A CHRISTMAS MESSAGE FROM THE A.L.P.S., PRESIDENT.
On behalf of The Association of Lyceum Past Students, I wish for you and yours a very merry, holy and safe Christmas and all best wishes for the year 2012. The good thing about Christmas is that it allows for families and friends to connect and remember each other whether through the exchange of christmas cards or gifts. I hope that just as the spirit of christmas grows more and more each day, the special bond that we share as past students of the LICEO will also grow stronger in the years to come.
We are going through challenging economic times. However, the hardships which we experience also help us to remember that there is a Supreme Being. Often, as we achieve and acquire, we get caught up in materialism and forget to be humble and give thanks. Use the hardship that we are experiencing as a springboard for the future. Learn from experience. What we are managing without today means we can adjust our lifestyles and still live a wholesome life in the future.
As the new year approaches, take time to assess your achievements and setbacks over this past year. Use your failures to set goals in areas of your life such as spiritual, financial and educational. The year 2011 can be viewed as the formative year of The Association of Lyceum Past Students although it has had many years of previous existence. A wonderful group keeps together. We thank all of you who gave your support in one way or another. We have lots of plans for the coming year 2012 which we hope to achieve with your continued best support.
May your Christmas be enjoyable and the essence of ‘ CHRISTMAS ‘ remains with you throughout this holiday season and in the year to come.
God Bless
George Stagno Navarra
President – A. L. P. S.
THE AFTERMATH TO THE OPERA NORMA IN GOZO
Our friend Joe Fenech has yet again this year, accompanied a sizeable group of A.L.P.S. members to the sister island of Gozo on the 29th October 2011 to the Astra Theatre. That was another great success and the opera NORMA pleased one and all. It goes without saying that thanks to Joe Fenech our association continues to promote the love for operatic performances. There is already wide interest for next year’s opera by Giacomo Puccini MADAMA BUTTERFLY…and I have no doubt that it may be another success.
A MOST SUCCESSFUL CULTURAL TOUR TO SANTU SPIRTU- NATIONAL ARCHIVES.
The 17TH. SEPTEMBER 2011, saw a very large group of members from The Association of Lyceum Past Students participating in a most successful cultural tour to the national archives. Dedicated persons have explained how national records are preserved all for the good of the Maltese Nation. Thanks to Cultural Commission chairperson Joe Fenech and assisted by Secretary General Alex Borg, further arrangements included a visit to the Ghaqda Muzikali L’Isle Adam band club and a delicious ravjulata at Peristyle restaurant on the outskirts of Rabat and Mdina. These cultural tours are proving to be ever so popular with you members and we shall therefore endeavour to organise even more of such events for you in the coming year.
GIVE US MORE MATERIAL FOR ‘THE COLLEAGUES OF OLD’ CORNER
We need more material to fill up the’ Colleagues of Old Corner’ Do send in your photos, write-ups, funny stories from the time spent at il-Liceo, together with some humorous adventure, that may be shared with your colleagues of old…Don’t be shy give it a try… Spread amongst your past Lyceum colleagues something that can bring a smile to everyone who can read it.
Send in your material to either council member Peter Tortell on petertortell47@gmail.com on tel: 2131 3224. or to PeterPaul Bonnici on petpol@maltanet.net tel: 2167 2684
participate in it as soon as possible.
RECEIVE THE ALPSNEWS BY E-MAIL
With membership that now exceeds the 800 mark, we appeal to you all to let us have your e-mail addresses. This may enable us to direct to you the AlpsNews via your computer screen. Help us to further reduce for A.L.P.S. the postage charges. Many of you are already receiving this newsletter via their e-mail address. We thank you for helping us in this regard. Keep sending in your e-mail contact address by HITTING THE SEND BUTTON to oaggalea@maltanet.net
FUNCTIONS AT THE PWALES CHAPEL
As the year is slowly slowly drawing to a close, there are two more events still to be held at the Pwales Chapel. Hereunder, we are showing you the last two dates for November and December 2011 and we trust that we can have a good attendance to each one:
12th November Holy Mass at 16.30 hrs (remembrance mass)
13th December Holy Mass at 11.00 hrs (carol singing included)
The ALPS choir shall be in attendance on the 13th December 2011 with some carol singing during Holy Mass. Let us enter into the Christmas Spirit and celebrate this last event of the year. We wish that the chapel congregation may join in the singing on that day so that the Pwales valley may send out a Christmas message to nearby homes, that the Lord will soon be born amongst us. We want to see many of you come along and bringing family and friends with you too.
THE ALPS CHOIR WILL VISIT OLD PEOPLES HOMES AT CHRISTMAS 2011.
It is our pleasure to announce that this year also, the A.L.P.S. choir directed by Maestro Joe. Fenech, intend visiting a number of ‘ Old Peoples Homes ‘ to entertain and bring a smile to the residents with a special program of Christmas carols and other popular chants. We want to make others happy with that little bit that we can offer at this time of year that echoes peace and happiness to the whole world.
50th ANNIVERSARY REUNION AT THE LICEO HAMRUN
A 50th anniversary reunion 1961-2011, for all LICEO past students was held at the Lyceum on the 22nd October 2011. Holy Mass was celebrated by Fr. William Bartolo who delivered a pleasant homily to all who attended. The A.L.P.S. choir was in attendance singing hymns during mass. When mass was ended, the choir continued to deliver a mini-concert with some beautiful songs and melodies. This was followed by a get-together party with drinks and finger food. With a measure of surprise, we say that we expected a much larger number of participants for this years’ reunion…Nevertheless, we still had a good number who participated and filled the main hall. Let us see more of you next time round, as it is on such occasions that Lyceum Past Students can reminisce and talk about times that have gone past but which can never be forgotten. Photos can be viewed on web-site section Photo Gallery click here
A.L.P.S. LAPEL BADGES
Lapel badges were distributed for free to all who have attended for the reunion this year. We intend to continue to promote the A.L.P.S. badge by dishing them out on special occasions. Meanwhile those of you who would like to acquire a lapel badge or a distinctive Blazer Badge or an ALPS tie, can do so through secretary general Alex Borg tel: 2138 6812 / 2137 6387 or by
e-mail alpsmalta@gmail.com
“Dance to health campaign”
We believe that the Dance to Health campaign initiated by The Association of Lyceum Past Students since October of 2010, continues to gain momentum. More couples are joining the dance lessons and are building up a sizeable number that can self sustain the costs for this new initiative. Attendees continue to learn and practise Latin American and Ballroom dancing as well as the Samba, Cia-Cia, Slow Waltz, Rumba and Quick Step. Under the guidance of an expert dance instructor, lessons are proving to be a wonderful therapy to all who attend. We have nothing but praise for all those who have started this Dance to health campaign and wish to them every success.. We keep encouraging many more of you members and friends of A.L.P.S. to experience this state of well-being that benefits your physical as well as our psychological health.
For more information please communicate with Council Member- Peter Paul Bonnici on tel: 7982 4250 / 2167 2684 or by e-mail: petpol@go.net.mt
Aches and pains may be lessened and possibly even disappear with some muscle practice.
The dance to health lessons can do just that and will prove to be beneficial for your well being.
A HOLIDAY TO REMEMBER ON MEIN SCHIFF 1 (2nd to 9th October 2011)
This year we saw a good number of A.L.P.S. members and friends join the President and other council members, on a very interesting and enjoyable eastern Mediterranean cruise aboard the the luxurious vessel the Mein Schiff 1. Leaving Malta harbour on a Sunday morning we sailed to Greece, Turkey and Sicily. The quality of the food and the service provided was of very high quality and made our holiday journey most pleasant throughout the whole trip. We encourage everyone reading this message to come along and join one of the A.L.P.S. travel journeys abroad.
We always have great fun in each others company and bring back many unforgettable memories.
SEND IN YOUR OUTSTANDING A.L.P.S. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION
It is already the month of November 2011 and we are sorry to note that a number of members keep dragging their feet and have not as yet paid their yearly subscription. Your ongoing support is much needed to enable the association to avoid financial difficulties by honouring and paying on time for all its commitments. When a number of members do not send in their annual
subscription we can be faced with a shortfall in our cash flow, Subscription rates remain unchanged @ €12.00 per annum or for a life membership @ €70.00.
Send your remittance to ALPS Hon.Treasurer David Abela at: “Juniper”, Triq Ganni Vella, Tal-Qattus, Birkirkara BKR 13. david.r.abela@gmail.com You may contact David Abela on Tel: 9902 0845 / 2748 7693.
We thank you in anticipation and await your remittance at the very earliest please.
WE OFFER PRAYERS:
Join us in remembering and praying for the souls of dearly departed members and friends of A.L.P.S. May they rest in peace. Kindly remember and continue to offer prayers also for ST who is the son of a council member and who, is back in England undergoing further treatment.
(SEND–IN YOUR UPDATED MEMORIAMS TO BE INCLUDED IN A NEXT NEWSLETTER)
WHY NOT BECOME A SPONSOR FOR THE A.L.P.S WEB-SITE:
A sum of only €230 per annum, will enable us to insert your company’s name and logo with advert for 365 days a year. The names of all our sponsors appear at the bottom of every newsletter with a high circulation in Malta and overseas via e-mail. Please help The Association of Lyceum Past Students to continue to maintain an interesting web-site for the benefit of A.L.P.S. members and friends
PENCIL YOUR DIARIES
PENCIL YOUR DIARIES/CALENDARS FOR THE ALPS “VALENTINE/WEEK-END” ON 10TH TO 12TH FEBRUARY 2012.
THE RADISSON GOLDEN SANDS RESORT HAVE YET AGAIN GRANTED SPECIAL PRICES THAT MAY ACCOMMODATE
THE A.L.P.S.MEMBERS, FAMILIES AND FRIENDS FOR A WEEK-END OF LEISURE AND PLEASURE CELEBRATING IN
STYLE THE VALENTINE’S NIGHT WITH SPECIAL DINNER TO MATCH THE OCCASION. MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW
Live well, laugh often, and love much.
Keep moving forward; don’t look back.
Inspire others to be their best by being your best.
Love many, trust few, and always paddle your own canoe.
A.L.P.S. YULETIDE DINNER – SATURDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2011.
Without any doubt you have now become accustomed to being pampered by A.L.P.S. And, always keeping to the tradition of taking our members to nicer venues, we have this year chosen the Westin Dragonara Resort Hotel. We are confident that the choice of food as well as the venue hall may add to the merriment of this Christmas dinner. Price is @ €30 per person including 2 glasses of wine and water. Welcome drink at 8.00 and dinner will follow from 8.30pm. You are kindly requested to send your booking forms with advance payment at the given addresses on the attached form, by not later than the 29th November 2011. This will enable us to inform the hotel to prepare table plan charts and suitable tabling arrangements to the preferred requirements for the Christmas dinner.
The Menu shall be as follows:
SEND IN YOUR OUTSTANDING A.L.P.S. MEMBERSHIP SUBSCRIPTION
| Starter | Ricotta tortellini tossed in mushroom pancetta, spinach cream and roasted nuts |
| Intermediate | Cream of winter vegetables, basil infused in oil |
| Main (service from Buffet) | Pan seared mediterranean fish with tomato and kalamata olive dressing |
| Tradition roast turkey breast with canberry Juice, chipolata sausages |
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| Tradition roast turkey breast with canberry Juice, chipolata sausages |
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| Grilled medallions of beef with caramelized baby onions and pan juices |
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| Mediterranean assorted winter baby vegetables in an olive oil glaze | |
| Garlic & thyme roasted new potatoes scented with rosemary |
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| A selection of six house salads | |
| Dessert | Warm apple crumble, vanilla ice cream, sauce anglaise Coffee and mince pies. |
| Two glasses of wine and two glasses of water are provided for each guest. |
Raffles for Christmas hampers will be drawn
A.L.P.S. YULETIDE DINNER
THE 3RD December 2011
– BOOKING FORM-