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Real Men Don't Make Amends--Do They?

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Real Men Don't Make Amends--Do They? Greater Milwaukee Central Office “Welcoming Newcomers and Aiding AA Groups In Our Community.” Vol. 28 Issue 9 September 2020 Financial News: Please remember our tradition of “self- support”. If you wish to contribute to the Central Office, you WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM HIS FRIENDS can now use Venmo from your smartphone. Mid-summer, 1938, was a watershed period for the writing of @MilwaukeeCentralOffice-AA our Big Book—it almost did not happen! Donations from the https://venmo.com/code? Rockefellers, Charles Towns, and others were helpful, but Bill user_id=2976454346276864728 ...0785 are the last four digits of the phone number associated with the Venmo account. (You Wilson’s upcoming Big Book project remained on hold, even may be asked for these numbers) doubtful. Bill W. had written two pre-manuscript drafts: THERE IS A SOLUTION (Chapter One) and BILL’S STORY Use QR Code (Chapter two) during the late spring months of that year— Please notice the reverse order. These chapters were only a To Contribute beginning effort to publish a short book that could sell for a Using dollar (about $18.00 today). Happily, Doctor Silkworth added, THE DOCTORS OPINION that July. VENMO Bill had endured financial struggle for over a year and had be- If you don’t use Venmo or PayPal, you can always come understandably discouraged. By early fall he had not come visit us at the Central Office or mail a check. written anything for three months—he finally stated: “I am not an author.” However, his partner, Hank Parkhurst, con- vinced him that just a few more chapters were needed to jus- NO GROUP SECRETARY MEEING in tify the $1.00 price. Hank’s adamancy was successful! Bill be- September due to the COVID-19. gan writing the next two chapters, MORE ABOUT ALCOHOL- ISM and WE AGNOSTICS ON September 15, 1938. Thank God for Hank Parkhurst! I have always considered Hank Real Men Don't Make and Ebby Thacher as two unsung heroes of AA history, alt- Amends--Do They? hough neither of them remained sober for timely periods. Bill Step 9 - Made direct amends to such people wherever may have made the touchdown, but Ebby handed him possible, except when to do so would injure them or the Ball and Hank became his inspiring hard-driving others coach! MANY TIMES at meetings, I've heard something like Not to forget Jimmy Burwell who is given credit for "I did so and so. Do I have to make amends?" Or "A “God as we understood Him.” man never says he's sorry." Or "I'm just going to make By December Bill had finished the manuscript including a living amends by behaving myself." Or "What good does it do?" HOW IT WORKS, INTO ACTION, WORKING WITH OTH- ERS, plus four other Chapters. Jim Scott helped write Sound familiar? It sure does to me. I've had all those the Akron personal stories and the NY stories were also negative attitudes at one time or another during my sobriety. It included. But in early 1939, Tom Uzzell, editor of Colliers Mag- seems as though considering amends removed everything posi- azine, reduced the manuscript dramatically and a Dr. Howard tive from my outlook on life. Then, the excuses started exag- (perhaps an alias) changed the tone from: “Thou must under gerating themselves, and another chance to become a better person through our program slipped away. How many of those pain of drunkenness, “ to “This is what we did.” chances did I miss because false pride engendered a negative The finished book was published in April of 1939. It sold for attitude toward amends? Almost all of them. $3.50. Now, thanks to God, good strong sponsorship, and a great AA So, Bill was gifted with many helpful friends as he constructed group, my attitude regarding amends is no longer negative. I've this marvelous life-saving book for us. Thank you, God! learned to make an amends that is a positive experience, not just putting a check mark on a list to fill a square. Just filling a Bob S, Richmond, IN square is not growth; it is just filling a square, the way I did Reprinted with permission Robert Stonebraker, Richmond, In (“Amends” Continued on page 6) 25¢ Published monthly by Greater Milwaukee Central Office, Inc., 7429 W. Greenfield Ave., West Allis, WI 53214, (414) 771-9119 Visit our website at: www.aamilwaukee.com 1 The Southern Wisconsin Deaf Southern Wisconsin Deaf Access Access Committee needs to Committee (SWDAC) Meeting Space Available when rotate it’s members. We are July 2020 meetings start up, again. searching for two AA members Balance: $ 8,343.99 Contributions: $ 131.00 to act as Co-Chairs, a treasure, Interpreter : $ 50.00 St Peter’s Episcopal Church, and a liaison person to work with The cost for an interpreter is $50 for a zoom Members of AA Deaf community. meeting and $80 for an in-person meeting. 7929 W Lincoln Ave, West Allis, They can email SWDAC at: mil- Contact: Steve 414-543-6040 or wareadeafaccess@ gmail.com Kath W. with questions: [email protected] email: [email protected] 2 Bucks In The Basket... Make it a Reality, not just a dream! “Every AA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” Tradition Seven, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Reprinted with permission AA World Services, Inc. Seventh Tradition Checklist Use VENMO on your smartphone to contribute. Or Contribute using PayPal or your Credit Card from our website. 2 st nd DISTRICT INFORMATION ON THE WEB: TAYCHEEDAH CORRECTIONAL, Meetings are held 1 , 2 & th rd https://www.area75.org/page/districtmeetings 4 Tuesday and on the 3 Thursday at 5:45 -7:30 p.m., Gloria 1. JACKSON, LaCROSSE, MONROE, VERNON, & TREMPEALEAU; K. (920) 921-2395 2 & 18 GREEN LAKE & MARQUETTE CNTY'S & PART OF FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, P.O. Box 1085 Ox- WAUSHARA; ford, No Meeting! 8 & 30 ROCK ; 9. CRAWFORD, GRANT, IOWA and LAFAYETTE; 19 & 37. RICHLAND & SAUK; FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL Satellite Camp, New Path Group, P. O. Box 1085 Oxford, WI. Meetings Wed. at 1:30 p.m. 20, 21 & 26 DANE; 31. COLUMBIA CNTY; 35. GREEN; 37. JUNEAU CNTY’S OAK HILL AA GROUP, OAK HILL WCI 5212 Hwy M, P.O. Box 140 Oregon, WI 53575 Meetings Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. and (Check the web address above for meeting info.) Sunday at 6:30 p.m. Contact: Rick B. (608) 235-5154 3. MANITOWOC & SHEBOYGAN CNTY'S 3rd Wed. of month, 6:30 p., Even numbered months at 1907 Club, 2908 N. 21st St., THOMPSON FARM, RT. 2 DEERFIELD, WI., Closed meeting Sheboygan. Odd numbered months: Alano Club, 404 S 29 St Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. Contact: Tom Dickert, (608)764-5755 Manitowoc ROBERT ELLSWORTH CORRECTIONAL, 21425A Spring St., 6. WALWORTH CNTY 2nd Tue. 7:30 p. Feb. Apr. June. Aug. Oct. and Union Grove, 53182 Call for AA Meeting times: Contact Jennifer Dec. only, Walworth Alano Club, 611 E. Walworth St., Delavan H. 262) 237-1294 or Cheryl P. (262) 914-3970. 7. KENOSHA CNTY 3rd Sun. of month, 4:00 p., Kenosha Alano Club, KETTLE MORAINE CORR., Box 31, W9071 Forrest Dr., Plym- 630 56th St. outh, AA Thr. at 6:00 p.m. Contact Mike L (920) 898-4782. 10.Spanish District. Contact: Salvador G. at 414-446-0158. Meets every 2nd & 4th Sunday 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. 1663 S. 6th Street, Milw. WAUPUN CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION AA Meeting Sat. , 8:00a.m.-9:30 a.m. Dale C. 920-387-4229 after 5 p. clearance. 11. JEFFERSON CNTY Meets last Wed. at 5:30 p.m. Moravian Church, 301 College St., Lake Mills, MILWAUKEE COUNTY HOUSE OF CORRECTION, 8885 S. 12. WASHINGTON CNTY 1st Wed. of month, 6:00 p., the Jackson 68th St. Franklin WI. Community Center N165W20330 Hickory Ln,, Jackson, WI. 53037 MILWAUKEE COUNTY JAIL 9th & State Milwaukee WI. 13. WAUKESHA CNTY (1 of 3) 1st Sun. of month, 1:00 p, St. Matthias Church, 111 E. Main, Waukesha MILWAUKEE SECURE DETENTION CENTER, 1015 N. 10th St. Milwaukee 14. MILWAUKEE CNTY (1 of 6) 4th Wed. of month, 7:00 p, Milwaukee Central Office 7429 W Greenfield Ave., P.O. Box 13011, Wauwatosa Milwaukee Women’s Correctional Ctr. 615 W Keefe Ave. WI 53226 Milwaukee 16. MILWAUKEE CNTY (1 of 6) 1st Wed. of month, 6:00 p, Milw. Cen- FOX LAKE CORRECTIONAL, Box #147, Fox Lake, WI 53933 tral Office, 7429 W Greenfield Ave. Closed meetings Tue. & Fri. from 6:00 -8:00 p.m. 17. RACINE CNTY (1 of 2) 3rd Sun. of month, 1:00 p, Grove Club, 1037 Grove Ave., Racine JEFFERSON COUNTY JAIL 411 S. Center St., Jefferson, WI, Mtng. held on Mon. at 7:00 p.m., Contact: Scott N. 920-397-0170 23. DODGE CNTY 1st Wed of month at 7:00 p, Dodge Cnty Alano Club, 115 N. Lincoln, Beaver Dam, call to confirm 920-583-3142 RACINE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION for MEN Mtngs: 24. OZAUKEE CNTY 3rd Tue. of month, 6:30 p., Peltz Center for Jew- Sun. 8:30 AM, Dane Rx Unit; Wed. 7:00 p. and two meetings on ish Life, 2233 W Mequon Rd. Mequon Thursday at 7:00 p. English and Spanish. Call Paul H. (262) 537 -2884 25. FOND du LAC CNTY 2nd Tue. of month, 6:30 p., Gratitude Club, 295 Ruggles St., Fond du Lac MILWAUKEE COUNTY CORRECTIONS COMMITTEE: meets 27. MILWAUKEE CNTY (1 of 6) 3rd Wednesday of month, 7:00 p.m. Covenant Lutheran Church, 8121 W Hope Ave, Milwaukee WI 53222 at 5:30 p.m.
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