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Holiday Folk Fair –
The Culture of Weaving
by Brian Witt
Weaving is an important part of any civilization. Without the ability to join fibers together, clothing would be difficult to construct. The more advanced a group of people are, the greater the need for more intricate clothing.
According to the Irish Weavers Guilds, weaving has been a part of Irish history from the beginning. “From earliest times fibres have played a vital part in human life, not only as a means of clothing, but also as basic commodities such as wool, silk, linen and cotton, on which entire empires have been based.
“Without the skill to spin a thread and to weave it into cloth, textiles as we know them today would not exist. The invention of the spindle for twisting fibres into yarn was on a level with that of the wheel, in terms of importance for the progress of civilization.”
The earliest known evidence in Ireland of woven material dates from about 1600 B.C., as pottery from that period shows signs of woven material in which the clay was placed before firing. A fragment of cloth in the National Museum, found in a bog in County Antrim, is dated from at least 700 B.C.
Stone spinning whorls have been recovered from many excavations such as crannogs or lake dwellings of the first and second centuries B.C., although we know that spinning was certainly practised in Ireland in Neolithic times. Fragments of woven fabric and weaving tools have been found in the excavations of Viking and Medieval Dublin.
So important were the skills of spinning and weaving in early Ireland, that the Brehon Laws, written about 600-800 A.D. lay down as part of a wife’s entitlement in case of divorce, that she should keep her spindles, wool bags, weaver’s reeds and a share of the yarn she had spun and the cloth she had woven.
Ireland was like many other lands, in that different cultures had to be integrated into a seamless cloth. The island was invaded by a series of Celtic tribes, each bringing beliefs, gods, and customs to the mix, many of them spun into the threads of common life, with colorations to give the final cloth a distinct pattern. Later invasions by the Vikings, English and Normans gave new strands to be added to the weave. The introduction of Protestant Germans and French to Ireland added yet more material. The weft of the old Gaelic order was pushed against the warp of the Normans.
Still, if you look at a weaving, you will see the threads and the ties that give lie to a seamless cloth. There are bumps, uneven spots, and vagaries to the cloth. But a good weaving is one that people appreciate as colorful, strong, and functional.
We are again the face of the Irish community in this area. Each year we are called upon to represent the Irish, to show the world what we are, what we have done, and what we can do. To do that, the Shamrock Club will need volunteers for our retail, cultural, and food areas. We also need to sell tickets to the Folk Fair.
Admission is as follows: Adults $8 in advance. Tickets will be available for sale at the November membership meeting. You can also use the accompanying order form to purchase tickets via mail.
As a sponsoring group of the Fair we need to sell a number of tickets or make up the cost elsewhere
We will need help in a number of areas. If you would like to work a four hour shift at the Holiday Folk Fair, please contact the Shamrock Club’s Holiday Folk Fair Chairwomen: (General) Malkin Wallace, (414) 234-0653, or [Malkin218@aol.com]; (Food) Mary Culver at [redheadgardener@hotmail.com]; (Sales) Linda Tuescher at (262) 893-5175, or [ltuescher@yahoo.com]; or (Cultural) Heather Majusiak, (414) 837-6790, or [heather@kiltedheather.com]. Or contact us at our e-mail address, [info@shamrockclubwis.com]. You will receive the annual Folk Fair participant pin, plus admission for Folk Fair for all three days.
Our Dance School Coordinator is Bridget Jaskulski. She can be reached at [Bridget@GlencastleIrishDancers.com]. McMennamin and Glencastle Adult Dancers will be performing.
The Holiday Folk Fair will have a number of special events during the course of the weekend. They will include Dance Pavilion: a place to learn dances from around the world. Also: Food from around the world; unique gifts for you and someone special; international entertainment; cultural exhibits to assist you in learning about your heritage. There will be an Interdenominational Religious Service on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Holiday Folk Fair International is produced by the International Institute of Wisconsin. The International Institute is a not for profit organization dedicated to international cooperation, and a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural perspective through education, exchange, communication, social activities, and immigration and naturalization services.
Ireland today is in the midst of developing new weaves, due to the arrival of people from Eastern Europe and Africa in recent years, when the Celtic Tiger was at its roaring strongest. And when you see the Shamrock Club representing Irish life in Wisconsin, you see the mixture of threads in the new Irish-American cloth. There are Poles, Germans, Italians, Filipino, French and many, many more that make up this encompassing woven blanket. Join us at Folk Fair, and help us represent Irish life for the weekend. Please join our weave, Le do thoill.
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2009 HOLIDAY FOLK FAIR
State Fair Park
November 20, 21, 22, 2009
The Shamrock Club must sell 125 Holiday Folk Fair Tickets
Any unsold tickets must be purchased by the club at full value.
HELP US MEET OUR GOAL!
If you are a teacher, please contact us on advance tickets.
SAVE NOW ON
ADVANCE SALE FOLK FAIR TICKETS
Please send me ______ advance sale Holiday Folk Fair Tickets
at $8 each.
Name:___________________________
Address:________________________
City/State: ____Zip:____________
Make your ticket request to:
MURIEL CROWLEY
1020 Georges Ave.
Brookfield, WI 53045
Your tickets will be sent to you by return mail and are good on any of the three days of Folk Fair: November 20, 21, 22.
MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO:
SHAMROCK CLUB OF WISCONSIN
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Wisconsin Shamrock Club
State Advisory Board Meeting
August 15, 2009. The Wisconsin Shamrock Club State Advisory Board met at Trinity Three Irish Pubs on August 15, 2009. Members present were John and Jan Delmore (South Central), Jason and Tiffany Donahoe (LaFayette County), Brian Witt (Milwaukee), Linda Pfaff, Victoria Hampe and Linda Boyle (La Crosse) Harry and Pat McCarthy (Dane County), Judi and Mooch Barrington and Larry and Carrie Laterzynske (New Dublin).
President John Delmore called the meeting to order. The minutes from the May 4 meeting were reviewed and approved. The treasurer had $200 held in the Dane County Shamrock Club account. $140 was paid to Speed Pro of Madison for the State Board sign leaving the State Board with $60 held in the Dane County Shamrock club account.
Clubs present shared current activities and concerns. The clubs have been busy with the following activities:
Dane County – Lunch Bunch gatherings are popular, election of officers, summer picnic, members attending the summer’s Irish festivals, organizational meeting for the upcoming year with a special celebration for their 35th year in 2010. Appx 90 members.
New Dublin – Large attendance for their parade and their entire Irish week; made a $10,000 donation, assisted with Oshkosh’s first Irish festival and it was a success, Half-way picnic in September, planning for next year’s parade. 46 members.
LaFayette – Participated in the parade and have upgraded their float. Membership roster is a couple dozen.
South Central – First year for a $1000 scholarship award for a student studying in the special needs field, held a successful fundraiser for a grand prize of a trip to Ireland for two. Raffle tickets were sold for $5 or 3 for $10.
Milwaukee – Election of officers, raffle with grand prize of a trip to Ireland at Castledaly Manor, near Athlone, Ireland, Raffle tickets sold for 3/$10; awarded five scholarships, half-way to St Patrick’s Day Party in September, essay contest (why I and my family want to be on a Shamrock club float), 50th anniversary of Milwaukee’s club coming in 2010.
LaCrosse – Irish Festival was successful, created and sold their first Shamrock Club cookbook for $12 and new club magnets, New application form and business card were created, Irish whiskey event, 183 members.
Continual club concerns are getting more people to join and getting current members more involved in club activities.
Arthur Cola, author of Papa and the Leprechaun King – Novel and Audio Book and Papa and the Gingerbread Man, was a guest at the meeting. He gave an update on his books. Coming in November 2009 is The Shamrock Crown and the Legend of Excalibur [www.american-book.com]; coming in 2010, the history fiction fantasy epic: The Stone Cutter Genius. If anyone is interested in information on the books and fundraising, please contact Arthur at [arthurcola@yahoo.com] or at (262) 308-0743.
Business cards for the State Board display are still needed for the Green Bay and Appleton clubs. The display is being held in Milwaukee.
The next meeting will be held Saturday, November 7 in the Reedsburg area. John Delmore will host the meeting. Details of the time and location will come in a later e-mail.
Our many thanks to Brian Witt for coordinating the meeting and for the Irish Fest passes that he gave to each of us. Trinity Three Irish Pubs is located at 125 E. Juneau in Milwaukee. If ever in the area, be sure to check it out, food is good and it’s a lovely venue.
Respectfully submitted Sept 22, ’09,
Pat McCarthy, Secretary,
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South Central
Shamrock Club News
CHRISTMAS PARTY
Current plans call for our Annual Christmas Party to be held on Dec. 6 at noon at the Baraboo Country Club.
Diane Michaels will provide the entertainment. She will perform Christmas as well as Celtic music. She plays the guitar, mountain dulcimer, folk harp, banjo and the Irish whistle.
The menu calls for a buffet featuring Atlantic salmon, chicken marsala and Guinness pie, Irish soda bread, potatoes, vegetable, green salad and a fruit salad will be included. Dessert will feature the soon-to-be-famous Irish bread pudding with Irish whiskey sauce.
We plan on a cash bar starting at noon, entertainment from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m. and the buffet starting at 1:15. You won’t want to miss this one. Bring your friends!
Birthday Wishes to: Pat Hanes 11/14; Dick Baker 11/18; Barb Fish 11/29.
Anniversary Wishes to Dan and Donna Horkan – Happy 50th on Nov. 28.
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Milwaukee President’s Message
In November, you can hold onto your believing there will be no bad weather and your favorite football team is undefeated. The leaves that have fallen should only blow into your neighbor’s yard, and your car battery will last another season. The thirty point buck is already gone, and they’re running out of bullets everywhere.
But don’t worry about that because the Shamrock Club members are looking forward to the Folk Fair, and working together as volunteers. It’s a privilege to represent the Irish each year, and to meet all the people representing their country’s heritage. While working at the booth in the cultural area, the questions from the children are wide ranging and surprising; Many people like to stop and tell us about their trip to Ireland, and this year we can tell them about our upcoming trip next year. The food booth is always popular with the crowd, and the efforts required are mighty. Walking to our retail booth will again make you proud with the attractive and high quality merchandise selected. All these areas are under the direction of Malkin Wallace, Mary Culver has the food booth, Linda Tuescher has the retail area, and Heather Majusiak is responsible for the cultural booth. Please join the fun as a volunteer, or come to the Folk Fair as a customer, but do come and shop and eat. We also thank the Glencastle Adult Dancers for representing us, and McMenamin dancers are our youth representatives for the first time. We appreciated all of you for giving your time and talent to us.
The week after Folk Fair, will find all the local dance schools headed for the Midwest dance competitions in Ohio. Our dancers should all do well, and many qualify to compete at the world competition in April 2010. The practices will prove to be the thing that brings out the talent. Good luck to every school, and bring back the medals and trophies.
We recently lost our dear brother-in-law, Larry Henkel. Some of you may remember him from our club golf outings at Lakeside Country Club in Pewaukee, or seeing him at various club events. Please remember him in your prayers. One of the many people in attendance was our Mother’s oldest kid, Joe Donahue. Joe told me he reads this column each month, so here’s your name in print Joe, and thanks for being a faithful friend and reader.
Happy Thanksgiving to all as well as your family and friends. May there be a plentiful bounty to share at your table, and more important, friends and family to share it with.
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Upcoming Board Meetings
Here is a list of upcoming board meeting for the Shamrock Club (Milwaukee): November 18; December 17.
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ICHC Concerts
Paddy Keenan in
ICHC Parlour Concert Nov. 7
Paddy Keenan, one of the greatest virtuosos of the Irish uilleann (elbow) pipes, will perform in the Parlour of the Irish Cultural and Heritage Center, 2133 W. Wisc. Ave., on Saturday, Nov. 7, at 7:30 p.m. Joining Keenan is critically acclaimed guitarist and singer-songwriter Patsy O’Brien. Keenan will conduct a workshop on the pipes and tin whistles and O’Brien a guitar workshop in DADGAD tuning from 2-4 p.m. the day of the concert.
Keenan was born in County Meath, Ireland, where both his father and grandfather were uilleann pipers. Keenan was a founding member of the Bothy Band in the ’70s, which merged a driving rhythm section with traditional Irish tunes and forever changed the face of Irish music. Along with Keenan, the band included luminaries such as Triona Ni Dhomhnaill, Micheal O’Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin, Matt Molloy, Tommy Peoples, Kevin Burke, and Donal Lunny who described Keenan as the “Jimi Hendrix of the pipes.” Keenan has also been compared to jazz great John Coltrane because of his genius for improvisation and counter-melody.
The pipes can sound like a small orchestra with chordal accompaniment and drones and the result has a sweeter and quieter tone than that of the Scottish pipes.
Admission to the Nov. 7 Keenan concert is $12 for adults and $10 for students. The workshops are $25 each. For concert reservations and information, call Kathy at (414) 332-8521. For information on the uilleann pipes / whistles workshop, call (920) 735-6587 and for the guitar workshop, call (414) 803-4262. Information on other ICHC events is available at [www.ichc.net].
Alasdair Fraser and Natalie Haas
At ICHC Nov. 14
Internationally acclaimed Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and dynamic cello player Natalie Haas will perform in the ICHC’s Hallamor on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 7:30 p.m. Prior to the concert, from 2-5 p.m., the duo will conduct an all-ages workshop on their respective instruments.
Pre-concert music in Quinlan’s Pub will be provided by the Irish music trio RiRa from 6:30-7:15 p.m. RiRa includes Jack Congleton on bodhran, Kathleen Congleton on keyboards, and Ed Poloucek on fiddle with special guest, cellist Suzanne Hayworth.
“The musical chemistry between Scottish fiddle legend Alasdair Fraser and young cello ace Natalie Haas is a rare, felicitous thing.” – Boston Herald
Fraser is regarded as Scotland’s premier fiddle ambassador with a long list of awards, concerts, television appearances, and solo performances on movie soundtracks including Last of the Mohicans and Titanic. Just two of his past guest appearances include being a featured soloist along with violinist Itzhak Perlman at New York’s Lincoln Center and playing a solo tribute to honoree Sean Connery at the Kennedy Center Honors.
Haas is a graduate of the prestigious Julliard School of Music in New York and currently a teacher at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. She has also performed with fiddler Natalie MacMaster and the Irish group Solas.
Fraser and Haas have released two CDs, Fire and Grace and In the Moment.
Tickets for the Fraser/Haas concert are $18 in advance and $20 the day of the show. The workshop is $30 and the workshop/concert combination is $45. For concert tickets and information, visit [www.ichc.net]. Concert tickets may also be ordered by calling (414) 345-8800. For workshop and concert/workshop tickets and information, call (262) 796-0579.
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Tartan Ball Nov. 7
On November 7 the Tripoli Scottish Highlanders will hold their 36th Annual Tartan Ball at Tripoli Shrine, 3001 W. Wisconsin. All are welcome to join us to enjoy Highland piping, Scottish and Irish dancing, haggis ceremony and scotch tasting. $50 per person / $90 per couple. Additional info: Tom Cobb (414) 422-9235 or Clay Simchick (414) 852-8855. Highlander Tartan Ball. c/o Tom Cobb, W167 S6827 Oak Hill Dr., Muskego WI 53150.
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Honoree Dinner
November 15, 2009
Chuck Ward, Irishman of the Year
Kathy Donovan, Irish Rose
Bill Sherry, Parade Marshal
This will be a sit-down dinner.
Serb Hall, 5100 West Oklahoma Avenue, Milwaukee
Attendees are to select entree in advance: lemon chicken or beef sirlion tips
Cost will be $25 per person and may be paid at the door.
Reservations must be received by November 8th.
Cash bar opens at 6 p.m. • Dinner begins at 7 p.m.
Call Julie Smith at (414) 384-4119, or email at [jesmith26@sbcglobal.net]
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Milwaukee
Christmas Party December 3
Our Christmas Party will take place December 3, 2009, at the ICHC. Setup at 6:30 p.m., dinner 7 p.m. Entertainment by Michael Tierney. We will provide beverages and the main dish. Please bring a dish to pass. We really need side dishes. A-L: bring desserts. M-Z: bring side dishes.
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Fire and Police Chili Cookoff
The annual Fire and Police Chili Cookoff will take place on November 14, 2009 at Derry’s Pub, 54 and Bluemound, from noon until 5 p.m. Attendees will vote on the best chili. It is a fundraiser for the Fire and Police Band. The Shamrock Club Color Guard Pipes and Drums, the Fire and Police Band, and others will entertain. Contact Doug Byers at [dougbyers@att.net] for more information.
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Veronica’s Corner Cupboard
November… thoughts of Thanksgiving dinner and all it represents. Please bring your favorite family casserole, breads or desserts. I do need your foods to supplement the chicken I’ll have ready. And, remember this meeting will be held at the Irish Fest Center in Wauwatosa, bring dishes ready to serve.
Excitement is mounting for the January Chili Competiton. We now have four entrants and several others who expressed interest. Please register with Veronica by December 15. Votes will be counted! Prizes will be awarded! Thanks and I want to hear from you.
–Veronica Ceszynski, (414) 228-8621
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Irish Honoree
Nominations Needed
We need nominations for Irishman of the Year, Irish Rose and Parade Marshal for 2010. Please submit them in writing by the January 2010 Milwaukee board meeting.
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50th Anniversary Meeting
Parade Contest, where winners will be allowed to ride on the float in the St. Patrick Day Parade 2010 are developing. The rubric is finished and will be printed on the St Patrick’s Day Parade website and the Shamrock Club website.
T-shirts are now price pointed at $15 because a $500 set-up fee was charged.
Raffle tickets sold well. High percentage of club members purchased tickets. The winners were:
• Veronica Ceszynski 1st place two Midwest Airlines tickets
• Bob Towne 2nd place Milwaukee Bucks tickets
• Bill Murphy 3rd place $100 cash
• Tom Kennedy 4th place Fado Silver earrings
Magnets for giveaway have been priced by Josh. The Ireland Trip is planned for the 1st Friday in October 2010 through following Sunday. More details will be released as the trip develops.
Calendar for Highlighted Guests at General meetings in 2010.
• Need to fit in Past Presidents at January meeting.
• Move parade Marshals to March w/ parade highlights.
• Parade contest float winners will be announced at January meeting but may attend either January or February meeting, whichever fits their schedules.
• Josh to notify guests for designated months.
• Q: Are dancers from dance schools going to dance at their meeting?
New Business
We are looking at building a time capsule? Suggested popcorn tin and duct tape. It will be opened in 25 years. We are looking where to bury it. It would be marked with the Shamrock Club flag. Members to add whatever they choose that fit in canister.
NEXT MEETING: Monday, Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. at Josh Walton’s home.
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Welcome New Members
David Frazer; Curt and Colleen Hart; Kim and Glen Nowak; Bill O’Day; Kimberly Poisley; Bob Lannin and Dianne Pritchard; Betty Spehar; Mary Elizabeth Stout; Catherine Tune. Welcome back to: Phillip and Mary June Hanrahan; Robert and Joyce O’Donnell.
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Members’ Doings
Colleen and Tom Kennedy recently spent time in Florida on vacation. Chuck Ward recently went to Ireland on behalf of Milwaukee Irish Fest. Jean Cardwell and Sue Dundon went to Las Vegas for vacation. Rich Pfeiffer was also out enjoying the nighttime sun of Las Vegas. Mary Beth Holloway went on a cruise from Boston to Nova Scotia. Barry Stapleton recently went on a non-Irish Fest trip to an Irish music festival. Shay and Traci Clarke have traversed most of North America in recent weeks.
John and Jane Walrath spent time in France. Mike and Chris Stephens attended their high school reunion for St. John’s Cathedral and reported how great everyone looked. Katie Stephens, daughter of Terry and Kathy Stephens, was married October 24.
Rosin Alba was born recently to Brigid O’Sullivan and Ryan Alba. She is the granddaughter of Jerry and Beth O’Sullivan.
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Sunshine Club
Larry Henkel died recently. Larry hosted the annual Shamrock Club Golf Outing for many years. Kathleen Steyes, the mother of Sue Suit, died recently. Thomas F. Tiernan, the father of Tom Tiernan, also passed away recently. Our condolences go out to their families.
Catherine Donovan and Muriel Crowley are recovered and back at home from rehabilitation stays. Brian Witt had more shoulder surgery recently. Diana Stroud had carpal tunnel surgery done. Ed Ward had hip replacement surgery. Please send them good wishes.
Ruby Tylenda-Emmons, daughter of Dan and Kerry Tylenda-Emmons, and granddaughter of Liz Tylenda, is still in NICU, due to a heart condition.
If you have any information about members, please contact me, Joe Donovan, (414) 259-8040.
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