SPLENDID TOUR IN MOSTA
The socio-cultural activity on 23rd April started off with
a special tour of Fort Mosta, ably conducted by ALPS member
Brig. Claude Gaffiero, who kept the sizeable group of participants
visibly interested. All came away convinced that the fort
is a gem in the Maltese Islands’ military history whose
heart is well cared for. But as responsible citizens we feel
the duty to ask, “What about its face?” The fort’s
surroundings within its own limits cry out for some environmental
care. Whatever happened to the rigorous army command of “Clean
the area”? There seems to be no industrial reason for
soldiers not to be ordered to help in this regard – and if
there is, surely quite a number of them can be prevailed upon
to volunteer during their hours of duty? After all, this is
part of our national heritage.
By contrast there was certainly “nothing to clean”
at the impeccably-kept Nicolo Isouard Band Club, which has
been established for 132 years and is the only band club in
Malta to be named after a musician. In the unavoidable absence
of club President Nazareno Vassallo the ALPS group was proudly
shown around by Vice-President Michael Camilleri. The Nicolo
Isouard Band is also the only local band to have performed
in its entirety at St John’s Co-Cathedral, in April
last year.
It was indeed as touching as it was unexpected for the ALPS
members to find in the club a lovingly-kept altar on which
our patron, the Blessed Dun Gorg Preca, used to say Mass.
The ALPS group was treated to a small reception and there
was an exchange of official gifts between Mr Camilleri and
ALPS President George Stagno Navarra.
The tour also included a very interesting visit to Ir-Razzett
tal-Markiz, run by an enthusiastic philantropic organisation
that regularly collects large sums of money for charity, and
luncheon at the Pjazza Café, with a grandstand view
of Mosta Dome.
SPIRITUAL RETREAT GOES WELL
On the spiritual side of the coin of life, the now-annual
spiritual retreat at Manresa House on May 20-22 has been described
as “a most successful and enjoyable experience”.
The group was addressed by Prof. Stanley Fiorini and Canon
Lawrence Sciberras, who spoke about the Bible and the Holy
Land. As usual, Manresa House Director Fr Paul Zammit SJ had
a very large hand in the success of the occasion.
HELP AMANDA SMILE
The Association of Lyceum Past Students and the Friends of
the Manoel Theatre have joined forces for a fund-raising activity
with the noble aim of helping a seven-year-old girl with a
rare medical condition causing facial muscle paralysis on
both sides of her face. This causes feeding, swallowing and
speech problems and, to top it all, even inability to smile.
When one looks at her one might think that she has a mental
impairment, no emotional feelings and that she is reluctant
to return a smile. This is not the case, and the fact that
she cannot reciprocate with facial expressions makes her even
sadder.
With the right amount of help Amanda – daughter of lyrical
singer Karen Camilleri, who gladly participates in ALPS activities
– can undergo a facial reanimation operation in Canada where
they could get her to smile, improve her speech and feeding
problems and give her a brighter future overall. The main
stumbling block is the price tag of Lm40,000.
In order to contribute towards this worthy cause, ALPS and
the Friends of the Manoel are organising a one-hour concert
of Popular Classical Music followed by a sumptuous open-air
barbecue at the Coastline Hotel, starting at 8 p.m. on Friday
24th June 2005. A number of renowned Maltese artistes
have already accepted to delight the audience with their performances,
without any remuneration.
Needless to say, the singers include Karen Camilleri herself.
There will also be Andrew Sapiano, Claire Caruana, Connie
Frances Zerafa, Charles Vincenti, Kevin Caruana, Louisella
Pace Gouder and Joe Fenech. The programme will consist of
highlights from such well-known works as The Merry Widow,
Cin-ci-la, La Danza delle Libellule, L’acqua Cheta,
Al Cavallino Bianco, Eva, The Sound of Music, The Tales of
Hoffmann and La Traviata, besides Neapolitan songs.
The all-inclusive price for concert and BBQ will be Lm10
per person, but a block booking for a table of ten will be
charged at Lm9 per head. Payments are to be made in advance.
Many firms and individuals have already extended their support
by offering donations and/or prizes to be won in a raffle
during the evening. Each entrance ticket will automatically
give its holder a chance for the best prize.
Tickets are available from United Travel, Bisazza Street,
Sliema (telephone 21 337251, 21 410400); Studiomoda, Naxxar
Road, San Gwann (21 386812, 21 376387); Godfrey Muscat (21
440256); Alfred G. Formosa (21 383486) and Joe Fenech (21
410632).
REUNION 1955-2005
With the current building of The Lyceum at Hamrun marking
the 50th anniversary of its official opening next 1st October,
this is a grand time for a long-standing wish of the ALPS
Council of Administration – a great reunion – to come true.
And what better “class” on this occasion than
those Lyceum students who first entered The Lyceum on that
auspicious day of 1st October 1955?
Irrespective of ALPS membership, everyone reading this edition
of ALPS News is encouraged to get in touch with ALL of his
former schoolmates he is still in contact with (including
those overseas) so that we can all get together in the School
Hall on Saturday 1st October 2005.
On that day a plaque will be unveiled in the school foyer
showing the names of the Head Masters of The Lyceum over the
last 100 years (1905-2005). The occasion will also be taken
to launch the new issue of the ALPS magazine The Chanticleer
and to commemorate the 11th anniversary of the first Annual
General Meeting of ALPS.
Please contact Alex Borg (see masthead for details) with
the names of all those interested.
CHANGES IN COUNCIL
Following the resignation of Treasurer Joe Mallia, the ALPS
Council of Administration has appointed David Abela as the
Association’s new Treasurer. Dr Nazareno Azzopardi has
been entrusted with the Association’s Philantropic Projects.
FEAST OF ST ANNE
The feast of St Anne will be held on Saturday 9th
July 2005 at the chapel in Pwales.
ALPS members, families and friends are cordially invited
to assemble at the bottom of the slope leading to the chapel
for a procession at 6 p.m. Holy Mass will start at 6.30 p.m.
with the participation of the Choir of the University of the
Third Age, conducted by Joe Fenech. After Mass the evening
will switch to a performance by the choir, who will sing some
lively music pieces, following which there will be light refreshments
for all present.