MINUTES OF WISCONSIN MANX SOCIETY,
INC
October 19, 2008
Midvale Community Lutheran Church
Members enjoyed informal greeting and conversation
before being served a tasty buffet by our long-time caterer, TJ’s of Sauk City.
During lunch, Georgene invited those present to introduce themselves and
guests, sharing information regarding special concerns and activities.
Joyce Benjamin and grandsons, Garrett Maier &
Adam Benjamin, Jody Morey, Joan Ogden, Mary Kelly, Andrew Ravenscroft, and
Georgene Voutila attended the 49th biennial NAMA Convention in
Minnesota. They shared impressions and experiences of the varying presentations
and meetings in which they participated. See an excellent report on the
Convention in the Fall ’08 WMS Newsletter.
Jean Willett joined us in remembering her husband,
Dann, who served WMS in several capacities and endeared himself to all who knew
him. Katherine Short, Edgerton, who was an interested member for a brief
time, was also remembered.
Earl and Marian Mylrea were contacted by someone who
found a box of very old money, which had been stashed away by an eccentric
uncle during the depression. Georgene brought a basket of ripe Manx Marvel
tomatoes to show off and give away. They were fruit of plants distributed by M.
Kelly and A. Ravenscroft in April. Others reported success in growing plants,
as well. Mona Voutila has moved to an Assisted Living facility. Jody Morey
visits James in Indiana, where he continues to be successful in his college
experience and has won another scholarship. Dorrie Alff introduced her sister,
Irene Hanson and niece, Cindy Hanson, who would later present the program.
At 1pm, we gathered for the program and business
meeting. Jody Morey accompanied the group as we sang all verses of the Manx
National Anthem.
Irene and Cindy Hanson presented the program on
Preserving Your Family Memories. They reminded us to gather up letters, notes,
and photos and be sure they are labeled with dates, names and places. With new
technology, there are many ways to save family stories, including varying media
of the past, (slides, home movies, audio tapes, etc.) but it’s important to our
descendents that we do it before they are lost forever. Their Madison business,
“Your History So Far” can help with onsite interviews and digital video. They
work wherever needed and can be reached at Info@YourHistorySoFar.com
or phone 608-274-4220.
Business Meeting – Called to order by President Georgene
Secretary, Alff
- Note: Spring ’08 Minutes were incorrectly headed, April 20, 2007 in
the Fall ’08 WMS Newsletter
Dorrie read a letter from Marc Tyley, Programme
Controller at Manx Radio. He announced that a “new live request show will be
broadcast live from 1700-20.00 every Sunday afternoon across the Isle of Man on
AM and FM and around the world on the internet”. He suggests that information
regarding WMS or messages from our members can be e-mailed to ashleybentley@manxradio.com. If looking for the
program, we should remember to account for the time difference
Mary Kelly recently requested that we write letters
to Manx National Heritage in support of a request of the IOM Government for
support of the newest Manx Heritage project, a “Manx Ancestry Centre” in
Douglas. That facility would include the IOM Family History Society and be
housed in a building adjacent to the Manx National Heritage Museum. It would be
electronically linked with the Manx National Archives as well as the Manx
national museum. Several of us sent letters to the Director of Manx National
Heritage, to indicate our special interest in the project.
Although Mary K. was unable to attend the meeting,
she asked me to report that she spent a delightful, information-filled four
days with a Manx couple, Allan and Norma Cretney, who had sent an e-mail asking
if our WMS could help them look for family history in Southwestern
Wisconsin. It was a wonderful
opportunity for Mary to utilize our new resource at UW Platteville, and to help
a relative of one of our founders to find relatives in Wisconsin (Mt. Horeb).
Who, better than Mary, to reciprocate for the gracious guidance we’ve received
on IOM. See a detailed account of the Cretney adventure in the Spring ’09
Newsletter.
Mary also met
Peter and Pat Kelly from Union Mills, IOM, when they stopped at the new Museum at
Platteville. She was able to show them Laxey Cemetery and Mineral Point before
they went on to Galena.
The Museum has received “31 essential texts for the
study of the Isle of Man” from Manx National Heritage.
Treasurer- Joan Ogden presented a detailed report
indicating-
Balance 4/20/08 $2128.49
Receipts 4/20/08-10/18/08 625.00
2753.49
Expenses 4/20/08-10/18/08
1017.00
Balance on October 18 ’08
$1736.49
The complete, detailed Treasurer’s Report has been
placed on file
Joan made us aware that our income is not covering
our expenses this year. Current registration fees are not covering the cost of
program, meals and donation for meeting place. Discussion ensued regarding
whether Membership fees and/or registration fees should be increased. Although
the Membership fee is low, some think that a larger membership roll is the
result. It also makes it more likely that donations will be made in addition to
the fee. This Fall ,08 meeting had the lowest attendance in many years, due to
absence of several regular Members. We were reminded that the Caterer requires
a minimum of 30 reservations, for which the treasurer must pay and the meal
cost has been increased to $14.00 per person. After discussion of whether to
change the meal plan to pot luck, or skip the lunch, members voted to continue
our catered lunch plan and okay an increase in registration fee to $14.00 for
the Spring ‘09 meeting and prepare for possible changes before the Fall ’09
meeting. Membership Ch, Judy Schlueter was unable to attend the meeting and it
will be important to consider suggestions about an aggressive Membership drive
and/or increased fees when she is present. The Board should plan to make a
recommendation at the next meeting.
Vice-President Ravenscroft was unable to be with us,
but we know he keeps busy with maintaining our WMS website, www.oocities.org/wisconsinmanx and acting as editor of the NAMA BULLETIN. He also represented the NAMA and
Wisconsin Manx, this summer, as a featured speaker at the International Celtic
Women’s Conference in Milwaukee. Adam Benjamin asked if Andrew’s book has been
published.
WI Manx were represented at Celtic events in Mineral
Point and U.W. Platteville by M.Kelly, during the summer. A collection of
appropriate information and display materials about WMS, NAMA and IOM is
available to be used at such events.
The plan to honor WMS founders at our Spring ’09
meeting started a discussion of the identity and whereabouts of “Founders”. A
four page typewritten list of sixty names, entitled WISCONSIN MANX SOCIETY CHARTER MEMBERS August 1, 1982 was used as a reference, but
Fran Remeika wondered if “Charter members” and “Founding members” were
considered the same. She remembers responding to a newspaper article and
meeting with a group of about ten persons who were hoping to “found” an
association of persons with Manx ancestry. We will need to find others with
similar memories and/or information. Perhaps Mae Reese-Historian, Norma
Bircher, Mary Kelly and other early members of our group can help us locate
appropriate persons and families.
Names were drawn for door prizes (Manx related items
from the Convention and E-bay). .
NEXT MEETING – MAY 17, 2009
It is hoped that meeting later will avoid Easter
vacations and provide better travel weather.
Meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm
Respectfully submitted,
Doris J. Alff – recording secretary