Monthly Musings - November 2005
November 24, 2005
Monthly Musings
REVERENCE FOR GOD AND THE HUMAN PERSON
RESPECT FOR LEARNING AND ORDER
RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE SHARED EXPERIENCE OF COMMUNITY LIFE
This is part of an ongoing series of informal communications with Portsmouth Abbey School's constituents. Current parents, alumni/ae, past parents and friends have all expressed an interest in hearing more about our school, more often. It is meant to be one element among a number of activities designed to keep you better informed about the School, the Monastery and our community.
Wind Turbine Event on Campus...and you are invited: On Wednesday, November 16 at 10:30 a.m. the School and Monastery will host an event to recognize the significant progress realized by the Portsmouth Abbey School wind project, the first utility-scale wind turbine in Rhode Island. As early as March 2006, the turbine will begin supplying approximately 40 percent of the estimated annual electricity needs for the School and Monastery. This project, which represents the largest investment by the Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund for a renewable energy installation in the state, will demonstrate to all citizens that clean energy is real and working in Rhode Island. The wind turbine will serve as a symbol of Rhode Island's leadership on clean energy and its commitment to creating cleaner air, healthier communities and energy independence. Attendees will hear (tentative) speakers Governor Donald L. Carcieri; Janice McClanaghan, Rhode Island Renewable Energy Fund; Brother Joseph Byron, O.S.B., Portsmouth Abbey School; Henry DuPont, Lorax Energy Systems; and Maryanne Edwards, President of the Portsmouth Town Council. Other invitees will include federal, state and local government officials, local residents, Portsmouth Abbey students, environmental organizations, local clean energy industry leaders and representatives of Rhode Island colleges and universities. For other events on campus, please visit the School Calendar on our Website.
10th International Student Dinner: On October 18 over 160 people from the Abbey community and invited guests celebrated our diversity at the 10th Annual International Student Dinner in Stillman Dining Hall. Outside guests included six international military officers and wives from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Mexico, and the United Kingdom, who are attending the Naval Command College in Newport. Also attending were the six Abbey families serving as hosts to international students this year, including Mr. and Mrs. Gralton, Mrs. Hughes, Mr. and Mrs. Villareal, Dr. and Mrs. Kerwin, Mrs. Monti, and Mrs. Kriner. (Mr. and Mrs. Rich were unable to attend.) In his remarks Dr. Zilian addressed the struggle in the early decades of our country to be one nation and the similar, current struggle in Iraq. He also emphasized the choice between conflict and cooperation that the people of the world must face. For the final part of the evening, individual international students spoke of their respective countries. Dr. Zilian, International Student Advisor, coordinated the dinner and served as the master of ceremonies. To view photos of the International Student Dinner click here.
Go Ravens!: The Portsmouth Abbey Football team received a unanimous "at-large" bid to play in the Clark Francis (NEPSAC Class D) Bowl game versus Middlesex School. The game is scheduled to be played on Raven turf on Saturday, November 19th at 1:30. By receiving this bid the Raven squad has a chance to avenge the loss suffered by the 1998 Abbey team at the hands of Middlesex in the Clark Francis Bowl. This news came one day after the Abbey suffered a heartbreaking 22-14 loss at the hands of Hebron Academy in the Evergreen Conference Championship game on November 12th. Hebron, whose roster includes post-graduate students, will compete in the NEPSAC Class B championship. This weekend's match-up presents our alumni, friends, and parents with an exciting opportunity to come back to campus and cheer on the Red and Black. Check out the Athletics Pages of our Website for more news and results.
Improv Asylum on Campus: On Saturday, November 5th, two actors and trainers from Boston's top comedy club, ImprovAsylum, conducted a two-hour workshop on campus. About sixty students and faculty attended the training on improvisation techniques, and practiced the skills under the eyes of their peers. Everyone present had a great time, learning to think on his or her feet and communicating with each other through agreement and listening. Most importantly, all participants laughed a lot, at themselves and each other. Following this event there has been much talk on campus about restarting a student improv group. Watch this space...For more goings-on around campus, check out the News section of our Website.
Exam Survival Kit: Check out the Exam Survival Kit available in the School Store today. This gift basket of tasty treats will help any student through those long evenings in front of the books. The basket includes candy, popcorn, and hot chocolate among other things. Check out the School Store and order today for delivery directly to a student's dorm or mailbox.
Star Kids Fundraiser: On Monday, October 31, the student body raised money for the Star Kids program (started by Tim Flanigan '75) by either dressing up in Halloween garb or dressing down. Lots of fun was had by all on a beautiful 70 degree fall day!
Tax Law Change Encourages Cash Support: The Hurricane Katrina relief bill, signed into law on September 23, has made changes to U. S. Federal tax law designed to encourage certain outright gifts of cash made during the period August 28, 2005, through December 31, 2005. Donors who make outright cash gifts to Portsmouth Abbey and other public charities during this period may claim charitable contribution deductions up to 100% of their adjusted gross income. Further, such gifts made during this period are not subject to the reduction rule that otherwise requires itemized deductions be reduced by 3% of the amount donors' adjusted gross income exceeds $145,950. Together, these changes mean that outright cash gift donors have the opportunity to support Portsmouth Abbey and other public charities with far larger gifts than usual, while enjoying the full benefit of charitable deductions from their contribution. For details and examples of how this may help you plan more generous support, please visit the Development Pages of the Portsmouth Abbey School Website.
Portsmouth Abbey School Sailor in South Africa: On October 24th the Hobie Cat 16 (boat class) Sailing World Championships kicked off on Nelson Mandela Bay in Port Elizabeth, South Africa. It was here that 112 of the world's top Hobie Cat 16 racers gathered for 10 grueling days to compete for the right to be recognized as the world's best. Battling for this distinction along side these world-class sailors was Portsmouth Abbey's own Juan Maegli '07. Juan, who raced beside his crewmate Christina Guirola, represented the School well by placing impressively in both pools that the crew entered, finishing 4th in the youth division and 9th in the open division. Please join us in congratulating Juan and Christina for their outstanding accomplishment. For more news of our athletes, please visit the Athletics Pages of the School Website.
From the Admissions Office: The Admissions Office has been busy visiting over 125 schools so far this fall to spread the word about Portsmouth Abbey School. All of this travel seems to be paying off as we had 200 prospective students and their parents here on campus for the Admissions Open House on October 29th. This event allowed families to get a glimpse at what our School has to offer. The focal point of the Open House is always our student and faculty panel and the tours of campus led by the members of Red Key. For pictures from the event, please click here. The application deadline for the 2006/07 school year is January 31st, so if you know someone who may be interested in applying to Portsmouth Abbey, please encourage them to call the admissions office at (401) 683-2005 or email us at admissions@portsmouthabbey.org to receive some more information about the school or schedule a campus visit. All of the news and information from our Office, is also available on the Admissions Pages of the School Website.
Cardio KickBoxing Classes for Students: Valerie Anctil, an experienced aerobics/cardio kickboxing instructor, came to campus and conducted two classes. Using our newly renovated stretching room, the students enjoyed learning all the punching and kicking techniques while getting a great cardiovascular workout. The classes were sponsored by Student Life and Recreational activities and proved to be a huge success. We look forward to offering more classes of this nature for our students.
US History Lecture by Former Faculty Member: Jim Garman, former member of the History Department at Portsmouth Abbey School, gave a lecture to the U.S. History course entitled "The Battle of Rhode Island" on November 8th. This battle was fought on the grounds of Portsmouth Abbey in August 1778. He examined the American Revolution up to the battle, the battle itself, and the significance of it. He also presented a slide show of the two reenactments of the battle in 1978 and 2003. Jim taught history at Portsmouth Abbey School for 39 years. He is working on his sixth book on the history of Aquidneck Island.
Upcoming Events: The Office of Development & Alumni Affairs will be traveling to three more regional events before the Christmas Holiday. Father Jonathan DeFelice '65 will host a small dinner at St. Anselm College on November 30, 2005 at 6:00 pm. Cabot Squire '96 will host a brunch at the Harraseeket Inn in Freeport, Maine on December 4th from 12 pm -2 pm. Finally, on December 6th Bill Keogh '78, Chris Abbate '88, and Don Dowd '84 will host the Abbot's Reception at the New York Yacht Club beginning at 6:30 pm. To register for any of these events please email rsvp@portsmouthabbey.org, call 401.643.1269, or register online by clicking here. We hope to see you soon!
Thank you Golfers:Thank you to all those who participated in the 5th Annual Scholarship Golf Tournament. As a result of the generous support of our sponsors (Morgan Stanley, The Forker Company, Greenwood Emergency Vehicles, Headway Consulting, The Paul W. Marks Company, Vineyard Vines, Smith Barney, Fietelbery Insurance, Winbrook, and Job2Career), the silent auction donors (Mr. Brian O'Neill, Mr. Jules Vachon, Mr. Patrick Rooney '65, Mr. Chip Lattanzio '84, Mr. Mark Steele, and the US Women's Open), and all of the players and auction bidders we were able to contribute over $40,000 to the Scholarship Fund this year, a significant increase over last year's contribution.
Answer to the October Musings Question: "What building completed the Belluschi quadrangle, and was dedicated during Parents' Weekend 25 years ago?"
This was the Burden Classroom Building, given in memory of Flobelle Fairbanks Burden, longtime friend of the School and Monastery, by her husband Shirley C. Burden.
The November Question of the Month: How many times do the Church bells ring before mass and vespers on the Feast of Saint Gregory the Great? Please email answers to communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
If you have questions, comments, or ideas, please contact the Communications Department at communications@portsmouthabbey.org.
Kathy Heydt
Director of Communications |
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Nicky Piper
Asst. Director of Communications |
Tony Klemmer '73
Assistant Headmaster
External Affairs |
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Jim De Vecchi
Headmaster |
