40 Year Reunion - Rodney Foster

Mausica Teachers College reunion to celebrate its fortieth birthday was a peak experience in my life. From August 16^th thru the 18^th, 2003, several Mausicans, family members and dear friends came together for an unforgettable and fun-filled experience.

The first official event was a picnic at Mannette's Ranch in Arima. The inclement weather did not dampen our spirits. In fact, it brought us closer together as we huddled under the tents and feasted on the delicious food and drinks: roti, pelau, bake and buljol, oildown, sweetbread, mauby, beer, soft drinks and other spirituous beverages.

There was plenty of hugging and kissing, laughter and a few puzzled looks as some folks struggled to recall names and faces. But overall the atmosphere of a happy family reunion reigned. Couples of long ago reunited as if time had stood still. I eh calling names. But if you call names, ah might whistle.

The highlight of the celebration was the memorial service/concert/dinner-dance that was held on Monday August 18^th. Mausicans came elegantly dressed. Yuh know how we use tuh dress up for Formal Dinner back in the days at MTC. The priest didn't make it on time but that didn't stop the show. A Mausican, Hazel-Ann Gibbs De Peza, assumed the role and did an excellent job. She invoked the spirits of our dearly departed Mausicans. They responded and blessed us with their presence. Our matriarchs, Mrs. Daphne Cuffie and Ms. Dorothy Edwards and patriarchs, Fitzjames Williams and Walter Maundy looked on admiringly as their protégés executed an unrehearsed program. Mausicans versatile too bad.

When the time came to sing, contralto, Eulalie Lawrence, brought the house down with a rousing rendition of "The Lord Is My Light", Psalm 27. Then the optimum number of volunteers took the stage to sing some old Mausica standards: Boca Chimes and Lead Kindly Light. Master Conductor, Desmond Waithe, extracted the best from his singers. If yuh hear de blend. Dat fella is something else. It was like old times. Vintage Mausica.

A variety concert followed the memorial service. Radio personality, Paddy, now called Norma Clarke, was the MC; Garth Nicholas was the Stage Manager. Gelly, O'Garro, Dixon, Taylor and Osuna did their favorites and Foster recited a poem praising the beauty of The Black Woman . Of course, we had to have the inimitable Felix Edinborough as Pierrot Grenade. Dat teacherboy could real spell, boy.

A scrumptious dinner followed the concert. During the meal Paddy dropped a bomb. Joey Lewis and his band would be present. When Joey and his team, impeccably dressed in gold jackets with black patch pockets and black trousers, entered the hall, I had a flashback. I remembered the days when Mausicans use to dance in HMJ Hall. I couldn't wait for the music to start. Ah say, "Tonite ah dancing non-stop."

Boy, when Joey announced that, "Tonight people would fall in love again.", ah knew exactly what he was talking about.

It was ah back in time fete. Joey play everything: kaiso, bolero, meringue, bounce, Castilian, and reggae. Ah cyar remember wen last me and meh wife, Marj, dance so much. We dance plenty tune and ah still had chance tuh dance wit meh longtime dancing partners: Paddy, Carol, Monica, Agatha, Angela, Buzzie, Myrtle, Lynette, Joy, Gwyneth and Marion. Dem gyul an dem could still dance, boy. If yuh see we. Wat arthritis you talking bout. Meh left-handed pardnah, Carl Caton, forget he have ah bad knee. If yuh see him in ah bolero. De fella have some nice moves, boy.

When Joey finally take ah break an ah was about tuh ketch meh breath, my favorite DJ, Philo, Alisford Phillip, drop ah old Cassanova classic on we: "In A Monastery Garden" If yuh hear Monty on de organ. Well yuh know Marj and I had tuh dance. Ah fall in love again. Next tune was Guantanamera. Ah excuse mehself and join de boys an dem.

Aye, hear nah man, it was like we was back in de hostels: Fairhaven, Sunset Villa and Mayfair Mansion. If yuh hear how dem teachers, principals, CEOs and Perm Sec change up de words tuh dat song. Dem fellas real imaginative, boy. It was bonding all over again.

Joey ended the night with Auld Lang Syne, a fitting tune for that memorable occasion. We formed a big circle and hugged, kissed, cried and smiled. We thanked God for His grace and blessings. We started making plans for another reunion.

Meh pardnah, Andre, summed up the experience: "If ah die tonight, I'll die ah happy man."

Mausicans and friends of Mausica the next reunion is in Toronto, Canada. July 24th thru the 26th. Be there. Stay over for Caribana. For information visit the Mausica website: http://www.personaltrainingprograms.com/mausica/

See you in Toronto.

Sincerely,

Rodney Foster