July 21st - Brigit Beads

 

On Sunday,  July 21st. from 2 to whenever, the Sheboygan Branch will meet at my home to make Bridgid Beads as we saw them at the Chicago Bridget celebration  around her day at the Irish American History Center.   I am  searching for St. Bridget medals.    There are no really inexpensive ones and I am finding that the most reasonable are one in Sterling Silver at $37.95 with a chain that is 3/4 inch round and one that is porcelean at $22.95   which is 1 7/8" by 7/8".   Perhaps you could use something else for the beginning. Like a larger bead.   Janet might have a source or an idea.    The nice medal would make it priceless.

I have pearls and shells that could be used for beads.    I also am looking at disassembling a couple of necklaces that I have never worn and would be willing to share some of those for beads.    I will get a nice strong cord to string them on and supply an attractive prayer card to go with them.  If you have beads or anything like that, please feel free to bring with you.  If you need more to do, we could watch a movie or listen to music or bake something.   I will take suggestions.   I got the picture from Michael McDermott, Patricia Monaghan's spouse.   He was so glad to share as I can't upload my phone pictures to anything.

Let me know if you are coming by July 6th so that I can order the medals.

Have you marked your calendars for August 11 for the Gathering at St. Michaels in Parnel.

June 20, 2013

A June newsletter, if that is what we call them.

On June 16^th, the Sheboygan Branch of Celtic Women International celebrated Bloomsday, our third time, at 52 Stafford in Plymouth.

There were eleven of us. Joan and Richard Kramer, Joan Schwabe, Peg Payne, Rosemary Mugan, Kathy Plath, LuAnn Cleary Benninghaus Elaine Plummer, Felicia Reindl, me and Paul Hanson, my friend and our speaker.

Peg brought a bottle of Burgundy and I brought Gorgonzola Cheese and crackers which seems to be the customary food for Bloomsday as Leopold Bloom at that for his lunch in Chapter 8. I also brought Banbury biscuits which are mentioned in Chapter 8 also. I found that recipe in a book that Maureen Smith lent me called the Joyce of Cooking. So we set that up on a table for appetizers and grazing. After a good visit, we ordered dinner. The food was excellent as was the conversation. After we ate, Paul Hanson, my friend and our speaker, talked to up about James Joyce and the book. He entertained us with information from it during the meal also. Paul has read Ulysses TWICE. We are thinking, Paul and I, of having a 24 hour reading of Ulysses somewhere next year. They do in some parts of the world on Bloomsday. Perhaps in conjunction with a writers or literary or book club.

So it was good. By next year I fully intend to have read Ulysses through. A goal. Just what I need - another goal.

Now, on to the future.

When Debbie and I went to Chicago for the Brigid Celebration with the Chicago Branch in February, we got the information on how to make Brigid Beads. I threw this out to the group in my last note. So far only two people have responded that they are interested. I think it would be a really fun thing to do and we could watch a movie too. I have a couple movies, including, The Way which might be fun. Anyway, I would be available on either Saturday, July 20^th or Sunday, July 21^st. Are either of these days good for a majority of you and would you find this interesting? We were absolute fascinated with the beads Michael McDermott, brought two sets that he and Pat Monaghan had made side by side when she was so very sick. I will find Brigid Medals for the beads if you let me know ahead of time and will print the prayers on in a lovely presentation for you all.

Beyond, July there is a lot happening.

Beth Dippel of the SCHRC is sponsoring the Gathering of the Clans at St. Michael Catholic Church in Parnell on Sunday August 11, 2013 from 12:30PM to 5PM. I will get a flyer out to you as soon as I figure out how to download it. I told Beth that we would be able to help with our usual bringing of desserts. The SCHRC is always there for us at our public functions and this is marvelous way for us to help her in an event. It will feature live music, photo displays, food and door prizes, beer and soda and more. We also get to mingle with the Irish from Mitchell, Osceola, Lyndon etc. Lots of old timers and new timers. We will frolic among the tombstones.

August 16 – 18 – Milwaukee Irishfest. I will be going both Saturday and Sunday. I am leaving early Saturday for Sussex to meet my niece, Suzi, at her home and we are going together on Saturday. Then I will spend the night with her and go back the following morning in time for Mass and stay at the Fest until after the Parade, where we can again march in glory. Be sure your calendar is marked. '

That is all I have right now. More will be following on Irishfest and the Gathering of the Clans. Just let me know how many people want to make Brigid Beads and I will order Brigid Medals. That will be the only fee.

Dia Dhuit

Mary Kunert

920-893-5139

Bloomsday 2013

Kathy, Me Wearing the CWI Tartan and Rosemary

 LuAnn, Elaine, Paul Hanson, my friend and the speaker.   He has read Ulysses TWICE. and Kathy again.

Peg, Joan and Joan.

We had a great meal, readings and insight into James Joyce and Ulysses and Gorgonzola and Burgundy wine.

I also brought homebaked Banbury biscuits that are mentioned in Chaper 8.

A totally fun night. 

Thank you 52 Stafford for the wonderful meal and atmosphere.

BLOOMSDAY 2013

Celebrated by CELTIC WOMEN INTERNATIONAL, the Sheboygan Branch

AT

52 STAFFORD

52 Stafford Street

Plymouth WI, 53073

,Please join the Celtic Women and Innkeeper Sean O'Dwanny on Sunday, June 16, BLOOMSDAY, for our third annual celebration of James Joyce's, Ulysses. We will be gathering from 5:30PM to 6PM for cocktails. Then, we will share a dinner. All are welcome to join us.

At about 7PM we will present a short program about the worldwide celebration of Bloomsday, featuring readings from Ulysses and sharing some background on Joyce himself. All who attend will be able to partake of a bit of Burgundy Wine and Gorgonzola Cheese which is the lunch that Leopold Bloom, one of the protagonists of the story, dined on at Davy Byrne's Pub on Duke Street in Dublin.

Cead Mile Failte

Mary Kunert

Celtic Women International

Mary Kunert

725 Tallgrass Lane

Plymouth, WI 53073

920-893-5139

mary.kunert@gmail.com