President’s Greeting

Greetings,

2002 has been a year filled with Manx events.

The program for our Sunday, October 20th Wisconsin Manx meeting will include convention attendees telling tales of their experiences. James Morey will also present Celtic violin music and display his "Honored Student Award".

Membership Secretary Report

For myself, I will shortly be heading back to the island to christen Charlotte, our second American Manx girl, and I look forward to letting friends and family there know how much the Manx culture is valued in places far from home.

Traa ta’n derrey voght cooney lesh y voght elley, ta Jee hene garaghtee

When one poor man helps the other

poor man, God himself smiles.

Dressed To A "T"

On the reverse side we learned more about the 0wners who wore those shirts. Black lettering told us that they were from the "GELLING FAMILY", "LAXEY", "ISLE OF MAN".

Communication – Direct from the Isle

Tom Glassey, author of "Who’s Afraid of the Dark" a popular autobiography, which was serialized on Manx Radio has sent us a sample of a new CD entitled "Ellan My Chree". The title track on this CD is a song called "Ellan My Chree" which is Manx for "Isle of My Heart". The music was the original theme music in the serialization of "Who’s Afraid of the Dark". The lyrics were written by Tom Glassey and the song is sung by his wife, Barbara Glassey. The second track is a monologue called "Home" which was written and recited by Tom Glassey. Mr. Glassey has sent us order blanks and a price list for the book and for the CD in the event we might want to order several items at a discount rate. We will have his sample and ordering information at the meeting.

Fall Meeting – October 20

The "The Star of India Goes to Sea" will be shown at the Fall 2002 meeting. It shows how a crew is trained
to "learn the ropes" so that the ship can be made ready for the sea. The crew is made up of volunteers who have to learn how to manage the rigging. Some old sea chanteys are played.

The Star of India was built in Ramsey, IOM while Abraham Lincoln was president of the United States. It is now at the Maritime Museum in San Diego. Walter Cronkite narrates the video.

T J’s Catering from Sauk City will be providing our soup and sandwich lunch buffet.

The cost is $10.00 per person, payable at the meeting.

North American Manx Music Award

When James Morey stood (in his brand new three-piece suit and tie) to play special Manx tunes on his violin as part of entertainment at the Convention, our WMS members were very proud. Of course, we’ve heard him play before. In fact, he’s played for us several times over the years, each time with more assurance and skill. This time however, was for the North American Manx Convention 2002 and it was like he was the son or grandson of each of us. After all, we’ve been watching him grow up!

But it was hard to tell who was the prouder, his Mom, Jody Morey or the other Wisconsin delegates when James received the North American Youth Award for excellence in music. Congratulations, James!! (and Jody, too). We hope you’ll be able to attend the Fall meeting to tell us all about it. – Dorrie Alf

 The following is excerpted from the IOM web site:

"AN American teenager who performs traditional Manx music is the latest recipient of an award.

The Manx North American Award went to James Morey, 13, at the North American Manx Association (NAMA) convention in Lanark, Illinois.

It was created by the San Diego chapter of NAMA to generate greater awareness of Manx culture among younger members.

NAMA vice president Laurence Skelly, of Truggan Road, Port St Mary, said: 'James took it upon himself, with the assistance of his mother, a member of Wisconsin chapter, to learn traditional Manx music, which he performed to the delight of attendees at this years NAMA convention.

'He has also given speeches on Manx music in Madison and Chicago.' Mr Skelly said: 'James has visited the Isle of Man twice at the convention in 2000 and previously another homecoming in 1997.

He attributes his keen interest in Manx culture, especially the music, to these visits."

16/08/2002 16:32:24

NAMA Convention 2002

From the beginning barbecue with folk and square dancing on the grounds of beautiful Standish House, in Lanark to the last meetings and banquet at the Stephenson Hotel in Freeport Convention 2002 was a memorable experience.

We must admit that it was hard to imagine the complications in planning a NAMA convention in the rural area of Northwestern Illinois. Probably, the Convention committee had not imagined them either, but it did a masterful job of surmounting mileage and weather difficulties as we were led on a very interesting exploration of our heritage as "Manx pioneers in the west". We learned of the importance of coal and lead mining and of a stockade, defended from Indians by women. Stage coach and buck-board rides were followed by a "trailside" chuck-wagon dinner.

A highlight of the Convention was a dinner and program in Galva, IL with the Galva Manx. On one of the hottest days of the year, they welcomed us (after a day of bus riding between historic sites) with cold drinks and a good meal. The members not only served us at beautifully decorated tables, but also presented a very interesting program about the Manx immigrants in the Galva area. We were given printed lists of 60 Manx names still found there and fascinating biographical sketches of some of the Manx settlers. We learned that "The earliest Manx settlers in the State of Illinois arrived about 1849 and, by all accounts, most of them became farmers".

Reconnecting with old friends and acquaintances from previous conventions is always heart-warming and exciting. It was especially great to see Calvin Quayle (NAMA Genealogist) and his wife Virginia. Calvin shared his expertise in a presentation on "Use of Wills in Genealogy Research". We are proud to claim him as one of our Wisconsin Manx and so happy to see him healthy again.

At the final banquet James Morey played Celtic pieces on his violin, sharing the spotlight with Mona Haldeman of the Cleveland Manx and "Navan", the Celtic vocal group from Madison, WI. This year, the most exciting time was the special moment when James Morey received the first "Manx North American Youth Award". – Dorrie Alf