Established 1966
Harp Strings
The Official Newsletter of the Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas Summer 2014 Volume 47
Issue 5
Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day!
Mark your Calendar for the 8th Annual Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Hooley and Irish Stew
and Irish Soda bread Tasting Contests. The Event will be held at the Beethoven on September 20, 2014. Doors open at 4 pm. Installation of the Harp and Shamrock Board of Directors takes place at 4:30. There will be music, bagpipes, dancing and Food, food, food. See the application in this newsletter, page 7, to be part of this fun and friendly tasting competition. We hope you will enter into the lively competition along with many of our past champions taking part again this year. And of course we hope Christine Hipp (picture left) joins us to defend her historic “ Double Crown”, winning both Peoples’ Choice and Official Irish Stew Tasting in last year’s competition. No Pressure! The Beethoven is at 422 Pereida St, San Antonio. Where there is always plenty of free parking. continued page 3
St Patrick’s Day River Parade We had great crowds
for the St. Patrick’s Day River parade. The weather even cooperated! The hit of the parade was the amazing homemade T-shirt cannon. Pictured at right at the front of the Lion & Rose sponsored SAGAC boat. Pictured left with Carolyn Dowd, are the inventors, Laura Domyanic and Joshua Hunt. It was a real crowd pleaser! At left was the fun crowd in front of Durty Nelly’s. At right it was a standing room only crowd at the Arneson River Theatre as our member barge entered. www.harpandshamrock.org
From the President
HARP AND SHAMROCK SOCIETY OF TEXAS, INC P.O.Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212
PRESIDENT Kevin P. Dowd 210-845-4424 VICE PRESIDENT Bob Meade 210-946-7220 2nd VICE PRESIDENT Melissa Schulz 210-445-2777 TREASURER J.T. Norris 210-621-3407 SECRETARY Dana Goodman 210-219-7356 CHAPLAIN Bill Merriman 210-259-3482 BOARD of DIRECTORS Melinda Britten 210-699-8632 Carolyn Dowd 210-896-1598 Darryl Britten 210-215-9952 Elissa O’Brien 210-348-6877 Joan Moody 210-656-2666 Erin O’Brien 210-348-6877 Ryan Stone 210-849-1215 Rob Holden 210-243-5067 Terence Peak 210-829-3920 Derek Cossey 210-886-8640 J. Sean Habina 210-523-9267 Allison Hicks 210-822-1182 IRISHMAN OF THE YEAR Eileen Burke Faught 2014 Editor in Chief Kevin Patrick Dowd 210-845-4424 The Staff: Carolyn Dowd John McCarthy Mariee Pilkington Terry Peak Remember PayPal™ for your online donation!
©2014 Dowd Ranch Publishing
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At one point the youngsters took over the silent auction table for some fun and games at the election meeting.
As my presidency comes to a close I’d like to reflect on some of the happenings over the past two years. Our Saint Patrick statue was repaired and is now prominently on display in the library at UIW. Plans are in the works to do some educational talks about it and Irish history as part of our March events on the campus of the University of the Incarnate Word. There will be plenty of volunteer oppourtunities! We’ve been working closer with the SAGAC and helping them promote the golf scramble and raise their profile in SA. Pictured below center: the chairman of the SAGAC Sean Hipp presenting me with the newest kit with all the Irish organization logos printed on it. Below right: I was able to help at a Fiesta fundraising event helping Laura Domyancic serving cerveza. Below left: I want to welcome Dana Goodman as our next president, we seem to be having fun at last years Halfway. I hope I can help Dana as much as she has helped me. Plus my predecessor, Terry Peak, has set the bar high! He has worked harder than ever to keep this society going in the right direction. Thanks also to my VP Bob Meade, who stepped in to help cover while I spent some time in NYC cleaning up after Super storm Sandy. Big thanks to our treasurer, JT Norris. He has reignited the society’s dream of an Irish center! Thanks go to all my hard working board members. I’m not going anywhere since our bylaws have the past president staying on the board for 2 more years. Which will bring us to our 50th Anniversary. Why don’t you think of helping us plan that big event? Volunteers are what keep non-profit organizations alive. And over the past years I’ve found our volunteers are AMAZING! Go raibh maith agat. Slainte! Kevin Patrick Dowd shamrockeditor@gmail.com
Awards Dinner
continued from page 1
Sue Brannon, San Antonio Pipes and Drums, Kelly Singers, and Inishfree Irish Dancers will provide the afternoon’s entertainment. Come on out for some fun, fellowship and some “friendly” competition to support your Harp and Shamrock Society. For a $10 donation “ You can be the Judge” in the Peoples Choice category. As always our events would not be successful without the volunteers who make it happen. Thank you! Please contact Carolyn Dowd or David Patrick if you would like to volunteer to help at the halfway.
Sports Report
The San Patricios, pictured above, at the Texas League Finals in Austin, Jun 14th. The boyos played their best but fell short of a win. They are getting stronger every season and will be heading to the North American Gaelic Games Finals in Boston, Mass. Fri. August 29th. What a weekend! When they return from there they will be in full swing promoting the 4th Annual SAGAC Golf Scramble!
The Harp and Shamrock is proud to give our full support to this event. And your donation to support Irish football is tax deductble! Mark your calander for Oct. 3rd, 8a.m. @ Silverhorn Golf Club.
We had an historic awards dinner at the Petroleum Club. Eileen Burke Faught received the Irishman of the Year for 2014! Her father, Professor Sean Burke was one of our founders and was the recipient of the very first Irishman of the year, as well as her mom, Margaret also a past recipient of this honor. Pictured above: Mary Jo Quinn, last years Irishman, is presenting Eileen the honor with the able assistance of Shannon Faught. Congratulations! Outstanding members and volunteers Dana Goodman and Ked Mullins received the Cusack Family Awards. Pictured below: Eileen Burke Faught, Ked Mullins, Dana Goodman and Kevin Dowd. We had a well attended truly classy awards banquet and will be planning to do it again with style. See you in 2015!
Facebook/SAGAC or www.sanantoniogac.org
Letter to the Editor: Just a note to thank everyone associated with the golf scramble, as always everyone made us welcome. My daughter, Kate, and I were lucky enough to win, not once but twice for closet to the pin. It would be a shame for these to go to waste on a couple of Floridians. We do plan on returning again next year… we would like the Harp to put these to good use. Thanks again for making us feel like family each year that we attend. Looking forward to next year. Regards, Jack & Mary Collins Ed: Thanks to the Collins for the re-gift! We’ll put them to good use. Look for them at our Halfway Hooley. (Letter edited for space.)
www.harpandshamrock.org
Irish @ Fiesta SA! Barb Patrick and Linda Grosse helped us represent the Irish at Pindemonium Alamo Plaza during the citywide Fiesta celebration. Terry Peak’s designed pins were a big hit this year.
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STAIF @University of the Incarnate Word
The rain held off for our first St. Patrick’s Day Parade in three years. Thanks to Linda and Marty Grosse for all the hard work. The Memorial Services Detachment (MSD) Friday Squad Color Guard led the way and our parade banner was back in business. We had Sr. Walter Maher of UIW as our 2013 Grandmarshal. The Fiesta Military Ambassadors were kind enough to judge our parade entrants. Once the parade ended the sky opened up and didn’t stop. Blaggards rocked the house! They were joined by Irish dancers who also braved the cold rainy evening. Thanks to Carolyn for also braving the rain to get this shot. For more photos see or website. www.harpandshamrock.org 4
San Antonio Food Bank
Part of our mission in San Antonio is to give back, impact our community and let people know the Irish are here. We had a great turnout for some hard and rewarding work at the San Antonio Food Bank. All those food drives and donation bags end up having to be broken down into food groups. Just a little FYI: Peanut butter is #1! Top right: Elvira Holden is almost moving too fast for the camera to catch her. Bottom right: Sean Habina takes a much needed break. That empty wall behind our folks was filled with food that needed dividing. Left is our very proud group shot in front of the tote board. from left to right, standing: Darryl Britten, Mary Jo Quinn, Sean Habina, Phil Harris, Melinda Britten, Peggy Harris, Pat Peak, Barbara Patrick, Terry Peak, J.T. Norris, Elvira Holden and David Patrick; kneeling Carolyn Dowd, Kevin Dowd and Melissa Schulz. To see how you can help visit: www.safoodbank.org The Alamo Ceremony was a beautiful day. Pictured right: I was honored to be presenting the wreath with Irishman of the Year, Eileen Burke Faught, while her mother, Margaret Burke watched, and her daughter Shannon Faught read the names of the Irish and Irish Americans who died at the Alamo. Upper left: getting ready for the river parade. Left: Sue and Bob Brannon lead one member barge, while at right another members barge enjoys the parade.
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Election Meeting and Whiskey Tasting
In Memoriam
Donald J. Mach has entered into our Lord’s care on Monday, February 11, 2014. Born in El Campo,Texas he attended St. John’s Seminary followed by graduating from St. Mary’s University with his law degree. Don practiced law in Bexar and Atascosa counties for over 40 years. He was very well respected by his colleagues and was once voted one of “The Best Criminal Lawyers in San Antonio.” He was an active, original member of the Harp serving many years Above from left to right: Mike on the Board and as our president, and served as & Christine Dodd, Brenda parade commissioner for several years. Don was Tobey, Melissa Schulz, Steve & honored as Irishman of the Year in 1982. He was Summer McKenna and Atha tremendous help to my Uncle Pat on the ranch, ena Dodd. Pictured left: David and a big influence on me the summers I lived Patrick looks ready to join the here. He had a great sense of humor and would SAGAC boys on the pitch for take me to court with him as his intern. Many of the next game. Below: Carolyn his clients will remember him for his pro bono Dowd, Mary Jo Quinn, Terry services helping them through difficult times in Peak, Pat Peak and Barbara their lives. He is survived by his former spouse Patrick look like they are havSue Miller and their son Patrick Mach and his ing fun waiting for the election stepsister Trisha Miller, her three grandchildren, results. And here they are: Dana Goodman, president; his loving wife Sharry Mach, and his five bothers Melissa Schulz, vice president; Melinda Britten, 2nd vice and sisters. president; J.T. Norris, treasurer; Diana Jordan, secretary. Board members: Michael J. O’Brien, Mike Dodd, Barbara Patrick, and Terry Peak. Plus the bylaw change passed by a healthy majority. Special thanks to Phil and Harry William Brooks, age Tim at Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub on the Riverwalk for 93, passed away May 2, 2014, their generous donation! in San Antonio. One of the Greatest Generation, he was a survivor of Pearl Harbor. He served in the Navy in World War II and the Korean War. He was preceded in death by his wife, Kay. Harry and Kay Brooks were tremendously hard working members of the Harp and Shamrock Society. He is survived by his son, John L. Brooks and wife Deborah of San Antonio; son, Robert W. Brooks and wife Nancy of Friendswood; daughter, Melissa E. Seitze and husband David of San Antonio; grandchildren, Christy Brooks, Sarah Rhoads and husband Jonathan, Timothy Brooks and Madeline Seitze. 6
Thanks to all the volunteers who manned our booth for the Highland Games. It is always a fun weekend and a chance to make new friends! Pictured right: Some visiters got a chance to meet our salesman of the weekend, Bill Kennedy! Behind him are Michael J. O’Brien, Kevin Dowd and Phil Harris. Below: Me with Bill and Elissa O’Brien, Melinda and Darryl Britten, and Marian Freeland. Below right I’m talking with a new member and great volunteer James Gorman.
The 2013 San Antonio Highland Games
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Phone #_________________ Irish Soda Bread $10 _____
Proceeds from this event a support for St. Patrick’s Day River Parade. Join us for St. Patrick’s Day River Parade, March 15, 2015 A 501c3 Organization
For more information Harpandshamrock.org Email: cdowdpa@hotmail.com
Name_______________________ Irish Stew $10_____
Deadline for entering Contest is September 10, 2014. All entries must be pre registered.
CONTEST APPLICATION
6. Have fun and earn the bragging rights to the best Irish stew or soda bread in Texas
Rules: 1. Make your favorite family Irish stew or soda bread recipe. 2. Stew and bread must be turned in and ready for judging no later than 5 pm. SHARP. No late arrivals will be eligible for judging. 3. Stew should be brought in at least a 5 Qt. crockpot, roaster or chafing dish, hot and ready to serve. 4. Two categories of judging, ‘Peoples Choice’ and Official “Blinded” judges for the Irish stew. ‘Peoples Choice’ category for the Irish Soda Bread. Prizes will be awarded. 5. Email application to Cdowdpa@hotmail.com or patsdayparade@yahoo.com by Sept. 10. Pay registration through Paypal @ harpandshamrock.org
Irish Stew And Irish Soda Bread Tasting Contest
Irish Stew & Soda Bread Appreciation Society International
8th Annual Half way to St. Patrick’s Day Hooley September 20, 2014 ‘O’Beethoven Garden Pub’
Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas
The Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas Newsletter Editor P.O. Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212
Highland Games 2013! Thanks to the volunteers manning our booth. Phil Harris, Pat O’Connell, Melinda Britten, Bob Meade, Darryl Britten and Kevin Dowd.
Cultural
Educational
Civic
Patriotic
Social
Thank Our Sponsors
September
20 , Saturday Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day More info page 1. th
October
3 , Friday 4th Annual SAGAC Golf Scramble 8a.m. @ Silverhorn GC, more info page 3. 8th, Thursday Board Meeting rd
March 2015
14th, Saturday South Texas Alamo Irish Festival At the University of the Incarnate Word Texas Gaelic football and Parade Donovan’s Run - 14th, 2015 River Parade - 15th, 2015 Alamo Wreathlaying - 17th, 2015 Golf Scramble - 20th, 2015
Thank you to our sponsors: McCombs Foundation Waxy O’Connor’s Irish Pub
Shamrockeditor@gmail.com
www.harpandshamrock.org ©2014 Dowd Ranch Publishing