We were delighted when this man told he was a classmate of Clem’s cousin Atu, ’74.
DMGS Convention Part II
The Dennis Memorial Grammar School, DMGS, Convention in Newark NJ which opened Friday evening Aug. 3 continued all day Saturday. There were the usual convention activities like reading reports and electing officers. I didn’t stay for that, but went down for the “Idea Exchange.”
The organizers had convened a panel of three men, with the Bishop on the Niger at the center. Attendees submitted questions ahead of time. A major topic concerned the location and lack of space for the school.
The Bishop answered most of the questions. Apparently the school had purchased or been given land several years ago. It was a few miles away and had space for a much larger campus.
But many of the Old Boys opposed moving the school. Clem had not been involved in the conversation at the time, but as he heard about it on Saturday, he agreed. Like others, he felt it was sacrilegious to consider moving their beloved DMGS.
I would guess this was similar to conversations about Ivy League colleges becoming coed in the 1970’s. Ruining tradition and all that!
With the bishop on Saturday afternoon, after the panel.
The school does not have an athletic field. Instead the students cross the road, today very busy, to the grounds of the Anglican Cathedral where they play football and other sports. They could use more classroom and dorm space too.
Someone said, “Why not have several-story buildings instead of the two-stories we have now?” The discussion on this question and others was lively and interesting.
The Bishop is a natural at fundraising. At the end of the panel he made a powerful appeal for gifts from alums.
Saturday Evening Banquet
Edith Dim showing off DMGS scarf
Clem and I went to the hall for the Saturday night event, on the agenda for 7 pm, at around 8:15. After waiting until 9:30 with no sign of food, we gave up, went upstairs, got ready for bed, ordered room service, and watched a movie!
At 10, someone called to say we were wanted at the high table – the dais for honored guests! Oh well. I was only sorry I didn’t get to join in the dancing.
Saturday Late Night Entertainment
But there was excitement in store! At 2:30 am we were awakened by the fire alarm. It took me several seconds, and Clem even longer, to realize where we were.
We made our way to the stairs. We were on the second floor so didn’t have far to go. We were outside for about half an hour. We didn’t see any fire, but did see several fire trucks pulled up in front of the hotel. I have no idea the reason for the alarm.
Sunday Communion
During the Sunday Rededication Service – note the DMGS blazers!
The 2018 Rededication and Thanksgiving Service was scheduled for 8 the following morning. We went down about 8:30 and it was already well underway! Maybe people are more accustomed to being on time for church? Or the Bishop insisted on a prompt start?
Clem loves the Anglican liturgy and communion. He was thrilled with the familiar hymns, prayers and rituals. I love the clerical garb.
The Bishop used the old testament story of David and his son Solomon to talk about the role of Old Boys in providing financial support to DMGS.
Clem taking communion, listening, and singing!
The next convention will be in Atlanta. Will we be there?
The New York Times and a Video Recommendation
Nearly every morning I read “The Daily Briefing” from The New York Times on my iPad. On Tuesday morning I found this: “Lynda Richardson, an editor in Travel, recommends this video from The Atlantic.”
She said, “I saw this on a friend’s Facebook feed — a powerful animated video that shows that grief can be turned into grace, lifting you from despair. The soundtrack is Joan Baez singing ‘The President Sang Amazing Grace,’ a meditation on the June 2015 mass shooting, a hate crime, at a historic black church in Charleston, S.C.”
Peace Corps Volunteer in Onitsha
I sent a message recently to former Nigeria Peace Corps volunteers, around 1000 people, to ask for their help in gathering Nigerian recipes for my next book. I heard from lots of people!
Eric Glass wrote. “I lived in Onitsha in 1965-67, right before the war, and regularly ate at Dolly’s Inn, a local restaurant that served mai mai, a dish of absolute deliciousness. It was the best thing I ever ate anywhere in all of Nigeria.
“I loved Onitsha. I taught at Modebe Memorial Grammar School. I also volunteered to teach basic English to tradesmen and market people after school hours, at DMGS. There I had an opportunity to see a really good secondary school up close. Cannon Hawkins, a Church of England cleric and a terrific man, arranged those classes and others.
2 Comments
Leave a reply →