Irish American Home Society Inc. JANUARY NEWSLETTER President’s Message Dear Fellow Members, Athbhliain faoi Mhaise Dhuit (Happy New Year)! May it be a happy and prosperous year for all of our members and their families! The holidays went by in the blink of an eye, as they always do. Read all about the holiday events later in this newsletter. At the December monthly meeting, Maura O’Donnell, our Corresponding Secretary, read a letter from one of our members regarding volunteers who helped her with her part of our Holiday Fair. I would like to share a portion of that letter…”I just want to add that I am so grateful to the people who answered my call for help and who volunteered to help me. I found out I have a bunch of new friends who I can count on. They are my blessings. To all of you who don’t volunteer, start now. I have been a member for many years and when it comes time to help out it is always the same group of people-we need you!!!!! Have fun meeting new friends. Young or old you can find something to do. No excuses”!!! Well I couldn’t have said it better myself! This impassioned plea comes right down to the very heart of the long standing issue of member involvement. We have an amazing club and we are always striving to hold events for our members to enjoy. Consider giving of your time in this new year. We have plenty of events where we need volunteers… especially at St. Patrick’s Day. Give it some thought…send me an email if you are interested in becoming a volunteer. You will meet fellow members and have a great time…I promise. Congratulations to Margaret Moriarty, the 2015 Grand Marshal for the Greater Hartford St. Patrick’s Day Parade! Margaret has been a proud member of this Society for many years and has held many positions, currently serving as Good & Welfare Chair. Her involvement in the parade spans over 30 years where she served as Colleen Chair; Scholarship Chair, Raffle Chair and Recording Secretary, among many other responsibilities. Congratulations to Tim Devanney, the 2015 person of the Year for the Parade. Tim, owner of Highland Park Markets, has always been a huge supporter of the Manchester contingent of the parade and is a longtime member of this club. Tim’s community outreach goes above and beyond, where he, his family and employees volunteer their time in the communities they serve. Please join me in congratulating these fine individuals and make some time to attend some of the events that support this great parade. All the best, Maureen A. Kennedy President PUB GRUB Jan. 2nd - Regular Pub Grub menu Jan. 16th - Fried Haddock fish wraps with lettuce and tomato Jan. 9th - Julie's Sheppard's Pie Jan. 23rd - 2 Hot dogs with cheese and/or chili Jan. 30th - Eileen's Meatball soup and gourmet grilled cheese sandwich Screening for new members will be held on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at 7:00 p.m. The Monthly Meeting will be held on Friday, January 9, 2015, at 8:00 p.m. DECEMBER ENTERTAINMENT Jan. 2nd - The Jeff Conlon Band Jan. 10th- Dually Noted Jan. 23rd- The Brennan Brothers Jan. 9th - The Tom Lanigan Band Jan.16th- The Band Ireland Jan. 30th - Billy Eagan and The Rising 132 Commerce St PO Box 620 Glastonbury, CT 06033 Ph. (860) 633-9691 New Saturday Entertainment! Plus a dinner special!! The IAHS is pleased to announce a new standing engagement with one of your favorite bands, Dually Noted! Beginning on Saturday, January 10th, and recurring the 2nd Saturday of each month through May 9th (a March date TBA), Dually Noted will be appearing in the pub at 7:30 p.m. And to kick off this new event, we will have a “Shed the Winter Blues” dinner featuring our Blue Plate Special, Joe’s Meatloaf and Gravy, mashed potatoes and a vegetable. Dinner includes dessert. All for the price of $12! Served from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Reservations are a must! The last day to place your reservation is Wednesday, January 7 th. Call Maureen Kennedy at (860)550-3126 to reserve your table!! BATTLE OF THE BARTENDERS! On Saturday, January 31st, Guest Bartender Stephen Miskell takes on Bartender Brian Moran in our first ever Battle of the Bartenders!! Come enjoy a bit of banter and craic as these two battle each other for the title of BEST BARTENDER! Come see who really pours the perfect pint or who just thinks he does! Come support your favorite bartender! There will be plenty of fun, games and prizes all night long! The fun starts at 7:30….not a night to be missed!!! Bloody Sunday Mass The Hartford Unit of Irish Northern Aid will hold its annual Bloody Sunday Mass on Sunday, February 1, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. in the Upstairs Hall of the Irish American Home Society. A pancake breakfast will immediately follow. Since 1970, the Irish Northern Aid Committee has been at the forefront in support of the struggle for freedom. All are invited to attend. For more information, please contact Tom McBride at (860)983-0846. SUPER BOWL SUNDAY!!! Sunday, February 1st is Super Bowl Sunday and the club will be open until the game is over. So get your family and friends together, bring your favorite snacks and head over for the best pints in town! We have great TVs to watch the game…no seat is a bad seat! 2014 St. Patrick ‘s Day Parade Book Application forms and levels of sponsorship available online @ www.irishamericanparade.com under the fundraiser tab or via post card mailers available in the lower level of the club. Due February 18th, 2014 . It is a great way to honor and remember friends and family in addition to the 2015 Honorees: Grand MarshallMargaret O. Moriarty and Person of the Year- Timothy J. Devanney. Questions can be directed to [email protected]. WEEKLY CARD GAME Enjoy playing cards? Every Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the downstairs lounge, members and guests are invited to join in a 2 friendly game of Setback. This and that… The weeks leading into Christmas and the New Year were very busy at the Irish American Home Society. The day after Thanksgiving, we held our 2nd Annual Lights of Love Christmas Tree Lighting and Carol Sing and what a beautiful event it was! The sidewalks in front of the club were lined with luminaries lit in memory of loved ones, while the fire inside helped to warm all who came to help ring in the holiday season. Our beautiful tree outside was lit by Kayleigh O'Connell, granddaughter of Kevin and Mary Ann O’Connell (Kayleigh’s name was entered in a drawing we held on November 22nd) while everyone sang Christmas carols around the tree. We continued the caroling inside and concluded with the reading of the names from our Scroll of Honor, a very moving part of the program. The Pub Grubbers opened early and folks enjoyed sharing a meal in the company of friends and fellow members. The ever popular Brennan Brothers continued the celebration into the evening and the pub was jam packed with revelers. If you couldn’t join us this year…mark your calendars now for November 27, 2015. This is an event not to be missed! A lot of hard work went into creating this lovely evening. Special thanks to our Events Committee, chaired by Cathy Barry; and to Ed Braga and Megan McManus, who provided the beautiful music and led us in singing the carols. Many thanks to our Webmaster, Todd Barry, who created the gorgeous Scroll of Honor that played on the television screens at the club during the evening (and can still be viewed on our website). Thanks to Kevin Foley, owner of Liberty Landscaping who so generously donated the Christmas Tree located in the front of the building, along with a custom made, outdoor tree stand. And thank you to our ever dedicated Pub Grubbers who came in early to feed the hungry crowd! The following evening the Upstairs Hall was packed for our holiday Pub Quiz, led by Quizmaster Theresa Doyle. Everyone in attendance had a great time and a lot of laughs as Theresa tested our knowledge (or lack thereof) on topics ranging from geography to what Snoopy served for Thanksgiving Dinner (if you’re curious the answer is toast, popcorn, pretzel sticks and jelly beans)! This is another “not to be missed” event we hold at the club…and no one runs a pub quiz quite like Theresa, with her quick wit and great sense of humor! Thanks also to her sidekicks, Kelley McElroy and Eileen Moore, for helping with the scoring. Sunday, November 30th was the date of our Christmas Ceili held in the Upstairs Hall. This traditional dance is always well attended and this year was no exception. Thank you to John Droney and his wife, Pat, who always put together an exceptional event enjoyed by folks from near and far. Friday December 5th we held our Member’s Christmas Party with a traditional ham dinner that included colcannon, mashed parsnips and carrots, turnip and green beans almandine. The reviews were absolutely outstanding, with one member proclaiming that she felt like she was home in Ireland at her mother’s holiday table! This meal was lovingly prepared by Cathy Barry, Eileen McGee, Liz Saunders and me (Maureen Kennedy), with our Events Committee helping with all the set-up, serving and clean-up. We had a ball preparing the meal and the abundance of compliments was overwhelming! Another event “not to be missed” next year! Our Holiday Fair was held on Sunday, December 7th, and the club was packed with shoppers and diners all day long. An Irish Breakfast started the day (we apologize for the wait) and ended with a jammed pub listening to the seisiun. There were plenty of vendors selling an array of goods both up and downstairs. One particularly busy spot was the Club Table with a big selection of holiday foods along with teas, jams, biscuits and the like. Lunch was a busy affair with plenty of folks enjoying the Toasted Special. Special thanks to Event Chair Kathy Saimininkas, who did a spectacular job recruiting vendors and coordinating the event. Thanks to Peter Hart for coordinating the breakfast and to Joe Kennedy for preparing and cooking the lunch. Last, but not least, thanks to Karen Breen, who headed the sales of wreaths, cemetery logs and centerpieces…all lovingly created by Karen and members of her decorating team. Karen started taking orders in the fall and actually began planning right after Christmas last year. She personally designed and decorated many of the items herself and they were just beautiful. Thanks also to Paul Bowler who lent us his box truck (he owns T-Shirts, Etc.) to transport all the wreaths, swags and cemetery boxes to the club. The Children’s Christmas Party was held on Sunday, December 14th with many children and their families enjoying a visit with Santa and a pancake breakfast. There were activities and games along with face painting and the chance to have a picture taken with the big guy himself! Special thanks to Sarah Moran and Megan Tenney, Children’s Events Cochairs, for their vision and hard work. Thanks to their families (Brian, Liam and Devin Moran and Rick, Lauren and JD Tenney) who worked right alongside these lovely ladies. Thanks to Peter Hart for coordinating the breakfast, and to Bruce Motowidlak who helped us tremendously by picking up Santa (his sleigh was in the shop) and delivering him in a huge fire engine (thanks to Glastonbury Fire Department, too) to the delight of all attending. Thanks to Andrew Fotta, who captured each child’s moment with Santa and donated $150 back to the club from the sale of the photos. And special thanks to Santa. We know this is a crazy time of year for you…we appreciate you travelling all the way to Commerce Street and spending time with all of us. We hope you enjoyed the pancakes. They were made with love! And speaking of love…I hope you found time to share this special time of year with those you love. xo GAA Annual Convention The Hartford Gaelic Athletic Association will hold its Annual Convention on Saturday, January 24, 2015, in the downstairs lounge at the Irish American Home. The meeting begins at 2:00 p.m. For more information contact Dan Ustach at (860)707-0537 or [email protected]. Membership Renewals Membership renewals are mailed in the month of January and must be paid by March 31st in order to be a member in good standing. In an effort to save money on postage, please consider dropping by the club on Friday evenings to pay and receive your card immediately or include a note with your payment that you will pick your card up at the club (see your bartender). Individual renewals are $70.00 and spousal membership is $110.00. Renewals can also be paid on-line by visiting our website: www.irishamericanhome.com. DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME GOT YOU DOWN? Well we have some good news for you! THE CLUB IS CHANGING OUR HOURS in an effort to help you combat those wintertime blues! We now open at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday (weekend hours remain the same) so you can enjoy your club for a few hours before darkness falls! Stop in, enjoy a cuppa or a pint…buy a few of your favorite Irish jams and teas in our buth bheag (little shop) and enjoy a chat with friends old and new! Come spring, if these extended hours prove popular enough, we might just make them permanent! Some come on down and enjoy your club! SUNDAY FUNDAY… Continues on January 4th , 11th and 18th! We’ll be serving from 1:00 – 5:00 p.m. so come by and grab all the final football action at your club on our awesome TVs!! WINTER STORM CLOSING INFORMATION The winter season is upon us and with that brings the eventuality of ice, snow and wintry mix. The Irish American Home Society will do its best to remain open during inclement weather but will close if conditions warrant. Closing information may be found on our website and the following TV stations: WFSB Channel 3, WVIT Channel 30 and WTNH Channel 8. We ask that you refrain from parking in our lot during snow storms so that snow removal may be done as quickly and completely as possible. If we need a plow to return to re-plow where a car sat during a storm, we pay additional snow removal costs. Thank you! IRISH NORTHERN AID The Hartford Unit of Irish Northern Aid meets the 3 rd Friday of every month at 8:00 p.m. in the downstairs hall of the Irish American Home. Since 1970, the Irish Northern Aid Committee has been at the forefront in support of the struggle for freedom, justice, and selfdetermination for all the people of Ireland. For more information, please contact Tom McBride (860)9830846. Memorial Funds Please consider naming one of two funds the IAHS has established over the years to receive memorial donations upon your death. Both funds are intended to memorialize our deceased loved ones while benefiting our members . The first is our Scholarship Fund which was established to grant educational scholarships to the children of members in good standing. Scholarships are awarded in June of each year. The second fund is our Building Renovation Fund, established to help fund the proposed new building and renovation of the existing building. SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED TO THE FAMILY & FRIENDS OF : Timothy Coleman (father of Tim Coleman) 3 GET WELL WISHES TO: Sr. Marion Raymond Myles McGee HONOR GUARD It is this Society’s tradition to honor our deceased members by the presence of an Honor Guard at the funeral service and interment. While we have several dedicated members who faithfully participate in this tradition, we would like to ensure a full complement at each service. If you are interested in participating when the need arises, please contact Anne Marie McKinstry at (860)875-8278 to be included in the contact list. The Ancient Order of Hibernians Division #2 and Ladies AOH meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Downstairs Lounge. The AOH is an Irish Catholic organization that promotes and encourages participation in our religion, charity and Irish culture, following the motto, “In Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity”. For more information contact Jamie Forzono at (860)6043021. Traditional Irish Music Seisiun in our pub on the 1st Sunday of the month starting at 4:00 p.m., and the 3rd Sunday starting with a beginner’s hour at 3:00 p.m. followed by the regular seisiun at 4:00 p.m. For more information contact Liz Raymond (860)346-3235 or Brent Morgan [email protected]. IRISH SET DANCE CLASSES Traditional Irish country set dancing classes are held in the upstairs hall on Wednesday evenings (except the fourth Wednesday of each month). This is a cultural function of the Irish American Home Society and there is no charge. The only requirements are hard-soled shoes and a little stamina! Classes begin at 7:00 p.m. For more information, please call John Droney (860)521-2696. Newsletter deadline is the 15th of the month for inclusion in the next month’s edition. Send contributions, in WORD FORMAT, to [email protected]. WE SIMPLY COULDN’T HAVE DONE IT WITHOUT YOU! A very special THANK YOU to the Events Committee who continually go above and beyond in creating and planning many of the events that happen at our club: Cathy Barry – Chair, Barbara Hedges, Jenn Hedges, Eileen Moore, Erin Mulcahy, Ann Purcell Murray, Elizabeth O’Leary, Kathy Saimininkas, and Liz Saunders. Thank you to the following members who volunteered at one or more of the events we held over the holiday season: Caitlin Barry, Kevin Benner, Karen Breen, Rick Breen, Barry Callahan, Mary Conlon, Cora Dunning, Dottie Fox, Dirangh Garafalo, Sheila Dupuis Green, Justin Hart, Peter Hart, Sana Hart, Colleen Kissane, Pam Mahoney, Pat Mangini, Lizzie McGarrity, Eileen McGee, Myles McGee, Anne Marie McKinstry, Patti Merrick, Stephen Miskell, Mary Ellen Moore, Margaret Mulcahy, Michael Neilan, Liz O’Leary, Jack Pallis, Kaitlyn Pallis, Tom Pilch, Terry Saunders, Allen Scarfone, Laura Scarfone, and Kay Walsh. THANK YOU!!! 2014-2015 IAHS Officers & Board of Directors President Maureen Kennedy 860-550-3126 [email protected] Vice President Sheila Dupuis Green 860-633-1883 [email protected] Recording Secretary Eileen K. Moore 860-977-9700 [email protected] Treasurer Colleen Kissane 860-614-6440 [email protected] Financial Secretary Liz Saunders 860-951-5269 [email protected] Membership Secretary Kathy Saimininkas 860-895-8711 [email protected] Assistant Membership Secretary Kelley McElroy Corresponding Secretary Maura O’Donnell 860-657-9950 Sergeant at Arms Jeffrey Reynolds Board of Directors Peter Hart 860-568-0628 [email protected] Dan Ustach 860-989-1965 [email protected] Eileen McGee 860-550-3732 [email protected] Pat Whelan 860-573-3884 Stephen Miskell 860-478-2052 [email protected] Permitee Dan O’Connell 860-633-9691 GOOD & WELFARE If you know of any member who is ill, in the hospital, or has passed away, give Margaret Moriarty a call (860-563-0804) or email at [email protected] so that an appropriate remembrance may be sent on behalf of the membership. If you have good news to share with the membership, i.e. birth, graduation, promotion, etc., please send the information, to be published in a future newsletter, to [email protected] HALL RENTALS The Upstairs Hall and Lower Hall are available to rent for parties and gatherings. Please call Dan O’Connell for availability and pricing. 860-6339691 In Memory of: Requested by: In Memory of: Requested by: Frank W. Barry James E. Barry Paul R. Barry Sean Byrne Mary O’Connell Cacchillo Bill Callahan Brian Callahan Mae Callahan John Collins William J. Connors Nora Cronin Thomas B. Daly Thomas & Mary Daly Deceased Members of the I.A.H.S. Retirees Group Kaitlin Mairead Derr Francis Donahue Gregory Donahue Thomas J. Downes Noreen Droney Egan Family Robert J. Fallon Eileen Feeney Kathleen Feeney Andrea Maureen Fernandes Andy Fernandes John Flanagan Daniel & Maureen Foley James Foley John Foley John Foley Sheila Foley Michele Ginolfi John & Mary Glennon Patrick Glennon Sheila Glynn Frank Godfrey, Sr. Matt & Molly Grahm Vincent Green Mary T. Griffin Jack Guilfoyle Pat Guinan Harold W. Hard, Jr. Mary Havens Paul Hedges Fulton & Mary Hickman Donald Horrigan Bridget Keenan Peter J. Keenan, Sr. Christopher Kehoe Viola Fogerty Kehoe Francis E. Kelly Kennedy Family Jim & Tess Kissane Charles & Mary Kurker Claire E. Lawlor Mary Lawlor Michael J. Long Anthony & Margaret Lynch Brian Mahoney Eileen Mahoney Anne Mannion John Mannion Joseph McCabe Rita McCabe McGarry/Feaster Families James Dee Barry James Dee Barry Todd & Cathy Barry Mary Byrne Drew Kehoe Barry Callahan Barry Callahan Barry Callahan Sheila Dupuis Green Eleanor & Peter Ashe Eileen K. Moore Mike & Eileen Griffin Mike & Eileen Griffin Officers of the I.A.H.S. Retirees Group Liz & Terry Saunders Kelley Donahue Kelley Donahue Tom & Rita Downes Joan Politis Bernadette Kennedy Brian & Kristine Fallon Betty Mohan (Aunt) Betty Mohan (Aunt) Maureen Fernandes Maureen Fernandes Noel & Cindy Fagan Liz & Terry Saunders Mike & Eileen Griffin Mike & Eileen Griffin Anne Foley Anne Foley Margaret Ginolfi Maureen Fernandes Maureen Fernandes Patrick Glynn Margaret Ginolfi Lil Holleran Sheila Dupuis Green Mike & Eileen Griffin Tom & Rita Downes Lil Holleran Brian & Kristine Fallon Dorothy Havens Jenn Hedges Liz & Terry Saunders Bernadette Kennedy Peter J. Keenan, Jr. Peter J. Keenan, Jr. Drew Kehoe Drew Kehoe Jack & Pat Long Bernadette Kennedy Colleen Kissane Liz & Terry Saunders Vincent C. Lawlor Lil Holleran Jack & Pat Long Liz & Terry Saunders Patrick Mahoney Patrick Mahoney Anne Mannion Anne Mannion Sheila McCabe Sheila McCabe Mike McGarry Anne Margaret McGee Anne “Nan” McGee Crena McGee Devin McGee Myles J. McGee Mary McGloin Michael Meyerjack Susan Meyerjack Kathleen M. Miskell Sr. Elinor Mohan Pat Mohan Eileen & Myles McGee Eileen & Myles McGee Eileen & Myles McGee Eileen & Myles McGee Eileen & Myles McGee Lil Holleran Liz O’Leary Liz O’Leary Jim Mulcahy Betty Mohan Children – Beth, Cathy, Mary, Patrick and John Betty Mohan Grandchildren Eileen K. Moore Jim Mulcahy Margaret Mulcahy Jim Mulcahy Jim Mulcahy Judy Murphy Drew Kehoe Drew Kehoe Kayleigh & Madison Liz & Terry Saunders Drew Kehoe Margaret Mulcahy Eileen & Myles McGee David & Mary O’Connor Eileen & Myles McGee Mike McGarry Liz O’Leary Liz O’Leary Elizabeth O’Leary Liz O’Leary Eileen & Myles McGee Winslow Runde Kathy Saimininkas Liz & Terry Saunders Joan Politis Liz & Terry Saunders Susanne S. Whalen Susanne S. Whalen Maureen Staunton Pat Tierney Pat Tierney Mike & Eileen Griffin Stan Tuller Kay Walsh Marie C. Walsh Marie C. Walsh Dorothy Havens 4 Patrick (Pat) Mohan Poppa Patrick Mohan Gene Moore Maureen E. Mulcahy Maurice Mulcahy Richard J. Mulcahy Thomas F. Mulcahy Bob Murphy Ann O’Connell Daniel O’Connell Erin Ashley O’Connell Erin Ashley O’Connell Mary Elizabeth O’Connell Daniel & Mary Ellen O’Connor Owen J. O’Connor Patrick O’Connor Timothy J. O’Connor P.V. O’Donnell Jane Shannon O’Leary Mary Flynn O’Leary, R.N. Robert “Heavy” O’Leary Robert O’Leary Gertrude O’Rourke Brideann H. Runde Jenn Saimininkas Milton & Barbara Saunders Catherine Sheehan John Silvestri Billy Smith Peg & Herb Smith Tom Staunton Mary Pat Tierney P.J. Tierney Raymond & Kathleen Thiesen Sheila Tuller Ed Walsh John J. Walsh (Former President) Kevin T. Walsh Michael Welch In Appreciation: Ian Fagan Irish American Home Society I.A.H.S. Retirees Group Cindy & Noel Fagan David & Mary O’Connor Officers of the I.A.H.S. Retirees Group 5 IRISH AMERICAN HOME SOCIETY INC. Presorted Standard US Postage Paid Global Mail Express 06033 132 Commerce Street / P.O. Box 620 Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033 MOVING? Send us your new address (include current address label) Effective __________________ JANUARY Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 CLOSED 4 SEISUIN 4-6 P.M NFL FOOTBALL TICKET (LUNCH 1-5) 5 Pipe Band Club Closed 11 NFL FOOTBALL TICKET (LUNCH 1-5) 6 New Member Screening 7:00P.M. Board of Directors Meeting 8:00P.M 12 7 Set Dancing Upstairs 2 3 The Jeff Conlon Band 8 9 MONTHLY MEETING 8:00 P.M Setback Downstairs Meatloaf Dinner 5-7 PUB GRUB 6-8:30 P.M The Tom Lanigan Band 13 Pipe Band Club Closed 14 Set Dancing Upstairs 15 10 16 7:30p.m. Dually Noted (Pub) 17 PUB GRUB 6-8:30 P.M Setback Downstairs The Band Ireland 18 SEISUIN 3-6 P.M 19 20 21 Pipe Band Club Closed 22 Setback Downstairs 23 PUB GRUB 6-8:30 P.M NFL FOOTBALL TICKET (LUNCH 1-5) The Brennan Brothers 25 26 Pipe Band Club Closed 27 28 Set Dancing Upstairs 29 Setback Downstairs 30 PUB GRUB 6-8:30 P.M Billy Eagan and The Rising 6 24 31 7:30 p.m. Battle of the Bartenders
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