remember what he was still doing there.

Probably the same thing as Big Joe Azar.

Larry was not there for A-Levels.

There were no more A-Level classes at the Mount after 1967.

Form 5 "O" levels was the highest class you could take.

Richard Knox must have failed more than one class because he was taking Form 5 "O" Levels with me in 1969.

Cheers,

Attila Gyuris

MSB 1964-1969

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Re: Pictures from the Mount 2 - CAURA RIVER SCOUT CAMP

Nigel Boos

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 7:13:22 AM

I'd like to comment on this fabulous picture and say this, that the 2nd MSB Scout Troop, well-known for its wonderful, entrepreneurial talents and adventurous spirit, has once again shown what it can do / did do, and you guys have upheld and maintained the high quality of great bamboo engineering which we had become accustomed to regard as typical of our boys.

Well done, everyone, and thanks for the great photograph. I'm glad it was recorded for posterity.

Wonder who took the picture . . . . . . .

Nigel

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Re: Pictures from the Mount 2 - CAURA RIVER SCOUT CAMP

Jan Koenraadt

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 8:27:15 PM

Dear Attila,

Yes you are right, if there were only three or four scouts in each tree house I trust the bamboo structure would hold.

Indeed bamboo is very strong in relation to its weight, and indeed green bamboo is very flexible and gives you warnings when the structure wants to fail.

In fact you separated the weight of the walls and roof from the floor.

So the floor beams should only hold the floor and the boys upon it.

I was only thinking if the whole bunch of boys in the picture would go in the treehouse, one or two floor beams might start to crack.

But I see you really did give the strength a thought at that time.

The picture of the bamboo skyscraper in China is incredible, but it works over there.

Amazing that it was all your idea to do something different for once instead of those quadropods that were usually built, Father Cuthbert is the man who you could successfully ask such a thing.

But then it is understandable that Big Joe and Larry Thomas and so were just helping out Father Cuthbert in scouting in their free time.

I will send you the pictures with numbers.

About Richard Knox, he was with me in the Form II picture made about June 1965.

We would have graduated in July 1968.

I think he failed one year and did his graduation in July 1969.

If you have any more pictures, please share them with all of us!

Much greetings from the other side of the world!

Jab Koenraadt

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Re: Pictures from the Mount 2 - CAURA RIVER SCOUT CAMP

Attila GYURIS

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 8:43:05 PM

I think it was Fr. " Vush " who took it.

He was the usual Mount photographer.

I had this picture with the tree houses, and a few others, tucked away in an old envelope.

I will scan the others and send them on.

You are right about the 2nd MSB Scout Troop being probably the best of its kind at the time in Trinidad.

We won several Scouting competitions, I think among them was the 1968 Chancellor's Flag competition in Chaguaramas.

There we competed against many other scout troops,

Each sent a selection of their best scouts and formed a patrol to represent them during the competition..

I remember what inspired me to join the Scout troop at MSB is when, as a small boy in Prep " A" (around 1964-1965), during a " Parents' day" demonstration on a Sunday,

The Scout Marching band came marching down from the Refectory and put on a heck of fine choreographed marching demonstration with plenty of loud martial music.

Then they changed clothes and joined the rest of the scout troop to built and completely set up TWO functioning 2-story green bamboo elevated Quadrapod camps with tents, sleeping quarters cooked dinner over an elevated campfire and had everything right there on the basketball court in front of the benches.

They even had a bamboo bridge and a rope pulley between the two Quadrapod structures.

They did this all in about 3 hours.

Then, after all parents and everybody else took a tour of the camp, they tore it all down in about an hour.

It was amazing for me to see the ingenuity and resourcefulness those boys displayed.

Most of all, they all seemed to have such a great time doing all these things.

Right then and there I decided I wanted in on that.

I also joined the marching band and played the drums. I was a band member all the way until graduating from Form 5.

We had band practise with Fr.Cuthbert in charge up in the Refectory every Saturday morning, while everybody else was in the study hall.

It was a lot of fun and I never regretted it.

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That is for now, till the next one

Photos:

52UN1390SCOUTS 1952, UNKNOWNS

58UN0001SCOUTSTRUMP, Lone trumpeter

XXUN0002SCOUTSBAND, Lots of UNKNOWNS

67JK0004Firstclassbadge, Continuation on the Jan´s booklet

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Circular No 361

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 4 October 2008 No. 361

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Dear Friends,

News on the Reunion.

Please note the abbreviations, military style

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From ian gomes (MSB) ASOBA (ASAA) Meeting Minutes 17 Aug 2008.

ian gomes

Friday, September 5, 2008 6:19:35 AM

I have forwarded this to keep you gents up to date on the proposed Reunion on the weekend November 7 - 9, 2008.

The Abbey School Old Boys Association (Abbey School Alumni Association) Committee Meeting 17th August 2008.

Present: Joe Berment-Mc Dowald, Peter Sammy, Gary Matthews, Ian Gomes, Kelvin Khan, Keith Allen, Chris Knowles.

Apologies: Rudi Singh, Winston Ramsahai

Association Logo:

Keith’s draft was discussed and various artistic suggestions made.

The name Abbey School Alumni Association is to be used.

The date of existence of the school, 1944-1985, is to be encrypted in the logo.

These dates are to be confirmed.

Input from the Abbot: None

Association Incorporation

The subscriber list was handed to Joe. Peter Sammy was given the cash subscriptions already collected.

Kelvin has an alternative incorporation price of TT$1,200 from legal persons of good repute.

The extent of their involvement in regard to the purposes of the association needs to be confirmed – can they give what Gurley is offering?

Clarification will be needed with respect to Disclosure, Reporting, Charitable Status, Continuity and Going on the Record.

Also to be considered are our Constitution and By-Laws, which input is needed by the lawyers.

Joe will speak to Gurley – if we need the Constitution and By-Laws he may need to create same.

If Joe has to make that input we may go the cheapest route.

Our collection will continue so that expenses are covered and individuals may recover their subscriptions from the proceeds of the reunion event.

Reunion Venue Matters

The base rent for The Bishops’ School Hall in Trincity is TT$7,000 so this is not the choice.

UWI is the choice.

The rent for the J.F.K Auditorium is TT$700.

We need to provide sound system, multi-media, carousel slide projector, white board etc as needed.

We need also to provide clean-up facilities, tents, etc, as required.

Rudi’s Mayaro Event Offer

This event will be a non-alcoholic situation, mixed drink, cocktails and fruit juices alone will be permitted.

A bus will be arranged to pick up attendees at a location to be advised.

Food Matters: Living Water do not outside cater anymore.

Ian to make other enquiries.

Information for Reunion Attendees.

The following is the text of the information which will be sent to Nigel Boos for the widest distribution possible.

The general information about the reunion event and the weekend are minuted as stated below;

To All Abbey School Old Boys.

An Old Boys Reunion is planned for the weekend of 7-9 November 2008.

The initial details are given below.

Interested Old Boys please reply to Chris Knowles, knowlescb@hotmail.com

Please reply by 15th October 2008.

Friday 7th November 2008

The arrival of foreign based Old Boys and their wives is anticipated to be complete by Friday evening.

There will be a “lime” arranged for that evening.

Saturday 8th November 2008 10am-12 noon.

The inaugural general meeting to appoint a committee and formerly establish the association.

Abbey School Alumni Association

The objectives of the Association are to provide services to former students of the Abbey School, The Monastic Community and the wider community in a charitable and beneficent way and to foster the spirit of brotherliness and friendship among past students of the Abbey School in a manner consistent with the mission of the Abbey School.

After the meeting there will be social interaction, a visit to the old school on the hill, a hike to Whitestones etc.

At 6:30pm there will be a dinner for all participants at J.F.K Auditorium at UWI which will feature a distinguished Old Boy as key note speaker.

The price of the dinner will be advised later.

Sunday 9th November 2008. At 10am, from an assembly point to be advised, there will be a day trip to Mayaro.

There will be a cover charge of TT$200 per person and no alcohol is permitted, to comply with the sensitivities of the host.

This is the final day of the event.

Accommodation (All prices in US Dollars).

Norma’s Bed and Breakfast, No.2 Aruac Road, Valsayn Park South South. (Recommended).

Single $75/night, Double $93.50/night, Triple $110/night, Quad $126.50

Tel: (868) 663-4137 or (868) 645-9746.

Cell: (868) 683-9734.

Fax: (868) 645-0563.

Fax with Credit Card details and Authorisation.

Hilton (P-O-S), $115/night. Available on line.

Holiday Inn Express (Trincity near Piarco), $229/night.

Available on line.

Next Meeting.

To be arranged by Joe.

Chris is out of TT for most of September; Gary has agreed to stand in.

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Received information that Cornel de Freitas lives in Canada.

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NOW BACK TO OUR WEEKLY “LIME”

From: Don Mitchell CBE QC (idmitch@anguillanet.com)

Sent: Sat 5/31/08 3:26 PM

Hi Glen,

Don't worry, we all must do a little ranting from time to time to keep our heads clear.

Careful, though, it is girls that are said to be just vamping when they dress up and go on the town!

Don

Yeah Don, Vamping also means strumming on the Guitar, Ha! Ha! Glen.

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From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)

Sent: Sat 5/31/08 12:57 PM

Sent: Sat 5/31/08 12:57 PM

Hello Nigel,

A little negative today.

I had to bring up this point up, the first time I'm hearing about the reunion, not trying to rock the boat, but just vamping to you, because when we sent out a call, for some one to go and talk to the Abbot, about the Kitty Fund, not one person responded, except for your sister. God Bless her, and we still have to get Jon, to take her to dinner or something. With the Abbot in the big picture, its all good. We need to renew and rebuild, essential connections, as it seems, that is our task.

In order to gain the brothers trust, the representatives of the association, must make more contact with a lot of brothers, for any event to work, if you want international committee support , you must earn it.

If its a local event, thanks for the notice, if you want it to be an international event, talk to us, and we will round up the troops. just feel that you guys on this list, have done so much work, in bringing and keeping the club alive for so long.

A word of acknowledgement from the Trinidad local representatives, I hope to hear something, anything, anybody out there?

I am hoping for support with the Kitty Project with the representing body in Trinidad, but I do not know if they are in contact with the larger body of old boys that lives there, as I do understand the great age differences, that divides us. With almost 42 years, with so many small circles, all over the world.

Just vamping, don't sweat the small stuff, I know, however, silence is golden and for me to do.

Looking forward to your views

Best regards my brothers, Glen.

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Thank you for this information,

Sept. looks better for me, Aug is Caribana,

Any how if he wants people to know, he should contact Nigel Boos and Ladislao Kertesz, as Nigel contacts a lot of people with the list, and Ladislao could also put it in the next circular, so all members are informed, and will result in a bigger turn out.

Sept. is fine for me, Aug is hard with the vacations etc. anyhow the reason I said, when we hear back from the Abbot, then we will know where we stand, with location.

I am here to give my full support, however I can.

Best regards

Glen.

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Date: Fri, 30 May 2008 04:34:07 -0700

From: gomesian@yahoo.com

Glen,

I think Joe was asking for suggestions for a date in August or September 2008.

He provided the calender with other events so that visitors may be able to also visit / take part in other functions.

I myself like the idea of a reunion in August as there will be less traffic and getting around will be easier.

The Emancipation Day weekend Saturday is nice as a public Holiday is before that day.

The Golf tournament in Tobago will be a good week for those who may wish to take part and the Saturday after a good day for a reunion etc.

There is also the great race weekend but that is a Saturday and a reunion will be difficult for that day.

The Saturday before Independence day is also a cool option.

Send your suggestions to Joe or Winston so that they may have some sort of idea of when (Date) to advise the Abbot so we will have the location available.

Keep well Brother

Ian

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Robert C O'Connell <3401clericaloff@republictt.com>

Monday, September 15, 2008 11:04:37 AM

Good day Ladislao,

I have been receiving all newsletters from you and enjoy looking at pictures and reading of days gone by at The Abbey School MSB.

I was privileged to be a part of the committee that planned and executed the 2003 reunion.

I have received info on the reunion carded for November 2008 and will be mobilizing the guys from my era to attend.

All further e-mails to me can be sent to r_n-oconnell@hotmail.com.

Regards,

Robert O'Connell

Clerical Officer Credit

Republic Bank Limited

Ellerslie Court

Maraval

Ext 8170

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As a PS.

I am sending out Circular No. 361 and it is the first time that I have read information through third party emails about the Abbot, just as on Joseph Berment on anything, although I have mentioned them in several issues of their involvement in ALUMNI matters.

I have included photos of the Abbot and Joseph at the different events in the past trying to create the atmosphere of mutual help offering them the Circular as a venue for their projects.

The lack of exchange have made me think that the effort of the “Club” (Association) is a local event, I thank you for the notice, but if you want it to be an international event, write us, and we make the necessary propaganda.

In order to gain the ALUMNI trust, all of us must make contacts with a lot of classmates, so that any event in Trinidad to work with international flavour, must have the international committee support, this must be earned, is this the goal of the “Club” (Association)

I just feel that you committee members, have done so much work, in bringing and reviving the “Club” (Association) after such a long time, yet I have heard not a word of acknowledgment from the Trinidad representatives, on any issue, while you know that we are ready to help.

Also I have not heard from the “Club” (Association) on details of partial involvement or full support with the Kitty Project, an internationally promoted project.

Ladislao

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Photos:

98UN0001FRAVDU, Remembrance card Fr. Abbot Adelbert van Duin

08UN0001CALENDAR Card 1 2008-

08UN0002CALENDAR Card 2 2008

04UN0001CGYMSB, Photo taken in 2004, many UNKNOWNS.

Circular No 360

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.

Caracas, 27 September 2008 No. 360

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Dear Friends,

Before I continue with the second part of the tales, I am inviting those who knew “Short Pants” MacIntosh, Llewellyn, to listen to TALK CITY 91.1 FM Trinidad, through Internet, he is the moderator of the daily calypso talk programme, you can call him at (868) 622.4911 for a direct contact.

Today at 21:00 local time, he had an interview with Robert Elias “Mighty Trini” about calypso songs of our time (1960s).

He is promoting the rebirth of Calypso which has been run over by SOCA etc.

I decided to call him at the end of the programme, and to my surprise he picked up the telephone and we had about a 15 minute chat on Mount, and the Reunion in November and I even mentioned the JAM that Glen is trying to get going in Florida.

He give me a sad news, Bro Vincent, Lionel Roberts, had died. Maybe Salvador can get the details??

To my surprise I was put on the air and even though I never sang a song, I became a participant for at least of 15 minutes after calypso talk time.

Here is the continuation of the tales of the Knights from White Stones by Glen Mckoy. The first part can be read in Circular No. 356.

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In 1908, a Jesuit Monk from Europe, flees Brazil, on board the vessel, Esmeralda, and arrives with the Chest, in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad.

Following instructions, he secures, a horse and buggy at the docks, to go to the town of Tunapuna, to teach and work, in a small church, with a farm, and with three other monks in the foot hills, of Mount Tabor.

After a year, he comes to like this place he's in, Tunapuna, lots of work to do, in this tropical island, of such peace and tranquillity,and a safe place, a true blessing from above, compared to what he's had been through, in those remote villages, on the river banks, of the great Amazon, in Brazil.

One day in the year 1912, his attention wonders to the Chest, on how far, it has travelled.

In 1642, a Spanish ship coming from Columbia, and going to Hispaniola was attacked by Pirates, from an island , just of the coast of Haiti, call Tortuga.

On that Friday night, two pirate vessels came out of nowhere, and fired their cannons, at the Spanish ship, half the top deck was blown off, and left a big hole, on her port side, in smoke and fire, the Spanish ship, with what cannons she still had, fired at will, and hits, and sinks, one of the pirates vessel, the other one scurry off into the mist, as the Spanish ship slowly sinks, a few who can help themselves, get into two or three, small boats, and hope to survive the night.

A Monk, with a small Chest, full of gold coins, precious stones and emeralds, destined for a Bishop in Spain, is helped into one of the boats.

About six hours later, they are picked up by a Portuguese Naval vessel, on its way to Brazil.

The Jesuit Monk told the Captain, that he was taking books, of financial records for the Vatican to Spain, to be sent on to Rome.

However, he can also give it to the the Jesuit office, in Rio to forward on to Rome.

He thanked and blessed the captain and his crew, for their good deed and Godsend, in their moment of need.

On Aug.9th 1642 the ship arrives in Rio, the Jesuit monk gives the captain a gold coin, and thanked him again.

The Captain is ever so grateful, and arranges transportation for the monk, to a Jesuit sanctuary, in the heart of Rio.

He spends eight days recovering from his ordeal, and joins a few other monks heading to the inner jungle villages, where their tasks are so great, so far away, from outside contact, you become one with the jungle, and all that dwell within, the emerald forest, along that river, the great Amazon.

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The Dutch Monk/ The French Professor

From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)

Sent: Mon 4/21/08 3:48 AM

ABBEY SCHOOL MT. ST. BENEDICT/TUNAPUNA/TRINIDAD/ OLD BOYS PRIVATE CLUB/ MEMBERS ONLY/ THINKERS PARADISE.

The Dutch Monk/ The French Professor. (Tales of "The Knights from White Stones") Mt. Tabor.

Following this "Sight", back to the Mount, since the beginning of our youth.

From sunrise to dawn, this invisible link, still turned on.

The third eye view, from the thinkers paradise, on top of White Stones, on Mt. Tabor, under the stars, the knights stand guard, not far from where the Chest is buried.

In 1948 a student on the mount, who was in his 2nd year of Latin, and top of his class, was given permission, to loan out certain books, from the library, of the Abbey.

On that Tuesday afternoon, whilst browsing, he picked up a classic, and as he opened the book, he came to a page, that read, these underlined words, "I shot an arrow into the air, it fell to the earth, I knew not where", just below these words, was a note, tucked in the center of the book.

It said, borrow the book, "Where Angels Fly, seeing this, and in search of a mystery, and the curiosity of his youth, with out wasting any time, he finally located the book, a fairly medium size book, and borrowed it.

He left the library, and headed up the steep path, back up to the school.

After finding a private spot, he sat down and opened the book.

As he opened the book, he stared at all the illustrations of the angels, for a few moments, as he turned the pages, he saw an envelope, which was neatly placed, in the book.

As he took out the envelope from the book, he noticed that it was not addressed to any one, and that it was an envelope, from the Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict..

It had no stamps, and it was not sealed.

He opened it, and removed the pages, that was folded in halves, he then tried to read its contents, but it was too difficult, the little he understood, from the Latin he took, was not enough, for the French writing on these pages.

He would need help.

He wondered who he could ask ?

He knew, of some of the older boys, who spoke French, but he also knew, that if they got their hands on the letters, it would be the last time, he would ever see, or hear of it again.

He decided, that he had no other choice, but to seek out a meeting with The Dutch Monk, who taught French, Father A. was a very strict teacher, but had a passion for the French he taught, and the only time, he expressed true joy, is when students did well, in his subject.

It was Thursday, and he had a French class that day, after class he decided to wait until everyone was gone, and he approached the Monk.

Excuse me Father, may I have a word with you?

(Fr, A)." Oh course you may, I found your pronunciation in class, very good today". (The Lad) Well thank you Father, I don't want to take to much of your time, I just wanted to know, if you would be able to help me, translate a few pages of French.

(Fr. A)" Well, if it is in French, I guess you have come, to the right place, tomorrow after Mass, I will be in my study, for two hours or so, please come and see me then, and we will see what we can do.

(Lad)" Oh thank you Father, thank you very much."

That Friday, he could hear the monks chanting, and the bells ringing, and knew that the service, would soon be ending.

He combed his hair, placed the envelope in his pocket, found a pencil and pad, and headed towards the main section of the school.

He just hung around to the back of the building, looking at the mountains, so pristine.

He waited for about 45 mins., then he headed towards, the Dutch Monk's office.

As he was heading there, he ran into a friend of his, who had just finished, a bike trip to the Pitch Lake, in order to earn his badge, in biking from the scouts.

His friend was on his way to the showers, would tell him more, after dinner, later by the stone wall.

He continued down the corridor, and up the steps to the 2nd floor, he passed one or two doors, then he came to the Dutch Monk/The French Prof. office.

He gave two knocks on the door, which was half open.

He heard the Dutch Monk say "Yes, come in."

He slowly entered the room, and said, Hello Father, I brought the pages with me, that I wanted translated to English.

(The Monk), "Hand me those pages, and have a seat young man, Now Where??, did you obtain these pages ?? and how much do you know, about them ??

Father, honestly I don't know a thing about these pages, I found them in a book, I loaned out from the Abbey Library, they were in this blank envelope, addressed to no one, and no names, so I thought, that I should, bring it to your attention 1st., as it might be important. ?

(The Monk) "You've done well, by bringing this to me first, and to no one else.

I will now read it quietly, and see what, its all about.

It seems, like I have, seen this writing before, Oh yes, 1944. that was the year, I had four young men in my class from Europe, and they all spoke French, very well.

That year, was hell for me, they argued, in the best of French with me, about everything, anything that was wrong in school for them, they would complain to me, I think, they thought, I was the French Embassy or something ?

Even their parents, had to speak to me, it was hell.

Those blessed four. Well, enough about that, let’s continue our reading, I will translate a few lines here, what it says.

We are the Knights of White Stones on top of Mt.Tabor, we drink cheap wine, and scream out, our girlfriends name, and ask the question.

Why us, why did we have to spend, four of our most precious years, away from the mademoiselles.

Today we dance on the stones, its 1946, we had to open the Chest and put a book into it, in this book, many photos and stories will be revealed.

The cover of the book, is of a big playing card, it's the " King of Hearts".

Yes we dance, for the Chest, it will bring, smiles and tears, to the Knights of that time, so many tales and stories, of so many years, and you have been chosen, to continue to add to this Chest.

All the Chronicles, photos and stories, up to the last year, that the school stays in existence, must be placed in this Chest, before the year of 2012.

If you choose to take on this task, there will be no turning back, this is a lifelong task, of all Knights of White Stones, on Mt. Tabor.

Their commitment if you want to continue, you must ask an eagle, " Where do Angels Fly" ? He will reply," In Heaven", Wait two weeks, and some one, will contact you.

(The Monk) Well, I guess that´s it.

So what do you make of all this, young knight ?

(The Lad) Oh father I think its a bit Medieval, a little bit of a modern day pirates, of the west indies, kind of story, I think too much cheap wine, could affect the mind.

The young man stood up, and thanked the The Dutch Monk, the professor of French, for his time.

The Monk asked, may I keep these pages??

The lad said, Oh, of course Father, I have no further use of those pages, written in French.

The young man left the monk's office, and they never ever spoke to each other again for two years.

The last day, before he was about to leave the mount, for good, in 1950.

The Dutch Monk/The French Professor approached him, with a smile, on his face, he said, did you ever contact the Eagle??

The boy replied, what Eagle? and smiled, the monk then said, I always wondered, what is in that Chest, as sometimes I would overhear them in French, always talking about that Chest, it meant everything to them those mountains, up there.

Well my boy, it was good having you on the mount, now you must go out there, and do your best, and make us proud,

Good bye ,and take care.

(Tales of "The Knights from White Stones.") G#1

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Towards The End of the Tale." The Knights from "White Stones"

Glen Mckoy

ViewFriday, April 4, 2008 7:33:55 PM

Abbey School Mt. St. Benedict/Tunapuna/Trinidad(1912-2008)Old Boys/ Private Club(1940's-1974?) - members only.

Hello,

My dear brother Oscar, (& all my brothers around the world) and new brothers , now joining the " sight".welcome.

Your request, to have those personal articles, printed in the next newsletter.

Well, there are, a lot of brothers, that are mentioned in these articles.

So, only the with permission, and consent, of those brothers, you may see, some articles, or parts, of articles printed.

Also remember, the Circular, is open to the Public, Internet.

Wait, and we will see. Oh Yeah! and the story goes on.

Towards, the end of the Tale. "The Knights from "White Stones" Rumours, has it, That in the End, it was written, that they were overcome , by "The The Power of One, A true One Love, Unity", was formed.

Amongst these, Knights, a Sacred, Secret Circle, of Brothers, Where only, Eagles dare,

They, were All Knights , from The Abbey.

From, all Boarders, and races, and places they came.

Of, all languages, and ideologies, this space, they shared.

Placed together, on this mountain top, in this, Time Zone, in this, Time Capsule :- (1944-1974)??

Welcome to the Club.

I think, all The Dream Warriors, are present. Sir, Father, and whoever else?? is on this "Sight" right here, right now.

Best Regards to all my Brothers,

Glen McKoy.

(Parrot Troop, proud member Since 1968-2008.)

Big Hi! goes out to:- G#2/Tarzan/Aziz/CheChe/Oscar/Attila/G#3/Mono/Villa/Kertesz/Larsen/Boos/Jan over n out G#1

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KNIGHTS OF THE MOUNT / by the "Hedges"‏

From: Glen Mckoy (mckoy43glen@hotmail.com)

Sent: Mon 3/31/08 5:32 PM

To my fellow brother musicians, I was trying to write a song, but ended up with this, tell me what you think?

KNIGHTS OF THE MOUNT. (Abbey-Old-Boys, private-club members-only) Tunapuna / Trinidad.

Knights of the Mount, in the sky where the eagles fly.

A young man dreams begins, as he grows, to be strong.

From the youth, to man, he becomes. Knights of the Mount, up in their " Boarders Castle" Looking down off the mountains of Tunapuna, on the island de la Trinidad.

The vast land ahead, so flat, as far as you can see.

As you watch the planes come in, and take off, into the sky. It also made you. Wish you could fly.

Lasting memories from 1968, when I was a boy at the age of 12 years old.

By the Hedges on the Mount. And yes, when the sun went down , the mountains got cold.

Best Regards to all my Brothers,

Let the sunshine in, love to all

Glen McKoy. (parrot-troop proud member since 1968-2008)

Big Hi, goes out to G#2/Neil/Aziz/Tarzan/Wayne/CheChe/G#3/Mono/Bandit/Boos/G#1 over ... n ... out ...cheers.

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Good to dream about our times, maybe a little far flung but this is the tale I got and hope you have liked it.

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57IF0002UNKNOWNS, Can you help??

06GE0007GEV, Glen Evelyn in China.

48TE0002SCOUTS, by Trevor, can you help with the names??

05AF0001AFR, Andres Freytes at a language exhibit