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Archivist Monthly Report Interior AlaskaBy: Big Book DaveElected Archivist - Interior Alaska |
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| December Interior Alaska Report |
This month our highlight, Dec. 24th 1745. Benjamin Rush, born in Byberry Township, Pennsylvania. Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the young nation's foremost physician of his time. Dr. Rush, in 1784, wrote the most influential pamphlet on the subject of drinking,"An Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits upon the Human Body and Mind." Dr. Rush was the first one to suggest alcoholism as a disease, which produces an "appetite" or "craving" in the afflicted person. "Once addicted even a saint would have a hard time controlling themselves," he wrote. His description of chronic drunkenness was as a progressive condition. December.03 Dates | |||||||
| November Interior Alaska Report |
Highlight in our history this month. Robert Holbrook Smith (Dr. Bob) our co-founder moved out of sight and out of sound on November 16, 1950 at 11:30AM, at his home, 855 Ardmore Ave, Akron, Ohio. Dr. Bob began his medical practice in Akron March, 1912. He graduated from Dartmouth College; intern at City Hospital, Akron after his pre-med at University of Michigan and MD at Rush Medical College, Chicago. Dr. Bob married his life-long partner Anne Robinson Ripley, January 25, 1915. A.A's birthday considered to be the date of Dr. Bob's last drink June 10, 1935. Anne died the year before him. Dr. Bob was laid to rest next to her, Mount Peace Cemetery, Akron. Their home on Nov. 5, 1985 became a state historical site and a national historical landmark. November.03 Dates | |||||||
| October Interior Alaska Report |
The highlight date for this month is October 31, 1970 when Francis Murphy found sobriety that lasted until his death in 1907. Born in 1836, he grew up to become a destitute alcoholic. After his wife and children left him, he was imprisoned for unlawful liquor selling. While in prison, Francis experienced a religious conversion that began his sobriety. Upon release, he became the foremost temperance orator throughout North America and Europe spreading the "Blue Ribbon Movement" a worldwide temperance group identified by the blue ribbons its members wore. Thousands signed his pledge of abstinence from any intoxicating liquors for the rest of their lives and most of them kept that pledge. October.03 Dates | |||||||
| September Interior Alaska Report |
September 1868: James B. Bonsetta was born. He became a Southern Pacific Railroad detective. After his wife Sara found the body of a man frozen to death in their backyard - winter of 1907, he and Sara, opened their home in South Bend, Indiana to alcoholics who had nowhere else to go. A newspaper article brought business and church people together donating money and food to the Bonsetta Family. The success of this allowed them to open the "Bonsetta Home for Inebriates" in 1909, which was a successful operation for many years years until James passed away in 1933, two years before our co-founders would meet for the first time...September.03 Dates | |||||||
| August 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. August.03 Dates | |||||||
| July Interior Alaska Report |
The highlight for this month of July, I find in the date July 10 - 11 - 12, 1911...Rev. Samuel Moor Shoemaker attended the Northfield Conferences in Massachusetts and heard such spiritual leaders as Dr. John Mott, Dr. Richard Speer and Dr. Sherwood Eddy. Rev. Shoemaker wrote, "It seems to me that I have never heard men of such stature with a message of worldwide significance of Christianity.Thes three men left an indelible impression on me. My faith could never again be the small parochial affair that it had once been. I have tasted a wider world, smelled cleaner air, and traveled to its roomier spaces"... How important is Rev. Sam to A.A.? Bill W. gives him credit for the spiritual content of ten of our twelve steps! Where do we find that in our approved A.A. literature? July.03 Dates | |||||||
| June Interior Alaska Report |
is month's history highlight. Hank P., had
pushed Bill into the direction of writing the Big Book this month of
June 1938. Jimmy B. who's story is in the Bib Book said: "Bill was
naturally given the job of writing the book for he was the only one who
had made any conclusive study of our problem." Jimmy went on to
say, "Bill's only special preparation of this was confined to the
reading of four very well known books the influence of which can clearly
be seen in the Bib Book. (1) William James, The Varieties of Religious Experience." (2) Emmit Fox's "Sermon on the Mount." (3) Dick Peabody's "Common Sense of Drinking." (4) Lewis Browne's "This Believing World." June.03 Dates |
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| May Interior Alaska Report |
From the beginning of our co-founders sobriety (12-11-34) at Towns Hospital under Dr. Silkworth in New york City, until his death Jan. 24, 1971 at Miami Heart Institute, Miami Florida, Bill W. became adamant that A.A. was its singleness-of-purpose. You do not have to believe in God, just come to the meetings if you want to stop drinking. Unlike most people, bill did not see any conflict between science and medicine, and religion ... Where the "Outside World" saw weakness - Bill saw nothing but strength in a room full of alcoholics. May.03 Dates |
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| April Interior Alaska Report |
Couldn't make it to our March Pre-Conference Assembly, but I sent a copy of my report down to Juneau. If you want a copy, get a hold of me... Thanks to Irene R., an A.A. Historian who lives in Anchorage, for sending us several magazine articles including: 1) Family Circle, April 5, 1945, "Alcoholism, Is There a Cure?" 2) Pageant Magazine, April 1947, "I Was an Alcoholic." 3) Variety Magazine, March 28, 1945, "A.A. Doing Great in Its New Times Square Clubhouse." 4) Your Life magazine article dated April 1953, "The 24 hour Club for Alcoholics." and 5) Saturday Evening Post article, May 21, 1960 , "I Always Have Helped." It's about an alcoholic's struggle... Without active members like Irene, much of our history would be lost forever. April.03 Dates. |
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| March Interior Alaska Report |
One of our old-timers moved on up to the Big Meeting two month ago. His obituary was in the San Francisco Chronicle on Jan. 15th. Dr. Earle M. born August 3, 1911, graduated from the University of California, Berkeley where he was later an associate professor. Dr. Earle was a world War II veteran of the Navy. In later years, he became Chief-of-Staff teaching at hospitals throughout South Viet Nam. His Obituary made no deference to his A.A. membership ( Sobriety date June 8, 1953) or his efforts in the field of alcoholism around the world. Dr. Earle's story is in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th editions of the Big Book (Physician Heal Thyself). Dr. Earle's burial was at sea. ...Rest in Peace...March.03 Dates |
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| February Interior Alaska Report |
Our delegate, Amy O., reported to us the stories dropped from the first three editions of the Big Book will be coming off the press this spring. It will be titled, "Experience, Strength and Hope." The French Fourth Edition, first printing, will be coming out about the same time. Also, A.A.W.S. has determined to place the Fourth Edition of our Big Book on E.S.O.s web site. I'm not sure this is the correct thing to do for a number f reasons, but I'm only one member – one voice. She needs to hear from the groups in Districts One and Tow before heading to our 53rd General Service Conference in New York where all delegates will discuss all aspects of this action . . . February.03 Dates |
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| January
Interior Alaska Report |
I am hearing from archivists and Historians around the country that vigorous gathering of oral histories and memorabilia of old-timers which started several years ago is being "pushed" even harder today. Our early members are moving on up to the big meeting with their stories of early-day A.A. and their struggle to achieve sobriety being lost forever...things they've collected over the years, photos, correspondence, etc. being thrown away by well-meaning family and friends who have no idea the importance of those AA items....Our Past is our foundation, the rock upon which AA stands. January.03 Dates |
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| December Interior Alaska Report |
The Following is a holiday message from our co-founder Bill W, December 1957. ..."Is sobriety all that we are to expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning; it is only the first gift of the first awakening. If more gifts are to be received, our awakening has to go on. We find that bit by bit we discard the old life for a new one that can and does work under any conditions whatever. Regardless of worldly success or failure, regardless of pain or joy, regardless of sickness or health or even death itself, a new life of endes possibilities can be lived if we are willing to continue our awakening, through the practice of AAs Twelve Steps." December 02 Dates |
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| November Interior Alaska Report |
Each year I receive the same question from many members: "Why
is November called "Gratitude Month?" |
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