Circular No 132

Newsletter for past alumni of The Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 15 of May 2004. Circular No. 132

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Dear Friends,
Here is a copy of O.A.S.I.S. Bull No. 3, thanks to its editor, Arthur Knaggs:

June 1982
Dearly Beloved fellow Urchins of the Old Establishment. You look at our heading and wonder, no doubt. With all the strife in the Middle East, perhaps this will have a new significance to those who hunger and thirst in these hard times. It certainly is no indication of the fountain of youth when I look around at my old school pals and have visions of the wheel chairs and walking sticks - No sir, this is my chosen new title of our little periodical; which, when-ever Fr. Cuthbert digs me for complaining about Mount Inside or outside, I retaliate by writing. I thought of "Mount Overseas", but ended up with: OVERSEAS ABBEY SCHOOL INTERESTED STUDENTS. (O.A.S.I.S.) That is the good news. The hard and testing news is that during these hard and pressing times, and considering the fast failing Canadian dollar, I, the one-man committee, is suggesting an annual subscription of $10.00 U.S. dollars, mainly to cover postage; but also to help pay off my mortgage, carry my children through school, upgrade my subscription to the Old People's home (where we will all no doubt end), and enable me to send a donation of $5.00 to Fr. Adelbert for a beach picnic to Maracas Bay, to help wash all the troubles and worries he is accumulating by marriage counselling. Theoretically, there is no such thing; as we have learned that the sacrament makes two people one, and it takes two to have differences. The second greatest gift a spouse can give their partner is a Marriage Encounter Week-end - ask about it. You already know that the first greatest is your undivided love and attention.
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PARLEZ-VOUS FRANCAIS? - Well, earlier this year, your Company, R.N.G, meaning Real Nice Guys, had our Sales Convention at Mount Gabriel, a Ski Resort, and you should have seen your "boy" dashing down the slopes - a real thrill and treat. I also met in Montreal, Raymond Devaux, who is well established in business up here with his fingers in many pies; his hobbies are golfing, skiing and drinking wine like all good Frenchmen. Also met J.D.Miller, who lives in Montreal with Michellene, and a host of his tribe. Both quite well. J.D. was out in Nova Scotia exploring the possibilities in the Offshore Oil here, as he is thinking of getting back into the "Black Gold" business.
(I hope that John Miller can return a short message for all his friends. Ed.)
(Raymond Devaux is OK and maybe can help with a short note for me to publish inthe next circular. Ed.)
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We are happy to tell you that Ms Marcus, M.I.Queen and former Secretary of the M.S.B.C., is coming along slowly but surely. She needs our playful support.
(Ms Kitty Markus is at MSB. Ed.)
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Fr. Cuthbert writes to state he is taking Fr. Paul and Kitty Markus to Holland this month, but not why? Understand Kitty is not well but no news yet on Fr. Paul. Heard that Abbot Bernard has improved very much but is still in Holland. He met my brother, Jack, in Mayaro - Jack works for AMOCO on the Offshore there. He says terrible floods in Central Trinidad, only way to Mayaro is by boat. Bernard Lange teaches at Mount and putts out the Mount Inside magazine.
(Jack Knaggs is in Barbados. Ed) ( Fr. Paul left us this year. Ed.)
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Here is a card I received from Bro. Roland, who is editor of the MSB Newsletter, and always keeps me on the mailing list. Subscription is 5 "Our Fathers", 10 "Hail Marys" and a blank cheque.
(Has anyone have a lead on Bro. Roland?? and the MSB Newsletter that is mentioned? Ed.)
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PEACE
Of your Charity pray for the late Father William Boers, O.S.B., Monk and Priest who died suddenly on Tuesday 29th September 1981. He was 70 years old, having been professed for 48 years and ordained priest for 42 years. Father Anselm van der Heijdt, O.S.B., Monk and Priest who died suddenly of a heart attach on Tuesday, 3rd September 1981. He was 65 years old, having been professed for 43 years and ordained priest for 38 years.
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Fr. Vincent, our principal, left for the U.S.A. early in the morning of Tuesday, 30th March for a medical check-up. Our prayers accompany him we trust all will go well.
(Does anyone have a lead on Fr. Vincent?? Ed)
Our senior students have been exposed to Lectures on Banking Diplomacy & International Relations. Also, students have made tours to Lopinot, Iscott, Tritoc and the Pitch Lake and only last week an enjoyable visit to Caroni came off.
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Ian Shoul from Antigua took time off from fishing, basking in the sunshine, and peddling his Singer Sewing machines to drop me a line to remind me that Stephen and Conrad are still alive and kicking, and should be on the mailing list, and he provided the address of Jerome Gomes, who is in Florida. Ian´s daughter, Diane, is working on her Business Administration Certificate at St.Mary´s University in Halifax. - Small world.
(Conrad Shoul is no longer with us. Ed.)( Can anyone help with Jerome Gomes? Ed.)
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News from "down Under" comes from Anthony Llanos, who added Alistair Lange to the list of Western Australia. He has built a new home on 7 acres of land and aptly called it "Maracas". He is cultivating the land and planting avocadoes and hope to do well as this vegetable/fruit is quite short in supply and sells for $2.00 to "3.00 each - good luck to you. His eldest daughter, Teresa, got married in 1981, so we could be hearing some more news any time now. Anthony works for Woodside Petroleum as Systems Officer. He keeps in touch with Richard and Leary O´connor.
(Alistair Lange and Anthony Llanos are no longer with us. Ed.)
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Latest letter is from Walter Darwent who now works in Brazil, back in the Oil Business. I guess he thought Brazil was going to win the Soccer World Cup - but better luck next time _ Bravo Italia! Toronto is in an uproar with celebrations. Walter says Michael Scott works for the same Company. "Wally" now has 3 ¾ grand children - so life moves on.
(Need news on Walter Darwent and Michael Scott!!! Ed.)
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In Nova Scotia, the Knaggs continue to flourish even with the down-trodden dollar, and the plummeting economy; humour keeps us alive and love keeps us warm - heat warms.
Met Tommy Jardim (B.G.) - would you believe? He left Trinidad in 1948 and I have only just found him again. He has played Cricket for Canada, toured the West Indies, and still hits a mean Tennis ball. Has a lovely family of five; 3 married, 2 at home. And works for S.K.F. Drug House - not to be confused with bearings. We still have a lot to talk about and plan to do exactly that.
(also need news on Thomas Jardim. Ed)
Will leave you now till next time. Send me some news and some money so we can keep the ball rolling. - Remember Overseas mail is 60 cents in Canada.
Love you all,
Art from Dart
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So there is Bull No. 3. Very interesting for those that went to school in the 1950s.
Can any one help me with the 1970s??? I can assure you that I am going to publish any news on how the school became 100% dayboy and the names of the graduating classes.
I wonder how Wayne Vincent Brown is doing???? It has been over a year that he wrote some interesting lines!!! Can you do it again, for us??
And what about Richard Driver, this Bull No. 3 surely brings back memeories???
God Bless
Ladislao

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REMEMBER THAT WHEN YOU PLACE NAMES ON THE NUMBERS OF THE PHOTOS, TRY TO IDENTIFY THE PHOTO SO THAT I MAY PLACE THE NAMES CORRECTLY.
Photo: Arthur Knaggs Family 1982 (missing names)
by Robeto Bodington File0001d1 150 15 s132, file0001d2 150 15 s132
Wayne Vincent Brown's column can be seen at www.Jamaicaobserver.com,
Column: dbratt , Deceiving Ourselves, http://www.guardian.co.tt/bratt.html,

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