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INDEX
Elementary,
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
by Brian Witt
The creator of Sherlock Holmes was the grandson of an Irish émigré
to England, the son of an artist father who moved to Edinburgh and a mother
whose family ran a boarding house, proud of his family’s adherence to Roman
Catholicism, but who rejected it after being educated in Jesuit boarding
schools. Doyle became a doctor who made his name as a writer.
Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle was born in Edinburgh on May 22, 1859. His
father was Charles Doyle, and his mother Mary Foley, whose parents came from
Ireland. His grandfather was Dubliner John Doyle, one of the foremost caricaturists
and lithographists in England, known best as “HB”. Foley met her future husband
when he moved to her family’s boarding house in that city. Charles Doyle
had recently arrived from England to take a civil service job and needed
a place to live. In 1855 Mary and Charles married, when she was 17.
When Arthur was eight, his mother placed him in a Jesuit boarding school
in Lancashire, partly to protect him from the problems associated with his
father’s alcoholism. Charles was a talented artist, whose unfulfilled desire
to paint full time caused a lifelong sense of depression. He began drinking
heavily, and was confined to asylums and hospitals until his death in 1893.
Mary Foley, “Ma’am” to Conan Doyle, was a redoubtable force in Doyle’s
life. She filled his imagination with tales of Ireland, of the chivalry of
medieval times, and of other stories. After Charles was hospitalized, Mary
went to live on the estates of Dr. Bryan Waller for thirty years. Waller
had a positive effect on the family, and was a role model to Arthur, who
followed Waller into medicine and even attended the same university.
Doyle studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh, where he began
writing short stories, the first published before he was 20. Following his
term at university, he served as a ship’s doctor to both the Arctic on a
whaler, which he loved, and on a voyage to the West African coast, which
he hated.
In 1882, Doyle set up an independent practice in Portsmouth. The practice
was initially not very successful, so he returned to writing. His first significant
work was A Study in Scarlet, which appeared in Beeton’s Christmas Annual
for 1887, it featured the first appearance of Sherlock Holmes, who was partially
modeled after his former university professor, Joseph Bell. Future short
stories featuring Holmes were published in the English Strand Magazine.
In 1885, he married Louise Hawkins, known as “Touie”. Initially, he was
madly in love with her. They honeymooned in Ireland, visiting his family.
However, it was Jean Leckie, a good friend, whom he loved, in an unrequited
fashion, for decades, until the death of Louise in 1906. He married Leckie
in 1907. Doyle had maintained a platonic relationship with her out of loyalty
to Louise, even though he discussed her with everyone he knew.
Doyle set up an ophthalmology practice in London in 1891, and found himself
without patients, so he again turned to writing. In 1893, in an attempt to
devote himself to other writing, he killed off Holmes in The Final Problem.
Holmes’ resurrection came soon after, with the explanation that he needed
to go into hiding. In the end, there were 56 short stories and four Holmes
novels done by Doyle.
Doyle enlisted in the Army at the age of forty in order to serve in
the Boer War in South Africa. Afterwards, he wrote a short pamphlet titled,
The War in South Africa: Its Cause and Conduct, justifying Britain’s role
in the war. It was most likely the reason he was knighted in 1902. Doyle
twice ran for Parliament as a Liberal Unionist, but lost, being attacked,
ironically, as a bigoted Catholic, even though he had long before fallen
away from the Church.
After the death of a number of family members, including his son Kingsley,
his brother Innes, and others, Doyle sank into a state of melancholy. He
found redemption in the Spiritualism movement, and its alleged scientific
proof of existence. Doyle would tour the world, spending upwards to £250,000
in an attempt to influence people, and try to covert them to its ideology.
The movement cost him his friendship with Harry Houdini, who tried to prove
that the Spiritualist mediums employed fakery.
Doyle would lead a life of implied contrasts. In Scotland, he was an
Irishman; in England, he was a Scotsman. In the world, he was a Briton. He
would defend Oscar Wilde in print and almost secured Roger Casement’s freedom.
He staunchly defended his Catholic precedents and rejected the Catholic Church
in almost the same breath. He also developed ideas for inflated life vests
and body armor to protect the fighting man.
Sir Arthur Conan Doyle died on July 7, 1930, and was first buried in
his rose garden. When Jean died in 1940 he was reinterred to rest with her
in the Minstead churchyard of Hampshire. His grave memorial in part reads
“Steel True, Blade Straight, Arthur Conan Doyle, Knight, Patriot, Physician,
& Man of Letters.”
INDEX
South Central
Shamrock Club News
Mary Stieve’s Birthday was on Feb. 2 (Happy Belated Birthday, Mary!)
as I forgot to include your name, my apologies. Mary did tell me a bit of
trivia. She was the first baby born at the Reedsburg Hospital in 1933. Pretty
neat!
April Birthdays: Virginia Whitty 4/7, George Havey 4/12, Kathleen LaMasney
4/27. Happy Birthday to our Spring Birthday Members! Anniversaries: Dick
and Barb Fish 4/29, Bob and Kathy Horkan 4/26. Our Best Wishes! Happy Retirement
to Joe Fish!
Welcome New Members: Pat Terry and Charlene Terry of Baraboo.
Sunday, April 13th Meeting will be held at Longley’s Restaurant at 4 p.m.
Our club made a donation of $100, through the Wells Fargo Bank, to a family who lost their home in Lake Delton.
Respectfully submitted,
– Dana J. Horkan-Gant,
South Central Membership Chair
INDEX
Greater LaCrosse
Shamrock Club
IRISH ROSE 2008 – KATHY LUCEY
Kathleen Lucey sounds very Irish, but I must admit I am mainly of German
descent. This just proves we can all be Irish at heart and enjoy the song,
dance and “blarney” of the Irish. Living with an Irishman has definitely
introduced me to the Irish culture. Through the Shamrock Club and more recently
being involved with Irishfest, I have met many Irish folk and have made long
term friendships. The activities we participate in have brought a great deal
of happiness to the children in the schools and the residents in the senior
housing as well as those of us who perform and visit.
Born in Whitehall, WI, I lived a short time in Fountain City, WI and
moved to La Crosse with my family in 1956. I graduated from Logan Senior
High School and received a BS Degree in Elementary Education from UW-La Crosse.
I married my husband, Jack, (2003 Irishman of the Year) in 1967. We have
two daughters Jada (Mark) Martinez of San Diego and Erin (Jeff) Dayton of
Eau Claire and four special grandchildren, Marissa and Cade Martinez and
Cody and Alyssa Dayton. I worked in healthcare administration for nearly
20 years retiring in 1999. Since my retirement, I have been active volunteering
for the Salvation Army, Red Cross, Gundersen Lutheran, Children’s Miracle
Network, “Steppin’ Out In Pink” and with my church. I also serve on the boards
of the Community Credit Union, the Greater WI Alzheimer’s, Crimestoppers
and the River Valley Housing Association. I find volunteering very rewarding
and a valuable learning experience. I am looking forward to my year as the
2008 Irish Rose
2008 IRISH MAN OF THE YEAR RODNEY SMITH
Rodney Smith was born in La Crosse Wisconsin. He has four older sisters
and was raised on the north side of La Crosse. Rod attended Logan High School
where he met his high school sweetheart Pamela. Rod and Pam were married
in 1973. They have two children: a son Justin and a daughter Kelly.
Rod served four years in the United States Air Force and an additional
16 years in the Army National Guard. He worked for the city of La Crosse
for 26 years as a fire fighter and is now currently retired. Since his retirement
he enjoys volunteering his time at the La Crosse Historical Society, Irishfest
La Crosse, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and the La Crosse Shamrock
Club.
Rod became involved in the Shamrock Club through his Irish dancing daughter
Kelly. She would travel along with the club on St Patrick’s Day and perform.
Rod and Pam enjoyed the fun, music and camaraderie so much that they soon
joined the club. Rod is very proud and is looking forward to representing
the club for 2008 as the Irish Man of the year.
INDEX
Milwaukee President’s Message
Failte an aibrean agus An tEarrach. Nach breá an lá
é? Tá sé gaofar agus báisteach. Ní hé
lá na gaoithe lá na scoilbe. Welcome to April and to spring.
Flowers, rain, snow. No thatching needed here. Must be Wisconsin. Why the
Irish? Why not? It has been a while since I used it.
Wow, what a month of action packed events and fun we had in March. A
special thank you to Mike O’Leary and Kris Pluskota on the great work they
did with the parade. We put on a Class A event. It is the largest parade
in the State, and, even with the snow and blistering winds, we still turned
out 160 units. Malkin Wallace and her helpers did a great job at the Post
Parade Party. And the musical mix was great, as well, due to Barry Stapleton’s
work.
Chuck and Bonnie McLaughlin’s production of the Mass in Honor of St.
Patrick was first rate, as well. It was nice to see the retired Color Guard
members proudly holding the colors again. And the members of the Fire and
Police Band piped beautifully for the Mass. Bob Harrold had the Shamrock
Club Choir singing like angels. The breakfast was a nice touch, a full Irish
one, and thanks to Kris Pluskota for thinking of doing it. And our Easter
Rising Mass was again another day for families to gather under our banner.
Thanks to Father Mike Maher, Betty Mikush and Veronica Ceszynski for making
the Mass a success.
The dinner train is leaving the station. Please contact Heather Majusiak
for reservations. This is the inaugural event, and for those people who say
they would like us to do different things, this is certainly in that category.
If you can, please support it.
I have gotten some reaction about the overview of the Shamrock Club’s
past. It was not meant to be a complete history. Rather, I was just trying
create an awareness of what we had done and where we came from for those
who may be one third as old as the Shamrock Club. I also forgot Cate Harris’
name as one of our parade directors. My apologies to her for that omission.
Nominations are being taken for the various offices. Please stand for
one, if possible. We can use your input. Organizations grow and evolve, or
they die a death of atrophy being bogged down in what they were, and why
they need to stay that way. We have grown and we have become a different
Shamrock Club from our start in the 1960s. You can influence the future of
this proud institution.
I know when I took office as president two years ago I had a million
ideas again as to how I would like to shape things. If I managed to develop
one or three of them, I suppose I was a success. I failed with five times
as many, or more. I have had my share of criticism, some very deserved. I
appreciate how much the Shamrock Club means to its membership. The one thing
I will never do is stifle the passion of the membership over a particular
issue. And, as the president, I should be the focal point of such attention,
even when I would rather find a corner to hide in until the winds of controversy
have blown past. As the old Irish proverb goes “Is maith an scáthán súil charad.” “A friend’s eye is a good mirror”. Then there is “Is neamhbhuan cogadh na gcarad; má bhíonn sé crua, ní bhíonn sé fada.” A row between friends is short lasting; even if bitter it is never long.
Many times people tell me they would join or rejoin the Club, but they
can’t make meetings, and would feel like they weren’t being good members.
The reality is that today’s life requires us to make choices on how to allocate
our time, and it is a precious commodity. Still, the lack of attendance at
meetings doesn’t diminish your value as a member of the Shamrock Club. Some
people are members just to get Reflections, so they can feel connected. Others
come to what they can. Danny, Helen and Frieda O’Donoghue use the Easter
Rising Mass as a way to get their family together. Members of the Shamrock
Club Choir come together just for the Mass in Honor of St. Patrick, and feel
it is their way of contributing to the Club. Others like the family nature
of the picnic.
Whatever way you can participate, either passively or actively, your
membership is important to us. If you want to spread the joy, give a membership
to a family member, or more. For at least a year, they can be a part of one
of the greatest Irish-American organizations in history.
Speaking of membership, it is great to have the Milwaukee Celtic Soccer
Club joining en masse. Their spring season is starting soon. Look in the
May Reflections for the match schedule. Also, the Shamrock Club Griffins
will be hitting the pitch in May as well, hurleys in hand and sloithars in
the air.
That is it for now. Next month, Mother’s Day, Honoree Dinner, and Bealtine,
the start of summer in Ireland. That, and the elections.
Siochan agus slan. Peace and health.
– Brian Witt
Briangwitt@shamrockclubwis.com
INDEX
Color Guard News and Notes
Hello! As we head into April, the band would like to thank all of its
supporters for its March debut for the 2008 season. It was a whirlwind couple
of weeks with the Brendan Heart Fund, Shamrock Club meeting, Milwaukee, Chicago
and New London St. Patrick’s Day parades, St. Patricks day itself, and the
Easter Rising Mass. Whew. My kilt is back in the closet for a well deserved
rest! Seeing the strength of the band this early in the year is exciting,
my fifth season going down the street. To see how much we’ve changed in that
small amount of five year’s time is inspiring and each and every face in
“The big Green Machine” has contributed to that feat, large and small.
While April is slow for us, we’re back to practice again for the start
of our parade season in May. Don’t forget our Dinner Train and Silent Auction
fundraiser on April 26! See Heather Majusiak or the website for complete
details.
Asides... CONGRATS to our very own Del Canon who was chosen as Parade
Marshal for the 2008 Milwaukee St. Patrick’s day parade. What an honor, Del.
Also in April, the Canon clan heads to Belfast for Erin’s dance competition.
Believe it was Worlds? I hear Erin qualified as a soloist this year.. Talented
lass. Congrats, Erin, and good luck!
Our very own Super Dave Culver, I hear, has sent in his audition tape
to be a part of the 2009 Rose Bowl Parade Honor Band, with over 400 members.
I have a good feeling about this, folks. I truly think he’ll get it. I taught
flags for many years with Bands of Ameria, the outfit that puts together
these bands and many national workshops and competitions. They advocate music
and music education in schools as their main focus. Their mission statement
is “To create, provide and expand positively life-changing experiences through
music for all.” Being a part of a marching band in high school, drum corps
later in college, and then a SWAG volunteer with Bands of America changed
my life forever as I was led down avenues never open before. I know he’ll
enjoy himself for sure. Good luck Super Dave. I’ll have to start a fundraiser
to get you and your mom to Pasadena!!!
And lastly, a get-well-in-a-hurry wish to piper Kari Quinlin, who has
a stress fracture in her foot. Hopefully by press time, the cast will be
off.
Well everyone, for this month again, I’ll keep it on the short side. See everyone in the merry month of May.
– Noel Tylla, 5th year piper
INDEX
42nd Annual Parade
There was snow on the ground and in the air on March 8, and the temperature
was as low as 18 degrees. However, there were still 160 units taking to the
street for the 42nd Annual St Patrick’s Parade. Thanks to all who attended,
marched, or worked that day, or before.
The Shamrock Club Board voted to name the Best Irish Unit the Thomas
J. Smith Best Irish unit. The first winner was the Glencastle Irish Dancers,
led by Tom’s daughter, Bridget Smith Jaskulski.
Awards were given to the following units in the 42nd Annual St Patrick’s Parade.
• Best Marching Unit - New York Police Department
• Best Musical Unit – Shamrock Club Color Guard Pipes and Drums
• Best Parade Unit – Daley Debs
• Thomas J. Smith Best Irish Unit– Glencastle Irish Dancers
• Best Float – Trinity Irish Dancers
• Directors Choice – Rince Nia Dance School
INDEX
Honoree Get-together April 13
The 2008 Irish honorees, Irishman Joseph Hughes, Irish Rose Linda Tuescher,
and Parade Marshal Del Canon would like to invite the Shamrock Club and their
friends to a get-together at the ICHC on April 13. It will run from 1-5 pm.
INDEX
Honoree Dinner May 18
Milwaukee’s Honoree Dinner will be May 18 at Serb Hall, 51 and Oklahoma.
Food choices will be Stuffed Pork Chops, Lemon Chicken, or Top Sirloin.
Please contact Brian Witt at (414) 423-4383 for reservations. This dinner
will honor our 2008 Irish honorees, Joseph Hughes, Linda Tuescher, and Del
Canon.
INDEX
Spring Hallamór Concert #3
Nova Scotia Traditions
April 12, 2008 8 p.m.
Atlantc Wave Opening 7 p.m.
We welcome back three musicians and dancers, who delighted audiences
from the ICHC stage last February. Andrea Beaton, Kimberley Fraser, and Troy
MacGillivray grew up immersed in music and culture and are delighted to share
their talents with us. Joining the group this year is special guest, Nuala
Kennedy from Dundalk, Co. Louth, Ireland.
Prior to the concert, there will be a ceili on Friday evening, April
11, and workshops on Saturday afternoon. An Italian dinner will be served
after the workshops. For more information, please go to [www.ichc.net].
Irish Cultural and Heritage Center
2133 W. Wisconsin Ave. / Milwaukee, 53233
[www.ichc.net] 414-345-8800
Tickets: $19 Advance/reserved, $21 Day of Concert
$2 service fee for credit card orders.
INDEX
Scholarship Raffle
The Shamrock Club Scholarship Raffle is happy to announce a number of
exciting prizes. The Grand Prize is two round trip tickets on Air Tran airline
to anywhere in the continental United States to which they fly.
• Grand Prize: 2 ROUND TRIP TICKETS FROM AIR TRAN AIRLINES
• 1st Prize: Golf Package at Brown Deer from Milwaukee County
• 2nd Prize: A pair of Season Tickets from the ICHC
• 3rd Prize: Waterford Crystal from Waterford Wedgewood Store, Pleasant Prairie
• 4th Prize: One night stay at County Clare Inn - Milwaukee
• 5th Prize: Beleek vase
• 6th Prize: $250 Silver Celtic knot bracelet from Reflective Images
• 7th Prize: Irish framed photo by Ken Tehan - $300 value
• 8th Prizes: Gift cards to local and national restaurants
INDEX
Nomination of
Milwaukee Officers
Nominations are being taken at the April meeting for the May elections.
The following have been nominated and accepted their nominations:
Trustee – none; Membership Chair – Denis Donohoe and Noel Tylla; Secretary
– Linda Teuscher,;Treasurer – John Fisher; Parliamentarian – Josh Walton;
Vice-President – Dawn Fleming; Sergeant of Arms – none; President – Julie
Smith.
INDEX
Donn’s Poetry Corner
Irish poet and philosopher John O’Donohue died January 12, 2008. He was
laid to rest in Fanore, Co. Clare. This poem is from “To Bless the Space
Between us: A Book of Blessings” published by Doubleday Religion, released
March 4, 2008. Poem copyrighted John O’Donohue, 2008.
Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows, And music echoes eternal tones.
INDEX
Sunshine Club
Muriel Crowley recently had knee replacement surgery.
Kari Quinlan recently suffered a hairline fracture in her tibia.
Jim Kennedy, brother of Jane Fitzgibbons, passed away recently.
John Patrick Goodwin died recently. He was the son of Grace and the late
Donn Goodwin, brother of Christopher and Michael. Donn was the editor of
Emerald Reflections for many years.
If you have any information about members, please contact me, Joe Donovan, (414) 259-8040.
INDEX
Members’ Doings
Mike and Brigid Boyle recently spent time in England and Germany. Brigid
was also the featured guest on Fox News morning show, where she had her two
Irish wolfhounds, as a promo for the St. Patrick’s Parade.
Ed and Betty Mikush, and Bob and Debbie Mikush got a chance to enjoy spring training in Arizona.
Mary Beth Holloway spent Easter in the Phoenix area.
Pat, Jane and Jack Fitzgibbons spent Easter in Alabama on vacation.
Cynthia Nazario recently spent time at Cape Canaveral, Florida.
Libby Whelan, daughter of David and Victoria Whelan, recently joined Cashel Dennehy.
INDEX
Shamrock Club Color Guard, Pipes & Drums
1st Annual
Dinner Train & Silent Auction
Saturday, April 26, 2008
4:45 – 5:30 p.m. Cocktail Hour • 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. Dinner Train
Relax to the view of the countryside and Irish music playing
aboard the Elegant Dinner Train at the East Troy Electric Railroad
Cash bar open for the duration of the evening. Restrooms available on train.
Silent Auction 4:45 – 6:30 p.m.
Winners will be notified before leaving for the night.
Dinner for the evening will include:
Tenderloin Medallions and Pecan Crusted Stuffed Chicken /
Fresh Tomato Bruschetta on Baguette Bread as an appetizer /
Mixed Green Salad with a choice of two dressings /
Dinner rolls & butter / Red Skin Potatoes in Garlic and Dill Butter /
Honey Glazed Carrots / Death by Chocolate Torte / Coffee, Tea and Milk
Cost is $80 per person / $150 per couple
ALL PROCEEDS WILL BENEFIT THE SHAMROCK CLUB COLOR GUARD, PIPES & DRUMS.
East Troy Electric Railroad is located approx. 30 minutes Southwest of Milwaukee, just off of I-43 in East Troy
Name(s): ____________________________________
Address: ____________________________________
City/State/Zip: _____________________________
Phone: ______________________________________
Number of Guests: ___________ ($80 per ticket / $150 per couple)
Amount Enclosed $____________________________
Please make checks payable to our Director:
Richard Pfeiffer, please put “dinner train” in memo line.
Mail payments and direct questions to:
Heather Majusiak,
1874 W. Windlake Ave.
Milwaukee, WI 53215
(414) 630-4813, [heather@sccgpd.com]
You will receive your tickets in the mail 1 to 2 weeks after submitting
payment. A map to the railroad will be included with your tickets.
For more information, visit: [www.sccgpd.com]
INDEX
David Francey
Canadian singer-songwriter David Francey will bring his beautifully crafted
songs, vivid stories, and wry humor back to the Irish Fest Center, 1532 Wauwatosa
Ave., Milwaukee, on Friday, May 2. Tickets for the 8 p.m. concert are $15.
Guitarist/bouzouki player Craig Werth will accompany David as well as adding
harmonies and some of his own original songs.
Recognized as one of Canada’s most revered folksingers, David was born
in Ayrshire, Scotland and emigrated to Toronto with his parents when was
12 years old.
His attachment to his adopted country grew as he hitchhiked from one
end of Canada to the other. This attachment, the people he met along the
way and jobs as varied as truck driver and carpenter, surface in his songs
of rail lines, farms, and the St. Lawrence Seaway. David’s songs and stories
have been recorded by numerous other artists including the Barra MacNields
and the Rankin Family. He has played many of the major festivals and concert
stages across North American as well as Europe and Australia.
David was recently nominated for a 2008 JUNO award for his seventh album,
Right of Passage. This is the fourth nomination for the two-time JUNO (the
Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) winner in the past six years. He was named
one of the top 100 folk artists of the past 25 years in 2007 by WUMB, Boston’s
folk music station.
“David Francey’s songs are lean, whippet-like creations…. He takes the
everyday… and elevates it into something infinitely more noble and memorable….”
– Eric Bogle, Australia.
Call (414) 332-8521 or e-mail [kathy@turkeyhollow] for information and advance tickets.
INDEX
Celtic Women Lectures
The April lecture will feature topics from the Welsh and Cornish heritages.
Jerome Trewyn, descendent of Cornwall and Wales ancestors, will relate “Gifts
the Cornish Have Given the World”. And they are many. He will speak on April
4 to our lecture group. Please join us for a cup of tea and cookies as we
enjoy these topics.
All lectures are held from 5:30–7 p.m. at the ICHC. $7 admission. Everyone
welcome! Please call (414) 257-3770 if you have questions.
INDEX
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