| Museum Week Schedule - July 14 - 19, 2003
Click Here for a Schedule of Events for Museum Week 2003 From the Spring 2003 Newsletter The Oral History Project
Our Oral History project has been steadily making progress. In the past three years of its revival (after a 10-year hiatus, which followed its initial flowering in 1990 and '91), we have spent close to $10,000 to record the memories of older Beaver Islanders and to transcribe, organize, and duplicate the growing number of recordings. Our archives now include some 120 hours of audiotape, 110 hours of videotape, and over 2,000 pages of transcripts, with another estimated 2,000 pages awaiting transcription. These transcripts detail the memories of some 75 individuals connected to Island history of the 19th and 20th centuries, with the earliest dating back to 1938. Also, outside materials recorded by various amateur and professional folklorists over the years continue to come to our attention. Some of these recordings rest in the archives of universities and institutions across the state and country, and efforts are being made to obtain copies to add to our collection. We have been helped considerably in this project by donations from members--some 40 of you have sent us various amounts earmarked for this program.
Yet every year we are prevented from celebrating what we've accomplished by an awareness that we are losing more than we are capturing. It seems like every month someone else on our list passes away before we are able to capture them, ranging from acknowledged great storytellers to those who simply had something interesting to say. There is no sense in dwelling on this; all we can do is resolve to try harder to interview those who remain.
To help us do this, we have talked about starting a second series of books to parallel the five volumes of our history journals. The books in this second series, tentatively titled This Was the Life, would contain stories gleaned from our interviews, perhaps organized around a central theme, plus related material: photographs, genealogical charts, or references to other publications.
We feel our members and patrons will find this second series as interesting as the Journals of Beaver Island History, and will purchase them at a comparable rate. If we can get the first one into print, the profit from its sale can pay for the publication of a second volume and support the ongoing Oral History program.
The creation of the first volume in this second series involves three areas of expense, for which we have estimated the likely cost. First and foremost, the Oral History Director has to create the raw manuscript. This requires him to: re-familiarize himself with the over-120 recordings we have in order to pull out a body of anecdotes with a common theme; to organize these anecdotes; to re-interview some interviewees and seek out others who have relevant information; and to work with our archivists to select appropriate imagery. This is something we think might cost around $7,500.
The next step is to create the final look of the manuscript by planning each page, by tweaking and placing the intended images in the proper location, and by creating a finished CD to send to the printer. Jeff Cashman did a fine job on Volume IV and Volume V of the History Journals. We are budgeting $500 for this.
Then we have to pay for the actual printing. We don't yet know the page size or number of pages, nor have we selected a cover design, but estimating a likely cost based on our past experience leads us to set it at $4,000, for which we would receive 1,500 books. Thus for $12,000 we should obtain 1,500 books with a retail price of perhaps $15. Some will be wholesaled to bookstores and other outlets, so the eventual total gross (of the first edition) might be ~$20,000.
A lot of money, although the "profit" involved ($20,000 minus $12,000) isn't enough, by itself, to pay for the next book in this series. Unless we wind up borrowing from our General Fund and have to pay it back, the publication of this book could provide an immediate source of funds for the ongoing Oral History project and cover the cost of the second volume. And as we get into reprinting the early volumes (which seems inevitable), the percentage of income that can be described as "profit" will rise.
So to bring this situation about, we have decided to take the plunge and commit ourselves to publishing the first book of Oral History as quickly as possible. We want to raise half of the needed $12,000 from "internal" sources (specific donations to this project as much as possible, buttressed by money from our General Fund), and the other half from grants. To that end we have applied for two grants this spring, asking both the Charlevoix County Community Fund and Great Lakes Energy's "People Project" for $2,000 each. Other applications for grants are being prepared.
We know that granting is down now because of our weak economy. Nevertheless, we feel we can not wait; the people we hope to interview are not going to wait for us. We are asking for your help so we can get started now, in two ways: by continuing to donate to the Oral History project (the membership renewal form contains a box for this), and by informing us of your support for this program. These letters and e-mails of support will be added to future grant applications. Even a $5 donation is important, because it shows that there is one more person who believes in this program.
If necessary, and if we're far enough along, we may try to pre-sell books in the next newsletter.
News about Books
George Lasater to include Beaver Island veterans in his book
Long-time Charlevoix Sheriff George Lasater has been working on assembling a history documenting Charlevoix County's veterans. After more than two years of research he has compiled information on 250, 100 of which he has interviewed. He also has about 150 photos of Charlevoix County men in uniform. Of the 250, 40 were killed in action.
He has asked the BIHS to help him include Beaver Island by providing information about our veterans. We hope to focus research on this topic during the course of the summer. His goal is to finish the manuscript and publish the book about the time his current term expires in 2004. He plans to donate the proceeds to local VFW and American Legion posts.
His motivation has been to help the community. "I feel the county's been very good to me," he said. "This seems like a good way to give something back."
If anyone has any relevant stories or leads, please stop in the Print Shop so we can set them down.
Vickie Speek finishes manuscript for her book on Strang
After years of extensive research, 'Strang's wives' expert Vickie Speek spent the last twelve months putting together, revising, and editing her manuscript for a book about Beaver Island's Mormon kingdom. On the day she mailed it to the University of Illinois, she said she was happy about several things--primarily that she no longer had to continue the exhausting grind that had been necessary to produce it.
This has been a long-time labor of love, during which she has scoured all the archives across the country and tracked down every lead. Those who were lucky enough to catch her during the two times she spoke at Museum Week know that she has made herself into the ranking expert in this field, which continues to grow. We wish her good luck, and look forward to the appearance of what we expect to quickly become the definitive history of Strang's Beaver Island experiment.
Andrew Jacob finishes his mabuscript on Native American myths
Those who remember Andrew Jacob and Valentina Kaquatosh from last summer will be glad to know that they have completed the manuscript on which they have spent the past year, Sacred Stories from the Big Big Lake. This well-written and beautifully-illustrated compendium of Native American legends will fill a void, in that the few who have had these stories passed down to them have been reluctant to share them with 'outsiders.' Long-time Garden Island educator Dr. John Boatman has assisted them in their compilation, and they are now selecting a publisher.
Island Musicians to be included in Joe Grimm's new book
Thanks to Dr. Laurie Summers, readers of the Beaver Island History journals know all about the interest shown in Beaver Island music by such established musicologists as Alan Lomax. Now Detroit Free Press author Joe Grim hopes to include material about Andrew Roddy, Pat Bonner, Johnny Green, Dominick Gallagher, and others from the 30s in his new book.
Beaver Island to be featured in book on the Irish-American experience
Noted author, professor, and BIHS life member Seamus Metress of the University of Toledo's 'Great Lakes Irish Studies' program is writing a book about the Irish in Michigan, with a section on the rural Irish that will include some material from Beaver Island. We are providing graphic images for this portion.
Mary Blocksma moves forward
Mary Blocksma has just written, illustrated, and published a new children's book, What's on the Beach? It's 48 pages, and contains 100 full-color nature paintings, such as the Caspian tern on the cover. This 8- by 6-inch paperback is probably the only picture book introducing the natural wonders of our fabulous Great Lakes shores ever done for kids or for adults. And it's only $10.95
She's publishing this herself, having spent the winter learning PhotoShop, Quark, and the entire prepress process to make the price affordable. She's working on a Study Guide so the book (written at about 3rd grade level but accessible to all ages) can be used in our Great Lakes schools.
She asks that we do her a favor: the next time you are in a bookstore, ask to see it. She is distributing this book herself, which is difficult. If bookstores in the Great Lakes area receive requests to see it, she feels they will order it. She has two other new books this year: Great Lakes Nature and Necessary Numbers, and has reprinted her two Lake Effects posters.
Catch her during Museum Week, and check out her website: Http://www.beaverislandarts.com
Finances
Despite the downturn in our economy, or finances are in good shape. At the beginning of May, are account balances were as follows:
Memorial CD $1,100.99
Strang Video $226.36
Museum Week $1,923.13
Building Fund $11,881.93
Money Market $18,543.17
Checking $500.60
In addition, our Endowment Fund principal has reached $24,065.25, although its market value has dropped to $20,009.76. Our year-to-date income and expenses for the past six months are as follows:
Revenues
Taxable sales 423.44
Non-taxable sales 22.13
Dues 618
Donations 1,250
Townships 12,881.72
Interest income 197.78
Miscellaneous 847
Total $16,240.07
Expenses
Book purchases 314.70
Director's salary 6,000.02
Administration 252
Depreciation 1,120
Outside labor 3,672
Bank charges 51.79
Freight 106.07
Exhibit supplies 50
House supplies 184.65
Insurance 1,522
Licenses & permits 704.05
Mailing/newsletters 513.50
Oral History supplies 1,809.15
Payroll taxes 515.39
Postage 340
Publicity/ads 439.46
R & M supplies 357.27
Entertainment 50.09
Sales tax 13.74
Subscriptions 6
Telephone 419.53
Internet access 120
Electricity 928
Labor overhead <1,728>
Unclasified <28.04>
Labor HP <1,644>
Total $16,089.38
The Ireland Trip
In the fall of 2000, a group came to America from Arranmore, the Donegal island off the west coast of Ireland from which so many Beaver Island settlers emigrated. They stopped in Chicago to pick up another large contingent and then headed for Beaver Island along with small groups from elsewhere in the United States and Canada. Once they arrived, a few tours were arranged, a Holy Cross Catholic Church service was conducted in their honor, and a ceremony at our Arranmore Park was held to establish Twinship between the two communities. Many friendships were formed, and promises given: we will reciprocate; we will return the visit.
During the first year that followed, a few half-hearted efforts were made to organize a reciprocal visit, but nothing happened. The same was true for the second year. Then last fall Tara Palmer was surfing the net in Chicago and found some cheap round-trip tickets: only $200 to and from Dublin. She called Paul and Shirley Cole and Cindy and Dusty Cushman, saying "Let's us go, at least." By the time they got back to her, though, those tickets were gone, but tickets at $280 for a Wednesday-to-Wednesday trip in early March were still available. The enterprising quintet decided to "just say yes."
Shirley had developed a database of e-mail addresses for Beaver Islanders, both on and off the Island, so she decided to let everyone know that five were going to Ireland on March 5th, and more $280 tickets were available. Her phone and screen lit up with responses from others interested in going along. Within the next few days the list had grown to 18, then to 30, and then to 50. The Arranmoreans had begun to despair, so when they heard that 57 were committed to making the trip, they jumped on the task of providing support. Chicago's Mike Boyle, 20 years off Arranmore, was particularly instrumental in helping to make the necessary arrangements.
A bus was hired to take the guests from the Dublin airport to the ferry to Arranmore island. Lodgings were prepared; a ceremony devised; and gifts chosen and obtained. The Beaver Island Historical Society donated 2 copies each of the History Journals and House Parties. The Beaver Beacon donated a number of past issues for the Beaver Island room in the Arranmore Museum. Master Totem Pole carver Skip Duhamel created and donated a carved wooden Celtic Cross. And Jeff Cashman created a 2' x 4' map of Beaver, based on an aerial photo, on which he indicated where the various Irish families had settled.
When the plane landed in Dublin, the group on board was surprised at all the fuss: radio people were there, magazine people, and four camera crews from the networks and independent production companies--such as Moondance Studios, which produced a 7-minute "teaser" for the video they hope to produce; they plan to be on Beaver Island for additional filming this summer. Some people joined the American contingent on the bus to conduct rolling interviews while the brunt of the reporters followed or darted ahead. A few Beaver Islanders rented their own cars.
The group was to stay in Donegal Town the first night. A tour of the castle was arranged. Arranmore historian Charlie O'Hara talked about the conditions that had led to the exodus, and Cindy Gillespie-Cushman delivered a beautiful version of The Homes of Donegal as the sun went down, provoking a rush of emotion. At the pier Paul Cole stepped forward and talked extemporaneously for several minutes about the treachery at the time of the Troubles, relating the story of the forced exodus to the Poorhouse, and the march to board a ship for America, which wasn't there.. They also walked through the cemetery, full of so many familiar names. Lodging for the entire group had been arranged at the Abby Hotel. After dinner they went to O'Donnell's Pub, where the house band happily alternated tunes with the Beaver Island musicians in the group.
On Friday morning the bleary-eyed group rode in relative silence for two hours to the dock at Burtonport to meet the ferry. The camera crews were overwhelmed by the bevy of well-wishers that had gathered, and a bagpipe band was on hand to accompany the Beaver Islanders on the 12-minute ride. A lifeboat appeared out of the greyness to lead the ferry across, setting off a constant stream of flares into the threatening grey air. On the mainland shore and on Rutland, as it passed on their starboard side, people who were assembled held aloft "Welcome Beaver Island" banners and waved the American flag. As they drew near Arranmore, they could see crowds of people, 300 adults, including two dozen music-makers and three dozen photographers, plus all the uniformed kids, who'd been let out of school to form an Honor Guard. Above their heads a large banner was furling in the breeze, reading, simply, "Welcome Home!" In their hearts they knew it was true.
The bagpipers kept playing as the Beaver Islanders came down the ramp and were clasped to the bosoms of their twins. Half of them were escorted to the private homes in which they were to stay; the other half were bussed to Holiday Village, a group of 8 cottages build to accommodate tourists. After settling in, a staggered lunch was offered, at which Charlie O'Hara gave a talk. Then tours were offered to show the Beaver Islanders where their ancestors of 7, 8, or even 9 generations back had lived.
That evening a buffet was held for at least 150 diners at Early's Pub and Dance Hall, starting at 8:00. At 10:00 Charlie found more to say, and recounted the stories of some of the original emigrants, quoting amply from their letters. Billy McDonough spoke about the pioneering efforts Helen Collar had made to unearth the importance of the Arranmore connection. They were like those people who recovered a suppressed memory, he said, and this had expanded all their lives. Then that wonderful music started in again, with the Irish taking the first turn on stage and the Americans getting up next. And so it went, into the wee hours.
Saturday brought opportunities for more tours and craic. The weather turned frightful for the 3:30 Twinning Ceremony at an inland lake, but everyone toughed it out to attend. The memorial was a tremendous structure, with a Beaver and an Otter facing each other with a Trout or Salmon between them, symbolizing the unity we both share. There was a tremendous wind and driving rain, for which the Arranmore people were most apologetic. Cindy sang, again, and Rich Gillespie made a moving speech on behalf of the Beaver Island contingent: he said that the weather we had to endure for no more than 30-40 minutes could not compare to the horrible storm they endured on their way out to Beaver Island so many generations ago, and that to stand in the rain and wind did not compare to any of the hardships their common ancestors had suffered in order to protect their heritage and their children's right to life. The historical gifts were exchanged, but a planned dance based on The Siege of Inis could not be held because of the miserable weather. Nevertheless some dancing was undertaken, because the Twinning was now officially complete.
At 7:00 p.m. there was a special service at the Church, which included the exchange of more gifts: vestments from us to them and a beautiful water color of Holy Cross Church, donated by Father Pat, a replica of one of the stained glass windows in St. Crone's Church coming back They gave a hand-carved harp made by a man in prison over the Troubles, as well as a bronze yawl. Tony Gallagher quoted a line from one of the new songs Rich Scripps was moved to write: "...friendships can last forever even when we're gone.…" Afterwards everyone adjourned to Phil Ban's pub for music and joy. The festivities continued through the night. Upon returning home to Holiday Village some revelers found that the power had gone out and their group had been moved into the youth hostel. When dawn came it was decided that enough was enough and people were allowed to catch a little sleep or visit the local cemetery before getting on the 1:00 p.m. Ferry.
Once again everyone on Arranmore came down to the dock to see off their new twins. Once again the cameras were rolling and bagpipers blowing. Promises were sworn in jubilant earnestness: "we will be back, we will not forget." As the ferry pushed into the sea, the shared feeling was that so much had been learned, so many vital relationships formed. Everyone lucky enough to have come felt that this was an event that had changed their life, and for the good. Phil Ban said he dearly hoped everyone could come back--and not after an interval of a hundred years.
Before getting on the plane, the waiting bus took the group to Galway. On the way, Edward Palmer did a jig up and down the isle to a tune recorded by Dan Gillespie and Dan Johnson. In Galway John and Nora Duffy were on hand, Arranmoreans who had been on Beaver Island years ago. Retreating to the Imperial Hotel, Nora sang a song, which prompted a search of other hotels for people to play piano, guitars, drums, harmonicas, mandolins, and a fiddle or two. Rich Gillespie took up the spoons time and again; whenever he lost the beat, he threw them across the table in mock disgust. The laughter and jigs ran until 6:00 a.m., after which there was still time for shopping before the bus headed back to Dublin.
All in all, this trip has heightened our consciousness of where and how Beaver Island's rich culture and history was derived. It reminded us of the spiritual connection between the two lands. No one who danced in the circle at Early's Pub or stood in the sleet in front of the circular monument will ever forget this trip. This was a first, and as such it can never be done again.
The Official Document
The plaque ratifying the Twinning, signed by the County Secretary, reads: "Whereas the inhabitants of Arranmore Island, County Donegal, have resolved through the Council of Donegal to enter into a Twinning Arrangement with Beaver Island, Michigan, U.S.A., And
"Whereas the people of County Donegal have at least one million descendants living in the United States, and
"Whereas the people of Arranmore have a heritage and family ties of long standing with the people of Beaver Island, which have been renewed in recent times, and
"Whereas friendship and commitment have been established in Arranmore Island and Beaver Island to foster such links to the mutual benefit of both parties:
"Now Donegal County Council, in a spirit of friendship, extends greetings and felicitations to the people of Beaver Island, Michigan, and most especially to the representatives of Beaver Island who are attending the Twinning ceremony on Arranmore Island on 8th March 2003." |
