BEN BEGLEY Correspondence

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 09: BIOGRAPHY – Staff
Ben Begley, Teacher, EE Director, 1986-2014
Correspondence, 1987-2004

Ben Begley, former director of the Environmental Education Program. Burkhard Collection 2013 Centennial celebration. [burkhard_centennial_028.jpg]

TAGS: Benjamin Begley, Ben Begley correspondence, Pat Begley, Burton Rogers, Environmental Education, Chapel organ music, telescope, Paul Hayes, Elderhostel, Willis D. Weatherford, 1992 Kentucky Naturalist of the Year award, Kentucky Naturalist News, star charts

BEN BEGLEY Correspondence, 1987-2004

Teacher, Director (Environmental Education) 1986-2014

[Note: The following summaries of letters to and from Ben Begley are in chronological order and not in the order of the image numbers. Items with no date (N.D.] or no year were placed with the dated letters as they were found in the Archive files. All items from Ben Begley are handwritten. Burton Roger’s correspondence are either typewritten or handwritten and some are photocopies or carbon copies.]

1987

047 May 1, 1987. Note on PMSS stationery to Burton Rogers [former PMSS director] from Ben Begley [EE Director], thanking him “for the three Chapel presentations: Jefferson, Wildflower Weekend, and for Washington.”

044 May 27, 1987. Note on PMSS stationery to Burton from Ben, thanking him for “taking up the slack when so desperately needed. You exemplify the spirit of Pine Mtn.”

043 July 18, 1987. Typewritten note to Ben from Burton about his and Mary [Roger]’s plans to visit their son, Christopher, in Wilmington, NC.

045 N.D. Note on PMSS stationery to Burton from Ben, thanking him for the “chapel session.”

048 November 5, [no year]. Typewritten note to Ben from Burton, thanking him for turning up the Chapel heat. He tells about help with a school group that he received from “Bill.”

042 N.D. Letter on PMSS stationery to Burton from Ben, thanking Burton for his Chapel programs for Price Elementary, Taylor Elementary, Fall Color Weekend, and Johnson Elementary.

046 N.D. Typewritten note [truncated] from Burton to Ben, informing him of his schedule.

1989

040 March 20, [no year]. Copy of typewritten note to Ben from Burton, describing his encounter with a family of five who were visiting PMSS before one of their children comes to PMSS with the Miller-Perry school group.

039 April 3, [no year]. Copy of a typewritten “Speed Letter” to Paul [Hayes, PMSS Director] and Ben from Burton, arranging for a switch and wire to be installed in order to use the telescope on Wildflower Weekend. He mentions “Kermit.”

036 June 23, 1989. Copy of a typewritten note to Ben from Burton, he will provide organ music for the reunion group if he hasn’t left for the weekend.

035 July 4, [no year]. Copy of a typewritten note to Ben from Burton, assuring him that Bill Powers intends to return the keys he took back to Lexington by mistake.

034 August 2, [no year]. Copy of a typewritten “Speed Letter” to Paul from Burton, telling him that the power was shut off in the Chapel where he was preparing to present organ music to a group of people. He turned it back on, not knowing the reason for the shut-off, and presented the program.

041 November 16, [no year]. Copy of a typewritten note to Paul and Ben, informing them of his and Mary’s schedule. He adds a handwritten request for Elderhostel evaluations.

032 December 19, [no year]. Memo to Ben from Burton, regarding scheduling; Bayside [Academy] can use the Chapel any day, as needed. He offers to provide organ music, but if he’s not available, he suggests Clay Howard.

033 N.D. Copy of a typewritten “Speed Letter” to Ben from Burton, offering to provide music in the Chapel during Elderhostel.

037 N.D. Handwritten note to Ben from Burton, offering a key to Burton’s front door in case of emergency.

038 N.D. Copy of a typewritten “Speed Letter” to Ben and Bill from Burton, about delivering magazines left for them by Bill Leach.

1990

031 March 11, 1990. Typewritten letter to Ben from Burton, asking if there will be room for the organ repairmen to stay overnight at PMSS, even though Newburg School will require rooms.

030 June 19, [no year]. Copy of “Speed Letter” on pink paper to Ben and Paul from Burton, informing them of his schedule.

028 November 15, 1990. Typewritten letter to Paul and Ben from [unsigned, apparently Burton], describing how he acquired the telescope in 1970 from Board Chair, President [Willis D.] Weatherford, placed it in the keeping of the Environmental Education department, and eventually asked Peter Rogers to take charge of it. “He studied it and the sky very thoroughly, becoming expert in its care and handling.” [Handwritten note in bottom margin: “Continued. Full copy filed ‘Paul & Ellen’”]

029 N.D. Typewritten note to Ben from Burton, inviting students to drop in when he plays at the Chapel.

1991

027 April 16, 1991. Typewritten note to Paul and Ben from Burton about canceling his plans to go to Lexington and willingness to do whatever “Keith” wants at the Chapel.

026 April 30, 1991. Typewritten note to Paul and Ben from Burton about Milly [Mahoney] taking Mary to a Quaker gathering at Boone, N.C., then visiting with Marian Kingman, Connie Brosi (former teacher), and Alice Cobb. He also mentions a possible visit to the beach and trip with Christopher.

025 May 1, 1991. Typewritten note to Paul and Ben from Burton with dates of the gathering at Boone, NC, which Mary and Millie are attending.

1992

023 March 30, 1992. Typewritten note to Ben from Burton about scheduling Mary’s medical appointments.

021 April 17, 1992. Typewritten note to Ben from Burton, providing the date of Mary’s next appointment. “You are always wonderfully solicitous and concerned for Mary’s welfare and convenience and we never cease to be grateful to you.”

024 May 12, [no year]. Typewritten note to Paul and Ben from Burton, updating them about his medical appointments.

020 August 14-29, [no year]. Handwritten list of an itinerary from Pine Mountain to Rock Mountain National Park, Dinosaur National Mountain, Arches National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Curecanti National Recreation Area.

022 November 9, [no year]. Typewritten note to Ben from Burton, informing Ben that he will play the Chapel organ for four weekend guests (3 of them former EE interns) and Elderhostel.

050 N.D., c. 1992. Clipping from an unspecified newspaper with green background and the headline “Kentucky Naturalist of the Year: Pine Mountain Settlement school worker receives honor.” Displays photo of Ben Begley with his award for having been named 1992 Kentucky Naturalist of the Year by the Kentucky Society Society of Natural History. [No image of the continuation of the article on page 2.]
019-019a PHOTOCOPY OF 050.

1993

018 June 22, 1993. Typewritten note to Pat [Begley] and Ben from Burton, sending them a check for Traveler’s Checks to use during their vacation trip, “to fulfill a promise to Mary.” He sends the check “with our highest regard, inexpressible appreciation, affection, and love.”

017 June 25, 1993. Carbon copy of typewritten memo on yellow paper to Paul Hayes from Burton (c: Ben), informing Hayes that Burton had been asked by Ben to arrange newspapers and magazines that he brought to the library. He has been doing so for about six visits. “It would have special meaning for me to continue doing this a while if desired.”

016 July 1, 1993. Address and message side of postcard to Burton at PMSS from Ben and Pat, with greetings during their travels to New Orleans and Big Bend National Park. 016a Image side of postcard featuring an Indian Paintbrush flower at Big Bend National Park.

015 October 21, 1993. Typewritten memo to “Paul, Ben, Debra, Pat, Milly” from Burton, announcing his plans to attend (with his niece) a piano concert with the Lexington Philharmonic, presented by “a dear friend [who] has given us piano and organ programs here in the Chapel several times.”

008 Winter 1993. Kentucky Naturalist News, announcing a Spring Wildflower Meeting in April 1993 of the Kentucky Society of Natural History at Pennyrile Forest State Resort Park, Dawson Springs, KY. Includes a history of the park. 008a Winter 1993. Kentucky Naturalist News, Page 1. Articles include “Ben Begley – [1992] KSNH Naturalist of the Year” followed by a chronological list of KSNH Naturalists of the Year, which also includes Elwood (Bud) Carr (1977) Mary Rogers (1982), Marc Evans (1988).

1994-1995

012 October 6, 1994. Card to Burton from Ben, updating him on work and weather at PMSS, mentioning, Elderhostel, Swap Meet at SECC, photo display at the library and EE display that included those by Pat (weaving), Fern Cornett (spinning), Matt Boggs (woodcarving), and Ben (medicinal plants). 012a Front and back of card featuring an illustration of Red-Bellied Woodpeckers.

013 August 3, 1995. Note to Burton from Ben and Pat, who tell about their visit to the Seattle, WA, area, and a “very normal summer at P.M.” 013a Front of card with illustration of an orange and black bird and closing words, “Take care, Burton, Pat & I both love and miss you.”

011 August 20, 1995. Card to Burton from Ben, thanking him for the check for EE supplies. Mentions that “Keith” will return this fall instead of “Larry” who is in Columbus. 011a Front and back of card addressed to Burton Rogers from Mrs. Pat Begley, featuring an illustration of berries.

007-007a November 14, 1995. Two-page letter (with a sketch by Mary Rogers) to Burton from Ben and Pat, who thank Burton for the star charts, which are used on all-night hikes, and ask him to continue sending them. They purchased binoculars and plan to use funds to purchase other needs. Mentions interns and visiting groups, such as Westport Middle School and Bayside.

1996-1997

010-010a February 1, 1996. Two-page letter on yellow paper to Burton from Ben and Pat, thanking him for the star charts, especially helpful with the interns. They plan to visit Louisville friends and possibly Burton and Mary in Lexington.

009 March 19, 1996. Note to Burton on PMSS stationery from Ben and Pat. In honor of “Mary’s fund,” they will contribute their magazines (Audubon, Natural History, Sierra, and Earth) to Pine Mountain Library. They suggest other “more substantial” EE needs that could be funded. 009a [Reverse side of 009.] Handwritten lists of wildflowers “behind Chapel” and at “Zande [House].” Also: “Burton, Let me know if you need any Primrose for around Far House.”

004 January 21, 1997. Card to Burton from Ben and Pat, who write about their visit to Redfoot Lake to see eagles and meet with “friends of Pine Mountain.” They thank him for star charts and astrological material. 004a Front of card featuring a print of flowers in a vase.

005 N.D. Handwritten “Important note re Tweedle” on front page of a note from Mildred Mahoney, PMSS. 005a-005b N.D. Two-page handwritten note “To everyone concerned with Tweedle,” including Burton, providing rules for caring for Tweedle (cat), according to Ben and Pat. 006 “Amended instructions” from “M.” [Mildred Mahoney]

2004

001-001a January 11, 2004. Two-page card to Burton from Ben and Pat, with a confidential message concerning their misgivings about the future of Pine Mountain. 001b Front of card featuring a print of a flower. 001c Envelope addressed to Mr. Burton Rogers in Lexington, KY from “Begley” in Bledsoe, KY.

002 N.D. Card to Burton from Ben and Pat, expressing appreciation for their last meeting and for the computer and accessories for the Environmental Education department. They look forward to future meetings. 002a Front of card featuring a print of a flower.

003-003a [Truncated date] Two-page handwritten card to Burton, thanking him for the “star charts, etc.” Mentions work on the bird blind, Draper, Library, and Plant Center. Pat has given classes in pottery at Green Hill and to PMSS staff. 003b Front of card featuring a print of a flower.