THE BECK BULLETIN
LONG RANGE BECK REUNION PLANS
A broad outline of the next two Beck reunions was drawn up at a meeting of the steering committee in July. The meeting was held to coincide with a visit to the Island by Jim and Barbara Beck during the first week of the month. It took place at the home of Ron Harris in Charlottetown on the afternoon of July 6th. Jim, (1.4.6.6.1.) Ron (1.4.6.5,11.) and John Brehaut (1.4.4,7,3,3.) took part with Barb Beck and Lorna Harris joining the informal discussions.
It was agreed that the next reunion in 2008 should be cut back somewhat from the previous one, while still offering enough events to attract the interest of visitors from across North America.
While the actual dates have not been chosen, it’s planned to start on a Friday with an open house at the community center at Murray Harbour, as we did in 2003. It will provide an opportunity for people to mingle and exchange information and pick up copies of the latest Beck material. That evening we will invite any who are interested to go as a group to a lobster supper somewhere on the Island.
On Saturday, some group tours may be arranged in advance of the meeting at 2 pm in the Northumberland Arena in Murray River. It’s hoped that a number of displays will be available in the arena along with CD’s and books that people can buy.
Clive Killick, a distant cousin from Britain is expected to attend, and will be the main speaker at the reunion. You’ll remember that Vere Beck’s mother was Martha Lucy Killick, and Clive is the honorary secretary of the Killick Society.
Following that there will be a pot-luck supper with the local Beck descendants supplying the food. Later there will be entertainment and group singing to wrap up the Reunion.
There was a brief discussion of the reunion in 2013. While no definite plans were discussed, it was agreed that this would be an extra-special occasion, as it marks the 200th anniversary of the arrival of Vere Beck in Prince Edward Island.
TOUCHING BASE WITH MANY RELATIVES
 Jim and Barb Beck spent a busy week on PEI in July. They arrived from their home in Michigan on July 1st, rented a car at the Charlottetown airport and drove to the Murray Harbour Motel, their headquarters for the week. Then it was off to a lobster supper with Sarah (1.4.6.8B.4,) and Hughie Jackson at the Presbyterian Church in Murray Harbour North. Jim described the supper as, “great,” marking the beginning of a very pleasant week on the Island.
In the following days there was another visit with Sarah and Hughie, as well as Bert and Pauline Harris (1.4.6.5,9.) and Linda Penny (1.5,4.2B.5,2,) among others. The visits included dinners invitations and provided an opportunity to discuss and exchange Beck family information during and after the meal.
On Wednesday Jim and Barb went to Charlottetown and saw Dr. Angus Beck (1.4.3B.7.3.1.) and his mother, Shirley. They spent a few hours there and Jim took some pictures and video clips as he did on all his visits. That evening, July 5, they returned to the Jacksons for Hughie’s 71st birthday dinner. Barb’s birthday was celebrated at the same time since hers was on July 7.
On Thursday they went to Charlottetown again to see some of Jim’s cousins, Ron and Lorna Harris, Beth (1.4.6.5,10,) and Keith Havill, and Anne (1.4.6.5,8,) and Sheldon Bell. They ate at the Rodd Hotel and then returned to Ron and Lorna’s home for strawberries and ice cream. At 3 pm they held the Beck Reunion Committee meeting as outlined above.
After the meeting they dropped in to see Jessie Beck (1.4.3A.2A.1.) who is now in a nursing home in Charlottetown.
The highlight of the week was the Beck Family Picnic on Saturday afternoon at King’s Castle Park in Gladstone. The event was organized by Sarah Jackson and there was an excellent turnout.
Sixty-two people signed in and there were a number of others who failed to do so, making for a total of 70 or more. There were people from Alberta, Michigan, Maine and Nova Scotia and Islanders from Charlottetown to Beach Point and points in between. Even Premier Pat Binns dropped in to shake a few hands and exchange pleasantries with the guests.
The children managed to find lots to do in the park while their elders gathered in groups to talk and get to know each other better. Jim had his laptop with him and spent a lot of time gathering information and entering it directly into his computer.
At 4:30 a potluck supper was served and the picnic ended about 6 pm and people left with a full stomach and a lot more knowledge of their Beck heritage. For Jim and Barb it was just a matter of packing up and catching a plane on Sunday to return home.
THE HISTORY KEEPS PILING UP
What’s 30 years old, but brimming over with stories from Prince Edward Island’s past? If you said The Island Magazine you would be bang on. The pages of the non-profit publication are full of the history of PEI, its people, communities, genealogy and folklore.
 Boyde Beck (1.4.3A.3.6.4.) is the latest in a line of editors who have guided the magazine over the years. Published twice a year, Spring/Summer 2006 due out soon is the 59th issue.
“The back issues of the magazine are the single biggest source of Island history now,” Boyde told Mary MacKay of The Guardian. “There are about 2,600 pages — that’s as thick as the Canadian encyclopedia — but it’s all about Prince Edward Island.”
Authors write on the subjects that interest them, and they contribute their work free of charge.
It’s often difficult to find pictures for articles about older topics. That’s when an illustrator is called for. John Burden, a professional artist, has been bringing historical characters and events to life for The Island Magazine for more than 20 years.
The magazine has carried articles on a wide variety of topics over the years. “I won’t say there’s something for everyone, but every issue has got usually such a blend of articles that there’s bound to be something that you’ve either never heard of before, never thought of before or perhaps never thought you’d be interested in before,” Boyde said.
Boyde is the curator of history for the P.E.I. Museum and Heritage Foundation which publishes
The Island Magazine.
HOW DO YOU TAKE YOUR COFFEE?
Starbucks and Tim Horton’s better put some fresh coffee on to perc. And they better not look back because Beck’s may be gaining on them.
 Doug Beck (1.4.6.6.1.2.) was in Tokyo this spring and was surprised to see an outlet bearing the name, Beck’s Coffee Shop. He said most businesses and products in Japan have English names, but even so he was surprised to come upon Beck’s. He adds that it appears to be a chain because they are located in most major train stations. (Some research on the internet shows they operate about 80 shops.)
“Well, given a business with my family name on it," Doug said, " I went inside and told the lady behind the counter that my name was Beck. She didn't understand. I pulled out some ID to demonstrate that my name really was Beck and despite the fact that the name "Beck" was everywhere, she apparently was not able to read English either.
So I bought some coffee and then asked if I could take her picture because she was wearing a "Beck's" uniform. Again, she didn't understand. So I just went ahead and took the picture anyway.
“I have no idea if a Beck actually owns the coffee shop or if someone just decided that it was a good name,” Doug said.
But how was the coffee?
“Well, I'm not a big coffee fan, so I'm not the best judge," he said. "But Beck's Coffee Shops were very common in Tokyo, so it must have been pretty good. Their main competitor in Tokyo was Starbucks.”
So nothing definite on the coffee but apparently Beck’s makes good buns. An American doing a story on the history of the hotdog gives that opinion. Writing for an English version of a Japanese newspaper he says, “The best buns among those sampled for this story were found at the Beck's coffee shop chain. With a freshly toasted crust and an airy interior, these are nice pieces of bread in their own right, not just after thoughts to a sausage.”
Coffee and a hotdog anyone?
NORTHUMBERLAND DAYS CELEBRATIONS
The 27th Annual Northumberland Fisheries Festival was held on the last weekend in July.
The four day event started on July 27 and continued through July 30.
 The theme of the festival was geared to the “Year of the Volunteer” and played a prominent part in the festivities. The parade marshal was June Sencabaugh, (1.7.3.1A.1,2,) one of the most active volunteers in Murray River.
She is a former director of the Northumberland arena and a faithful volunteer with the minor hockey program and other activities at the rink. June also served on the Murray River Village Commission and with the Eagles View Golf Course. She also served on the P.E.I. Advisory Council on the Status of Women and was a founding member of the Montague Figure Skating Association among other things.
June said she was honored to be asked to lead the parade, but she stressed the importance of all the other volunteers who have worked hard at the arena and in the community.
"You need a lot of volunteers to make things work," she said. "It’s very important for people to
get involved in their community. I have a lot of happy memories and have met a lot of people through
volunteering."
Among the highlights of the Festival are the lobster suppers served on Friday and Saturday evenings, the Provincial Dory Rowing Championships, carnival amusements, musical entertainment, seafood cooking demonstrations, and the crowning of the Festival Queen, Miss Northumberland 2006.
50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY
 
Morton Lyons of Yarmouth, N.S. and Joyce Ethel Jenkins (1.7.2,6,5,) of Murray River, P.E.I. celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on June 16, 2006. They were married in the Baptist Church in Summerside, P.E.I., where the groom was serving in the Air Force.
A career in the Armed Forces kept them on the move and saw them make homes in P.E.I., Newfoundland, Germany, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Twenty years of traveling and five daughters later, they have retired in Murray Harbour where they have seen their family grow with the addition of ten grandchildren.
Family and friends celebrated the milestone on June 11 at the Murray Harbour Baptist Church.
The announcement was carried in The Charlottetown Guardian, The Summerside Journal Pioneer and The Yarmouth Vanguard.
DEATHS
 STEWART: Fenton ‘Troy’ Stewart, (1.4.6.7,2.3,2.), died in a car accident in Lower Montague, P.E.I., on Friday. June 16, 2006. He was 35 and is survived by his wife, Belinda (Harpell) and daughters, Kaitlyn Dawn and MacKenzie Rae.
Troy was the son of Lorraine (White) and the late Fenton Stewart of Lower Montague. He is also survived by a sister, Tammy, in Dartmouth, N.S., and a brother Jason (Sarah) in Lower Montague.
The funeral service was held from Ferguson’s Funeral Home Chapel on Tuesday, June 20th, with interment in the Lower Montague Cemetery.
WHITE: Kevin Lloyd White (1.4.6.7,3.2.) died at home in Dartmouth, N.S., on April 1, 2006 at the age of 49. Born in Halifax, he was the son of Fred and Cora White.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Boutilier) of Dartmouth; sons, Peter and Dylan, both of Halifax; brother, Glen (Rose), River John, N.S.; a granddaughter, Riley, Newfoundland; and former wife, Susan (Whalen), of Halifax.
Kevin worked for the telephone company for 20 years as a technician. He loved the outdoors and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He was also active in Dartmouth Minor Hockey for many years.
A memorial service was held on April 15 in the chapel of the Atlantic Funeral Home on Main Street in Dartmouth, N.S.
MOVING ON
 Justin Bowers (1.4.6.5,10,1,2.) is preparing to attend St. Thomas University in Fredericton, where he will play for the university hockey team. Last season he was the leading scorer in the Maritime Junior A Hockey League as well as the Most Valuable Player. Justin led the Woodstock Slammers to their first league championship with 58 goals and 65 assists for 123 points in 54 regular season games and another 12 goals and 21 assists in 14 playoff games.
Mike Eagles, coach of the Mount Thomas Tommies, is looking forward to Justin’s arrival. “If there’s a guy who can come out of that league and make a significant impact in our league, it’s Justin,” he said in an interview with The Fredericton Gleaner.
“Obviously, there's going to be an adjustment period and it's going to be a big, big challenge for him, but I'm hopeful that Justin can make a significant contribution."
And Justin believes he can make the step up.
"It's going to take a lot of hard work and I'm going to have to work hard this summer and be in the best shape I can be, but I think I can adjust to the calibre of play there," he said. "I always play better with better players, so I think I can make the jump."
He’ll have lots of support when he arrives. His cousin, Thatcher Bell,(1.4.6.5,3.6,3.) will be there to greet him. Thatcher, who is recovering from back problems, is starting to make his mark in the University League.
FREE AT LAST
 For the first time in 10 years, Roger Bell (1.4.1,10,5,2.) is free to come and go as he pleases. He was sentenced to 10 years in prison in 1997 after pleading guilty to setting 4 pipe bombs over the previous 9 years. His statutory release date was June 29, 2006, and that’s when the National Parole Board stopped monitoring his movements.
Brian Chase, a spokesman for the Board, says Roger satisfied his entire sentence and is now free.
He served the first part of his sentence in prison and later moved to a half-way house. Two years ago he was released on parole and moved to his own apartment in Halifax, where he was closely monitored by a parole officer.
His most spectacular blast was the bombing of the P.E.I. legislature on April 20, 1995.
The bomb shattered windows, and forced MLAs inside to duck for cover and crawl around on their hands and knees through shards of broken glass. Bombs were also set off at the Provincial Law Courts in Charlottetown, Point Pleasant Park in Halifax and the Speedy Propane bulk plant in Charlottetown.
During a parole hearing in 2002 Roger called his activities a “game” meant to push the buttons of the media. He explained that he withdrew from society following a bitter divorce, and quit his job after he was told he could no longer teach high school chemistry.
Roger said he was angry with the leaders of society, not the general public, and was more interested in creating fear rather than causing damage.
He is now 62 and in frail health.
DEMANDS FOR A NEW SCHOOL
Support is growing for the construction of a completely new high school in Montague. The government had planned to build a new school around the existing structure in the heart of town, but the public has said that’s not good enough.
 At the July meeting of Town Council, Councillor Rick Beck (1.11.8.3.4.1.) introduced a motion for a new school in a new location. “The people ... said at a public meeting they wanted the school moved,” Rick said, “and I work for them.”
At a packed public meeting in June, parents said they welcomed a new school, but not more additions built around the current out-of-date building that has served the region for 50 years.
“I don’t want my children going to the same high school that their grandfather did,” Rick declared. “Montague has always been a place of doing things first and this time we have to put our kids first.”
After an amendment to the motion stating that the school be located within the town’s boundaries, Councillors David Mabon, Niall MacKay and Peter Doucette supported it to the delight of a crowded gallery.
Supporters of the relocation stressed safety and health concerns since students flood out during lunch hours, and cross Main Street heading for fast food locations.
The town council petitioned the province to give up its original plan to build around the present school and find a new site within the town boundaries.
However, the suggestion has been turned down. The Minister of Education, Mildred Dover, says the school will remain at its present site, but the province will incorporate some community suggestions in the reconstruction. That response has not gone over well in Montague, and many parents say the fight is not over.
IF AT FIRST YOU DON’T SUCCEED
The University of Prince Edward Island was unsuccessful in bids to host the 2008 or the 2009 Canadian women’s basketball championship. The winners were the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina.
UPEI will try again next time. The director of athletics, Ron Annear, (1.11.6,4.1.4.) said there is no doubt that UPEI is looking forward to bidding again at the next opportunity.
UPEI, which has hosted the event once before, was in a tough struggle this time, bidding against four Western Conference schools.
“We were going hard after 2009 so that we could host in the same year as the Canada Games and it would be the 40th anniversary of the university,” Ron told Don Morrison of The Guardian.
“Disappointed yes, but very impressed with the quality of the bid that we put forward and the level of professionalism by Wayne Long and Brian Chambers in putting together a great bid package.”
“What we did was put our best package together and it was a tremendous package, one that was well received but at the same time when you have five bids moving forward, and no doubt all five were quality bids, only one can win. In this case it was a split one.”
The Vere Beck Family Home Page
The Marfleet 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
That's it for this edition .. please share it with relatives who aren't on line. The next edition will be out on October 1st.
Copyright © 2006 The Beck Bulletin
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