MINUTES OF WISCONSIN MANX SOCIETY, INC

October 21, 2007

Midvale Community Lutheran Church

Members enjoyed informal greeting and conversation before being served a tasty buffet by our long-time caterer, T.J.’s of Sauk City. During lunch, Georgene invited those present to introduce themselves and guests, sharing information regarding special concerns and activities. They shared as follows:

Earl and Marian Mylrea reported the death of William Mylrea.

Andrew Ravenscroft and daughters, Charlotte and Olivia spoke of the 100^th anniversary of the TT Motorcycle Races on the Isle.

Mary Kelly explained about the Manx museum at Platteville “raising funds to furnish interactive exhibits”. The Manx are important there because the Laxey-Bloomfield area was settled very early. Mary also told about “Manx Marvel” tomatoes from the Isle, which she tried raising this summer with some success. She brought six packets of seeds, which she gave to interested members to raise this coming year. Her Platteville PO Box # is 53818 for those who want to contact her regarding the seeds.

Joan Wade Ogden would be interested in hearing from others with maiden name “Wade”.

Judy Schlueter’s father, Willard Reese is in assisted living at Covenant Hall in Oakwood Village, Madison. Mae Reese was unable to come today due to ill health.

Sally Dahlquist has learned that her grandfather, as a minister on the Isle, helped build the Tower in Peel. He was buried in the Tower when he died according to his wish. His congregation did not agree with this and had him disinterred and re-buried in their Methodist Churchyard. Relatives “dug him up again and had him again buried in the Tower”. Sally also spoke about the upcoming Manx Convention 2008 in Minnesota. A strong “kids agenda” is being planned. They will also have an exhibit of Minnesota Manx items collected by the James Ford Bell Library.

Joyce Benjamin who was accompanied by Grandson, Adam reported that she has learned from a native Sicilian that Sicily also uses the “three legs” symbol.

Judy Bonnet reports that she had a wonderful trip to the Isle in 2003 with Linda Parker and would like more information about the Isle “walks”.

Bill Wade expects to go again to the Isle next year with a friend.

William Brew, after farming at Wisconsin Dells for sixty years, has just sold his farm to the Kalahari Corp. They will preserve the farm, (one of the biggest in the state, with buildings built from home grown timber). It is very difficult to leave, since his parents settled there just after their marriage. Bill’s mother and father came from the Isle, going first to Panama and then to Wisconsin They went back to the Isle to be married before returning to homestead at Wisconsin Dells. Bill’s parents were members of WMS and we’ve heard many stories about their family and the farm.

Jean and Dann Willett moved to Oakwood Village a year ago. They are “satisfied” but still getting settled. Dann has been studying a genealogy chart on Cannells and discovering cousins.

Lawrence Skelly has contributed Manx gifts to be used for drawing prizes after the meeting

The Meeting was called to order and presided over by Georgene. There were approximately 22 in attendance. Jean Willett accompanied us on the piano for the singing of the Manx national anthem and Ellyn Vannin. Georgene introduced our member, Andrew Ravenscroft to speak on Manx Mythology.

Andrew wants to write children’s stories based on Manx mythology and has researched this extensively. Stories fall into four main categories: (1) those that explain something in nature, (2) about heroes (3) about monsters and (4) about fairies “themselves”. He gave a handout explaining more about this. If we are to buy only one book about Manx mythology, Andrew recommends “Manx Fairy Tales” by Sophia Morrison.

Andrew illustrated his talk with a number of Morrison’s tales and then delighted children and adults alike with his own story about a monster, in this case a “buggane”, complete with all appropriate expressions and voices. His audience assured him that he should continue with his writing and presentations.

Treasurer’s Report – Joan Ogden The balance at the last meeting on April 29, 2007 was $1,861. Receipts since, totaled $661. Checks voided because not cashed totaled $50, making a balance of $2572.91. Expenses totaled $454.36. $25 (for Cemetery plantings) was paid to the appropriate leader of the Bloomfield Buddies by the Birchers. Balance Oct. 21, 07 is $2,118.55. Donations included a $100 gift from Oneida Lindauer as a memorial for her husband, Melvin Lindauer.

Meal arrangements - Judy Bonnet reported that most people are making an effort to phone in meal reservations on time, very necessary for reporting correct attendance to the caterer.

Programs A suggestion for future programming would be reminiscences of previous NAMA conventions.

NAMA Trustee, Joyce Benjamin reports a discussion at the NAMA Board about a website. The mission of the website would be to connect Manxmen. This would be through a Webmaster in Washington, D.C. Joyce also gave the locations of the next two national conventions (after Minnesota in 2008): Denver in 2010 and Wisconsin in 2012. Joyce also reported that tourism is booming on the Isle.

WMS Library - A delegation met with Norma Bircher to ssort through our extensive library and decide what should be placed at the new Museum in Platteville. Much was placed in the Museum. Norma will still bring some of the remaining items to our meetings.

Laxey Cemetery - Georgene reported that work is needed in the cemetery to manage the growth of the trees there so that they do not disrupt the headstones.

Next WMS Meeting - April 20, 2008

Drawing for Gifts from Lawrence Skelly - Winners of Isle of Man items were Charlotte Ravenscroft, Joan Ogden and Ellen Roberts.

Meeting adjourned by President Georgene.

Ellen Roberts, Secretary pro tem