Linking to Native Americans' Past

Photo by Norman Y. Lono

New Jersey member Claire Garland brings centuries-old Cherokee history to life for today's students and adults--on a new Web site and CD-ROM that evolved from a study of her own family's roots.

Garland and two teacher partners recently received a $5,000 grant from Verizon to design a Web site and CD-ROM around her project, Native Americans in Monmouth County. The popular project tells the history of the region through the experiences of Garland's ancestors, Cherokee Indians who migrated from Georgia up the Appalachian Trail to New Jersey in the early 1800s when their land was confiscated and given to white settlers.

When she started the project, "I was looking for ways to teach my own children about their heritage," she says. Visiting the Neptune Historical Society one day, she found an account book that had been kept by her great-great-grandfather, Isaac. The book was a treasure trove of fascinating details about life in Monmouth County (a sample entry: Ike agrees to take in a young nephew as an apprentice in return for "four quarters of schooling, $100.00, and a freedom suit from head to toe")--and it sparked Garland's interest in learning more details about her family roots.

From there, she scoured tax and marriage records, military archives and other sources, and collected photos from family members. Eventually, she developed curriculum materials and a manuscript she hopes to get published. Before retiring last December, Garland had introduced many of her junior high students to the role of Native Americans in the building of New Jersey. This fall, she'll be teaching teachers how to weave local history into their lessons.

For more information, contact Garland at 732-747-5709 or go to www.Cherokee-Indian-Ike.com.

--John O'Neil

Advocate for the Arts

Helen Inada Fujie knows what it means to give in a time of need. She began teaching in 1940 at Lanai High School and Elementary School, the only school on the island of Maui, Hawaii. A year later, Pearl Harbor was bombed.

"They needed most of our teachers in Lanai to go to Pearl Harbor and Honolulu to help rebuild the school programs," recalls Fujie. "So for part of World War II, only my principal and I remained in Lanai to teach everything from kindergarten to 12th grade. We managed, but I was glad when things got back to normal and I could focus on 7th grade again."

Since retiring in 1980, Fujie has continued to contribute to her community--as a substitute teacher and, more recently, as a volunteer with the Lanai Art Program, a gallery and school where she does everything from conducting tours to teaching painting. The program is dedicated to preserving and promoting Hawaiian art.

"I love it," says Fujie. "I'm there every weekend and everything I do is exciting. Whether I'm showing visitors a gallery or teaching kids about art, it's all very satisfying."

That's not all she's doing for the arts. A fiction writer in her spare time, Fujie had three short stories selected for a book, Hawaii's Best Spooky Tales, that has drawn readers from around the world.

Fujie has put so much time into helping the gallery that the County of Maui presented her with a special award for volunteerism in 2002. "I'm lucky to have so much in my life," says Fujie. "I could never stop being active with the Art Program. I'll do it till I die, no doubt about it."

--Matt Simon

Barnstorming Through Retirement

Stanley Nowak spent 33 years as a library media specialist in Buffalo, New York. The year he started his career, he got his license to do what he loves best--piloting small airplanes. Now retired, Nowak spends most of his spare time flying on his own or with his wife, or instructing flight students.

"The sensation of flying is just spectacular, and every flight keeps you 100 percent mentally and physically aware," says Nowak. "I like that challenge."

A career-long Association member, Nowak served 18 years as treasurer of the Buffalo Teachers Federation and now works parttime as the Association's chief bookkeeper. He also keeps in touch with young people as a sports official.

But flying remains his passion. Nowak is chief pilot in the Niagara Frontier Flying Club and has logged 5,000 hours in the air. Just how much time is that, compared to other pilots his age? "Probably about twice as much as the average pilot, but I have more opportunity because I teach," he explains.

This summer, Nowak plans to fly to Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, to take part in the 100th anniversary celebration of the Wright Brothers' first powered flight. "It's hard to describe to people who don't have the bug to fly, but I get the same thrill from taking off in an airplane that I got 30 years ago," he says.

--Matt Simon