Irish American Home Society Inc. JULY/AUGUST NEWSLETTER

President’s Message

Dear Fellow Members,

It’s hard to believe it’s July and that the Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival is just around the corner! If you haven’t stepped up to volunteer yet, please call Kathleen Blake as soon as possible. This is our club’s largest fundraising event. It’s what helps keep the membership dues and the price of a pint down! So do your share! Can’t help out over the weekend? No worries…we have plenty of volunteer opportunities available the week before and the week after. In fact, we’re still looking for someone to coordinate set-up and clean-up. So don’t delay…call Kathleen today!

If you’ve been down to the club lately, you may have noticed how wonderful the grounds are looking. This is due to the efforts of your fellow members. You may not be aware, but as a volunteer driven organization, many tasks are taken on by our member volunteers. It’s a great way to get involved and meet your fellow members. If you’re lucky like me, your volunteer work may lead you to new friendships and more fun than you ever imagined! Call me if you would like to get more involved.

Hats off to Chair Liz Saunders and the Hartford Feis Committee for another successful Feis! With 630 registered dancers, record attendance and the most perfect weather possible, it was the most amazing day! The field was packed with dancers, their families and spectators who came to enjoy the largest cultural event held by our club. Thank you to all the volunteers who helped make the day run smoothly and for the welcoming atmosphere you provided to our guests!

Wishing you and your families a safe and happy summer!

All the best,

Maureen A. Kennedy President

GAELIC FOOTBALL AND HURLING LIVE FROM CROKE PARK!

We are pleased to announce that we will be showing the live broadcasts of all the games LIVE from ! The club purchased the 2014 season package to show all 45 games from Premium Sports. As in the past, there is a charge to view the games; however, we are now offering a MEMBERS ONLY SEASON PASS for the spectacular price of $250! That’s right…only $250 to view every game! That’s a bargain price of $5.55 per game! If you don’t wish to opt for the season pass, the games will be priced as follows: $15 per game for members; $20 per game for non-members; $5 for ages 13 – 20 years; 1 year and under no charge. Passes can be purchased from your bartender. Season Passes make great gifts! Father’s Day is around the corner…a great gift for that parent who has everything (including the great- est and most generous kids in the world who always know the perfect gift).

A VERY SPECIAL EVENING WITH LEO & ANTO

Tickets are still available for the shows on July 22, 23 and 24, 2014, in the Upstairs Hall at 7:30 p.m. Leo and Anto (of The Saw Doctors) will present their acoustic show that includes some well-known Saw Doctors songs, story-telling and more! Visit www.leoandanto.com for a taste of what’s in store. Tickets are $35 each. If tickets are still available after July 5th, we will open this up to the general public. If you have already purchased tickets but would be interested in purchasing more, contact Maureen Kennedy (860)550-3126. This is an event you won’t want to miss…promise!

132 Commerce St PO Box 620  Glastonbury, CT  06033 Ph. (860) 633-9691

IAHS GIANT TAG HARTFORD GAA This and that… SALE & FLEA MARKET The Hartford GAA would like to thank As I mentioned in my letter, we have Saturday, September 13, 2014 everyone who supported our golf tour- had a lot of help from our members in Clean out your attics, garages, and nament in May. We raised a lot of mon- keeping up the grounds around the basements, and come have some ey to help our youth and senior football club. Both Hartford GAA and fun selling your unwanted treasures and hurling programs. You can now buy Glastonbury Celtic Football Club in a bustling flea market/tag sale Hartford GAA apparel at oneils.com. have made commitments to keep up venue! We will be holding a giant The GAA summer schedule with the mowing of the pitch and open air tag sale and flea market on 2014: lawns. Mike Sweeney has been seen Saturday, September 13th from 8:00 YOUTH: mowing the pitch each week while a.m. until 3:00 p.m. on the grounds 6/21: Dorchester, MA, 10 a.m.-5 Stephen Miskell, Dan Ustach and of the Irish American Home. Seller p.m./Football, hurling and camogie Dick Edmonds have been running space may be rented for $25.00. 7/12: IAHS, 10 a.m.-5 p.m./Football, behind with the weed wacker, Vendors and crafters are also wel- hurling and camogie trimming everything in their path! A come. Seller space may be re- 7/13: Canton, MA, 1 p.m. – 3 p.m./ few weeks ago, a group of us served after July 1st. For further U14/16 Football gathered to clean-up the area around information or to reserve a space, 7/19: Portland, ME, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m./ the sheds, where piles of old wooden please contact Theresa Doyle at Football, hurling and camogie pallets and all kinds of old stuff were [email protected] or 860-568- 7/23:Through 7/27, Randall’s Island, thrown. The area was overgrown 7685. NY, CYC Tournament ages 6 – 18 with weeds and massive amounts of 8/09: Springfield, MA, 10 a.m. – 5 poison ivy. Stephen Miskell and SAVE THE DATE! p.m./Football, hurling and camogie Myles McGee nearly filled the PIG ROAST LUAU! 8/16: Canton, MA/Northeast Champi- enormous dumpster we hired for the On Saturday, September 6, 2014, onships job…a tremendous amount of hauling we will hold a PIG ROAST LUAU ADULT: and lifting. Colleen Kissane, Dan on the back patio and field from 7/19: ICC, Canton, MA @ 1:45 p.m./ O’Connell and I cleaned out the 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Dine on succu- Shannon Blue v Hartford shed and disposed of all sorts of stuff lent roasted pig along with an as- 8/02: ICC, Canton, MA @ 5:15 p.m/ not worth saving. Bruce Motowidlak sortment of sides. Hot dogs and Shannon Blues v Hartford sprayed the entire area for poison ivy hamburgers will be available for (at his own expense…he owns a those not inclined to partake of the 32nd Annual landscaping company) and Myles pig! Drink specials and a live band IRISH GOLF CLASSIC McGee, God love him, went along (to be announced) along with some To Benefit the the fence and sheds, trimming back fun contests such as “Ugliest Ha- IAHS Scholarship Fund all kinds of flora and fauna…including waiian Shirt” and “Best Decorated the dreaded poison ivy…which got Table”. Tickets are $20 for adults Friday, September 12, 2014 ahold of him despite our best efforts and $8 for kids 12 and under. So Registration: 10 a.m. at eradication! And if you’ve noticed round up your flamingos and start Shotgun Start: 11 a.m. the beautiful flowers around the counting the days! The luau will be Cost: $135.00 per person club…that is the handiwork of Karen here before you know it!! Watch Blackledge Golf Club/ Anderson’s Glen and Rick Breen. Not only did they the September newsletter, our web- create all those gorgeous planters, site and Facebook for more infor- Course but they also come to the club every mation. THREE FLIGHTS—Open, Champion, other day to water and care for the and Women plants. When you see your fellow

Longest Drive, Closest to the Line and members, give them a pat on the back for all their hard work keeping The Ancient Order of Hibernians Closest to the pin contests our club beautiful for all to enjoy! Division #2 and Ladies AOH PRIZES ON ALL PAR 3 HOLES FOR A A few weeks ago, Stephen Miskell, meets on the first Friday of each owner of Tiling, tiled the area month at 7:30 p.m. in the Down- HOLE IN ONE!! surrounding the showers in the stairs Lounge. The AOH is an Irish Sponsor a Hole – only $100 garage/locker room. Stephen Catholic organization that promotes Lunch at the course followed by Dinner provided the tile, other materials, and and encourages participation in our at the Irish American Home his labor, at no cost to the club. It religion, charity and Irish culture, looks lovely and now provides a clean following the motto, “In Friendship, Great Raffle Prizes!! and easy to care for floor. Thank Unity and Christian Charity”. For Checks should be made out to: you, Stephen! more information contact Jamie IRISH AMERICAN GOLF Thanks to Mike Sweeney for Forzono at (860)604-3021. Contact: Tom Pilch at (860) 659-4463 rebuilding the benches along the or [email protected] or mail to: 185 field. Most were missing the tops and Great Swamp Road, Glastonbury, CT Mike was able to get some wood donated for the repairs, which he did 2 06033 himself! Thank you, Mike!

2012 - 2013 IAHS Officers & Board of Directors HONOR GUARD President IRISH NORTHERN AID It is this Society’s tradition to hon- Maureen Kennedy The Hartford Unit of Irish Northern Aid 860-550-3126 rd or our deceased members by the [email protected] meets the 3 Friday of every month at Vice President presence of an Honor Guard at Sheila Dupuis Green 8:00 p.m. in the downstairs hall of the the funeral service and interment. 860-633-1883 Irish American Home. Since 1970, the [email protected] While we have several dedicated Recording Secretary Irish Northern Aid Committee has been members who faithfully participate Eileen K. Moore 860-977-9700 at the forefront in support of the struggle in this tradition, we would like to [email protected] for freedom, justice, and self- Treasurer ensure a full complement at each Colleen Kissane determination for all the people of Ire- service. If you are interested in 860-614-6440 land. For more information, please con- [email protected] participating when the need aris- Financial Secretary tact Tom McBride (860)983-0846. es, please contact Anne Marie Liz Saunders 860-951-5269 McKinstry at (860)875-8278 to be [email protected] Membership Secretary included in the contact list. Kathy Saimininkas 860-895-8711 BUS TRIP [email protected] Assistant Membership Secretary SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2014 The Member’s Only GAA Season Cynthia Prior 860-995-4794 BUS LEAVES IRISH AMERICAN Pass is really the best deal. The [email protected] HOME @ 7AM RETURNING 6PM Corresponding Secretary season consists of 45 games and Maura O’Donnell RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SHOW @ the season pass breaks that cost 860-657-9950 10 AM Sergeant at Arms down to $5.55 per game. In years Ray McKinstry Jr. COST IS $80 (bus only is $30) past we charged $20 per game, 860-798-9591 Board of Directors Contact BEV CONCANNON (860)568- regardless of whether you were a Peter Hart 6692 EMAIL: bbconcan- 860-568-0628 member or not. If you attended [email protected] [email protected] every match, the cost would have Mary Lynch 860-462-2881 Checks payable to IAHS. been $900 for the season! We [email protected] Eileen McGee were able to obtain a better price 860-550-3732 on the game package than in pre- [email protected] Pat Whelan vious years. We are passing 860-573-3884 Stephen Miskell those savings on to you, our mem- 860-478-2052 NOMINATION COMMITTEE bers. Help us keep the broad- [email protected] Permitee President Kennedy is pleased to an- casts live at our club! Dan O’Connell nounce the Nomination Committee for 860-633-9691 2014: James Forzono, Kathleen Blake and Kelley Donahue. If you are inter- WEEKLY CARD GAME ested in running for an Officer position Enjoy playing cards? Every (President, Vice President, Recording Thursday evening at 7 p.m. in the GOOD & WELFARE Secretary, Treasurer, Financial Secre- downstairs lounge, members and If you know of any member who tary, Membership Secretary, Assistant guests are invited to join in a is ill, in the hospital, or has passed away, give Margaret Membership Secretary, Corresponding friendly game of Setback. Moriarty a call (860-563-0804) Secretary or Sargent-at-Arms) or one of or email at [email protected] so the two open Board of Directors posi- that an appropriate remem- brance may be sent on behalf of tions (two and three year terms), please the membership. If you have contact a member of the committee. Sympathy is extended to good news to share with the Nominations are made at the Septem- membership, i.e. birth, gradua- the family and friends of: tion, promotion, etc., please ber Monthly Meeting (Friday, Septem- send the information, to be pub- ber 12, 2014). James Forzono lished in a future newsletter, to newslet- (860)604-3021 or jamesfor- Robert McCarthy [email protected] [email protected]; Kathleen Blake at (860)633-0587 or ka- HALL RENTALS [email protected]; Kelley Donahue The Upstairs Hall and Lower (860)305-9675 or kelleydo- Hall are available to rent for parties and gatherings. [email protected]. Please call Dan O’Connell for

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2014 GREATER HARTFORD IRISH MUSIC FESTIVAL July 25-27, 2014 Mark your calendars and plan to join us for the 31st annual Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival! We begin Friday evening with our Opening Ceremonies, where our two honorees, Jimmy Staunton and Vincent Staunton will cut the ribbon to start the festivities. Back by popular demand is the carnival for kids of all ages with Northeast Midways. What’s a summer festival without great festival food? We’ve added some fabulous food vendors to our food court…there’s something to please every palate! Tickets are on sale now…see details below!

The Festival Committee is pleased to present an exciting line-up of music for this year’s festival, in addition to our own St. Patrick’s Pipe Band, appearing on our field throughout the weekend. Additionally, the bands and events occurring on the Main Stage will be broadcast live throughout the weekend! Go to our website www.irishmusicfest.com to view all the festivities live!

Entertainment Lineup Entertainment Lineup Main Tent Cultural Tent

Friday Friday The Rising Music in the Glen Ceili Band The Savage Brothers Celtic Melody

Saturday Saturday The Raging Hornpipes Music in the Glen Ceili Band Ireland the Band The Man and His Music– Jon Warner

The Highland Rovers Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band The Savage Brothers

Sunday Sunday The John Whealan Band Ringrose and Freeman w/John Tabb The Highland Rovers Pride of Moyvane Ceili Band

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WANTED: FESTIVAL VOLUNTEERS! OUR EXPANDED FOOD COURT! The Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival What’s a festival without some delectable has some great volunteer opportunities food offerings? Stop by and sample some available! The festival is our club’s largest incredible seafood, traditional Irish fare, and fundraising event and we need your help more with Hammerhead Seafood, F & W to make it a success! Can’t help over the Caterers, Johnny’s Potatoes, Primo’s Italian weekend? No problem! We desperately Sausage plus burgers and more with the need help the week before for set up and Glastonbury Fire Department! There will the week after for clean-up (Monday- also be fried dough, ice cream, popcorn and Wednesday). We are looking to fill the fol- more! lowing Chairperson positions: Set- up/Clean-up. Call Maureen Kennedy for details (860)550-3126. So come and join CALLING ALL BETTY CROCKERS! your fellow members and help your club We are looking for baked goods for the Celtic as we present the 31st edition of the best Café (formerly the Tea Tent)! If you have a Irish festival in New England! Call Vol- special dessert that you would like to donate unteer Chairperson Kathleen Blake at to be sold during the festival, we would love (860)633-0587 to sign up! to have it! Items such as soda bread, brown bread, scones, brownies, dessert bars, WE’RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD cupcakes, coffee cakes, muffins and cookies MEN! are always popular favorites. We will accept Join us for the Men in Kilts Competition to baked goods starting Thursday, July 26th – be held on Saturday, July 26, 2014 during please drop them off in the downstairs back the Greater Hartford Irish Music Festival. lounge. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, There will be 3 categories: Policeman, please bring your baked goods directly to the Fireman and Everyman. Prizes will be Celtic Café. IMPORTANT NOTE: If an item awarded in all 3 categories in addition to a contains nuts, please label it accordingly! Judges Choice Award. Everyone who Thank you in advance for helping make this likes to don a kilt is welcome to compete! year’s festival a success! Please contact Tim Coleman (860)463- 4232 or [email protected] for more details or to register.

ADVANCE TICKETS ON SALE NOW!! THE FESTIVAL SILENT AUCTION Advance admission tickets are available now IS SEEKING DONATIONS at a special discount of $10 for adults (age Please consider donating goods or 12 and under are free)! These discount pric- services to the Silent Auction. We’ve had es will only be available through July 24, professionals donate free or reduced rate 2014. Admission price at the door is $12 for legal services; plumbing or electrical work; adults. Tickets can be purchased at the club landscaping and lawn mowing; massage (ask your bartender); at any Highland Park sessions; spa services; haircuts and Market location or on-line at brownpaper- more! Members have donated paintings; tickets.com (select MUSIC/CELTIC). portrait sittings; gift cards; rounds of golf and even a week in a home in Ireland! The generosity of our members is amazing! To donate call Chair Patty

Merrick at (860)568-0172! 5

IRISH AMERICAN HOME SOCIETY INC. 132 Commerce Street / P.O. Box 620 Presorted Standard Glastonbury, Connecticut 06033 US Postage Paid Global Mail Express 06033

MOVING? Send us your new address (include current address label)

Effective ______JULY/ AUGUST

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

SEISUIN Pipe Band New Member Set Dancing Setback Downstairs AOH MEETING Screen Upstairs Linesman Union 7:30 Upstairs

IAHS Board of Set Dancing Up- Setback Downstairs MONTHLY MEET- Pipe Band Directors stairs ING

SEISUIN Setback Downstairs Pipe Band Set Dancing Up- stairs

Setback Downstairs Pipe Band Electricians Union Ironworkers Union Meeting Upstairs upstairs

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