Big Book Dave - Archivist Interior Alaska
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August 2003
Interior Alaska
Report

1952: Less than two years after Dr. Bob's death, Sister Ignatia was transferred to St. Vincent Charity Hospital - Cleveland, where to the delight of A.A. members, she was placed in charge of the alcoholic ward. The work she and Dr. Bb did with alcoholics at St. Thomas Hospital in Akron where she was transferred from would go on....After her transfer to St. Vincent, "Rosary Hall" was built in a dilapidated wing of that hospital by carpenters, plumbers and electricians all A.A. members with no charges for their services... We can still visit the spirit of Sister Ignatia that lives within Rosary Hall.
 

Interesting August Dates

  
 
1853 -August 12th
Yorkshire England, Thomas Wing is born. He would become Europe's strongest advocate for total abstinence and the closure of all bars throughout Europe.
  1879 - August 8th
Born in the front bedroom of a large 19th century house at Central and Summer Streets, St Johnsbury, Vermont, was our co-founder, Dr. Bob.
  1895 - August
Bridget Della Mary Gavin at the age of six emigrated with her family from Ireland to the U.S. She will become known and loved as Sister Ignatia.
 
1909 - August
A book is published: "Twice Born Men." Author: Harold Begbie. One of eleven books that influenced how th Big Book would be written years down the road.
 
1911 - August
Bill W. and Ebby T. meet for the first time in Manchester, Vermont. Both are teenagers and Bill is the leading pitcher for the local baseball team.
 
1917 - August
Bill, a Scandalize,Fort Rodman, Mass. waiting to be shipped out to Europe. During W.W. I, takes his first drink of alcohol called a "Bronx Cocktail." For Bill it worked like a complete miracle.
 
1934 - August
Ebby is released from a jail in Bennington, VT., into the hands of Rowland Hazard. Roland is an active Oxford Group member who takes Ebby back to N.Y. where he sobers up and will soon take the message of sobriety to his old friend, Bill W.(Big Book 8-9-10-11-12)
  1949 - August
The "International Doctors in A.A." is founded by Dr. Clarence P. in Clayton, N.Y. with ten U.S. doctors and three Canadian doctors.
 
1955 - August
Bill W.s third and longest depression begins to lift after he turns the "fellowship- fellowship" at the International Convention held in St. Louis the month before.
 
1970 - August
Radio station KUAT in Tucson, Arizona launches "A.A. on the Air," directed toward A.A. members who are homebound meaning they cannot get to meetings.
  1974 - August 9th
Clarace Williams died at 92 years old. Along with her husband T. Henry. Both active Oxford Group Members, they played a very important role in A.A. history.
  1988 - August
The first National (not International) Canadian Contention takes place in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
 
Big Book Dave
Elected Archivist - Interior Alaska
24-Hour Number
(907) 456-7501