| Number 6 | December 1, 1999 |
BOOKS FOR THE SEASON
This month we focus on the literary efforts of some members of the Beck family. We feature three books dealing with the Christmas themes of faith, food and fantasy. All three books are hot off the press and available for Christmas giving if anyone is so inclined.
Beth Havill (1.4.6.5,10,) has passed along information about a new book by her nephew, Mark Harris, (1.4.6.5,11.1.) dealing with the subject of faith. This is Mark's second book and Beth says she's been personally blessed and helped by Mark's ministry. I'll let Beth tell the story:
"Mark's latest book is entitled: "Companions for your Spiritual Journey." Each of us is where we are today because of God and others! The people Mark cites in his book are: John Bunyan, John Newton, George Herbert and many others who have made their mark as our
Church Fathers. As he says, each of these Classic Christian writers has
something to teach us about God. The book covers difficult issues such
as working through spiritual dryness, prayerlessness, temptation and
discouragement. In addition we learn how to focus on Jesus, develop
spiritual friendships and reach out to others in love.
The title of Mark's first book, published in 1996, is "Three Faces of Jesus."
They represent the suffering face of Jesus, the forgiving face of Jesus and the glorified face of Jesus.
Mark works with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Canada. He has a
Masters of Christian Studies from Regent College, B.C., and is considered
to be a gifted teacher in Canada and the United States.
If you would like to purchase one of his books, feel free to contact
me, Beth Havill ehavill@ns.sympatico.ca or try your local religious bookstore."
The title of Mark's first book, published in 1996, is "Three Faces of Jesus." They represent the suffering face of Jesus, the forgiving face of Jesus and the glorified face of Jesus.
Mark works with InterVarsity Christian Fellowship in Canada. He has a Masters of Christian Studies from Regent College, B.C., and is considered to be a gifted teacher in Canada and the United States.
If you would like to purchase one of his books, feel free to contact me, Beth Havill ehavill@ns.sympatico.ca or try your local religious bookstore."
RECIPES NEW AND OLD FROM EASTERN P.E.I.
Take one family of good cooks, add a generous helping of relatives and friends, throw in their favourite recipes, mix well, then print and bind. The result is a family cookbook compiled by Sarah Jackson (1.4.6.8.3,) and it serves as many as you want.
Sarah started compiling the recipes some time ago, and received contributions from about 65 different cooks. Most of the contributors are connected to the Beck family and nearly 90% of the recipes came from Beck kitchens.
The project hit a snag in July when she fell and broke her wrist while getting some recipes from an upper cupboard. She carried on with the help of her daughter, Tammy, but it took longer than planned to get the manuscript to the printers in Winnipeg. It appears to have been worth the wait, however, as the 175 page book, "A Collection of Favorite Recipes," is well done and has a professional look.
It's organized in sections such as appetizers and beverages, salads and soups, vegetables, main dishes, breads and desserts.
There is a section at the back called "Extra Special" with recipes from days gone by. Sarah says "this section contains some of Mom's favourite recipes as well as those of other family members and friends who have passed on." This was one of the original reasons for the cookbook; Sarah wanted her daughters and grandchildren to have copies of her mother's favourite recipes. She's succeeded very well and some of the recipes in this section date back a long way. For instance there is "Grammie's Blueberry Cake" from Jane Beck, a third generation Beck, and "Grammie's Scones" from Isabella Robertson.
There are 450 recipes in the book and they run the gamut from plain, wholesome food to the rich and the exotic. From Baked Beans to Pecan Cheesecake Bars. Here are a couple that caught my eye. Sarah has a recipe for Fish Chowder that calls for lobster, clams and cod fillets among other ingredients, and sounds absolutely delicious. In the Extra Special section there is her mother's recipe for plum pudding. It's very similar to the plum pudding my mother made when I was young, and which was the highlight of Christmas Dinner for me.
"Without all the contributions from family and friends," Sarah says, "I wouldn't have completed my dream of publishing this cookbook."
If you're still looking for Christmas gifts for someone who likes to cook, a cookbook with family connections might be just the thing. Sarah has copies available for only $8.00 picked up at her door, $10.75 mailed in Canada or $12.00 to the US. Contact her at hsnjackson@pei.sympatico.ca
NEW CHILDREN'S BOOK FOR CHRISTMAS
A Christmas story about a Prince Edward Island mouse is out in book form this year in time for the Holiday Season. The story is written by David Weale (1.6A.4,6.2.1,) and first appeared in a book of Island Christmas stories in 1994.
"The True Meaning of Crumbfest" is the story of a mouse named Eckhart and his family who live in Rose Valley, P.E.I. In the winter they move indoors but food is scarce as they search for crumbs to eat. But during the Christmas season they find lots of crumbs under the table and they call this time of abundance, "Crumbfest."
After it was first published, the story was picked up and broadcast by CBC Radio and was a hit with listeners from coast to coast. In 1998 it was made into an animated children's television special and is now broadcast around the world.
The book is illustrated by Dale MacNevin of Charlottetown.
The new children's book, published by Acorn Press, will be part of a 10-day celebration called Crumbfestival which will begin Dec. 13 at the Arts Guild in Charlottetown. The evening will feature the opening of an exhibition and sale of Dale McNevin's original artwork for the book, a reading of the story by David Weale, music and refreshments.
You can read Crumbfest and other of David's Christmas stories on the internet at the Island Christmas Page. There is also information there for anyone interested in ordering copies of the books.
STUDENTS APPROVE HIGH SCHOOL ADDITION
The official opening of the new addition to the Montague Junior High School took place in mid-November. The $2.3 million project added 22,000 square feet to the old school and met with the approval of most students.
Amy Beck, (1.4.3B.7.2.2.4) thinks all the extra space is great. "When the bell rang last year you couldn't help but bump into your friends," Amy told a reporter for the Charlottetown Guardian. "Now you have to go looking to find someone."
The expansion quadrupled the size of the school and provides new computer technology and science classrooms as well as a gymnasium.
"I liked it before, but it's even better now with all the space," said Amy, a grade eight student.
"This is a new era for P.E.I. and you're the people who can take our province even higher,'' Premier Pat Binns told students and their parents during the opening. "P.E.I. is no longer disadvantaged as some people have said we were . . . we can communicate anywhere in the world as quickly as the biggest city."
The students still have to go across the street to the high school for some classes and Amy sees that as a disadvantage. "The only thing I don't like is we have to go to the high school for music and industrial arts and that means going outside to get across the street.''
VITAL STATISTICS
Congratulations to Doug and Sheila Beck of Colorado on the birth of their son.
Peter Vere Beck was born at 4:33 PM on November 17, 1999 at Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. He weighed 7 pounds 7.5 ounces, and measured 20.5 inches long. Both mother and son are doing well. Peter Vere is a brother for Michelle. Doug will be well-known to most of you for his work in indexing the Beck listings book compiled by his father, Jim Beck.
BIOGRAPHY
Lloyd G. White (1.4.6.7,2.) was born June 2nd, 1918, one of seven children of Peter White and Minnie Beck of Beach Point. He worked with his father on a sailing vessel until he joined the Navy in 1940. He married Evelyn Buell about the same time and they lived in Halifax for three years where Lloyd served on Harbour Craft. Then he was transferred to a minesweeper on the West Coast where he served until the end of the war.
Lloyd and Evelyn returned to Murray Harbour where they built a new home and raised five children: Frederick Lloyd, Larry Keith, Lorraine June, Beverley Lynn and Paul Lawrence. Lloyd worked for the Department of Transport for the next nine years until he went to work at Northumberland Ferries. He spent 23 years on the Wood Islands to Caribou run, retiring in 1983.
Lloyd kept busy around the house and never liked to be idle. His hobbies included model boat building and making knot boards. Surviving besides his wife and children are brothers Lester of Montague, Fred and Nathan of Dartmouth, N.S., sisters Elva Bell and June Nicolle of White Sands and Phyllis Herring of Murray Harbour.
Lloyd died in the Kings County Memorial Hospital on October 18, 1998.
(Based on a memorial published by his family in the Eastern Graphic.)
NEWS BRIEFS
Nancy Keeps on Rowing
Nancy Beck's play, A Rowboat in the Attic, is continuing to find new audiences. It opened at Province House in Charlottetown in September and was staged at several locations in October. It was performed in St. Peter's Bay in mid-November. The one-act play takes a humourous look at the history of Inkerman House, the former home of John Hamilton Gray.
From 1895 until it was lost in a fire in 1980, Inkerman House was the summer home of the Boyles, Hughes, and Lawsons, Nancy's ancestors on her mother's side of the family.
Letter Reviewed
Our newsletter has received a favourable review in the United States. Jim Beck gave a copy of the August edition to the editor of the Mid-Michigan Genealogical Society, Judy Pfaff. She wrote a brief article on it outlining the contents. She said, "This is very well done indeed and if you would like to check it out for ideas, then e-mail the editor, Ivan Munn, for a copy."
An Island Christmas
Christmas is a magical time of the year wherever you live and Prince Edward Islanders want to share their festivities with the rest of the world. Get in the mood with regular visits to an Island Christmas in Charlottetown. From this site you can send a Christmas card, browse through lyrics to your favourite carols, search seasonal recipes, write to Santa or decorate the Confederation Bridge. You can download a screensaver or a colouring book, enter contests to win Island products, or shop at the Island Store. In short, there's something for everyone in the family.
Feed The Hungry
All it takes is a little of your time to provide food for someone in need. Once a day while on the internet you can help to feed someone with just a click of your mouse. The Hunger Site generates donations to the United Nations World Food Program, the world's largest food aid organization. Anyone can go to the site once a day and make a free donation which at the moment amounts to about 3 cups of rice. Sponsors on the site pay for the food which is distributed by the UN. The site is: here.
Because of the the extra confusion during the Holiday period there will no newsletter in January. The next edition will come out on February 1st. Meanwhile Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
The Vere Beck Family Home Page
We're always looking for news of Beck family members. If you know of any significant events drop me a line with the information. imunn@accesswave.ca
imunn@accesswave.ca