FUND-RAISING DINNER GOES VERY WELL
The first of two planned fund-raising dinners towards the proceeds of the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon in aid of Id-Dar tal-Providenza was held on Friday 4th April at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort, St George’s Bay. Well over 200 people attended, necessitating a change of venue from the Marie Louise Suite to the Central Ballroom. The place looked magnificent with the lovely, fully-lit chandeliers shining over the very nicely-decorated tables, on each of which stood specially-printed menu cards.
The evening started off with some lovely live music by David Vella. Island Caterers assigned one of their finest managers, Ray Almerigo, who made sure that all the staff gave their very best attention to each guest throughout the evening. The hotel’s chefs too did their very best and prepared a most delicious dinner. With free-flowing wine and water thrown in with the price, there was excellent value for money.
Everything went smoothly, all patrons were completely relaxed and enjoyed every minute of the event – and proved it with their very favourable comments on leaving.
The raffles were a success story in themselves. As usual, Madeleine Stagno Navarra and Therese Calleja had brought out their talents into making each hamper a work of art – and for the first time in the history of ALPS, the raffle tickets ran out! Thanks to Mary Rose Grech, Messrs Paolo Bonnici Ltd continued with their unfading support to ALPS and donated four jumbo packs of Dixan, which were added to the raffle prizes for the evening. A good number of ALPS ties were also sold on the spot.
The presence of Mgr Lawrence Gatt, as well as the very attractive prizes on offer, enticed many of those present to buy tickets for the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon lottery that will be drawn on 25th April. Some patrons even asked for whole packets to take home and sell to friends and relatives. All counterfoils and money are to be sent to the direct attention of ALPS Secretary-General Alex Borg (see masthead for details).
In his pre-dinner speech, ALPS President George Stagno Navarra thanked everyone for their patronage, which would eventually benefit Id-Dar tal-Providenza, and appealed for the donation of items to the bazaar at the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon.
George noted with satisfaction that membership in ALPS continues to increase and is now close to 730. The growth of the Association keeps fuelling the Council of Administration’s courage to organise more and more social and cultural events for the pleasure of members and friends, and philanthropic activities for the good of society.
Other aspects of George’s speech are reflected in the items covered in this newsletter.
MARATHON UNDERWAY …
As this edition of ALPS News reaches members’ and friends’ homes, all preparations should be in place to get the 2008 edition of the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon underway between 11th and 13th April at the Dun Guzepp Zammit (Brighella) Lyceum at Hamrun, part of the Kullegg San Gorg Preca. Both the Marathon Organising Committee and the ALPS Council of Administration have done everything within their means to entice as many patrons as possible to the event.
Churchgoers will have noticed the advert in last weekend’s Jum il-Mulej pamphlet, urging as many of them as possible, together with their families, to patronise the marathon and help raise more funds. The pamphlet’s publisher, Centru Animazzjoni Kattolika, graciously waived all charges for the advert because the beneficiary was Id-Dar tal-Providenza. ALPS paid for an advert in The Sunday Times listing all the events at the marathon, drawn up through the liaison between organising committee PRO Mrs Rachel Theuma and ALPS Communications Officer Laurence Vella.
As has already been announced in the March edition of ALPS News, members and friends of ALPS have been coming forward to help out in manning the cash points, the bazaar and plants shop, and the telephones during the phone-in on the Sunday. But more help is needed, so please phone Oscar Galea on 7989 6293 and say how you can help.
Members and friends of ALPS, as well as the greatest possible number of patrons, will be taking part in the Walk-a-Mile event on the Sunday morning and contributing €10 for the privilege. Other patronage pullers should be the Astronomy Night on the Friday and Saturday, the Water Rocket on the Saturday and Sunday, the Science Club and the LAN Party on all three days (with computer buffs linked up to one another in the Main Hall and battling it out in games on computers dressed as robots), the Pasta Night on the Saturday, and the ever-present attractive raffles, Bazaar, Plants Shop and bar. As customary, ALPS will donate six attractive hampers for the raffles too.
On all three days of the marathon, patrons can place their auction bids for a football signed by all Milan players. The variety shows will start at 6 p.m. every evening. On the Sunday Holy Mass will be said at 11 a.m.
The marathon will be transmitted live on Education Channel 22 from 6 p.m. on the Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the Sunday. Viewers can contribute by sending an SMS on 5061 7362 (€2.33), or phoning 5004 9173 (€7), 5004 9175 (€12) or 5004 9170 (€23). Alternatively, one can deposit money into HSBC account 0231 4056 9050 or send cheques to Liceo Maratona bir-Roti.
ALPS has been asked to present a 90-minute live radio programme on the Sunday, but timing details were not yet available at the time of going to print.
ALPS News can guarantee that every euro raised in this year’s marathon will be a source of satisfaction to the many Lyceum students who will be pedalling it out on the track. Three cheers for them: without their efforts the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon would not happen at all!
MAT-TOKKI TA’ QNIEPEN ZGHAR
www.kappellimaltin.com is a website that three very energetic enthusiasts (and, incidentally, all Lyceum past students) have started on the subject of small wayside chapels. Additionally their enthusiasm has driven them on to produce a very informative radio programme, Mat-Tokki ta’ Qniepen Zghar, that is heard on Radju Marija (102.3 FM). The programme is now in its third schedule and being aired twice a week: at 7 p.m. on Mondays and 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Noel Ciantar, Joe Brincat and Roderick Busuttil have also pitched in to help the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon. They recorded an interview with ALPS’s Oscar Galea, a member of the St Anne Chapel Committee, and Communications Officer Laurence Vella on the Association’s activities, with pride of place going to the chapel. There was also an excerpt that dealt with the marathon – and the airing of the programme was appropriately timed for the last weekend before the marathon. Thanks, chaps.
CLASS OF 1971-76
Sincere congratulations and well done to the group of Lyceum past students (1971-76) who organised a very successful reunion at the Phoenicia Hotel in Floriana. ALPS President George Stagno Navarra, who attended the reunion with Secretary-General Alex Borg and Treasurer David Abela, was full of praise for the organisers in a letter he wrote to them after the event.
The event was an unmitigated success not only for the organisation and turn-out but also for its effect on ALPS, with no less than 47 past students enrolling in the Association on the spot and countless others promising to do so in the near future. This was also thanks to several ALPS members who attended the reunion and urged for the group to latch its efforts onto the ALPS bandwagon.
George called the event “a new episode that has just been initiated with the introduction of a younger generation of members in ALPS”. He looked forward to closer cooperation in order to keep the name of The Lyceum always alive in hearts and minds. Joining the Association was the best way to get the satisfaction and sense of togetherness from having belonged to one of the finest schools in Malta.
SERATA ALL’OPERETTA
Although somewhat overshadowed by the all-out efforts of the Council of Administration for the success of the Lyceum Bicycle Marathon, preparations for the Serata all’Operetta at the Casino Maltese on Saturday 26th April have been going on apace through Joe Fenech, in his capacities as ALPS Cultural Commission Chairman, organiser and ALPS Choir Master.
Starting at 7.30 p.m., the concert will present well-known excerpts from several operettas and feature sopranos Karen Camilleri and Louiselle Pace Gouder, mezzo-soprano Connie Frances Zerafa, tenor Bernard Busuttil and baritone Lewis Cassar.
The ALPS Choir is being trained by Yolanda Micallef. The soloists are rehearsing with Cynthia Genovese, who will be at the piano during the performance. Tickets at €8 are available from Joe Fenech on telephone 21 410632 or Alex Borg.
ANNUAL SPIRITUAL RETREAT AT MANRESA HOUSE
There are only a few single rooms left for accommodation at this year’s ALPS Spiritual Retreat at Manresa House, which will be held on 30th and 31st May and 1st June (Friday to Sunday). It will be led by Fr Mario Jaccarini SJ.
Members and friends of ALPS are still welcome to attend just on the Saturday. They are encouraged to put forward suggestions for discussion at the retreat.
Full-board attendees in single rooms will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis at €46 per person for Friday to Sunday, or €12 for Saturday (including lunch). Bookings complete with payment are to reach Secretary-General Alex Borg by 27th May.
ANNIVERSARY SUGGESTIONS STILL WELCOME
Opportunities are still available for members and friends of ALPS to suggest activities and an anniversary logo for the Association’s 15th anniversary celebrations in 2009. All suggestions should be channelled as soon as possible to Secretary-General Alex Borg or Communications Officer Laurence Vella (see masthead).
INTEREST IN MED CRUISE
There has already been a good amount of interest shown in the Mediterranean Cruise which the Council of Administration has decided to participate in with SMS Travel, agents of Costa Concordia. The cruise gets underway on 10th October.
The Council of Administration has negotiated specially-reduced tariffs for members and friends of ALPS, and subsequently acquired a further discount of 5% for bookings that are confirmed before the end of April. Bookings on a first-come, first-served basis are to be made with Mr Adrian Mifsud of SMS Travel Services of 311 Republic Street, Valletta (telephone 2123 2211), requesting the ALPS special discount at the time of booking.
PENCIL IT IN …
Feast of San Gorg Preca at St Anne Chapel, Pwales, on Saturday 10th May, with Holy Mass at 4 p.m.