HarpKeeping Irish history and culture alive in South Texas.

StringsEstablished 1966

Volume 48 Issue 1

www.harpandshamrock.org

Oct-Nov 2014

The Irish came out to represent and help remind folks of the different ethnic cultures it took to make San Antonio great. This was the 11th year of the San Antonio Founders Day Cel-ebration. Their mission is to honor the more than 20 cultural groups and outstanding individuals who shaped our San Anto-nio heritage. Visit www.sanantoniofoundersday.org for more infomation. Which reminds me of our own mission statement: Keeping Irish history and culture alive in South Texas. If you look up you’ll see it from now on as part of our masthead. It was good to be part of Founders Day and remind folks of the Irish history. The setup crew pictured left to right: Terry Peak. James Gorman, Linda Grosse, Kevin & Carolyn Dowd, Bartley Payne, and Micheal J. O’Brien. More on page 5.

Founders Day at the Alamo

Installation of the Board of Directors

Pictured: Judge Marcia Weiner, JT Norris, Bill Merriman, Kevin Patrick Dowd, Darryl Britten, Melissa Schulz, Barbara Patrick, Melinda Britten, Bernadette Barry-Bonin, Michael J O’Brien, Dana Goodman, Elissa O’Brien, Joan Moody,

Allison Hicks, Carolyn Dowd, Eileen Burke-Faught, Terry Peak, Bob Meade, and Diana Jordan. More on pgs 4&5.

HARP AND SHAMROCKSOCIETY OF TEXAS, INCP.O.Box 15306San Antonio, TX 78212

PRESIDENTDana Goodman 210-219-7356VICE PRESIDENTMelissa Schulz 210-445-27772nd VICE PRESIDENTMelinda Britten 210-699-8632TREASURERJ.T. Norris 210-621-3407SECRETARYDiana Jordan 210-872-7092CHAPLAINFr. Francis McHugh 210-416-4516

BOARD of DIRECTORSCarolyn Dowd 210-896-1598Darryl Britten 210-215-9952Elissa O’Brien 210-348-6877Joan Moody 210-656-2666Erin O’Brien 210-348-6877Rob Holden 210-243-5067Derek Cossey 210-886-8640J. Sean Habina 210-523-9267Allison Hicks 210-822-1182Barbara Patrick 210-658-1506Mike Dodd 210-373-7986Michael O’Brien 210-422-2446Terence Peak 210-829-3920Kevin P. Dowd 210-845-4424

IRISHMAN OF THE YEAREileen Burke Faught 2014

EDITOR IN CHIEFKevin Patrick Dowd 210-845-4424The Staff:

Carolyn DowdJohn McCarthy

Mariee PilkingtonTerry Peak

Eileen Burke FaughtPat Peak

©2014 Dowd Ranch Publishing

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We met with President Dr. Lou Agnese at The University of The Incarnate Word. We made a special presentation (picture below left) with our great thanks for Dr. Agnese’s support of our South Texas Alamo Irish Festival

and the Harp and Shamrock Society. We also pre-sented a check for $1000 as a donation to the Dr. Sean Burke scholarship at UIW. Pictured above: JT Norris, Carolyn Dowd, Dr. Lou Agnese, Kevin Dowd, Shannon Faught and Eileen Burke Faught, granddaughter and daughter of our Sean Burke, one of our founders.I’d like to take this space to thank everyone who made the Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day a tremen-dous success. Especially the folks who donated to the Scholarship Raffle. Thanks to Terry Peak, Eileen Faught, Bob Meade, Carolyn Dowd, Erin O’Brien, Elissa O’Brien, Allison Hicks, Gerry Mulvey, Rob Holden, Barb & Dave Patrick, Berna-

dette Barry Bonin, Darryl & Melinda Britten. The party after the Installa-tion of the board was fun as always. I want to thank Judge Marcia Weiner for doing the swearing in. The list of volunteers and more pictures are in our centerfold. If I missed anyone please don’t hesitate to reach out and contact me. Make sure you peruse the list of leadership jobs we’ve listed on page 7. Are you hiding your special skill? Come out and join us.

Kevin Patrick Dowdshamrockeditor@gmail.com

The Inishfree Dads start the tearing down of the stage after our Halfway. Pictured right is

Patrick Gillock on his knees with the screw gun. Seems like he has one dancer paying close atten-tion that he gets it right. There’s

plenty of onlookers also celebrat-ing the end of another successful

Halfway Hooley.See you next year!

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From the President End of Summer Social @ Lion & Rose

Sean Faught was one of the door prize winners at our social at the Lion and Rose Park North location. Thanks to our social chairs

Barb and David Patrick.

When I sat down to write this, I was not really sure where to begin. First, I want to thank Kevin Patrick Dowd for all of his hard work during his two years as President! I have some big shoes to fill! Second, I am truly honored that you have entrusted me to serve as President of the Society. Thank you! I am very ex-cited about the direction we are heading!

Planning for the 2nd annual South Texas Alamo Irish Festival (STAIF) has been well underway for months and we can always use extra volunteers to help with this planning. The second one will be even more exciting as Donovan’s Run will take place at the UIW the morning of STAIF. The Gaelic Football tourna-ment will take place again as well. It is an honor for us to be working with UIW again this year. So save the date of MARCH 14, 2015 for STAIF. Come out and help us celebrate the rich Irish history and culture here in South Texas. Here’s hoping for better weather!

Our 50th Anniversary celebration is coming up in 2016. We can always use help planning this event as well.

I am looking forward to a great year. Slainte!Dana Goodman

Outgoing president handing off to our new president at Installation.

We had a very fun crowd at the social. Dana Goodman shares a laugh with Margaret Burke, while other members enjoy the good food and good times at the Lion and Rose, a

generous and longtime sponsor of the H&S.

Photo to the right: The San Antonio Pipes and Drums were the leadoff entertainers at our Halfway.Photo far right: Thanks to the SAGAC for coming out

again to support our party. More info on the exciting game of Gaelic football can be found @ www.sanantoniogac.org

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Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day!

Our 8th annual Halfway was a huge success. The San An-tonio Pipes & Drums, the Inishfree Dancers and the Kelly Singers entertained. Our success is due to our amazing volunteers! Rob Warfield, Ryan & Brandy Stone, Ter-ence Peak, Robert Szczepanski, Sheila Carrola, Richard & Janice Duggan, Diana Jordan, Ed & Helen Powers, Pa-tricia O’Connell, Joan Moody, Melissa Schulz, Michael O’Brien, Allison Hicks, Gerry Mulvey, Wayne & Eileen Faught, Chris Hayes, David & Barbara Patrick, Wes Free-land, Sean Hipp, Bob & Sue Brannon, Sue Weller, Linda Grosse, Elissa O’Brien, Bill Kennedy, Patricia O’Connell Alvarez, Phil & Peggy Harris, Ani Stubbs, Elvira Barrera, Carolyn Dowd, Melinda & Darryl Britten, Bill Merriman, Phil Lamonica, Jason and all the bartenders. Thanks!

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San Antonio Founders Day

The weather couldn’t have been better for the Founders Day on Alamo Plaza. We join the other ethnic groups in telling our story of the Irish influence in San Antoino and South Texas. Photo above left: Regina & George Tracy and Bill Kennedy manned the booth for the second shift and had a visitor from Scotland stop by. The San Antonio Pipes and Drums, photo above right, lead off the day in grand fashion right in front of our booth. Other volunteers

not pictured were: Ani Stubbs, Dennis Martinez, Elissa O’Brien, Erin O’Brien and Melinda & Darryl Britten.

Winners! Our first returning winner was Darryl Britten, top right, with his second Official stew win. Kim Meehan, top left, won the Irish soda bread contest. James Gorman, below right, took the People’s choice win. Joan Moody and Melissa Schulz seem to be enjoying themselves as they handle the cook off judging forms and tasting fees.

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Irish NewsMovie review / Play previewThirteen people, including one child, have been killed on farms so far this year.Farming is a dangerous occupation – The most dangerous in Ireland, according to the Health and Safety Authority (HSA). From 2004 to 2013, a total of 176 people lost their lives on farms. A total of 176 people will never have the joy of farming again. A total of 176 families will always carry the burden of losing a loved one. © Irish Farmers Journal 2014

Forecasters predicting big freeze this winterBy Nick BramhillIreland is set for its coldest winter in years, with sub-zero temperatures, polar gales and heavy snowfall predicted to plunge the country into an Arctic freeze within weeks.Forecasters have warned that mercury levels will start falling significantly throughout November, leading to a shivering run-up to Christmas, and an even more bitter spell throughout January.Meteorologists said the combination of unusually-high Siberian snow cover this month, recent solar activity levels and volcanic emission patterns in Iceland, all point to a harsh winter ahead, with the severest spells of cold likely to occur between December and January.© Irish Examiner Ltd.

Irish Protest Water TaxReports are coming in from all over the island of Ireland against a new rise in the Irish water charges. People have finally had enough of all the austerity they have had to endure to save the banks. Now the banks are doing fine and housing prices are starting back up, but folks are hurting and tak-ing out their frustration. Follow this story and more @ Irishcentral.com

ICC in ParisOn your next trip to France you should add this little gem to the must-visit list. It is just around the corner from the Pantheon in Paris’s 5th Arrondisse-ment. It is the former Collège des Irlandais, but is now Paris’ Irish Cultural Center (Le Centre Cul-turel Irlandais). You can read the article online: irishamerica.com/2014/09/pariss-irish-cultural-center

Once: The MusicalThe amazing Oscar™ winning movie that is “Once” has also become a Tony winning original Broadway musical. Nom-inated for 12 and win-ning 8! Terry Peak did a review of the movie back in 2007 and gave it rave reviews. It is one of those feel-good love stories that keeps you coming back to

visit. The play expands on the story and, dare I say, makes it better. Irish playwright Enda Walsh wrote the book and weaves the original songs by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová into a wonderful two-act play. It is all based on the story written and directed by John Carney. Coming to San Antonio March 3-8, 2015. Final perfor-mance on Broadway is Jan. 4. 2015.

Begin Again (2013) 104 min. Rated R

John Carney took his time to make his sopho-more effort. It seems to me he has been able to tap into the same magic. This is a love story about music and New York City. A down on his luck music pro-ducer, Mark Ruffalo,

stumbles into a West village pub and discovers the next big thing, Keira Knightley, in her first singing role. Only problem is she doesn’t want anything to do with the music business. Let the fun begin! It also stars Adam Levine and Hailee Steinfeld. The combination makes for a good story and great music. The music alone, being recorded around NYC, is worth the price of admission. This is available to rent on iTunes and other digital sources.

More Hollywood newsSometimes Hollywood gets it right. Actress Maureen O’Hara is finally going to be recognized for her lengthy movie career. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science will present her with a lifetime achievement Os-carTM. The Dublin born actress stood tall with John Wayne and Victor McLaglen in The Quiet Man.

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March 14, 2015Member Opportunity

Did you join the Harp and Shamrock Society to meet new people with a wide variety of work and life experiences, make new friends, belong to a group of people who share your interests, learn

new things, get more involved in your community and have a lot of fun doing it?

STAIF may be just the thing for you!

We are well under way in planning for next year’s South Texas Alamo Irish festival. It is not too late

for you to join us in planning for it. Below are listed the titles/jobs that need to be done. You can

also see that many of the jobs are open.

Last year we had an amazing group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to make this event a reality. A few of us wore many hats. We learned a lot last

year, including the need for more volunteers on the leadership committee.

I know your time is priceless but the Society needs your help if we are to be successful in this very ambitious project. Won’t you please step-up and volunteer for one of the vacant positions below.

Please contact me at: cdowdpa@hotmail.com, if you have a question or if you have input on how

we can make the volunteer experience better.

STAIF Leadership Committee1. Finance JT Norris, Treasurer

2. Entertainment Coordinator ?Contact person for performers, helping to set perfor-

mance schedule3. Stage Manager ?

Contact person day of event on site, Coordinate be-tween performers & sound man.

4. Craft/non food vendor coordinator Joan Moody

5. Food Vendor Coordinator ?Contact person for vendors, day of event

6. Parade Coordinator Linda Grosse

7. Harp and Shamrock Store Melinda Britten

8. Harp Kids area ?Organize activities for kids at festival,

on site coordinator day of event

9. Harp/Irish area Barb Patrick

10. Beer/drink Coordinator Diana Jordan

11.Volunteer Coordinator David Patrick

12. Sponsorships ? Help identify possible sponsors, contact possible

sponsors, follow up with sponsors

13. Marketing Coordinator ? Identify all free media available to advertise,

identify paid media, help develop ad message, Communi-cate with Harp members by e-mail, phone, Facebook.

14. Logistics (parking, passes) ?

15. Event/Beer insurance ?

16. Beer License ?

17. Security coordinator ? Act as contact with security prior to and day of

event18. Event signage prior to and day of ? Help identify signs needed (ex. Stage schedule,

signs to direct to festival, signs with prices etc.) prior to and day of event, order signs, inventory signs,

Identify location for signs at UIW19. Rentals: ?Stage, tents, fencing, Porte potties, cleanup, Waste manage-

ment, Act as Contact for festival vendors, Help in scheduling set up and take down of event.

20. Supply officer. ?Organize supplies prior to event and day of event.

Last year we rented a U-Haul for supplies.

(Ed note: most of the ? were Carolyn and I last year)

Next Planning Meeting: Dec 4!Beethoven @ 7 p.m. Come join us!

The Harp & Shamrock Society of TexasNewsletter EditorP.O. Box 15306San Antonio, TX 78212

Cultural Civic Patriotic SocialEducational

Thank Our Sponsors

©2014 Dowd Ranch Publishingwww.harpandshamrock.org

Shamrockeditor@gmail.com

Lion & Rose Restaurant & Pub McCombs Foundation

Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub

2014 Installation of OfficersSue Branon did a great job of leading the entire Board of Directors to the stage for

the swearing in ceremony.More on page 1.

November 21 Friday, Memorial Service to honor all our

members who have passed on.6:30 p.m. @ UIW’s Maybee Library

December13th Saturday, Christmas Party @ Barn Door

20 Saturday, HEB Feast of Sharing Outstanding volunteer opportunity!

March 201514th Saturday, South Texas Alamo Irish Festival

At the University of the Incarnate WordDonovan’s Run

Texas Gaelic football and Parade

15th Sunday, River Parade17th Tuesday, St. Patrick’s Day Alamo Ceremony

20th Friday, Golf Scramble