Friday, December 31, 2004
Notes for Mount Boys visiting this Blog
2. Viewing Circulars: Only the last four are on the home page. Click on on the arrow next to the month in Archives in the column on the right to see the ones for that month. You can read each of the earlier ones, together with any comments posted by readers, by clicking on its headline in Archives. You are, of course, free to download the Circulars to your computer for reading at your leisure.
3. Viewing Photos: Click on any photo that you want to look at. It will enlarge to a more viewable size.
4. Copying Photos: You can save any photo to your own computer by right-clicking on it (at the large size) and saving it to a suitable folder in your computer. Or, you go to the "file" button in the top left hand corner of your screen, and go to "save as" to do the same thing.
5. Making Comments: At the foot of each Circular there is a place for you to be able to make a "Comment" on the contents. If you recognise a face in a photo, or something similar, that you want to write about, just click on "comments" at the foot of the appropriate Circular and enter your remarks in the window that opens. In order to prevent strangers from posting nonsense and spam, I have set it so that I have to moderate and publish the comments. Anyone who would like to join as a moderator is welcome.
Happy Reading.
Don
Saturday, December 25, 2004
Circular No 164


Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict,
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Dear Friends,
I am sorry to inform you that in the files received from Arthur Knaggs, BULL No. 10 is missing.
Can anyone help with a copy???
So instead I am going to send a copy of some of the letters that would have made this Bull No.10.
Remember to send in comments in case you would like to add, delete or modify anything that is being sent.
Need information on the ALUMNI that are to be mentioned, I do not have all the email addresses and telephones, or even the wellbeing for some of them.
So here is the first letter:
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4-2-83
Dear Arthur,
Received the O.A.S.I.S. through Ainsley.
The present Rotarians of S/Fdo decided to form a second Rotary Club with a dinner meeting, as the present ones is a luncheon meeting, and I am a member of this new Club, and see AINSLEY quite often.
A bit of sad news, if not reached you as yet, Father Leo past away on Monday 31st Jan 83, I enclose a clipping from T’dad Guardian.
It was very sad, as the church he built in La Romain is completed, but father was still trying to do more.
How is Valentine and the children? Give my love.
We are all fine.
Spent Christmas in B’dos with mum.
Things are brightening up at the Hotel, hope they keep going like that.
Not to much happening these days in T’dad, the oil fields are very slow, but as you know I now work for WIMCO Ltd, and we do not do too much with the oil companies.
Our medical sales, welding and tractor undercarriage parts are doing pretty O.K.
The line pipe business is slow,
I hope Texaco and the government can solve their problems and get things going again.
LAWRENCE MACAULAY is fine, and I believe business is good with him.
MIKE AMES is no longer with Texaco, formed a new company. Mike, ERNEST WILLIAMS and MIKE MAHABIR, Machine Shop Work.
Mike is building a house in Palmiste, just behind mine.
Derick and Pat Tempro are back in T’dad at Mayaro.
I notice you got promotion, keep it up.
Today is my birthday, 35 years.
God bless you all
Steven Tempro
(Who is Ainsley?? Ed.)
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Dec.5 1982
I cannot believe that Christmas is upon us again!
I have come to the conclusion that the older you get the faster time goes by.
When I was young I was bored, so much time, nothing to do.
Sorry I have not written sooner.
Enclosing is my check for $10.00,
I do not know what kind of response you got.
Hope it was good.
Apparently it was not, as I have not seen a recent bulletin from you.
I have thought about some sort of Old Boys Reunion, especially for us living here in
Have you?.
Apparently you did not receive my Christmas card last year as I see you left DAVID DE CASTRO´s address out.
I do not know what he is doing these days.
He is still crazy as when you and I know him in school, and loves to play the Quattro and sing calypso.
My eldest child (daughter) is 22,
My 2nd Nicolas will be 21 this month and is married 2 years.
My 3rd (girl) has graduated from high school and is attending college here in
2 more girls, one in High and one in Junior, 15 + 13.
I am not a grandfather yet.
Have no desire to be even thought I am 50 going on 51.
Have you seen IAN SHOUL recently?
Have not heard word from him in over a year.
Still remember those wonderful old days we had together.
Have not been to
Left Trinidad 9 years ago, never been back.
Was in the
Mother, Duncan and Peter still live in
Blanca remarried and now lives in
Inflation + underemployment is eating us up.
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14 Nov 81
Dear Art from Dart,
Received both your letters of contact and now making the effort to reply, among others.
I am still with the same wife and 3 children.
The eldest is working on a rig in Trinidad, the second at boarding school in
We have been in
Previous to this, I was 6 ½ years in
Perhaps it is time to move again.
We are still citizens of T&T but intend migrating to
Time alone will confirm the degree of successes of this plan.
Life in
Only complains really are the weather in the hot months, and the somewhat restricted quality of life.
Better, however, than any other area in the
An old Mountie, Robert Anderson (after the Class of 1949) lives here as well.
Perhaps you may care to write him.
Can’t promise to maintain too steady a correspondence, as the pressure of my own affairs do consume more than the time I really care to spend on them.
This makes extra letter writing more than a serious effort.
However will do what I can to keep in touch.
Also intend visiting
Perhaps for my last Carnival.
Just remember LAERY O´CONNOR and RICHARD who also live in
You should be able to obtain their address from ANTHONY LLANOS.
Thanks again for your letters.
Will look forward to others as long they come out.
Sincerely,
DESMOND LITTLEPAGE
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17/1/83
Dear Arturo,
I have received January O.A.S.I.S. for December 1982 and have enjoyed it as usual.
I am enclosing my contribution of $10.00 as requested.
Since I wrote you last week, nothing sensational has happened are our way, except a Major fire in P.O.S.
The fire of 25 Jan which destroyed almost the entire block between Henry and
Carnival is in the air, February 15, 16 to be exact and as usual despite recession etc.
Trinis are striking, their habit as usual without any apparent cares in the world.
Regards to all the family
Sincerely
Chris Krogh
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5 January 1983
Dear Arthuro and family,
I got the shock of my life last night when I saw my letter returned and why, well it seems the address was off and you are not notorious amongst the police.
I am sending it again, this time under cover of this letter; maybe it will reach this year.
Well, we went with the Jolly Roger and it was jolly, though the financial success was not that hot.
As you see from the date above, we are in the New Year and so I wish you all a happy, blessed and prosperous New Year, with all fun and happiness the Good Lord and yourselves can supply.
We were supposed to have started school already but
You see in this kindness the Lord give us till Sunday to recuperate from all our prayers and feting.
He also blesses us with plenty of rain.
Fr. Paul returned last week to
Abbot Bernard is trying to enjoy his new way of living in the Monastery, the new wing (where the old wooden corridor was) was occupied by the New Year.
Fr. Peter is almost back to his old youth.
Mr. Willy Carter and Miss Kitty Marcus are in St. Peter’s Home for the aged (built to the north of our Sports Field).
Fr. Ildefons is charismatically driving his motorbike all over the island.
The marriage encounter had a big rally here at the end of November and quite a few past
They are trying to catch me, but I cannot find the right nun as yet, for I don’t want to encounter marriage.
But how are you all doing??
I hope as well as it can be, keeping cool and behaving like good scouts.
May God bless you and your work.
Cuthbert
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You must be wondering if Mount still exists.
Well now you know, otherwise this letter would not have been written and consequently the postman (or post lady) would not have delivered same at your home.
As it is we are still going on.
The influx of student is less for the school fees are getting very high (my salary is still only board and lodge). Sunday we had our scout investitures: 7 scouts became Venture Scouts and 14 boys joined the troop.
All this happened after a weekend camp at the back of the sports field.
Even the drum and bugle band could be heard from far.
BROTHER FRANCIS does a marvellous job and BERNARD LANGE is still ruling the Venture Scouts, though he teaches at
Maybe you heard about the “Jolly Roger” cruise which existed for some time in
So we the scouts of the 2nd
For our parent Committee wants to send 3 leaders and 17 scouts to the world Jamboree in
A pity the Jamboree is not in
By the way I returned from
Abbot Bernard is now back in his wheel chair, happy to be back and Fr. Peter seems to get back all his energy.
Happily I have to stop, space is lacking and my time is running out.
Best wishes and lots of blessing to all of you.
Cuthbert
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I have restarted sending the Circulars. So start writing, Make this your New Years resolution.
REMEMBER TO PAY YOUR DUE, 50 WORDS PER YEAR.
God Bless
Ladislao
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Photo:.Roberto Bodington, photo 2b1 and 2b2, please make comments on the photos.
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Saturday, December 18, 2004
Circular No 163

Dear Friends,
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Commentary Christmas. 12 th December 2001. Worth reading!!
Unfortunately, as laudable as all of this is, it is a time of the year which most of US, MEN, secretly hate. Goodwill to all men turns out to mean goodwill to all women and the children.
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- Thank you Tony for your timely seasonal account. This was published in Circular No. 59
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Saturday, December 11, 2004
Circular No 162





Caracas, 11 of December 2004. Circular No. 162
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Dear Friends,
Here is an article that was sent to me by Fr. Abbot, regarding the Yogurt factory at the Mt.St.Benedict. The attached photos by Anthony Harris and the article by Michelle Loubon.
Those in Trinidad are enjoying the wonderful product.
Here in Venezuela are hoping the once production increases we can also taste it.
This is the first Circular being sent using the semiautomatic method.
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So down to the Story:
Dutch monk Cuthbert van de Sande, "the brain behind the yogurt," samples sour sop in the chiller of a small factory on the grounds of the Mt St Benedict Abbey, St John's Road, St Augustine.
Tobago will soon get a taste of Pax yogurt from the monks of Mt St Benedict in St Augustine.
Maxim de Comarmonde, manager of Pax Yogurt Company Limited, was buoyed by the response he got from hotels last Wednesday.
"A lot of hotels are interested in it, especially those with German guests," he said.
"The chefs in the hotels use it for cooking.
They are very interested in it.
We did some sampling from the local company.
The tasters found it was excellent...a local company producing this neat product.
I will be going back within the next week."
Pax yogurt produces six delicious flavours: almond, guava, passion fruit, pineapple, soursop, strawberry and natural.
Vanilla is expected to be on stream by month's end.
Prior to producing yogurt, the monastery produced Pax (Latin for peace) honey on a small scale.
The monk/apiarist died and the abbey sold the hives to another priest who continued the practice.
The more successful business venture, Pax Yogurt Company, was innocently started 14 years ago in the kitchen of the Mt St Benedict monastery.
Abbot John Pereira credited former Mt St Benedict abbot Francis Alleyne, now bishop of Guyana, and Dutch monk Cuthbert van de Sande, the "brain behind the yogurt," for their pivotal roles.
Tracing the birth of the company in April 2003, Pereira said:
Yogurt making was simply an attempt to improve the diet of the monks.
It began as a "kitchen master" finding ways to improve the diet of the monks. Fr Cuthbert grew up in a dairy culture.
He also makes fine goat cheese.
It is sold to the embassies.
Then, we started to sell the yogurt to friends.
We opened up a little outlet in the front.
We started getting orders.
Suddenly, we had to think of a way to respond to this trend.
Little by little, it was catching on throughout the length of the island.
Soon, the abbey invested in a refrigerated vehicle to meet the demand of Hi-Lo, Tru Valu and Xtra Foods supermarkets.
A half-litre of the signature health food fetches between $10 and $11, and a litre, $21.
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News from Guyana
From: "Guyana Benedictines" benedictines@solutions2000.net
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 18:16:56 -0300
Dear Lazslo,
Peace!
Thanks for your on-going articles about the Mount.
Two notes:
1. Fr. John Chrysostom Lee Sing (notice, no 'h' in the spelling of Sing;it's Chinese not Indian).
2. Bro. Robert (Wilfred) John left the monastery, got married, and fathered a family. Then his wife died of cancer and he went back to the Seminary and was ordained a Diocesan Priest two years ago. Isn't that something?
All the best,
Bro. Paschal Jordan, OSB
(Joined 17 Aug. 1964; professed 08 Sep. 1966; sent to Guyana to open a new monastery, 16 Dec. 1988 together with Fr. Maurus Superville - who has since left and married an Amerindian lady, and returned to Trinidad.)
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Now some bits of information on Fr. Abbot of the years 1960s
Here is the annunciation of an award given to him
Van Duin, Adelbert (Rt. Rev.) - O.S.B.
Lord Abbot, Mount St. Benedict
Religion
NATIONAL AWARDS
HUMMING BIRD MEDAL GOLD
1972
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The Abbot's successions, this news was taken paper, maybe someone might remember the date??
Old Abbot van Duin, from Holland, once the man in charge of Abbey at Mount St Benedict, had suffered with his heart. When he retired he was succeeded by Abbot Hildebrandt, then Abbot Francis.
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A letter from Fr. Adelbert van Duin.
7 of July 1982.
Greetings from the Old Mount Inside!
I was in Holland earlier this year, I met with Fr. Bernard.
His speech has not improved.
The burns he suffered last year he is unable to stand and so is confined to a wheel chair.
He is in a rehabilitation centre where they are giving him therapy to see if they can make him able to walk.
It seems he will be coming back in September to the Mount.
He surely is carrying a heavy cross!
You will remember him specially, I am sure.
When last you visited T´dad, you give me some book-markers with Teen-agers 10 Commandments printed on it. As I have passed that age unfortunately! I gave them away and people have been asking if I had more of them.
On your next visit or in some other way, could you bring some of them if possible?
Thanks a million in advance.
God´s abundant blessing be with you and your Family!.
Very best wishes and kindest regards.
Adalbert van Duin
(Dear reader, please send me information on Fr. Adelbert, there is so little for now. Ed.)
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So one more Circular, just before Christmas.
Hope that you would have a merry Christmas with lots of health and family reunions.
Snow where there should be snow, and for us here in the tropics, lots of sunshine.
God Bless
Ladislao
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Photo: Fr. Adelbert van Duin, Fr. Cuthbert 2004, pax yogurt, symbol yogurt, Fr. Cuthbert 2002.
Column: dbratt ,
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Saturday, December 04, 2004
Circular No 161


Caracas, 4 of December 2004. Circular No. 161
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Dear Friends,
I am going to send this Circular with news of Richard Driver, from Canada.
Maybe you could be in the next issue of the Circular??.
Also I have been told that you have been missing some issues that have gone out blank.
This is possible as I have told you I am experimenting with five servers, Hotmail, Yahoo, Icqmail, Cantv, and Netscape.
The Hotmail addresses go out by Hotmail.
Yahoo and Aol by Yahoo.
The Netscape is being used for Wow, Opus, Trinidad, Carib-link etc. those living in TT.
The Cantv server is for Venezuelan guys.
And Icq is for the rest.
If you chat with your friends ask them about the newest Circular, it could be that you are not getting the Circulars, please inquire.
Maybe you have not paid the dues, 50 words per year!!!.
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From: "rdriver" <rdriver@telus.net>
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 18:26:59 -0700
Hi Ladislao,
I guess you have shamed me into putting in my 2 bits.
It has been quite while since I last wrote, basically, just lazy.
I retired 2 years ago after 42 years with NCR in Guyana, Suriname, and Canada.
Now I volunteer a couple days a week at the local Food Bank, also do Meals on wheels with my wife.
Living here on the West coast of Canada, I see very few West Indians and far fewer MSB old timers, Bruce Peter (1950's) the exception.
Some years ago on a trip to the Maritime museum with a few visitors from Toronto, I was approached by a lady who asked if we were from T'dad. I explained we were from Guyana, but that I had connections with T'dad, my mother a Trinidadian, I also lived there for a few years in the mid fifties, and did spend a few years at MSB.
She then mentioned she had a cousin/uncle who was a priest there, Fr. Leesing.
That brought back quite a few memories, some quite "painful" as he administered justice after some "infraction", getting caught picking mangoes unlawfully, Smoking, (haven't touched one since) etc.
I also remember he was pretty good at marbles.
Thanks to your bulletins I was able to find Fr. Hildebrand back in Guyana.
Thanks for everything.
Richard
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Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 05:31:03 -0700 (PDT)
To: "rdriver" <rdriver@telus.net>
Dear Richard,
Thank you for the lines.
I am glad you bumped into the lady. It got me a story.
Remember that the letters you write to others can also be a good source for the Circular.
Just write them in such a way that they can be used without editing.
But you still owe me for the Circulars !!!
No money please but the name of your classmates and those that you remember from your time.
Were there air scouts whose leader was Fr. Leo???
Exactly when did you graduate Form V, no matter in which school.
Fr. Bernard was your teacher??
Did you know Anthony Lucky, John skinner?
Of the clergy in the anniversary photo, whom do you remember?
What did they do ?
Now with all the questions I am sure you can pay me back with a few hundred letters.
God Bless
Ladislao
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From: "rdriver" <rdriver@telus.net> View Contact Details
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 15:06:01 -0700
Hi Ladislao,
you may be sorry you got me started, however, here are 2 email addresses:
Benedict Lopes benedictlopes@sympatico.ca,
Bruce Peter brucepeter@telus.net
Benedict is a lawyer in Toronto, Bruce lives just outside Vancouver BC, he is retired but does some consulting.
Think he's a structural engineer.
regards.
rd
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From: "rdriver" <rdriver@telus.net>
Date: Sun, 17 Oct 2004 15:30:36 -0700
Hi Ladislao,
Just look at the BBC news, quite a fire in your neck of the woods.
Got this article from today's Trinidad Guardian. (about the story on MSB)
Re Bruce Peter, I see him occasionally, but don't know John Skinner, is he in Vancouver?
Regard.
rd
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From: "rdriver" <rdriver@telus.net>
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2004 10:07:55 -0700
Hi Lazslo,
The article was in the "features" section of the online Guardian on Sunday 17th.
Regards.
Rd
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From: lazslo kertesz
To: rdriver
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2004 6:08 PM
Thank you, Richard,
What was the name of the article you sent, I tried to look it up but no luck.
John Skinner 1948/49 is in uk.
God bless
Ladislao Kertesz
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rdriver <rdriver@telus.net> wrote:
Hi Ladislao,
Just look at the BBC news, quite a fire in your neck of the woods.
Got this article from today's Trinidad Guardian.
Re Bruce Peter, I see him occasionally, but don't know John Skinner, is he in Vancouver?
Regard.
rd
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Date: Sat, 16 Oct 2004 17:06:36 -0700 (PDT)
To: "rdriver" <rdriver@telus.net>
Dear Richard,
It is not true that you do not have MSB neighbours. There are some:
we have one in Saskatchewan, others in BC,
Need the email of Bruce, Peter, I suppose Peter is the first name?
If you want to contact them?
Thank you for the lines
Did you know John Skinner?
God Bless
LAdislao
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Here is some of the older correspondence.
From: Richard Driver <rdriver37@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 6 Jun 2003 16:13:17 -0700 (PDT)
Hi Ladislao,
Your “newsletters'" as they come in, have lots of the names I know, mainly from living in T'dad. in the '50's, however your one before last had an article on the Benedictines in Bartica, Guyana, there I came across the name of an old (Long-time) school friend from Guyana. Fr. Kevin Hildebrand Green and I knocked around together quite a bit. I knew he was at MSB but hadn't seen him for close to 50 years. We are now it touch again, with him in Bartica, and me in Vancouver C'da.
Email works wonders.
Thanks again
I'm sending you an email address for Bruce Peter (from St Lucia) and was at Mount in the '50s brucepeter@telus.net.
Regards to all
Richard Driver.
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From: Richard Driver <rdriver37@yahoo.com>
Date: Fri, 13 Dec 2002 11:46:12 -0800 (PST)
Hi Las, I left MSB in49?? it was really interesting getting your email, (nearly didn't open it, glad I did).
Going through your list brought back many memories.
I have forwarded the email to some people I remember, and whose names I don't see.
Like I said, I left in '49 (form 1?) and went back to Guyana and finished school there.
I now live in British Columbia, C'da. with my wife Pauline and two "kids", my daughter Catherine 27, lives in Vancouver, and my son Mark 24, lives in Toronto.
I just retired after 42 years at NCR corp.
Hey, how did you find my email address?
Hope you and your Family have a very Merry Christmas and all the best for '03.
Thanks again.
Richard Driver.
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I hope to get out the New Years issue on time, please help!!
I have made my resolution early.
God Bless
Ladislao
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Photos: By Roberto Bodington, please identify the photos, send photo number
and names, year? 161a, 161b
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