volume 39 issue 6 march 2017 rita m. mcneely irish ... · parents were anne and joseph mcneely from...
TRANSCRIPT
volume 39 issue 6 mARCH 2017
On February 13, 2017 the Executive Board made the
announcement of their choice for the 2017 Member of the
Year, Rita M. McNeely. Rita has been a member of our
Club since 1980 and has been a steadfast member for over
35 years. She has been an active member working on var-
ious committees such as serving dinners and after funeral
luncheons. She was a consistent
bartender for a number of years
when the Pub first opened. Rita
also marched with the Ladies Drill
Team. She has also volunteered at
the Ohio Celtic Festival for many
years. When you see that there are
tickets to be sold at ANY Club
event it's Rita who has them with
her at all times. There are few
times when she misses an event at
our Club. Going so far as to leave
the Emergency Room at Euclid
Hospital because "she made a
reservation for the Club dinner and
they would be counting on her to be
there".
Rita was born Rita Mae
Templeton on July 12 (a while
ago). She is the daughter of John
William Templeton of Scotland and
Elizabeth Hayes (McCarthy/Hayes,
County Limerick). Rita was born
in Cleveland and grew up on
Cleveland's near east side. When Rita was in first grade
her family changed their name from Templeton to Bennett
in order for her immigrant father to procure a job with the
Cleveland Press. She has a younger brother John, "Jack"
Bennett (Barb) whom she adores.
Rita Mae Bennett graduated from Notre Dame Academy
with many friends who she still lunches with monthly. She
went on to work at White Motors. During her time there
she met and married James Francis McNeely on April 14,
1956. Because Jim was from Euclid she assumed he was
rich. Although he was not wealthy, he was very Irish. His
parents were Anne and Joseph McNeely from County
Mayo.
Together Jim and Rita went on to have 6 children, James
Joseph (Laura Delaney), John Michael (Lori Valenti),
Kathleen Mary (Rick Ruggles),
Therese Marie (Gary Disbrow),
Thomas Patrick (Kelly Quinn) and
Patricia Ann (Chris Barker). Rita
also has eight grandchildren and
four great grandchildren. Rita is
also lucky to have a host of
cousins including Pat Boley and
Carol Orozco to name a few. She
is also aunt to our member Peggy
Bennett.
Rita worked for Beachwood
City Schools for 35 years. She
held several positions with
Beachwood, however she spent
most of her time as a Special
Education Assistant, which was a
very physically and mentally
demanding job, but also very
rewarding. Rita brought her sense
of humor and kindness to each
classroom.
If you know Rita, she is a
woman of faith. She is a longtime
parishioner of St. Clare Church and some think she has a
direct line to Saint Anthony, as she prays to him on a pret-
ty consistent basis for lost things. Rita has a big heart and
is so generous not only to our Club but to her family and
friends.
The stories of Rita are never ending, not only with her
family but also with her "family" here at the Irish
American Club. We congratulate you and love you Rita.
Enjoy these weeks ahead!
Rita M. McNeelyIrish American Club East Side Member of the Year
Linda Walsh & Patty McNeely
6 SCHANACHIE
PADRAIC PEARSE CENTERIS ON FACEBOOK
Check out the new Padraic Pearse Center Facebook Page at
http://facebook.com/padraicpearsecenter and click on LIKE
to follow our 2017 upcoming events, photos and more fun
stuff!
BOOKBUZZBonnie Easton
Here’s a sneak peek at some new titles. You’ve heard the
stories about the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland that were run
by the Catholic Church from the 18th century to 1996. Young
women, considered flirts in danger of shaming their families,
spent years in hard labor under the direction of nuns. V. J.
Alexander offers a new novel, The Magdalen Girls, about
three teenagers who endure cruel punishments for small infrac-
tions and plot their escape.
An Irish Country Cookbook by Patrick Taylor is a new
entry in the author’s popular Irish Country series. The book
contains over 140 Irish recipes plus 10 new short stories about
the people of the village of Ballybucklebo and the cantankerous
Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly.
The Fire by Night: A Novel by Teresa Messineo focuses on
the experiences of World War II nurses. An Italian-Irish nurse
from the Brooklyn tenements finds herself in a freezing tent in
France trying to singlehandedly keep her patients alive while
Germans camp nearby. Her best friend Kay is imprisoned in a
POW camp in Manila. Love and friendship prevail even dur-
ing the horrors of war. Happy reading!
For more reading suggestions, check out www.padraicpear-
secenter.weebly.com under Talking about Books.
PADRAIC PEARSE BOOK DISCUSSIONThe book discussion group will not meet in March so every-
one can enjoy the many St. Patrick’s Day festivities at the Club.
The Padraic Pearse Book Discussion group meets the third
Friday of each month. Our selections for the remainder of the
year include:
April 21: Little Red Chairs: A Novel by Edna O’Brien
May: 19: To be determined
June 16: The Secrets of Roscarbury Hall: A Novel by Ann
O’Loughlin
July 21: Leaving Lucy Pear: A Novel by Anna Solomon
August 18: The Wonder by Emma Donoghue
September 15: Valiant Gentlemen: A Novel by Sabina
Murray
October 20: To be determined
November 17: Ashes of Fiery Weather: A Novel by
Kathleen Donohoe
Please join us in the months ahead! We would love to see
you!
“RUN FOR THE ROSES”LADIES ONLY LUNCHEON & RAFFLE
Pat DowdTwo and a half months before an event, how many organ-
izations can boast of 17+ tables reserved? Well, the Padraic
Pearse Center didn’t even have the tickets printed and the
reservations started coming in for our annual “Ladies Only”
Luncheon & Raffle. Word has spread that this is the place
to be for a great afternoon where gals of all ages can dress
up or not, relax and sip some special cocktails, catch up on
the latest news (gossip), enjoy a delicious luncheon, try for
a favorite Chinese auction prize, or be a lucky big cash win-
ner.
This year’s theme is “Run for the Roses”, and while you
won’t be watching the Kentucky Derby or any other horse
race, you will be enjoying a unique afternoon. We’ve
learned that many of you ladies love to dress for the occa-
sion, so feel free to do so. And if hats are one of your
favorite wardrobe accessories, be sure to take part in our Hat
Contest – Prettiest, Most Creative, and Most Unique – with
prizes for each category.
The big day is Sunday afternoon, April 30. Doors open
at 1 pm, Luncheon at 2 pm, and the Raffle and Auction are
at 3 pm. Tickets are $40 each. The following Padraic Pearse
committee members have tickets, however they may be
gone by the time you read this, so you can call me to find
out who has tickets that are available: Peggy Bennett,
Thomasine Barner, Martha Chrosniak, Amy Bopp, Eileen
Garin, Pam Splittorf, Judy Wade, Kevin McCluskey, Dolly
Luskin, Dianne Probst, Brigid Gurry, and Maggie Gurry
Spellman. My number is 440-429-5151. Check with your
family, friends, relatives and co-workers now so that you
can reserve your tickets before they are all gone.
Looking forward to another great “Ladies Only” fun
afternoon – hope you are, too!
CHARLESTON/SAVANNAH CLUB TRIPPat Dowd
Once again, our annual Club trip was a sellout as soon as
it was revealed at our Anniversary Dance! This year’s trip
to Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia will
take place September 17- 23. If you are still interested in the
trip, and would like to be put on the waiting list, please let
me know. Last year, due to various circumstances, we were
able to accommodate most people on the waiting list. My
number is 440-429-5151.
Be sure to call Emily Russell on March 3, her 21st birth-
day. She shares it with Alexander Graham Bell (1847), who
would be amazed at today’s cell phones. One ring-a-dingy.
Bob Spinks will also celebrate on March 3, but he is way
beyond legal!
Jessica and Matt Skedel will blow out the birthday can-
dles on March 4. Shannon Hanratty Stewart will celebrate
her 26th birthday on March 8 followed by Sister Joanne
Gross on March 10. Lily Skedel will have eight candles on
her cake March 12.
All is nice for Cathy Rice who celebrates her birthday
March 18. Kathy Foster will enjoy cake and ice cream on
March 19.
Happy birthday to our newest quinquagenarian, Beth
McNally, who celebrates March 21. (Hint: Beth will have
50 candles on her cake.)
The love of family is life’s greatest blessing. The
Fitzgerald clan has much to celebrate this month. Catlin
Fitzgerald will blow out the birthday candles on March 7.
Gabby’s special day is March 10, followed by her aunt
Casey Hatcher on March 25. Connor Hatcher will don
the party hat on March 19.
HE SAID…SHE SAID…By Rosemary Nugent and the Membership
MARCH 2017 7
Annette O’Brien will enjoy cake and ice cream March
24. Elizabeth Marino will have 17 candles on her cake on
March 26.
Whose turn is it to light Bill Carney’s birthday candles
on March 27 – all 81 of them! Pat Dowd’s special day is
March 30 and we send her a busload of birthday wishes.
Belated birthday wishes to Colin Hatcher who celebrat-
ed February 22.
Sugar and spice and everything nice...is Grace Helen
Giancola who was born January 31. Grace is the daughter
of Katie and David and the fourth grandchild for Donna
and Dave Baioni.
Red Roses to Beth and Darrin Gaffney whose wedding
anniversary is March 16.
To have your important events included in this column,
please jot them down on the flyers found on the tables at the
membership meetings, or call me at 216-531-8529, or email
me at [email protected].
8 SCHANACHIE
Dave and Bear Baioni Emerge Victorious
Tom McNeill
Bear and Dave Baioni Debbie McNeill, Mike
Burke and Pat Pease
In the midst of the most severe blizzard of 2017, 32 brave
souls risked life and limb to play in the Club Championship
Pinochle Tournament on Sunday, January 29.
The double elimination tournament was won by Dave
and Bear Baioni; they won their three matches to arrive at
the final table. They defeated Phil Maguire and Tom Reilly
in the championship match and have been directed to have
green and gold sashes (proclaiming them to be the undisput-
ed champions of pinochle) fabricated at their own expense.
They have earned the right to proudly wear them when they
march in the St. Patty’s Day Parade this month.
To help defray the expense of the sashes, Dave and Bear
received generous prize awards at the conclusion of the
event. Other runners-up received less generous awards. In
the event that prize awards are not sufficient to defray the
cost of sashes, participants may, at their option, fancy-up the
name tags they were required to wear during the event by
adding additional colors and decorations to make March
events more festive.
Participants feasted during the course of the afternoon on
four varieties of gourmet pizza, crisp salad, and assorted
cookies in addition to keeping Bridget extremely busy in
The Pub. As the Hibernians were feasting and reverse raf-
fling upstairs, it was good to see the high level of activity on
what would otherwise have been described as a pedestrian
day of football withdrawal. (Almost no one has interest in
the Pro Bowl, right?)
Most of the entrants are regular players in the Pinochle
League and have been perfecting their games over time. Bill
and Barb Dunagan, avid readers of The Schanachie, came to
realize that the Pinochle League exists, opted to play in the
tournament and seemed pleasantly surprised that their dusty
pinochle skills allowed them to win a match or two.
Some years ago, this tournament was held annually. As its
re-introduction was well-received, the league intends to
offer it again in 2018. To increase attendance, there is some
thought of extending an invitation to West Side Irish-
American Club members.
MARCH 2017 9
Lolly the TrolleySt. Patrick’s Day Parade
Every year the Golden Shamrocks ride Lolly the
Trolley in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Some seats are
available for members who would like to join them.
Cost is $10 per person for the ride to the parade and
back. If you are interested, please contact Linda Walsh
at 216-538-1358. Seats must be paid for no later than
March 13.
OUR ANNUAL CORNED BEEF, HAM & CABBAGE DINNERSUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017
Linda WalshHard to believe it is almost that time of year again. One
of the best days of the St. Patrick’s Day Season is ourAnnual Corned Beef, Ham and Cabbage Dinner. This yearour dinner will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Doorswill open at 12:30 pm with dinner served from 1 – 5 pm.Our great crew of volunteers will be cooking and serving upone of the best dinners around and we hope you will join us.
We will be entertained throughout the day by our ClubUnits and Irish Dance schools. Following dinner, there willbe entertainment by Crawley and Hopper in the Phil WalshCabaret Room. Make your reservations now for dinner.Tickets are $11/adults and $6/children. Call Sarah Dirk at216-337-9004 or Linda Carney at 216-531-3816. ALLRESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE AND PAID FOR NOLATER THAN MARCH 1, 2017.
FOUR FAMOUS FISH FRIESLinda Walsh
Beginning Friday, March 3 through Good Friday, April
14 we will host our Lenten fish fries, with the exception of
Friday, March 17. Doors open at 5 pm with dinner served
5:30-7:30 pm. Our menu includes fried or baked cod, beer
battered perch and shrimp. Dinners include macaroni and
cheese, French fries, cole slaw, rolls with butter, and dessert.
We’ll also offer a beer battered fish sandwich with fries for
$8 or a side order of crab cakes for $4. Cost is $11/adults,
$6/children with cash bar. After dinner, stay for entertain-
ment in the upper hall as we offer a great variety:
March 3 - Loch Erie
March 10 - The Bog Trotters
March 24 - Kevin McCarthy
March 31 - Donegal Doggs
April 7 - Pop the Cork
April 14 - Flashbaxx
Float CommitteeOur award-winning float committee is looking for more
hard-working, talented people to join our crew. We meet
every Tuesday and Thursday 6-9 pm and Saturday 9 am-1
pm.
Hospice of the Western Reserve has once again generous-
ly provided space in their warehouse for construction of our
float. Their warehouse is located at 17876 St. Clair in
Cleveland.
Contact Bob Henry if you want to join the Float
Committee at 216-402-3062.
Marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Linda WalshThere is nothing better than a good parade and we all
know that the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade is #1 inour hearts! We encourage all members to join our Club con-tingent in this year’s parade.
You may not know that our membership contingent isentered as a marching unit in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.So in keeping with the rules and regulations set by theUnited Irish Societies we ask that if you decide to marchwith us that we do so with the utmost respect and honor asa member of the Irish American Club East Side, Inc. Whilewe all like to have a good time on that day, we ask that yoube respectful of those around you that are marching and usecommon sense in your pre-parade festivities if you plan torepresent our Club.
We are happy to have MEMBERS ONLY march withour unit and ask that you do so proudly as a member of theIrish American Club East Side, Inc.
12 SCHANACHIE
“In Memoriam” PlaqueIn the lower hall there is an "In Memoriam" Plaque
with the names of deceased members of the Club listed.
If you have a friend or loved one that was a member of
the Club and has passed away and you would like their
name to be included on this Plaque, you can send their
name and a check for $50.00 made out to the Irish
American Club or you can contact Jean Walsh at 440-
942-3207
HEADLINES and DEADLINESIf you would like to submit an article for the
Schanachie, the deadline for the April issue is March 6.You may continue to send your articles to the Club or you may email them [email protected]. Submission time is not the onlycriteria for inclusion and we reserve the right to edit due tocontent and space. If you have any questions call Ann at440-943-3088 or Kevin McCluskey at 216-956-2653.
Note from the EditorAll articles must be submitted to me by e-mail at:
They can be typed in Word and do not have to have
any limit on the width. No spaces before new paragraphs,
no returns at the end of each line and if you use tabs do
not use multiple tabs. The printer will fix the tabs.
Pictures must be jpeg (jpg). Send to me as an attachment
in your e-mail. Staff meet Wednesday, March 15 for
proofreading at 7 p.m. Thank you in advance, Ann Turk.
Monthly Membership MeetingsMembers last names beginning with the following letters
please bring a dessert for that month's meeting. Any ques-
tions please call Dolly Luskin at 216-261-0967.
Month Letter Month Letter
JANUARY A & B JULY N & O
FEBRUARY C & D AUGUST P, Q & R
MAR. E & F SEPTEMBER S
APRIL G, H & I OCTOBER T, U & V
MAY J, K & L NOVEMBER W, X, Y & Z
JUNE M DECEMBER All Members
Membership Rewards ProgramThe Executive Board has approved a Membership
Rewards Program for this year. Each Club member gainspoints for recruiting new members to join, old members tore-join and for corporate sponsorships. Every new memberis worth 5 points, every member who has been dormant forover two years and re-joins is worth 10 points and each cor-porate sponsorship is worth 20 points. Any member whoearns a total of 100 reward points receives a free member-ship for next year or $30 worth of March tickets. Pleasemake sure your name and membership number is on eachform submitted to earn your points.
Keep up to date with weekly emailblasts from the IACES!
Do you know that the IACES sendsout weekly email blasts with informationon upcoming events at the IACES,Padraic Pearse and the greater Irishcommunity? If you would like your emailaddress added to this list, please contactSarah Dirk at [email protected] or216-337-9004
Membership Has Its PrivilegesBy Linda Walsh
YOUR vote counts! Vote on action at the monthlymembership meetings. You must sign the attendance sheetto earn credit. Please don’t sign in for anyone but yourself.
If you attend three meetings between July and May,you can vote in the June election for Board members.
Card carrying members pay the member price forClub events.
Receive our monthly newsletter, The Schanachie,delivered to your home.
New members will receive a Club Pin and a copy ofour bylaws by attending a membership meeting.
There were 106 members signed in at the Februarymeeting.
If you paid your dues, but are not receiving TheSchanachie, contact Membership Secretary, Linda Walsh.The Schanachie is available online on the Club website(eastsideirish.org) and on our Facebook page (IACES).
If you have a child 18 years of age who has come off yourFamily Membership, we have a membership rate of $20 peryear until s/he reaches age 21.
New members this month:Dan & Brigid Fejes Kelsey HastingsJim & Sarah Hill Michael Dreamer
Doug Grosel
MARCH 2017 13
TICKET POLICYTickets for any event at the Irish American Club East
Side can be obtained by phone or mail. When mailing yourticket request, please be sure to include a self-addressed,stamped envelope and a check made payable to: IrishAmerican Club East Side. If you pre-order a dinner for anevent and do not show up or you do not cancel within 48hours of the dinner, you will be billed by the Club for theprice of the meal
Linda Carney Sarah Dirk161 E. 196 Street 150 E. 200 St.
Euclid, Ohio 44119 Euclid, Ohio 44119216-531-3816 216-337-9004
[email protected] [email protected]
Tickets for sold out event must be paid for by the Thursday prior to the event
Club Rental InformationThe Irish American Club is available for rentals of all
sizes. We can accommodate showers, graduations, banquets,receptions of all kinds, and of course, weddings. We havetwo facilities available, the upper hall for larger parties andthe Phil Walsh Cabaret room for smaller parties. Koumbarosis the exclusive caterer for the upper hall. If you wish to rentthe lower hall you may bring in your own homemade foodbut you also have the option of using our club caterer. Toreserve either the upper hall for rentals or the Phil WalshCabaret room, please call Rick Eberhard, 216-338-3774 orJoe Capuozzo, 216-376-0599.
Pub Hours for Fall and Winter Monday CLOSED
Tuesday CLOSED
Wednesday 6 P.M.- 11 P.M.
Thursday 6 P.M.- 11 P.M.
Friday 6 P.M.- 11 A.M.
Saturday 6 P.M.- 11 A.M.
Sunday 1 P.M.- 11 P.M.
Closing time at the Pub is at the bartender's discretion
Published by the Irish American Club * East Side Inc.Kevin McCluskey Chairman
Editor: Ann Turk (440-943-3088)Ad Manager: Kevin McCluskey (216-956-2653)
Circulation: Pat Homan (440-946-6232)Contributing Editors: Linda Burke
Rose Marie Eppich * Rosemary Nugent * Sharon Spinks
Executive Board Members 2016-2017President Kevin McCluskey 216-956-2653Vice President Mary Alice Curran 440-665-8110Recording Secretary Sarah Dirk 216-337-9004Treasurer Pat Dowd 440-429-5151Membership Secretary Linda Walsh 216-538-1358Members at Large Mike Keenan 216-280-0207
Amy Logan 440-567-5170Mike Byrne 216-990-2581Brigid Gurry 216-375-5469
Club Website:www.eastsideirish.org
Phone numbers:
Irish American Club: 216-731-4003Pub Phone: 216-731-1189Club Fax: 216-731-6120WiFi: Username-IACES Password: 2167314003
Schanachie email: [email protected]/IACES/
ON AIR IRISH RADIO
Saturday
10am - 11am: Johnson Brothers Irish Hour WKTL
FM 90.7
Sunday
7am - 9am: Sweeney Astray WCBS FM 89.3 & on
wesb.org
10am - 12 pm: Gerry Quinn’s Irish Hours WHK
AM 1420 with Colleen Corrigan Day & Eddie
Fitzpatrick
1pm - 3 pm: Echoes of Erin WCWA AM 1230
w/John Connolly
6pm - 7 pm: Song of Britain & Ireland WCPN FM
90.3 w/Joe Nichols & Kevin McGinty
4pm - 6pm: Beyond the Pale WRUW FM 91.1
w/Roger Weist
5pm - 6pm: The Hooley Hour WHK AM1420
9pm - 10pm: Hooley Hour WHK AM 1420 w/Tara
Quinn & Josh Vaughan
SUNSHINE CLUBIf you know of a member who is sick or if there has been
a death in the family, Mary Kay Malone, Chairperson of the
Sunshine Club, will try and send a card on behalf of the
Club. You can contact Mary Kay at 216-337-4356 or send
her an e-mail [email protected] with the member’s
information
14 SCHANACHIE
The Green PagesPlease support the businesses that support us!
Jack Murphy’sTradewinds Lounge319 East 200th St., EuclidHappy Hour between3 - 6 Weekdays216-481-8228
MARCH 2017 15
CLEVELAND'S BEST IRISH BANDSDoors: 3:00 pm Music: 4:00 pm
Free family fun! Weekly food & drink specials.See MusicBoxCLE.com for this week's band.
West Bank of the Flats near Shooters
Harp Level:
Bluestone Division — Ancient Order of Hibernians
Cleveland Whiskey
Flannery’s Pub
Irish American News
Koumbaros Catering
Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland
Monreal Funeral Home
Music Box Supper Club
Packy Malley's
Claddagh Level:
Eastside Landscaping
Jack Murphy's Tradewinds Lounge
Schulte Mahon-Murphy Funeral Home
Skinny’s Bar and Grille
Summit Painting
The Travel Connection
Shamrock Level:
Muldoon’s Saloon and Eatery
IBEW Local #38
Henry Fence
Lake County Captains
Adelio’s Contracting
Corporate Sponsors:
We would like to thank all of our Corporate Sponsors. Support those who support us.
15335 Waterloo Rd.Cleveland, Ohio 44110
216-785-9475Open
Mon 5 p.m.-12 a.m.Tues-Th 4 p.m.-12 a.m.Fri- Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m.Sun 6 p.m.-2 a.m.Food Available
Live Irish Music Every Thursday