Number 52 August 1, 2007
PETER BECK BOUNCING BACK FROM BRAIN SURGERY. Based on notes from Jim and Doug Beck.
It's certainly not something you'd ever expect with a healthy seven-year-old boy. It was vacation time and Doug Beck and his family drove from Colorado Springs to St. Johns, Michigan arriving Sunday June 24, covering about 1300 miles in two days. Toward the end of the family’s stay at his grandparents’ home in St. Johns, Peter (1.4.6.6.1.2.2.) complained of a headache and could not seem to keep anything down. The family left St. Johns on Tuesday morning July 3 and arrived at the home of his other grandparents, Jim and Barbara Beck in Okemos, MI, about noontime. Peter's eating problems persisted and he was not able to keep anything down.
On July 4 it was decided that a visit to an emergent care office was needed. The doctor was young and competent. However, his diagnosis was that Peter was dehydrated, and he should sip water frequently. That didn't help. Further inquiries led to a referral to Sparrow Hospital in Lansing. At first they thought it was a virus. However, Dr. Israel, who was the physician in charge there, was not comfortable with that so he recommended an immediate CAT scan. It showed leakage of blood in Peter's brain! Dr. Bill, a neurosurgeon, was called and it was decided that surgery was needed immediately.
The surgery began around 10:30 pm and ended around 2:15 am Thursday morning. The report was that all had gone well despite the need of much cauterization to control and prevent further bleeding. Dr. Bill said that there was evidence of bleeding about a month earlier and also more recently, and he said the problem was arachnoid cysts.
The cause of arachnoid cysts is not known. Researchers believe that most cases are developmental malformations that arise from the unexplained splitting or tearing of the arachnoid membrane. According to the medical literature, cases of arachnoid cysts have run in families suggesting that a genetic predisposition may play a role in the development of them in some individuals.On Thursday Peter was doing well, eating and drinking some, watching cartoons and playing video games. He was not very talkative which was quite understandable. A very exciting thing happened that day. The Stanley Cup came to Lansing but even more important, it came to Sparrow Hospital and even to Peter’s bedside. He was seen on the 6 pm news as were his mom, dad and sister. At the time it was more exciting to his family than to Peter. His body had been through a great trauma so he just quietly observed. We now have a video of the Stanley Cup visit for Peter to see whenever he wishes.
Peter saw a neurosurgeon on Thursday, July 26, and got a very encouraging report. The blurring in the eyes is something that the doctor says is common and should go away in six weeks. He thinks that Peter could go back to normal activities as early as October. Contact sports like football, hockey and wrestling are out, but he could play soccer as long as he doesn't head the ball. Other sports like basketball, tennis and baseball should be fine as well. The Neurosurgeon warned against roller coaster rides and other things with sudden acceleration. So, while he will have some limits that other boys don't, his restrictions are relatively few.
RORY BECK JOINS THE NEW LIBERAL GOVERNMENT
When the Liberals swept into power in Prince Edward Island a few weeks ago,it meant some changes among senior appointees. Some deputy ministers were let go, and new ones were hired. Rory Beck (1.4.3B.7.3.5.) was among those hired and was named Deputy Minister of Health and Chair of the Deputies Committee. A news release from the government spelled out his background.
Rory graduated from UPEI in 1980 with a BA in psychology. After completing his Masters in Public Administration (specializing in Health Care Administration) at Dalhousie University in April 1982, Rory began his career as the Chief Financial Officer with the Guysborough,N.S.District School Board,a position he held until he became Chief Administrative Officer for the Community of West Royalty.
He joined the Prince Edward Island government in 1989 and soon was named Executive-Director,Enterprise PEI.He occupied that post until his appointment as Deputy Minister,Office of Government Reform in March 1993.
In June of 1994,he was appointed Deputy Minister,Economic Development and Tourism and CEO,Enterprise PEI.
Rory joined the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency as Executive Vice-President in 1996. In 1997,he was appointed Vice-President,Corporate Affairs and Tourism and,in 1999,he was appointed Vice-President of ACOA PEI and Tourism.From 1999 to 2006,he also served as Chair, of the PEI Regional Federal Council.
Rory was named Regional Executive Head,Service Canada,Prince Edward Island Region,on April 2006,a position he occupied up to his appointment as Deputy Minister with the Province. Rory has been actively involved in a number of community organizations and sports, most notably with baseball and hockey.He has coached various minor sport teams and has served as Governor and Chairman, Board of Governors for the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.
He lives in Charlottetown with his wife Gaylene and their sons Luke, Jacob and Dylan.
REUNION PLANNING
Plans for next year's Beck Family Reunion are starting to take shape. Jim (1.4.6.6.1.)and Barbara Beck are on the Island right now tieing down the details and tidying up loose ends.
The reunion will be later than usual next year. The Northumberland Arena has been booked for Friday, August 1, and Saturday, August 2nd. The special speaker will be Clive Killick, a distant relative through Vere Beck's mother, Martha Lucy Killick.
The listings will look a little different next year too. Kathie Sencabaugh has agreed to publish her Beck material in both book and CD form. Here's what she has in mind:Hello to all Beck descendants!
I have been asked to produce the lineage book for the Beck 2008 reunion. In order to make sure that the book is as accurate and complete as possible, we would like as many of you who are willing to do two things: review the data that we currently have for your family, and correct or add new data as necessary.
With that in mind I've prepared "Family Group Sheets" that can be used to record your information. In the next few days Ivan will e-mail you one of these sheets. Print it off and fill in the blanks. You may then e-mail me at MurrayHrbr@aol.com with any corrections or additions. Please note that we are interested in both dates and places of birth, death, marriage, and burial; and other appropriate data, including names of the parents of all spouses.
The deadline for review and/or revision of existing family history is January 31st, 2008. We can accept new vital statistics (new births, marriages, and deaths) through June 15th, 2008.
I look forward to hearing from many of you, and to seeing you at the 2008 Reunion!Kathie Sencabaugh
MONTAGUE TROTTER MAKING A SPLASH
Maple Leaf Noble continues his winning ways. The four-year-old trotter won his race in a time of 2:01.4 on July 26 at the Charlottetown Driving Park. It was the first race for Maple Leaf Noble since being injured in a freak accident last September. The horse is owned by driver-trainer Ralph Annear (1.11.6,4.1.) and his grandson, Jack Panting, both of Montague.
The trotter now has 24 consecutive lifetime wins, just six short of the Canadian record. He has been idle since September, when he was injured in the accident at the Annear farm in Montague.
Ralph says the trotter has completely recovered from the career-threatening leg injury.
Maple Leaf Noble holds the Maritime record for consecutive wins and has his sights set on the Canadian record.
AN ACTIVE WEEKEND IN MURRAY RIVER
The 28th annual Northumberland Fisheries Festival was held in Murray River, P.E.I., last weekend, July 26, through the 29th.
The festival got underway on the evening of the 26th with a parade through the village to the Northumberland Arena. The theme of this year's festival was, “The Year of the Fisherman.”
The Parade Marshall was Hughie Jackson (1.4.1,10,2,1.) of Beach Point. Hughie has fished for 51 years and during his career has built 29 boats, of which 28 were fishing boats. He and his wife, Sarah, are still actively working in the industry.
The festival featured 4 days of non-stop activities. There were concerts every evening, two lobster suppers, dory racing, a log rolling competition, a flower show and the Miss Northumberland Pageant to name a few.
BECKS TOP MONTAGUE SONG WRITING CONTEST
Nancy Beck (1.4.3B.7.2.5,) won first prize and her brother, Jock, (1.4.3B.7.2.2.) came second in Montague's 90th Anniversary Song competition.
Nancy's song is called, "Montague - Make It Your Own." Mayor Pat McGowan was impressed, saying the song has a lot of commercial value. Nancy was presented with a $500 prize at a regular Monday night council meeting. She is originally from Montague, but now lives in Charlottetown.
Jock's entry captured second place in the contest. It is called, "Montague The Beautiful, My Home." Council was so impressed with it that it passed a resolution naming it the town anthem.
Mayor McGowan said the song sums up the history of Montague. Jock is deputy chief of the Montague Fire Department.
Town council received a total of 18 entries in the song competition, and all entrants were given the opportunity to perform their songs during Montague’s SummerFest in July.
The Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation recognizes the efforts of the Murray River and area Ceilidhs in raising money for the Hospital.
THE CARDIO-RESPIRATORY DEPARTMENT OF THE QUEEN ELIZABETH HOSPITAL will receive a new transport ventilator thanks to the efforts of the volunteers of the Murray River and area Ceilidhs. The group presented their cheque for $28,200 during the QEH 21-Hour Equipment Drive held on the last weekend of May. From the left are QEH Cardio-Respiratory manager Kennie Martin,and Mary Elliott, Garnet Buell (1.6B.6.5,2.) and Alba and Marven MacLeod of the Murray River & Area Ceilidhs.
Kings County Construction of Montague is a generous supporter of The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
Merrill Scott, left, board member for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Foundation, thanks Michael Annear, (1.11.6,4.4.2.) of Kings County Construction for his company’s donation toward the Annual “Friends for Life” campaign for the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.
The QEH is the heart of healthcare for Prince Edward Island and this year’s campaign purchased medical equipment to help diagnose and treat cancer for the QEH Provincial Laboratory, the Endoscopy Suite and the PEI Cancer Treatment Centre.
Kings County Construction is a generous donor to the QEH and is presently at the Sponsor Level ($10,000 - $24,999) on the donor wall that is located in the front lobby of the hospital.
Photos: courtesy of the QEH Foundation.
ABNEY YOUNGSTER FIGHTS JUVENILE DIABETES
Twelve-year-old Kyle MacKay (1.11.2,4,1.6.1.) of Abney acted as youth ambassador in this year's fund-raising walk to battle juvenile diabetes. Kyle has had the disease since he was six and he is determined to help find a cure. Earla MacKay, Kyle's mom, and Lisa Roche of Montague, whose son Brook also has diabetes, organized the first walk five years ago to help find a cure for their children.
The walk begins on the Montague waterfront and goes about one kilometer down the trail and back. Ms. MacKay told The Eastern Graphic that, "The aim of the walk is not only to raise money but to provide an opportunity for the kids to meet other kids with diabetes."
Children from ages two to 16 participate in the walk. Kyle said he’s participated in every walk and has had a lot of fun. He said he also likes helping during the walk.
The walk was held at the Montague Waterfront on Sunday, June 10 at 2pm
ABBIES CHOOSE BECK
The Charlottetown Abbies has drafted Colin Beck (1.4.3B.7.3.6.1.) from the Charlottetown Islanders of the N.B.-P.E.I. Major Midget Hockey League.
The Abbies general manager, Jeff Squires, said, "He's a local guy and that’s your future planning.
We wanted to be sure we had a strong group of local players. That's what the Abbies program is all about."
Colin, a 15-year-old first-year player with the Islanders had 10 goals and six assists in 33 games.
“I’m really proud to be a part of this organization," said the six-foot-three forward. He said he expects the transition to junior will be rough initially but “I think I will be able to adapt."
The Abbies are members of the Maritime Junior A Hockey League.
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 October 1, 2007. 
Copyright © 2007 The Beck Bulletin