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Emerald Reflections Online

Table of Contents - January 2002

You are viewing the electronic version of Emerald Reflections,
the monthly publication of the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin

Memories of Ireland

Milwaukee President's Message

South Central Shamrock Club

Shamrock Club of Rock County

Dane County Shamrock Club

Shamrock Club of Northeast Wisconsin

Milwaukee Hosts Volunteers Party Club

Milwaukee Parade

Irish Display at Museum in March

Sunday Afternoon at the Fireside

Family Fun Night

Milwaukee Nominations for Irish Honorees

First Friday Lecture Series Continues

Nominations for Milwaukee Club Offices

Irish Slang

Bradley Center Fund Raiser Continues to Seek Volunteers

Irish News Items from RTE

Cashel-Dennehy Dominates Ceili Teams at MidAmerica Championships

Welcome New Members

Milwaukee's Yearly Scheduled Constitutional Activities

Milwaukee Calendar of Events

Wisconsin Calendar of Events


Memories of Ireland

A trip to Ireland for many of us has been a source of stories that we have recounted over and over. The land, the people, and the trip itself will often replay in our memories. Ireland always leaves us with stories. It seems to be part and parcel of the journey. Sometimes, they are long yarns. Other times, they are just short vignettes. Here are three of the shorter type.

Do you have a story about Ireland? Short or long, if you have memories that you would like to share, please send them along.

++++++

In August of 1998 my sister Margie Erickson, her husband Bill, my wife Kay and myself, Tom Scanlon, went on holiday for two weeks to Ireland for two reasons. First it was a 35th wedding anniversary gift to each other, and secondly to celebrate with my second cousin on his wedding day in Co. Meath.

This was my first trip to Ireland in 46 years since leaving there with my family in 1952, when we immigrated to New York.

This was a spiritual trip for me to Dowra Co. Cavan to visit the same house in Moneen where my grandfather Tom, my father Ed and me were all born.

While retracing some of my childhood memories we journeyed up to Teebane Bog, where in years gone by, we won turf and brought it home in kreels draped over the back of an ass. It was on this particular outing that I found a two shilling piece dated 1948 on the bog road, and I thought to myself, possibly it had fallen from my mother or father's pocket while they were making turf, and had laid there for me to discover some 50 years later. Now each time I see that coin I reflect on that spiritual visit to the place where I was born and hope to visit soon again.

- Tom Scanlon, Reedsburg, WI

++++++

Recently, about 75 friends and family travelled to Ireland for the wedding of good friends Kim Verbeck and Chad Koch, and hopefully I can speak for all involved when I say it was a marvelous time. The wedding took place on Wednesday, November 7th, but there were also events before and after that all participated in. Tuesday night, there was a pub quiz in the Dungeon Bar of the castle where the wedding took place, Kinnitty Castle, in Kinnitty, Co. Offaly. Most everyone took part in it, and it turned out to be a wonderful opportunity to meet those who you may not have known previously.

Wednesday afternoon was the wedding, and it was absolutely gorgeous. It was held in a long hall of the castle, with beautiful lighting, lovely vows, and a terrific atmosphere all-around. The reception that followed was also one for the ages, with a band playing Irish favorites, as well as other numbers. There was also a DJ after the band, and to say that a good time was had by all would be a gross understatement!

Thursday afternoon, thanks to local GAA organizer Percy Clendendan, we were able to have a hurling match on a pitch located just down the road from the castle. Despite the two snowstorms that passed through (!!), everyone had fun, and it is great to say that we have all played hurling on Irish soil. Thursday night was a sing-along at Percy's Pub, and that again was a blast. I could go on and on about the fun and happiness surrounding the event, as it was certainly an event of a lifetime! Hope everyone had as much fun as I did!

- Matt Larsen, Milwaukee Hurling Club

++++++

Shock and sorrow spread throughout the world after the September 11 terrorist attacks on the United States. Ireland was no exception. Cousin Kathy Burke described the reaction in the small town of Gort in a letter written September 14th. Gort is located mid-way between Ennis and Galway City: "Today is a national day of mourning in Ireland, as is the case in Europe and elsewhere, and masses, ecumenical services and other services are being held throughout the country. Here in Gort (at St. Colman's) there was mass at twelve noon, the church was filled to overflowing and the organist played the American National Anthem during the ceremony."

- William Burke, Elm Grove, WI


Milwaukee President's Message

This is the time of year when the name of this publication is very appropriate. Reflections. It is a time to reflect on the previous year, all of the good and all of the bad. We must do this in order to appreciate all that we have, including the love of our family, friends and community. It is the time to remember never to take them for granted. A smile, a hug or a simple phone call could make a huge difference in someone's life, especially your own.

We had another very successful Folk Fair this year. Many thanks again to everyone who volunteered, including the many members of the Currach Club who worked in the Food Booth.

Please remember to send in your nominations for our 2002 Irish Rose, Irishman of the Year and Parade Marshal.

Athbhliain faoi mhaise duit!

- Susan Dundon


South Central

The South Central Shamrock Club met on Sunday, November 18 at Longley's in Reedsburg, with about 25 members in attendance.

John Delmore reported on the State Advisory Meeting held in Madison. He stated there would be four State Advisory Meetings per year. Each club was to have two representatives. John Delmore would be one with LaDonna Devine and Mary Stieve being alternates for the second representative. John also presented the State Advisory Committee By-Laws, which were discussed, voted on and accepted.

There was much discussion on whether to hold our annual raffle. It was decided and voted on not to do one this year.

Our Christmas Party was to be held on December 16, at the Reedsburg Country Club.

LaDonna Devine gave a very interesting talk on her business, which is located in Baraboo, known as the An Siopa Eire or "The Ireland Shop". She noted she would be having a Finnians Event 2001 on December 3, which would be held at her shop from 4 to 8 p.m.

All were reminded that Harmony Tours is sponsoring a trip to the Fireside on February 1, featuring "A Little Bit O'Ireland."

- Mary E. Stieve, Reporter


Rock County

UPCOMING EVENTS

• JANUARY. 15 - 6:00 p.m. Chili Mix; 7:00 p.m. Membership Meeting

• FEBRUARY 19 - 7:00 p.m. Membership Meeting

• MARCH 17 - St. Patrick's Day Parade in downtown Beloit.

Thanks to Ray and Mary Weigand for the very interesting program about their well planned, self guided tour of Ireland and their exhibit of fine Irish products. It was like a "show and tell" program.

In January bring some of your favorite chile to be mixed with all of the other favorite chiles for our dinner. After the dinner, Helen Close will tell us about her recent trip to Ireland.

At our February meeting we are going to fashion our program after the great Antique Road Show (no appraisals and no sales). This should be a lot of fun and we want everyone to participate. Each person bring one antique and tell us all about it. Is it a family heirloom? If not, where did you acquire it? If it is old, it must have some kind of story. If you don't have something in mind right away then rummage through your house and find some old forgotten treasure, dust it off and bring it along to the Shamrock Club Antique Road Show and tell us all about it. We have about six weeks to get ready for this program so let's all get involved in this program and have a lot of fun.

Hope to see all of our members in our St. Patrick's Day Parade or watching from the curbside.

- Tom Kennedy


Dane County

A New Year's greeting to all our members. What's your resolution for the year 2002? Our resolution is to bring new life and Irish spirit to our Club. First, we have streamlined the membership dues. All dues are now payable in December which enables us to have available funds for planning events.

Our club met twice last year with the Shamrock Club State Advisory personnel about other clubs and their yearly functions. We had our successful fun/fund in October and plan another in February. Our Christmas party had music galore with the Keltori Irish Band and the melodic voice of David Baltes as he warmed "the cockles of our hearts" with Christmas and Irish songs. Did you pay your dues in December? Remember for better bookkeeping and a more accurate membership list this was a necessary move. Please help the club in this matter.

This month our own Dane County newsletter has major supporters. Businesses and other contributors are placing ads in the newsletter.

Our Board meeting in January has on its agenda the tour of Ireland this spring. We will have a choice of two tours - one by Paul Terry; the other by the Landa Cleary Travel Co., Inc. Tour information was available at the Christmas party.

Plan to join us on Sunday, March 17, at the Capitol in Madison as local dignitaries help us raise the Irish flag and wish us well. A parade around the square and the finale at Jingles for corn beef and cabbage complete the day. At the dinner the Irish Person of the Year is honored.

Have a Happy New Year and remember the Irish blessing:

May good luck be with you
Wherever you go,

And your blessings outnumber
The Shamrocks that grow.

- Co-presidents: Paul Buckalew and Colleen Schams


Shamrock Club of
Northeast Wisconsin

NORTHEAST FLOAT

From left: Leprechaun Maddie Cremer, Float Designer Bob Warpinski, Float Chairperson Margaret Quam, and Leprechaun Mitchell Cremer, standing in front of the award winning float (Director's Award for Most Beautiful Float) in Green Bay's Holiday Parade on November 17, 2001. This is the second time in three years that the Shamrock Club of Green Bay and Northeast Wisconsin has won the Director's Award for Most Beautiful Float. (photo by Joan Kreuser)


Shamrock Club Volunteer Party

The Shamrock Club Volunteer Party will take Friday, January 12, at the ICHC, 7 p.m. The party is for all those who have volunteered their time over the past year for the Shamrock Club. There will be food, drink and entertainment. For information contact Cate Harris, (414) 321-5153.


Milwaukee Parade

There are new developments for the Shamrock Club's annual St Patrick's Day Parade. The tentative date is March 9, 2002. At the time of publication, not all of the details have been worked out. Check the February issue of the Reflections for more information.


Irish Display at Museum In March

Mark your calendars for March 3, 2002 our annual St. Patrick's Day appearance at the Milwaukee Public Museum. There will be lace makers, peat postcard displays, dancers, and more. For more information, call (262) 782-4323.


Sunday Afternoon at the Fireside

Spend a delightful Sunday afternoon - February 10, 2002 at the Fireside. The group, limit 45, will leave the ICHC at 12:30 p.m. and come back about 8 p.m. The cost is $57. Checks payable to the Shamrock Club. Reserve early (last time many were disappointed) by Feb. 1, 2002. Please send reservations to Cate Harris, 8835 W. Verona Ct., Milwaukee, WI 53227.

Nothing warms the heart as much as a beautiful Irish song.

And the thrilling rhythms of Irish step-dancing set your pulse to quicken and your heart to pounding.

And you just can't help grinning when you hear a good ol' Irish story.

Where can you find all this and more in a dazzling, all new, musical spectacular with beautiful costumes, enchanting singing, hilarious story-telling, and breath-taking Irish dancing featuring champion dancers in the style of shows like Riverdance and Lord of the Dance?

Why at The Fireside Theatre, of course, in their upcoming production of A Little Bit O'Ireland.

You'll enjoy the many different styles of Irish singing, dancing and storytelling in this fast-paced tribute to the enchanted Emerald Isle. You'll be presented a complete array of Irish music and dance from the haunting sound of the ancient Celtic tribes to the passionate songs of the Irish countryside to the joyous ditties of the Irish American Immigrants.

And of course your Irish experience is not confined to the theatre. The featured meal for A Little Bit O'Ireland beings with Irish Onion and Braised Oxtail Soup. For the entree, Chicken Waterford - a skinless breast of chicken, lightly breaded, sauteed and crowned with corn beef, caramelized leeks and Muenster cheese over a Marsala wine sauce. We serve it up with whipped Colcannon potatoes with strips of cabbage, creamed spinach inside a plum tomato with bacon, and emerald green snap peas. Dessert is an Irish Delight - Dublin Bread Pudding Souffle - surrounded with our special Leprechaun Sauce!


Family Fun Night

The Milwaukee Ulster Project Family Fun Night will be on Friday March 1, 2002 from 5 to 11 p.m. at Mount Mary College on 92nd and Locust in Milwaukee. The evening will start at 5 p.m. with a traditional fish fry, fish and chips also available. Musical entertainment will be provided by the multi-talented Leahy's Luck. And dancing, yes we will have dancing, will include all three of Milwaukee's Irish Dance Schools, Cashel-Dennehy, Trinity and Glencastle. With the brilliant performances of all three schools over Thanksgiving at the Mid-West Championships, and knowing the schools will be sending dancers to the All Irelands in February, the Fun Night will give people from Milwaukee another opportunity to see the best Irish dancers in the world.

Don't miss it: March first, 5 to 11, Mt. Mary College, Leahy's Luck, Trinity, Cashel-Dennehy, Glencastle and fish and chips.


Nominations For Irish Honorees

Nominations for Milwaukee's Irish Rose, Irishman of the Year and Parade Marshal(s) must be sent to the Shamrock Club prior to the 6 p.m. start of the board meeting on January 31, 2002. Nominations must be written. Nominees must be members in good standing. Nominations can be mailed to 2133 West Wisconsin, Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53233, dropped off at the ICHC, or faxed to (414) 345-8805.


First Friday Lecture Series Continues

A delightful lecture sponsored by Celtic Women International will be offered January 4th. Ian Day will present a talk about Robert Burns. Mr. Day is past president of the Robert Burns Club and also past president of the St. Andrews Society. Put on your tartans and enjoy a wee Scottish evening with the Celtic Women.

All CWI lectures run from 5:30 to 7 p.m., with a cup 'o tea and biscuits for all. Admission is $5 per person. Everyone is welcome, members, non-members, men and women. Enjoy a great gentle early evening with the Celtic Women of Milwaukee.

- Jean K. Bills, President
Celtic Women International


Nominations For Milw. Club Offices

Nominations for all offices of the Shamrock Club's Milwaukee Chapter will be taken at the March and April meetings. Nominees must be members in good standing, with dues paid and current. Nominees must be present at the time of their nomination.


Irish Slang

Would you like to know some Irish slang? There is a website that is dedicated to collecting and sharing these words and phrases. Jerry Coughlan is the author and webmaster of "Everyday English and Slang in Ireland." It lists well known and not so well known phrases. The site is at:

www.at.artslink.co.za/~gerry/irish.htm

So, come along and see how well educated you are in the Irish language. Here's a small sampling:

Afters (n): dessert

Ages (n): long time

Alans or Alan Wickers (n): nickers; as in keep your alans on; calm down.

Amadáin (Omadhan) (n): idiot

Any Use? (n) any good? as in "Was the film any use?"

Apache (n): joyrider

Ape (n): fool

Ara be whist (v): shut up.

Arseways (a): "I did it all arseways" = I made a complete mess of it!

Article (n): a woman, usually half in jest

Artist, government (n): person "drawing" the dole [social security]


Bradley Center Fund Raiser
Continues To Seek Volunteers

For the past 13 years the Milwaukee Shamrock Club has earned more than $83,000. This money has enabled the club to be a lot more visible and able to contribute to such events as the Culture Areas at Irish Fest and Holiday Folk Fair, St. Patrick's Church restoration and many other things. The Bradley Center offers us an opportunity to be a part of community service and at the same time let the public know who we are.

We can still use volunteers for the Bradley Center. The work is varied. The duties of the volunteers at an event include:

Booth Setup; Sales during events; Final counts; and Cleanup.

Each event needs 18 people. Six are at the counter to take care of the customers. Two people in the kitchen keep the brats cooking, wrap them and put them into the warming ovens. Two people are needed for the nacho preparation and to place them in the warm ovens. Three people pour beer and three work on soda. One person works the popcorn machine and the one person is in charge of cash. Cash person comes early and stays until the Bradley Center bank people come to pick it up. The stand manager comes early and stays late and tries to keep everything running smoothly. When you report into the booth you are generally given your choice of job.

Volunteers are assigned to teams and when possible so are car pools. We only get a limited number of parking passes. You will be sent a list of your team members and times and dates of your events. We usually are given about 20 events and if we can get three or more teams, each would work only six or less events. We need "on call alternates" who would be able to come in with a few days notice or maybe even hours notice in an emergency. This doesn't happen very often.

If you can offer some time, and maybe find a person who would like to do a buddy system on the job, we can use your help. Even volunteering for one event a year helps us out.

- Cate Harris (414) 321-5153
and Katy Voss (414) 352-6479


Irish News Items from RTE

ATMS TO SHUT ON NEW
YEAR'S DAY - EURO CHANGEOVER

All ATM machines will be closed between 1:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on New Year's Day to facilitate the changeover to the Euro by Irish banks. At a briefing on its plans for the euro changeover recently, the Bank of Ireland advised customers to withdraw enough cash in advance to see them through the New Year's Eve and early into New Year's Day.

The Bank's head of euro planning, Michael Watson, also advised customers to use Laser cards in the initial weeks of the euro to help them avoid confusion and delay. Bank of Ireland hopes to have nearly all its ATM machines, over 450, issuing euro notes by 5 p.m. on New Year's Day.

CALL TO EXTEND MEDICAL CARD
TO LOW INCOME EARNERS

Extending the medical card to 200,000 low-income earners would cost £80m, and the Government could afford to implement it now - that is according to the Society of St Vincent de Paul. They have repeated their call to the Government to extend the medical card to low income earners in the upcoming budget.

The Government said that it intends to freeze the extension of the medical card until 2003 in favor of other health spending projects.

The Taoiseach has told the Dáil that medical card eligibility limits had been improved in the past four budgets.

He said that there had been no improvements in the previous three budgets, a reference to the Rainbow Government's time in power when Michael Noonan was Minister for Health.

EUROPE BACKS DRASTIC
FISH QUOTA CUTS

The European Commission is calling for drastic cuts in fish quotas, including up to a 60% reduction in whitefish catches by Irish boats. The EU Fisheries Commissioner, Franz Fischler, said the scientific evidence showed that fish stocks were at an alarmingly low rate. On RTÉ Radio, he said there was a choice of making heavy cuts now for a period to protect fish, or have no future for fishermen.

MYSTERY GOLD ARTIFACT
TO BE EXAMINED IN CORK

The Curator of the National Museum, Mary Cahill, is due in Cork to examine a piece of gold jewellery that is believed to be 3,200 years old. The Irish Examiner reports that the artifact, a ribboned torc, was found by an unnamed man who sought to have it valued by a jeweller. It is thought the torc may have been used as a child's necklace or worn around an adult's upper arm. The location of the find is being kept secret, as archaeologists want to examine the site.


Cashel-Dennehy
Dominates Ceili Teams at
MidAmerica Championships!

The Cashel-Dennehy School of Irish Dance dominated ceili teams (eight dancers per team) at the MidAmerica Championships of Irish Dance (Oireachtas) in Rosemont, Illinois over Thanksgiving weekend. Competitors came from over ten states from the Midwest.

Cashel-Dennehy sent 13 ceili teams to compete at the Midwest regional championships. Twelve of the 13 teams received awards in their competitions, and five of the teams came home to Milwaukee as 1st place champion teams!

Cashel-Dennehy plans to send a number of their qualifying Regional Champion teams to the upcoming World Championships, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland in April 2002.

Cashel-Dennehy school's teachers are Kathy Dennehy of Chicago and Kate Walrath of Milwaukee.


New Members

MILWAUKEE - Katie and John Brozovich (referred by Jim and Mike, Shamrock Club Pipe and Drum Corp).

NOTICE: To all Membership Chairpersons of all the chapters. If you need membership cards, please let me know and I will see you receive them.

- Tom Smith

Membership Report Milwaukee Chapter:

• October: 44 memberships up for renewal, 30 paid, 14 dropped for nonpayment of dues.

• November: 41 memberships up for renewal, 20 paid, 21 due.

• December: 19 memberships up for renewal, 2 paid, 17 due.


Milwaukee Chapter

Shamrock Club Board of Directors

Yearly Calendar of
Scheduled/Constitutional
Acitvities

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
First Thursday

•JANUARY

•FEBRUARY: Announce Irish Rose / Irishman / Parade Marshal; Easter Rising Mass

•MARCH: Nominations; St. Patrick's Day activities; Easter Rising Mass

•APRIL: Nominations

•MAY: Elections

•JUNE: Appoint two members to audit committee

Fiscal Year

•JULY: New board takes office

•AUGUST: Irish Fest Sales Booth

•SEPTEMBER

•OCTOBER: Audit Committee Report

•NOVEMBER: Holiday Folk Fair, Cultural, Food, Sales Booths

•DECEMBER: Announce deadline for honors nominations

BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Last Thursday

•JANUARY: Vote for Irish Rose / Irishman / Parade Marshal

•FEBRUARY: Calendar-year report of treasurer Appoint finance committee

•MARCH

•APRIL

•MAY: Year-end report of president; Budget proposal to board by finance committee; Appoint by laws committee; Old and new boards meet jointly

•JUNE: Membership directory print-out to president; old and new boards meet jointly

Fiscal Year

•JULY

•AUGUST: Fiscal year treasurer's report to board

•SEPTEMBER: Audit committee report to board

•OCTOBER

•NOVEMBER

•DECEMBER: Membership directory print-out to president


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