Number 67 February 1, 2010
NEW PEI POLITICAL PARTY
It appears that history is repeating itself. A new political party is being formed in PEI that has a lot in common with an earlier movement. Back in the 1830s political unrest over land reform led to the formation of the Escheat Party with the leadership coming from Kings County. Our ancestor, Vere Beck, (1.) was one of the leaders of the group. Now efforts are underway to establish the Island Party to try a new approach to provincial politics. The party has eight founding members, five of them from Kings County, including one Beck descendant.
George Ferguson (1.4.4,11A.2.2.) of Murray River is one of the founders. He has been calling for more support for the rural areas of the province. He and the other members stress the importance of sustaining rural PEI. They say the current government is only concerned with Charlottetown.
The Island Party says it wants to change the way Islanders think about politics. Rather than living by party values that are set in stone, the members say they are keen to figure out what residents want from their government and then try to deliver.
The Party has named an interim leader and will soon register for official status. Jay Gallant of Cape Egmont in Prince County was selected interim leader just prior to Christmas during a meeting of the founding members. He said he agreed to take on the post because he won’t be running for the leadership.
“We are getting close to the 400 names needed to be officially registered as a party,” Mr. Gallant said. He said that goal should be reached by mid-February, and then a membership drive will begin to gather delegates from across the province to hold a full convention in September.
The group has named a contact person in each county. George Ferguson is the Kings County representative.
BOWERS AN ALL-STAR
Justin Bowers made team history when he became the first member of the Allen Americans to be named to participate in the Central Hockey League All-Star game. And he wasn't just a team member. He was selected a member of the starting line-up.
The starters were picked by league head coaches, communications departments and select media members from CHL cities. The Allen Americans are a new member of the league, having just joined last fall. A second Allen American, Bruce Graham, was added later.
The game was played in Laredo, Texas, on January 13, with the CHL All-Stars facing off against a South Texas All-Star team. The South Texas skaters defeated the CHL team 9-4, and out-shot them 63-37. Justin and Bruce assisted on one of the CHL goals.
In regular season play, Justin has been the star of the team. He leads the Americans in scoring with 17 goals and 37 assists for 54 points in 39 games. That output placed him third in scoring in the league. And his work has not gone unnoticed. In late January he was called up by the Abbotsford Heat of the AHL. The British Columbia team is the AHL affiliate of the Calgary Flames.
Graphic Editor Makes News
A home owned by Heather Moore, (1.4.2.3.7,1,2,) editor of The Eastern Graphic, was badly damaged by fire in late December. The Deputy Provincial Fire Marshal, David Rossiter, said the fire was electrical and probably was caused by a vacuum cleaner left plugged in in the bathroom.
The bathroom of the two storey log home was destroyed and the north wall of the structure was badly damaged by intense heat and smoke.
Heather left for work around 7:30 on Tuesday morning, December 29, and discovered the damage when she arrived home about 8:00 pm. She had used the vacuum before leaving for work and left it plugged in.
"You could smell the smoke and burned wood when I got out of my car," Heather said.
"The heat inside was extreme and everything was black and covered with soot."
She salvaged some furniture but most of her possessions were destroyed.
"It was so hot upstairs my clothes melted," Heather said. "All that was left were threads hanging from hangars." A television, which was also on the second floor, melted in the intense heat. A VCR and two DVD players which were alongside the TV were also destroyed.
The Murray River Fire Department responded to the call and said the fire burned itself out because the house was so air tight. Fire Chief Troy Ferguson (1.4.4,1.5.4.1.) said,"There was no air to feed the fire."
Troy said if Heather had returned home in the afternoon conditions inside may have created a much more serious situation. "If she had opened the front door she could have been blown out to the road."
Heather built the house herself and moved into it in August 1991. She is now renting a place in Murray River while negotiating with her insurance company about what to do next.
A WORLD CLASS GOLF DESTINATION
If you're looking for an outstanding golfing vacation, you would have to go a long way to find a better spot than Prince Edward Island. It was ranked by those who know as one of the top six finalists for Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year. The decision came at the International Golf Tourism Marketplace in Spain last November.
Barry MacLeod, (1.11.8.2,5,1.) the Chief Operating Officer of Golf PEI, attended the meeting and said the award was based on votes by international golf tour operators and golf writers. The convention draws together buyers from around the world to meet with exhibitors ranging from golf resorts and courses to tourist boards, airlines and ground transport handlers. He said the meeting is a unique opportunity for specialized buyers and suppliers of golf related products to present, discuss and define industry trends, develop business opportunities and reach the world’s 50 million players.
Barry added, “It is connections made at these shows that continue to reinforce PEI’s position as Canada’s #1 Golf Destination.”
This past summer Golf PEI hosted 14 International Association of Golf Tour Operators for its summer Super familiarization tour. It was the first visit to PEI for those participating.
The winner of the Undiscovered Golf Destination of the Year was Brazil.
THE GREAT PICTURE MYSTERY
Over-the-transom, under-the-door, or in a plain brown envelop? Well, not quite that mysterious. It arrived in my snail-mail-box on January 21, 2010 in a plain white, business-size envelope. It was unsealed, and there was no return address, or any identifying marks on it.
I took the picture out and recognized my great uncle, Hubert Beck, (1.4.2.4.) his wife and three children. I turned it over and on the back it said: Hubert Beck, his wife Bessie MacNeil, Lillian, Dwina and Elizabeth. Whoa! Who is Elizabeth? I don't remember an Elizabeth among the 11 children in the family. Sheila had been studying the picture when she spotted a fourth child. A babe-in-arms who blended right into the background of his mother's white gown.
I grabbed my copy of the Beck listings in an effort to identify Elizabeth. I zipped down the list, but didn't spot her. Then I looked more carefully and found her. Elizabeth was Dwina's second name. So who were these children? The listings show the four oldest as Lillian, Dwina, Boswell, and Vernon. While I'm doing this Sheila is studying the postmark and discovers a postal code that indicates the letter was mailed from the Gladstone Street post office in Halifax. But why wasn't the letter sealed? Further inspection showed it was a self-sealing envelop, but the protective seal had not been removed and so it had not closed. Perhaps there had been a note inside that fell from the open envelope.
I've got an idea of who may have sent it but will probably never know for sure. Hube's granddaughter, Elizabeth (Beck) Garswood, (1.4.2.4.10.3,) who lives in Ontario, has been digging into her family history and contacting relatives in Nova Scotia. I think this prompted one of them to send this picture to me. The photo is about 95 years old. Vernon was born in April, 1914, and he appears to be only a few months old at the time. It was probably taken late in 1914, and probably in Uncle Hube's home in Murray River.
My Aunt Sibyl (Munn) Beaton (1.4.2.2,5,) told me many years ago that she believed the first five children were born in Murray River. Thelma, the fifth child, was born in November, 1915, and Alma was born in May, 1918. Uncle Hube owned a schooner at that time named the E.D. Myra and sometime between 1915 and 1918 he put the family and their belongings aboard and sailed to their new home in New Glasgow, N.S.
BELFAST FOLK HISTORY PUBLISHED
The Belfast Historical Society recently held a successful launch of its latest publication. It's titled, Keepsakes and Memories: Our Belfast. The book recalls the origins of Belfast and the highlights of daily events and the people.
It was the brainchild of the late Kenneth Emery (1.4.4,4.2,1.) of Wood Islands who was very active in community affairs, as well as a student of local history. The book is dedicated to his memory.
It contains stories of life in Belfast, including old clippings, maps and photographs.
The material was assembled by Dr Mary Ross and the late Dr Hesta MacDonald and was edited by Susan Hornby.
Saundra Emery, widow of Kenneth, attended the launch. Copies are available for $20 each.
Ken died in November, 2008. He was honoured posthumously by the Acadian Museum Association of Miscouche and by Island Scots, with the Caledonian Award. As president of the Belfast Historical Society he did much to preserve the memory of French and Scottish settlers of the area.
POSSIBLE HEALTH PROBLEM
Members of the Beck family could be at risk of dangerous complications following surgery. The problem is an enzyme deficiency in some people. We have been told that at least two family members, John Beck (1.4.2.4.10) and his niece both ended up in intensive care following surgeries a few years ago.
It was discovered that they were lacking an enzyme called pseudocholinesterase. People who have this abnormality may be sensitive to certain anesthetic drugs, including various muscle relaxants. The problem is hereditary. The effects on the patient vary, depending on the drug given, but the usual result is prolonged paralysis of the respiratory muscles. If the patient is kept on a respirator until normal breathing function returns, there is little risk of harm.
A simple blood test prior to surgery can determine whether you're at risk. You should raise the issue with your doctor to be on the safe side.
At this point we have no idea how widespread the problem may be. It could be confined to one narrow branch of the family, or it could be more widespread. If you have heard of any similar cases, please let us know so we can trace the lines involved.
FUND RAISING FOR SUMMER SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Efforts are underway to raise money to support P.E.I. athletes heading for the Special Olympics National Games in London, Ontario in July.
Kings County athletes taking part in the national competition include Alyssa Chapman (1.2,2.6.1,3,1.2,) and Amie Sullivan in swimming, Roseanne Donahoe, bowling, and Lorne Blackett, track and field. Alyssa is a veteran of many sports meets at both the provincial and national levels.
The Kings County branch of the PEI Special Olympics held a benefit hockey game on December 27 in Montague. The “home” team was made up of mostly Special Olympics volunteers, as well as Zach Bell (1.4.6.5,3.6,2.) of K-Rock 105.5 FM radio and Kevin Stonefield of Montague.
There was a 50/50 draw and a puck toss during the game. There was also a silent auction featuring an autographed jersey from Travis McIsaac of the Victoriaville Tigers, and an autographed hockey stick from Brandon Gormley of the Moncton Wildcats.
Michelle Chapman, Kings County co-ordinator, said the four local athletes are among 31 from PEI who will compete. She said a total of $68,000 must be raised to cover the cost of attending the six-day event. The meet is a qualifier for a world competition in Athens, Greece.
GARNET SUPPORTS THE CAUSE
The Wood Islands and Area Development Corporation held a Christmas Ceilidh at the Plough the Waves Centre in December. Garnet Buell & The Singing Islanders headlined the line-up of talent. It was described as an evening of snacks and music.
There was also a raffle with three prizes of hampers stuffed with Christmas related goodies donated by local businesses.
Mary Elliott, Administrator for the Wood Islands and Area Development Corporation said over 300 tickets were sold for the draw. Admission to the Ceilidh was $5 or a food bank donation, and all the money is earmarked to support local causes.
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 April 1, 2010. 
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