RECOVERY TIMES Vol. 44, No. 6, June 2020 The Alcoholics Anonymous San Fernando Valley Central Office Newsletter Remembering How It Started

Alcoholics Anonymous was founded by Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith. The date commonly referred to as the anniversary of AA is acknowledged as June 10, 1935, the date of Dr. Bob’s last drink. It is also the day the two men pledged to work on a program that would help others become sober.

How the two met: Bill W. had been on a business trip to Akron, Ohio when he got the urge to drink. Using a church directory, he found Henrietta Seiberling, a member of the Oxford Group of Akron. Bill knew about the Oxford Group from his close friend Ebby Thatcher who had taken him to Oxford Group meetings in New York. Ebby had been a drinking buddy of Bill’s and told him that he had ‘found religion” and gotten sober.

However, Bill’s moment of reckoning came while he was on his fourth admission to Towns Hospital under the care of Dr. Silkworth. While lying on the bed, he experienced a “hot flash” spiritual conversion where he called out to God and asked for help in getting sober. He then had the sensation of a bright light, a feeling of ecstasy, and a new serenity. Wilson described his experience to Dr. Silkworth, who told him not to discount it.

After contacting Mrs. Henrietta Seiberling and asking for her help, she asked him to meet with one of their local drunks, a Dr. Robert Smith who the Oxford Group had not been able to help get sober. She then asked Dr. Bob to meet with Bill W. at her gatehouse home. Smith said he would give the meeting 15 minutes, but instead, his historic first meeting with Bill W. lasted six hours due to Bill’s knowledge of alcoholism and ability to share from his own experience. Following that meeting, Wilson moved into Bob and Anne Smith's family home. There both men made plans to take their message of recovery on the road. During this period, however, Smith returned to drinking while attending a medical convention. Bill continued to work with Dr. Bob for the next month at which point, on June 10th, 1935, Dr. Bob took his last drink - a beer to steady his hands for surgery. This date is considered by members to be the founding date of AA. Both men began devoting their free time to reforming other alcoholics at Akron’s City Hospital, and were able to help one man achieve sobriety (the man on the bed, Bill D.).

Though the name Alcoholics Anonymous had not yet been coined, these three men actually made up the nucleus of the first A.A. group. In 1935, a second group of alcoholics formed in New York, followed by a third group in Cleveland in 1939. Through the group, Wilson emphasized that alcoholism was a malady of mind, emotions and body. And in 1939, the group published its textbook, “Alcoholics Anonymous.”

San Fernando Valley Central Office Minutes of Intergroup Representatives Meeting

In April and May there were no Intergroup meetings held for the San Fernando Valley’s AA Central Office. However, Central Office has remained open to service individual and group’s needs and of course, our 24/7 help line always stays open to answer calls from AAs in need. The office is open for book and literature sales and we look forward to seeing you again when it is safe for us to assemble in large groups. In the meantime, please continue to check in at Central Office if you have any questions about meetings opening up or online (virtual) meetings.

To find an online meeting in the San Fernando Valley, call Central Office at: (818) 988-3001 or go to: sfvaa.org. You can also look up meeting schedules on Group websites or Facebook pages, or go to this online directory: www.LAAAonlinemeetings.org and http://aa-intergroup.org.

The 7th Tradition States That We Are Self Supporting Consider setting up a mailbox or Venmo (or other app) system to collect the 7th Tradition. Your group will still need to purchase supplies and you may still be obligated to pay rent. If you are able to make a contribution to the different entities that comprise Alcoholics Anonymous, please do so.

A.A. Central Office of the San Fernando Valley is a legitimate non-profit. Personal donations cannot exceed $5,000 per year and must be from members of AA, not from outsiders. AA Central Office maintains a 24 hour phone line for alcoholics in need, hosted by volunteers. Call: 818 988-3001 anytime to speak to a “live” person on the phones. After hours we still answer phones for those in need, so don’t be afraid to refer people to our phone lines. SFV Central Office is located at 16132 Sherman Way, Van Nuys on the SW corner of Woodley & Sherman Way, west of the Mobil Station. Our large warehouse has chips, medallions and all the A.A. approved literature and pamphlets your group needs.

Want to be of service? We are always in need of volunteers to answer phones, especially on weekends and holidays. If you have a year or more of continuous sobriety, please call to volunteer. (818) 988-3001, or ask your group to volunteer for a shift every month.

Please buy your meeting supplies from AA Central Office of the Valley. By doing so, you are supporting our office. (It’s always more expensive to buy them from a retail store). We’re open Monday – Friday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and weekends: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Literature closed last Fri. of every month for Inventory and on major holidays).

Update us with your meeting information via email: [email protected], or stop by and pick up your medallions and literature at SFVCO, 16132 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA 91406.

Visit our website: www.sfvaa.org for meeting information and copies of Recovery Times.

AA SERVICE COMMITTEES CALENDAR: GS Area 93

All or some of the following meetings are temporarily on hold during FROM THE FOUNDERS the pandemic. Please consult the leadership of your district for further “Before the coming of faith I information. had lived as an alien in a st cosmos that too often District 1: Meets 1 Wednesday of the month at 7552 Remmet Street, seemed both hostile and Canoga Park, CA at 6 p.m. orientation; 6:30 for general meeting. cruel.” District 11: Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 123 W. Windsor Road, AA Co-Founder, Bill W., Glendale, CA at 6:30 orientation; 7 p.m. general meeting. January 1962, “This Matter st of Fear,” Best of Bill District 16: Meets the 1 Monday of the month at 16132 Sherman Way, Van Nuys, CA. (Central Office) at 6 p.m. for orientation then meeting. “Not all of the problems created during the days District 17: Meets the 1st Monday of the month at 5000 Colfax Ave., North when I hid in the fog of Hollywood at 6 p.m. orientation; 6:30 p.m. general meeting. booze have straightened out, but I now have enough OTHER AA COMMITTEES: courage to face them Public Information Committee provides info to the public about what A.A. squarely.” Dar es Salaam, does & doesn’t do. We need volunteers, especially young people and Tanzania, AFRICA Spanish-speaking AAs, for health fairs & to speak at schools & businesses. “It surprises some people To volunteer call Central Office: (818) 988-3001. that AA members continue to attend meetings after SF Valley Hospitals and Institutions Committee (H & I): Temporary years of recovery. But I find contacts are needed to pair the alcoholic leaving rehabilitation, treatment or at least three good reasons for this practice: first, it jail with A.A. in their home community. Contact Central Office for info. H & I helps me maintain and also needs volunteers to carry the message of A.A. into hospitals, prisons enhance my personal and treatment facilities to those who are unable to get to meetings. Meets 3rd sobriety; second, I can Monday of the month at 5657 Lindley Ave., Tarzana (St. Innocent) at 7 p.m. contribute to, and benefit for orientation and 8 p.m. for the general business meeting. from, AA's caring community; and finally, I st can stay close to the San Fernando Valley Young People in AA: 1 Sunday of the month @ 1 spiritual ideas which are the p.m. at Unit A., 10641 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Regular weekly basis of our Twelve Step meeting Monday nights at 8 pm. program.” Toledo, Ohio

San Fernando Valley Intergroup: Central Office holds a monthly meeting “I cannot give anyone the for all Intergroup reps on the 2nd Monday at St. Innocent Church, 5657 precious gift of sobriety; but Lindley Ave., Tarzana. (6:30 p.m. for orientation; 7 p.m. for business I can listen to a newcomer's meeting). Intergroup reps provide an important service to the group, sharing problems and tell her how it info on upcoming AA events in the Valley. Support Central Office by sending works for me.” a rep from your group to the monthly Intergroup meeting. Lombard, Illinois Celebrating an A.A. Anniversary? Lisa K. – 18 Years, Laurie Jane – “Feelings are neither right nor wrong. It is what we do 24 Years, Teresa C. – 31 Years and Anonymous – 47 Years.☆¨¯`♥´ with them that we need to ¸¸.☆¨¯`♥¸¸.☆¨¯`♥´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`♥ concentrate on.” Temple, (¯`•´¯) [ ̲̅̅H ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅A ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅P̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅P̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅Y ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅B ̲̅̅ ][I ̲̅̅ ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅R ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅T ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅H ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅D ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅A ̲̅̅ ][ ̲̅̅Y ̲̅̅ ]!! ¨¯`♥ .•´.☆¨¯`♥¸¸.¸.☆¨¯`♥´ Texas ¸¸.☆¨¯`♥´ ¸¸.☆¨¯`♥

Copyright © 2018 by Consider making a $1.00 donation to Central Office for each year of your Alcoholics Anonymous World sobriety during your birthday month. Services, Inc.

Bequests/Contributions: The maximum dollar amount of individual bequests by A.A.s is reviewed every two years at the General Service Conference. In 2019, at the 69th General Service Conference, the maximum amount of an individual bequest by members to A.A. was raised from $5,000 to $10,000. This is a one-time contribution and is not in perpetuity. We also remember (A. A. Deaths): None that we know of. ______

Another historic landmark for Alcoholics Anonymous is Bill W.’s home in Vermont: The Wilson House of East Dorset

During this time of year, the staff at the Wilson House is usually busy preparing for visitors arriving for Bill W. Day, hosted by the local group in the churchyard, in observance of Founders Day in early June. Due to the current circumstances, this year’s gathering had to be canceled by the group and we are looking forward to 2021.

The house has been graced with the presence of so many in the fellowships of recovery over the years who have come to share their experience, strength and hope with those gathered.

2 years ago, Mel B. passed beyond our sight and hearing. Our continued love and gratitude for his faith and service to others in his 66 years of walking in the sunlight of the spirit.

Mel was the author of numerous books, including "Pass it On," and came to the Wilson house to speak at Bill W. day in early June of 2013. His kindness, love of the fellowship and the message he carried that day with such grace (even being interrupted by a thunderstorm that blew in over the mountain, we regathered in the meeting house and he didn't miss a beat!) will not be forgotten, he is truly missed.

We hope all our friends are well and that we will be together again soon.

Contributed by The Wilson House of East Dorset, May 2020

THE AIRFIELD IN MANCHESTER, A VISIT TO TIMES PAST

The airfield in nearby Manchester, was the scene of the infamous “jag” by Bill and Ebby T in 1929. Bill would write in the big book “There was that time we had chartered an airplane to complete a jag!” as he reflected in November 1934 awaiting Ebby’s arrival to his apartment in Brooklyn.

Lois would also write about the episode in her memoirs, Lois Remembers in the chapter titled: Ebby and the Mountaintop, “Whenever his work took him near Albany, Bill would stop in to see his old friend Ebby, and they always got drunk together.

On one of these sprees a brilliant idea hit them. Ebby had heard that a new airfield was about to be opened by the Equinox House in Manchester, Vermont. They hired a plane, wired the time of arrival to Mrs. Orvis, owner of the hotel and stocked up well for the flight. This was a gala day for Manchester. Mrs. Orvis called out the band to greet the first plane to arrive at the new airport and the town fathers all gathered at the airfield. The plane flew in; the band played lustily; the welcoming committee got on the ready; and Bill and Ebby stepped down from the plane and fell flat on their faces, dead drunk.” [published in Lois Remembers: Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 1979 pages 76-77]

Lois kept a copy of the letter Bill had written the next day to Mrs. Orvis’ son Franklin:

Dear Mr. Orvis

Until I found that I could not reach you on the phone I had been minded to call upon you and apologize for the disgraceful happenings of yesterday.

I do not know what I said or did but it is painfully evident that I had done you grievous wrong. I certainly merit nothing but your contempt and feel that a situation has been created which cannot be lived down.

Though you perhaps prefer I do not call on you I would like you to know how keenly I feel about the matter and if you can bring yourself to doing so I shall appreciate it to no end if you will accept this my most sincere apologies. I do not know whether your mother was present at the field or not--in any event I hope that she will also accept this apology-

Sincerely, William G. Wilson

The embarrassing episode was all but erased from local history, not mentioned in the local papers. Bill was the son-in-law of Dr. Clark Burnham, a long-time member of Manchester’s summer colony and a co-founder of the exclusive Ekwanok Country Club. Ebby’s father was George Thacher, he was Ekwanok’s second president and member of Robert Todd Lincoln’s famous golfing foursome and summered in Manchester for decades. Needless to say, the planned celebration of their arrival had gone sideways and was quickly swept under the rug! The airfield today remains visible just off route 7 and it is privately owned with the occasional Cessna taking off and landing. Reprinted with permission of The Wilson House of East Dorset

AA VIRTUAL LIFE ______She came into my life just when I needed her. I was in need of a companion to help me communicate with others to share my thoughts and feelings. At first we had trouble understanding each other. She had a style and language that was different than mine. We had to learn to understand each other before we could share with others. Once we had adjusted to how we each expressed ourselves, the communication went very smoothly. She helped me talk with people I was not able to without her assistance.

She has opened the world up to me; for that I am very grateful. Her name is Zoom.

Pat K., longtimer – Tujunga, CA ______

From Bill's Story, page 1: I visited Winchester Cathedral. Much moved, I wandered outside. My attention was caught by a doggerel on an old tombstone: "Here lies a Hampshire Grenadier Who caught his death Drinking cold small beer. A good soldier is ne'er forgot Whether he dieth by musket Or by pot." One has to wonder how many millions of people know of the existence of Winchester Cathedral, and the Thomas Thetcher tombstone because of Bill's recall, which made such an impression on the then 23 - year old Lieutenant W.G. Wilson that it was printed on page 1 of the Big Book 21 years later.

The old tombstone is on the grounds, though a replacement stands in place where Bill stood in 1918. Through correspondence a couple years ago with Chrissie B., Public Information Liaison Officer for the Northdown Intergroup of AA in the U.K around the anniversary, she let us know about a BBC special that was filmed to mark the 100th anniversary of his visit.

THE SHOT HEARD AROUND THE AA WORLD Ebby T’s shotgun blast of late summer of 1934 will evermore resound throughout the fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous. Ebby was thirty-eight years old, alone and nearly destitute, living in his family’s summer home in Manchester, Vermont. He had inherited $150,000 only five years earlier, but that mostly evaporated following the stock market crash of 1929. While well- intoxicated one late evening during the late summer of 1934 he began shooting at pigeons on his roof. Not a good idea in such a prestigious neighborhood. (Robert Todd Lincoln, the President’s son once lived across the street!). So Ebby was off to court for the third time; he faced six months confinement. However, a friend from earlier days, Cebra G, heard of his plight and got Ebby off the hook—his father was the judge! However, Ebby was paroled to live under the custody of well-respected millionaire Rowland Hazard. Rowland convinced Ebby to become a resident at Calvary Mission in downtown Manhattan. There he learned that his old schoolmate, Bill W was deep into alcoholic despair. His “kitchen table” visit (Big Book, pp. 8-9) eventually led Bill to Towns Hospital for treatment; he never drank again! As you know, just five short months later, Bill carried his sobriety message to Dr. Bob S in Akron, Ohio which soon afterward signaled the birth of AA. That was all eighty-five years ago, so you may ask: “What’s the point?” Well, this short AA history story illustrates that what I do in AA today may have long lasting effects. If I transmit the actual Big Book Twelve Step Program of action to the next person, I believe the effect will result in sobriety for those who follow, one to the next. However, if I just make up what seems sort of appropriate, like elaborating on the Steps from the clubhouse wall, the long-lasting results will be quite different. Sadly, through the years, I note such half-measure practices on the rise. A pool player once stated: “I try to make all my shots count!” My hope and desire are that all my Twelve Step shots will be from the Big Book, so they will be heard through the years, but not from some superficial easier softer way. Ebby’s kitchen table message to Bill was the Oxford Group message from which our Steps were mainly derived. Page 77 tells us: “Our real purpose is to fit ourselves to be of maximum service to God and the people about us.” You see what I mean. Bob S, Richmond, IN

Do you have a story about how your A.A. program has changed with the coronavirus restrictions? Are you experiencing online meetings and if so, have you been to other cities or countries to be a part of Alcoholics Anonymous there? Please send your short story to:

Editor Pat K. for consideration of being published in Recovery Times at: [email protected].

Central Office of SFV 16132 Sherman Way Van Nuys, CA 91406

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