See our Celtic Women Display?

Mary

July 18,2010

July 19, 2010

From Mary

WHEN IRISH EYES WERE SMILING – THE STORY OF IMMIGRATION
Sheboygan County Historical Museum, Saturday, July 17, 2010

Our Celtic Women were very well represented. Beth and Katie Dippel, of course, as the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center representatives put tons of work into the project. One impressive exhibit was a basket of 15 pounds of potatoes. The information on the exhibit explains that this was how much, with a little buttermilk, the average Irishman ate daily. Surprisingly, until the potato failure, this was a healty diet and the Irish thrived.

Peg Payne and Mary Kunert were among the many families represented with displays and stories of the Irish that immigrated to Sheboygan County in the 1800's. We set up our table close to the music and the food room and were surrounded by other enthusiastic people with lots of history and stories. We both met members of our families that are distant from us but were so happy to find a thread of the cloth of their family.

And we talked and shared with so many people. I am surprised that we can even speak today, we should have worn out our voices.

Several of the Celtic Women brought fresh Brown Bread and Barm Brack and we set up a table to share this wonderful Irish food along with a cup of tea for anyone who wanted to have the taste. We handed out the recipes for an Irish pot of tea, Irish Famine Soup (ask me about that), Irish Brown Bread and Barm Brack. We ran out of Bram Brack and had about a half a loaf of Brown Bread left at the end of the day. Joan Kramer manned the table. Rosalie Hartman was there for part of the day too.

I set up a CWI display on the table between Peg Payne and myself. Peg's friend Joan Schwabe, who I believe I have convinced should join our organization because she has such fun with us, was a great promotor of the club. We collected several names and gave out lots of my cards and the postcard that Janet Bieschke made up for us during the year. Good publicity.

Pat Becher came to spend time with us. AND Tommie (Flora) O Hagan, our Cornish member who lives in Fond du Lac was able to attend. She and I talked a bit more about the presentation she will be doing for us in September.

I came home smiling from ear to ear full of the Irish. I met many new and exciting people and saw lots of friends that I had not seen in years.

A successful and splended gathering to be a part of.



NEXT EVENTS:

August: Milwaukee Irish Fest is the weekend of August 19 to August 22. We hope that many of our members will be there on Sunday Afternoon, August 22 and join us with the Celtic Banner in the parade at 4PM. ( I can't find the time on the schedule so am going by last year.)

September: Tommie O'Hagan is going to come on the 17th speak to us about the Cornish Celtic. We will be serving Pasties and Figgie Hobbin. Time and location to follow. Obviously with food involved, we will want as close a count as possible.

October will bring our second annual Samhain celebration. We will again make it a potluck with significant others welcomed. Everybody should be thinking about their placemat for their ancestors. You can designate as many or as few as you want. It can be of any material (paper, fabric, plastic). If you need help or ideas call Mary at 920-893-5139 or Janet at 920-892-6867.