Newsletter for alumni of The Abbey School,
Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 2 March 2013 No. 591
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Dear
Friends,
I shall
be out of the country for about three weeks, so expect the next Circular to
appear during Easter Weekend.
Here are
some old emails found and not published before, I am cleaning up the files to
make sure no information is lost.
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Re: MSB and Old Boys we'd rather forget!
Rafael EcheverrÃa <reglaw@gmail.com>
Monday, February 4, 2008 1:39:56 PM
Dear Jon & All the rest of Copied Mount Guys!
Thank you Jon for including me in your list of copied Mount Boys
... It was so great meeting with you last November at Mount and at Dennis home
! ... Thank you ! ... and hey ... I keep your card !!! ....
I am shocked at reading the whole series of mails starting with
John Gioannetti's (whom I don't recall or don't know perhaps) whose story is
absolutely amazing.
Don Mitchell - on his part - did express some ideas about his own
experiences in the past (about two years ago in some Email ... as I recall)
which he now confirms.
But I admit that having met so recently with Don, Dennis, Jon ..
and all the rest of Old Mount Boys ... moments which gave me a feeling of re
encountering old friends and GOOD old times...
I am now shocked at realising what an incredible amount of
"spiritual bugs" are crawling around, in spite of all the smiles,
hugs, drinks and moments so recently shared.
My God ! Where have all the moments gone ? ... there are some
photos you know !? ...
Listen guys ... I honestly believe issues are being frankly
exaggerated.
Give me a break ! It's not that bad.
We have all suffered the abuse of bullies at one time or another
and in some way or another.
In Trinidad, Mount, England (in my case) ... or at any other
place or moment.
From fellow students, monks, teachers, trainers ... whatever,
whomever, wherever !!! ..... OK !!! .... I do admit to have my own
"spiritual ghost" (not as serious as a "bug") flying around
from time to time through my memories.
He passes silently, floating above the ground for about 12
inches. He flies by.
He still is the same SOB I left back in MSB in 1967 (sorry ... I
believe he left the year before! ... Thank God !) .
But I have managed to keep that ghost in chains. He is
"there" but he does not stop me - never has - from enjoying the good
things of my life, the good times, my good friends, my good memories, my good
life.
Was it because I was "the son of the ambassador" ? ...
I don't think so ... you don't know how many times I wished I was
not "that son" so that I could pass-by more unnoticed ... and not
suffer the constant aggression of the bullies ... constant verbal abuse ...
from "the one who is now a ghost" and others.
By the way ... last November I heard all their names mentioned by
some Mount Boys.
I heard some very sad stories about some of those bullies ... one
or two ... now buried in solitude ... in "their own world" ...
defeated.
No wife ... no children ... no worries ... but no joy.
On the other hand I was happy to see the good Mount Boys .. happy
... successful ... filled with contempt about their lives ... I felt proud of
all of them. I am proud of all of you !!!
It is now that - through Don's analysis - I have come to realise
that we in fact inherited some World War II frustrations from some
"phsyco" monks .... come on ! ...
Give me a break. It cannot be .... it is NOT ... so.
I completely refuse to accept such defeat. They lived their
lives. Perhaps they suffered.
I don't doubt it. But - for example - I have such great memories
of places, moments and persons ... and I can clearly remember Don calling my
name at some time ... CheChe !!!! ... and I always saw a good friend ... a
happy person ... intelligent individual ... a leader .... respected by all
Mount Boys ... and the Monks ...
I just do not understand the images Don describes about himself
now. I just don't see it.
John Gioannetti's stories are no different from any other's.
I have seen the list of Mount Boys copied by Jon's Email ... and
I wonder how many of them bullied other school mates ... and behaved like the
SOB's John Gioannettis describes as the "bugs" that have persecuted
him all his life and all the way to Australia !!!
It is not really that serious. We are much better that we
describe about those bullies at Mount. Forget the jerks !
Sorry guys ... I cannot keep silent with my arms crossed and let
these "bugs" destroy my memories. About the best of my life.
This is incredible !
Come on guys ! .. we are much better than that. We're Mount Boys.
Whatever happened, happened. Don't keep the rage. That translates into fear...
and THAT is DEFEAT. I am proud of my life. Mount St Benedict included,,,, and
you all too... including the SOB's bullies ... and to them I say: "you
have only expressed your own misery, my spirit is well and free .... I survived
you ... and my good memories have defeated you ..."
Yes I will honour Mount Saint Benedict !!! .. and exhault the
great moments lived, the lessons learned, the rich experiences Mount gave all
of us !!!!
I am PROUD to be a Mount Boy.
Siempre Amigo !
Rafael (CheChe)
Don, Eminent Counsel, you're even more eloquent than John the
famous photographer, on this topic! Well spoken, but then you are a pro at the
English language!
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Re: Chinese Lady In Kitchen
Nigel P. Boos <nigelboos@eagles-wings.ca>
AddSunday, April 19, 2009 9:04:33 AM
Hi there, Robert,
Long time no see. Long time no hear.
Thank you for getting in touch with me.
I don't know how you heard from me, because, until now, I haven't
had your e-address.
But now I do.
Have you, in fact, been getting all the tons of correspondence
flying around between all these MSB OB's?
Well, anyway, from now on you're included.
So, Mrs. Soo Poy it is! You're quite right, and thanks for the
reminder.
Congrats on your calypso career, Robert.
I don't know whether you're aware of it or not, but we also have
another OB from MSB, by the name of "Bandit"
His real name is David de Castro, and he lives in Miami.
Bandit has had an amazing career in N. America and has largely
been the pioneer of calypso music in both Canada and the USA.
He was actually the first Caribana Calypso King in Toronto.
He's written his autobiography and it would be great if his
efforts here could be recognized by the CDC in TT.
I'm copying this email to David, so that you can contact him
directly if you'd so wish.
How about writing a short synopsis of the who, why, when, were
and what of De Mighty Trini for the OB's.
I'm sure we would love to see something about you.
A photograph would also be helpful.
Anyway, hasta la vista.
Keep well, and have a happy Easter
Nigel P. Boos
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From: Robert Elias <dmightytrini@tstt.net.tt>
Sent: Sunday, February 1, 2009 2:56:27 PM
Subject: MY NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS
Hello Ladislao,
Thanks very much for keeping in touch and sending me all the
e-mails that you have been doing regarding "THE MOUNT".
I sent you an e-mail recently where I tried making contact with
"BROTHER VINCENT".
I saw his e-mail address on one of your circulars and I thought
it fit to remind him of my two years with him and playing for "THE
ABBEY" as I did.
I saw that you have two e-mail addresses so I am now sending you
a copy to the other.
Please take note of my NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS : dmightytrini@tstt.net.tt
Best Wishes,
Robert Elias,
De Mighty Trini.
N.B. Which e-mail address do I use to send you e-mails???
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Tim Healy <timhealy@email.com>
Wednesday, March 12, 2008 7:43:44 PM
Azizul,
Good call. I may be a simpleton but it made me smile, sending out
a roll call.
I remember sending an email to Glen McKoy, a couple of weeks
before the John Gionnetti fiasco, telling Glen not to stop sending
emails about the Mount boys because I enjoyed them so much, even though I never
replied.
John's behavior really struck two cords with me.
First, we do affect peoples life's. And sadly, some people never,
ever grasp life.
I come home now and almost religiously check to see what you guys
are saying.
It has become a wonderful sense of companionship for me.
Before, by the time I checked my email the numbers would be
somewhere in the hundreds.
It's kinda funny when I am up late and send an email I can count
on Niel to reply instantly.
I doh no, like de man doh have no life :)
Some people have used this forum to lash-out, I gratefully accept
every ones friendship.
Now since I still work for a living (see attached pictures of
current job) and I am 53 sleep has become a primary criteria and this
relationship does interfere with this need therefore I may not be as responsive
as some of you semiretired friends.
In short, thanks y'all.
Tim
Wanna-be-Redneck
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Tim Healy <timhealy@email.com>
AddMonday, February 11, 2008 1:45:34 AM
Good,
I did the plumbing in the first four model homes for Weston back
in 86 some time. Know the area well.
I can't come down til July or later so we have plenty time to
plan that is if you all want to wait that long. It was just a thought.
If I can find a reasonable place to rent on the beach maybe we
can have it there.
Just throwing out ideas...
I was up Mount from 69 to 75. I lived in Suriname though my
parents were American.
I have a web page that I have not updated for a year and a half
but it has some background. (www.timhealy.net)
Che Che I have had a rich live bestowed on me, I did not earn it,
having been born in Suriname, raised in Trinidad and now making my way in
America.
Mount St. Benedict and its people has, in large part, shaped the
better part of me.
I downloaded the ebook you recommended and started reading but
probably wouldn't get into it until the week-end.
Some of the books that altered my life's course:
The Gospels
Add a Different Perception by Thom Hartman ( I read in my
thirties) suddenly made sense of my entire life.
Conscious Loving
Radical Honesty by Brad Blanton
Any book by Andrew Greely ( he creates the greatest heroes out of
commoners)
The Earth's Children Series by Jean Auel ( appeals to the Bushboy
in me but wonderful social anthropology)
Must go,
Smokey
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Csaba Jakobszen <csabajakobszen@yahoo.es>
23/12/12
Dear Ladislao,
Once more I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year with
good health for you and your beloved ones.
Secondly, I would like to congratulate you for your perseverance
related to your work-input with the MSB circulars which is not getting easier
as time goes on as it is always harder to find valuable material.
I am sure that even nowadays there are many of us who enjoy these
contacts with our old friends and our happy and not-so-happy bygone days.
I´ve had a “mixed-up year, as on the negative side I got a rare
sickness called “Polymyalgia rheumatica” which is awfully painful and hard to
identify and can only be treated with cortisone.
On the positive side, my two sons are doing very well in Budapest
and the 5 grandchildren are in top shape. What else can one ask for in this day
and age?
Attached I am sending you a picture of my dear wife Maricarmen
and myself taken this summer at a wedding in Ciudad Rodrigo, Spain.
As you can see we are also getting older just like the rest of
the gang.
Best wishes and un abrazo
Csaba
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Ladislao Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,
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Photos:
06CJ0001CJAWEE, Csaba Jakobszen and
Maricarmen
09LK0046MCO, Maxime Comarmond and Yogurt
08LK184872FB12THE, Tim Healy
68TH0001THEGRP, Tim Healy and
Unknowns
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