Christopherlink

synchronicity of domes

a bit egocentric, I guess, but in an effort to get folks to somehow send photos of themselves 30+ years later - there was an article on our Jesus FlickFest here - and the picture [gigantic in the paper itself, made me look like the page 3 sunshine boy of the faith page] shows a certain synchronicity of domes, mine and the church's.  you got pix? blog in! email me  [mbmillar@gmail.com] and i will connect you.

blog bits

I folks - Fred has added a link for photos.  This will either be comforting or frightening.  Probably both.  I have set the blog up so that it can have multiple authors.  Just add a comment below with your email info and I can add you to the authors list, allowing you to post your thoughts, memories, etc.  I'm particularly interested in long term effects - how your experience shaped your journey, etc.  Even small stuff.  I was ordained nearly a decade after the project, and have always been appreciative, for example, of having to speak in all those high school gymnasiums [gymnasia?] - simply learning how to project [sorry bad pun homomorph] voice. 

Anyone know anything of Paul Anderson or Bert [?] from Vermont [the only other Protestant I remember from the Project] or Jim Deer [from Kahnawake]?

Getting started: reconnecting after many decades

A couple of years ago on my main blog [theoldbill] I put a post in about reconnecting with old members [hmmm, probably true in both senses of the word now]  - the response has been quite surprising.  I was, at that time, trying to reconnect with team members from my Nova Scotia team in 71:

Charlotte Martyniuk
Lynn Miller
Sarah [Sally] Brown
Steve Smith ["Santana"]
Tom Maxwell

I learned sadly that Tom died young in a car crash. . . and then heard from a variety of other people, some who were on the Year Team with me, some I'd met in different cities as we travelled - and some were new to me.  I'm going to reprint their comments from that original post here:

Comments

How wonderful to see someone from PC put out a call on the web.

Bill I wasn't on your team but I went for three summers. I joined Project Christopher in Edmonton, Alberta

The teams went to Anzac, Alberta
Pequis Indian Reserve, Man
The "Lakehead" in Ontario
now called thunderbay

I don't remember the names of our team members..if any of you are out there..I'd love to know how you made out with the rest of the story!

Linda

Posted by: Linda Piche | November 16, 2006 at 09:41 PM

Hi Linda
I'm not sure if we ever met - but I do remember your name, from lists, or stories, or something. My hope is that someone, like you, might just happen to google Project Christopher, and connect up. I first connected with people in summer of 1970, then in Nova Scotia the following summer, and the year team until the summer of 1972.

Posted by: bill | November 19, 2006 at 01:03 PM

Hello to all old Christopher's!

I married "Syd" Madigan out of Green Bay Fellow Christopher and we have 2 Children both Married. Started this with a search for Waupoos Island, then Brayley/Project Christopher. Nice to find someone online. I have a few Contacts still around. Brian Cano, Barb Fitzgerald, I knew Charly Martynuik and was on the year team with her.
Doug Haddish, Larry Obrian, Frank McGeragle We still hear from Frank. Carol Ducet, the names are coming back. I would love to make contact. Bill Miller up in Winipeg,

Posted by: Fred Bell | January 22, 2007 at 03:09 AM

Greetings!

There was a large contingent of us from the same Boarding school in rhode island USA-st georges- Rob White, Sterret Pope, jay andrews, burke munger and some others as well. Our group went from Thunder Bay Ont to Summerside PEI.
I was just telling my 15 year old daughter about it last night about how we went out in small groups finding out what the needs of the community were

Posted by: winn thompson | February 11, 2007 at 03:34 PM

Winn
Burke was on the year team with me - played guitar wonderfully - I've often wondered what happened to him. He was a really nice guy, quiet. I think maybe somebody else from your school - a guy named Steve I think. Rode a motorcycle [and had, I seem to remember] a very nasty motorcycle accident.

Posted by: bill | February 11, 2007 at 05:02 PM

I know Fred Bell & "Syd"; she was the librarian at my son's grade school in Green Bay, and I've met
Marge Levandoski & her family. Was a week at St Nazianz camp June 1972 and visited in 1973.

Posted by: Paul Strelka | May 26, 2007 at 11:03 PM

I was on the Year Team 1971/1972, Jelicho, TN in January 1972 and the team in Scotland during the summer of 1972. Great experience. Met lots of great people. I live in Ottawa. Regularly see Steve Hamilton, Mike Saucier, and Bob Arsenault from the Trenton chapter, and Chris Fleming from Bellville.

Knew Marge Levandowski, Charley Martiniuk, Frank McGeragle, Paul Anderson, Burt Reeves, Burke Munger, Anne Cormier, Peggy O'Byrne, Buzz Bryce, Neil Zacatto, etc etc.

Would love to hear from former Christophers.

Posted by: Mervin Grywacheski | September 12, 2007 at 02:13 PM

hi Merv
thanks for the comment - great to have contact again - I almost connected with you a couple of years ago - when I met up with the Garveys again, I think. At that time I also met up with Gerry McCann, now a principal in Toronto. Say hi to Chris, etc. Wonder if you know anything about folk in the last group you mentioned [Peggy, Anne, Paul, etc.]?
bill

Posted by: the old bill | September 12, 2007 at 02:33 PM

Good to hear from you Bill. The Garvey gathering must've been nice. Too bad I missed it. Hope all is well with you and the family. We last chatted via email in 2001?? Link below refers to a dedication to Fr John.

http://www.wcr.ab.ca/news/2004/1018/grotto101804.shtml

mervin

Posted by: Mervin Grywacheski | September 13, 2007 at 03:40 PM

How is everyone?

Just returned from our annual get together (I believe this was year 10) at a cottage with some of the old Christophers. Rob Arsenault (still in Trenton), Steve Hamilton (Carleton Place), Chris Flemming (Ottawa) and Merv Grywacheski (Ottawa). We have often talked about a Christopher reunion and in a sense our annual gathering is somewhat of a reunion in that we spend alot of time talking about: the summer at Wapous Island (Rob, Steve and I went to just about every leadership weekend that summer; 1972 in Thunder Bay (I believe we were at the property of the Armand Danis) where built the hexagon shelters - names like Paul Anderson (California), Fred Bell, Frank, Buzz, to name but a few, all surface with each of us recalling our favourite story. We also had the Christopher Farm House near Springbrook and before that the Christopher camp at Batawa.

Of the many wonderful experiences music was a centre piece. Who can forget Dave Solomn playing the song "Thank you" in the school bus with everyone fully enjoying belting out the lyrics (does anyone know the whereabouts of Dave, I believe he was from Cambelleton, New Brunswick?) There were so many excellent guitar players like Chris Flemming, Jim Kelly (last saw Jim in Ottawa over 15 years ago?), Danny Chaisson (living in Cape B - Chris will be visiting with him in October).

Take care.

Posted by: Mike Saucier | September 23, 2007 at 04:43 PM

Wow. I only just found this and have been looking for some time. I was on summer teams 1973-75 (my sis with me in '75). I remember Frank and Joe Mcgeragle very well, Burke Munger, Bill and Cathy Alexander, Alison/Steven/Banning Eyre, Pete Spence/ Edmund Sackenay (both from Armstrong Ont), Andy Wolfskill, and a host of others. I did one of those spectacular drives from Green Bay to KC to Boston to Cambellton to Montreal and then to the farm. I was 16 !!! and driving all these kids around in a slant 6 Dodge with 200K miles on it ! I learnt so much and wish that experience was available now for my son and his generation. I owe a debt of eternal gratitude to Pere for showing me that poverty was never really about lack of money; it was about loneliness. A valuable and salutary lesson. Please do get in touch with me whomever and wherever you are. My email is nrose@presagia.com . All best wishes to all you old Christophers !!

Posted by: Nick Rose | October 04, 2007 at 03:38 PM

After some internet hunting I tracked down Armand Danis who kindly let us use land at his beautiful farm outside of Thunder Bay. He sent me a charming note. I guess the memories are still very vivid for all of us ! BTW there is something called Christopher Leadership Training in Toronto. Is there any connection ?

Posted by: Nick Rose | October 10, 2007 at 03:23 AM

For a few years now I have been thinking someone should write about Pere & Project Christopher.
Anyone that has become a writer post PC?

Posted by: Mary Danis | October 11, 2007 at 10:15 AM

It was good of you to follow the post Mary ! I think you are right that a story about Pere and PC would be worthwhile. Perhaps a personal series of memoirs coupled with the essence of the concept ? I am hoping that some more Christophers will find this link and that we can buld a database of names/dates/photos etc. They were great times and deserve a biography of some sort. I have a friend who is an editor of a magazine in Toronto and I think that it would be grist for his mill. Especially as he, and his sister and brother were all Christophers. Sounds like a plan to me !

All best wishes

Nick

Posted by: Nick Rose | October 11, 2007 at 01:37 PM

Nick, Mary - glad to have you on board - though I should somehow do something with this post as it is now about a year old... i may start a new blog for former Christophers. I was approached several years ago by someone who was doing a biography of Armand Denis - at least that is what I recall, did anything come of it?

I will try sometime in the next month or so to coagulate the PC info into some kind of site that can be accessed more easily. Thanks for connecting.

Posted by: bill | October 11, 2007 at 03:15 PM

we have made contact with Albert Herdoiza in Kansas city. He is a successful lawyer there and naqmed one of his kids Christopher for the project. We did not meet on this trip but plan to on my next. I travel now extensively to teach a Cisco class and I would love to get in touch as I move around the country. Contact either Cyd(Madigan) or I at fbell@fredbell.com, or cbell@fredbell.com. I travel to connecticut, long island, south carolina, indiana, minnesota, kentucky, missouri etc. I still drive everywhere, never lost the wanderlust I guess. Maybe I can start stiching some of the group back together, take a few pictures find a place to post them. We heard from Tom Borg from Nipigon this year!

Fred

Posted by: Fred Bell | October 12, 2007 at 10:41 PM

Hi I'm Laura Danis(Thunder Bay) Mary & Armand's daughter. I have great memories of PC, Pere, the music, circle, Doug's storytelling of the Hobbit, tons of people living in our back yard :-), joining the group for a summer (75 or 76?)driving from Thunder Bay to Vancouver Island in a small car - Chevy Nova? with 3 in the back - Matt Flynn, Roxanne Taillefer both of Arnprior, myself. I think that Andy was driving...with Edmund? Ah..everyone rotated amongst the cars except we three (newbies) in the back seat and of course we stopped and found room for a hitchhiker along the way! I also live in the Ottawa area... Syd - when I shared my memories of PC with my daughters they simply thought that I'm making it up...did you get the same reaction? I thank you all for being part of my life! Peace.

Posted by: Laura | October 23, 2007 at 07:33 AM

Hi Mary & everyone!
We hadn't checked this site in awhile & it's nice to see many new comments. You all bring back many fond memories. Fr. John certainly had a strong influence on us.
Mary, I think our kids do sort of wonder about some of the stories we tell. There are days even I wonder how we did some of those crazy things!
We hope you're all well. If you want to email, ours is: cbell@fredbell.com

Posted by: Cindy (Cyd Madigan) Bell | November 22, 2007 at 09:49 PM

Hi - Bev Brackman here. I just did a google and found this. I was out with the project in '67 to Prince George, B. C. and to Kansas City in '68.
I'm originally from Edmonton and now living in the Netherlands.
People I remember Bob.... from Regina, Marcia.... from Regina, Cathy ... from Chicago, Angie Davis from K. C. , Charlie Ostiguy from Montreal, Peter Pawson from Montreal, Danny O'Shea from Montreal, Don Lysaught (sp?) from Kansas City, Bart somebody, Chris... met in Bethlehem S.D just before he went to Vietnam. More and more names are coming back to me as I reminisce. Does anyone know any of these people.

Linda Piche and Neil Z. from Edmonton I remember you! I have an old newspaper article about PC with pictures of both of you ... and me too.

Get in touch at bevlos@gmail.com

Posted by: Bev Brackman | November 23, 2007 at 06:43 PM

Hello, Another Project Christopher alumni here. I came into contact at St. Pius X High School in Ottawa. PC influenced me to become a teacher and, after university, I spent the next 31 years at St. Pius (does anyone remember the old 60's saying "bloom where you're planted'?). I used many examples of experiences with the Project in my religion classes. One of my favourite was from Bill Millar "I can sit in a barn and it doesn't make me a cow, and I can sit in a kennel and it doesn't make me a dog, and I can sit in a church and it doesn't make me a Christian." I still have many of the old newsletters downstairs. If someone was writing a book I could make them available. The Project and Pere, two very big influences in my life. Not too shabby.

Brian Cano

Posted by: Brian Cano | December 11, 2007 at 05:00 PM

Hey All! Wow, this is so groovy. Vicki Alexander here. I've got so many memories, and a few pictures btw of those years in PC. I learned a lot, and still try to use some of those principles in life today.
Lots of good times, not to mention great music. I definitely would be into helping to organize a reunion. I have a couple of acres available.
V.

Posted by: Victoria Alexander | December 13, 2007 at 10:12 AM

Mary and I were revisiting P.C. postings and it sure brought back a lot of memories. I became introduced to the Project by Fred Bell when he came to my office at Westgate High School and asked to visit the classes. This was quite an ambitious request but the principal agreed and that was the start of a very blessed relationship. There are so many memories. Pere and I became good friends.

I do remember the time I wanted to sell my 1969 Meteor Station Wagon(green) and during a prayer session with Val Paterson when I was principal of St. Patrick High School, the Lord told me I couldn't sell it because Pere needed a car. That was on a Thursday. I hadn't heard from anyone connected with the Project for at least 6 months. I was also told they would be here Monday to pick it up. On Monday the gang showed up at the school. I said to Pere, "Your car is out in the parking lot." He said " thanks", and that was all we said about it for several days. When I phoned Mary to tell her they had arrived she said,"You said they were coming today so I have already started supper but you have to let me know how many there are so I will know how many potatoes to peel". Many of you might know how you prayed for another vehicle and I believe You were told in the prayer that you would pick it up in Thunder Bay. So it was expected and that is why Pere just said "Thanks".

I saw Pere in Edmonton a few months before he died. We had a great dinner together with Deacon Rick Hartnet, a friend from Amherst Nova Scotia. We had just finishe a meeting of the National Service Committee for the Charismatic Renewal. I am still a member of that committee, the past chairman. When Pere and I parted we both knew it was the last time we would see each other this side of heaven. Our parting was emotional but glorious.
It was really great to have so many of you on our property in Paipoonge. Our kids, Laura, Bart, Brad and Andrew remember as well.
God is Good, Mary and Armand Danis

Posted by: Armand Danis | January 11, 2008 at 10:25 PM

Great to see your POST Armand, you gave me your very warm overcoat when we were there as well. All these years later you can still see the impact on the lives you touched by being generous. So many young people filtered through your farm. All have great memories. I had dinner in Ottawa on March 1rst(last night) with Brian Cano, Dwight Delahunt, Ron Vanden, Larry O'Brian and Barb Fitzgerald. I'm still in touch with Frank McGeragle, Heidi Berger, Debby(Bubbles) Brayley, Albert Herdoiza,Bert Reeves, Valerie(Hiuser now) and Mike Bell in Belleville and a few others around the country. My email is fbell@fredbell.com I would love to get in touch and say hello if I get a chance to come through town.

Posted by: Fred Bell | March 02, 2008 at 01:24 PM

Wow Fred I had no idea you were still in touch with so many - I tried tracking Heidi down a few times, thought she might be an artist by the same name, but nope. Wonder if anyone knows anything about Paul Anderson? A nephew of Danny Chaisson once tried to sell me a car at some car lot in Wpg. I told him about the ancient practice of "biffing" He nodded politely.

Posted by: bill | March 02, 2008 at 01:39 PM

Hi all old Christophers really great to see this going on thanks Fred Bell for the e-mails. I was on a team to Wisconsin working within a Mexican migrant camp, Dee Briones, El-Paso Texas, Jean Smith St.Louis Missouri, Ron Vanden Ottawa Ontario Canada, Gerry MaCann Kinston Ontario, Rudy Lamma El-Paso Texas were all on the team it was something.
My e-mail address is tdborg@shaw.ca
Would really like to see a reunion!

Posted by: Tom Borg | March 02, 2008 at 07:40 PM

 

trying out a new blog

there's been a bit of interest in an old post of mine - about reconnecting with former members of Project Christopher [a youth christian/social action program that ran in the 1960's-70's].  I thought I'd try reposting that original post and its responses in a special blog - and encourage others to respond.  We can set this blog up with multiple authors [more on that later].  For now, let's give it a try.