THE BECK BULLETIN

Number 53 October 1, 2007

REUNION PLANS FALLING INTO PLACE

Planning got off to a shaky start this year. Jim and Barbara Beck (1.4.6.6.1.) spent a week on the Island in mid-summer and couldn't find many people to help organize the event. They went home feeling disappointed and were prepared to settle for a scaled down reunion. But after a few days Jim got busy on the computer and soon the e-mails were flying and he had lined up a committee to help with the Reunion. Next he drew up a detailed plan for the approval of the committee. It was accepted with only one or two minor changes.
The Reunion will be a two-day affair on Friday and Saturday, August 1 and 2. Friday will be devoted to an open house at the Murray Harbour Community Centre. Jim and Barb Beck will be there all day along with other members of the committee. Activities will include registration; meet cousins; meet the speaker, Clive Killick and his wife; share new family information; purchase books, and CD’s, and see a showing of pictures of relatives and past reunions, etc. There could also be hobby displays of ceramics, wood carvings, and miniature boats. These items would be moved to the Rink on Saturday.
The afternoon would be much the same but might include an auction of items of interest to Beck family members. Evening activities could include a lobster supper for those interested, or a clam bake on the beach.
Saturday morning will be free time to visit cemeteries, and lighthouses, or go on a seal watching tour. At 2 p.m. people arrive at the Northumberland Arena and register in preparation for the afternoon activities. After that there will be time for greeting and mingling with cousins, viewing tables with displays, and buying CDs, and books.
The main program will get underway at 3:00 p.m. with simultaneous activities for children between 3 and 12 years of age. Ron Harris will be the M.C. and Clive Killick, a distant relative from England, is to be the speaker.
Dinner will be available from 5 to 6:30.
The final event gets underway at 7 p.m. with group singing, announcements of future plans, and a drawing for the door prize. Now a few questions for your consideration.
1. Would you be willing to serve on a committee for the 2008 Reunion?
2. Do you have any suggestions for the program? Are there any items that you would particularly like to see included?
3. Would you like to have some sort of memento such as a tee shirt available, bearing in mind that it would mean extra cost?
3. Do you have any pictures of relatives or samples of hobbies that you are willing to display?
4. We need to have some idea regarding the possible attendance. Do you think that there is a 50% or more chance that you will come to the Reunion? If so, how many will be coming with you?
5.We would appreciate a response to any or all of these questions plus any other comments you may have. You can send your response to Jim Beck, beck@msu.edu

RAISING AWARENESS OF WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

Paul Vienneau (1.4.3B.7.2.2.1B,) of Stratford, P.E.I., is a busy man. He is a husband, a professional musician, a private music teacher, a photographer and he does it all from a wheelchair. And for the past year he's been a wheelchair athlete playing basketball in his spare time. He's been in a wheelchair for the past 16 years since he lost his left leg and received spinal injuries in a highway accident.
One of his heroes is Rick Hansen who raised $26 million for spinal cord injuries with his Man In Motion wheelchair trek.
Paul organized a wheelchair basketball tournament to benefit the Rick Hansen Foundation.It was a three-on-three tournament held on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Birchwood intermediate school in Charlottetown.
In an e-mail interview Paul said, “My team, drawn from the PEI Mustangs wheelchair basketball team acted as the "home team," and did not compete for the trophy.
There were three “away” teams from sponsors Scotiabank, St. Peter's Road branch, K-ROCK- Ocean 100 and the Friendly Pharmacy. The games were 15 minutes in length. The Mustangs scored between 24 and 30 points a game while the sponsors scores were Scotiabank 6 points, Friendly Pharmacy 4 points, and K-ROCK/Ocean 4 points. There was a shootout to see who would play Scotiabank for the plaque. K-ROCK/Ocean won the shootout, but Scotiabank won the trophy. Paul said they are not sure how much money was raised. No total yet, but the money comes from: Scotiabank had a barbeque Friday Sept. 21 from 11-2pm in their parking lot. They will match the money from this, as well as from donations at the door for the Sept. 22 tourney. Friendly Pharmacy is going to donate 25 cents from every prescription filled in the week before the game. Hopefully we'll make a couple thousand dollars when all is said and done.
Paul said the money goes to the Rick Hansen Foundation, and much of it will be used in PEI for things like specialized sporting equipment for people with disabilities, awareness programs such as the Ambassador program, curb cuts, and accessible entrances.
Asked his reaction to the tournament, Paul wrote, “I was really impressed that the teams came to play, and talked 'trash' before, during and after the games! I wanted to show everyone that wheelchair basketball is a pure sport, playable by the disabled and able-bodied on an equal playing field. I believe we showed the high level of athleticism possible by people who are disabled, while putting on an entertaining and informative program."
As for the future, Paul says, “I'd like to open this event up to 2 days next year, involving provincial schools and UPEI on one day and local businesses on the next. I think the interest is there to make this an annual event."

THE WINNING STREAK IS OVER

For the first time in his racing career Maple Leaf Noble has tasted defeat. Many race fans in the Maritimes felt the only way that would ever happen was if he beat himself.
He did just that on Tuesday night, Sept. 5, at the Charlottetown Driving Park. Maple Leaf Noble went off stride coming out of the starting gate and ended up well behind the pack and was 15 lengths back at the quarter pole.
West River Q T won the race in 2:01.2 for trainer/driver Clare MacDonald. Dunmore Alpha driven by Teddy Smallwood was a length back in second, and Maple Leaf Noble was 6 1/2 lengths back in third.
Maple Leaf Noble is owned by driver/trainer Ralph Annear (1.11.6,4.1.) and his grandson, Jack Panting, both of Montague.
Entering the race on September 5, Maple Leaf Noble was the winner of all of his 27 lifetime starts, and was closing in on the Canadian record for most consecutive wins. He already owns the Maritime record for most consecutive wins, and was just three wins short of tieing the Canadian record.

BIRTHS

BECK: Alisa Danielle Panton and Ryan Stewart Beck (1.11.8.3.4.3.) announce the birth of their daughter on June 18, 2007.
Cassandra (Cassie) May Beck was born at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown.
MACNEILL: April Scott (1.4.2.3.10,1A,1,2,) and Aaron MacNeill (1.12,6,1.2,4.1.) announce the birth of their first child, Ava Isabella MacNeill, on December 20, 2006, at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown. The family lives in Glen William, P.E.I.
The proud grandparents are Joe and Kathy Scott of Alliston, and Everett and Dorothy MacNeill of Beach Point.

MARRIED

SCOTT: Thomas CARL Scott (1.4.2.3.10,1A,1,3.) and ERIN Lynn Steeves were married at the groom's home in Alliston, P.E.I. on Friday, August 24, 2007. Carl is the son of Joe and Kathy Scott and Erin is the daughter of Pastor Paul and Colleen Steeves of Albert Mines, New Brunswick.
They had originally planned to be married on the beach at Panmure Island but due to rain they held it in Alliston in a large tent that was ready as a backup. After the wedding the bridal party went to Montague and took some picture in the gazebo on the waterfront.
There was a reception and dance later in the tent.
An interesting part of the story is that the Scotts live in the home once owned by Vere Beck (1.4.3.) and where he started his monument business.
As Kathy put it, “It was really nice having the wedding here on the old Vere Beck property.”

DEATHS

BEATON: Roy Beaton (1.4.2.2,5,1.) died at his home in Waltham, Massachusetts, on August 18, 2007, at the age of 82. He was born in Massachusetts, but grew up in Prince Edward Island. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Audrey Eileen (Irving) and their children, Forrest Beaton of P.E.I., Douglas Beaton and his wife Judy of West Newton, Bonnie Matthews and her husband Jeff of Marshfield, and Nancy MacDonald and her husband Robert of Marshfield. Other survivors include grandchildren Gina Beaton, Forrest Beaton and his wife Cathy MacFarlane all of P.E.I., Michael and Elizabeth Beaton both of Watertown, Paul Beaton of Wellesley, Steven and Ryan Matthews both of Marshfield, Jennifer Matthews of East Bridgewater, and Darlene MacDonald of Marshfield, as well as a great grandson, Alexander Beaton of P.E.I.
Roy was born in Malden in 1925, son of the late Forrest and Sibyl (Munn) Beaton. His parents had moved to the United States a year earlier, and his father got a job with the Hood Rubber Company in Watertown. A second child, Jean, was born in 1927. About this time Forrest left the rubber plant and went to work for a pipefitter in Roxbury.
Forrest lost his job during the great depression and the family moved back to Peters Road, P.E.I., in 1930 and lived with his parents. Jobs were scarce there too and Forrest worked at whatever was available.
During this time Roy was enjoying the country life and the wide open spaces of his grandfather's farm. He attended the local school and grew to love the Island and its relaxed way of life.
When the war broke out in 1939, Forrest went to Halifax and got a job at the Shipyards as a pipefitter. The rest of the family followed a few months later and eventually found a house to rent in the north-end of the city.
Roy was 15 by then and as the manpower shortage grew, he was able to find work at the Shipyards too.
In 1943 his father drowned after the workboat he was on was hit and sunk by a freighter in Halifax harbour.
When the war ended in 1945 Roy moved back to P.E.I. and went to work for his Uncle Joe Munn who was in the trucking business. At first he was a helper on the truck, but later Joe got a second truck and Roy took over the old one. They hauled farm produce to Nova Scotia and brought back coal and other cargo needed by Islanders.
In 1947 Roy and Eileen Irving were married. They continued to live on the Island until 1952 when they decided to head back to the Boston area for better job opportunities. They settled in Waltham and Roy went to work as a mechanic in a Ford dealership, a job he held until he retired.
They never forgot the Island though, and made regular trips back every summer. Their children loved these visits too and continued to join their parents for the annual two week trip “home.” Roy was an avid trout fisherman and he spent many hours at fishing spots on the Island. A stroke a few years ago slowed him down somewhat but he still managed to bring home the trout.
This year was the first time in many years that he wasn't up to his regular vacation on the Island.
Despite his illness he found a new hobby when he got a computer. His children and grandchildren coached him and he worked diligently at it learning all he could. He was still working at the computer up until a day or two before he died.
A funeral service was held for him in Waltham on Aug. 22, and then the family took him home to Peters Road where he is buried near his parents and grandparents.
DOUGAN: Martha Jane Dougan (1.4.1,2A.1,2.4,2,) of Eldon died suddenly at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Charlottetown on Tuesday, Sept. 4, 2007. She was 17 and collapsed and died of a blood clot while showing her younger brother around the high school in Montague. She had undergone knee surgery a few days earlier.
She is survived by her parents, David and Mary Ellen Dougan, and a younger brother, Sam. She was also survived by grandparents Howard and Hazel (MacKenzie) Davies, and Patrick Dougan as well as by many aunts, uncles and cousins. She was predeceased by her infant sister, Emma, and by her grandmother, Sophia Dougan.
The funeral service was held at St. John's Presbyterian Church, Belfast, with interment in the Belfast Cemetery.

MACKINNON: Ronald L. MacKinnon (1.6B.5.2.6,1B.)of Charlottetown died peacefully at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on Wednesday, Sept. 19, 2007. He was 57 years old. He is survived by his wife, Gloria, (nee Rose)and children Shane (Amanda), Charla Campbell (Nicholas) Rebecca Gill (Anthony) and granddaughter, Kayla.
The Parkdale-Sherwood Lions held a service of remembrance at the Belvedere funeral home on Friday evening at 6:15 p.m. The funeral service was held in the funeral home chapel on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Interment followed in Floral Hills Memorial Gardens.
MACLEOD: Margaret June MacLeod (1.11.8.2,5,) died at the Atlantic Baptist Home in Charlottetown on August 11, 2007. She was 71 and a resident of Uigg. She is survived by sons Malcolm, and Barry (Kelly), and daughters Shirley (Blair), and Donna (Rob).
She was the grandmother of Kaden, Austin, Dylan, Nicole, and Maggie. She is also survived by four brothers and a sister as well as many nieces and nephews. The funeral service was held Tuesday, August 14,from St. Andrew's United Church, in Vernon. Interment in the Orwell Head Cemetery.
MACNEILL: Edna Eileen (Glover) MacNeill (1.4.9,2,4.) of Beach Point died in the Montague Hospital on Sunday, Sept. 16, 2007. She was 84. She is survived by her husband, Gerald MacNeill, and children Ralph (Betty), Ruth (Bill) Chandler, Danny (Valerie), Geraldine (Eldon) MacKay and Joan (Dwight) MacKay. She is also survived by grandchildren Cathy (John) Stewart, Jeffrey Chandler; Stephen, Gordon (Krystal) and Christine MacKay; Scott (Sarah), Gerald (Sandra) and Danielle MacNeill (Jon Weinkauf); Bradley MacKay (Melissa Acorn) and Melissa (Anthony) Guindon, and great-grandchildren Tyler and Evan Stewart, Carter and Malorie MacNeill and Kaydence MacKay.
She was predeceased by her parents, Robert and Blanche Glover, and a daughter, Mary. The funeral service was held in the chapel of Ferguson's Funeral Home in Montague on Wednesday, Sept. 19, with interment in the Beach Point Cemetery.

DEPUTY MINISTER TAKES LEAVE OVER INCIDENT IN BAR

A senior civil servant in the P.E.I. government is on indefinite leave after "inappropriately touching" a member of the legislative assembly. Rory Beck (1.4.3B.7.3.5.) joined the Liberal government in late June shortly after it took office. Premier Robert Ghiz personally recruited Rory to be his senior deputy minister, responsible for the Health department and chairman of the deputies' committee.
Cynthia Dunsford, MLA for Stratford-Kinlock, complained the "inappropriate behaviour" happened in July at the Olde Dublin Pub, a popular tavern less than a block from the P.E.I. legislature. She would not disclose the nature of the "inappropriate behaviour' but sources confirm it involved "touching."
The member complained to the Premier's Office, and the chief of staff looked into the matter and reprimanded Rory. That appeared to be the end of it.
However, hours before the story was set to go public on Sept. 25, Rory contacted the Premier's Office and asked to be placed on indefinite leave so he could seek treatment. In a letter to the editor of The Guardian on Sept. 28, Rory said, “I am truly sorry for the harm I have caused.” He added, “I have had personal problems for some time that I have not addressed, and I have not behaved in ways that I am at all proud of, either as a public official or as a person. This has not been a recent problem, but is one that has followed me for some time.”

A LIFETIME ON THE NORTHUMBERLAND STRAIT

If there were awards for the most trips made to Nova Scotia, Capt. David White (1.4.6.7,1.2.) would be a contender. After 42 years with Northumberland Ferries there are few people who could match his record for crossings between Wood Islands, P.E.I. and Caribou, N.S. In a feature article in The Halifax Chronicle Herald David told reporter Tom Peters that as long as he can remember, he's been associated with the ferry service. That's because his father, Lester White, before him served many years as a captain on the ferries.
As a young boy, David often travelled on the ferry with his father, who began working for the service in 1948. Lester introduced his sons David and LeMoyne (a captain on the Holiday Island, a second ferry on the service) to the business.
David went to work for Northumberland Ferries at 17, first in a ferry galley and then up on deck. Later he went to marine school and earned his certification for various positions, and he became master in 1972. He now is captain of the Confederation which was built in 1993, and can carry up to 215 cars and about 600 passengers on the 22-kilometre trip across the Northumberland Strait. Last year the ferry service carried about 400,000 passengers, 150,000 passenger vehicles and 20,000 commercial trucks.
Northumberland Ferries Ltd., based in Charlottetown, has been operating the marine link between eastern P.E.I. and northern Nova Scotia since it was established by the federal government in 1941. But the future of the service is uncertain. It's heavily subsidized by the federal government and with the opening of the Confederation Bridge ten years ago Ottawa could pull the plug at any time.
Locally, he says, there is a political will to keep the ferry service operating but federally he is not so sure what will happen when the present subsidy package expires in 2010.
Meanwhile David will continue to guide Confederation back and forth across the Northumberland Strait. At the age of 60, he feels he still has a few years left before retirement.

A NEW LOOK FOR ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SPORT

Atlantic University Sport is changing its look with the aim of becoming the most enticing intercollegiate conference in Canada. It introduced the new look in early September during an inter-regional video news conference linking Charlottetown, Halifax, Moncton and Sydney.
Dr. David Murphy of St. Mary's in Halifax, the president of the AUS, said the new mission and mandate is to be the number one destination for student athletes.
Ron Annear, (1.11.6,4.1.4.) director of athletics at UPEI, said with the leadership being shown at the Atlantic University Sport level, the next goal is for each member institution to take hold and drive their own brand.
The new logo will begin appearing at sports venues throughout the region this fall. It incorporates a torch, a traditional symbol of education and higher learning, and a wave, representing the Atlantic Ocean.
“The entire logo, the look, energy and vibrancy of it is very strong and we’re very excited about what it means to Atlantic University Sport,” Ron said. He added, “we want to be the best conference in the country and an attraction for any student-athlete in the world. It is a very strong comment and one that we stand behind.”
In January, the conference will launch a comprehensive student-athlete focused publication to be distributed to over 20,000 students four times a year.

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 December 1, 2007.