The Order Of The Friendly Sons Of The Shillelagh

From Bourbon St to Jackson Sq there was not an empty seat in the place as the third annual Mardi Gras Celebration got underway at the FSOS. What do you get when you mix 150 partygoers, cold beer, masks, beads, jambalaya, a very big spoon, flying bras and the hot hot hot VooDudes? You get a night to remember. 

While music and merriment ruled the night it was Chef DeMaio & Co that ruled the day. Yes ladies, he's quite something in an apron, top had and beads. And when he starts to wield that spatula... LOOK OUT. Crab cakes, roast pork, chicken alfredo were just some of the dishes seasoned to a high heat. There's nothing like a hot dish to warm the heart on a cold night and still other parts the day after.

Guest Chef Tom McGrath brought his own cast iron cauldron. I went to lift it. Then thought, "maybe not". With cauldron on stove he produced one of the dead sea scrolls. The one with the recipe for Jambalaya. You think I'm kidding. I'm not. Missing only his black cape he stepped up to the cauldron and did that voodoo that he do so well. Buffet complete.   

With appetites satisfied and tables cleared, the VooDudes took to the stage and proceeded to fill the hall with there own special brand of blues and rock. Tim Black was first on the floor determined to earn his beads, he wasn't alone for long. Rumour has it that Charlie Donnelly stepped out there to do some stompin' of his own and didn't even break a sweat... Kathleen, loooookout.

Joe Patterson, John Reilly & Jim Connor were a little dismayed to see the ladies abusing some of the decorations that they'd hung so carefully. I can't mention names but these girls had no shame. They spent much of the evening augmenting one of our wall hangings until it could easily have passed for a viagara commercial... they got beads... lots of beads.... and tinsel as well. While I can't say who they were, I can say that John Wagle, Dave Delaney and Denis Sullivan left early with them and gave me a $100 tip.

And then of course there was the incident with the spoon. What do you get when you put Tommy Keegan between two lovely ladies with a spoon and 80 feet of string? A memory that will take many years of therapy to erase. The ladies are still recovering, Barney Shannon has already sent flowers and the charges have been dropped.

Betsy Keubler was also busy that night taking photos while husband George was in the kitchen. She has set some of them to music in what can only be described as a gem. Disclaimer: We warn our viewers in advance that some of this content may be disturbing.

There is so much preparation that goes into making it happen. Some of the unsung heros who invested much of their time into producing this event are Scott Fitzgerald, Wayne Miller, Gary Murphy. All worked tirelessly behind the scenes to bring about this great night and the many others we've put on over the past few years.

Once again the bar has been raised for parties at the FSOS. As for Mr Sheridan and his Irish Mafia, they are already planning the next... and still looking for that spoon.

More Photos

The Annual FSOS Dinner Dance took place on Saturday March 8, much to the delight of all who attended. The entertainment began at 5:00pm when Backbeat, the first of two bands kicked off the evenings festivities at Yogi's All American Bar at the Crown Plaza. By 8:00pm Primitive Soul, the second band of the night had set up in the main ballroom and then the fun really started. Dance, dance, dance was the order of the day. And with all the officers on deck there were plenty of folks to give orders.

During the course of the evening the new officers were piped into the hall by the FSOS Pipes and Drums and then bestowed with sashes from the out going officers. Both Bill Gerdon and John Wagle were heard saying something to the effect of "Thanks be to God" as they almost sprinted to the bar afterwards. In fact as Bill commented, "How sweet it is..." John was saying,"Don't look back, don't look back". With that our new officers took on the roles that will be there's for the next year.

Walter Farrell was honored during the course of the evening as Irish Man of the Year. Walter was joined tonight by his lovely wife Joyce, his children and youngest grand child baby Ellis. Most of us aren't used to seeing a mushy side to Walter. He really doesn't do warm and fuzzy. We're used to the "Whaddya want?, I  don't have all day" Walter behind the bar.  Surround him with his family... he's almost normal. Put a microphone in his hand and he turns into Robin Williams. If you weren't there then you should ask him about the joke.... it was good and delivered with Walter's deadpan style. Joyce threatened to kill him if he told it but he just couldn't help himself.

Another man not to be missed was the ever so coooooool Dave Delaney. In fact their entire table looked like the cast from the movie, "Men in Black".

Lastly congrats to the right honorable Jeffrey Schuld who finally plucked up the courage to ask Mom for a dance... ahhhh schucks Schuld.... you're still Mama's little boy, hard to believe, I know.

In the end it was a stellar night made all the better by Bobby Quinn who made his own contriibution to the evening by producing a playlist for those members who remember what it was like to dance when music really was music. Turned out the music was so good there was almost no room on the dance floor for us youngsters. Those of you who saw it will no doubt agree with me... I never thought Bobby could move like that either. Before you ask, yes, he is available for Christenings and Bar-Mitzvahs though his rates may vary depending on demand.

Finally, a special thank you to the dinner dance committee. They work tirelessly all year to insure that the evening goes off without a hitch. Tonight was a most definitely a success. Can't wait for next year.

Photos from the evening.

This past February 14th, sweethearts night was held(WHEN ELSE WOULD IT BE HELD) at the great FSOS. It was a big hit, with the pub packed to capacity and the mood right(if you know what I mean). Thanks go out to the great DJ Al LaGrou for the music. He had everyone dancing to music from the 60’s on up. Later in the evening, when the liquid courage kicked in, many brave souls tried their luck at karaoke. Thanks go out to Steve and Sue Hansult for doing such a sweet job this evening. The home made chocolates, and the fountain really set the mood off right.

Article by Don Bruchez

Photos By Sally Jelonek & Jackie Patterson

It was just a year ago that the dinner dance committee took it on themselves to throw a Mardi Gras party. It was an effort to help us get in touch with our New Orleans jambalaya, philly gumbo, jazz, funk and rockin' cajun blues roots. Who could have predicted the success. It was huge. Fast forward a year to the present day. The only day open for this event was Saturday Jan 31, early in the season right after comedy night and the day before superbowl Sunday ... would people come. Not only did they come... they brought their own beads.

The success of Saturday night has cemented Mardi Gras has a fixture in the Friendly Sons calendar. Dave Delaney was one of the many declaring it one of the highlights of the year. What did you miss? You missed Chef DeMaio, he makes hells kitchen look like childs play. Chef Tom McGrath who cooks the meanest Jambalaya North of New Orleans. Chef Jeff Schuld who served up his ultimate gumbo and Chef George Kuebler who brought his special brand of fire house heat to the kitchen.

The Voo Dudes used their magic on the crowd and brought the house down as they rocked from one set to the next. In a throw back to the 60's they sang Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women" aka "Everybody let's get high" at which point three of the guys jumped on tables... my how things have changed. Playing one hit after another they filled the dance floor all night on. 

The dance contest was close as Tim Black partnered up with President John Wagle only to be beaten out of first place by our favorite photo imposer Wayne Miller. Wayne chose a tray of jello shots as his partner and then surprised the judges by switching to a mop. It was his innovative use of space and form that was credited with earning him the champions necklace. You wouldn't believe what he can do with a mop and a tray of jello shots. Finally, congrats to Jim Connor who celebrated the big five-O during the evenng... doesn't look a day of 49.

Click hear to check out more Mardi Gras Photos

Thank you to Jackie Patterson for additional photos

... 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 Backbeat provided the entertainment to the first dance of the fall season, Half Way to St. Patricks Day. The feast was provided courtsey of the Dinner Dance Committee who spent most of the day hard at work in the kitchen. Ladies don't believe them when they tell you that don't like aprons... They were positively fighting over them. I agree with Scott by the way, The pinstripe really set of Georges eyes!. The men of the kitchen provided a treat for all and never has jello tasted so good.

The band rocked until the wee hours launching from original music to covers of the Beatles, Eagles, REM and more. For those of you looking at your photos in the gallery and wondering who the heck the guy in the white golf shirt is?

Our very own photo imposer, Wayne Miller. Everytime it seemed the coast was clear, like the lucky charm he was just magically there and just as suddenly gone until the next time the shutter clicked. One of the great moments of the night came when Wayne, Will and two mops danced (at least I think it was dancing) uninhibited to the sounds of Meatloaf. Paradise by the dashboard baby, paradise by the dashboard!

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In the first event of the New Year we saw the Friendly Sons Hall filled for Mardi Gras. That's right, Mardi Gras.  The evening, organized by the Dinner Dance Committee, was just one long night of fun. Music was provided by The VooDudes . They played everything from New Orleans Funk, Blues, Boogie-Woogie and Honky Tonk. They didn't know Danny Boy but that didn't slow them down. The dance floor was filled all night long. It wasn't always pretty... but it was always filled. And did I mention beads, Yes there were beads and some of us got more than others. If you want to find out how that happened you'll have to come to the next Mardi Gras night. Though we're thinking of calling it Marty Gras night. You be the judge. Check out just some of the photos from Mardi Gras... Nice Beads Marty. I see prizes in the future,... Most Beads, Biggest Beads, Prettiest Beads, and the "You Got Some Set of Beads" award for dancin' like that.

 Photos from Mardi Gras 2008