THE BECK BULLETIN

Number 60 December 1, 2008

TRIBUTE TO AN OUTSTANDING CITIZEN

He was a long-serving volunteer fireman, family man, and an outstanding member of the community.
Alvin Ferguson of Murray River (1.4.4,1.5.4.) died in hospital in Charlottetown on October 9, at the age of 61. He was a member of the Murray River Volunteer Fire Department for 40 years, and was chief for half of that time. He was Fire Chief from 1976 to 1979 and again from 1991 to 2008. David MacDonald of The Eastern Graphic covered the story in a lengthy article in the weekly.
There was a large turnout for the funeral service with representatives from the Murray River, Murray Harbour, Montague, Georgetown and Cardigan Fire Departments,the Fire Marshal’s office, and representatives from many trucking companies that Alvin worked with over the years.
The funeral procession, including four fire trucks and a number of tractor trailers, stretched for more than a mile as it made its way from Ferguson’s Funeral Home in Montague to the Murray River Cemetery.
Former firefighters as well as present members recalled Alvin’s work in building up the fire department.
Rankin Keenan was a firefighter when Alvin joined in 1967 when the Murray River department was much smaller. Rankin said Alvin spearheaded efforts to get more trucks and equipment.
Scott Johnston, a current member of the fire department, said Alvin was part of the effort nearly 20 years ago to find a larger building to house the department. After much fund raising, a former feed mill was bought by the fire department and expanded.
Scott said, “The department is what it is mainly because of Alvin and his dedication. It’s the reason morale was so high.”
Fire fighting was shared by generations of the Ferguson family. Alvin’s father Jack was once Fire Chief, while Alvin’s son Troy is currently deputy chief. He and Assistant Chief Darren Gormley are currently acting chiefs until an election of officers sometime in the future.
By day, Alvin was a trucker, working for a number of local companies including Morley Annear Ltd, Carver’s, and AE MacKay & Sons, where he had worked for the last ten years.
Eldon MacKay praised Alvin saying he was dedicated both to his job and his work with the fire department. “He’d get a fire call and wouldn’t get home till 3am, but he would be here at 7am to work.”

THERE ARE HARPS, AND THEN THERE ARE HARPS

Jill Harris of Murray Harbour (1.4.6.5,3.1.)is familiar with at least two types, the standard, upright instrument and the crystal glass type. This consists of a special set of crystal water, wine, port and brandy glasses partly filled with water. Mary MacKay of The Guardian wrote a long feature story on Jill and her harp glasses recently.

The glass instrument dates back to Renaissance times. Rubbing the rims of the glasses with wet fingers creates the sound.

“It sounds celestial,” Jill says. “A lot of instruments are directional but with this music the sound seems to be everywhere.”

Jill is very familiar with the sound of a regular harp, as she has been playing the instrument for quite some time. She says she was always interested in the harp, and when the opportunity arose 12 years ago she didn't hesitate. She set out to master the instrument and has been taking conservatory training at the University of Prince Edward Island.

Over the years Jill has played for Royal visitors and has given many public performances. At one of them she spoke of music, sound and unusual instruments, and told of hearing the glass harp being played in a European church when she was a child.

Then one night she received a telephone call from a Charlottetown woman, Mona Blado, saying she had a set of musical water glasses of which Jill had spoken. “She was moving to an apartment and could not take everything with her. So she needed to find a home for them and asked would I be interested.“
Jill went to see them and brought them home and started experimenting. “And I’ve played on them ever since,” she said.

They take about a good half hour to get tuned,” says Jill, who has marked each glass with its optimum fill-up line.

She has put on a number of public performances, one of which was attended by Ms Blado who got to hear her glass harp in musical action once again.

BOWERS LEADING THE BOMBERS

The career of a rookie hockey player can be rather uncertain. Justin Bowers (1.4.6.5,10,1,2.) turned professional this year after several outstanding years with Junior and University teams in New Brunswick. He attended the Florida Everblades training camp in September hoping to make the team, but before the regular season got underway Florida traded him to the Dayton Bombers.
While Justin was disappointed to be leaving Florida, he says it all turned out for the best. There's no doubt about that. He's getting lots of ice time, and his steady play and scoring touch sees him leading his team with 8 goals and 13 assists for 21 points. It also led to a feature article by Brian Compton, a staff writer for the website, NHL.com, under the heading of Comers.
Bill MacDonald, coach of the Dayton team, says of Justin, "He's got a good set of hands on him. He's one of these guys that when you look at the stats at the end of the game, he's got one assist, two assists or a goal and an assist ... he makes the smart plays when he has to." MacDonald added, "He's a good fit.. "He sees the ice very well and he's very smart with the puck. He's enjoyable to coach. He's got visions of playing at the next level."
Justin said, "Florida had a bunch of older veterans that were proven in the league. I was just trying to make a name for myself, so they really didn't have room for me. They kind of did me a favor rather than holding on to me and not playing me as much. They sent me to a team that needed me and was going to make me a better player."
Justin intends to work on his skating, which usually is the determining factor as far as promotions to the AHL are concerned.
Whether or not he gets a crack at the AHL this season remains to be seen. But if he continues to produce for the Bombers at this rate, there's no doubt that he'll receive a promotion at some point down the road.

SENIOR'S COMPLEX FOR MURRAY HARBOUR?

Plans are well advanced for a senior's home in Murray Harbour, even though the project still hasn't been given the green light by the province.
Wayne Harris, (1.4.6.5,3.1.) spokesman for the planning committee, said he is hopeful ground will be broken in the spring. He told David MacDonald of The Eastern Graphic that the facility would provide accomodation for seniors who are still independent and for those who would require some assistance. It would be open to Murray Harbour and Murray River and area seniors.
Architectural drawings are believed to be completed.
“We can’t start fundraising until we're sure the project is going to go,” Wayne said. “We don’t know how much we’d have to raise on our own or the involvement from the government. We’d look at all the resources available.”
The committee will establish a board of directors made up of members from Murray Harbour and the surrounding communities.
Government officials have met with the committee to discuss issues such as staffing numbers for the facility.
However, Allan Campbell, the Minister of Rural Development, said he wasn't prepared to make any commitments until the province’s report on a long-term care strategy is complete.

SEARCHING FOR A CHRISTMAS GIFT FOR A BECK RELATIVE?

We have exactly what you're looking for! CDs containing 5,370 Beck relatives, the most complete list of Vere Beck family members available. Just put the CD in your computer and browse to your hearts content.
It has been prepared by Kathie Sencabaugh, an expert on the genealogy of south eastern Prince Edward Island.
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 on whether you are in Canada or the USA.

Bloyce Beck (For the next six months his address will be:)
1507 – 1900 The Collegeway
Mississauga, ON
L5L 5Y8

James Beck
1935 Danbury W
Okemos, MI 48864
USA

BIRTHS

BELL: Thatcher Mathis Bell, born October 12, 2008. 8 lbs 7 ozs. He is the son of Thatcher (1.4.6.5,3.6,3.) and Nadea Bell.

PENNY: Aaron Elliot Johnston Penny, born July 28, 2008. 8 lbs 6ozs. He is the son of Aaron (1.4.1,3.7.1A.1.) and Tara (Johnston) Penny.

DEATHS

BECK: George Carrette Beck, (1.7.3.1B.5.) died at the Riverview Manor, Montague, on Tuesday, September 30, 2008. He was 86 and the husband of the late Mildred (Porter) Beck. They lived on the Commercial Road just outside Murray River on the way to Montague. Carrette was the father of George (Pat) Beck, of the Commercial Road.
He is survived by a brother, Oakland Beck, Dartmouth, N.S., and by many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents Ezra and Mabel (Dean) Beck and by sister Lulu Lowe and by brothers Horace, Waldo and Gordon.
Southern Kings and Queens Funeral Home, Murray River, handled arrangements with the funeral service on Saturday, October 4, 2008, at 2 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Interment in the Murray River Cemetery.

FERGUSON: Alvin Frederick Ferguson (1.4.4,1.5.4.) died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on Thursday, October 9, 2008. He was 61. He is survived by his wife, Dianne (Campbell) and his children Troy (Karri) and Karen (Steven) Glover. Other survivors include his grandchildren Taylor, Hailey, Logan and Colton, and his sisters Esther Mosher, Anne (Chester) MacLean and Rita (Johnny) Higginbotham.
Alvin was predeceased by his son Bradley, his parents Jack and Doris (MacLeod) Ferguson and by his brother-in-law, Maynard Mosher.
The funeral service was held from Ferguson's Funeral Home Chapel on Sunday, October 12 followed by interment in the Murray River Cemetery.

MACDONALD:Ivan Moar MacDonald (1.4.3A.3.2.) died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on Friday, October 24, 2008. He was 97. He is survived by his wife, Katherine “Kaye” (Beck) MacDonald and two sons and two daughters: Eric (Janet), Brackley; Alice (Barrie) Poole, Chatham, Ont.; Bill (Joan), Stratford; and Doris Herring, Roseneath.
He was the grandfather of Sheryl (Greg) Simmons, Wade (Laura), Brian of Stratford; Brent, Calgary; Devon, Roseneath; Dale, Calgary; and five great-grandchildren.
He was predeceased by his son-in-law, Merrill Herring; and by his brothers, Jim, Wilfred and Gordon. The funeral was held from Ferguson's funeral home chapel in Montague on Monday, Oct. 27. Interment followed in the Brudenell Cemetery.

MONTAGUE HORSEMAN HAS ANOTHER WINNER

Ralph Annear (1.11.6,4.1.) is back in the winner's circle again. This time it's with a 2-year-old pacing filly, Darko. Her latest win was on Saturday, November 1, when she won her third major Maritime stake in a row. Darko won 7 of the 12 races she entered this year and earned $56,500.

There is one difference this year. Ralph is no longer driving and has turned the reins over to Kenny Arsenault.

You'll remember that last year Ralph was burning up Maritime race tracks with Maple Leaf Noble. Last fall Ralph sold the trotter to American interests. Ralph said it was tough to see the horse go especially since his grandson, Jack Panting, was co-owner.

In 33 starts, Maple Leaf Noble earned more than $75,000 recording 31 wins and two third place finishes.

FASHION SHOW IN AID OF CURLING

The Montague Curling Club held a fashion show on Saturday, November 8, as a fund raiser. Shirley White of Charlottetown and Murray Harbour (1.12,2.2.5.) was one of 12 models taking part in the show. They modelled clothes from Belle's Boutique in Montague and footwear from Proud's Shoes in Charlottetown. Amanda Jackson of Aloe Den in Charlottetown and a resident of Montague handled makeup consultations.
Admission was $15 per person.
The Eastern Graphic weekly newspaper ran a picture of Shirley and another model, June Moyaert of Bellevue, looking over the clothes at Belle's Boutique in preparation for the show.
Many of you will remember Shirley and her husband, Murray, as they are regulars at the Beck Reunions.

ISLAND SCOTS HONOUR THE PATRON SAINT OF SCOTLAND

The annual St. Andrew's Dinner was held on Friday, November 28, at the Holy Redeemer Church Hall in Charlottetown. Events got underway at 6:30 with a musical interlude and a reception, which was followed by a roast beef dinner complete with a serving of haggis.
The head table guests were piped in, including Chief Cecil MacPhail, President John Bryanton, representatives of the Provincial Government, the City of Charlottetown and guest speaker Dr Michael Linkletter.
Dr Linkletter is a native of Summerside and is a professor in the Department of Celtic Studies at Saint Francis Xavier University in Antigonish, Nova Scotia.
One of the highlights was the presentation of an award for outstanding community service. This year the Caledonian - Island Petroleum Award was presented posthumously to Ken Emery,(1.4.4,4.2,1.) of Wood Islands. Ken was well known for his sense of humor and story telling. Much was accomplished under his guidance as President of the Belfast Historical Society.
The Caledonian Award has been sponsored for 11 years by the Island Petroleum Company.

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 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, 2009.

Site Meter

Copyright © 2008 The Beck Bulletin