{"id":28871,"date":"2024-01-03T13:08:00","date_gmt":"2024-01-03T18:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28871"},"modified":"2024-01-05T13:11:33","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T18:11:33","slug":"outabout-255","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/irishexaminerusa.com\/wp\/?p=28871","title":{"rendered":"Out&About"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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By Paddy McCarthy<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Happy New Year<\/strong> to everyone as we start the new year of 2024, ah we made it. Some did not I am sad to say and a lot of them were friends both here in America and across the pond in Ireland. I am not going to name names as it would take up a full page so I am just going to say Rest in Peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was Out&About on New Year\u2019s Eve as I went to a couple of pubs in Port Jefferson early in the evening for a pre celebration to welcome in 2024 before we returned to my neighbor\u2019s house to see the Ball Drop in Times Square<\/strong>. No, I did not make it into the city as it would have taken too much time traveling and trying to get home after it! I\u2019d be nearly into January 2nd with the trains because I wasn\u2019t driving on that day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Getting back to celebrating at my neighbor\u2019s house I could not ask for any better occasion to celebrate with friends and neighbors as there was plenty of Champagne, wine and of course beer with lots of hors-d\u2019oeuvres being passed around, ahh now where would yea get it? Only in New York.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s look to the future as we have a lot to say and do when I am Out&About and this should be a positive year for everyone so, please look on the bright side of life, I know that I am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, I will take a couple of trips to my home land Ireland this year like I always do, all my family are there and it is so nice to get back for a few days, yes, that\u2019s what, I said a few days. Well, I can\u2019t miss my Out&About and a little bit of gossip along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I paid a visit to the Pig N Whistle on 36th Street<\/strong> just off Seventh Avenue, to meet my editor Grahame <\/strong>for \u201crefreshments\u201d and to discuss our plans for 2024. It did not take that long as we never had time to have a Christmas cocktail so now was the time after our meeting to do so and wish each other a Happy New Year, now that\u2019s my excuse and I stand by it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, who arrived in was the big man himself and one of the owners, only Des O\u2019Brien<\/strong> and the first thing he said \u201cI\u2019m not drinking\u201d so I laughed as the next thing he said I\u2019ll have a zero zero that\u2019s 0\u20190\u2019 Guinness<\/strong>. I thought the world has changed overnight but in fairness he had another meeting with his partner who just walked in, Cormac McCormack<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m just kidding as so many people make New Year\u2019s resolutions that do last for a while and then slowly get back to normal as it always was. Now I am not encouraging anyone not to abide by their resolutions as I think it\u2019s a fabulous thing to do, yes I did think about doing it myself only I just get sidetracked when I\u2019m Out&About and meeting so many people as you might understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I just remembered that as I left the Pig \u2018N Whistle who did I meet on the street? Only Dermot Kelly<\/strong>, the one and only, now I would have been in trouble if I had met him about one minute before as I was running to catch a train to Long Island and it would have been hard for me to leave if that happened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dermot is a very good friend and it was a long time since we got to meet and it could have been a late one as we had a lot to chat about, you can understand when you\u2019re in a pub time goes out the window. That\u2019s what I love about been Out&About, you never know who you\u2019re going to meet up with and again that\u2019s what it\u2019s all about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All I was short was Pat Burke<\/strong>, also a partner in the Pig N Whistle, to be right behind Dermot, oh boy then the party starts and I say that in a positive way as it is always lots of fun meeting up with all those boys and the time does not count.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This just arrived on my desk that I am sure is going to be a sellout. \u201cYou are cordially invited to join us for the Grand Marshal and Aides Installation Reception<\/strong> to be held at 3 pm on Sunday, February 25, at Antun\u2019s<\/strong> (96-43 Springfield Boulevard, Queens Village, NY.) This is the only event on the Parade calendar that offers an opportunity to honor both the Aides to the Grand Marshal and Grand Marshal Maggie Timoney<\/strong> for the historic 263rd NYC St Patrick\u2019s Day Parade<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe look forward to an afternoon that will include a buffet dinner, an open bar, and music by Gerry Finlay<\/strong> and the Cara Band<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Information about the event is available on their website at NYCStPatricksParade.Org<\/a>. You will also be able to reserve tables and submit Journal ads online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

That was my Out&About for this week, a short one due to the holidays, so I\u2019m again wishing you a very Happy New Year and may all your wishes come true with a healthy and prosperous year for all. <\/p>\n

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