RE: Condolences to the Ballantyne family

2014-APR-26-1939Hrs

I wish to extend my condolences to Clyde and family on the passing of Roseanne. I remember her as a quiet, helpful person and always smiling. Our paths had crossed a few times over the years and I can say that she always had that pleasant demeanour about her. May you rest in peace Roseanne. We lived in the same hostel, Wingate and shared many laughs.

Maura Cooseelal 69

RE: Same Khaki Pants

2014-APR-25-2153Hrs

Errol

Let me add my congrats to Efebo for his excellent production of Same Khaki Pants at the Little Carib Theatre - the home of theatre in TT. The night I went, Felix and Jemma Jordan and myself sat together. I agree with Hazel that those who didn't see it missed a treat.

Efebo and few others have been at the forefront of the thrust to legitimize the folk theatre in TT. I recall when I ran Best Village in the late 80's there were some protests because it was said I wanted to bring theatre in Best Village. Time and perseverance have certainly prevailed.

See the review and attachments below..

http://www.newsday.co.tt/features/0,192931.html

finbar 70-72

'take time to laugh for it is the  music of the soul....'

Finbar Ryan 72

RE: Mausica Reunion 2015

2014-APR-24-1447Hrs

Greetings from T&T. I hope that the Easter season was beautiful.

Thanks to those who have volunteered so far to serve on the Planning Committee for next year's reunion.

All Mausicans are invited to meet on Saturday 10th May, 2014 at 4.00 pm at the UTT Valsyn Campus (former Valsyn Teachers' College). At this meeting we will continue discussions for Reunion 2015.

Your attendance will be greatly appreciated.

Angela McAlister

1970-'72.

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-APR-11

2014-APR-20-2359Hrs

Dear Errol,

What a treat you missed, those of you, Mausicans, who did not attend Efebo Wilkinson's play, Same Khaki Pants,  at Little Carib Theatre recently. What treasured memories of Mausica folk choir his production evoked. I sang along with the cast as they sang Lulu,Death O, and other folks songs. I felt that I could return to the stage and start acting again. Ah for the good old glory days of theatre of the 70's and 80's. I hope Efebo will do another production soon.

Hazel Thompson-Ahye 70

RE: Passing of Roseanne Chaumette Ballantyne

2014-APR-18-1207Hrs

It was sickening news to hear about the passing of Roseanne, who was in my year group. A quiet, joyous, splendid girl. Warm. Not good news at all. Condolences Clyde. I join with other Mausicans in sharing your loss and grief. Memories of her would surely temper the sting of it all.

Scratchy

Theodore Lewis 69

Re: FW: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-APR-18

2014-APR-18-0828Hrs

My deepest condolences to the Ballantyne family on the passing of my Wingate chum mate Roseanne Chaumette Ballantyne. While our paths did not cross much over the years, my memories of Rosanne remain warm. How well we in the 67-69 Wingate  hostel community remember her quiet demeanour, smile and focus on her studies. I believe that she was Lydia Jean Paul and then Swanki's room mate and they were all so civil and easy of manner as we shared resources, like lining up to use the shower, collect the bottles of milk etc.

I am sure that Inez Gray Riley, Berdadine, Marie Louise, Kathleen Farrell Nelson, Erlene and the others do remember.

Rosanne, rest in peace.

Gwendoline Peter-Williams 69

RE: Mausica Alumni Reunion 2015

2014-APR-03-0044Hrs

Hi Errol...I hope all is well.

Colleagues,

Of the persons who completed the evaluation at the Reunion Dinner 2013, most responded that Reunion 2015 should be on a cruise. Second place went to it be held in another Caribbean island, maybe at an all-inclusive resort. While we wait for the July 2015 sailings, please share your thoughts on these options.

Colleagues who would like to serve on the Organising Committee are asked to get in touch with me a.s.a.p. A meeting is being planned for Saturday 10th May 2014 at a venue to be decided.

Angela McAlister

'70-'72

487-7705

RE:

2014-MAR-14-0939Hrs

Dear Mausicans,

Congratulations to Chucky. I loved his calypso of the Wedding. Congrats. also to the two commentators on the Junior Calypso Competition (Jemma Jordan and other )and Thora Best.  The standard of production was high.

I would like to be in that concert Felix. And  I liked the Gopeesingh spelling.

I remember Dr. Timothy who taught dancing. May he rest in peace from earth and continue dancing elsewhere.

Barbara Mellowes. 66

RE: Congratulations

2014-MAR-08-2000Hrs

I would like to congratulate Thora Best, Annette Hunte and any other Mausicans who were involved in the flawlessly run Junior Calypso Monarch Competition 2014.  The participants represented well with their appropriate topics, presentations and performances. I had a second opportunity to hear these young bards as they performed at the Brian Lara Promenade on the following Wednesday.  There was a lot of camaraderie as they backed up one another and even backed up Thora with her rendition of David Rudder's "Calypso Music".  Hats off to the participants and to their tutors - our culture is in good hands and will survive.

--

Brenda

"and this too will pass"

Brenda Alexander-Perez 65

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-MAR-07

2014-MAR-07-1103Hrs

I surely do remember Earl Timothy and I learnt some dancing under his tutorship so I am ready to dance. The pioneers would remember him. I am sorry to hear about his parting this life but it is inevitable for all of us. He was a very friendly person.

I called Mr. Williams on his birthday but did not sing although that would have amused him.

I was wondering if some of us could not get together at Mr. Williams’ and give him a mini concert.

Felix Edinborough 65

Re: FW: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-MAR-07

2014-MAR-07-1030Hrs

So sorry to hear about Dr. Timothy. He was one of the few men I knew who was supportuve of the Mausica Beautification Project I started while I lived there. He gave advice on plants, and supplied me with tomato plants for my home garden, which bore fruit weighing nearly a pound_ Ponderosa. I have looked for them since.NAda. Mrs. Timothy's email is helenpynetimothy@gmail.com. She may still be able to read mail as you can magnify the print on most computers.

I went to renew my driver's licence in my home town ysterday, Houston , Texas, and am pleased to report that I passed the eye test without glasses at 73, that's not too bad.All those veggies I eat must be helping.

The cute little boy child named Larry, my second son, who roamed the campus with his brother and Charmaine Maundy 1967-69, is currently in hopital with heart problems. So is my sister in Trinidad.(All the family on my mother' side die of heart issues). Please keep the Edwards family, children of Elaine and Emmanuel in your prayers.

I cannot wait to get back into my garden. After the ice storm of Monday,3rd MArch, I had to clear some branches off my roof.

Stay well, all, stay prayerful.Pray in particular for Trinidad and Tobago. We are not the Ukraine, nor Venezuela, nor the Democratic Republic of Congo, but we need to be watchful and prayerful.

Lina Edwards Romain--------------------------------------------

Linda Edwards Romain

Lecturer in English and History

1967-1969

RE: Mausican - Canadian film proucer

2014-MAR-07-0931Hrs

The in-production story about the 9th Floor!

Mennen and I met with Selwyn Jacob (Yacos) who is the producer of a film about the student protest at Sir George Williams university in Montreal which occurred 45 years ago.  Rosie Douglas who subsequently became the Prime Minister of Dominica was one of the students.  Selwyn is interviewing some of the students who now live in Trinidad and who had either participated in the protest or were around at the time.  I think he leaves Trinidad on March 11, but his warehouse/studio is at Minshall's warehouse in Chagaramus.  The film is funded by the National Film Board of Canada. The link below gives details about the film which I heard would be aired in Trinidad.

http://www.montrealgazette.com/touch/entertainment/movie-guide/George+Williams+Affair+view+from+Ninth+Floor/9530188/story.html?rel=2236788

--

Brenda

"and this too will pass"

Brenda Alexander-Perez 65

Re: FW: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-MAR-07

2014-MAR-07-0724Hrs

The Mausican heritage and legacy live on through our new Calypso Monarch -- Roderick Chucky Gordon. Note his substance in lyrics especially in the 'Marriage of Calypso and Chutney'; clarity of diction; precision and decorum in presentation; use of props ('teaching aids') and very endearingly, wittiness.

How well I remember his Dad Roland who, ever so often, would meet me and gush about his Chucky who was responding well to his coaching and mentoring in the calypso artform. Today we celebrate.... both Chucky, Roland (in memoriam)..... and our noble profession... Teaching!

Hazel, I agree that Dimanche Gras was wonderful, including the Lydian Singers..... So too was the Junior Carnival especially, the Panorama, the Calypso Monarch and mas costuming.

A special word on the Junior Panorama. The 'Pan in the Classroom' Programme is really paying off. To hear the arranger/teachers in Moruga schools talk of their chances of success in the 2014 competition and similarly, those in the schools in the North was so heart warming. Take a bow, Teddy Belgrave (in memoriam) and his band of pan patriots

Our successor generation might yet rescue the Carnival Festival from the "Red Light District',  and make good on the current efforts to diversify the national economy away from oil and gas, for example, through the Creative Industries, with the Carnival as one of the main 'Growth Poles'.

Gwen

Gwendoline Peter-Williams 69

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-FEB-27

2014-MAR-06-1448Hrs
Judy Guiseppi would like to be included in the blog. Her email is: judy.bedayse@gmail.com
Felix Edinborough 65

Re: FW: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-FEB-27

2014-MAR-05-2200Hrs

Dear Errol,

Well, we survived the Carnival. Save for Dimanche Gras,it was one of the least enjoyable for me. I spent 5 hours trying to get over the Lady Young Road to get to the savannah, as a clever person decided that the saying:" If it aint broke, don't fix it " was not  a sensible adage, so they created a U-turn not by the St. Anns roundabout, but a bit further down the road from the roundabout and that turned out to be a nightmare.

I do not know how many of you knew or remember Dr.Earl Timothy, my Mum's cousin, former head of the Eastern Caribbean Farm Institute (ECFI) (I hope I got the name right) at Centeno, who lived on Mausica campus with his wife, Helen Pyne -Timothy and their children. (Didn't he teach dance as well at Mausica?)He died late last month in Jamaica and there will be a memorial service for him in Trinidad around March 22.  His son, Robin said his Mum is not doing so well either.I am conducting my workshop in Implementing International Standards in Youth Justice at Capital Plaza next week. Do wish me luck. The response from the region is much more encouraging than from Trinidad. But, why am I surprised, though? Every day, I ask myself if we,  as a people,are really serious about child care and protection. But then I must hush. After all, I am a member of the PM's Child Protection Task Force.

Today is the Warden's birthday. I called and sang Happy Birthday to him and am still promising to visit. He sounded like he would continue batting until he hits a century and becomes the first Mausican centenarian.

Love to all.

Hazel Thompson-Ahye 70

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-FEB-14

2014-FEB-17-1919Hrs

We do not have to agree on a lot of things!

What is important is to put ideas out there for folks to ponder, process and perceive!!!

Vbyz Kartel, Movado and others of that ilk, are artistes that the young folk listen to religiously in and out of the Carnival Season!!

These are not calypsonians though! But they have tremendous airplay and are a great influence on the youth

My point is that unless we face the reality of the lyrics behind the great and infectious musical beat/tempo and get our youth to examine them critically, we shall not teach self respect effectively. Music and lyrics are facts of life! Ignoring them does not change the effects!!

Our world is controlled by all forms of media and music videos, CDs, DVDs MP 4s and modern phones all transfer all kinds of products that raise more than the proverbial eyebrows.

So 'Red Light District', Cassie's I want to be the 'Normal Man', Super Blue's 'Spanking' or any other calypso raw or replete with double entendre must be placed in the context of art (like it or not) and critiqued accordingly.

Thanks so much for allowing me to comment and engage!

Do have a happy and safe Carnival!

Gabriel

Sunset Villa

'71 - '73

Gabriel V Cumbermack 73

RE:

2014-FEB-08-2029Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans,

My condolences to Rodney's family.

On Friday morning, Linda Edwards called me to express her sympathy on the passing of my brother.

I know of two other Mausicans named Rodney: Rodney Charles and Mc. Donald Rodney.

Please clarify which Rodney had a death in the family.

My brother, Ashley, is alive and well in Houston.

As usual,

Rodney Foster, 66-68

RE: That Red Light District

2014-FEB-06-2225Hrs

I was really touched by the responses of the people who commented on my piece, and Anna Maria's about th red light district. Merle Howe, with whom I lunch once a month said she laughed a lot t how I tied in the Jean and Dinad part.

I live for good writing, and compliments get me going.

Now when I worked in Antigua with the Caribbean Family Planning Association, I not only designed training programs for nurses in the field but did workshops for teens, using socio-drama. What would have been long lonely evenings in a hotel room became filled with good works.

Socio-drama: Take an issue and design a skit around it, that the students get to enact, sometimes in mime. Then use the skit as a discussion piece.

I had done one featuring a school sports meet, where the students of a particular school are in the stands cheering their runner to victory. Sitting among them, out of uniform, is a very pregnant girl whose uniform could no longer fit. As she watches the winner breast the tape, she turns to her friend and says tearfully "You know, in practice meets, I use to clock a better time than hers." The other girl say "Oh yeah". The preganant girl says "Yes, really. I guess I threw all that away now." This led to a discussion of how an untimely pregnancy leaves you stuck in poverty.

Those who want to help can design these to fit many situations. The critical thing is the discussion that follows.

At Arima Girls Government School, in 2007,(I was astudent there for one term in 1955) I did a story reading for the pre-exam class, in that time while the school year is ending, exams are done and they are sort of in  limbo.It's a story I created called" "Monsters In The High Grass"

A simple story about chickens that did not listen to their mother, until a mongoose almost got them. Then we dicussed other kinds of monsters. I remember one girl of ten or so asking a very pertinent question."Miss, what do you do if you have to take taxi home, and there may be a monster in the taxi" So we talked of Never getting into one where there were alreadya two men. Waiting next to an older female who could be your mother, and taking a four seater, in the front seat, so you could control the door. We taked about NOT following messages your mother sent by someone, unless your mother trusts that person, and NEVER opening the house door to strangers unless the houe is on fire.

Those children wanted that information. We went well beyond the hour that I had asked for, and other students, ending their class, came and joined the group. That was seven years ago.

We need to stop wringing our hands and start writing skits for children that will address the problems.

I used socio-drama at Telco also, to train and retrain staff.

I think its the best way. Go for it!

Linda E.Edwards

RE: Gabriel Cumbermack's comments.

2014-FEB-06-2204Hrs

I did not agree with Gabriel's comments. He is saying that an educator should "embrace the literary opportunity to have students analyze lyrics, discuss the messages therein" when a song is controversial. He is far off the mark here.

I have posted stanzas from Red Light District. And here are some excerpts which the educator can use to  stimulate literary competence in her students--according to Gabriel. I attach some imagined dialogue:

Excerpt 1. "Somebody give me a riddim to activate the waistline on the feminine gender now please"

Miss: "Children what do you think the composer is saying here?"

Little Johnny: "But miss, I ent see no subtlety there??

Excerpt 2. "Rotate dem spine"

Miss. "Children what is this retort to rotation about?" Gimme some literary meaning."

Little Pamela. "Miss dat sound like wining to me. Like las year."

Excerpt 3." When soca play and dem gyal shake dey bumpa

Every man say dey activate de lumber"

Miss. "Children, please analyze dis, and no giggling please. Look for the subtle meaning."

Little Francis. "Miss  ah think dis is ah example of self explanatory. The singer  torking bout de man lumber.

Scratchy

Song

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Bunji Garlin - Red Light District (lyrics)

Bunji Garlin - Red Light District

(Intro)

"Somebody give me a riddim to activate the waistline on the feminine gender now please

rrrr, Ha

Rotate dem spine

Dis time

Hey

(Chorus)

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye ah when she flip and den she buss de split

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

(Verse 1)

Ha, Well every man like a woman with skills

Take yuh cheque, big money and change them to singular bills

And when she talk to you with those hips

She make you wanna tip, tip, tip, tip, lawd is like a woman that strip, ha

When soca play and dem gyal shake dey bumpa

Every man say dey activate de lumber

Nuff man go sneak out, some try to reach out

Come backstage to get de phone number, rrrr

This gyal too sweet, she just too damn sweet

Jungle fever & suburban meet

Ah feel like I on Bourbon Street

She make me ball

(Chorus)

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

Aye ah when she flip and den she buss de split

Aye feel like I’m in a red light district

(Verse 2)

Ha, well any woman that could play de role

Vertical, horizontal once she could handle de pole

And every man like pattern and style

We love it when dey get wet, wet, wet"

Theodore Lewis 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2014-FEB-06

2014-FEB-06-2118Hrs

Theodore, Maria, I would like to share with you the work being done by the "We are Better Youth Movement (WABY) comprising some 65 young people from the community of Ovid Alley near Despers Pan Yard, Laventille. Led by its Founder, Nichola Harvey and Advisor, Dr. Claudia Harvey former Education PS, we are currently coming to the end of the first cycle of a curriculum on Entrepreneurship in three age clusters viz. 4 - 7; 8-11; and 12 +. The next session is being delivered by a male mentoring group. It would be good to talk with you all further, and any other Mausican interested.

Continuing On the Way to the 'Green Light District'!

Gwendoline Peter-Williams 69