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November 2018 Update
From
The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust
& The Wilhelm Reich Museum

Recap of the Summer 2018 Conference
Summer 2019 Conference Announcement
Mary Boyd Higgins
Become a Friend of the Trust
Orgonomic Functionalism on Sale
2018 Natural Science Programs
Fundraisers at the Museum

 

SUMMER CONFERENCE 2018: A RECAP

The Wilhelm Reich Museum offered a unique opportunity to participate in a conference. We read and discussed two chapters of Reich's book The Function of the Orgasm per day with different discussion leaders each day. Leaders were Dr. James Strick, Dr. Havard Nilsen, Dr. Jonathan Koblenzer, Dr. C. Grier Sellers, and Ph.D. students Abril Vazquez and Ben Tavares.

"It is a good idea to write scientific biographies in one's younger years, at an age when one has not yet lost certain illusions regarding the readiness of one's fellows to accept revolutionary knowledge. If one still has these illusions, one is able to cleave to the basic truths, to resist all the various temptations to compromise or sacrifice clear-cut findings to laziness in thinking or to the need for peace of mind." ---- Wilhelm Reich, M.D.

This was Reich's first published book in the United States, which he wrote specifically to introduce his work to an American audience. He summarizes his clinical and scientific work with the human organism over a period of twenty years from its roots in the Vienna Seminar on Sexology and his first contact with Sigmund Freud, to his laboratory experiments in Oslo, which confirmed his orgasm theory and led to the discovery of a radiating biological energy, the orgone.

The discovery of orgone energy was the result of a consistent clinical investigation of the concept of "psychic energy," at first in the realm of psychiatry. Experience has shown beyond any doubt that the knowledge of emotional functions of the biological energy is indispensable for the understanding of its physiological and physical functions. The biological emotions, which govern the psychic process are in themselves the immediate expression of a strictly physical energy, the cosmic orgone. The Function of the Orgasm was an excellent presentation of the whole development of Reich's work in its rapid progression from the realm of psychology into that of biology. 

SUMMER CONFERENCE 2019: SAVE THE DATE

The annual conference at Orgonon, from 8-12 July 2019, will be on the topic of Reich's writings on work democracy. Given the tumultuous political climate in recent years, this is an excellent time to read together and discuss Reich's ideas on what a work democratic society might look like, and how it could remedy the political shortcomings of communist, socialist, fascist and formalistic democracy systems. Participants will be sent the key articles Reich wrote on the topic, and we will read and discuss one to two of them each day of the conference. Relevant audiotapes and manuscripts from the Reich archives will be included. As usual the conference will also feature a hike in the Rangeley area, possibly evening stargazing, and other activities. Discussion sessions will be held Monday through Friday from 9:00am to 1:00pm. We will also leave open time for families to vacation and relax in the beautiful setting of the Rangeley area. More information regarding conference cost will be included in a forthcoming update. 

MARY BOYD HIGGINS: AN UPDATE

We would like to provide news regarding Mary Higgins, now 93, and long-time Trustee of the Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust. Her family, and Power of Attorney, Kate Fresca, who has been a life long friend, has moved her to a care facility in Kentucky. Mary is doing fine. Kate reports going out to lunch with Mary and going for walks. She has made many friends.

Mary was born and grew up in Indianapolis, coming east to attend Vassar College. After graduation she moved to New York City. And it was there she first heard the name Wilhelm Reich when her piano teacher loaned her a copy of the book that had introduced Reich to the American public The Function of the Orgasm. Neither a physician nor scientist, she was drawn to his work by the logic of his thought and development, and continued to learn about it. In the l950s, as the Food and Drug Administration pursued its savage quest to destroy the man and his work, banning and burning his books and articles, and bringing about his imprisonment, she was horrified and sickened that such actions could take place virtually unopposed in the United States of America. And so, in 1959, a year and a half after his death, when no one would assume the responsibility for the Trust he had created in his Will, The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust, she begged to be allowed to try.

Appointed by the probate court in Farmington on March 24, 1959, she came to Rangeley that evening for the first time and drove down Main Street between walls of snow into a new life devoted to the protection and dissemination of Reich's legacy. This has included the development of The Wilhelm Reich Museum in Rangeley; securing the safety of a vast archives of scientific accomplishment at the Countway Library of Medicine at Harvard University; and work with the New York publisher Farrar, Straus and Giroux on the worldwide publication of Reich's prolific writings. Among them is an anthology she co-edited Selected Writings: An Introduction to Orgonomy, as well as three autobiographical books created by her from his journals and correspondence - Passion of Youth, Beyond Psychology, and American Odyssey. Her Rangeley odyssey continued as she researched a fourth autobiographical volume Where's the Truth covering the years in Reich's life from 1947 to his untimely death in 1957.

Directors have now replaced the position of Trustee and are executing all of Mary's former duties. That Board includes Josh Dayton, Dr. Ken Baker, Mary Henderson, and Dr. James Strick. Members, Associates of the Trust, eternally appreciate her sixty years of service for the Trust and Museum, and all who know her. 

BECOME A FRIEND OF WILHELM REICH INFANT TRUST

Reich's legacy was built with a community of his supporters; it will be preserved in the same way. Will you be part of that community and commit to becoming a monthly donor?

While any giving amount is welcome, imagine what your $10 a month can do:

• Revive the Chester M. Raphael Scholarship to support student attendance at the summer conference.
  
  
• Support publication of Volume 7 of Orgonomic Functionalism, the only journal that publishes previously unpublished manuscripts from the Reich archives. This volume has been on hold, but your monthly donation can make its publication a reality.
  
  
• Make possible needed repairs to the Reich Museum, the stunning, nearly-70-year-old building on the National Registry of Historic Places.

ORGONOMIC FUNCTIONALISM: NOW ON SALE

In the Spring of 1990, The Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust issued Volume 1 of Orgonomic Functionalism. Intended as a bi-annual periodical devoted primarily to unpublished materials from Reich's Archives, as well as key selections from his published books and research bulletins, Orgonomic Functionalism includes numerous unpublished scientific materials in Reich's Archives on topics ranging from physics and nature to weather, education, and infant care. Many of these articles are crucial to understanding the relevance and breadth of the science of orgonomy.. Edited by Mary Boyd Higgins and Chester M. Raphael, M.D., the Trust was assisted financially in this endeavor by the generosity of an eclectic group of supporters.

Volume 2 appeared in the Fall of 1990, Volume 3 in the Summer of 1991, Volume 4 in the Summer of 1992, Volume 5 in the Summer of 1994, and Volume 6 in the Summer of 1996.

We offer the 6 volume set for the unbelievable price of $30.00 plus $5.00 for postage. 

NATURAL SCIENCE PROGRAM AT ORGONON: A RECAP FROM 2018

Inspired by Wilhelm Reich's interest in the natural environment, the Wilhelm Reich Museum began its Natural Science Program in 1989. Today this program provides year-round environmental, educational, and recreational activities for all ages, available free of charge to the general public through grants and individual contributions.

"The Whole universe is ruled by the cycle of give and take, absorb and reflect, grow and die, concentrate cosmic power and dissipate it again into the great cosmic ocean" – Wilhelm Reich

Each Sunday afternoon throughout the summer, naturalists and environmental educators use Orgonon's 175-acre property of fields, forests, trails, wetlands and shore frontage on Dodge Pond, plus our sheltered Outdoor Classroom and Conference Building, to share their knowledge of the Rangeley Lakes habitat.

The Sunday programs in 2018 were: Matt Tinker – "The Majestic Moose", Jan Collins – "Stupendous Spiders", Erin DeCoste - "Fabulous Fibers," with hands on activities, Phillip de Mayndier – "Butterfly Fun", Brittany and Aurora Wetherill - Maine folk tales, and Michaeline Mulvey - "Mushroom Primer." 

2018 FUNDRAISERS AT ORGONON

An Evening of Music at The Wilhelm Reich Museum

Pianist Andy Kahn of Philadelphia – who has performed at Orgonon’s Evening of Music series since 2004 – returned for his annual solo piano concert to benefit the Wilhelm Reich Infant Trust Saturday, on July 14, 20168 in the conference center at Orgonon on Dodge Pond Road in Rangeley. He played to a packed house, more people than have ever come before heard this brilliant pianist play Jazz. “Music by Intention” concerts are the result of decades he has spent researching popular standard songs, which evolved into Swing and Jazz, America’s enduring contribution to the arts. Andy guides his audiences on a musical romp through the historic Golden Age of American music by Cole Porter, George Gershwin, Irving Berlin, Jerome Kern, Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart, Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer and others from this unique musical era. With Be-Bop and Mainstream Jazz taking cues from these timeless songs, the pianist also lends his personal improvisations to a selection of well-known jazz tunes.

Square Dance Party At Orgonon

On Monday August 15th The Wilhelm Reich Museum’s Conference Center, was alive with music and square dancing. No experience was necessary. National Caller and Rangeley resident, Red Bates, taught all the moves and his wife Virginia helped those of us who just didn’t get it. It was such fun and he made us feel like we really knew what we were doing, even when we didn’t. The participants enjoyed it and have asked for Red and Virginia to come back every August. AND we got a new volunteer from this program, one of our best volunteers in fact, Adam Sullivan. He is very knowledgeable about Wilhelm Reich, helped fill in for a guide that was out a time or two and has done a private tour.

Breakfast With Santa

Santa, Mrs. Claus, and the elves will visit the children here at Orgonon on Saturday Dec. 1st. It’s a great way to get into the spirit of Christmas just seeing those little faces as Santa walks in with a big HO HO HO. The elves will help the children make crafts and decorate Christmas cookies while Mrs. Claus watches, encourages and applauds them. It will take many volunteers to make this fun occasion possible. Everyone of all ages will get into the Spirit of Christmas.

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.