Number 66 December 1, 2009
A MISSION TO INDIA
A group of nine church members from the Halifax area spent two weeks in November visiting missions they support in India. Two of our Beck cousins were in the group, Beth Havill (1.4.6.5,10,) and her nephew, Mark Harris, (1.4.6.5,11,1.) the pastor of Grace Chapel. The group left on October 29th and returned on November 13th and visited four mission sites during the trip, all supported by an organization called Far Corners Ministries.
Beth said the first stop was in Siliguri, population 700,000, where they held a conference for pastors, lay workers, and church women and men. The second place visited was Sikkum where they did some teaching with the local pastors and the third was Satali a more rural area, where the director looks after100 orphans. The last stop was in Calcutta where the director works with about 1700 children from the slums, educating them at his “Roof Top Schools.”
Beth said most of the churches are quite small and so they were not involved with big crowds. The largest was the conference in Siliguri where they had about 150 people. Most days were spent visiting private homes, getting to know the people and the ministries.
“It was a joy to visit a different culture,” Beth said, “and though we experienced a lot of poverty and pain, we also saw a very warm, hospitable and kind group of people. I couldn't help but appreciate their hunger for God and their desire for the teaching of the word of God, which our Mission endeavoured to share. I was made aware of how much many of them had to sacrifice for their faith, being of Hindu background, and usually abandoned by their families when they embraced Christianity. I will have a more thankful heart in future for our country and the blessings we take so much for granted.”
BOOK SALES BRISK
A new book by John Brehaut (1.4.4,7,3,3.) is off to a fast start. It's a biography of Daniel J. MacDonald, a second world war veteran and long-tine Kings County politician.
Entitled, "Left Arm Missing, Left Leg Missing, Unfit for Service: The Life and Times of Daniel J. MacDonald," the book was launched in Charlottetown on November 4. It was held in the Atrium of the Veteran's Affairs building, also known as the Daniel J. MacDonald building.
John says more than 200 people turned out, keeping him busy autographing copies. He says, "early sales have been terrific, in fact we ordered a second printing yesterday, (Nov. 17) one day short of two weeks after the launch."
John says there is a great deal of interest locally and some across the country. "I have mailed over 50 books across Canada myself up to this point. Our first run was 1000 books and they are disappearing pretty fast."
MacDonald served as Minister of Agriculture in the Island government and Minister of Veterans Affairs in the federal cabinet. As the book title indicates, he lost his left arm and leg in the war.
John worked for eight years as MacDonald’s special assistant while he was Minister of Veterans Affairs. In preparing the book John had full access to the MacDonald family’s photos and memorabilia and was able to collect many stories and anecdotes from friends and colleagues of the minister.
The book cover was designed by John's nephew, Kenny Vail. (1.4.4,7,3,1,5.) Kenny also set up a web page to handle on line sales. http://www.jhbrehautpublishing.com
HISTORIC HORROR TALES
When Halloween rolls around, connoisseurs of horror stories turn to Island historian Boyde Beck(1.4.3A.3.6.)for their treats. On October 29, Boyde was at Orwell
Corner historic village relating the tale of a gruesome unsolved murder. A misty moon added to the suspense of a lantern lit walk and the description of the murder of Ann Beaton, who was hacked to death with a grubbing hoe.
Organizers had been hoping for 60 people, but more than 300 crowded in to hear the details of the murder at Goblin's Hollow. The event was so crowded that two walking tours were needed because the church, schoolhouse and blacksmith shop were too small to accommodate so many.
The 40-year-old single mother from nearby Rear Settlement was killed in 1859. Despite two investigations, the murder was never solved.
“In those days,” said Boyde, “they didn’t have CSI investigation techniques, and there weren’t any two-day wakes with visiting hours.”
The deceased was laid out in a barn and villagers were required to pass by and touch the body. The belief was the touch of the guilty party would make the body bleed more. Orwell volunteers donned period costumes to represent the various characters of the story and Amanda MacDonald portrayed the leading lady as the corpse in the barn covered with a bloody sheet.
Officials say in view of its success they expect that the story will be repeated in future years.Two days later, on October 31st, The Guardian carried another story with Boyde describing the last public hanging on PEI. It took place in Connaught Square in Charlottetown and the botched execution so shocked the crowd that it marked the end of public executions on the Island.
It's the story of George Dowie, one of the tales that Boyde spins in his popular walking tours of downtown Charlottetown. He says, “we have a history of capital punishment that goes back to 1792 when the first hanging was conducted.” P.E.I. had control of its own justice system until 1873 when capital cases came under the federal government's jurisdiction. There were nine or ten hangings on the Island with the last being held in 1941.
Dowie was a sailor who got into an argument over a woman and stabbed a man to death in front of a lot of witnesses. More than 1,500 people turned out to see the hanging which took place in April, 1869. But things did not go smoothly. In the first attempt the rope broke and Dowie plunged 15 feet to the ground. They rigged a new rope and this time the cleat that attached it to the scaffold sheared off, and Dowie plunged to the ground again. Boyde said the rope was still intact so the executioner and his helpers hauled Dowie up and held him there until the officiating doctor declared he was dead. Boyde said the public outcry that followed the execution ensured that a public execution never took place in P.E.I. again.
LOTS OF ICE TIME IN THE SUNNY SOUTH
Justin Bowers (1.4.6.5,10,1,2.) has hardly had his skates off since late summer. He joined the Allen Americans of the Central Hockey League late last spring as the team was being formed. Allen is a suburb of Dallas, Texas, and the Americans are a new farm team of the Dallas Stars of the NHL.
Despite that, Justin attended the NHL prospects training camp of the Phoenix Coyotes in September and picked up lots of information on how things are done in the big leagues. The Coyotes prospects played the Los Angeles Kings prospects a couple of time but little information came out of the training camps.
That was hardly over until Jason was involved in the Allen Americans training camp that got underway on October 5. That involved ten days of hard work leading up to the opening of the regular season on October 16.
The Allen Americans have played 18 games so far in the regular season and Justin is the leading point getter on the team. So far he has 25 points made up of 7 goals and 18 assists. Two of the goals were scored in Sunday night's 4 to 2 win over Rio Grande Valley and Justin was picked as the first star of the game.
The Americans are doing well for a new team and are second in the southern conference of the league, just five points behind Odessa which has played two more games than Allen.
FOOD BANK BOOSTER
It was Ladies Night at Beck's Home Furniture in Montague on November 19 with ticket sale proceeds going to the Southern Kings and Queens Food Bank. The event was organized by interior decorator Alisa Beck (1.11.8.3.4.3.)and included specials from area businesses Rossignol Winery, Country Garden Florist, Belle’s Boutique, Sir Isaac’s Restaurant and Mister Gabe’s Pub and The Eastern Graphic.
Alisa said, “I decided it might be nice to pull all the local businesses together over the holiday season and also help out a local charity, and the food bank would be appropriate for this time of year. I put it together as a thank you from all of the businesses to all the lady customers who support them.”
There was a wine tasting hosted by Rossignol Winery, decorating tips from Karen Murphy of Country Garden Florist and winter fashion advice from Belle’s Boutique. In addition those attending received a thank-you bag containing items from several of the participating businesses.
Tickets were $10 with all proceeds going to the food bank.
Alisa said she hoped that Ladies Night would become an annual event.
DEATHS
BECK: Evan Stanley Beck (1.4.3B.9.6.2.) died suddenly at his home in Gaspereaux, PEI, on Wednesday, October 14, 2009. He was 30.
He is survived by his mother, Ethel MacKenzie-Beck; brothers Derek and Troy, and his father, Stanley (Twila) Beck and family of Iris. He is also survived by his fiancee, Kerri Lannigan and her children, Devin and Kiera, and his grandmother, Ethel V. (Richards) Beck, of Montague. Also survived by numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He was predeceased by grandparents, Tyler Vere Beck and Andrew and Rita (McGee) MacKenzie.
The funeral was held at St. Paul's Church, in Sturgeon, with mass at 11 am, followed by interment in the parish cemetery.BROOKS: Minnie Pearl (Weeks) Brooks (1.3,1,3.7.) died at the Oromocto, N.B., Public Hospital on Thursday, October 15, 2009. A resident of Fredericton, she was 100 years old. She was born in Bideford, P.E.I., the daughter of the Rev. Ernest and Rebie (Williams) Weeks and the wife of the late Arthur Brooks.
Pearl is survived by her children, Gordon Brooks (Lidia DeSimone) of Montreal, PQ and Debbie MacGillivray (Gordon) of Dorval, PQ; grandchildren, Mikki and Devin; her nephew Peter Weeks; Gail Wylie and several other nieces, nephews and cousins.
A memorial service was held at McAdam's Select Community Funeral Home, Fredericton, NB, on Monday, October 19th, 2009 at 2:00 pm with the Rev. H.G. MacKenzie officiating. Interment will take place later in Murray Harbour Cemetery, PEI.
FORMER MAYOR WINS IN MONTAGUE
Richard Collins has recaptured his old job in a three-way mayoralty race in Montague. His victory was a disappointment to many people who felt he had been involved in town politics for too long and it was time for a new candidate to take over. Collins had served a number of terms on council and as mayor in a long political career. This was his 13'th campaign and his seventh victory.
George Beck (1.11.8.3.2.) of Stewart and Beck was one of his critics. He wrote to The Eastern Graphic saying that since Collins was running for mayor, he should immediately resign his seat on the school board. George said people remember, “you used town stationary to write a letter to try and influence the Eastern School Board trustees. This was definitely the wrong thing to do. By using Town of Montague stationary, I believe it gave the appearance that you were speaking for the whole town."
In the councillor battles, nine people offered for the six seats available. John McFarlane topped the list with 521 supporters. Also joining council will be newcomer Peggy Whitlock who polled 409 votes, veteran Janice Taylor at 402, veteran deputy mayor David Mabon at 387, and veterans Peter Doucette and Marion Robertson with 356 votes each.
Rick Beck (1.11.8.3.4.1.) just missed out with 347 votes. Rick had served one term on an earlier council.
FUND RAISING DINNER FOR ROMA HERITAGE SITE
The 2009 Roma Gala Heritage Feast in eastern PEI was a resounding success again this year. The historic site harks back to the early 1730s when Jean Pierre Roma had plans to turn the location into an international trading post. The replicas of the French colonial buildings point back nearly 300 years to a time when PEI was known as Isle St. Jean and flew the French flag.
This year, the feast was part of the Fall Flavours festival where local foods are spotlighted with fresh bread baked in the site’s outdoor oven complemented by pickled mussels and fresh Atlantic salmon.
Chef Michael Smith joined Chef Peter Dewar and Sous Chef Paul Thimot in the kitchen. Sommelier Jean-Sebastien Morin was available to suggest wines during the event. A number of people were in period costume and put on some skits. This was followed by performances by a number of local entertainers.
The Roma at Three Rivers National Historic Site is a not-for-profit organization operated by a volunteer board of directors. Melody Beck (1.11.8.3.2.2,) is president of the board.
Melody said those who attend the feast always leave well-fed and with vivid memories of the unique way the actors bring the Roma history to life.
“It's amazing how much the volunteers put into it. It's part of a PEI-wide event and they really do tremendous work," Melody said.
She added that the feast gets rave reviews each year because it is so interactive and encourages people to experience local history. Any funds raised from the feast will benefit the maintenance of the Roma historic site.
A SLOW REPLY
It only took 38 years, but Esther Bell (1.4.2.1,2.2.) of White Sands has received a reply to a letter she wrote in 1971. It was addressed to her husband Craig, who died two years ago, and concerned a balloon he found in the Northumberland Strait in June, 1971. The letter was from a woman named Wanda O'Toole of Grants Pass, Oregon. Enclosed was a copy of a letter in Esther's handwriting dated June6, 1971, that she had written for Craig.
Ms O'Toole said that when she was 16 and living in Maryland she gave her brother 25 cents to enter a balloon race. His balloon came down near Pictou Island in the Northumberland Strait and Craig found it. His response gave the location of where it was found, and included the exact co-ordinates. This was good enough to win the competition.
Ms O'Toole said the letter from the Bells was used as proof of her brother's win and the school principal made the announcement over the PA system. She tucked the letter away and carried it with her from Maryland to Guam to Northern California and then to Oregon. She came across it while looking for another old letter.
Esther said that Craig would have been in his glory to have received the reply. She said she will contact Ms O'Toole in the near future.
The Vere Beck Family Home Page
We're always looking for news of Beck family members. If you know of any interesting events drop me a line with the information. imunn@accesswave.ca
That's it .. please share it with relatives who aren't on line. The next edition will be out on February 1, 2010. 
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