Emerald Reflections Online

Holiday Folk Fair 2002 -
Our Home is the World
Help Make the
Irish Representation a Success!

by Sue Dundon

It is time for the annual Holiday Folk Fair. This year, it will again be held at the Wisconsin State Fair Grounds, 84th and Greenfield. The dates are November 22, 23, and 24, 2002.

This year the theme is "Our Home is the World". A world of cultures and customs are united in peaceful solidarity to be felt, listened to and tasted through a variety of honored family recipes, artifacts, ethnic music and spirited folk dances at the Holiday Folk Fair International.

Our home is the world exemplified by the wonderful gathering of so many ethnic groups. The Holiday Folk Fair has been helping to show the diversity of so many different people living together in peace for over a half century. This year is the Shamrock Club's 42nd as a participant, and it seems all the more important that we show the world that we are active participants in this display of peace and diversity.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
EARLY AND LATE SHIFTS

To do that, the Shamrock Club will need volunteers for our retail, cultural, and food areas.

We also need to sell tickets to the Folk Fair. Admission is as follows: Adults $7 in advance; $9 at the gate. Children ages 6-12 $7; Children under 5 Free. Tickets will be available for sale at the November membership meeting. Please see or call Muriel Crowley. You can also use the accompanying order form to purchase tickets via mail. As a sponsoring group of the Fair we need to sell a number of tickets or make up the cost elsewhere.

The Holiday Folk Fair is open during the following times:

Friday, Nov. 22, 4-11 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 23, 10 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 24, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

We will be needing help in a number of areas. If you would like to work at the 2002 Holiday Folk Fair, please contact the Shamrock Club's Holiday Folk Fair Chairs: (Food) Pete and Fran Dundon at (414) 242-8245, email petedundon@juno.com; (Sales) Noreen Barclay at (262) 695-8563, email FDBarclay@earthlink.net; or, (Cultural) Mary McAndrews at (414) 276-8779. Or contact the club at our e-mail address, shamrockclub@hotmail.com. You will receive the annual Folk Fair participant pin, and a coupon for food from the Shamrock Club food booth.

WORLD CAFE - An assortment of time honored recipes passed down through generations will introduce you to distinct and extraordinary flavors that will certainly awaken your taste buds.

COFFEE HOUSE - Take a break in a comforting atmosphere where you can relax with friends and family and listen to music of the world while enjoying Italian biscotti or a homemade Scottish scone along with a cup of coffee, tea, or espresso drinks.

HERITAGE LANE - Discover the Egyptians' unique customs and others from around the world by interacting with diverse cultures that are brought to life through captivating exhibits.

INTERNATIONAL BAZAAR - Centuries of skilled artisans from distant lands have created characteristic treasures to be on display for a unique shopping experience.

ALL NATIONS THEATER - Live performances featuring dynamic African drums, Russian balalaikas, the colorful Ukrainian national hopak dance, the Scottish fling and the vibrant Spanish flamencos.

MILLER LITE MUSIC PAVILION DANCE HALL - Get your feet moving by attempting a variety of dance styles from American square dance to Hawaiian hukilau. All ages and dance levels encouraged.

LIVING HISTORY - A historic Revolutionary War encampment will be reenacted: complete with participants dressed in authentic uniforms portraying everyday life in a 1776 army camp.

DOLL AUCTION - Make a child's dreams a reality by bidding on an authentically dressed Lithuanian doll, as well as dolls from many other cultures, in the Wisconsin Donor Network doll auction.

SPECIAL EXHIBIT - Hidden Japan a special collection of photographs from Japan will be on display as well as an extensive Bonsai collection. In addition, Children's artwork of hope and peace will be on display, allowing you to listen to the messages that only can be expressed from a child's heart.

AROUND THE WORLD IN 5K RUN/WALK - Gather for the inaugural Around the World in 5K Run/Walk on Sunday, November 24th at 9 a.m. $15 pre-registration fee, or $20 day of race, includes T-shirt and FREE admission to the Folk Fair. Register online at www.active.com

Irish events for the weekend are as follows:

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 22

• Heritage Lane [Booth 1] 6 p.m. Celtic Quilting: Julia Revane.

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 23

• Heritage Lane [Booth 1] 11 a.m. Celtic Quilting: Julia Revane; 1 p.m. Irish Copper Reliefs: Leslie Fox; 3 p.m. Celtic Baskets: Mary Roffers.

• Coffehouse - 4 p.m. - Ceol Cairde.

• Music Pavilion - 12:25-12:35 p.m. Chinese-Youth, Irish, Pomeranian, Polish-Syrena.

• All Nations Theater 1:30 p.m. Irish Dancers; 7:30 p.m. Irish Dancers.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 24

• All Nations Theater 5 p.m. Irish Dancers

Holiday Folk Fair International is produced by the International Institute of Wisconsin. The International Institute is a not for profit organization dedicated to international cooperation, understanding, and a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural perspective through education, exchange, communication, social activities, and immigration and naturalization services.

State Fair Park
8100 West Greenfield Avenue
West Allis, Wisconsin 53214
Folk Fair Hotline 414-225-6225
or 1-800-FAIR INTL
http://www.folkfair.org
http://www.iiwisconsin.org/
email at iiw@execpc.com

So, please, participate in this year's Folk Fair, either by working or just attending. We can show the world that we believe that the World is really our home. And as a result, perhaps, create more understanding in the world we find ourselves living.

HOLIDAY FOLK FAIR

Please send me _______ advance sale Holiday Folk Fair
Tickets at $7 each.

Name:_________________________________

Addres:________________________________

City/State:____________________ Zip_______

Mail your ticket request to:
MURIEL CROWLEY
1020 Georges Ave.,
Brookfield, WI 53045

Your tickets will be sent to you by return mail, and are good any of the three days of Folk Fair, November 22, 23, 24.

MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: SHAMROCK CLUB OF WISCONSIN

Rock County

UPCOMING EVENTS

• NOVEMBER 19 - General Membership Meeting; 7 p.m.; Janesville Senior Center

• DECEMBER - Christmas Party; 6 p.m.; at Janesville Senior Center.

At our November meeting each member is asked to bring non-perishable food items to give to Caritas in Beloit. Last year we gave food to ECHO in Janesville.

Mike Hughes will demonstrate and tell us about the bohrain drum and the penny whistle.

Our Christmas Party will include a Christmas Potluck so plan on bringing one of your favorite Christmas dishes for everyone to enjoy and a dozen of your favorite Christmas Cookies. After dinner we will have a "White Elephant" gift exchange. During the evening we will be entertained by the "Salty Strings." There will be more information about the Christmas Party at the November meeting.

On November 16 at noon, the Shamrock Club State Board will meet at Roherty's Pub and Grill for lunch and the meeting will follow. If any of our members would like to hear what is going on around the state, you would be welcome to join us.

Milwaukee President's Message

Ladies and Gentlemen, Irish all...

Welcome to all our new members and Happy New Year - Samhain. This is the start of the ancient Celtic New Year and what better way to celebrate than the Gaelic League's annual Samhain... bonfires, fairies and farces; in costume, indulge, in Hartford at the Erin Inn.

November allows us to share other Celtic Celebrations. The annual Tartan Ball, a bargain at twice the price (leave it to the Scots) bagpipes, color guards, dancing and dinner at the Tripoli Shrine.

Celebrating our heritage is usually easy. sharing it with others requires a little bit more effort and often a lot of work. Thanks to Pete and Fran Dundon, Noreen Barclay, Mary McAndrews, Kristine Pluskota, Sue Dundon and Jean Cardwell for stepping forward to organize our events at this year's Folk Fair. Tickets are available at a discount in advance and volunteers get in free. Volunteers are free to enjoy the Fair before or after their shift, get a taste of the world around us, right here in Milwaukee. Good shifts are still open and the rewards are out of this world.

The ICHC is our home and our home is host to a continuous number of events. The Hallamor Concert Series, this month featuring Solas and in December The Prodigals. Ceili events at the ICHC will feature RiRa and Ceol Cairde.

If you are getting into the Holiday Spirit, watch for your Shamrock Club Color Guard Pipes and Drums at various Christmas Parades... New Berlin, Waukesha, Grafton, and Menomonee Falls.

Something new... how about a "Sale". Shamrock Club Gifts on "SALE" at our December Christmas Party... watch for details.

The board would like to commend Sharon Murphy for her persistence in attaining our 501-(c)(3) status. Everyone knows how tedious and time consuming it is when dealing with the IRS and we can only say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!

Speaking of thanks, this month we celebrate a truly American Holiday... Thanksgiving. Let us take time to reflect on all that we have, and to give Thanks for all our family, friends, and volunteers.

From my family to all of you... A very Happy Thanksgiving.

Dane County

UPCOMING EVENTS

• NOVEMBER 12 -- Board Meeting (6:15 p.m.) and General Meeting (7 p.m.) at Coliseum Bar

At the general meeting there will be an open discussion of Emerald Reflections as part of the membership dues in the Dane County Shamrock Club. The focus of the discussion will be on the large percentage of the dues going to Milwaukee for members' subscriptions to Emerald Reflections. The option of not getting a subscription through the Club is to subscribe yourself or use the web site on your computer. Also, any library can do this for you.

This article is unusually short due to the co-presidents, (also the co-writers of these articles) being on vacation most of the month of October. Al and Colleen Schams were on a river cruise from the Black Sea to the North Sea. and Paul Buckalew was an Exchange Director to Brazil on behalf of the Friendship Force. Interested parties may ask questions about their trip at the November meeting.

We leave you with these words:

I asked a leprechaun to bring a pot of gold to you,
I asked a fiddler if he'd play your favorite ditty too,
I asked the saints to walk with you, each step along the way.
And now I'm asking you to have a very happy day!

Milwaukee Irish Arts Celebrates with 'Da'

Eamonn O'Neill and John Gleeson who will star in "Da" at the Sunset Playhouse November 21-24 and 29-30.

Milwaukee Irish Arts celebrates their 20th anniversary season with a production of the delightful Tony award-winning comedy "Da" by Hugh Leonard which is slated for Nov. 21-24 and Nov. 29-30 at the Sunset Playhouse in Elm Grove.

Successful writer Charlie returns to Dublin to attend his father's ("Da" in Dublinese) funeral. While sorting through Da's papers he is confronted by Da's ghost, who tenaciously inhabits the room and Charlie's mind. The play moves from past to present, from reality to reminiscence. "A humane and honest memory play with great affection and humor... It will make you laugh and should make you cry." - N.Y. Times. "Wonderful, witty and wise... A lovely play." - N.Y. Post. "Da" won the Tony for Best Play of 1978, and the N.Y. Drama Critic's Circle Award that same year. This much-loved Irish Classic is currently enjoying an extended run revival at Dublin's historic Abbey Theatre.

Milwaukee Irish Arts first staged "Da" in 1990 with the late Chris O'Neill as director and in the role of Charlie. O'Neill was a well-respected Irish TV, stage and film actor. Many of the original 1990 cast will reprise their roles for this 20th anniversary season production including John Gleeson as Da and Eamonn O'Neill as Drumm.

Call the Sunset Playhouse Box Office for ticket information at (262) 782-4430 and visit the Milwaukee Irish Arts website at www.MilwaukeeIrishArts.org.

St. Patrick's Help Fund

St. Patrick's Help Fund needs blankets, non-perishable foods, Pampers, bus tickets and school suplies such as pens and pencils, notebooks, folders and backpacks. Please place in container at each meeting. Questions? Call Katy Voss (414) 352-6479, or email at Katy Voss.

Bradley Center

The Bradley Center's season began on October 18 and a schedule of events has been issued. Volunteers are still very much needed. Call Cate Harris (414) 321-5153 for information regarding training sessions and work dates.

Volunteer Lists Needed

The Shamrock Club is working on the arrangements for the Volunteer Party. In order to make this a success, we need each person who has chaired a Shamrock Club event to get their volunteer list to Sharon Murphy. The list should include the volunteer's name and complete mailing address since the invitations will be sent to the volunteers personally.

Please get your lists to Sharon Murphy as soon as possible. You can send them to: smurphy@wi.rr.com or mail them to: 8320 W. Bluemound Rd., Suite 213, Milwaukee, WI 53213.

We are striving to make sure that each and every Shamrock Club volunteer is personally invited to the party that will show our appreciation of all the help you provide our club. We will be providing food, beverages, and entertainment. There is absolutely no cost to our volunteers. The only thing that we ask of our volunteers for that evening is that they each have a good time and enjoy our hospitality.

Our volunteer party will be a success if our chairs do their part to get EVERY volunteer invited.

Shamrock Club Is Now 501(c) (3)

The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin is a 501(c)(3) organization. This means you can make donations to the club and take a tax deduction on your income tax return. If anyone is interested in making a donation to our club, we will be more than willing to accept it.

If you work for a business that matches donations, your generosity could be multiplied with only your original amount of money coming out of your pocket.

Web Site News

The Shamrock Club Web Pages, at www.angelfire.com/wi/shamrockclubwisc are a popular destination for web surfers. We have had just under 75,000 counted visitors to our website since its inception in September, 1998. The most popular pages are the main page, at 25,612, the Milwaukee Calendar page at 14,263, the Wisconsin Calendar page at 9065, the March events page at 4,688, and the Color Guard page, with 3,258. The pages feature online versions of the Emerald Reflections, links to Wisconsin and international Irish sites, and links to individual chapters.

Celtic Women International

FIRST FRIDAY LECTURE SERIES
Friday November 1, 2002
Eileen Fitzgerald,
"The Geraldines: Ireland Before
And after the Norman Invasion"

Eileen Fitzgerald is teaching and studying at Marquette University. She is in the third year of her PhD studies in English, focusing on Irish literature. She plans to write her dissertation on James Joyce. In addition to this interest, Eileen loves poetry and music of all kinds, but especially traditional folk songs.

December 6, 2002
Celtic Christmas Celebration

Looking ahead to December... in addition to our usual Celtic Christmas celebration, we have a very generous offer from one of our CWI members living in Savannah, Georgia. Maggie Keenan has a business there called "Maggie's Irish Breads". Maggie will send us a package of Christmas cookies for the December meeting. It is our custom to ask everyone to bring a Christmas treat to that meeting, so please plan on your contribution to go along with Maggie's donation. Also, anyone with a little craft business is invited to bring a few items for purchase as Christmas gifts. Please let me know who will do this so we have adequate table space prepared for you and your wares.

As always, the public is invited to CWI lectures, men and women, members and non-members alike. Admission is $5 per person. You may also enjoy a cup of tea and biscuits while soaking up Celtic culture. We hope to see you at the above First Friday lectures at the ICHC, 2133 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Milwaukee. Start time is 5:30 p.m.

ByLaw Committee Meets

The ByLaw Committee held its initial bi-annual review meeting. Members interested in suggestions in amendments can convey them in writing by December 16 to our parliamentarian, Tim O'Brien (414) 444-1989.

Color Guard News & Notes

As your Color Guard, Pipes and Drums enters into the fall period of its performance schedule, the Unit marched proudly at numerous events.

Appearing at the Wisconsin Scottish Highland Games in Waukesha, the group led Governor Scott McCallum into and through the gathering of Scottish Clans.

A "most moving" event took place Saturday, Sept. 28 where the Color Guard, Pipes and Drums participated in the Opening Ceremonies for the "Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial", which was located in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin. If you have never seen the memorial, you really should the next time it comes to Wisconsin; it evokes a truly inspiring and spiritual feeling.

The Sister Bay Fall Festival, Oct. 19 is always a performance the Unit looks forward to as we gather for the weekend and enjoy cook-outs and just great "fellowship."

Rounding out the 2002 parade season the group appeared at the Ancient Order of Hibernian Mass, and looks forward to Christmas parades in New Berlin, Waukesha, Grafton and Menomonee Falls.

Next month's report will be a reflection, an overview of the 22nd year for your Color Guard, Pipes and Drums as we review this year's highlights and look forward to the 2003 Parade Season.

As we approach the holiday season the Shamrock Club Color Guard Pipes and Drums would like to wish all the Shamrock Club members, their families and the entire Irish community of Milwaukee and Wisconsin a very happy Thanksgiving and a blessed and merry Christmas!

UPCOMING APPEARANCES

NOVEMBER
9 - New Berlin Christmas parade; 2 p.m.
24 - Waukesha Christmas Parade; 4 p.m.
30 - Grafton Christmas Parade; 11 a.m.

DECEMBER
1 - Menomonee Falls Christmas Parade; 4:30 p.m.

For further information regarding membership in the Color Guard, Pipes and Drums or special event/parade performances, please contact:

Jim Dickmann: Director/Commander
Shamrock Club Color Guard, Pipes & Drums
Telephone (262) 377-2601
Fax (262) 377-3901

Irish Fest Celtic Christmas Boutique

The holiday season comes a wee bit early to the Irish Fest Center. Get in the Celtic Christmas spirit at our 2nd Annual Celtic Boutique, Saturday November 2nd, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is Free! Artisans and retailers from around the Midwest offer their wares for your home or gift-giving pleasure. Irish Fest apparel and a fabulous raffle are also back!

RTE Irish News Items

GARDA DETAINED
IN ROBBERY PROBE

A 42-year-old garda, who had been suspended from duty, has been arrested by Gardaí investigating a number of armed robberies in North Louth. The man is based in the Louth/Meath division. He is being held at Dundalk Garda Station under the Offences against the State Act. The officer had earlier been suspended in connection with a separate alleged offence for which he is on remand and awaiting trial.

RISE IN SUSPECTED
WINTER BUG CASES

Eight more people at Waterford Regional Hospital are now suspected as having contracted the Small Round Structured Virus, commonly known as the Winter Vomiting Bug. 13 patients and four members of staff have now reported symptoms consistent with the virus. The South Eastern Health Board has cancelled all non-urgent elective admissions to the hospital following the discovery of suspected viral cases. Tests have been carried out and the patients have been placed in isolation.

In a bid to curb the spread of the suspected virus, the South Eastern Health Board immediately initiated stringent arrangements such as the cancellation of all non-urgent admissions. The hospital has been closed to visitors, apart from exceptional circumstances, and security staff are in place at the entrances to the hospital. All outpatient department appointments are proceeding as normal.

SURVEY FINDS 87% OF PEOPLE
SATISFIED WITH GARDAI

A survey commissioned by the Gardaí has found that 87% of people are satisfied with the way they police the community. But more than two thirds of people questioned in the poll of public attitudes felt the service could be improved by having more Gardaí on the beat, longer station opening hours and greater enforcement of traffic laws. 60% said they had no say in how the Gardaí police the country. While four out of five people were either satisfied or very satisfied with the work of the Gardaí, the highest percentage of those in local authority areas, more than half of victims of crime, were unhappy with the level of information they received. Nine out of ten people said they could approach their local Gardaí. The survey also found that people's number one policing priority had changed from enforcing the drug laws to responding to emergencies, while the most frequent crimes were domestic burglary, criminal damage to a vehicle and assault. Seven out of ten people also said they felt safe walking in their own areas and nine out of ten felt safe in their homes at night. However eight in ten felt crime was a serious problem in Ireland and getting worse. More than 10,000 people took part in the survey, which was conducted by a Belfast-based market research company. It is the biggest and most detailed of its kind ever carried out.

ROW FORCES WITHDRAWAL OF
CO. DOWN LIFEBOAT SERVICE

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has withdrawn the lifeboat service from Newcastle in County Down, owing to the continuing dispute between the Station Coxswain and members of the crew. Some crew members are reported to have left the service. Lifeboats at Kilkeel and Portaferry will provide cover for the area in the meantime. The Divisional Inspector of the RNLI in Ireland, Colin Williams, said they had concerns over health and safety aspects regarding the launch and recovery of the vessel. Senior RNLI management have been trying to resolve the internal dispute at the Newcastle station which operates both an inshore and larger all-weather lifeboat.

New Members

NOTE: Please send your dues to your Membership Chairperson in your chapter. All names and addresses are listed in Emerald Reflections.

DANE COUNTY - Susan Morrison.

MILWAUKEE - Edmund and Patricia Foley (refered by Robin Jacobson); Francine Fosselman; Zackary Frankowski; Hilbert and Jerrianne Hoyslett; Kenneth and Cecilia Jeep; Mary M. Keefe; Timothy McAuliffe; Cynthia Nazario (referred by John F. Karr); Trish Pasko (referred by Brian Kostka); William and Saida Reifenrath.

MEMBERSHIP REPORT MILWAUKEE CHAPTER

• August: 85 memberships up for renewal, 65 paid, 1 moved; 19 dropped for nonpayment.

• Sept.: 48 memberships up for renewal, 25 paid, 23 due.

• October: 37 memberships up for renewal, 5 paid, 32 due.

For the months of Aug. and Sept. combined we've picked up 77 new members!