Circular No 299

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

Caracas, 28 of July 2007. No. 299

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Dear Friends,

Can anyone remember this visit??

Here is a compendium on Castro’s visit to the mount.

I must sadly say that I cannot remember, so “no comment”.

Maybe our house writer, Wayne Vincent Brown might be kind to confirm the visit???

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Re: CASTRO'S VISIT TO MOUNT !!!!

Norman Smith

Tuesday, June 26, 2007 10:39:01 AM

Fidel's visit was before my time (61-66)...

I remember the map that was posted on the bulletin board during the Missile Crisis.

It showed the range of reach (and destruction) of the missiles in Cuba.

For a brief moment we were scared.

The view of Mount from Piarco Airport must be very different today with civilization creeping up the mountain.

For those that have viewed Mount from space (Google Earth), you have seen there is a cloud blocking most of the view.

How can we request they upgrade that shot?

The pool looks abandoned.

Have a nice day!

Norman SMITH

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Re: CASTRO'S VISIT TO MOUNT !!!!

Nigel Boos

Monday, June 25, 2007 8:13:53 AM

Seems like I'll have to do it again, eh?

In a while, Che Che. . . . . . . . . . . OK - how's this?

FIDEL COMES TO VISIT

The Abbey School, being a boarding school, operated a system which was a little different from every other school on the island.

We had ½ day classes on Wednesdays and we made up the lost time by having ½ day classes again on Saturdays.

Which meant, of course, that we actually spent MORE time in class than every other school, because whereas the afternoon classes ran only from 1.00 p.m. to 3.00 p.m., (i.e., for 2 hours), morning classes ran from 8.00 a.m. until 11.30 a.m., if I remember correctly. (i.e., we put in at least 1 ½ hours MORE per week than any other kids in Trinidad).

But that’s another story.

BUT ….. it also made us that much more fit, because every half-day, we had to trek downhill to the Sports Field at the base of the mountain on which the School was built, and then back up again, at 5.30 p.m.

So, whether we liked it or not, we just had to do it. . . .

But what the heck!

It was good exercise, and it made men out of us.

It was on one of these half-days, I can’t remember whether it was a Wednesday or a Saturday, that we received a message that the President of Cuba, Senor Fidel Castro himself, was about to pay an unplanned visit to the Mount.

We were asked not to interrupt the great man, but to carry on with whatever we were doing, except that, should we run into him, we should simply be polite and wait for him to pass by, as he wished.

Excitement ran high.

We finished our lunch and headed to the dorms to get dressed for lawn tennis, cricket, swimming, or whatever.

And, with towels around our necks, rackets in hand, ready for the afternoon’s games, we headed down the hill.

Bro. Vincent accompanied us, as he always did, and chatting as we went, it was soon apparent that something unusual was happening.

The line of boys had come to a complete halt.

Right across the road from the “Rest House”.

(The Rest House was a place where pilgrims to the Mount could purchase refreshments and relax while eating their food).

And there, standing outside his motor car, surrounded by a small group of his officers, all clad in fatigues, was the Great Man himself.

Fidel was a tall man, as I remember, and one or two of the Benedictine monks (possibly Fr. Abbot) and Fr. J.C. Lee Sing – our Spanish teacher) were there, chatting and most probably explaining the story of Mt. St. Benedict to him.

Noticing our presence, he nodded to us and waved once, but sadly, he did not come over to us to talk with us.

Any further information, I suggest that you might like to contact former Bro. Vincent.

I believe he's a deacon now, and a lawyer, somewhere.

Don or Ladislao should have his contact info.

Nigel

…………………………………………………………………………………….

CASTRO'S VISIT TO MOUNT !!!!

Don Mitchell CBE QC

Monday, June 25, 2007 5:00:46 AM

Hello all,

I tried doing a search of the Blogs for the word "Fidel".

I searched them all.

I could not find a positive result.

Perhaps it was not published?

Don

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Re: CASTRO'S VISIT TO MOUNT !!!!

Rafael Echeverría

Sunday, June 24, 2007 11:34:18 PM

Thank you so much Don !!!

Believe it or not Don... just the brief description you give means a lot to me for the chronicle I am working on !

Thank you so much Don !!!

Even though you do admit to have been just a kid when all this happened ....

Can you confirm to me- to the best of your own recollection - if what I recalled about Fr. Bernard's description of events is correct ?

Can you describe Castro's personal demeanor ?

Was there any particular issue - about the man or the moment - that might have impressed you or "impacted" you ?

Please tell me.

I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.

Believe me, it's important to me.

I am carrying on a research on the matter by direct testimony from witnesses and you are a very qualified one !

You were there.

Siempre Amigo !!!

Rafael / CheChe

P.S.- Can anyone else give me a hand ?????? LADISLAO !!!!!!!!!!!! ....... HELP !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Re: CASTRO'S VISIT TO MOUNT !!!!

Rafael Echeverría

Sunday, June 24, 2007 11:19:07 PM

Thank you Nigel,

Please! If you do find your article kindly send it to me.

I am highly interested in this issue.

Thank you Nigel !

CheChe

P.D. Hey Ladislao!!!! Do you have Nigel's Article???? Can you re-send it to me????

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On 6/24/07, Nigel Boos <nigelboos@yahoo.ca> wrote:

Che Che,

You are quite right about this.

I distinctly remember the occasion, and in fact, I had written the story as an article for Ladislao about 2 years ago.

I can't remember whether it was ever posted onto the now-defunct website, but maybe Don or Laz can tell us both whatever became of the article.

Good hearing from you.

Blessings.

Nigel

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Hello CheChe,

I was there.

I can remember as a small boy, in about 1958 or 1959, standing among a large crowd of persons on the road to the Abbey waving at the great man.

I do not recall much about it, as I was a very young boy, perhaps 11 or 12 years of age.

He was dressed in his green military fatigues and sported his big beard, and waved back at all of us.

But, what it was all about was way above my head.

Don

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CASTRO'S VISIT TO MOUNT !!!!

Rafael Echeverría

Sunday, June 24, 2007 4:25:13 PM

REF: FIDEL CASTRO's VISIT TO MOUNT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dear Ladislao ... and all the rest of you ... good friends from the ol'days !

During my stay at Mount (1964 - 1967) I was told that Fidel Castro had visited the Island of Trinidad shortly after becoming Cuba's ... owner .... and that he actually visited Mount St. Benedict and The Abbey School. As a matter of fact I clearly recall this anecdote as told to me by Father Bernard himself. Fr. Bernard told me that Castro - ending an official visit - was actually boarding his plane back to Cuba and as he was ascending the stairs he stopped and looked at Mount St, Benedict's building in the middle of the mountains. (I remember that sight very well myself. Mount was clearly visible from Piarco Airport, just looking up at the mountains.)

According to Fr. Bernard's account (as I hardly remember it!!.. I was with other fellow students .. I don't remember whom... I believe I was with Irvin Allum or Norman Smith... I'm just not sure) and right before entering into the plane, Fidel Castro pointed at Mount and asked what was that building(?). People informed him that it was a Monastery of Benedictine Priests and a School for Boys. Castro - surprisingly - went back down the stairs and asked to be taken to Mount to visit the site. And he did!

Can anyone confirm this with a more detailed description? Can you ask any of your class mates or ask any or the priests still at Mount ? (Fr. Cuthbert perhaps?)

Exact date ?

Who was Castro accompanied by?

Who received him at Mount?

Was The Abbot present?

What did Castro say?

Are there any particular detail or any other remembrance from such an event?

What facilities did he visit at Mount?

Any particular comments from him?

Did he speak to any of the Mount students?

Can anyone from the generation of the late 50's into the 60's (1958 to 1962) tell me about this ??? I am HIGHLY interested in this.

Can anyone help me ????

Please !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rafael Echeverria / CheChe

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That was the correspondence on Fidel´s visit to the Mount. Any comments are appreciated.

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Photos:

02LK0001LKEGRP, Dinner in Caracas, Peter Morvay, Urbano Fedak, Pedro Castro, Ladislao Kertesz

02LK0002LKEGRP, Dinner in Caracas, Ladislao Kertesz, Peter Morvay, Urbano Fedak, Isaias Farcheg.

Circular No 298

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

Caracas, 21 July 2007. No. 298

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Dear Friends,

Finally, some news on the state of the sports field.

Here in Venezuela we have discussed this with Hector Ahow, who is doing business in Trinidad with the Oil Industry.

I am sure he would gladly join the group that is planning the recuperation of the sports complex.

The CIRCULAR shall do what is in its possibility to join in the common effort to transmit all the memos of the reunions and the photos that the committee is going to produce.

We would suggest that all the TT ALUMNI get rolling the long dormant Alumni association.

From correspondence Dr. David Bratt has been doing research on this possibility in 2005.

And lately Robert De Verteuil has been procuring email addresses and telephone numbers of known Alumni.

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From: Don Mitchell CBE QC [mailto:idmitch@anguillanet.com]

Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 5:05 PM

Subject: Mount Project

Hello all.

My first reaction [on seeing the 2007 photos] was, "I could have cried."

I realise that is not very helpful.

What can I do even from this distance?

Don

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From: crt@tstt.net.tt

Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2007 13:04:28 -0400

Gentlemen,

Let’s face facts, MSB needs our assistance and we should give in whatever way we can.

Together we make quite a team and let us try and do our best.

The Abbey School Old Boys encompasses all sectors and we have the know-how and the contacts.

It is our school, our alma mater . . .

I am willing to do whatever I can.

Over the years we have lost contact with each other, at least speaking for myself.

It is via Michael that I got back into the loop.

I am trying to encourage some others of my time to return to the fold.

Cheers,

Chandra

(Good to hear from you, Chandra, I have tried to raise you but no luck till now. Ed.)

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From: G M [mailto:travellingcompanion@hotmail.com]

Sent: Sunday, July 08, 2007 9:55 PM

Hi Robert /Michael

Thanks for your questions.

The fact is that we have reached the stage where we have reached a consensus that something should be done with the sports area and that the next step is to continue contacting persons who have had a connection with the mount in the past and who are willing to contribute their time and expertise to the project of refurbishing the pool and tennis court areas.

It is of the view that the facilities be refurbished to a level that will attract corporate clientele, users of the facilities at the Mount, eg, guests at Pax Guest House, the seminarians, residents of St. Peters Home, the monks.

The monks are involved because it is from them that we are directing our findings and recommendations.

We will not be acting independently.

They will also have their input.

Brother Rupert in particular who has been involved in the area for many years is always kept informed of any meetings and their outcome.

It will mainly be the corporate clientele that will contribute towards the maintenance of the site once it is completed as well at the other users such as the guests at Pax Guest House, persons attending aqua aerobics sessions for example.

I don't think that it is such a good idea that one should say that MSB is being phased out.

Although the number have not increased significantly over the years there are a number of lay persons who do assist where needed in maintaining the community.

Remember we do have a lot to thank them for especially for the education that we have received in the past and the monks continued service to the community.

It will be shame if we don't make the effort to help in whatever way we can.

Attached is a copy of the first meeting we have had, indicating where we have reached to date.

We look forward to hearing from you and your contributions will always be appreciated irregardless of the distance where those concerned might be.

A collective action is always effective.

Regards

Gary

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From: "Michael D' Ornellas"
Date: Fri, 6 Jul 2007 11:51:24 -0400

Hi Robert,

I am copying this e-mail to Gary Matthews who is directly involved in this proposed venture....

Gary may be in a position to answer some or all of your questions.

Right now I think the team is just discussing and getting ideas .... no hard and fast policy just yet.

Thanks for your time and interest.

Take care,

Michael.

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From: Robert Huggins [mailto:huggro@shaw.ca]
Sent: Friday, July 06, 2007 9:32 AM

Hi Mike,

How are things your way?

Concerning the Mount project I have a couple of questions to ask:

(1) Who is the target audience being targeted?

(2) Since MSB is now a drug rehab centre why isn't the Church being involved?

(3) What is the return on this investment?

(4) After all is said and done who will proper maintenance, and who will fund this recurrent cost?

(5) If I remember correctly, MSB is pretty well being phased out due to lack of funding and new Noviciates.

Regards,

Robert

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From: G M [mailto:travellingcompanion@hotmail.com]

Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 3:58 PM

Hello all

Attached is a copy of the report of the meeting and site visit to the sports area under consideration together with supporting photos as to our findings.

Look forward to seeing you on the 7th July 2007

Gary

PS. Can you acknowledge receipt of this transmission to alegre@tstt.net.tt and use this for all future correspondence. More files to follow. Thanks.

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Just as Don wrote, it is a sad ending for the pool.

Hope that those who belonged to the Acqualad Swimming Club can provide ideas and maybe repay someway to their sports success.

I can only ponder as to where the bright clergy minds went?

I cannot believe that in an oil rich country as TT, with over 500 Alumni, a good majority in key government, industry positions, cannot make intelligent recommendations to save a land mark Monastery with all its facilities.

Can it be that there is an obstacle within?

Hope that Gary Mathews can find a solution agreeable to restore the sports area to its original conditions, or just restore it to a working sports complex.

Use the code on the photos when replying.

This is for now, keep well.

God Bless

Ladislao

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Photos:

07GM0001GMASFIELD, View of the sports field from the promontory

07GM0002GMAPOOL, View of the entrance

07GM0003GMAPOOL, View of the showers

07GM0004GMASPOOL, View of the pool.

57LK0001LKEPOOL, View of the pool in 1957

Circular No 297

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

Caracas, 14 July 2007. No. 297
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Dear Friends,

I have made couple of mistakes with the date and the consecutive numbering system.

You might have wondered why you are receiving repetitive Circulars.

This with the intention to correct the dates and numbers.
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From: enriquez@choicequip.com
Date: Sun, 11 Feb 2007 16:52:06 -0600

Salvador,

Aqui te mando una foto de estas Navidades con mis hijos(as) y mi esposa.

Que te parece? Como nos cambian los anyos.

Hoy me llamo Edgar Moffie desde Venezuela, que sorpresa.

Tambien recibi un mail de Carlos Alberto Maneiro,

El no era al que le deciamos margaritenyo que su papa lo venia a recoger en yate desde Margarita?

Bueno no sabes lo que me alegro que me llamaras y acordarnos de viejos tiempos, parece que hubiera sido ayer.

Ojala puedas pararte por Houston para que nos veamos.

Tienes una invitacion para venir a mi casa y quedarte con toda la confianza del mundo, aqui tienes un brother.

Hoy te mando mas fotos en otro mail.

Mandame fotos tuyas y de tu familia.

Recibe un fuerte abrazo.

Tu amigo.

Enrique (Kiko) Zanelli.

Here I am sending you a photo of these Christmas with my sons and my wife.

Do you like it? How have years changed us? Today Edgar Moffie called from Venezuela, what a surprise.

Also I received a mail of Carlos Alberto Maneiro,

Was he whom we called margariteno? His father came to pick him up in yacht from Margarita?

Good you do not know how glad I am that you called and to remember old times, that seemed as it had been yesterday.

Ojala you can stop by Houston so that we meet.

You have an invitation to come to my house and stay with all the confidence of the world, here you have a brother.

Today I will send you more photos in another mail.

Send me photos of yourself and of your family.
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From: "Salvador Coscarart"
Date: Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:29:53 -0600

Hello Ladislao,

Como estas tu y tu familia.

Bueno como puedes ver aqui encontramos otro abbey boy de la epoca de los 67al 70. Enrique Zanelli.

Bueno te dire que pase por su casa y nos echamos unos cuantos Old parrsitos ,jejejejej y nos cenamos una paella a la Zanelli.

Recordamos el pasado de nuestra infancia y la pasamos de lo mejor.

Saludos salvador.

How are you and your family?

Good as you can see here we found another abbey boy of 67 to 70s, Enrique Zanelli.

Good I can tell you that I passed by his house and we did drink a few Old parrsitos, jejejejej. and we had for supper a paella to the Zanelli.

We remembered the past of our childhood and we passed it very good.
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From: "Salvador Coscarart"
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 2007 18:05:05 -0400

Conyo,

Parece que este viejito que te acompanya no se pierde una foto con un vaso, chanfle las fotos que me han enviado lo veo asi, siempre con uno; menos mal que yo no me tomo fotos porque seriamos dos o somos varios??

Saludos, hablamos

Edgar

It seems that this viejito that accompanies you is always with a glass in a photo, chanfle the photos that I have received I see it so, always with one; thank heavens that I do not take photos because we would be two or are we several?

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De: enrique Zanelli [mailto:enriquez@choicequip.com]
Enviado el: miercoles, 14 de febrero de 2007 17:07
Edgar,

Recibi tu correo y que lastima que no pudiste ir a los carnavales de TRINIDAD.

Talvez podriamos hacer una reunion de alumni del MSB para el proximo ano durante los carnavales, que te parece?

Me saludas a tus viejos y diles que me acuerdo de ellos, muy lindas personas.

Tambien lamento lo de tu hijo, no puedo imaginarme el dolor que ha de haber sido.

En una nota mas alegre, Salvador estuvo en casa el Lunes, gozamos una bola recordandonos de viejos tiempos en el MSB mientras brindabamos con unos whiskeys.

Aqui esta la foto de los viejos amigos que todavia se sienten como carajitos.

Bueno Edgar te dejo para atender cosas de trabajo.

Recibe un fuerte abrazo y dile a tu hermano que no sea flojo y que escriba.

Saludos,

Enrique.

I received your mail and I am sorry that you did not to go to the carnivals in TRINIDAD.

Maybe we could make a reunion of alumni of the MSB for next year during the carnivals, what your think?

Say hello to your parents for me and tell them that I remember them, very pretty people.

Also I am sorry about your son, I cannot imagine the pain that must have been.

In a happy note, Salvador was in my house Monday, we had a ball remembering old times in MSB while we drank whiskeys.

Here is the photo of the old friends who still feel like carajitos.

Good Edgar I let you to take care of work things.

Receive a strong hug and tell your brother not to be lazy and write.
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From: "Salvador Coscarart"
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 16:37:27 -0600

Hola otra ves, aqui otro abbey boy, hermano de Enrique Zanelli.

Victor Zanelli Venezolanos los dos de caracas.

saludos

salvador coscarart.

Hello again, this time another abbey boy, brother of Enrique Zanelli. Victor Zanelli Venezuelan both of Caracas.
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From: amilitar@zahav.net.il
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 2007 11:10:51 +0200

Estimado salvador:

Junto con saludarte desde tierra santa y aunque no lo creas, si me acuerdo de ti, aunque yo solamente estuve en msb el anyo 70-71.

La verdad es que el mundo es muy pequenyo.

La semana pasada en mi oficina esperando un llamado telefonico desde chile, me puse a navegar por Internet y encontre un blog del colegio, y fue tanta la emocion que lo primero que hice fue llamar a mi hermano kiko a Houston, ya que aparecia tu nombre en una de las cartas y yo me acordaba de ti, como tambien de algunos otros y del equipo de natacion “aqualads”.

Durante mi estadia en el colegio me acuerdo del profesor el “gorilla” y de los curas father bernard (bobo) y de cuthbert (cutty).

De mis companyeros de curso me acuerdo de muy pocos, como james (jimmy) samaroo que nadaba conmigo, de un tal worrell y de un tal comissiong.

Tambien me acuerdo de angel gomez, de giacomo tomaselli que vendia helados en la guaira y de un cara de conyazo que tenia la nariz rota y del cual no me acuerdo su apellido.

I am greeting you from holly land and although you would not believe it, I remember you, although I was only at msb from 70-71.

The truth is that the world is very small? last week I was in my office waiting for a phone call from Chile, I started navigating by Internet and I found the blog of the school, and was so happy that the first thing that I did was to call my brother kiko in Houston, since your name appeared in one of letters and I remembered you, like some others and part of the swimming team?.the aqualads..

During my stay at the school I remember the professor “the gorilla” and priests like father Bernard (bobo) and of Cuthbert (cutty).

Of my classmates I remember very few, like James (jimmy) Samaroo that swam with me, of so Worrell and so Comissiong.

I remember Angel Gomez, Giacomo Tomaselli who sold ice-cream in La guaira and of a face with a broken nose and which I do not remember his last name.

Me alegro de que se hayan podido juntar con mi hermano en Houston y si planifican ir a trinidad, me encantaria poder acompanyarlos.

A lo mejor mi hermano ya te conto, pero a los 15 anyos mi viejo me mando a chile a la escuela naval y desde esa fecha que soy marino.

Ahora soy capitan de navio (navy captain) y me encuentro viviendo en Israel como agregado naval (naval attache) en la embajada de chile.

Casado hace 21 anyos y con tres hijos.

Te adjunto una foto mia con mi familia en el ultimo viaje que hicimos a Egipto.

Bueno salvador, te dejo por ahora y si tienes algo mas del colegio, me gustaria poder compartir con ustedes.

Un fuerte abrazo,

Pipo.

Captain (N) Victor A. Zanelli Suffo

Military and Naval Attache

Embassy of Chile

I am glad that you could meet my brother in Houston and if you plan to go to Trinidad, I would be glad to accompany you.

Maybe my brother told you, but when I was 15 years old my old man sent me to Chile to the naval school and from that date I am sailor.

Now I am a navy captain and I am living in Israel as a naval attache in the embassy of Chile.

Married for 21 years and with three children.

I enclose a photo to you of my family in my trip that we did to Egypt.
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From: Salvador Coscarart [mailto:salborbolla@hotmail.com]
Sent: Thursday, February 15, 2007 7:43 AM

Muy estimado Victor

Como estas no se si te acordaras de mi .

Bueno solo queria mandarte unos cordiales saludos y asi tambien darte mi direccion.

Un abraso

Salvador coscarart

Old abbey boy 1967 to 1974.

How are you I do not know if you remember me.

Good I only wanted to send you warm greetings and give you my address.
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Use the code of the photos when replying.
This is for now, keep well.
God Bless
Ladislao
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Photos:
07VZ00001VZAFAM, Victor Zanelli and Family
07EZ0001EZASCO, Enrique Zanelli and Salvador Coscarart..
07EZ0002EZAFAM. Enrque Zanelli and Family

Circular No 296

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

Caracas, 7 Julio 2007. No. 296

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Dear Friends,

Here is a short upto the point the Scounting rememberence written by Nigel Boos, thanks Nigel.

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SCOUTING AT MOUNT ST. BENEDICT

I became a Patrol Leader for the Woodpeckers Patrol in the 2^nd Mt. St. Benedict Scout Troop.

I attended the Mount for five years (1955-1960) and, since it was a small school, never exceeding 180 students, all of the students knew one another extremely well.

We studied together, ate together, played together, enjoyed music together, camped together, attended daily Mass together and so on.

For a long time after leaving The Mount I viewed my life as useful and valid only in relation to my friends from the school.

Maybe it was because we grew up in the post WWII era, a time when uniformed soldiers were on every movie screen and were great role-models for us young ones.

Maybe it was because we loved to parade in our khakis, black and gold scarf toggled at the neck, badges there to show as proof of achievement.

Or maybe we all simply enjoyed the challenge and the fun associated with scouting.

But for sure, Scouting at the Abbey School was a unique experience.

I believe it is true to say that we had more Queen Scouts than perhaps any other Scout Troop in the island.

But what else would one expect than a fantastic record, with a Scout Master like Fr. Ildefons in charge, a mighty man among men, followed after his resignation by the friendly, humble and caring Fr. Cuthbert, who had to learn everything about scouting from scratch as the Canadians say.

Sunday morning band practice was something to which we looked forward, bringing with it, as it did, noise, music (of a type), discipline, and great efforts by our band to maintain a high quality of martial tempo.

The trumpeters, who in my day included John Golding, Juan Marini, Pablo Figuera, Dennis Gurley, and others, led by Manuel Prada, set a wonderful, piercing tune, against the rat-tat-tat-tat, rat-tat-tat-tat, ah-rat, ah-rat, ah-rat-tat-tat-tat beating of the side drums, and backed by the Big Base Drum which was my job.

Frankly, I had the easiest job, as all I had to do was to hit the thing hard and keep time with everyone else.

We marched around the School a few times, much to the annoyance of the volley-ballers who had to pause in their game as we ducked under the net, and it was a blessed relief to everyone when, finally, we set off down the hill and along the roadway to entertain / annoy the rest of Trinidad and the monks of MSB.

It was always a highlight of the parade when Mike Howard was invited to step out in front of the band, with his silver baton (a thing with a heavy wooden ball at the top end).

Tall as he was, Mike led the parade from the front and inspired us with his wonderful, fancy marching style and handling of his baton.

A pitched bell-tent would sleep 8 boys, a full patrol.

Guy lines would have to be slackened at night before retiring, otherwise they would tighten and shorten during the night, and the tent could be ripped in half.

Camping with the 1^st Mount St. Benedict Scout Troop was an experience never to be forgotten.

Fr. Ildefonse would choose his camping ground, after much consultation with the Scout Commissioner, local landowners, and I suppose, our Troop Leader, Gerard Pampellone, and plans would be made.

Each Patrol Leader (mine was Woodpeckers) was responsible for ensuring that an adequate number of pots, pans, skillets, mugs, plates, cutlery, tents, poles, pegs, mallets, shovels, ropes, semaphore flags, etc. were packed into our Patrol Boxes and readied for departure.

On the big day, we would board the bus and accompanying cars in our uniforms and head out for a few days of glorious adventure.

On site, the routine began, with unloading, unpacking, distributing, checking, choosing Patrol sites, pitching tents, cutting bamboo, building trestle tables, making gadgets, cooking, inspections, hiking, mealtimes, campfires, games and of course, sleeping.

Each day began with a Wake-Up call, followed in short order by Holy Mass, from the back of Fr. Ildefons/ Cutty’s Volkswagen van.

The back of the van was set up as an altar, and (these were pre-Vatican II days, so the priest had his back to us, facing into the van) we stood around respectfully as the holy sacrifice was offered, in Latin.

We camped at a number of memorable sites all over Trinidad and Tobago, and I vividly recall one camp in Tobago, in 1961.

I think, when Mr. Bishop invited us to come to Tobago as guests of the Tobago Scout Association.

The land chosen for us was a concave basin, and we were positioned at the very base of the basin.

Mr. Bishop brought over the largest grass-cutter I’ve ever seen (which he probably used to cut the bush between his coconut trees), a huge apparatus pulled behind his tractor.

In no time at all, the area was cleared and we began to set up camp, pitching tents randomly around the inside of the basin.

We cooked supper and were preparing for bed when the heavens opened up.

Rain fell, bucket a drop, for the entire night and the water rose inch by inch inside of the tents.

Everything was soaked, in fact, everything was underwater, and we were cold and miserable.

An SOS call was sent out, presumably by Fr. Cuthbert, and in the middle of the night, cars began to arrive to extricate us from the bog which our campsite had become.

We were taken to a local school-house and offered accommodation in a few of the classrooms, which thankfully were dry.

We slept blissfully into the morning, all semblance of order having temporarily disappeared.

But not for long.. . . . . . . as soon as we had woken up and cooked breakfast, back we went to the campsite to salvage everything, traveling back and forth in Mr. Bishop’s tractor-trailer unit to a new campsite chosen for us, a lovely spot right on the water’s edge, with a beautiful view of sea and sand as only those who know and love Tobago can understand.

A very memorable camp indeed.

And so the years have flown.

We graduated from Abbey School and moved on with our lives.

Some of us went on to Form 6 at St. Mary’s, others attended Canadian, American, British and Venezuelan Universities, among others, and settled down, some with families, others not, but all retaining somewhere, in the backs of their minds, distant, lingering memories of those happy days of our youth, when we were ready to take on the world.

Receiving my Queen’s Scout Certificate from Fr. Abbott (Adelbert van Duin O.S.B.)

(Never got the photo where you were receiving the Certificate. Ed.)

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Use the code on the photos when replying.

Some of the photos have missing names, so please help.

This is for now, keep well.

God Bless

Ladislao

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Photos:

60NB0088NBOGRP, Mass from a VW

59NB0105NBOTENT, Bell shaped tent

60UN0001SCOUTBAND, Scout Band

63NB0001SCOUTS, Joe Azar and patrol