Circular No 1,001

 

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

Caracas, 31 of January 2021 No.1001

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Dear Friends,

Here is the first issue with the new format, once a month or/and as news demands it.

This is due to the financial constrains that I am working with, and the shortage of news.

Your generosity will help to increase the number of issues per month.

I thank those that have asked and have send in funds anonymously.

At the end of this issue you will find the instructions to send funds, I know your limitations.

But here in Venezuela our situation is precarious.

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laszlo kertesz

To: Rafael & Norma Echeverria

Sat, Jan 23 at 5:21 PM

Hola Cheche

There is a conflict as to the dates with the tapia building erected in 1911. This small house might have been the dwelling of the original owner and must have been at the present monastery location as this was the only relatively flat land available.

This lack of real dates is because there might have been houses at the present location while the Mt Tabor monastery was under construction and these stayed even after Mt Tabor was inaugurated.

Also, maybe these two locations worked parallel around 1920s.

I imagine that the pilgrims would not be asked to go to Mt Tabor, an extreme walking exercise for most and the present location would suffice.

There is a note that the Mt Tabor building were closed in 1933, due to the lack of sufficient water.

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Glen G. McKoy posted in Mt St Benedict Abbey Boys Int'l

2 January at 08:53

Cheers, a New Year 2021. Knights-Watch / Eagles Nest / Mt. Tabor. / La Casa- El Castle. 21 we hope to get some Club business done.

On our list we still need to know the names of the boys of the last class of boarders, and the last class of day boys.

Our great list maker, Sir  Nigel Boos, single handed made what we call the "The List", Sir  Ladislao Kertesz  & Sir Don Mitchell, expanded our reach with the Great Circular, this is our soul written with blood, sweat and tears, on these our history, if you want to know why, we are here.

We got our blessings from Sir Arthur  Val Knaggs, Sir  Jon Golding, Sir David De Castro, Sir Trevor Evelyn, The tales, the stories, the mysteries, our book the Circular, the photos, 70% not seen yet?

We have procrastinated on representing our school, during a historical time, the independence of our island.

Our little school made a big difference, when our country was still a civil state of decency and innocence.

Our members have made significant changes in business, honest professions in the oil sector, Law, medical, education, art & entertainment and less than -1% in politics ha ha,

Anyhow, most of us boarders for sure were boy scouts, a troop, we attended world jamborees, we studied different languages, we played every sport, some of us, excel in everything ha ha not me ha ha, but you cannot buy a boy life like that, good, bad & ugly.

We were tough as hell, smart brats, we would fight and become best friends, ha ha, you mess with one of us, you messed with all us ha ha, how many brothers you have??

I mean real brothers 50 f-ing years after. Welcome to the Club Los Amigos & Los Hermanos.,

Cheers here we go again. One Love / One Club. Long Live The Mount 2021 –

Cheers, El Staff. 

(PS. The writer has taken off for vacation to Isla de las Mujeres and is unavailable)

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Jorge Iwaszkiewicz sent you $35.00

Feliz Ano Nuevo 2021 contribucion para Mount Boys newspaper.

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Thanks to George Mickiewicz we have a video on the prospectus for those that want to know more about the ways of the Monastery and of the recruting work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNUWig9XiX8&feature=share,

George Mickiewicz

Sun, 24 Jan, 16:17 (2 days ago)

Subject: 2 "OLD" ARTICLES ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Sharing in case you have not seen/read before……came across these 2 this past week:

School throws out 100 students, LARA PICKFORD-GORDON

SUNDAY 14 SEPTEMBER 2003

The Education Ministry’s tardiness in making proper arrangements with St Bede Vocational School, Mt St Benedict, has left approximately 100 students shut out for the rest of the new school term.

Parents and students were shocked to learn via a letter last Friday that they (the students) had only three days left at the school.

The letter from the Abbot of Mount St Benedict, Rt Rev Francis Alleyne stated: “To date, proper arrangements between the Ministry and St Bede have not been finalised, that is, no formal contract has been signed and nothing has been paid to the school.”

The students, who previously attended Curepe and Mt Hope Junior Secondary Schools, were supposed to sit the 14-plus exam this year.

However, an assessment was done at their respective schools last year and they were assigned to St Bede’s in November.

Alleyne informed parents that the school did not have proper authority to have the students in the school and also could not meet its financial commitments for example, salary for staff, maintenance, equipment and material.

He said the school finished the last school year by taking a “substantial loan” from the Abbey with the expectation, each day, that the matter would be rectified.

Alleyne said at present the school did not have a legal agreement with the Ministry nor finances but it did have a “big loan” to pay.

Parents were told that from September 17 their children could no longer be accommodated, and St Bede will only accommodate its private students.

Alleyne referred them to the Ministry for clarification of their children’s future. Lorencia Ballack, whose sons Michael and Matthew are students of St Bede’s said: “The children were getting their things for school and to get a letter like this, saying they are no longer accommodated, this brings them down.”

She too is hurt and disappointed. Ballack said she has purchased shirts costing $35 each, a steel tip shoe costing $250, an overall costing $150, welding jacket and goggles. Ballack said the parents have been also paying $20 for a security guard.

She said when the students were sent to St Bede’s the Ministry was supposed to assign more teachers, but this never happened, and the students had many free periods.

“Some of them run away from school, they would rather go home than stay in school doing nothing. Some end up fighting or stealing from other students.”

She said the Curepe and Mt Hope Junior Secondary School students were sent to St Bede’s as part of a project to send some students to vocational schools.

They were allowed to wear their secondary school uniforms until they purchased the new uniform.

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A bit of history about Abbott Alleyne

AMERICA/GUYANA – GEORGETOWN BISHOP BENEDICT SINGH RESIGNS REV. FRANCIS ALLEYNE APPOINTED - Agenzia Fides

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OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO HARRY LAUGHLIN –

Trini-born dancer choreographs Olympic volleyball entertainment

SATURDAY 25 AUGUST 2012, ANGELA PIDDUCK

The 26-year-old daughter of Harry and Dale Laughlin of Haleland Park, completed the CXC exams at Providence, and “A” Levels at St Joseph’s Convent.

Always in love with dance, she first danced with Caribbean School of Dance and then became a member of the Metamorphosis Dance Company.

She obtained a Bachelor of Fine Arts, majoring in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College, New York, and a Masters in Public Relations from University of The Arts, London.

Laughlin is currently employed as a dancer/choreographer by AMCK Management Ltd.

“Steph”, as she is fondly called, has pioneering in her DNA.

Her father is reportedly the first person in this country to have achieved the President’s Gold Award in 1967, while at The Abbey School in Mount St Benedict.

He completed the bronze and silver in this multidisciplinary programme, which is diverse in its activities so that participants get a wide range of experiences and knowledge that they would not have gotten in the classroom.

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This is the information about Harry Laughlin in our database:

Nicknames: "Big Mouth",  "Mice"

Vice-President of the "MOLDS' (Mount Outside Literary and Debating Society 1964.

Scout - Scouts PL of the "Robert Falcon Scott Patrol for senior boys.

President's Trophy for Best All-Round Student 1967.

Victor Ludorum prize one year.

Older brother of Michael, in Trinidad 678-4514(Cell)

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Merry Xmas wishes

Ian Gomes

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all my family and friends wherever you are.

Please enjoy the season and stay safe.

Keith Allen

Merry Christmas Ian,Donna and the boys.

Garth Alexander

Same to you Ian and your family...

Ian Gomes

Thanks all. Please stay safe. 

Thanks again folks. 

Gerry Campbell

Keep strong, peace and goodwill be yours...

Zephryn Robinson

Thanks Ian and wishing you the same to u and yours.

Stay safe

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Hi, Ladislao,

Father David Oliviere,..who was a Seminarian at the Abbey while we were there.

He used to play soccer too.

What would be the best way to get some dues through to you in support of your stellar work in keeping those Circulars going?

You sent 24 December 2020

In the name of the The Abbey School Old boys, Mt. St. Benedict, I wish you a Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year. RSVP to Kertesz11@yahoo.com, so that I may renew contact information, Ladislao Kertesz EDITOR

Garnet sent 24 December 2020

Merry Christmas to you and your Family too, Ladislao..and the best of everything for 2021

Kertesz11@yahoo.com,....My Email address is Garnet Diaz...Redstone_6@sympatico.ca

Garnet sent 5 January at 12:58

Happy New Year to you too Ladislao, stay safe and healthy.

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to subscribe and be in the circular’s mailing list or if you would like to mention any old boy that you would like to include, instructions are at the end of this page.

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Photos:

20LK0004FAUGRP,  Fr. Augustine, group including Ambassador and Fr. Abbot.

57RB0002a4, Roberto Bodington and Fr. David Oliviere

58RB0001a4, UNKNOWN

09SC0012SCOTAMPA, Salvador Coscarart, Antonio Zanella and Sarkis Farchak

 

 

 

 

 

Circular No 1,000

 

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

Caracas, 2 of January 2021 No.1000

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Dear Friends,

Happy New Year 2021.

The world will be different from now on.

This also includes the Circular.

The final issue in the existing format.

But no worry, if any news pops up it shall be reported, and sent to those who have been generous and gave funds for use in 2021.

Maybe those who are not interested in sharing should arrange to have a copy resent from one that is a friend of the newsletter.

To get information on how to remit funds, please contact me by email, Skype, or telephone.

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idmitch@anguillanet.com

Tue, 29 Dec 2020, 17:00

Thank you, Paul for this interesting biography. 

I do hope that Ladislao will find a place for it before he ceases publication. 

I think he would appreciate your sending him full strength photos for the Circular.

Best for the New Year,

Don

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From: Paul de Verteuil <pablodevert@gmail.com>

Sent: Tuesday, 29 December 2020 13:48

First of all, I would like to thank Nigel Boos, Don Mitchel, Ladislao and all others for all they have done so much over the years trying to keep the Circulars and MSB memories alive. Here is some material for the next Circular.

Russell Cuhna, Paul de Verteuil and Bernard D’Abadie receiving Queen Scout certificates.

Fr. Bernard once said about the name D’Abadie.  "I have heard of dotting I’s and crossing t’s but I have never heard of dabbing d’s.”

I was a Boy Scout for most of the time spent at Mount and eventually became the Troupe Leader during my final two years at Mount. I remember for my "survivors’ badge" I had to go into the Hills behind the school with only a live chicken, some flour and salt, some matches and a canteen with fresh water. I had to build my own “lean to” shelter and camp for the weekend, killing, cooking, and eating the chicken and a “twist” made from the flour and water.  I do not think I could survive that today.

Russel Cuhna, Gordon Mitchell, Paul de Verteuil, Michael Marchok and Johnny Abraham at the starting line.

There have been many "Mount Stories" already published in the circulars over the years that I can relate to. I will add a few more that I believe have not already been published.

1. Does anyone remember the day that Father Ildefonse held someone by his legs over the second floor balcony, shook him and called him “Stultum” because he could not get the syntax of a Latin sentence correct.

2.The second story was when the monks had decided to cut down some trees for lumber and were dragging the logs out of the forest and onto the basketball court with a Brahaman bull.

One day, someone, I believe it might have been Gordon Mitchell, happened to be in the path of the bull, (thank goodness the bull still had the logs attached), and the bull charged and tossed the student into the air and out of the way.

To my knowledge the only thing that was hurt was his pride.

Here is a synopsis of my life after I left mount in 1962:

I obtained my A levels from CIC and then a degree in Civil Engineering from UWI in 1968.

Attended Ohio State University on a scholarship to study Highway Engineering for one year.

Returned to Trinidad and worked for two years as a Project engineer /manager for Seereeram Bros. on the Southern Highway from Chaguanas to San Fernando.

In 1973 I returned to OSU and obtained my Masters degree in Geotechnical Engineering and continued working as a Geotechnical Engineer, for various consulting engineering firms in the Central Ohio area until I retired at age 70, about 4 years ago.

I met and married my wife Virginia after graduating from OSU. I have three children, two sons and a daughter, who are now all married and I have four grandchildren.

Now that I am retired my hobbies are oil painting and playing my steel pan.

You can type: trinipanx2 into your browser and check me out playing a few tunes on Youtube.

Stay safe and have a Happy New year

Best regards

Paul de Verteuil

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Brian Gonsalves

Sun, 20 Dec 2020, 13:06

Dear Ladislao

I am forwarding a copy of my email to Don, who has suggested that I contact you directly to request the most convenient and reliable method for me to transfer a contribution to you, prior to your milestone 1000 issue...

Please send me the relevant details and I shall arrange to transfer the funds, via your US contact, early next week.

Antennas a salvo, los mejores deseos y Buena salad para torso

Brian

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Subject: Re: Abbey School, Mt St Benedict

From: Brian Gonsalves <brimichgonsalves@gmail.com>

Sent: Sunday, December 20, 2020, 3:19 PM

Dear Don,

Thank you sending out Ladislao's latest MSB circular, which has 'jogged' my memory about the impending 1000th issue which may be ending shortly and I would appreciate a small favour from you –

I want to make a token contribution to help Ladislao to finish his long-standing commitment to MSB 'on a high note' - if 'the curtain is going to fall' in 2021 .... the fact that he has kept the circulars going for so long is an amazing achievement of his personal resolve and dedication to all Old Mount Boys throughout the world..

So please could you send me, in confidence, details of the most convenient method for me transfer US$100 to his Account in Venezuela?

I believe that the relevant information may have been given in past circulars - perhaps you can let me know which specific issue and I can check the details and carry out my transfer?

Meanwhile, I trust you and your family will have a safe and peaceful Christmas, despite the dreaded Covid crisis ….

Keep well, best wishes and good health to all,

Brian

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Jan en Berthy <jankoenraadt@gmail.com>

Fri, Jan 1 at 11:31 AM

Best wishes for the new year 2021 too.

Times go bye, we are a family of 15, been a couple since 1973 got married in 1978, four sons, three daughters in law, two granddaughters, four grandsons. Good memories from Mount St. Benedict, will cherish them from being 70 on.

Let’s not forget. Great admiration for all who kept up the alumni thing going, Ladislao, Don Mitchell, Nigel Boos, Glen McKoy and others. 

Be well everybody!

Jan Koenraadt MSB '63-'67

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Thanks for the comments and your help. George

There is a myth that all oldboys use FACEBOOK, I do not use it except to get at the photos of oldboys so that I may use it in the Circular.

That is why I copied the conversation of the Venezuelans giving thanks to the donations by the ASAA.

And now thanks to your reminder I am going to look up the FACEBOOK page to see if I find something useful for the Circular being reported on the Reunion.

What is the address, as it is not "MSB Facebook"

It is sad that with all the messaging systems, groups etc. the organisers do not use these means to advertise and promote their pet projects.

Ladislao

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Tim Gail Mew MHC

Wed, 6 Jan, 05:03

Hi Ladislao,

Good luck here with your pitch for funds to keep going.

I hope you managed to collect my small contribution and wish I could have sent more $, but I am now fully retired from work and a pensioner.

It may have to come to an end and no doubt it will be a bitter sweet result for you.

Less work, more time with family and business, more efforts for survival in a very tight economic situation.

Also the Covid19 crisis could not have come at a worst time for Venezuela 🇻🇪.

Keep safe and well as best you can.

Tim

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From: David de Boehmler

Date: 2/7/2005 9:42:31 PM

Dear Ladislao,

Well, I believe you were far before my time.

But I am impressed with the idea of a site for Mount St Benedict's.

If there is such a thing.

So far, I have only received your letter and the photo attached, which seemed incomplete by the way because one of the names was Mr Tyrell, and he was not on the photo perhaps there was another photo.

I like the idea of email addresses attached also.

I too would like to know the story of Mount St Benedict.

I guess I lost touch when I left in 60 or 61, I am not sure.

Wouldn't it be great to see photos of all the classes?

Well, here is my contribution.

I am sure I have more somewhere but cannot find them at present.

As to which class this is, I am not sure but some of the names I will try to fit in.

David de Boehmler.

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Caribbean Watercolours by David de Boehmler

Now living in Australia, David was born in Trinidad and has been a prolific artist for 30 years.

He currently paints watercolours depicting life in the tropics, focussing on Trinidad and Tobago with its fun loving people.

His paintings reflect the vibrant colours and scenes found throughout the Caribbean.

He has exhibited his work in Australia, Canada, Trinidad and the United States

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David has been a prolific artist for the past 30 years, working in every medium.

Over the last few years, he has focused on watercolours.

He has had exhibits in Australia, Canada, Trinidad, and the United States.

You can purchase some of his art from this site.

We have a new page called the Gallery, where you can see a sampling of works that have sold.

David also works as an illustrative sign painter and commercial artist, specializing in artistic signage, but he makes every effort to put his art first.

David and his lovely Australian wife, Joy, live on the south coast of Victoria, Australia.

His current works depict life in the tropics - focussing on his homeland, the beautiful, tropical islands of Trinidad and Tobago, with its fun loving people.

His paintings reflect the vibrant colours and scenes found on all the islands in the Caribbean and in many other tropical places - beaches, boats, vegetation, people, street, and market scenes.

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz.  Contact kertesz11@yahoo.com if you would like to be in the Circular’s mailing list or if there is any Old Boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

15LK4822FBMDO, Michael

17LK3687FBRJOWFE, Richard Jordan and wife

68LK8107FBLCHFAM, Leonardo Chacin and family

09LK2933LKEGRP, Fr. Augustine, Ladislao Kertesz and Fr. Cuthbert

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