Harp Strings Vol.50 No.1 by Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas

Harp Strings The Official Newsletter of the Harp & Shamrock Society.

Keeping Irish history and culture alive in South Texas for 50 years! Volume 50 Issue 1

Fall 2016

Special 50th Anniversary Edition!

Welcome Your New Board! We had a very special part of the 50th Green Tie Gala when the newest board of directors was sworn in before the crowd. Pictured: Kevin Dowd, Terence Peak, James Gorman, Erin O’Brien, Dana Goodman, Wayne Faught, Judge Patricia Alvarez, Carolyn Dowd, Melinda Britten, Michael O’Brien, Elissa O’Brien, Linda Grosse, Melissa Schulz, Bill Merriman, John Smith, Darryl Britten, Elizabeth Hajek, Eileen Burke Faught and Joan Moody. Special thanks to www.markrossphotography.com

2016 Veterans day Parade San Antonio, Texas

Who doesn’t like a parade? For the 10th time now we have been in the Veterans Parade in San Antonio, TX. This great salute to our military is presented by the U.S. Military Veterans Parade Association. Thanks to the Gorman clan, James, Michelle with daughters Grace and Rose, Linda Grosse and her mom, Frances Ford. David Patrick and Brenda Tobey. www.harpandshamrock.org

PRESIDENT Melissa Schulz 210-831-2072 VICE PRESIDENT Melinda Britten 210-699-8632 2nd VICE PRESIDENT Elissa O’Brien 210-348-6877 TREASURER Wayne Faught 210-835-6766 SECRETARY Dana Goodman 210-219-7356 CHAPLAIN Bill Merriman 210-259-3482 BOARD of DIRECTORS Carolyn Dowd 210-896-1598 Darryl Britten 210-215-9952 Joan Moody 210-656-2666 Erin O’Brien 210-348-6877 Michael O’Brien 210-422-2446 Eileen Faught 210-379-8462 Kevin P. Dowd 210-845-4424 Linda Grosse 720-987-6318 James Gorman 210-954-0713 Elizabeth Hajek 210-861-3813 Terence Peak 210-218-8795 John Smith 210-240-7736 IRISHMAN OF THE YEAR Melinda Britten 2016 Editor in Chief

From the Laptop  of Your Editor

The 50th Anniversary Gala was a great time for the Irish. I stand above with Irene Aguilar receiving the honor for my aunt Virginia ‘Gini’ Dowd. Irene is a true saint on this earth and was the most amazing friend my aunt could have had in her final days. Other Honorees that night were Richard McCracken, Sister Teresa Carter, Margaret Burke, Neill Reagan, and Tim Campion. All of the photos in this issue were provided by photographer Mark Ross. He did an outstanding job of working the entire crowd. Please check his web site:

www.markrossphotography.com To purchase photos for those of you who attended the Green Tie Gala, the amazing Mark Ross is offering prints from the night. A huge Irish Thank You to Mark Ross for the amazing candid shots of our night. He is based in Denver and if you get a chance please read his blog under the “Investment” tab on his web site. In the world where every phone takes a picture it is a good reminder to see the real art that good photography is. The entire centerfold on pages 4 & 5 as well as above are all Mark’s. Once again Thanks Mark Ross! We’ve got some exciting things planned to enhance your membership so watch your mail in the new year. Remember you need to pay up by March 17th to be eligible to vote.

One of the member perks is a discount subscription to the Irish Echo Newspaper. The Irish Echo, the oldest Irish American Newspaper in the USA, established in 1928, has a special reduced 1-year subscription rate of $35 (normally $50) in honor of the Harp & Shamrock’s 50th Anniversary year. Contact: Madeline O’Boyle at 1-212-482-4818. For a sample of the Echo’s “News and Views” just click: http://irishecho.com/news-views Kevin Patrick Dowd shamrockeditor@gmail.com 210-845-4424

From Your President

Hello Friends

Experts say that Fall is when we form the strongest memories. In Ireland or the Americas… in ancient times or today… harvest celebrations share a common element: thankfulness for abundance and joy. Three things I am thankful for, when it comes to the Harp & Shamrock Society: 1. I am thankful for the friendship and generous spirit of our members: volunteering at the Kerr County Celtic Festival; assembling beds at Seton Home; all the incredible volunteers who produced the 50th Green Tie Gala (led by Linda Grosse); and marching in the Annual Veterans Day Parade.

Darryl and Melinda Britten, Mae Kelly, President Melissa Schulz and Irish Senator Billy Lawless (pictured above). Judge Patricia Alvarez prepares to swear in the Board of Directors with President Melissa Schulz.

2. I am thankful for forming new collaborations: Centro San Antonio (the downtown business alliance); City Council District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino; The Alamo COO Ian Oldaker; Paseo del Rio; City of San Antonio Operations; artist Bill FitzGibbons and San Antonio’s Office of Historic Preservation. The 50th Gala meeting of emigrant Irish Senator Billy Lawless; Irish Consul General Adrian Farrell and City of San Antonio Chief of Protocol/Head of International Relations, Sherry Dowlatshahi. 3. I am thankful for the ways we educate our community: movie screenings of “1916: The Irish Rebellion;” the article and photos in October SA Monthly magazine; gala pictures in San Antonio ExpressNews; Holiday Lighting celebration at Travis Park; Kerr County Festival; the Kelly Singers and joining the City’s Tricenntenial Celebration History and Education committee. Thanksgiving will be followed closely by the Christmas season, so if I don’t see you at the Harp & Shamrock Christmas party on December 3rd, now is the time to tell you ……………………….. Beannachtaí na bhFéilte Duit “Blessings of the Holidays to You.” P.S. Please watch for exciting news about the Society’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations happening from March 11 through March 18 next year. Melissa Schulz

Community Champion

The Irish Echo, the leading national Irish newspaper in the US, recently honored Carolyn Dowd with a 2016 Community Champions award. The ceremony was May 20, 2016, but due to previous plans to be in NYC in June Carolyn was not able to make the ceremony. She did find time to stop by the busy Manhattan offices of the Irish Echo and receive her award from Editor Ray O’Hanlon.

www.harpandshamrock.org

Harp and Shamrock 50th Gala

www.markrossphotography.com

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www.markrossphotography.com

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Shopping Bargains! We now have an online store! Just click the menu on our home page and click on SHOP! You’ll go to:

In Memorium Virginia Mary Dowd

October 7, 1934 - September 2, 2016 Virginia “Gini” Dowd, 81, was born in Quincy, MA, to Frederick and Gertrude harp-and-shamrock.myshopify.com Melea. th One fateful day in January There you will find our one-of-a-kind 50 Anniversary 1968 she moved into an apartcollectors items that you can only get from us! ment across the hall from Patrick J. Dowd. Gini said her Another easy way to help generate some income for our roommate thought he was an Society is to go to: old war hero because he was walking with a cane smile.amazon.com at the time. All she remembered was that “beautiful Irish face” and the smile on “Himself.” Within three AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you months of meeting him she found herself the first to support your favorite charitable organization every corresponding Secretary of the Harp and Shamrock time you shop, at no cost to you. Amazon will donate a Society of Texas under then President Sean Burke. portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable Virginia Mary Melea and Patrick Joseph Dowd marorganization. Just pick The Harp and Shamrock Society ried July 8, 1978. As a couple they continued to build of Texas and every time you shop, you help! up the Irish and American-Irish community in San Antonio. Gini had the distinction of having served in Harp History every officer position over her four decades on the th As part of the 50 Celebration we pulled out the three Board of the Harp and Shamrock Society as well as wooden flag poles and refinished them. Here is a little receiving the 1992 Irishman of the Year. Harp trivia. Did you know that there are brass plaques Robert P. Szczepanski on those poles. They were all dedicated on the same day June 1, 1948-November 14, 2016 23 Sept 1972. The American flagpole reads: Robert “Bob” P. Szczepanski, age 68, effectionately “Given in Loving Memory of known as “Coach”, he was a kindhearted, gentle man President John F. Kennedy and who touched many students Senator Robert F. Kennedy with his teaching. He was a Donated By referee and clock manager Wayne C. Peeks” for the basketball team at St. The Texas flagpole reads: Mary’s and Trinity Universi“Donated In Loving ties. Memory Of Our Bob was president and IrishIrish American Father man of the Year with the Harp “Doc” Dromgoole By and Shamrock Society of Texas. He was a member of Mike and Jeanette the Texas Cavaliers, the Beethoven Society, the Order Copenhaver” of the Alamo, the Silver Foxes and was a proud, reThe Irish flagpole reads: tired teacher. Donated To Bob is preceded in death by his parents, Frank ChesThe Harp and Shamrock Society ter and Lottie Catherine Szczepanski. of Texas He is survived by his Chicago cousins, his San AnBy The Founding Fathers tonio family, and his beloved dog and companion, Sean Burke Lady; along with numerous friends and neighPatrick Dowd bors. He left an impression on everyone he met. Joesph McShane He will be deeply missed. 6

Tales From the Pitch and Around the Harp By Chris A. Hayes

THE COACH FROM CLOONACOOL!

cated joint in his shoulder, two fractured ribs, a punctured lung and a fractured kneecap. But thankfully, Adrian is out of traction and back in action! And in addition to football, he is also playing for the SAGAC’s hurling team. Adrian says he is happy with the club he helped create because the team has a lot of great players and a strong Executive Board. He does, however, hope that the SAGAC can acquire a permanent pitch for its practices and games. The group has bounced around a couple of fields and as of yet has no place to call home. Adrian coached the SAGAC at the USGAA Finals this past September in Seattle. Although victory eluded the team, the players earned the respect of their opponents. And one of those games was played in the pouring rain. On the plus side, the losses gave the SAGAC more time to see the sights of Seattle which included Pike’s Place Market (for seafood), the Space Needle, several museums and plenty of local pubs. Not a bad consolation prize.

If you or someone you know might be interested in Gaelic (Photo credit: Chris Hayes) football, please check out the SAGAC Facebook page or: www.sanantoniogac.org. Adrian Brett is the coach of the SAGAC. He was born to Kevin and Annette in Cloonacool, Ireland. Adrian’s older sister is Sandra and his younger sisters are Lisa and Louise. Cloonacool is a small village in County Sligo at the foot of the Ox Mountains. Adrian started playing Gaelic football at approximately eight years of age and as an adult he played for the local football club. Adrian went into banking and transferred to London where he continued to play the sport. New opportunities lured him away from the United Kingdom and to the United States-San Antonio specifically. And when more opportunities presented themselves, Adrian elected to remain in the U.S. and he eventually met and married Bianca Trevino. They became the proud parents of a baby girl named Chloe Jane aka “Trouble.” Adrian says what he misses most about Ireland are his parents and sisters. However, he really likes the warm weather of San Antonio. And Adrian will have dual citizenship in the U.S. and Ireland when his paperwork is finalized.

Harp History

Adrian is a founding member of the SAGAC and is the only one still active with the group. He has coached the team since its inception in 2011. He says he wanted to form a Gaelic football team because he felt there weren’t enough sports for men in their 20s and 30s. (Now there are a While going through old photos for the 50th Gala I came across few players in the SAGAC who are this gem. Pictured left to right is Patsy Rockwood, Kay Delaney in their 40s.) and Maureen Dougherty. We had our own dancers back in the In recent years, Adrian has been plagued by several injuries day, Did you notice the Harp badge on the kilts? that kept him on the sidelines for a time. They include a dislo7

The Harp & Shamrock Society of Texas Newsletter Editor P.O. Box 15306 San Antonio, TX 78212

The 50th Gala was fun for all ages! Sophia Lopez watches closely while her Grandma Frances Ford puts on the finishing touches. www.markrossphotography.com

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Dec 2016

Merry Christmas!

Jan 2017

Happy New Year! 12 Board Meeting

Feb 9 Board Meeting 18, Annual Awards Dinner/ General Membership Meeting Petroleum Club, more info pending

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