March is Irish Heritage Month - The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin
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incredible breadth and depth of their contributions
March is Irish Heritage Month to American society, contributions that have kept
March is Irish American Heritage Month. In our country on the top tiers of accomplishment.
Milwaukee, it is also the Green Season, a term
coined by Shamrock Club member, and Dublin In Milwaukee and Wisconsin, the Shamrock Club
native John Gleeson, to describe how March was no led the vanguard in changing and developing Irish
longer just one day, St. Patrick’s Day, but a full culture, music and dance. Starting in 1960, and
month plus. continuing to the present day, the Shamrock Club
has been at the forefront in the state and the nation
You can contemplate the fact that Irish blood in redefining what it meant to be Irish and Irish
flows through the heart of America. Some of the American.
most famous, prolific, and influential Americans are
of Irish descent. March is our opportunity to reflect We were pioneers in group travel to Ireland;
upon this heritage, learn more about it, and building one of the largest dance schools in
celebrate what is a unique and brilliant strand of America, starting in the 1960’s; creating the largest
history. Irish festival in the world; and helping to pave the
According to the website NationalToday.com, way for Irish studies in Wisconsin, as well as the
Irish-American Heritage Month was first celebrated study of the Irish language. Our annual parade is
by proclamation of the President in 1991, one of the largest, and oldest, in the nation.
proclaimed by George H. W. Bush, himself an Irish We celebrate 62 years this March. That is a long
American. March was a natural choice, with the time, but we have persevered and thrived and will
arrival of the Patron’s Day on March 17, for the continue to thrive.
month-long recognition of the contributions that
Irish immigrants and their descendants have made It is a month, and a Green Season. John Gleeson
to U.S. society. Virtually every realm of American was more than a bit prescient in the late 1980’s in
endeavor has seen improvement through Irish- what Irish heritage meant. And he beat the U.S.
descended hands and minds. president by a number of years in highlighting its
importance. Slainte!
Most people know the basic facts of the influx of Brian Witt
Irish families to the shores of the United States
during the 19th century.
What is less talked about is the anti-immigrant
sentiment that was often faced by new Irish March 3 General Meeting
Americans, largely a result of their Catholicism, And Our 62 Birthday Party – ICHC
which clashed with the predominantly Protestant
backgrounds of the majority of families whose
members had been among the original colonists.
Irish Americans faced bitter competition, even
slanted legislation, in their search for good jobs and
Join us March 3 for our 62nd birthday. Corned
a place to call home.
beef, cake, the raffle, and music from the
This month we recognize not only the overcoming Stotmeister Trad Band. 6.30 pm
of those obstacles by Irish-Americans but also the
Laughter is brightest in the place where the
food is - Irish proverb
Ceol Cairde “Music of Friends was founded by
Shamrock Club member Kristina Paris. After a two
year hiatus, they are back on the road for March.
The high holy month of March is upon us again! And
this year we get to actually celebrate together at Tuesday, March 8 - Franklin Public Library
our general meeting on Thursday March 3rd. FREE All Ages Traditional Irish Music Concert !
6.30 pm
We will be having corned beef sandwiches with all
Tuesday, March 15 - Muskego Public Library
the fixings. We ask that you bring a salad to share.
Wednesday, March 16 - Oak Creek Public Library -
No need to bring dressing unless you would like
something special. FREE All Ages Traditional Irish Music Concert !
We will be having cake for dessert to celebrate The For more information, go to www.CeolCairde.com
Shamrock Clubs 62nd anniversary.
Congratulations again to our "Chilli Cook Off"
winners!!
1st place- Terese Dineen
2nd place- Ron Danielson
3rd place- Margie Galligan Nordquist
A very big thank you to all our participants!!
See you all in March
Join the Shamrock Club on Thursday, March 3 for
Deb Kreuser
our monthly meeting.
The Stotmeister Traditional Irish Music Band will
Emerald Reflections Copy Deadline provide dinner music at 6.30 pm.
Content for Emerald Reflections is due on
the 15th of the month (next deadline March
15th to appear in the April issue.)
Copy received after that date will not appear
due to deadlines. While we try to include every
submission possible, due to space limitations,
we cannot guarantee that every submission will
be included immediately.
Email submissions preferred, send to:
Brian Witt, Editor Looking forward, we are going to have Barry
emeraldreflections@shamrockclubwis.com Stapleton from Irish Music Archives and Shamrock
2133 W Wisconsin Ave. Milwaukee WI 53233 Club member Brian Christ, who recently climbed to
Melanie Roepke, Proofreader the top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
And jokes. We will add jokes.
John Avery, Vice President
Father Terry Brennan He joined the staff at Marquette University High
School in 1993, working mainly as a Spanish
It is with great sadness that we tell you of the
teacher.
passing of Father Terry Brennan, S.J.. Father Terry
passed away surrounded by his family.
About a year ago, we were informed that Father
Brennan was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma,
a type of brain cancer. Unfortunately, surgical
intervention was not an option. Fr. Brennan
elected to fight this cancer aggressively with a
combination of radiation and oral chemotherapy.
His treatment focused on maintaining his quality of
life, and gaining length of life.
Fr. Terry had said the Easter Rising Mass for the
majority of the past fifteen years for the Shamrock
Club. He was also the celebrant of our short-lived He retired from teaching in 2016, leaving MUHS to
Halfway to St. Patrick Mass in the early 2000's. In serve as a minister at St. Camillus Jesuit Community.
addition, he has been a celebrant at the Shamrock Terry often joked that he was ministering to elderly
Club's Mass in Honor of St. Patrick. men, "And I am in my 70's, and the youngest one
here."
Fr. Terry’s funeral will be March 19 at St. Patrick’s
Church at 10 A.M.
Please keep Father Brennan's family in your
thoughts and prayers.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam, agus go dtuga Dia
suaimhneas sioraí dó.
For his Jesuit anniversary he hosted a big party and
treated 100 plus friends and family to Irish Fest. Fr.
Brennan was also a celebrant annually at Irish Fest
Mass. He was one of the very best Irish Tenors ever!
Fr. Terry was a native of Iowa. Fr. Brennan had been
a dedicated servant to the Emerald Society of
Word of the Month
Wisconsin, The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin, Féile - (fay-leh) Festival.
Milwaukee Irish Fest, Irish Milwaukee AOH, and his
Feile na Phadraig.
Community, and his Faith for decades.
(Fay-leh na Faud- raig.)
Father Brennan joined the Jesuits in 1964, taking
The Festival of Patrick
final vows in 1976 at Gesu. He served as a teacher
in South Dakota for many years.
IRISH CULTURAL AND HERITAGE CENTER
ANNOUNCES MARCH CONCERTS
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day all March long at the
Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W.
Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee with four of Irish
music’s most sought after bands; The High Kings on
Wednesday, March 9 at 7 p.m., Socks in the Frying
Pan on Thursday, March 10 at 7:30 p.m., Cherish
the Ladies on Sunday, March 13 at 2 p.m. and CHERISH THE LADIES
RUNA on Saturday, March 26th at 7:30 p.m. The Grammy Award nominated Irish-American
group was formed in 1985 to celebrate the rise of
THE HIGH KINGS women in what had been a male-dominated music
Known for tight harmonies and high energy scene.
musicianship, The High Kings serve up classic
ballads, rousing pub tunes, original songs and
audience sing-alongs. Guitar and banjo player
Finbarr Clancy toured the US and Ireland in the
1990s with the Clancy Brothers. Guitarist and
bodhrán player Brian Dunphy was with Riverdance
for two years and then was a member of The Three
Irish Tenors. Darren Holden plays the accordion,
mandolin, guitar and keyboard and starred in
Riverdance on Broadway and then played Billy Joel
in the musical Movin’ Out. A self-taught musician,
Paul O’Brien plays guitar, banjo, mandolin,
bouzouki, whistles, harmonica and bodhrán. Cherish is fronted by Joanie Madden recognized by
the National Endowment for the Arts who
presented her with a 2021 National Heritage
Fellowship, the nation’s highest honor for folk and
traditional artists. The outstanding ensemble joining
her includes Mary Coogan (guitar), Mirella Murray
(accordion), Nollaig Casey (fiddle), Gabriel Donohue
(piano, vocals), Kate Purcell (vocals and guitar)
along with Champion Irish dancers.
SOCKS IN THE FRYING PAN RUNA
The multi-award winning trio from Ennis, County The band enchants by pushing the boundaries of
Clare, Socks have captivated audiences around the Irish folk music into Americana and roots music and
world with high energy performances, breathtaking finding the universal thread that binds past to
musical ability and three part vocal harmonies. They present. Its members are: vocalist and step dancer
celebrated their 10th anniversary as a band during Shannon Lambert-Ryan from Philadelphia, Dublin-
Milwaukee Irish Fest in 2018. The Hayes brothers - born guitarist Fionán de Barra, Cheryl Prashker
Fiachra on fiddle, banjo and bodhrán and Shane on from Montreal on percussion, Caleb Edwards on
button accordion, along with guitarist and lead mandolin and vocals and All-Ireland Champion,
vocalist Aodán Coyne, came together during Ennis bodhrán player and step dancer Jake James from
pub sessions. New York City.
For more information, go to https://ichc.net
We’re happy to welcome back to the parade the
The 54th St Patrick Parade Billy Mitchell Scottish Pipes and Drums as well as
The Green Season is once again upon us! the Tripoli Scottish Highlanders plus more bands
After a two-year hiatus, the 54th Annual Shamrock and surprises. Joining us for the first time in many
Club of Wisconsin Saint Patrick’s Day Parade, years will be St. John’s Northwestern Military
presented in cooperation with Westown Academies with both a brass band and a bagpipe
Association, is nearly ready to step off from the band.
corner of MLK Drive and Wisconsin Avenue on This annual celebration of our Irish pride will
Saturday March 12th at Noon. include all eight Milwaukee-area Irish Dance groups,
along with local Irish community groups like Irish
Fest, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Ulster
Project of Greater Milwaukee, the Friends of St.
Patrick Center, Milwaukee Hurling Club, and the
Miltown Gaels GAA Club, along with Irish
Wolfhounds, Irish Setters, elected officials, local TV
and radio personalities, plus a whole lot more.
Leading off the parade will be our 2020/2021/2022
Shamrock Club Honorees – Parade Grand
Marshalls Bob and Kathy Donovan, Irish Rose
Maureen McGarry Konkol, and Irishman of the
Year/Saint Patrick Pete Fleming. Former honorees
and Club members are invited to ride along on a
horse-drawn wagon, as well.
This year, we will honor the victims of the
Waukesha Christmas Parade tragedy as we
welcome the Milwaukee Dancing Grannies to their
first performance since last December.
We’ll also honor in a special way our First As always, we’re looking for help with the parade.
Responders with a large MFD and MPD contingent, Especially needed are volunteers to carry the
along with the Emerald Society, as we thank them banners acknowledging our terrific sponsors.
for their dedicated service during the past two years Individuals can sign up by following the link on the
while we were away. parade website: www.saintpatricksparade.org , or if
anyone knows of a group that would like to earn
some public service hours, have them contact me
directly: MKESaintPatricksDayParade@gmail.com
or 414/852-6622. We could also use a few
individuals to assist us in lining up the parade units,
starting at about 10AM on parade day.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig!! (Happy Saint
Patrick’s Day!)
Mike Boyle, Parade Director
The Shamrock Club Scholarship 50-50 Raffle at the PPP
The Shamrock Club will be holding a 50-50 Raffle
Raffle Needs Your Donations during the Post Parade Party.
.
The annual raffle to benefit the Shamrock Club of
Wisconsin’s Scholarship Fund will be held at the
Post Parade Party on Saturday, March 12th at the
ICHC. We are in need of prizes for the raffle and are
reaching out to all members to donate or solicit
donations from the businesses you patronize or
Purchase your raffle tickets during the Party, from
work for.
roving vendors, or from our booth in Parlour A.
You could donate items that might be combined There is always a winner, so make sure you buy
with others to create a basket, or you could put your tickets.
together an entire basket possibly based on a
The raffle follows the raffle licensing rules set up by
theme: sports, kids, pampering, music, food, drink,
The Wisconsin Division of Gaming's Office of
holidays, etc. Examples of prizes in past years are:
Charitable Gaming is responsible for the licensing
and regulation of raffles conducted by charitable
organizations. The statutes for the regulation of
raffles are provided in Chapter 563 of the Wisconsin
Statutes.
Lisa Rott, Treasurer
• Irish items, gourmet candy and foods, children’s
items, etc.
• The children’s items are particularly popular.
• Handmade items: jewelry, knit wear, home
decor, etc.
• Gift certificates from area merchants: stores, spa
Shamrock Club Scholarship
We have renamed our scholarship.
and salons, car washes, etc.
It is the John Gleeson- James Liddy Memorial
• Gift certificates from area restaurants
Scholarship, named for two of the people who
• Event tickets: concerts, plays, sporting events,
headed up our scholarship committee.
movies, etc.
The application deadline is April 15, 2922.
• Bottles of liquor and wine
This application, along with accompanying
• Sports/entertainment equipment and apparel,
information, must be submitted by mail to:
etc.
Shamrock Club of Wisconsin
These are only a few suggestions. Remember: Attn. Scholarship Committee, 2133 W. Wisconsin
anything that you would like to have is an idea for a Ave. Milwaukee, WI 53233-1910
raffle prize! The Shamrock Club is a 501(c)(3) -or by email to:
organization, so your donations are tax deductible. Scholarship@ShamrockClubWis.com
Donors will receive recognition for their generosity. Scholarship will be awarded at the Shamrock Club
All prize donations need to be received by March General Membership Meeting on June 2, 2022, at
10th the Irish Cultural Heritage Center.
Daniel Schlitz, Scholarship Chair Dan Schlitz and Committee
35th Annual Mass In Honor of
St. Patrick
St Patrick’s Church, 7 and Washington
March 12 – 8.30 AM
Join the Shamrock Club of Wisconsin for our annual
Welcome to March. Mass in Honor of St Patrick, at St. Patrick Parish,
This is the busiest time of the year for the 723 West Washington, at 8.30 AM on Saturday
Shamrock Club. March 12.
March Birthdays:
8 - Clara Roepke There will be readings in Irish and English. The
16- Rebecca McAleese Shamrock Club Color Guard will stand the colors,
18- Chuck Sardegna the liturgy will be sung by the Shamrock Club Choir.
25- Maureen Herzog
- Mary Witt
27- Maggie Blaha
28- Ellie Lakatos (My
granddaughter)
30- Kathy Mallon
We pray especially for Fr. Terry Brennan who has
passed from this life to his reward. I am sure he is
singing with all former members of the Club.
This is a wonderful way to celebrate the start of the
I have heard from Jean Bills, Chuck McLaughlin, and festivities for March 12, including the Parade and
Bob Towne recently as they are doing well or at Post Parade Party.
least better. I spoke briefly with Gail MacAleese to We will have shuttle bus service from the ICHC to
find that she is home, glad to get up every day and the Mass., and then to the Parade. Coaches depart
do her best following her illness this past month. I at 7.30 am for Mass and will return to the ICHC, and
passed near Bob and Peg Hamill this past weekend depart for the parade at 11 am.
on their way to a grandchild's basketball
tournament. Anytime we can see each other no For more information, contact Joseph Hughes at
matter how briefly, it is a sunshiny day. 414-315-0631 or jhughes0317@yahoo.com
Joseph Hughes promised he would do his utmost to Join the Shamrock Club Choir
honor Chuck McLaughlin's treasure to the Club of
The Shamrock Club Choir will sing the liturgy at the
having a Mass in honor of St. Patrick before the
35th Annual Mass in Honor of St. Patrick Church on
parade.
Saturday, March 12, 2022.
The Irish Roses sent a floral arrangement to
More voices are needed for the Choir for the Mass
Maureen Konkol who definitely needs to improve
in Honor of St. Patrick on March 10. If you would
greatly. I understand the flowers brightened her
wish to join, please contact
day as was the intention.
Our last rehearsal is March 6th, at 12:30 at St.
No one is as deaf, as the one who will not listen.
Patrick's, 723 W Washington, Milwaukee.
- Jewish proverb
If you wish to join in the choir for this event, contact
Maggie Blaha Sunshine Club chair Margaret Caldwell at
Slainte4142-shamrock@yahoo.com caldwellm@lumenchristiparish.org.
TIDC started as an idea at Milwaukee Irish Fest.
Trinity Irish Dance Company Prior to that, its roots stretch back to the Shamrock
March 26, 2022 Club of Wisconsin’s Shamrock Club Dancers.
Marcus Center For the Arts
Tickets can be purchased at the following link:
On March 26, the Trinity Irish Dance Company will https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/07005AF0D9
be performing at the Marcus Center for the D82511
Performing Arts Center Uihlein Hall at 7:30 pm.
It will be a return to the place where the dance Help Us in Our March Events
company started two decades earlier.
We need your help. Bring a family member or allof
A fusion of Ireland’s vibrant and longstanding your friends.
dance-form and elements of American innovation, You can sign up to volunteer for our March events
Trinity Irish Dance Company dazzles audiences here:
around the globe with its hard-driving percussive https://www.signupgenius.com/go/70a084cafad22
power, lightning-fast agility, and aerial grace. a4fb6-shamrock2
Minutes into watching the awe-inspiring precision
of its dancers and musicians, TIDC expands Volunteers For ICHC Concerts
whatever notions you may have about Irish We have a retail booth at the ICHC concerts, and we
dance…revealing its limitless possibilities. It’s could use the help of Shamrock Club members to
everything you expect but like nothing you’d help in selling. You get to hear the music and get in
imagine! free.
Contact Adam Bartelt to work at
adambartelt.360@gmail.com
Nominations for Club Offices
Nominations for officers of the Milwaukee chapter
will take place at the March and April meetings.
The Trinity Irish Dance Company has significantly
changed the direction and scope of Irish dance, re-
introducing the art form as the phenomenon it is
Persons nominated must be members in good
today. Founded in 1990, this innovative, nonprofit,
standing of the Shamrock Club, with dues paid in
repertory company was created to celebrate the
full, and must be present for their nominations.
pioneering work of Founding Artistic Director Mark
Howard. Elections will take place at the May 5, 2022
meeting.
TIDC ’s repertory has elevated the art form for
nearly three decades.
We always need people to step forward to serve.
Please consider running if you are nominated.
Donate for Flowers for the St.
Patrick Mass March 12
Donate to purchase flowers for display at the Mass
in Honor of St Patrick on Saturday, March 12.
The Little Waves of Breffny
By Eva Gore-Booth
The grand road from the mountain goes shining to
the sea,
And there is traffic in it and many a horse and cart,
But the little roads of Cloonagh are dearer far to
me,
And the little roads of Cloonagh go rambling
through my heart.
A great storm from the ocean goes shouting o’er Donate in the name of family members, or your
the hill, own, or for special intentions. Donations can be in
And there is glory in it and terror on the wind, any amount.
But the haunted air of twilight is very strange and
still, Donations and family intentions will be listed in the
And the little winds of twilight are dearer to mind. Mass booklet.
Contact Joseph Hughes at 414-315-0631 or
The great waves of the Atlantic sweep storming on jhughes0317@yahoo.com
their way,
Shining green and silver with the hidden herring
shoal, Membership News & a BOGO
But the Little Waves of Breffny have drenched my Have you paid your club dues for 2022?
heart in spray, You can renew your membership by paying
And the Little Waves of Breffny go stumbling online at https://shamrockclub-wis.square.site
through my soul. for a secure online payment. Many people have
used this method of payment already, and it
Song works wonderfully.
By James Joyce
My love is in a light attire If you renew your dues in March, you can then get
Among the apple trees, a family or single membership for free. This is for
Where the gay winds do most desire new memberships only.
To run in companies. Copy and paste, or type, the URL into a browser to
There, where the gay winds stay to woo access the site. Also, give the gift of a membership
The young leaves as they pass, to a family member or friend. Let them join in the
My love goes slowly, bending to fun of creating Irish American history.
Her shadow on the grass. If you have any questions, please contact
us at
And where the sky’s a pale blue cup membership@shamrockclubwis.com
Over the laughing land, Melanie Roepke
My love goes lightly, holding up Membership chair
Her dress with dainty hand.
The Post Parade Party March 12 Hallamor
We are excited about the return, after a two year 2:00 Glencastle Irish Dancers
absence, of the Shamrock Club’s Post Parade Party. 2:45 Trinity Academy of Irish Dance
This is our 40th anniversary of the party.
3:45 Irish Comedian Adam Burke
The Shamrock Club of Wisconsin's Post Parade Party 5:15 Kinsella Irish Dancers
is taking place on Saturday, March 12, 2022 at the
ICHC Milwaukee, from 1 pm until 6 pm. COVID19 Shamrock Club Parlor
health concerns and criteria will be followed. 1:00-2:15 Radiation
THE Most Irish Thing to do DO in Milwaukee! 2:30-3:45 Athas
This is the granddaddy of Irish St Patrick 4:00-5:45 Blackthorn Folly
celebrations
Upstairs Ballroom
1:30 - 2:45 Atlantic Wave
3:00 ¬- 4:15 The O’Bradys
4:30 - Caledonian Scottish Dancers
Children’s Area
3:00 and 4.15 Eileen O’Rourke:
Leprechaun Stories
We are holding the party at the Irish Cultural and
Heritage Center, 22 and Wisconsin, from 1 pm until
6 pm. There will be Four dance schools, six bands,
food and a super raffle.
We will have a full menu of food at affordable
prices. Beverage prices are controlled by the Irish
Cultural and Heritage Center.
We have many returning acts, such as the
Glencastle Irish Dancers, Kinsella Academy and the
Trinity Academy. The Caledonian Scottish Dancers
are retuning, entertaining us as they have since our
first PPP in the ICHC in 1995. Eileen O’Rourke is also
returning to spin yarns and tell takes in the
Parking
Children’s area. Parking available at the ICHC lots in back of the
building. Additional parking is at Brett Funeral
Returning musical acts include Blackthorn Folly, Home, 20 and Wisconsin, and after noon, free
athas, and Atlantic Wave. Making their PPP debuts parking is also available at the BMO Harris Bank
are Radiation and The O’Bradys. across the street on 21 and Wisconsin, after the
close of business at noon Saturday,
Also debuting at the PPP is Irish comedian, Armagh
raised Adam Burke. He is best known for appearing For more information, go to
on the NPR comedy show, Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell https://mkepostparade.us
Me. Adam has appeared at Milwaukee Irish Fest,
Chicago Irish Fest, and frequently appears at
comedy clubs across the US.Easter Rising Mass April 17 Calendar
March
The 52and annual Shamrock Club’s Easter Rising 3 – Shamrock Club 62 Birthday; ICHC; 6.30 pm
Mass will take place on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at 9 – High Kings; ICHC
9:30 a.m. at the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 10 – Socks in the Frying Pan; ICHC
2133 West Wisconsin Avenue. 11- Gaelic Storm; Riverside; 8 pm
The Easter Rising Mass commemorates Easter 12– 54th Annual St Patrick Parade; noon
Monday, 1916, when the Irish rebellion started - Post Parade Party; 1 pm
against the British empire. - Mass; St Patrick’s; 8.30 am
The Mass was started in the 1970s by Kit Nash, We Banjo 3 – Riverside; 7.30 pm
whose father was held captive during the Irish 13 - Cherish the Ladies; ICHC
rebellion. 18 –Serryvore; Schauer Center, Hartford
19 – Socks in the Frying Pan; Cedarburg PAC
22– Gaelic Language Immersion; UWM
22 --Irish Cultural Night at Milwaukee Bucks
24 – Shamrock Club Board Meeting; ICHC
26 - Trinity Irish Dance Co; Marcus Center
- Celtic Angels; So Milwaukee PAC; 2.30 pm
- RUNA; ICHC
APRIL
7 – Shamrock club General Meeting; 6.30 pm
17 – Easter Rising Mass; ICHC; 9.30 am
Easter Rising Mass Breakfast
A community brunch follows Mass. A free will
offering is asked to defray the costs.
This has become a large and popular gathering of
people of all ages enjoy this family Easter get
together. It has become the way many can connect
with their family members before going off in
separate directions. We will again be offering gluten
free options in bread and snacks for people.
Saturday Set-Up Bus Service to and from Mass
We do need help with set up on Saturday (at 10 We will again have bus service to St. Patrick’s
a.m.) and with serving during the brunch. Church, starting at about 7.30 a.m.
The bus will return to the ICHC after Mass.
Decorations are handled by Dawn Fleming and Julie The bus will pick up passengers at the ICHC at 11.15
Smith. am, and transport them to the parade. The bus will
make a return to the ICHC after the parade.
https://mkepostparade.us/easter-rising-mass https://mkeirishparade.comcurrently longer than normal, but we discuss and
President’s Message plan a lot.
Beannachtaí na Féile Pádraig oraibh! St. Patrick’s Speaking of the Board, we will have nominations at
Blessings Upon all of You! the March and April meetings. I am the first five
March is here. For the Shamrock Club, it is our term president of the Club, but I also lost many
birthday, our parade, our post parade party, and elections, because I want to have competitive races
more. for offices.
We started a Club to unite Irish and Irish Americans We will also have new Shamrock Club clothing, and
in Milwaukee and Wisconsin, to highlight our all sorts of promotional items available. Get yours
common history, and give all a chance to also join in as soon as possible.
this celebration of Hibernian life. We are looking to make this a more Irish-centric
As we enter our 62nd year, we can justifiably look organization. We are making small plans for big
back on all that has been accomplished and rest on results in the long term. Please be a part of it. We
our laurels. We brought forth the largest parade in need your ideas and your participation, as limited as
Wisconsin, the largest one-day Irish music and it may be. All counts, all matters.
dance party, an Irish Fest. the ICHC, Irish dance in I am optimistic for the future, as we had a bright
Wisconsin, and oh, so much more. past and have a brighter future. I am glad that I got
But we cannot sit back and rest. Our 2021-22 Board to be a part of it, and will continue to do so.
has been very active in making certain that we are I will see you in March.
not frozen in amber, but a vital and important Brian Witt, President
component of this community, Milwaukee and president@shamrockclubwis.com
beyond. This has been one of the best boards that I
have ever been on since I first arrived as a trustee in
1992. They are imaginative, have taken on new
Meet Our 2020-22 Honorees
tasks and are working to make this Club a better
organization for today and into the future.
We will have a new website coming up soon, hoping
that it is live in March, with more capabilities that
the dated site we currently have. As it was
developed by myself and Gail Coss in 1997, I see
how much we need a better platform for ourselves.
I want to thank a number of people here for their
hard work. Parade director Mike Boyle has worked
hard to produce one of the best events in the
country, and has for years. Josh Walton helped to
keep this Club glued together during the pandemic.
Dave Knight serves dinner at each meeting, and
Left to right – Irishman Pete Fleming, Irish Rose
sets up so we are ready to eat at 6.30 pm. Melanie
Maureen McGarry Konkol, and Parade Marshals
Roepke puts forth ideas that we need to have. Joe
Bob and Kathy Donovan.
Hughes jumps in when he is asked to take on a new
They will finally get their day March 12, after two
task.
years of awaiting their debut.
The Board is all-in in making certain we have a clear
Congratulations! Comhghairdeas!
goal and purpose. Our board meetings areYou can also read
