MINUTES
OF WISCONSIN MANX SOCIETY, INC.
- October 23,
2005
When
the Wisconsin Manx Society, Inc. met at Midvale Church in Madison on October 23rd,
Willard Reese and Charlotte Ravenscroft, our oldest and youngest members were
among the 34 in attendance. After an opportunity to renew acquaintances and
socialize during registration, our President encouraged some self-introductions
and sharing with the entire group while eating our catered lunch.
In
her presentation, which preceded the business meeting, our member and
nationally known storyteller, Joan Gill helped us realize the past and present
importance of Manx women. In the past, they did more than what we might
consider “the work of housewives and mothers” but also the necessary
maintenance of home and fields while husbands were often fishing or “at sea”
for other purposes. Wise and nurturing, Manx women became necessarily resourceful
and learned to cope under very difficult circumstances. In a superstitious
culture, it was inevitable that those who worked with herbal cures should
sometimes be blamed for poor health or misfortune and fall into disfavor as
witches. Punishment ranged from imprisonment to public embarrassment. As the result of inheritance, Manx women
became property owners and received the right to vote in 1878. They have held
responsible positions in government; and have been active in the arts, and
health and environmental causes.
TREASURER’S
REPORT –
Balance 10/23/05 - $1177.87
Receipts
since 4/24/05 $550.00 and expenses of
$725.03 account for a decrease of $175.03 since the Spring 2005 meeting. Joan
itemized expenses, which included those for the Laxey picnic, Newsletter, and
an ad in the International Celtic Women’s Conference Program.
VICE
PRESIDENT, Judy
Bonnet has already made plans with the caterer for our Spring luncheon, but
asks that members make greater effort to reserve early and not wait ‘til the
last minute.
LIBRARIAN, Norma Bircher is concerned
about two IOM maps, which are missing from the WMS Library. Since the check-out
card wasn’t left at the table, she has no way of notifying the borrower. If
found, please mail to Norma Bircher, 2643 10th Avenue, Monroe, WI
53566. Members are reminded that all library materials should be checked out
appropriately with the cards provided.
NAMA TRUSTEE, Joyce Benjamin’s article about the Wisconsin Manx
was printed in the Manx Steam Packet publication A copy of the magazine is now in our
library. Joyce is already involved in the planning for the NAMA ’06 Convention which will be in San Diego
beginning August 26. Convention rates at
the Bahia Resort are very reasonable for the luxury and location it affords.
We’re advised to plan early to attend. The Star of India, Manx-built sailing
ship is expected to be a big attraction
OLD
BUSINESS
The President reported on the Laxey picnic.
The entire day went quite smoothly and we were grateful for the use of the
Linden Church and Fellowship Hall. The history of the Little Manx Church on the
Hill, as presented by Mae Reese was an appropriate inclusion in the Church
Service and the Pastor has shown interest in our history. Mae was thanked again for representing us in
the lectern. The Jean Robertson Memorial funded the Bagpiper, Andy Willett,
whose music added a wonderful dimension to the entire day. The Laxey “picnic” was appreciated by those
in attendance. Georgene, chief organizer, was grateful for the help of other
members. Special efforts had been made by Callin descendents to “tidy-up” the
cemetery. Laxey Committee paid for labor to paint the shelter with paint,
donated by Roselyn Voights. Expenses for cemetery cleanup and a gratuity for
use of the Linden church hall were paid from WMS Treasury. Discussion of the
care of the stones brought questions about recording and reporting the
information from the inscriptions. Stone rubbings were made at the ’82 Laxey
Picnic. Dorrie Alff remembers
hand-carrying the rubbings and photos taken by Mary Kelly to the Manx Family
History Society in 1984. There is a printed Laxey Cemetery Record with birth
and burial dates of the Manx persons buried there. A copy is now in the hands
of the Secretary, who will make several copies to place on file and be
available upon request.
President,
Georgene carried the Manx flag in the opening procession of the Celtic
Women’s Conference in Milwaukee on October 20th. A WMS ad
was placed in their bulletin.
Brief Reports on the ‘05 Homecoming were given by those who attended. It
sounds like we all “should have been there”! Tynwald Day was especially
impressive with our member, Bob Kelly, Honorary President of NAMA and Brad
Prendergast, NAMA President participating in the ceremonies.
Members
agreed that Georgene should explore the possibility of planning a day next
summer for cemetery clean-up and maintenance and a simple meal for sustenance
and fellowship. She was asked to check with the Laxey Committee and Linden
church in order to bring a plan and date to the April 2006 meeting.
Motion
that Andy Willett be presented with an Honorary WMS Membership and named
“Official Piper of the Wisconsin Manx Society”. Moved by D. Alff, Seconded
by Benjamin, Passed unanimously.
Mary
Kelly, in
response to a request for Wisconsin Manx lapel pins, suggested that
Erffmeyer and Sons in Milwaukee might be contacted to purchase a new supply.
A
UW Platteville Museum Committee, of which Mary Kelly is a member has offered the NAMA and
Wisconsin Manx the opportunity to help develop a Manx Museum room, which could
be a museum and repository for “all things Manx” that are now stored in the
homes of NAMA and WMS members. After discussion of some of the conditions and
implications of the proposed plan, a motion carried that the Secretary write a
letter for the President to send to James Hibbard, University Archivist, accepting
the offer to place historical records, manuscripts and artifacts of WMS in the
care of the Southwest Wisconsin Room and eventually in the new museum (Luce
Center), as presented in his letter of
October 21, 2005. Representatives from WMS are willing to work out the
details of the agreement with members of the UWP Museum Committee.
It is possible that sometime after our
artifacts and manuscripts are part of a “collection” in the museum , UW
Platteville might be a good location for
a NAMA Convention. Locations for Conventions are usually chosen by the NAMA 1st
VP. One of our members might be nominated to serve as 3rd VP
of NAMA with that possibility in mind for the year 2010 or later.
NEXT
MEETING – APRIL 23, 2006 M. Kelly hopes to share a new
Isle of Man DVD
Respectfully
Submitted, Doris J. Alff , Recording Secretary