RE: Mausica Teachers' College Leadership, 1967 - 1968Fwd: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-MAY-13

2022-MAY-30-1138Hrs

Do include the following with attachment in the next blog

It was such a joy to attend last Saturday's  Mausica Zoom meeting at which there were two main highlights viz. the Proposed Mausica Teachers' College Scholarship Award Programme; and the tribute to the much celebrated Pioneer Desmond Waite who has just transitioned.

I fully support the Scholarship  Award Programme and this has led me to my MTC archives.

Attached is the memorable document  In Memoriam service to our first esteemed  College Principal Mr. Harry Joseph (HarryJo) who led a Teacher Education team including the incomparable Daphne Pilgrim Cuffie,  Roland Maundy, Fitzjames Williams, June Joseph, Hamlyn Dookhan, Fanny Roopchand, Wilfred Phillips, Ralph Douglass, Matron, Ishiah Boodhoo, and Evelyn Hordatt.

We owe a debt of gratitude to these pioneering Teacher Educators led by Harry Jo who imprinted on our year group 1967 - 1969: 'You cannot  teach them (learners), if you do not love them' ... a mantra that so many of us chanted throughout our teaching careers, and generally in life....  '

Let's see the MTC Scholarship Award Programme as a 'love' tribute to Mausica, acknowledging how our personal and professional identity has been shaped.

Bring back the ole times days.... bring back the ole time ways.....!!  (Richard Nappy Mayers)

Gwendoline Williams 69

ESTEEMED FIRST PRINCIPAL OF MAUSICA TEACHERS COLLEGE -- HARRY JO -- IN MEMORIAM

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-MAY-20

2022-MAY-20-1536Hrs

Pearl I think that Princes Town was very well represented with that memorable contingent of four. That pudding song won for topicality. Very very Mausican event, that pudding ceremony. I was at the table on which the pudding fell....Errol Jones, Raymon Mendes, Stanisclaus....among the pall bearers...

very very sad Memories because Cheryl Gittens was at the table and came out the worse...the pudding itself weaponized with alcohol and very much on fire as it fell--on her...

There were other South people in our year group who were a bit older..I think Roy Jagroopsing ...Gaston Alleyne, and Ormond Fournilier would not have been teens....

I think the age balance was right....generally speaking...The people in charge of this thing were wise beyond words..

they designed the community..

Students like Mervyn Sandy kept the place on even keel with their maturity....

Scratchie

Theodore Lewis 69

Re: Fwd: Zoom Meeting May 7: MTCA Scholarship Award

 2022-MAY-19-1449Hrs

Brenda

"and this too will pass"

Following are video extracts from the Zoom meeting of May 7, 2022.

Meeting notes along with the slide presentation and Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Scholarship Award were shared on last week's blog.

A letter of Invitation to Donate will be sent out soon.

Comments, questions or suggestions can be sent to:

mtcascholarship@gmail.com

OR contact any member of the team members as below.

i.                     Presentation on Scholarship Award

https://drive.google.com/file/d/16W7XUD4cFxZr5vxhYus2Ly5R32MXykHO/view?usp=sharing

ii.                   Q&A and Discussion:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1G9Y0tA8eRgl91ylPlSWNMNcYoVCycdGD/view?usp=sharing

iii.                 Tribute To Desmond

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1R76j2-WmYNnTvehIr1FIzLzjSY2ZexpE/view?usp=sharing

(P.S. Please excuse the video quality; there were technical challenges).

Members of the Legacy Planning Committee

Conrad Thomas                Bernice Stephens-Alleyne

Brenda Alexander-Perez   Kay Cyrus

Selwyn Jacob                    Brenda Walters

Brenda Alexander-Perez 65

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-MAY-13

2022-MAY-14-0732Hrs

Scratch and Gwen are so correct in their assessment of Arthur Hume. I don't know how it happened but in '97 the four of us from Princes Town were mature students near the cut-off age of 25 and as alluded to by Scratch it showed. Judith Suite and I were roommates for both years at Kirkendale, and subject to correcction, Oswald (Bing) and Arthur also remained together for both years. Yes Gwen you are correct. Maestro and I were good friends and up to a few years ago I was telling someone that if we had kept up the friendship I might have been a calypsonian myself. You might remember 'Walk with yuh key' a pun on persons who sang off-key, and 'De puddin' tumble down' a satire on the event at the Christmas dinner.

I bounced up Arthur ever so often at the supermarket jn Princes Town and we almost forget the shopping as we chatted and chatted and chatted. Arthur remained with the same trim size and was always as neat as ever. He still moved with the speed of lightning. That is why his death hit me for six.

However it is a road we all must take, and from all reports he lived a worthy life. May his soul rest in peace and rise in glory

Pearl Yvonne Mulrain 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-MAY-06

2022-MAY-06-1439Hrs

Rest in Peace Arthur. How well I remember your quiet demeanour, love of the cuatro, and absolute neatness of attire.

Your brother Maestro, to this day, remains one of my favourite calypdonians... His Bionic Man rendition and death soon thereafter brought me much personal pain.

Rest in Peace Arthur and Cecil.

Gwendoline Williams 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-MAY-06

2022-MAY-06-1438Hrs

Pearl, thanks for the alert that Arthur Hume has died. This is very very sad news. He was indeed a member of  the 67-69 group, a Haven man from Princes Town, he and his roomate Oswald Murray both from there.

I remember that he had studied German, among other languages. He often demonstrated  usage of the language in the Haven corridor, deploying it as part of the welcome repertoire to which Haven men resorted when the 68-70 group came in.

What makes this death and that of other Mausicans of my era so numbing is that the only image I have of him is one when he was about 20-21, very much alive in the Haven.

Did not see him since we parted company at graduation. There was a maturity about him, which Oswald complemented.

I had an email exchange with him short years ago, when I was trying to track down the lyrics of his brother Maestro of the song Concert at the hall. We had a chat onnthe phone. Pearl you had kindly provided his telephone number.

The image of him as a mature man is helpful, communicating the seriousness I remember.

Scratchie

Theodore Lewis 69

RE: Photo from Pearl Yvonne Mulrain

2022-APR-29-2242Hrs

Arthur Hume was a student of '67-'69

Pearl Yvonne Mulrain 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-APR-29

2022-APR-29-1452Hrs

Dear Brenda

It is very heart-warming to see that our dear brother Desmond Waithe is being celebrated with respect and love in several communities he had served with his music in Trinidad.

Do you know whether his funeral service tomorrow 30th April will be on Youtube or Zoom?

Many thanks

Vernetta Calvin-Smith 65

RE: Mausica legacy and Tribute to Desmond Waithe

2022-APR-28-1841Hrs

INVITATION to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Time: May 7, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84169776445?pwd=WDlJcysvaXhlMkFObm5xclhKT0xDZz09

Meeting ID: 841 6977 6445

Passcode: 010812

AGENDA:

1. MTC Legacy: Alumni Scholarship and Bursary Award at UTT starting academic year 2022-23- presentation and discussion of details. All are invited and encouraged to participate.

2. Desmond Waithe: A MTC alumni tribute to our dear friend and colleague. Please let us know if you would like to provide a tribute to the memory of Desmond

Conrad Thomas is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Time: May 7, 2022 03:00 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

Brenda

"and this too will pass"

--

Brenda

"and this too will pass"

Brenda Alexander-Perez 65

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-APR-22

2022-APR-22-1242Hrs

Dear Mausicans & Desmond’s family & close friends,

Tenderly,

May time heal your sorrow

Gently,

May friends ease your pain

Softly,

May peace replace heartaches

And May all our warmest memories of Desmond remain.

I will always remember his gentlemanliness & his warm,

infectious smile & I haven’t seen him for years.

May the blessings of this Easter season keep you all strong!

Magnell Williams Robinson (63-65)

Re: Death of Desmond Waithe

2022-APR-22-1041Hrs

This is a wrenching death. Desmond stood out in a place of stars. He moved out of Mausica into the country, and he carried on. It is good to see the contribution of Ronald Richardson (Ritchie) here...the photo from Phase II.each layer of the place...each year group, the many ripples, affected....Thanks to Hazel Thpmpson-Ahye for the John Boulay video.....his Mausica signature....

The Mausica notion of an alumni choir was such a genius idea...the place continuing to grow and to flourish outside of the 64 acres. Harry Joe, The Warden, The Cuff....all glory.

Scratchie

Theodore Lewis 69

RE: A TRIBUTE TO DESMOND WAITHE

2022-APR-22-0830Hrs

Fellow Mausicans,

I am deeply saddened by the passing of Mr Desmond Waithe and I wish to extend condolences to his family and friends.

Desmond was a dear friend to me.  We were in class together in high school and in Mausica Teachers’ College where we were roommates for the entire two-year period.  Most graduates talk fondly about the MTC experience as do I but having a Desmond as a roommate enhanced my Mausica experience.  In my retirement I visited TT yearly, and I always got a visit from him provided he was not globe-trotting at the time.  On some visits, he reminded me of our days in high school and activities that I had long forgotten.  His visits were always pleasant and enjoyable.  When he was unable to visit, Desmond took me to steelband events in the QPS, Skinner Park and Starlift and Exodus panyards.  I was also privileged to take in one of his musical performances at NAPA.  Desmond was never without ideas as to how to make me feel at home in TT.

I will always remember Desmond as a kind, thoughtful person with a wonderful sense of humour and a dear friend.  The fact that our friendship lasted for over half century until death do us part, is further testament to his boundless patience.  Desmond was a good man.  I shall miss him dearly.

We have lost an exceptional musician with a pleasant and gentle disposition deserving of all the accolades heaped upon him

Errol Lashley 65

Des, it was indeed a great pleasure knowing you.  Rest in peace!

Bye now,

Errol

P.S. Don’t forget to respond to my last WhatsApp chat.  I am told that this app runs in the cloud.

RE: Condolences

2022-APR-22-0558Hrs

My Dear Mausicans,

We mourn the loss of one of our pioneers, Desmond Waithe, a musician to his soul, like Bertie Fraiser who has gone on before him. Desmond's contribution is widely known. He will always be remembered by me as one who held a cuatro in his hand with a smile on his face. Well done, Desmond. May you rest in peace.

May God comfort his family as they mourn the loss.  May God comfort us all.

Always,

Barbara Mellowes 66

RE: A QUINTESSENTIAL MAUSICIAN

2022-APR-21-1436Hrs

My Fellow Mausicans,

Desmond Waithe was a quintessential Mausican. He and several of the men and women of the 63-65 year group, the PIONEERS, set the standards for all the Mausicans that followed in their footsteps.

When my Brother, Carl Caton, shared the sad news of Desmond's home-going, I recommitted myself to working with all Mausicans who would like to create "The Mausica Legacy".

It's now 2: 30 am EST.

I'll be back with some suggestions.

Let's put our thoughts and lists together. "Together We Aspire. Together We Achieve."

As usual,

Rodney Foster 66-68

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-APR-15

2022-APR-21-1122Hrs

Dear All,

We are united in grief over the death of our beloved Desmond Waithe. He meant so much to so many of us.  I knew him from my Best Village days even before I entered Mausica. I remember when I had my interview for entry into Mausica.  The panel became excited to learn I was into these cultural pursuits. During initiation week, I sang John Boulay and some believed long afterwards that I was a Tobagonian. I had not seen Desmond for years, until a few years ago, when we met at a Marionettes concert at Queens' Hall. We were delighted to see each other and shared a big hug.

He has contributed so much and deserves  more than a silver medal.  May He rest in peace.

Hazel Thompson-Ahye 70

Re: Fwd: Photo from Ronald Richardson

2022-APR-20-1439Hrs

Ronald Richardson 66

RE: Fwd:

2022-APR-20-0949Hrs

Another talented musician has left. Thanks Desmond for the music.

Desmond Waithe

https://youtu.be/Q7_3VvAfnd8

Brenda Alexander-Perez 65

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-APR-08

2022-APR-11-1317Hrs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRO6Lz2hDJQ

Theodore Lewis 69

Re: MAUSICA WEEKLY EMAILS 2022-APR-08

2022-APR-09-1508Hrs

Hi Rodney:

I was sorry to hear about the passing of Horse (Leslie Greenidge)..Sunset illa man.  I called Sto, who lives in Champs Fleurs, but he was unaware.

Horse was a blue blood Mausican from the 66-68 year group. These passings affect me. I had come to think of the Mausican as indestructible. I still think us to be so.

Is that not the lesson from these Mausica children?

We are finding that they too can sing...and indeed can descant..

The curtains are being drawn on early generations, only to open again...for the Children...

Gwennie reminds us of some of the anchors, .Harry Jo, Daphne Cuffie, Roland Maunday, June Joseph, Fanny Roopchand......add Lance Lougheide, Wilfred Philips (Alisford's old man), Bert Baptiste, Hamlyn Dukhan,  Evelyn Hordatt.

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/mausica+teachers+college+albumn?projector=1

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#search/mausica+teachers+college+albumn/FMfcgxwHNWBVWXsxPHFhXdQsRhLGlgzq?projector=1

Recently I had  a great lime with Clyde Ballantyne (Pool) and Lynette Mark.....shooting the breeze about ole times.....During our conversations I solved the puzzle about who was the author of the great Mayfair flood that saw the shoes and other belongings of Frederick Beckles (Beck; Badjohn Teacher Face) floating out of the Mayfair lobby...causing Beck to think, wrongly, that the culprit was a Havenite.....

As I indicated in an earlier post, Beck was so distraught at seeing his belongings floating down the Mayfair corridor that he crossed Fairhaven Square with a cutlass...We in turn, drawing upon vaunted Haven commonsense and agency...and also resorting to prudence...had decided to lock the entrance to our hostel...and also to fortify in defensive posture...

But it appears from the authoritative account I heard from "Pool" that Beck had gone to the wrong hostel in search of the culprit. Remember there were only three, so he really had just two degrees of freedom. But he guessed wrongly. Or did he?

There was also an authoritative, apparently first-hand,  account, that men from Haven had been in the washroom of Mayfair that night, and what reason could there have been for Havenites to be in Mayfair washroom after hours? The only thing I can think of there is that they might have gone over there to play brag, with men like Joe Ragoonanan, Jerry Hernandez, McDonald Rodney, Beck, and Gregory Byrne.

Scratchy.

Theodore Lewis 69

RE: Welcome Back, Sister Maria

2022-APR-09-0028Hrs

Hello Maria,

It’s great hearing from you.

Please help organize the 2023 MTC Reunion in TNT. Yes, let’s replicate the Trinidad and Tobago itinerary.

A return to the Hyatt, Hilton or Bucco,  Charlotte Ville, Annette Alleyne’s Theater, Allan Clovis’ Arawak,

Heritage Month and visits to TV stations and print media would be ideal and  launching of The Mausica Teachers College Charitable Foundation would be most uplifting.  The MTC Legacy.

“Can We Talk?”

As usual,

Rodney Foster 66-68