WHO SAID 13 WAS UNLUCKY?!

On 28th April the Association of Lyceum Past Students celebrated
the 13th anniversary of the realisation of its founder’s
dream of setting up a Lyceum old boys’ association with
real staying power. As usual, the Association’s Council
of Administration saw fit to celebrate the anniversary with
a Foundation Day Concert – but the grandeur and undisputed
success of this year’s concert was unusual in all other
ways.

Joe Fenech’s production of a concert version of Carlo
Lombardo’s and Franz Lehàr’s La Danza delle
Libellule went like a bomb. The 450-seat Salesian Theatre
in Howard Street, Sliema, was choc-a-bloc with an expectant
audience that collectively received all it had bargained for,
and more, for just Lm2.50 each.

Sopranos Karen Camilleri and Louiselle Pace Gouder, mezzosoprano
Connie Frances Zerafa, tenor Joseph Aquilina and baritone
Joe Huber did a fantastic job in the main parts, accompanied
by pianist Cynthia Genovese and the Youth Orchestra of the
Società Filarmonica Sliema under the baton of Mro James
Bernard Agius. Also taking part were the Choir of the University
of the Third Age and the CATS Dance Company, while compères
Monica Attard and John Dimech kept the whole together with
the humorous commentary written by Joe Fenech.

At the end of the show President George Stagno Navarra delivered
a short speech, emphasising the importance of keeping alive
the Association of Lyceum Past Students. Each of the singers
was presented with a bouquet of flowers. George also presented
flowers to Mrs Irene Saliba, the widow of Founder and First
President Dr Guido Saliba.

In keeping with ALPS’s calling to help society in civic,
social and philanthropic aspects, all proceeds from the evening
will go to the Salesian Youth Centre, Sliema.

ALPS Cultural Commission Chairman Joe Fenech deserves full
praise for the way the evening went. But if he has started
a trend with this “unusual” Foundation Day Concert,
we’ll have to look for a bigger theatre next year …

CULTURAL TOUR TO ZURRIEQ

As already announced, the ALPS Council of Administration
is organising a socio-cultural tour of Zurrieq on Saturday
12th May, to be led by Mr Tony Terribile.

Participants will meet outside the parish church at 9.30
a.m. for a visit to the church with its valuable Mattia Preti
paintings and its other treasures, then proceeding to the
village’s two band clubs, Santa Katerina and Madonna
tal-Karmnu. Next on the agenda will be the restored Xarolla
Windmill and the exterior of the Armoury. The last stop on
the tour will be Hal Millieri Chapel, where efforts are being
made to gain entrance because the medieval chapel and its
frescoes are undergoing restoration.

The cultural part of the tour should be over by 1 p.m., at
which time we will proceed to the Blue Cave Restaurant at
Wied iz-Zurrieq for a light lunch. This will consist of Penne
with Bolognaise Sauce or Spaghetti alla Marinara or Tuna Salad,
followed by dessert (all drinks extra). The all-inclusive
price for tour and lunch will be Lm3.25 per person, but those
not having lunch will pay only Lm1.50 per person. Bookings
with menu choices and payment may be made with Alex Borg (see
masthead for address).

34U CAMPAIGN

“He who plants a tree, plants a hope.”

On the initiative of President George Stagno Navarra and
in deference to an oft-expressed wish of several ALPS members,
the Association is promoting a collective ALPS participation
in the 34U Campaign to culminate in a mass planting event.
Permanent maintenance of the trees will be undertaken by the
Government.

Members and Friends of ALPS and their families are urged
to consider the idea of each family planting an olive tree
to commemorate a special event in its life, such as in memory
of a loved one or ones (34Life or 34Love); to welcome a new
arrival (34Baby); a birthday gift for a better environment
(34CleanAir); or simply an unexpected gift that lasts a lifetime
(34Gift). Each person or family planting a tree for Lm6 will
be photographed for a certificate showing name, picture, date
and place.

The campaign organisers have agreed to reserve an entire
area for ALPS and put up a prominent sign to that effect.
So please get the ball rolling and send the filled-in attached
form exclusively to Alex Borg.

MEMBERSHIP ALERT

Annual membership fees of Lm5 (not Lm3) for 2007, or life
membership for Lm30 (not Lm25), are still being accepted by
Treasurer David Abela at “Juniper”, Triq Ganni
Vella, Tal-Qattus, Birkirkara.

Please keep ALPS’s financial ball rolling …