September 2014 Mi Mean Fomhair Emerald Society Officers President Donald F. Harrington Jr. 305-388-7173 1st Vice-President Richard C Welch Jr. 2nd Vice-President Sean M. Ferrell Treasurer John P. Doherty Historian Daniel L. Fitzgerald Recording Secretary Kassandra Kassie Doyle Immediate Past President Directors Hugh A. Ryan Blair Brogan John P. Doherty Kassandra Kassie Doyle Ann Eustace Sean M. Ferrell Daniel L. Fitzgerald Sean Glynn Johnette Hardiman Donald F. Harrington Jr. Christopher P Kelley Meghan Knol Joseph W. McManus William O Brien Jr. Hugh A. Ryan Judi Tierney Sherry Noel McManus Stillings John M. Jack Thomson Richard C Welch Jr. Editors Joe & Barbara McManus 561-338-8848 Member : (305) 949-8400 www.emeraldsocietysfl.com Halfway to St. Patrick s Day Social at MYC on Sept. 24: Discuss Future of South Florida Emerald Society Upcoming E-mail: emeraldsocietysfl@gmail.com Our next social will be at the Miami Yacht Club, 1001 MacArthur Causeway, (305 371 0703) Watson Island, at 6:30pm Wednesday Sept. 24. Commodore (and Emerald director) Sean Ferrell guarantees that you will be more than satisfied with the Biscayne Bay view, hors d oeuvres, craic and cash bar. The MYC is behind Jungle Island (Parrot Jungle) so follow the Parrot Jungle Trail sign from eastbound I-395 in a hairpin turn, around the Jungle Island parking garage, to the entrance gates. Push the button on the annunciator and presto the gate will open. Wend your way to a parking space and enter the Yacht Club. The SFES Board has delayed taking up the proposed merger of the South Florida Emerald Society and The St. Patrick s Day Committee, Inc. until October to allow this discussion among Emeralds. As proposed by John Doherty, following the merger and combination of funds, The St. Patrick s Day Committee Inc. would be re-named the South Florida Emerald Society and assume IRS 501c(3) status. The declining presence of the Irish in South Florida has meant that SFES membership has declined to 100; removing the fraternal restriction of a 501c(7) would open membership to a wider audience those interested in preserving the Irish heritage, not just the Irish. The Emerald Society would then be responsible for promoting and financing the St Patrick s Day Festival and could receive tax-free contributions. Attend on the 24th and give the Board your opinion! (John Doherty has circuited his June memo by email-call John for a copy) Wed Sept 24 6:30pm Social at Miami Yacht Club, MacArthur Cswy Thur Oct 2 6:30pm SFES Board of Director s Meeting, Miami Yacht Club Fri Dec 5 Christmas in Ireland at KofC Clubhouse, Coral Gables
pt Dan and Dolores Fitzgerald celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary at Church of the Little Flower and John Martins In renewing their wedding vows, Dan said: Each time I look at you I see the lovely girl who married me. No aching hip nor wrinkles there, but hazel eyes and chestnut hair. Oh yes, I know my eyes grow dim, but I still see you tall and slim. To me you're always young and sweet - a combination hard to beat. What's more, to me you'll never change. I only wish I could arrange to ease your pain and lose your cane. Then we'd be like we were againstarting out with dreams and blessings - no real plan but lots of guessings. And as we near our journey's end, I still love you my wife, my friend. And Doe responded: You are the one who came into my life-and captured my heart on that cold winter's night 60 years ago with the kind of love I had never known. You are the one who is the heart and soul at the center of my world, my partner, my soul mate, a wonderful father and my reason for living. Thank you for your love and if it's God's will, I will love you forever. When Irish Eyes are smiling, Sure tis like a morn in spring... Following the 5pm Anniversary Mass on Saturday August 2 at Church of the Little Flower, Coral Gables, Emeralds are here shown gathered at the Library, JohnMartins, to toast the Happy Couple. Other Emeralds who attended the Mass were: Sean Glynn, Richard Welch and Ann McShane. Joe McManus, John Kane, Dan and Dolores Fitzgerald, Carmen and Henry Kissane, Linda and John Doherty, Judi Tierney Sherry, Barbara McManus and Dorothy Kane. Photos by the Kanes 2
Emerald News. President Don Harrington Jr. has urged every member to get a member. Hugh Ryan, chair of Socials, has become de facto chair of Christmas in Ireland, now set for Friday Dec. 5 at the KofC clubhouse in Coral Gables. Hugh needs prizes for the raffle and help at the door. Hugh is working on an Oct. 29 social at either Duffy s or The Hurricane. Sean Glynn and Mark Donnelly are now chair/co-chair of the Membership Committee, succeeding Ann Eustace. At a recent Committee meeting, joined by Rachel Battista and Richard Welch, they pointed out the need to attract younger members and proposed: Halloween/Samhain event for children Chili Cook-off for families. Irish story-telling for children at a local library. Guinness Pour membership drive. Great ideas! Joe McManus, Chair of the Celtic Cultural Series, is thinking of showing an Irish film at JohnMartins on a Sunday afternoon in mid- November. St. Patrick s Day Committee, Inc. The St. Patrick s Day Committee is a not-forprofit 501 (c) 3 organization affiliated with the South Florida Emerald Society, which is, in turn, a 501 (c) 7 fraternal organization in the IRS Code. The officers of the St.Pats Committee are: Charlie Davis, President; Rosemarie Hart, Vice President; Clodagh Michel, Secretary and John P. Doherty is Treasurer. Chris Kelley is the designated agent. Charlie Davis, President Prior Presidents were: Janice McKay 2008-11; Joe McManus 2007; Carrol Cameron 2005; Michael O Connor 2003 and 2005, and Tom Dunn 2004. Welcome, New Emeralds In July and September, the Board approved these Emeralds: Richard Al-Imam, who is an investigator originally from Savannah, GA and now lives in Pembroke Pines with his spouse Carla. On Richard s maternal side are the Burnams from County Cork. His sponsor is Donald F. Harrington Jr. Tracy Harrington, an attorney, lives in South Dade with Don and their two children. Tracy is from Troy, Michigan. Her sponsor is Donald F. Harrington Jr. Photos: John Kane Rachel Battista is Executive Assistant at the Wolfsonian FIU Museum, Miami Beach and lives on Miami Beach. Rachel s paternal side is from County Clare. Her sponsor is Sean Glynn. Court Edward Keeley is an attorney who lives in the Brickell area. The Keeleys hail from Ballinakill, Barry Hill and Bagenalstown in County Carlow. His sponsor is Johnette Hardiman. Patricia Patti McCarthy lives in South Dade. Her maternal O Gradys come from Kinvara, County Galway. Her sponsor is Judi Tierney Sherry. 2
Poetry Corner Patrick Kavanagh (1904-67) was the major poet of rural Ireland during the mid-twentieth century. Kavanagh was a shoemaker and rural family farmer until his late 30 s. His actual farm Shancoduff lies about a mile out of Inishkeen in County Monaghan. Shancoduff Shancoduff My black hills have never seen the sun rising, Eternally they look North towards Armagh. Lot s wife would not be salt if she had been Incurious as my black hills that are happy When dawn whitens Glassdrummond chapel. My hills hoard the bright shillings of March While the sun searches in every pocket. They are my Alps and I have climbed the Matterhorn- With a sheaf of hay for three perishing calves In the field under the Big Forth of Rocksavage. The sleety winds fondle the the rushy beards of Shancoduff While the cattle drovers sheltering in the Featherna Bush Look up and say: Who owns them hungry hills That the water hen and snip must have forsaken? A poet? Then by heavens he must be poor. I hear and is my heart not badly shaken? Helen s Quiz Helen Lennon asked for a quiz-and here it is 1. Name the four provinces of Ireland. 2. What is Dun Aengus and where is it located? 3. Three of the seven signatories of the Proclamation of the Republic on Easter Monday,1916 were poets. Who were they? 4. What was the greatest musical event in eighteenth- century Ireland? 5. What memorable battle was fought in Ireland between opposing armies, led by rival kings, on July 12, 1690 (or July 1,1690 if you follow the old calendar)? (Answers on Page 6) It s Scully s in the Summertime Bill and John Gregory Answering a late call from the Social Committee, 37 Emeralds and guests quickly responded on Thursday July 23 and enjoyed a boisterous evening of comestibles, refreshments and craic at Scully s. Among those attending and imbibing were: Jon Lindeman, John Doherty, Clodagh and Jim Michel, John and Dorothy Kane, Woody Woodside (Welcome back!), Carol R. Miller, Dan Fitzgerald, Chuck Daley, Johnette Hardiman, Judi Tierney Sherry, Hugh Ryan, Ann McShane, Bill and John Gregory, Joe and Linda Healy, Paul Reilly, Jan Paris, Roberta Scott, Ellie Telford, Vilma Garcia, Steffany Stroud, Jose and Rose Raudes from the Sean Hayes family, Mike and Judy Linehan, Bill Owens, Ann Eustace, Jim Weber, Ken Pines, Amy Law, Noel McManus Stillings (Recorder) and the big winner-reggie Barrera-who won $105 from the raffle. Emeralds bid a fond adieu to Chuck Daley, a former Director who is being transferred to Sarasota. Mea Culpa Through our fault, we had omitted John M. Jack Thomson from the list of Directors on the front page. Our apologies. Charlie Davis, President -The Editors 4 3 3
Emeralds March on Key Biscayne! Hurrah for the Red, White and Blue! Over 25 Emeralds, their families and guests, marched in the 4th of July Parade. After an early morning brunch under the big tree at St.Agnes and following their march, Emeralds retired to the Key Biscayne Yacht Club for refreshments. Among those attending were: the Camerons (Billy, Carroll, and Ayme) and Ayme s friends (Natalie Arana, Amanda Lee and Fiorella Asturrizaga),the McManus clan (Joe, Barbara, Catherine and Noel Stillings and Anita Nielsen) and McManus family fr iend, Howard O Cohen, C.L. Conroy and her friends (Dyanne O Feinberg and Mara O Gonzalez), Ann McShane, Dale and Anamarie O Bryan, Nigel Patterson, Albert Shaheen, Albie Shaheen, Alex Trimino, Bill O Brien, Bill Gregory, Ann Eustace and Jim Weber. And we missed you, Tom Flynn R.I.P. Thank you, Carroll and Billy Cameron for all your work on the arrangements. Health and Welfare Catherine McManus, Howard O Cohen, Bill O Brien, Nigel Patterson, C.L. Conroy and Bill Gregory Photo by Noel Stillings On Thursday July 24, Monsignor Donnelly celebrated Mass at the Palace (Assisted Living) in Homestead for Oliver Kerr the 50th anniversary of their ordination as priests. They were very close friends all through their seminary studies. Mary Ann Kerr is recovering at home. Ri Condolences O'DOWD, JEANNE, 80, of Coral Gables, passed away on Monday, July 21. She is survived by her husband, Frank O'Dowd, long-time Emerald, and sons Frank Jr. (Rosemary), Mark (Andrea) and Tim O'Dowd, as well as her 6 grandchildren, one brother and two sisters. A Funeral Mass was held July 25 at Church of the Little Flower, Coral Gables. Internment was at Woodlawn Cemetery. R.I.P. (from the Miami Herald) A Letter to Ballyturan a novel Michael Grant, retired NYPD lieutenant and author, emailed us that he has published this, his third novel. It is the story of Matt McCarten, who was mustered out of the Army in 1945, just in time to attend his father s funeral. Returning to Ballyturan, Ireland, Matt peels away the layers of secrecy surrounding his father s history. Available at the following links: https://www.createspace.com/4885759 http://amazon.co.uk/dp1500396540 5 4
Board Meeting The next Board Meeting will be 6:30pm Thursday October 2 at the Miami Yacht Club on Watson Island. President Donald F. Harrington Jr. will preside. All members are welcome. Agenda items will include: The proposed merger of the South Florida Emerald Society and The St.Patrick s Day Committee Inc. Consideration of vacancies on the Board. Answers to Helen s Quiz on p. 3 1. Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster. 2. Dun Aengus, a ruined fort dating from 2000 BC is located on Inishmore, one of the Aran Islands. 3. Thomas MacDonagh 1878-1916,Patrick Pearse 1879-1916 and Joseph Plunkett 1877-1916. 4. The premier of Handel s Messiah on April 13, 1742 in Mr. Neale s Great Musick Hall, Fishamble Street, Dublin. 6 5. The Battle of the Boyne. 6 The South Florida Emerald Society, Inc. PO Box 836225 Miami, FL. 33283-6225.