Newsletter, Issue # 56, Oct., 2009

St. George's College
Old Boys'
Association

ON, Canada

Part 1 of 4

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

       Wow, where is 2009 going? Seems like just yesterday we were welcoming the New Year and now we are closing in on the end already. Perhaps, our schedules have been so full and hectic, we haven't noticed.
       Our Summer Ball was another huge success. Thanks to you for supporting it and of course, thanks to the hardworking team that worked behind the scenes to make it happen. And if you weren't there, you are missing out BIG TIME! Lovely ambiance, good food, great company and fantastic music by our own Aggrey Irons and the Fifty50 Band.
      The joint Picnic with Alpha and Immaculate was also very well attended and special thanks to Richard Saunders for coordinating this year's event in the absence of Social Director, John Flynn. The picnic saw the younger ones out in their numbers having a grand time with the activities and how could we forget the ice cream treat provided this year by Danny in Ray's absence. I think some of the attendees come just for the ice cream these days and why not … rum and raisin, lychee, and grapenut!!!
        Back in Jamaica, our Liaison Director, Carl Chang has been pulling double (at least) duty to coordinate the renovation of our landmark O'Hare Building. The building was overcome with termite infestation and was a disaster waiting to happen. Renovation began as soon as classes ended for the summer break and had to be completed in time for the new school year in September. MISSION ACCOMPLISHED! Kudos to Carl, what would we have done without him? But all is not done yet … we still need to pay for the work done and need your continued support on this. (See Part 2 for details on how you can make a tax deductible contribution). Every contribution will make a difference, come on guys … we can do this together.
       On the fundraising side a special thanks as well to our Ontario executive and members who rallied behind the Ontario Building Fund drive after our Treasurer Ray Chang's emotional plea at our Family Brunch on March 29th. Our newsletters mailed to over 550 Georgian families highlighted the massive urgent need and how to donate. Flyers were sent out as well and individual executives and members targeted their own focus groups. Ray reports to October 30th from this initiative we have collected C$19,705 and US$4,915 from over 66 Georgians in the USA and Canada. Also with the huge success of our Summer Ball we were able to send C$20,000 this year to help with the school deficit and a further C$5000 to the Building Fund. These are tough economic times and we appreciate the effort made by so many. God bless you all for your support. To those who have not given as yet- don't be left out. The funds are still needed. We still have a long way to go.

       The Order of Jamaica was this week (October 19th) bestowed upon the Most Reverend Archbishop Lawrence Burke S.J., D.D. by the Government of Jamaica for his tremendous contribution to Religion and Education. Our personal congratulations to Archbishop Burke.
       We say a sad farewell to outgoing Consul General Ms. Anne Marie Bonner, who has been a beacon in the Jamaican community (see Part 2) and welcome incoming Consul General Mr. Seth George Ramocan and his wife Lola.
       Another outstanding Georgian and Hall of Famer Dr Herbert Ho Ping Kong was also honoured on October 17th in an imposing affair at the Grand Ballroom of the Sheraton Centre, downtown Toronto. (see article Part 2 for details)
       Congratulations to our soccer team for recapturing the Roper Cup (Toronto), defeating Kingston College by 9 goals to 3. Well done Milton and team. More congrats too to our Manning Cup team in Jamaica who are continuing their winning ways in this year’s event. Keep up the fantastic work.
       Since this is the final newsletter of the year, we take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
       Finally, if you missed our inaugural New Year's Eve Dance last year, don't be left out this year. Bookings are now being taken; contact any member of the executive.. See you there! 

Chris Chin

News Flash: StGC wins Manning Cup!

       Sadly a number of deaths to report since our last newsletter.
       In July we lost Fouad Khouri, one of our first Ontario members and guest speaker at an earlier Family dinner. Ran into Francis Lopez at the funeral.
In August our Director, Francis Cooke, lost his brother Raymond. Deacon Peter Rickards participated in the funeral service at  St. Anne's Catholic Church in Brampton. Got a telephone call from Roy McCatty in August alerting Good & True of the death of Wes Taylor's mum in The States. Heard also from Devon Lecky, former Head boy, telling of the death of his Dad in Jamaica.  Also passing on in Jamaica,  Wilmon Wallen-Bryan's mum, Susan. We sadly report as well on the death of Auntie Mae Phillipps, beloved kin of our Treasurer Ray Chang, Herbie Phillipps Jr., Jo Jo HoLung (Danny). Ray also just lost his uncle Rufus Chang, one of the pioneers of the Jamaican Baking industry.  Our sincere condolences go out to Neville Prendergast who lost both parents in a tragic multi-vehicle accident in central Florida on March 12th.  They were both passengers in a friend's car when the accident happened. God go with you Neville through this rough time. Fen Chang lost his older brother Ernest in Florida. Mike Provost also passed on in July in Miami.
       Many Georgians were also out comforting ICHS Heather Bubb-Clarke on the death of her beloved mum.
       May all the deceased rest in peace and our prayers go out to their families left behind.
       Good to hear Senator Dwight Nelson is back in office after a recent medical scare causing a hasty Miami check up.
       We wish a speedy recovery for Pat Garel's Mother in law Thorelle Ford (Janice's mum) who recently underwent triple bypass surgery .
       Finally some great news on past President Derrick Potopsingh, who just received a successful kidney transplant (3rd try). It's been a long time for him on dialysis. Derrick says this gift is better than winning the lottery. You bet it is! We are all so happy for him.
       This was an active summer for weddings in our community.

           Some good news out of Jamaica with the  announcement on July 13th  by the Prime minister Bruce Golding of the appointment of Marlene Malahoo Forte as Senator and Minister of State in the ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.  Malahoo Forte is a judge at the Corporate Area Civil Courts in Kingston and lecturer of Criminal Practice and Procedure at the Norman Manley Law School, UWI Mona Campus.  She is a Commonwealth Scholar who holds a Masters of Law Degree, with merit, from the University of London, King's College; a Bachelor of Laws Degree, with honors, from UWI Barbados and a Certificate of Legal Education from the Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica.  She is a former head girl of Manning's [High] School, in Savanna la Mar, Westmoreland.  She is the wife of distinguished Georgian legal luminary justice Ian Forte.

       Not many realize that Ziggy Marley, Bob Marley's son went to St. George's College and played on the Manning team in the mid 80's. Bob probably never thought that a photo like this would ever be taken in the United States. Music does indeed open many doors.

        Well known Georgian, Francis Tulloch, was among six men from the diocese of Montego Bay, ordained on Nov. 7, 09 to the Permanent diaconate at Blessed Sacrament Cathedral, Montego Bay. They had all just concluded four years of spiritual formation preceded by a year of discernment. Francis will be using his cricketing bowling skill; off-breaks and googlies for the Lord.

       Lloydie Chung, our former Liaison Director, captured audiences with a stunning vocal and acting performance in the Heritage Singers presentation of an original home-grown Canadian pantomime "Old Tyme Country Wedding."
       Grace Lyons, leader and musical director of the Heritage Singers showcased the rich culture of Jamaica as she wove the love triangle story between Toronto and rural Jamaica, culminating in a traditional country wedding with all the wit and humour of real Jamaica country folk. Lloydie ran the local "Chiney" shop, dispensing wrath and tenderness to his various customers, most of whom were on credit  ("trust"). The show ran to sold-out audiences at the P.C. Ho Theatre for the Performing Arts in Scarborough. Scriptwriters included Orville Green and Valerie Taylor.
Lloydie your performance was truly outstanding- you gave it your all- but that's what Georgians do.

       The winter chill was already here on Wednesday October 28th when a book launch was held at AY Jackson Secondary School in Toronto for Georgian Dr. Fred Kennedy's book 'Daddy Sharpe'.
        Published in 2008, the  book is a "narrative of the life and adventures of Samuel Sharpe, one of Jamaica's National Heroes, a West Indian slave, written by himself."
Fred, former Principal of St. George's College, said the book is "a fictionalized account of Sam Sharpe's life,
He read excerpts from the book, just enough to stimulate the imagination and as he put it "If you want to hear what happened next, buy the book!"
      Ms Rachel Manley, daughter of the late former Prime Minister Michael Manley, and acclaimed author herself praised  Dr .Kennedy for creating a book that  adds to "both our history and a growing body of Caribbean literature."
       Ms Andrea Anglin Vice-Consul at the Jamaican Consulate General in Toronto attended. Also out in support were Board members and former Presidents of our Ontario Chapter Daniel Ho Lung and Robbie Vernon. From the brisk sales activity, we would say this was a most successful Ontario launch. 'Daddy Sharpe' has already been launched in Jamaica and London, England. The book available at Amazon.com is highly recommended reading for Jamaican history buffs.

  Robbie  Vernon

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