RE: Mausica Legacy

2020-JUL-30-1859Hrs

Errol, please publish on the blog. It is likely that replies, if any, may come through you. Replies may be sent directly to Winston Yallery-Arthur, Ben stephens or Arthur Small.

Thank you.

Greetings to ALL Mausicans

Attached is a picture of the first Mausica Cricket team.For some time a few of us have been toying with the idea of putting together stories, pictures, experiences etc which would tell the history of Mausica from inception to its final closure, thereby becoming the legacy of a training college which probably was like no other in the country.

Starting with this picture, if you can identify the players, add participants of 63-65 year group this could  be the beginning of the production of the proposed legacy.

All year groupings are invited to participate.

Thank you for your anticipated participation.

Arthur Small, Winston Yallery-Arthur

Arthur Small 65

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-JUL-24

2020-JUL-25-2335Hrs

Hi everyone,

Been a long time since i last wrote on the blog but felt compelled to ease Irmin’s concern for some of her fellow mausicans. I live next door to Leroy David so i know that he is alive and well. Will convey your sentiments to him.

Saw PG getting some free advertising with the reopening of Diego Martin Community Centre. Rodney thanks for your contributions which are always interesting.

Remember to stay safe and save lives

Clare Creese-Woodley 70-72

RE: "Two Little Magic Words"

2020-JUL-23-1957Hrs

Thanks and Please are the two little magic that many of us use quite often.

“in all circumstances, give thanks.” Is one of my favorite quotes from the Bible. Therefore, I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all those who contributed to the blog last week: Felix, Inez, Finbar, Veronica, Brenda , Bernice and Brother Efebo..

Keep contributing and giving thanks to our Beloved Mausica. MTC was a blessing.

As usual,

Rodney Foster 66-68

RE: Fw: Kaunda at Mausica

2020-JUL-18-0959Hrs

Angela Cato-Ifill 67

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-JUL-17

2020-JUL-17-0730Hrs

Bernice, good to hear of the great times my predecessors had. But was it Hurricane Alma or Flora?  Be careful, don’t blame the wrong woman. Alma, a very peaceful woman, may take offence. We, TOBAGONIANS know that Flora was in 1963 but Alma came years later.

Jasper Joefield 74

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-JUL-10

2020-JUL-15-1755Hrs

Hello Mausicans, nice connecting with you again. Interesting that we seem unable to get former residents from each of the 6 hostels to share their stories. Maybe there are not many of us reading the blog! I do have 4 volunteers, 3 from Kirkendale and 1 from Sunset Villa and Fairhaven. Rodney has consented to collect stories on behalf of both Sunset Villa and Fair Haven. Merle Dillon-Baker volunteered to collect for 66-68; Pearl Mulrain will collect for 67-69 and I,Bernice Stephens will collect stories for 63-65. We have some continuity there.

Rodney, sorry I am not collecting all the blogs from Jacob; no need to clutter my inbox. From my perspective it is more efficient to collect the stories from individuals according to the years identified. There are some folks whose whereabouts we do not know. For example it would be great to hear from my roommate Brenda Wilson, Beryl Gibbs, Huldah Stewart, Patsy Allum, Mennen Walker, Barbara Mendez, Gabby Als, Desmond Waite, Felix Edinborough, Allan Clovis, Alfred Waithe, Ferrida Chapman (can't remember her Mausica last name) Jackie Sosa etc.  If one of us knows how to contact any of these hostel residents ask if they have stories to tell. Maybe they may be willing to send their stories via another friend if they do not belong to the blog.

So let's make it real! Those who remember the days when

1. We spent many days without books and supplies, no graded sports grounds, no cricket field, no athletic field

2. Patsy Allum composed a song about it to the melody of "Hello Mama"

3. We played netball against GTC and CTC; I became the bona fide referee because it seemed I knew the rules well enough to do that; I learned from my father who sponsored netball in South Trinidad

4. We practiced endlessly for a Christmas concert: Fitzy repeated Fall, Fall, Fall so many times so that he could get the male voices to blend perfectly. Trevor Davis (may he rest in peace) made a winning calypso that year.

5. Joan Kidd won the first Carnival Queen contest dressed as a Martiniquan woman; I won the nest year dressed as Calypso Rose

6. Harry Joe arranged a visit to Queen's Park Oval to see cricket. I forgot who were the important cricketers he wanted us to see and gave some of us a boof because a large group of us fell asleep

7. We held ping pong tournaments in the assembly hall and enjoyed the excellent games played by Winston Yallery Arthur, Arthur Small, Monty Chapman, Vernetta Brewster, myself and others.

8. Hurricane Alma came and the Tobago students had to go home suddenly. We were so concerned. All returned but some lost family members.

8. Harry Joe started High Tea as a custom. We dressed up for those occasions and practiced "table manners".

These are just some of the ways in which Mausicans can contribute; please elaborate on any of the events or send it your own memories. Let's get busy!

Bernice Stephens 65

RE: Melbourne Inniss (72-74) 40 Night Celebration of Life

2020-JUN-10-0312Hrs

The Inniss family invites you to a Zoom call in loving memory of our beloved Melbourne Inniss, as we come together on the 40th night since his passing. We will start the evening with some reflections from family members, followed by those who would like to say a few words or share a memory. The call will take place from 7:30pm UK time (2:30pm US Eastern time / Trinidad time) on Thursday 11 June and full dial in details are laid out below. We look forward to having you join us as we celebrate the life of this great man.

See the Zoom Information below

Melmia Inniss is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: In Loving Memory of Melbourne Inniss (40 nights)

Time: ‪Jun 11, 2020 07:30 PM London

Join from PC, Mac, Linux, iOS or Android:

‪https://cooley.zoom.us/j/93057873556?pwd=aFRZbVl6Yk5nRitJSjV2UUJSRWNadz09‬

Password: 860454

Or iPhone one-tap (US Toll):  ‪+13126266799,93057873556#‬  or ‪+13462487799,93057873556#‬

Or Telephone:

  Dial:

  ‪+1 669 900 6833‬ (US Toll)

  ‪+1 301 715 8592‬ (US Toll)

  ‪855 880 1246‬ (US Toll Free)

  ‪877 853 5257‬ (US Toll Free)

  ‪+44 203 481 5240‬ (GB Toll)

  ‪+44 208 080 6591‬ (GB Toll)

  ‪0 800 031 5717‬ (GB Toll Free)

  ‪+1 868 224 5838‬ (TT Toll)

  Meeting ID: 930 5787 3556

  International numbers available: ‪https://cooley.zoom.us/u/adMxaj1rll‬

Or an H.323/SIP room system:

  H.323: 162.255.37.11 (US West) or 162.255.36.11 (US East)

  Meeting ID: 930 5787 3556

  Password: 860454

  SIP: ‪93057873556@zoomcrc.com

  Password: 860454

Or Skype for Business (Lync):

  ‪SIP:93057873556.860454@lync.zoom.us

Hermia Inniss 75

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-JUN-05

2020-JUN-05-1723Hrs

Talking bout the recordings. One night we were working on an LP in the auditorium, and when we thought we were finished, they played it back and the problem ws not aeroplane landing or leaving Piarco (which everybody knows was one border of our cane field), as Peral Mulrain remembers, it was Mausica Crapo. WQe had to do over de whole ting.

Pearl I think that this particular LP was the one you were on.

The one that was circulated last week really did not include our year group, which was 1967-1969.

Whichever way, that is how it goes with Mausica. Because we had a vibrant alumni sometimes you are not sure who belonged to what group. I have been in the choir performing when it included on the same stage people who were pioneers, such as our beloved Trevor, but also people who came in 1969, tye year I graduated...with Pearl and Gwennie...people including  Lester, Jackie Gaspard, Corenza.

It will be a while before that Mausica flame could be extinguished.

Scratchie

Well they come to Mausica, from Talparo and MorugaAs dey reach in here dey from ArimaBut I see one in shanty Town, digging up de labasseShe want to tell me...she looking for specimen for Douglas.

Now I have apologised profusely to mausica women who at  the college when last we gathered there about four years ago.....I mean Carol-Ann, Babara Davis, Marie Louise, everybody else who was there and who were in the auditorium the night I sung that and was robbed frankoment, coming third instead of winning de crong. They gave it to Efebo.

Also, one lunch time, I was leaving the line having eaten and De Warden called me over to the high table...to introduce me to Harry Joe and to tell him that I was the SCAMP who sang about the girls....and the Joe asked me about that...and if I was having trouble....in that respect....and I cannot remember the rest of the exchange.....

Lord Scratchie, Second runner up in Calypso, 1968.....winner, 1969.

Oh OH, one more thing.

Because some of us got a third year in Mausica I was back there for 1969-1970. I tried to enter the calypso competition. Rutherford, Joe Stevens and others were luke warm. I cant remember how it all worked out. But I did had a song about Osbourne. That third year was helped me to understand juts what a joy being a bonafide Mausican was.

Nobody to thief orange with. No corridor to pelt anything.

Theodore Lewis 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-JUN-05

2020-JUN-05-1434Hrs

Thanks for input From Rodney Foster, Merle Baker-Dillon and Pearl Mulrain. Please hold all those wonderful stories so that the designated "collector" will compile wonderful narratives. Continue sending in your names according to hostels and years attended.

Bernice Stephens 65

RE: CAN WE Talk?

2020-JUN-05-0014Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans,

“Life is a series of responses in an ever-changing environment.”

Several years ago, I heard that definition of life on one of my daily commutes in Los Angeles, California. Today. I feel like shouting from the rooftops, “Stop this world. I want to get off.” According to my friend and fellow writer, the late  Vivian Patrick,  “Something Is terribly Wrong.”

Marvin Gaye wondered “What’s Going On?”

My Fellow Mausicans,  I am still in La Romain. I feel like a character in one of  Shakespeare’s  plays. ”Life is a stage and we are the actors and everyone has a part to play.” Brothers and sisters where are our stages today and what are our roles?

Today, Marjorie and I stood  with our heads bowed for eight minutes and forty-six seconds, in the same kitchen where we were preparing a  Memorial Day meal on May 25th. What will tomorrow bring? No one knows. George Floyd did not. Al Sharpton? What an eulogy. Will Humpy Dumpty sit on a wall? Will he have a great fall?

In one of my many conversations with Mr. Williams, he uttered a few words that haunt me daily, “You do It.”

Who is you? Is it I, me, Rodney, us, you, we, they. In English Language there is “You”. The impersonal you understood as the subject. In French, I recall they use the word “on”. Help me Mausicans.  Help me.

Let’s live our legacy. Now.

Sincerely,

Rodney Foster. 66-68

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-MAY-29

2020-JUN-01-1352Hrs

Dear Jasper,

In response to your lack of knowledge about Arthur Benoit, that is sad unfortunate part but the true story reveals the beauty of being a Mausican. While at the College, for many of us,  especially  for some of us we just turned 18 and for the first time living away from home and family We were eager to embrace, learn and experience within boundaries everything that was inspiring and expanded our intellect, our sense of adventure and excitement. So when  we left Mausica,  like many of us including Arthur we were placed in either an old under developed country school or in the town schools that teemed with senior set- in -their ways; but either ways at schools with challenges , that made you draw on all your resources and experience. There we were the only senior teacher , or had to listen to older persons teach lessons or given the most difficult classes and we had to shine and sing all the Mausica songs and ensure that discipline was maintained and the children learned to read and write..

That was the story with Arthur after a short stint at his old home school in Plymouth, he was transferred to Parlatuvier a country school with  unshod children and was given the joint Standard and Four and Five all boys to teach in one class. He said he met that challenge and saw improvement but after some years there he migrated to Canada completed a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology and Biology, got married there to his Tobago sweetheart, had their three children there and later returned to Tobago. He taught for a while at Bishops in Tobago  and later entered the Public Service where at his retirement he was the Permanent Secretary acting at the Police Service Administration at its Headquarters in Port-of-Spain. 

Bernice these are some of the true life stories that should be captured about the Mausicans and there continued efforts to lead the way in education not only in the classroom but by practice in their own lives. There are some beautiful Ladies and Gentlemen on the Cuba Tour Chat who have some fantastic stories. It maybe good to capture them now rather later as  

Blessings

Dr. Merle  Dillon - Baker 1966-68

RE: La Porrinden

2020-MAY-31-0901Hrs

Aye, Pearl, thanks for bringing  “clarity” to Mr. Williams’ actions. According to Mr. Albert Mark, “What a naughty boy”. Fitzie was something else, oui.

I was too busy singing, dancing, wining up and harmonizing with meh pardnahs in de tenor section. I used to stand next to Selwyn Thompson, Sweet face, and Carl Caton. If yuh hear de blend. Sweet too bad. Other tenors were: Ivan Ragoonan, Micey, Miguel, Rawlins Manwaren, Glenville King, Ken Marshall,  and of course, Gregory Wallace, Gerry Callender, and Lloyd Brown. Forgive me if ah forget some names.

So long for now.

As usual,

Rodney Foster. 66-68

RE: Those were the days!

2020-MAY-30-0729Hrs

Yes Rodney you are so right about our producing those albums in the auditorium. They definitely were gruelling experiences with those airplanes passing overhead - take 1, take 2.We really had guts. In the night when we should have been sleeping (or chessing for some) we had to compete with those planes. But those were the days. I wouldn't trade them for the world. I also remember when we had to fulfill an engagement as a choir and as we were passing through the Beetham on our way to Port-of-Spain, and trying to avoid the foul stench that emanated therefrom, someone in the bus would echo the words of June Joseph ' DEEP DIAPHRAGMATIC BREATHING! Those were the days!

Pearl Yvonne Mulrain 69

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-MAY-29

2020-MAY-30-0035Hrs

Hello Gwen,

My Barataria Sistah.

Mausicans were a Blessed Group. Large enough to create our Legacy.

Bernice, I lived in Sunset Villa from 66-67 and Fair Haven from 67-68, so I’ll make contributions for both hostels.

Gwen. The Peters were well respected. I remember a tall , serious- looking woman leaving your yard who may have been one of the first women- police officers in  Trinidad.  What  was her relationship to you?  I don’t remember “sampling” fruits from your yard.

Sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. She was one of Barataria’s finest. Once I lent her and Eleanor two comic books that I had borrowed from a friend. Andrew Achoy. When I went to collect them, their mother admonished me, “Sonny boy, don’t lend my daughters  any more comics.” Girl, not even Bolt coulda ketch me dat evening. May she rest in peace.

So long for mow.

As usual,

Rodney Foster 68

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-MAY-29

2020-MAY-29-1428Hrs

Condolences to those who lost loved ones and blessings on the others.  

Lily Walker 67

RE: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-MAY-22

2020-MAY-25-1335Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans

Hello Brother Scratchie and Sister Janice,

It’s Memorial Day! As we celebrate the memories of all those who served in the US Armed Services, your sharing the recordings of Caribbean Melodies brings to mind our beloved Mausican brothers and sisters, Mr. Williams and Mrs. Cuffie who are no longer with us.

Thank you . Thank you. Thanks to modern technology.

Members of the Alumni Choir joined students of the 66-68 class to produce that memorable album. “La Porrinden” took 17 takes.  When we thought we had it nailed on take #16,  the replay revealed that a plane had passed over the campus just as we were ending  the song.  In true Mausica spirit, we persevered.

I am still in La Romain. Since March 19th.  It’s the longest time, apart from my  two  years at MTC campus and 47 years in the US, that I have been away from San Juan/Barataria. I am enjoying my social distancing in South. According to author, Adrian Bird, “Trinidad Sweet.”  As David Rudder sings, I am ah “Trini Tuh De Bone”.

Yesterday, my Pastor, Dennis Patterson,  from Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Decatur, GA, delivered a powerful sermon entitled “In the Meantime”. What should we be doing between now and the end of Covid19? He suggested getting ourselves ready to fulfill our purpose for living.

Aye, ah in de kitchen/dining room. Marjorie preparing ah US Memorial Day menu: hamburger, fries, red onion, sliced tomato etc, etc.  . Ah goin an gi she ah hand.

As usual,

Rodney Foster 66-68

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-MAY-22

2020-MAY-24-2104Hrs

Dear Mausica Family,

On Thursday 21st  May 2020,  another Mausican, Arthur Alexander Benoit  1964 - 1966 was laid to rest in Plymouth, Tobago.

Mausicans  in attendance at his Farewell  Service together with his wife and family were -  Hezikiah Wood:  Dr.. Eastlyn Baynes - McKenzie and Dr Merle Dillon -Baker and because of the COVID19 the many others who viewed the Service on Channel 5, Tobago, Facebook or Youtube..

May His Soul Rest in Peace

Blessings

Dr. Merle Baker 1966-1968

RE: Congratulations to Lester O'Souna

2020-MAY-24-1710Hrs

Donald Graham 73

RE: Folk Album

2020-MAY-22-1504Hrs

Thanks to Scratch for sharing Janice's album. Precious memories. I was part of tge choir when that LP was made. Whenever I hear la Porrinden I remember Bernice Placide's actions -dem make me get tin! Also the expression on Fitz Williams' face and the way after every 'mettez mwe' he cupped his right hand and 'boxed' two beats forward. I don't know if I painted the picture clearly but I am sure at least one choir member knows what I am talking about. MAUSICA WAS A GREAT EXPERIENCE!!!

Pearl Yvonne Mulrain 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2020-MAY-22

2020-MAY-22-1339Hrs

Thanks Hermia. I look forward to the day I can share with you and others in that service. God’s richest blessings to you and yours. I did not know that Arthur Benoit was a teacher and a Mausican at that. I knew him as a public servant. If I had known before I would have included him to our gatherings. May his soul rest in peace.

Jasper Joefield 74