{"id":18816,"date":"2020-12-30T13:40:28","date_gmt":"2020-12-30T17:40:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=18816"},"modified":"2020-12-31T11:48:48","modified_gmt":"2020-12-31T15:48:48","slug":"outabout-103","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=18816","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n

I begin 2021 with an Out&About message to all our readers and friends, wishing you a very\u00a0Happy New Year<\/strong>. We all know it has been a tough year for everybody as nobody escaped the effects of the pandemic. We have seen something that will be historic and will be talked about for centuries to come. You can call it what you want, Covid-19, Coronavirus or any kind of pandemic you like, but it all leads back to the same pandemic and virus that has taken lives from a lot of people that we know in every country. I just want to reassure you that things will get better and yes, it will take a bit of time, but we will get over it and back to normal and I can get back Out&About again. We have a lot to look forward to as far as traveling, laughing, eating and of course a few cocktails to help us along the way and then we\u2019re back.<\/p>\n

I must now also include a eulogy for my father-in-law, Joseph Pistone<\/strong>, who passed away on Christmas Day after a long illness. He was simply one of the best people you ever could come across. Joseph was the father of my wife Patricia and grandfather to my daughter Christina and son James. How he doted on them! Now his own father was also Joseph who was an immigrant who was born in a small town called Carinii in\u00a0Sicily, Italy. The family came to America way back in the 20th\u00a0century to make a new beginning in search of a better life, as all of us did.\u00a0Myself, being an Irishman, I broke the cycle when I married into a family that been purely Italian for so many generations. But I was welcomed with open arms and did not have to kiss the ring. I mention that because a lot of people believe that when you come from Sicily, you think differently. Not so with Joseph\u2019s family. They were and still are the humblest folk you could have ever get to meet.\u00a0Joseph my father-in-law will be sadly missed by everyone because he was such a giving man, as was as his wife \u2013 my mother-in-law, Francis \u2013 who passed on in 2012. May they now rest together in peace and love.<\/p>\n

I would also like to follow up with another eulogy that is close to me amd a lot of other people here in New York. It was with great sadness that The County Cork Association<\/strong> announced the passing of\u00a0 JoAnn Murphy<\/strong> (nee Mazella) on December\u00a021st.\u00a0We extend our deepest\u00a0condolences to her husband Joe, children Joseph, Jr., Patricia, Carolyn and Mary as well as all of her many grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Her husband, Joe, was the Cork Man of the Year in 1994 in New York and in Cork in 1995.\u00a0 They further honored the Association and education as benefactors through the annual scholarship fund handed out each January by the Association.\u00a0 For many years they have faithfully\u00a0and graciously contributed to the scholarship through the name of their late son Christopher T. Murphy which is one of the awards handed out each year.\u00a0 As many of you know, our scholarship fund is held\u00a0in Country Bank<\/strong> which was co-founded by Joe. <\/p>\n

I hope you can understand that it was a sad time for many, especially around the Christmas holidays, may they rest in peace.<\/p>\n

I have to admit the beautiful new song that Andy Cooney and his son Ryan<\/strong> released at Christmas called \u201cWe\u2019re All in This Together\u201d<\/a><\/strong> struck the right note and is a great success. Go to YouTube and click on Andy Cooney and you can tune in on the video and hear to the album what perfect timing.<\/p>\n

This just came to my attention as well from The Irish Repertory Theatre<\/strong>: \u201cWe hope you and your family are well and staying safe. We wish you and our full Irish Rep family the very best, and we are grateful for your past support.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cEach December, we write with holiday greetings and a request for support. In a normal year, we\u2019d share our collective story, about our\u00a0award-winning Off-Broadway theatre\u00a0on 22nd\u00a0Street. We\u2019d tell you how we rely on the generosity of our patrons above and beyond ticket purchases to keep the theatre alive. (Every performance since March has been offered\u00a0free of charge, with suggested donations keeping the motor running.) This year is different. Since March, our audiences have\u00a0shared\u00a0their experiences\u00a0more than ever before. And so, we share them with you. We love your notes, your thoughts, and your stories.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn this different year, where nothing is familiar, we ask with gratitude and understanding \u2013 if you can, would you please consider\u00a0making a year-end gift today?\u00a0Supporting Irish Rep is not only a vote of confidence in our\u00a0talented company of actors, our\u00a0designers, and our\u00a0hard-working staff; it\u2019s also an investment in what makes life worth living \u2013 our culture, our language, and our heritage. We need these things now more than ever.\u00a0Thank you for supporting Irish Rep. Please,\u00a0send us your stories. We can\u2019t wait to read them.<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlotte Moore<\/strong>, Artistic Director & Ciar\u00e1n O\u2019Reilly<\/strong>, Producing Director\u201d<\/p>\n

Now isn\u2019t that nice so let\u2019s keep the culture going for all those who will come after us.
\nHope to see you all again soon when I am Out and About\u2026\u2026..<\/p>\n

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