First:   So sad the weather was a deterrent to attendance at the meeting on February 27th at 52 Stafford.   BUT, there were six of us at dinner, members Joan Brigham, Janet Bieschke and her husband Richard,  ME and two guests who I think are going to become members.   Kathy Flath and Dianne Hahn.

 We had a lovely dinner, thank you 52 Stafford and thanks to Barbara, our server.    Our program was a presentation of the lives and import of the patron saints of Wales and Cornwall.   Wales - St. David's, feast day was March 1,  and Cornwall -  St. Piran's is Tuesday, March 5th.    Both of these saints days are celebrated with the use of daffodils that bloom now in the British Isles.   I brought a pot for our centerpiece.   We DO believe in miracles - I purchased the pot two days before the dinner and all the buds were tightly closed.   However, they were blooming bright yellow for our celebration.  I also baked Welsh Cakes for our dessert.   It was my first attempt and I will definitely bake them again.    I had enough left to share with the patrons at the bar.    I noticed that both cultures use a lot of nutmeg so had to make do with the Welsh Cakes for both countries.

Lovely meeting and lovely music after we were done at the Craic which 52 Stafford hosts EVERY Wednesday evening.

Second:  I will be gone to visit my son from March 6th until March 15th.   Therefore, this is PROBABLY the last notice I will be sending out prior to the  Irishman's Walk in Plymouth WI on Sunday, March 17th.  The Irishman's Walk has been in existence for over a quarter of a century.  We, Celtic Women have been marching as a group for seven years.   Let's meet at  9:30AM at the 52 Stafford in Plymouth for a short meeting and a cup or tea or something.   Then we either walk or car pool up to the Family Video at the corner of Eastern and Highland Avenues, to join all of the other Irish enthusiasts in the walk from there down the hill and around the corner to the steps of 52 Stafford.   Inside the Inn, we will be greeted with a shot of wonderful Irish Whiskey.    Then we can stay or scatter as we like for food and or festivities.

Third:  The next official event that we have scheduled is the  CWI 2013 Annual Meeting and Spring Gathering, April 26 - 28 in St. Charles IL,.    For more information look at the website www.celticwomen.org and check under gatherings.   I am hoping that we will have a really good turnout from the Sheboygan County Branch.     We are a very active bunch of ladies and the event is so well planned and so full of fun and information. It is a super way to spend time being Celtic sisters and meeting others like us from other areas.    If you have any questions call me,  920-893-5139. 

By the way, the last updated membership list that I received from the International was last Fall and several of our local memberships were expiring.     I am sure you have caught this, BUT if you have not renewed, there is a membership application on the CWI site, OR, you can contact me or Debbie and we will see that you get one.

For members of the Celtic Women International - the international group -  the annual election to replace board members whose terms are expiring is conducted at the Annual Meeting and Spring Gathering.  Please review the following carefully.

Each year 1/3, four of the members of the board, come to the end of their three year terms.

This year, Janet Bieschke, Joan Kramer, Kate Herman and Debbie O'Grady are the board members whose terms are ending.   The four ladies have been asked and will be willing to serve another three year term. 

But, as we know, the by-laws also say, and we agree, that if there are any of our members who would like to serve on the board, or if you personally would like to ask a fellow member if she would like to serve, please bring these names to the attention of either Sheila Isakson or myself at any time before the General Meeting on April 26th, 2013 and we will include these names on the voting roster.  

FINALLY

This takes us through April.    We are a busy group of ladies.   Look on my last email for some community Irish music and traditional Irish venues available in the area.

I will see you all at the Irishman's Walk on March 17th.   Tea and cakes at the Exchange Bank at 9:30AM.   The Walk at 11:00AM.

Dia Dhuit

Mary

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