The Order Of The Friendly Sons Of The Shillelagh

Childrens Christmas Party organized by Barney Shannon
Photo sent in by Tom Esser.

Don't forget to keep checking on the Diary. If it's happening in the club... it's in the Diary. If you have announcements, messages, photos you want to share just send them to Editor@FSOSDiary.Com. We can make this site not just a calendar for upcoming events but truely a Diary for all that has gone on in the past.

So here's to 2010, may it live up to all of your hopes and expectations. A year from now may you look back and say, "Wow, now that was a year, a very good year."

For as controversial as this years Christmas party was it turned out to be one of the best ever. It was certainly the biggest ever. The hall was decorated from floor to ceiling with much thanks to Miriam Sheridan and Barney Shannon with help from Laurie Miller. Zoe Sheridan and Karli Miller daughters of John and Wayne respectively are the ladies responsible for the souvenir Christmas tree decorations. Special thanks to Sue Hansult for the chocolates given to all the ladies.

Top Hat Catering took the challenge of catering for 175 people and ran with it. Setting up appetizer stations around the club as well as circulating continously during the course of the event. For  the first two hours of the party it was non-stop grazing. You had to be pretty dedicated to the cause to avoid the calories. The plan this year to accommodate our biggest group yet involved setting up appetizer tables in the main hall and the catering tent extending from the lounge to the deck beyond. So rather than keeping the party confined to the bar area and then moving it to the main hall we were encouraged to make full use of the entire club... and we did.

Of course the Christmas party is as much about fashion as it is about food.  And if the fashion Gods  were watching they must been mesmerized by the assortment of designs and colors. They were red, green, multicolored and of course the little black number (always a popular choice at these events). Then there were the over the top, battery operated designs with lights and even music... Yep it seems that at Christmas time the fashion focus shifts for just a moment from women's dresses to men's ties. I sported a Charlie Brown Christmas tie myself, which was second only to Bill Nolan in his tartan dress pants. That said, the ladies didn't look to bad either. From Charlie Brown to Kenny Brown and Walter Farrell... here come the men in red. Check out  the photos of two of Santa's favorite helpers.

Music in both rooms... I'd be remiss in not mentioning that Primative  Soul were spectacular. They filled the dance floor. Their choice of music meant that even folks with no business on a dance floor just couldn't resist. It was hard to watch at times but they all had fun. So much fun in fact that when the end of the night arrived the crowd pleaded for and was granted  one more hour. We just didn't want the night to end.

As you browse the photos keep an eye out for our ever so friendly photo imposer. It was a busy night for him but he would not be deterred. Christmas is after all his busy season. We have over 100 photos captured this evening by John DeMaio, Wayne Miller and Dave Cummins. Photo album 1, Photo album 2.

In 1897 an 8 year old girl wrote a letter to the New York Sun. The letter and it's response would become a part of history, at least American Christmas history...  click the link and read on Yes Virginia, There is a Santa Clause.

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night...

... and what a great time we had!

The helping hands from many of you saved much of the expense and added so much to the evening. Thanks to Barney Shannon who did an outstanding job of decorating the club, The bar staff and of course Phil's Martini bar were terriffic. Special thanks to Sue Hansult for the homemade chocolates given to the Ladies.

 

Pat Donnelly and Top Hat Catering once again outdid themselves this night with the  endless supply of hor d'oeuvres for which this event has become famous for. They went all out for this affair with a lengthy cocktail hour extended to a cocktail hour and a half. With all this spectacular food, we had to have a great band to dance off the calories and we were not disappointed.

This party is one of the social highlights of the year and making sure everything is just right for the evening and goes right through the evening took the help of one more person, my wife Maureen. She put together the beautiful center pieces for the tables and all night long stepped in to help wherever help was needed. This cost me a laptop for a Christmas present but after all her help this year I think I got off light.

 

The wheelbarrow of cheer generated enough money to cover many of the expenses so thank you to all those that supported us.

First Prize: Rob Shanley
Second Prize: Dennis and Dot Sullivan
Third Place: Jim Connor

Many hearts were broken when Rob decided not to take the wheelbarrow of cheer home, some of the guys broke down in tears and needed counseling when they heard. For a second I contemplated wrapping it up for Maureen, and then I came to my senses.

Finally, a photo that sums up  the evening. Don't forget to keep checking the calendar for upcoming events in the new year. With each passing year they only get bigger and better.

Hope all had a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

Rob McKiernan

More Photos courtsey of Jackie Patterson & Barbara Cummins

The US Marine Corps "Toys for Tots" campaign had a rousing day of support at the Friendly Sons "Toys for Tots" Tailgate this Christmas. With the help of family and friends anything is possible and this year was no exception. From getting the word out, to organizing the collections, right down to preparing the food, it was an outstanding team effort.

So how did the children do? We collected in excess of 300 toys and an additional $2,400 in charitable contributions for them.

On behalf of all the children who will receive a toy under their tree this year,

Thank You,
God Bless You,
Merry Christmas to all of You

Tom "Gunny" Dunn

More Photos

The Candle in the Window

A distinctive feature of Christmas decorations is the large candle placed in the front window and lit on Christmas Eve. According to one belief, this candle served as a symbol of welcome to Mary and Joseph who sought shelter on that first Christmas Eve. The lighting of the candle is an ancient ritual during which prayers are said for the departed and the privilege of striking the match was usually given to a daughter named Mary. It also could be lit by the youngest family member and snuffed out by someone named Mary.

The Set Table

For Centuries it was the practice in Irish villages to set the kitchen table after the evening meal on Christmas Eve. On it a loaf of bread filled with caraway seeds and raisins, a pitcher of milk and a lit candle. The door was left unlatched, offering hospitality to the Holy Family or to any traveler that might be on the road. This flickering symbol also served as a signal in times past to any priest seeking shelter and protection the he was welcome in this house and that it was safe to say Mass here.

The Holly Wreath

The glossy leaved holly with its clusters of red berries, popular as a door decoration in North America can be traced to the early settlers from the south of Ireland, who came to the United States during the Famine. Holly grows wild in the south of Ireland and at Christmas houses are lavishly decorated with it.

The Twelve Days of Christmas

During the centuries when it was a crime for Catholics to practice their faith it is believed the song, The Twelve days of Christmas, was written as a catechism song to help young Catholics learn the tenets of their faith. It was a memory aid in a time when being caught with Catholic writings could lead to imprisonment or even hanging. Here are the verses of the song, along with their supposed symbolism:

v A Partridge in a Pear Tree - Jesus Christ

v Two Turtle Doves - The Old and New Testaments

v Three French Hens - The three virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity

v Four Calling/Collie Birds - Four gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke & John

v Five Golden Rings - First five books of the Old Testament

v Six Geese-a-Laying - Six days of creation before God's rest on the 7th

v Seven Swans-a-Swimming - Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit

v Eight Maids-a-Milking - Eight Beatitudes

v Nine Ladies Dancing - Nine fruits of the Holy Spirit

v Ten Lords-a-Leaping - Ten Commandments

v Eleven Pipers Piping - Eleven faithful disciples

v Twelve Drummers Drumming -Twelve points of belief in the Apostles' Creed

 

 I’ll close with Nollaig Shona Daoibh (pronounced, null-ig hun-a dee-if) , "Happy Christmas" in Irish.

Larry McGrath

I was a member for 20 yrs plus before moving to Murrells Inlet, SC Really enjoy reading the newsletter and The Club's website/diary. Moved to a neighborhood and that another longtime member lives in, Jim Thompson. Have to say, only thing I miss about NJ is The Sons!

God bless all of you!

Don Stratton