June 2008 Update
From
The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust
& The Wilhelm Reich Museum
We thank you for your continual interest and support. For newcomers to our e-mail Update list, none of the names on this list--nor the names of any Museum visitors, conference attendees or bookstore customers--are shared with any other individuals or organizations. If at any time you wish to be removed from this list, please let us know.
All previous Updates, dating from March 2004, available online.
You can access them through the Updates option at the top of this page or via the Quick Links along the left side of the page. These Updates provide the best contemporaneous accounts of the Trust's ongoing activities over the past six years.
Museum Hours - Summer 2008
No Summer Conference This Year
Mary Boyd Higgins Receives Award
Orgonon's Other Summer Activities
Raising Money for a New Roof
MUSEUM HOURS - SUMMER 2008
Summer hours for tours of the Orgone Energy Observatory begin on Wednesday,
July 2nd at 1:00 pm.
While our property is open to the public every day, the Observatory is not. Unfortunately people frequently show up at various hours, days, and times of the year without first checking our regular hours, assuming that the Observatory is open for tours. We never like seeing anyone disappointed, so please note our hours so that you can plan your visit.
Tours of the Orgone Energy Observatory:
July & August: Wednesday – Sunday, 1 - 5 p.m.
September: Sundays only, 1 - 5 p.m.
Admission: $6.00 for adults & children over 12
Children under 12 are admitted free.
Special Tours at any other time are available by appointment only: admission is $100.00 for groups of up to ten people.
The Conference Building, which houses the Museum & Trust offices, is open year-round Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Our 175-acre property, with its trails and nature walks, is open daily to the public year-round from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. In late July and into August our fields are filled with wild blueberries, and we encourage people to come over for some free blueberry picking.
NO SUMMER CONFERENCE THIS YEAR, BUT VERY BUSY
This will be the first summer since the 1970s that we will not be holding a summer conference. As we announced in our January 2008 Update, we made this decision
so that we could catch up (after our busy schedule in 2007) on a variety of Trust and
Museum projects, while simultaneously taking on new responsibilities and activities.
We are grateful to everyone who has contacted us over the past few months to inquire about a summer conference--although disappointed, everyone has been understanding
and supportive of our decision.
So while it may seem a little quieter than usual here this summer, the truth is that
"behind the scenes" we are busier than ever.
- Preparing a manuscript for the sequel to American Odyssey – Letters and
Journals 1940-1947 is a mammoth, time-consuming undertaking, comprising
the culling of hundreds and hundreds of pages from The Archives of the
Orgone Institute: diaries & journals, letters, workbooks, protocols, etc.
- Preparing a script for a full-length documentary film about Reich is an equally
arduous task. We are now completing the process of listening to all of the
dozens of Reich's audio-recordings, to select as many segments as possible
in which Reich himself discusses his life and work.
The film's narrative structure will comprise Reich's voice, original written narration, and contemporary on-camera interviews.
- Although scholars and researchers are currently visiting the Countway Library
of Medicine at Harvard University to study materials from The Archives of
the Orgone Institute, an enormous amount of archival work is still being done.
This ongoing work includes reviewing and studying files to create more detailed listings in the Archive Index,
as well as to familiarize ourselves with the specific contents of these materials for
future publishing, conferences, educational materials, and practical applications.
- We are in contact with numerous individuals involved in scholarship and
research pertaining to current applications of Reich's work. To encourage
and assist those involved in biology, microscopy, bion research, Reich Blood
Tests, and orgonomic medicine, we are donating DVDs of Reich's microscopic time-lapse bion and cancer films to numerous researchers.
MARY BOYD HIGGINS RECEIVES AWARD FROM RANGELEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
On June 19, 2008, the Rangeley Chamber of Commerce held its annual spring dinner
at the historic Loon Lodge Inn, located on the eastern shore of Rangeley Lake. At the conclusion of dinner, the Chamber awarded its annual Community Service Award to
a completely surprised and unsuspecting Mary Boyd Higgins. Kit Caspar, a board member of the Chamber, delivered the following remarks before presenting Mary
with a beautiful plaque for her long-time service to the Rangeley community:
Award presentation by Kit Caspar
Rangeley Chamber of Commerce
Our annual Community Service recipient is chosen each year by a committee consisting
of Dot Wentzell and myself from the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, and by recent past recipients, this year being Jo Haley, Scott Millbury, Clark Allen, Pilar Bates, and Scott MacDonald. We truly appreciate everyone's conscientious guidance and input.
It is rare in our society that one's passions and vocation follow the exact same path. Fortunately, for the Rangeley Region, that path led a gracious, talented lady to Rangeley 49 years ago, and it is our privilege to honor her this evening.
She came here with a goal: that of turning a fledgling Trust Fund and abandoned buildings into a world-renowned non-profit institution. And her goal has been outstandingly accomplished.
The organization's achievements are numerous, and particularly obvious at the local level is that of bringing thousands of visitors from around the globe to our vacation area for conferences and tours.
Our focus, however, is to highlight the community outreach programs instituted under the watchful eye of this gentle lady. With benefit to all age groups in mind, our recipient has:
- spearheaded the building of wonderful marked nature trails designed
by a noted naturalist
- schedules natural science workshops and lectures throughout the summer
- coordinates children's activities and offers a special educational Children's Room
- provides vacation accommodations each year to needy foster families
- gives local school scholarships
- and hosts special events such as Ladies Breakfasts, Santa's Breakfasts,
musical performances, and winter carnivals.
Many of these remarkable undertakings are offered free of charge to residents and visitors alike. Yes, you have probably guessed that this year's recipient is Mary Boyd Higgins,
Director of The Wilhelm Reich Museum.
While her stated mission is preserving Dr. Wilhelm Reich's vast scientific legacy in accordance with his Last Will & Testament directives, Mary has reached far into the fabric of our community by constantly publicizing the Rangeley Lakes Region and initiating numerous beneficial community endeavors. We are most appreciative.
We are proud to present to Mary Boyd Higgins our 2008 Community Service Award.
(The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust and the staff of The Wilhelm Reich Museum thank all
of the members of the Chamber of Commerce for this generous award. With special
thanks to Kit Caspar and to Evelyn McAllister, Executive Director of the Chamber.)
ORGONON'S OTHER SUMMER ACTIVITIES
While our primary focus is on programs, exhibits, and other functions specific to Reich's life and legacy, we are part of the vibrant communities of Rangeley and Oquossoc. And we recognize our responsibilities to our local friends and neighbors. Our property and facilities are the venue for a myriad of educational, recreational, and social activities that bring hundreds of people to Orgonon every year. And we feel that all of these activities, while not about Reich, are very much in keeping with the essence of his personality, his life, and his work.
In 1989 we began a Natural Science Program, funded largely by grants, attracting people to our meadows, woods, trails and waterfront for lectures, workshops, and hikes. In 2001 a sheltered outdoor classroom was erected, allowing us to expand this program. And our Conference Building continues to be the site of additional educational and social events.
Below is a list of our 2008 summer offerings.
NATURAL SCIENCE PROGRAM – SUMMER WORKSHOPS
Sundays 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
July 6
"Backwoods Hiking"
with Steve Bies
July 13
"All About Bats"
with Peggy Betts
July 20
"Ferns"
with Warren Balgooyan
July 27
"Bugs and Butterflies"
with Charlene Donahue
August 3
"Owls"
with Jennifer Perry
August 10
"Wild Orchids"
with Michael Hicks
August 17
"Learn About Bees"
with Tony Jadczak
August 24
"A Mushroom Walk"
with Michalene Mulvey
Evening Lecture Series
Mondays – 7:00 p.m.
August 4
"The Story of Sugarloaf"
with John Christie
August 11
"Maine: Guess Where From the Air"
with Charles Feil & Murad Sayen
Orgonon's Auction
Saturday, August 9 – 10:00 a.m.
From the moment the auctioneer lifts his gavel to the final sale, you'll have fun
bidding on an intriguing collection of items donated by individuals and businesses.
Items will be available for viewing at 9:00 a.m.
RAISING MONEY FOR A NEW ROOF FOR THE CONFERENCE BUILDING
The 2007-2008 winter was a real old-fashioned Maine winter, with one of the largest
overall snow accumulations in recent history. Here at Orgonon heavy snow accumulation
translated into the most severe roof leakage we've ever had in the Conference Building, formerly Reich's Student Laboratory.
Consequently, in early spring we solicited estimates for the necessary roof repair.
And in May, we mailed out a fund-raising letter to our regular friends and supporters,
seeking contributions. The response to that mailing was immediate and more generous
than we could've imagined! And we thank everyone who donated.
Unfortunately we're still shy of the full amount. And because we were unable to
send out a May 2008 Update as we had intended, we're now including this same fundraising letter (below) to our friends and supporters on our E-mail Update List.
And again, we thank all of you who have already generously contributed--we
appreciate your kindness and your commitment to helping us.
Fundraising Letter for Roof Repairs:
Dear Friend,
The long winter has finally passed, leaving the ravages of its heavy snows and ice. Despite continuous attention by caretaker Pete Henderson, twenty-year-old shingles
on the museum Conference Building roof allowed serious leaking in the Orgone Room,
the main hall, and the office. At one point, every bucket and spare wastebasket was
in service as we strived to protect the building and its contents.
It is now obvious that the old shingles must be replaced immediately. And it is for this reason that we are turning to you for help. The estimate we have obtained from a reliable roofer is $16,430.00. This is a very significant amount of money, but it must be paid if the building (once Reich's Student Laboratory, and now the site of the museum's Reading Room, Orgone Room, programs, events, and offices) is to be preserved.
Any contribution you can make to this end will be welcome and deeply appreciated.
Thank you for considering this request.
Sincerely,
Mary Boyd Higgins
UNTIL NEXT MONTH
Please share this Update with colleagues, friends, and family who may be interested in the life and legacy of Wilhelm Reich and the good works of The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust and The Wilhelm Reich Museum. Thank you again for your friendship and support.
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