By Paddy McCarthy
I hope everybody had a nice Memorial Day weekend as the sun did shine every day. As you know, Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for honoring and mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. From 1868 to 1970, it was observed on May 30. Since 1970, it is observed on the last Monday of May.
Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day to honor and mourn those who died while serving in the US military. Many volunteers place American flags on the graves of military personnel in national cemeteries.
Memorial Day is also considered the unofficial beginning of summer. I just wanted to tell you all of that just in case you might have forgotten what it all meant.
I was Out&About last Thursday at the Crest Hallow Country Club in Woodbury, New York. I was invited to the Police Emerald Society Nassau County installation of officer’s dinner event that was really so nice. It was also so nice to congratulate the Nassau County Police Emerald Society “2023 Man of the Year” PBA President Thomas Shelvin. Look who I got to hang out with when I was having a good time: I got to meet the Nassau County Executive Bruce A. Blakeman along with the Grand Council of United Emerald Society’s Historian Brian J. Sharkey.
I have been in some country clubs in my time but the Crest Hollow would stand out with the best of them, give it a visit some time, you will love it as it’s got everything for your total enjoyment.
This man never stops and thankfully so: Niall O’Leary’s Irish Culture Night makes its triumphant return to the newly re-opened Paddy Reilly’s (519 Second Avenue, between 29th and 30th Streets) on Thursday, June 1, 9:30 pm to midnight, with special guest Tony Demarco on fiddle! He is so talented that I have to repeat it twice so you won’t miss it. See you there, I hope.
The Bronx Solace Sunrise Walk happens on Saturday, June 3 at Gaelic Park in The Bronx. So they are just days away from sharing the most important sunrise of the year together. Please help them spread the word by following them on social media and sharing their posts with your friends and families. They want to reach as many people as possible. Whether you plan on walking, jogging, or running, the important thing is that we are together. We walk each year to help support the continued work of Solace House and to create awareness around suicide and mental health. This is your chance to be part of something special and reinforce the message: “You are not alone.”
This notice came to me from the Irish American Writers and Artists with news that the IAW&A Special Publication Showcase will be held at the Irish Arts Center (726 11th Avenue) on Tuesday June 6. This will be a special evening showcasing members who have had work published recently. The authors, whose work will be available for purchase, are Patricia Brody (My Blazing World), Joseph Goodrich (The Paris Manuscript), new members Charley Heenan (Danny’s Boys) and Anthony Murphy (SHIFTLESS, And Other Days of Nothing Much), and former IAW&A President Mary Pat Kelly (Martin Scorsese: A Journey).
They’ll have music by Erin Hall, with food and drink available from the Devlin Café at Irish Arts Center.
The event is free, email iawaweekly@gmail.com with any questions.
This is for all you Dublin people out there. Here is an event where you can all come together and meet. The Dublin Society will be having a summer get together Tuesday June 27 at The Westbury (20 West 38th Street, just off Fifth Avenue). They will be in the upstairs room from 6:30 to 9:30 pm. There is an open bar (beer, wine and soda) on the Society for the first hour or so, after that it’s on your dime. There will be complementary finger foods as well. All are welcome. Now what are you all waiting for as it should be a great evening, let Shane Humphries (dubnorth@aol.com) know if you will be attending.
Hope to see you all again next week when I am Out&About again.