President’s Message Remembering John John also started Conradh na Nollaig Shona Duit Gleeson Gaeilge Craobh Curtin Things are at a standstill until chapter in Milwaukee. those in the know say when It is with great sadness that When he arrived at it will be safe to meet again. we have to tell you about the Milwaukee Irish Fest, John Until then check up on your death of John Gleeson. found a second home in family, friends and John was a Dublin native Milwaukee. He was the neighbors. who came to Milwaukee and cultural representative for married Meg Gleeson, study the festival with Ireland. He Read a book (Milwaukee film and take over the started the Milwaukee Irish County residents, have you cultural heart and soul of Fest Theatre. Later it grew signed up for Hoopla or Libby Milwaukee in a truly short into Milwaukee Irish Arts. through your local library); time. John used his knowledge and take an online course, When he lived in Dublin, he connections in Ireland and downsize; or learn to play a worked for Guinness, and Scotland to enhance the musical instrument on You also founded the Guinness reputation and breadth of Tube. Players, a theatre group Irish Fest.

funded by the brewing giant. And don’t forget that we are He met his future wife at his John also taught at the all suffering, some more than brother Frank Gleeson's University of Wisconsin- others. Be generous. You can wedding. Milwaukee for many years, in donate to the Hunger Task After a move to Milwaukee, the History department. He Force through their online he enrolled at UWM, and the then was instrumental in food store. I worked at a found the Shamrock Club of developing the Center for number of food pantries this Wisconsin. He ran the Celtic Studies at UWM. He fall, and I can vouch that the Cultural booth at the annual led the department for many need is real. years, retiring just the past Holiday Folk Fair few years, but still teaching. I wish I had more to share International for the Club. with you, but this being 2020. ... John wrote a column, No December Meeting entitled "Two Thinks at a Until we meet again stay Time," for the Emerald Due to Covid restrictions, our safe, mask up, wash your Reflections. December Party hands and limit your trips. has been canceled. John taught classes on Irish Please give to the Shamrock Merry Christmas and Happy culture, and Irish language Club Hunger Task Force New Year for the Shamrock Club. Both Virtual fundraiser this year. Josh Walton, President were used to find a supply of Shamrock Club of Wisconsin people for one enterprise or other that John was heading up.

John Gleeson (Cont) Shamrock Club Fundraiser John had a million stories for Hunger Task Force – and was a magnificent Virtual Christmas Food storyteller. One he had was Drive that he was sailing his boat to Holyhead, Wales, when Join the Shamrock Club of the wind died. He said that Wisconsin in Milwaukee to Welcome to December. the B&I ferry passed him by support Hunger Task Force A large number of three times, in both during the holiday season– Milwaukee-area Irish dancers directions, before he found virtually! Let’s join together competed at the regional the wind again. to raise lots of food for Oireachtas in November and hungry families in placed well, including Many Shamrock club Milwaukee! members took his trips to numerous top-ten and Ireland and discovered things firstplace finishes! With uncertainty at every about their ancestral land Comhghairdeas! turn, Hunger Task Force they never would have found anticipates an increase in Verónica Ceszynski’s otherwise. need this holiday season. The brother, Stephen Patrick first ever Food For Families Pharmer recently passed John leaves behind his wife, campaign was launched away. Meg, his daughter, Hannah, more than 40 years ago. This Charles Bruder, father of son Flannan, grandchildren, year’s tradition is facing new Maureen Herzog, was buried siblings, and a million friends. challenges and we need your on Thursday, November 5. help more than ever. What John Gleeson contributed to Milwaukee, Nancy Vose recently for culture, for language, and celebrated her 80th birthday for overall color is impossible with family. to gauge. Brian Witt was not The world is all the poorer on hospitalized in November, his passing. but he did get Covid. He will Slan abhaile, a Seanin. be going in during December, See you in Tin na nOg. however.

Birthdays Dec 1 - Noreen Barclay Dec 3 - Hailey Gurgul We are looking to raise $500 Dec 4 - Dan Stottmeister between Thanksgiving and Dec 6 - Jackie Konkol January 6, The Women’s Dec 7 - Mike Malloy Christmas in Ireland. Dec 8 - Maureen Blaha Dec 9 - Ken Tehan Follow the link to donate: Dec 11-Bob Hamill https://www.hungertaskforc Dec 17-Sharon Walsh e.org/give/shamrock-club- Dec 31-Sam Bastian wis-mke

Send me your news. Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Maggie Blaha slainte4142- [email protected]

Little Known same vein, and involve Irish coffee. It's usually Christmas In Ireland singing and costuming, and served with a thick dollop of parades. The wren in whipped cream on top. Christmas in Ireland tradition betrayed Stephen Ingredients: possesses some fun and while he was hiding from St. 1 cup hot coffee interesting Christmas facts Paul. 1 1/2 oz Irish whisky that many may not know 1 tbs sugar about. Therefore, discover a Preparation: bit of the hidden Ireland. Mix together in a mug and “Women’s Christmas,” on top with whipped cream, if January 6, is a traditional day desired. for Irish women to leave their housework behind and go out with each other to have fun. It’s considered bad luck to It is traditional to swim in the take down holiday sea on Christmas morning. decorations before This is often done in aid of “Nollaig na mBan ,” charity. However, in Dun sometimes simply called Laoghaire, a Christmas swim “.” at the Forty Foot was a men- only nude affair.

The Late Late Toy Show is an

annual event on RTE’s Late Nollaig shona dhuit, agus Late Show. It is broadcast in athbhliain faoi mhaise late November or early dhuit! December, and is is Daidí na Happy Christmas and New the most watch program of Nollaig or Daddy of Year to all! the year. The show consists Christmas, and is of an adult only studio also known in Ireland as audience dressed in Emerald Reflections Santy. Christmas garb which tries to Content for Emerald It is traditional to destroy new toys and Reflections is due on the leave a and a gadgets through mishandling 18th to appear in the January bottle of stout, either issue. Guinness or Murphy’s, to Christmas FM is Ireland’s E-mail submissions slake his hunger and thirst. In first radio station dedicated preferred, send to: Brian recent years children have to Christmas. It is a Witt, Editor been leaving cookies and temporary station, licensed emeraldreflections@shamro milk instead. by the Broadcasting ckclubwis.com

Commission of Ireland (BCI), Santy does not place gifts for to broadcast Shamrock Club the children under the tree across the Dublin area from 2133 West Wisconsin Ave as he does here in America. November 28 to December Milwaukee WI 53233 Instead, Santa leaves their 26 gifts at the end of their beds as they slumber. Membership Chair Now a quick Christmas Melanie Roepke The Wren Boys celebrations recipe: IRISH COFFEE membership@shamrockclub on December 26 on St You can't go wrong with this wis.com Stephan’s day are in the simple but classic recipe for

Emerald Reflections Photo of the Month

Christmas lights on Grafton Street, Dublin, 2020 Photo by Shay Clarke