Number 58 August 12, 2008
BECK FAMILY REUNION 2008
They started arriving early led by Jim Beck of Michigan, the organizer of this year's reunion. Jim, his wife, Barb, their daughter Sharon and her two young daughters, arrived in Prince Edward Island on Sunday, July 27, and immediately starting checking arrangements to be sure everything was ready to go. On Thursday, July 31, the organizing committee met to go over final details and agreed that all bases had been covered.
Friday morning we were at the community centre in Murray Harbour and opened the doors at 10 a.m.
People registered and then looked over the new books and CDs that were for sale. A screen had been set up and a DVD of Beck family photos was playing quietly. People greeted old friends and lively conversations were in progress throughout the room.
After lunch Jim called on our guest speaker, Clive Killick, to answer questions that people might have.
You will remember that Vere Beck's mother was Martha Lucy Killick and Clive is honorary secretary of the Killick Society. He answered all the questions people had.
By the end of the day 70 people had registered, which reduced the lineup at the registration desk on Saturday.
Friday evening most people attended the mussel bake hosted by Steven Nicolle. The mussels were cooked in steamers set up on the shore at Beach Point, and for many it was a new and enjoyable experience.
Saturday afternoon the formal program got underway at the Northumberland Arena in Murray River. Tables were set up all along one side of the arena, staffed by descendants of Vere's children, ready to help people searching for information on their roots. This was the 195th anniversary of the Beck's arrival in Guernsey Cove and the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Stewart and Beck Ltd of Montague. George Beck, the owner of the business, set up a table illustrating the history of the company. There was an assortment of products from the early days of the business that drew a lot of interest.
In addition to this, George paid for the printing of our reunion brochure, and donated a dozen or more quality door prizes that were drawn for at the end of the day.
The formal program got underway at 3:00 p.m. with Ron Harris as M.C. Clive Killick was introduced and then outlined some of the history of the Killicks. He explained that many things are named killick ranging from a boat anchor to a naval rank. When it comes to people there are dozens of different spellings of the name. Clive said the Killick Society has been active for 25 years and has traced the name back to the mid 15th century. The Beck connection came when John Beck married Martha Lucy Killick at Mitcham, Surrey on 2nd September 1776. Their son, Vere, was born August 19, 1783.
After the formal program we had supper and then the closing. Alan Beck (1.10A.3.2.2.) of South Carolina related in brief how he had gone from a person with no known relatives to a man with hundreds of living relatives. He has attended all three reunions held since then and was our featured speaker five years ago.
With that the reunion drew to a close. It was an excellent program but the attendance was less than previously, with 151 people registered. That is compared with about 250 in 2003 and as many as 600 at some of the earlier reunions in the 1960s-70s. A reunion in 2013 will celebrate Vere Beck and family’s coming to PEI in 1813, 200 years before. To have a successful reunion in 2013, we need a large component of island-based leadership. If you are interested in helping contact the editor of the Beck Bulletin (iwmunn@gmail.com) or Jim Beck (beck@msu.edu) or Bloyce Beck (cbbeck@ruranet.com).We want also to make the computer-ready CDs available for those who did not come to the reunion. They contain a large book of nearly 500 pages of family members. It is the most complete detailing of Vere Beck family members yet given. (5370 relatives are listed.) It has been done by Kathie Sencabaugh. The cost of one CD, plus an attractive Beck Reunion button and the Reunion brochure giving some Beck family characteristics is $20, postage included. For two of each, the price is $30. Send a check to either Bloyce Beck or Jim Beck, depending whether you are in Canada or USA.
Bloyce Beck
P.O. Box 1373,
Montague, PE C0A 1R0
CanadaJim Beck
1935 Danbury W
Okemos, MI 48864
USA
THREE NAMED TO ORDER OF P.E.I.
Garnet Buell (1.6B.6.5,2.)of Murray River was one of three Islanders named to the Order of P.E.I. this year. The others were Darlene Bernard, chief of the Lennox Island Band, and Nancy Hamill of Mill River East.
They were picked from a total of 27 nominated for the award.
The honour was first conferred in 1996, when six individuals were invested. Since then, there have been three more added each year.
It is the highest honour accorded provincially. It recognizes Islanders who have shown individual excellence or outstanding leadership in their community and in their chosen occupation or profession.
As a musician, Garnet has a devoted following, built up over many decades of playing in small communities in P.E.I., entertaining Islanders on television with Community Showcase, and performing from Murray River to Nashville. His work at festivals and fundraisers has been augmented by several CD recordings popular with fans throughout North America. Since 2001, Garnet and the Murray River Ceilidh Committee have raised nearly $135,000 for the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Charlottetown.
Garnet has also transformed his 100-acre farm in Abney into a wildlife habitat.
WORST FIRE IN 50 YEARS
Take an open fire pit, a tinder dry forest and winds gusting to 100 kilometres an hour and you have the ingredients for a serious forest fire. In the late afternoon of Friday, June 13, the wind was so strong in Dartmouth that at times it was hard to walk against it. On the eastern horizon, clouds of smoke were being driven toward the ocean, evidence of a serious fire out of control.
By 6:30 that evening homeowners in the threatened area were ordered to evacuate the area as quickly as possible. About 6,000 people threw a few personal belongings in their vehicles and fled. Our phone rang and it was our son, David, (1.4.2.2,2.2.1.)advising us that he and the family were on the way and would need shelter for at least a couple of days. Other residents who had relatives or friends in the area were doing the same thing. People with no where to go were directed to Cole Harbour Place where various community organization set up beds and brought in food.
Rumours abounded, but reliable information was scarce. As they were leaving home, the Munns heard reports that the fire was only one street away, upsetting them greatly.
All available firefighters were on the scene along with helicopters equipped with buckets for dipping water from the lakes. In the evening three water bombers from New Brunswick arrived. On Saturday a water bomber from Newfoundland joined the effort and was dumping huge loads of water on the flames. Then an even larger water bomber arrived from Quebec. But the high winds were still blowing and it was difficult to make any progress.
Fire officials arranged for morning and evening briefings for people at Cole Harbour Place, but they had little definite news other than that the fire was still out of control. David attended the briefings but learned little.
On Sunday evening the word came. The fire was contained and most of the people could go home.
Despite the ferocity of the fire, there were no injuries and only two homes were lost, although it burned to within a few feet of many others. David and Barb, Stephanie and Patricia, Pebbles the dog, and Simba the cat arrived home to find everything safe and unharmed.
BIRTHS
Kristine (Tobin) Jahm (1.4.2.2,7,3.4,)and her husband Rashid Jahm welcomed the arrival of a baby boy, Kyle Rashid Jahm, on July 19, 2008. He was born at the Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
Kyle weighed 7 lbs 15 oz, and was 20 inches long.
He is their second child. Their first was Chloe who is 2 ½ years old.Still with the Tobin family, Kristine's sister, Kathleen (Tobin) Ryan (1.4.2.2,7,3.5,) and her husband, Terence Ryan, had a daughter last year. Molly Kristine Ryan was born May 9, 2007.
MARRIAGE
On Saturday, June 21 2008, Peter Robar (1.11.8.3.3,2.) and Justina Jones were married at St. John's Lutheran Church in Mahone Bay, Nova Scotia.
Peter is the son of John and Myrna (Beck) Robar of Upper LaHave, Nova Scotia. Justina is the daughter of Marge and the late Ed Jones of Calgary, Alberta. Peter and Justina live in Calgary.
Jayne's young children, Peter's niece and nephew, took part in the wedding. Hailey was a flower girl and Ethan was a ring bearer.
DEATHS
BOEHNER-KENNEDY: Florence M. (Beck) Boehner-Kennedy (1.4.3B.8.2,) died at the Kings County Memorial Hospital in Montague on Wednesday, June 11, 2008. Flossie as she was known was in her 90th year. She was the wife of Charles Kennedy and the late Lyle Boehner. She is survived by her children, Lowell (Elizabeth) Peters Road; Wayne (Mariette), Roseneath; Karen (Don) Duffy, Brudenell; Kathy (Jerry) Martell, Bedford, N.S.; and by step-children Audrey (Bill) Power, Montague; Carol (Dan) Mooring, Prince George, B.C.; and Janet (David) MacKinnon, New Perth. In addition she had 11 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters Evelyn McAteer, Markham, Ontario; Ethel Mae (Donnie) MacQuarrie, Brudenell and Jean ( Paul) Grose, North Bay, Ontario. Predeceased by brothers Lowell and Tyler Beck.
The funeral service was held at the Montague Church of Christ with interment in the Peters Road Cemetery.BREHAUT: Elmer Richard Brehaut (1.7.2,3,2.) died at home in Murray Harbour on Sunday, July 20, 2008. He was in his 97th year. He is survived by sisters Helen Herschfeld, Dartmouth; Ethel Flemming, Halifax; and Amy MacNeill, Murray Harbour and nieces and nephew Sandra (Wallace) MacKay, Nancy (Alex) MacBeath, Jackie (Ed) MacNeill-Doiron, Lena (Paul) Baker, Donald (Jane) Flemming and Helen (John) Whitman.
He was predeceased by his parents, Harry J. and Lena (Dunn) Brehaut as well as by brothers, Clarence, Vernon, and Frank and by his sister Sarah Serafin. A private family service was held in Ferguson's funeral home chapel in Montague on Wednesday, July 23, followed by interment in the Murray Harbour Cemetery.CHAPMAN: Muriel Lauraetta (Penny) Chapman (1.4.1,3.14,) died at London Health Sciences Centre - University Hospital on Sunday, July 13, 2008, in her 83rd year. She was born June 10, 1926, at Cape Bear, P.E.I.
Muriel was predeceased by her husband, Eldred Ellison Chapman, six brothers and seven sisters. She is survived by her children, Barbara and Wayne Harrison, Brenda and Alf Langner, George and Laurie Chapman, her grandchildren Jamie and Tammy Chapman, Angela and Jay Friesen, Kathryn Harrison, Burton Chapman, Lauren Harrison, Christine Chapman, Kendra Harrison, Sara Langner and her great-grandchildren Joshua Chapman and Alora Friesen.
Muriel enjoyed her many trips to Prince Edward Island and Florida to visit her nieces and nephews.
A graveside service was held at Forest Lawn Memorial Gardens, London, Ont. on Wednesday, July 16 at 1 p.m.COLLINGS: Albert Douglas Collings
(1.7.3.1A.1,3,)died at the Halifax Infirmary on Wednesday, July 2, 2008.
A resident of Cambridge, P.E.I., he was 78 years old. He is survived by his wife, Catherine (Lowe).
Funeral arrangements were handled by the Southern Kings & Queens Funeral Home, Murray River.
The funeral service was held from the funeral home chapel on Saturday, July 5, at 2 p.m. Interment followed in the Sturgeon United Church cemetery.
EAGER: Ethel Ada (Beck) Eager (of Arlington, Massachusetts,(1.6B.5.4,) died peacefully on June 7, 2008, in her one hundredth year. She was born in White Sands, P.E.I., daughter of the late John and Margaret (Gordon) Beck.
She was the wife of the late John Eager. She is survived by her sister, Hilda Neish of Arlington, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral arrangements were handled by Ferguson's Funeral Home in Montague with the service held in the funeral home chapel. Interment followed in the Murray Harbour cemetery.Fraser: Elizabeth Jane (Harris) Fraser (1.4.4,8,1,) died at the Kings County Memorial Hospital on Sunday, June 1,2008. A native of Murray Harbour, she was 96 and a resident of Riverview Manor in Montague. She was the widow of Thomas H. Fraser and the mother of Jean Fraser, Harley (Faye), Tim (Anne), and Brent Harris. Others survivors include grandchildren Dawne (David), Pamela (Ernie), Mitchel (Janet Lee), Jock (Lisa), Darren, Calvin (Shelly and Karen (Alexander). Also survived by great-grandchildren Michael, Tim and Adam Myers; Sarah Jane, Brandon, Cole, Brandi, Ara, Harley, Chaucer and Calla Fraser as well as by numerous cousins.
She was predeceased by son Grant and daughter-in-law Lorna Harris. The funeral service was held at the Murray Harbour Baptist Church followed by interment in the Murray Harbour Cemetery.
Graham: Elizabeth Margaret (LeLacheur) Graham (1.5,4.4,3,2,) died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on Thursday, July 24, 2008. She was 75 years old and a former resident of London, Ontario. She was the wife of the late Kenneth Walter Graham and is survived by her children, Linda (Hank) Suchwallo, London, Ontario; Stephen, Charlottetown; Kathryn Graham, Charlottetown; and Matthew Graham, London, Ontario, as well as three grandchildren.
The funeral service was held on Monday, July 28, from Ferguson's Funeral Home Chapel in Montague, with interment in the Murray Harbour Cemetery.
Harris: Louis Henry Davis Harris (1.4.6.5,7.3.) died in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on August 8, 2008, at the age of 56. He was the son of the late John Harris and Norma (Arnold) Harris.
He is survived by his brothers John Harris Hopkins of Dartmouth, N. S. and Rex Harris Sr. of Manitoba, his sister Laverne Harris of Saint John, N.B. and his nephew, Rex Harris Jr.
His nephew Jason Harris predeceased him. There was no visitation by personal request. A family graveside service was held on Tuesday, August 12 followed by interment in the Murray Harbour Cemetery.
NEW SYSTEM WORKING WELL
At mid-June tourist traffic was down, but Golf P.E.I. was reporting online reservations were booming. They were reported to be up 100 per cent from the same time last year.
Barry MacLeod,(1.11.8.2,5,1.) the chief operating officer of Golf P.E.I., says that early this spring they launched a new, interactive marketing strategy through its redesigned website. It features new golf course imagery, and an improved navigation system so users can easily make online reservations. The site also includes information on other attractions such as Island festivals and events.
“We simplified the process,” Barry said. “Those traveling for golf want to know about the courses, about the destination, and about available packages and the price they are likely to pay.”
The site was developed by Modern Media, a Maritime marketing company with special expertise in internet sales.
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, 2008. 
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