Irish American Society of County Will
VOL. 19 NUMBER THREE
June 2000
From the "it's never too early to plan" file comes an invitation from the Rialto Square Theatre.
On Sunday, November 19, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. Tony Kenny will star in "Christmastime in Ireland" on the Rialto stage.
Combine Ireland's number one entertainer with the comedy of Noel Ginnity and champion Irish dancing and you're sure to start the holiday season with a smile!
Tickets: $32, $26, $21, $14. Call Sheila
Corrigan (815) 727-0994, with your intentions to buy tickets and
the Society can order for you at a group discount rate!
The world-famous Shillelagh Open, widely recognized as the best golf outing in the County, shall be held Sunday, September 10th at Broken Arrow Golf Course in Lockport, Illinois. First played on May 23, 1982, the Shillelagh Open is the longest running event in our history.
The Open has been held at Joliet's Wedgewood and Inwood courses in the past. This new course will include lots of new games at various holes! Volunteers are welcome to help host our players and help run the new challenges on the course. Dinner at the course will mean a shorter day for all!
Members and guests are invited to register a
foursome by completing the form on page three or by calling Kevin
Hegarty for reservations. Tee times are limited so act fast.
Friends and non-golfers are welcome for dinner. Hole sponsors and
volunteers are needed. For information please call Kevin at
W(815) 724-3735, or H(815) 485-5707.
by Tim Daly, IASCW Board Member
The Shamrocks took 2nd place at the Chicago CARFU Rugby Ball in Maywood on a recent Saturday in May.
The "Rocks" defeated the South Side Irish by a score of 8-7 in the semi-finals. We hit the crossbar and a kick at the end of regulation that would have tied the game in the finals against the CARFU Barbarians.
The best part is that we earned a lot of respect from the other CARFU teams!
*****
In April, the CARFU Collegiate Select Side (made up largely by IASCW Shamrocks) participated in the Midwest Local Area Union Tournament.
The first match was against Team Illinois. We made up for a lack in size with a tough, aggressive style of play that became a team trait.
The second game was against the tournament favorites, Ohio, made up by many Ohio State players. Although referred to as "some tough S.O.B's" by the Ohio coach, a former U.S. National team coach, the Shamrocks lost that game to the eventual tournament champs.
The third match was against Iowa, another team with a size advantage over the CARFU team. After a regular time tie of 10-10, two sudden death overtimes and an exciting finish.
The most impressive thing about the second place finish was that the CARFU team was the only team without a Division 1 university in their union! CARFU proved it belongs with the big boys, and the IASCW Shamrocks hope to contribute again next year on the collegiate select squad.
*****
New jerseys on order will be Barbarian style,
gold body with green and black one-inch stripes. The jerseys will
cost $90. Anyone interested should call Tim Daly, (815) 729-4544.
By Fr Kevin O'Neill Shanley O.Carm.
The history of the Irish in America, without doubt, is one of the great ethnic success stories in this nation or elsewhere. To advance from one of the most despised and prejudiced against minorities ever to arrive on American shores to become of the best educated and successful ethnic groups in the nation's history is no less than a human miracle of endurance and fortitude in the face of almost insurmountable obstacles.
But overcome they did, and with almost a vengeance. "We Shall Overcome" might well have been their theme song.
The story of the Irish in America has been written more than several times, but most often only as a history of the Catholic, Famine-driven group who arrived in their impoverished hoards in the 1850-1870 period following the "Great Hunger" in Ireland from 1847-50. Their story is well worth the telling, no doubt, but it is only a part of the history of the Irish in the U.S.
This reviewer well recalls being asked to participate in the writing of a history of the Irish in the U.S., a project of the University of Connecticut. This reviewer agreed, but with the caveat that the history would include both the pre-and post-Famine Irish of both Catholic and Protestant denominations.
Culturally, economically and spiritually, the Irish continue to play an essential role in the development of America. They realized that education was going to be the key to success, and they invested in it wholeheartedly.
This volume records their hopes and dreams, and accomplishments as a fitting tribute to a great ethnic people.
"The Encyclopedia of the Irish in
America" edited by Michael Glazier. Notre Dame, IN:
University of Notre Dame Press, 1999, 988 pp., $89.95.
By Robert J. Blackburn
To all vegetarians and PETA members: You may be eating meat and not know it.
Rosy-colored "cochineal extract" and "carmine" (artificial food colorings) are made from the dried shells of female beetles. It is commonly used in beverages (but not beer), yogurt, pasta, candy, soup, and bakery toppings.
And, as summer approaches, I want to let you
know that it is in ice cream also!
The University of St. Francis held its Commencement Exercises on Saturday May 6, 2000. Graduates enjoyed a commencement address by Rev. Kevin Shanley, O.Carm., which followed the Baccalaureate Mass celebrated by Rev. Warren Carlin, O.Carm.
Invocation and Benediction were delivered by Martin Folan, Director of University Ministry. President James A. Doppke welcomed the graduates and Patricia Wheeler, President of the Alumni Association, welcomed the Alumni in attendance.
USF was founded in 1920 by the Sisters of St.
Francis of Mary Immaculate. Enrollment is approximately 1,300 at
the Joliet campuses; 3,000 at off-campus locations nationwide,
and the alumni number more than 32,000 nationwide.
Members Only Summer Picnic will again be held in the "rear garden" of the Plunk estate. Ron & Marge kindly offer their back yard for our enjoyment on Sunday, August 13, 2000, Noon to 7 p.m.
The Society provides the main course, chips, and drinks for all ages. Please call Coley O'Connell to see what you can bring. Alsobring your fishing poles and your swimwear! There is a pond for our fishing contest, and a pool for swimmers. Join us for a day of real fun and friendship! Located on S. Chicago St. just West of Route 66 Speedway.
RSVP REQUIRED; Please call Coley O'Connell @ (815) 521-0466.
The IASCW and Shamrock Rugby Club invite members of both organizations to a get to know each other happy hour. This "Irish Social" will include free beverages for paid members of both groups.
Please join us at Larsen's Corner, Jefferson & Midland, Joliet on Wednesday, June 28th, beginning at 6:00 p.m. Call Tim Daly for information @ (815) 729-4544.
- 6/28/00 -- Irish Social HAPPY HOUR -- 7:00 Larsen's Corner ,Joliet
- July 7-8-9 -- Irish American Heritage Fest IAHC, 4626 N. Knox Ave., Chicago, (773) 282-7035
- 8/13 IASCW Member Picnic -- Plunks "Rear Garden"
- 8/19 - 8/20 Milwaukee Irish Fest
- 9/10 Shillelagh Open