Circular No 842

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

Caracas, 23 of December 2017 No. 842

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Dear Friends,

Emails follow.

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May Christmas be a time of quiet Hope and may that Hope remain strong in the year to come!

Can’t believe that another year has flown by and I am again wishing you all Christmas Greetings and Blessings for 2018!

What a joy it is to get news from everyone, it is my favourite time of the year as we hear from friends all over the world. Both Richard and I have had a very reasonable year health wise. I had a two night stay in hospital in April with Cellulitis (Bacterial infection in my lymphodemic arm) and Richard has had Gout for the past two weeks (first time) but at our age I consider us both to be in excellent health! We keep fit by going to exercises and walking each day and as we live right near the Swan River and have such wonderful weather we love our walks.

We had a short trip to Bali with Karen and Bernard in June this year which we really loved but once again Richard says he is not going overseas any more. We also had some short breaks down South, me in Augusta recently for five days with a friend and both of us a couple of times to stay with Philip and family in Stratham. We recently did this and the highlight was lunching in the Ferguson Valley where the rolling hills were just turning brown but grape vines plentiful and we also loved watching two black cockatoos which are an endangered species coming in each afternoon to have a dip and drink in the bird bath.

Philip and family all well and he is talking of retiring in three years time, can’t believe we have a son old enough to do that! Liam lives in Perth in his own house and now has a girl friend. His mate hired Matthew to work last December and now Matthew (Geoff’s) now has a Heavy Duty Apprenticeship with him this year.

The rest of the family are all well thank God but they have had a few ups and downs this year . . .

The grandchildren all have had a good year bar Steven to whom Richard gave his ute in April when he could drive by himself.  He was hooning around, showing off and got done for that so had the ute confiscated for a month and had to pay a hefty sum to get it out!  We hope he has learnt his lesson.  Cherie graduated from her Psychology, Shannon is off to Broome to teach next year and Megan who did really well in her Science degree at Uni (top 1% of the whole Uni) has decided to defer for at least 6 months as she does not really know what she would like to do when finished!!

This year we will be celebrating Christmas with just our immediate family as Esmond who usually hosts us all is having visitors and family for Christmas.  We will be going to Jacinta and Trevor’s and will only be about 21 as Philip will be absent.  Everyone brings something so it is no big trouble for anyone.

Our big news this year is that we sold Moore River House of Chaos which we owned for nearly 40 years.  We decided we would not pass it to the family so made that decision and we were very sad to see it go especially as a couple of years ago we could have had over $1mil for it and got just over half that this year.

We got offered a villa unit in a Retirement Village in Rossmoyne at the beginning of November and accepted the offer subject to Sale of this house.  They give you one month to sell and one month to settle but so far we have only had one very low offer as things are depressed here in the Real Estate market, so we did not accept.  In the next couple of weeks we will have to make a decision if no further offers but we are not worried as we have a couple other apartment style  Retirement Villages nearby booked but we prefer this one.  The advantage is that it has the ongoing care should we need it.  It is very similar in style to where we live now.  I was hoping to include a change of address before sending this but now you will have to await developments just as we are doing.

Do write with all your news as so look forward to hearing it all.  God Bless and love from us both

Elspeth and Richard O’Connor

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O'Connor Elspeth <pethrich@westnet.com.au>

To: Don Mitchell,laszlo kertesz

Dec 21, 2017 at 8:41 PM

Thanks for your Christmas newsletter and your year seems to have gone well apart from the hurricane.  Glad to hear things are getting back to normal there.  Thanks also for all you do to keep the Mount “boys” connected.  I try to get Richard to dictate some news for you all but have had no luck.  He is definitely aging now and tends to take some nana naps in the evening as soon as he sits down, other than that he is going quite well at 85!  He goes to exercises once a week with a physio, goes to his Lifeball (both classes he is the only man left standing) and then walks on the other days.  Other than that he builds jig-saw puzzles on our back veranda all year around.  I take a photo of them and then we pass them on to others who do the same.

Enclosing our Christmas newsletter but would prefer you did not publish it in its entirety but you can put excerpts you think others might be interested in to read.  So far no luck in selling our house and we will leave it on the market till end of year.  We have other Retirement Villages booked so not too concerned if we do not move now.  

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year and thanks for all you both do. 

Elspeth

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Don Mitchell <idmitch@anguillanet.com>

Dec 22, 2017 at 8:30 PM

Thanks for the news, Elspeth.

Good luck with the retirement home and the sale of the house. 

Keep well in the New Year.

Don

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Tim Gail Mew <timgailmew@gmail.com>

To:laszlo kertesz

Dec 22, 2017 at 3:27 AM

Merry Christmas, you may care to publish this MSB photo that I came across.

Tim

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Nigel Boos <nigelboos@gmail.com>

Dec 21, 2017 at 9:47 PM

Here’s wishing you a very beautiful, holy, peaceful and grace-filled Christmas Day.

With love.

Nigel

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ANTONI MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>

Dec 22, 2017 at 10:03 AM

Hola Ladislao

I am planning to wire the money later on today into your Bank of America account that you sent me earlier this week.

Hi Joe

Never received the account number that was discussed in the Whatsapp sharings last week.  Will be depositing the total amount that I intended to contribute into Ladislao's account.

May God continue to bless y'all and save Venezuela from its tyranny,

George

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ANTONI MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>

To:Ladislao Kertesz

Dec 22, 2017 at 11:36 AM

Hola

I have just returned from bank.  Wired $500 to your BA account.  With the Christmas holidays here it might be next week before you see it in your account.  Please confirm upon receipt.

Made 2 assumptions based on the information you sent me:

1.  This account was opened and resides in the USA....not Venezuela or any other country

2.  Used this address for you in the USA: Sunny Isles Beach Miami fl.  as an address was required in the wiring form....might conflict with the one you have in the BA account.

Let's see what happens. 

Un abrazo,

Jorge

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ANTONI MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>

To: bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com, Ladislao Kertesz

Dec 22, 2017 at 12:11 PM

Dear Joe

Reading your note after just returning from the bank to wire all the money to Ladislao.

Needed to do it today as the banks will be closed for the next several days due to the Christmas holidays and we have family travel plans.

Until receiving your clarification in this note, I was under the impression that all the assistance was under one joint effort under Ladislao's guidance.  

I waited as long as I could to receive the account related to the ASAA...but never got it.

When and if I am able next year, will send my next contributions to the ASAA.

Wishing everyone a Blessed Christmas,

George

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ANTONI MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>

To: bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com, Ladislao Kertesz

Dec 22, 2017 at 12:26 PM

Dear Joe

Just posted this on Face Book.  Hope and pray that a few will step up to help.

For those of us who are able...please consider sending a contribution to our Abbey School Alumni Association (ASAA) under the guidance of our Father Harold Imamshah in Trinidad.  They are assisting our brothers in Eastern Venezuela with their many existing needs.  Please directly contact the current ASSA president, Joseph Berment- McDowald, bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com, for the needs, status of activities and options to donate.  Thanks and may God bless you.

Warm regards,

George

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Jorge Iwaszkiewicz <jjmiwaszkiewicz@hotmail.com>

To: bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com ,Ladislao Kertesz, ANTONI MICKIEWICZ

Dec 24, 2017 at 2:57 PM

Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year 2018.

Am happy to contribute but also need either Ladislao's bank # in the US or Joseph's....

As I am out-of-town (Bogota) will make a transfer late this week (if i can) or early next year.....

Jorge Iwaszkiewicz

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George Mickiewicz <amickiew@att.net>

To:Jorge Iwaszkiewicz

Dec 24, 2017 at 4:56 PM

Thanks, Jorge.  

Hope and pray that other old boys also follow your leadership and generous example. Travel safely. Felices Pascuas y un Prospero 2018.

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Joseph Berment-McDowald <bermentmcdowald@yahoo.com>

To: jjmiwaszkiewicz@hotmail.com ,Ladislao Kertesz, ANTONI MICKIEWICZ

Dec 24, 2017 at 6:01 PM

Many thanks Jorge,

We are on holiday. I'll send you mine during the first week of January..

God bless you all gentlemen.  It is in serving others that we find our salvation and come into our fullest humanity.

Peace, good health, happiness and prosperity, in the given order.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Sincerely,

Joe

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Jorge Iwaszkiewicz

15/12/2017

Yuri:

prefiero esperar que Ladislao nos mande el # de su cuenta y lo transferimos a el para que luego decida como utilisar estos fondos de la mejor/eficiente/necesitada manera.

Saludos

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Ladislao Kertesz  <kertesz11@gmail.com>

25/12/2017 (12 days ago)

Jorge, feliz navidad

La cuenta en el Bank of America es: 063 000047 898 058 196 783 a nombre de Ladislao Kertesz, lugar Miami FL.  agencia Bird and Ludian

Aqui ya con el costo de un litro de leche = 120.000 litros de gasolina, jaja

Saludos

Ladislao

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ANTONI MICKIEWICZ

15/12/2017

Gracias, Jorge

Hola Ladislao

También estoy en contacto con Joe Berment-McDonald y la ASAA en Trinidad. Por tu parte que prefieres que compartamos $ para la ayuda en Venezuela:

1.      Transmitir los $ a tu cuenta en BA

2.      Mandarselos a la ASAA para lo que usen por el courier el Doctor Adolfo

También tengo entendido que Glen McCoy está bregando de encontrar una manera de mandar comida/medicinas/etc Canada===>Trinidad=====> Venezuela.  No se en que termino esta idea. 

Un millon de gracias y que Dios te bendiga por todo lo que has hecho por tantos años con los Circulars y tu liderazgo en la ayuda de nuestros hermanos Venezolanos hoy en dia. No me puedo imaginar por lo que Ustedes han pasado y sufrido desde Chavez....pero especialmente ahora con Maduro.

Un abrazo,

Yury

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Jorge Iwaszkiewicz

15/12/2017

Hola:

Yes, I got together with him and discussed assistance to our Mount brothers.  He has an account with Bank of America (so do I) so it is easier to make the transfer directly to him.

He promised to send details of his account to make the transfer.

Guess we wait and through this email copy to him, he can send us the info. before Christmas.....

Saludos

Jorge

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From: ANTONI MICKIEWICZ <amickiew@att.net>

Sent: Friday, December 15, 2017 9:20 AM

Hola Jorge

Did you get an opportunity to meet with Ladislao in his recent trip to Colombia?....or perhaps he postponed it

Any progress in helping Venezuelan oldboys who need help via a Colombian route?

Thanks again for your willingness to help.

Un fuerte abrazo,

Yury 

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Classes of 1959-1960 meet again; Revised Database

View Saturday, April 12, 2008 2:42:13 AM

Last night, we were treated to a wonderful documentary presentation at the William Doo Auditorium of the U. of Toronto.  It was called "JAB", and was produced and directed by Alex De Verteuil (MSB Class of '59).  The story is based upon the little village of Paramin in the hills above Port of Spain, in Maraval, where people live in peace and tranquillity, growing their vegetables and ground provisions, and where Kootoo, the star of the film, is a local character preparing to lead his merry band of local young men, disguised as "Jabs" or Blue Devils into the city, for the Carnival celebrations.

I strongly encourage everyone to see this 46 minute film, as it highlights an unknown cultural phenomenon of T&T which has been with us for many years, but which is still not fully understood, not even by Trinidadians. 

Alex and his Co-Producer, Elizabeth Topp, should be congratulated for his effort in capturing the art form on film before, as seems inevitable, the progress of modernism takes away the fun and excitement of Blue Devil 'Mas.

The flyer stated:

CARIBBEAN STUDIES, NEW COLLEGE, UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

and A DIFFERENT BOOKLIST

INVITE YOU TO A SPECIAL  SCREENING OF

JAB: The Blue Devils of Paramin

Followed by a Q & A with Director/Producer Alex de Verteuil and Co-Producer Elizabeth Topp

WHERE: WILLIAM DOO AUDITORIUM, 45 WILLCOCKS STREET (SOUTHEAST CORNER OF SPADINA AND WILLCOCKS, ONE BLOCK SOUTH OF HARBORD AND SPADINA)

DATE: APRIL 11^TH, 2008

TIME: 6:30 P.M.

ADMISSION: FREE

Isolated in the mountains of Trinidad, the district of Paramin once a year at Carnival time sheds its rural languor and erupts into an inferno of blue-painted ‘jabs’ or devils.  This 46-minute documentary, filmed in the two weeks leading up to Carnival, follows Kootoo, King Devil, as he prepares with his three brothers to once again win the village competition for the most convincing devil band.  Known for his athletic prowess, and given to extraordinary feats like ripping up trees and scaling tall buildings, the charismatic Kootoo must still work hard with his band of devils to win the prize in the face of serious competition from a new generation of ‘jabs’.  Will the brothers’ scheme to add a new twist to the masquerade be enough for them to win?

Told by the villagers themselves, in their own dialect, this entertaining story highlights the joyous heart of Paramin.  With its CD-worthy background music of folk-songs and calypsos, JAB sheds light on a Caribbean culture that few visitors ever get to see.

Official selection:  Inaugural Trinidad and Tobago Film Festival, Travelling Caribbean Film Showcase ( Cuba ), Cambridge Film Festival (U.K.), Africa World Festival of Documentary Films (U.S.A.)

"..A spectacular success. Some shots will take your breath away" (B.C. Pires, The Daily Express, Port of Spain )

"Alex de Verteuil's direction is serenely unobtrusive, letting the fascinating micro-culture unfold before our eyes. I was captivated..." (Tim Harding, Cambridge Film Festival)

And it's about time that I update your databases, fellas. So why don't you simply discard the one I sent you some weeks ago, and replace it with this one? Once again, the yellow cells simply indicate information which I received since the last one came out. You'll notice that there are still hundreds of blank cells which need to be filled in. Your help would be appreciated.

Best wishes, and don't forget to say your prayers.

Nigel

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EDITED by Ladislao Kertesz,  kertesz11@yahoo.com,  if you would like to be in the circular’s mailing list or any old boy that you would like to include.

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Photos:

87UN0003JUBILEUM p5

56KA0014SCOUTS, I am resending this photo for the names

17UN0001WOODTOP, The hardwood tops that were made at the Mount

80UN0001CLASS ?????? need the year it was taken and what CLASS (form V)