January update 1/25/2012

Wow – Did we have a successful day at the John Michael Kohler Art Center on Saturday January 21.

A group of us arrived at 10AM to set up our High Tea in the Atrium. And what a table we set.

Joan Kramer and Luanne Cleary Benninghaus had everything under control. As this was our first attempt, we tried two or three ways before settling on what turned out to be the perfect way. First, a gorgeous assortment of china cups and saucers to choose from, followed by an array of the best baked goods in the WORLD, provided by Celtic Women from the Sheboygan County Branch and from Milwaukee. Following this and the cash box. beautiful Teapots. There were larger teapots for groups and small teapots for single cups of tea.

We know that AT LEAST 200 people came through our line and seemed delighted by the idea of the High Tea. We were also to the right of the musical entertainment. Mary Calvey, Jim Wilsing, Patricia Monroe and Mary Lynne Donahue entertained with singing, tin whistle, bagpipes and piano. All took turns entertaining throughout the afternoon. It was truly beautiful. Very easy to get people to purchase a pot of tea and just sit and enjoy the ambiance.

I had two stints myself, as a poet/seanachie. It was a great experience for me and I hope a good experience for the people who listened to me. I had the pleasure of having one of the children listening to my stories, crawl up on to my lap to listen. And in the second session, when I went on a bit longer for a group of young people in wheel chairs, getting a big hug and thank you from one of the four. It was fun and I would be pleased to try it again.

So that was what I know of our day. Over 23 of your members contributed to or worked this event and I think we all had fun and enjoyed being part of the heritage. We did think of perhaps displaying the flags of all seven Celtic Nations, but Danica from the Art Center and I decided that since this is IRISH day and they probably will in the future do other Celtic Nations, we should just display the Irish flag. I have told her that we are available for any of the other six Celtic Nations and would be delighted to help provide the background and that we have flags for them also

So on to the upcoming events for the Celtic Women, Sheboygan county Branch and Beyond:  I have no idea why there are two threes and no four.

1. The quarterly meeting of the Book Discussion Group will be at 2PM on Saturday, February 18 at the home of Joan Schwabe, Call me if you need directions.  We are reviewing two books. Wild Girls, the Path of the Young Goddess, by Paatricia Monaghan or John O'Donohue’s Bless the Space Between Us. (or perhaps another of O'Donohue's books.) I have read a chapter of each and look forward to a lively discussion. If anyone needs a book, call me. If you have not read them but just want to get started with the discussion group, COME. The company is worth it.

2. March 17^th, The annual Irishman's Walk will take place in Plymouth Wisconsin. We have walked in this parade for several years now and often make the front page. I will put in the time and meeting place next month.

3. It may be too late, but the following is a great opportunity if you are looking for a retreat. Several of us have attended Irish retreats at the Redemptorist Retreat Center www.redemptoristretreat.org. And they are excellent. It is however, next weekend so not much time to be part of it. An Irish Spirituality Retreat, “Forgotten Glories of an Island Remembered and Revisited” Deacon Michael Cullin weaves stories of the pre-Christian Celts and ancient pagan rituals to a transformation of the people by St. Patrick and the Gospel.

3. I received a message from Stacy Mills who is with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. The information she sent is as follows:

1/5/2012 1:18 PM, Mills, Stacy wrote:
I am from the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra and on March 23,24 @ 8:00p and March 25 @ 2:30p we will be performing Celtic Celebration with Eileen Ivers. This concert is conducted by our very own Marvin Hamlisch. Here is a more detailed description of the event:

Just one evening with nine-time All-Ireland fiddle champion Eileen Ivers, and you’ll change the way you think about the violin. Hailed as “the Jimi Hendrix of the violin” by The New York Times, Ivers leads a magical journey through the lively history and culture of the Emerald Isle.

I received this breakdown a bit later. All we have to do is order tickets by calling Stacy and mentioning CWI and we will get a 35% discount on our tickets.

I thought if you wanted it I would give you the breakdown of prices for all the different seats.

POPS
PRICE	BOX	SIDE LOGE	CTR LOGE	PREM ORCH	CTR LOGE	SIDE ORCH	REAR LOGE	BALCONY
CODE			A-D		E-J		FRONT ORCH
FULL	$102.00	$88.00	$70.00	$60.00	$48.00	$40.00	$27.00	$25.00
35%	$67.50	$58.25	$46.50	$40.00	$32.25	$27.00	$18.50	$17.25

Thank you and I am happy to be working with you on this and future events.
Stacy Mills
Group Sales Manager
Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra

414.226.7811 direct
414.807.3687 cell

I want to go and will entertain ordering a group of tickets if any one else is interested. (Mary)

5. The last meeting, I will mention for you is the Celtic Women International Annual Gathering. In case you have not heard, it will be here in Sheboygan County. Isn't that super exciting? We are hosting. Joan Kramer and Dorothy Rose are the spearheading committee and are doing a fantastic job. They will be sending information in the newsletter, I believe, and later as help and exciting opportunities come up. Mark your calendars. The event is April 27/28/29 and the bulk of the meetings etc will be at the Inn on Woodlake.

So that should cover us for the next month or two. I will, of course update and expand after each event.

I also have a very special prayer request. Peggy Feider's husband, Bob, has an infection in his foot and it is VERY serious. After spending a week in the hospital, he is continuing to get antibiotics through a pic line several times a week. Let us all lift prayers up for his quick and total recovery.

Dia Dhuit

Mary Kunert

920-893-5139