Irish Asssociation of Manitoba

Dear all members,
This year the IAM hosted four days of activities and events surrounding St. Patrick’s Day. I am happy to report that the Association has enjoyed a very successful St. Patrick’s Day season this year thanks to the efforts of many.

The four days of events was started with our Annual St. Patrick’s Day Gala held at the Fort Garry Hotel. The event was organized and run by a very determined committee comprising of Cara Campbell, Paul Clerkin, Clare Tonner, and Chaired by Paul McMullan. They had great assistance from Hugh Cummins, and Paul Haverstock of the Fort Garry Hotel and put on an event that was comfortable, entertaining, and very enjoyable for all. The food was an absolute stand out this year, and the shortened entertainment format allowed the attendees to enjoy each other’s company and dancing afterwards.

The week continued with three days of food, drink and entertainment at the Club. Great thanks must be given to all that were involved with the organizing and running of the events. Many people volunteered their time to help the Association make the days’ events a great success. We enjoyed outstanding media coverage, VIP attendees such as Premier Gary Doer and Deputy Mayor Justin Swandel, and great crowds throughout the three days. A special thanks to Paul Clerkin for overseeing and managing the organizing of the events, the communications with the media, and the coordination of all the entertainment. I would also like to offer a special thanks to Anne Scott who along with her other volunteers such as Mary Wilson, Amanda Scott, Les and Audrey Anderson and many others made the food preparation and serving a great success.

On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank all our members who came out to support the IAM during the St. Patrick’s Festivities. It is also because of you that the events were such a great success. We look forward to an even greater celebration next year.

Regards,
Shannon O’Brien
President.

The Irish Association of Manitoba enjoys the support of our membership on a regular basis in terms of their memberships and attendance at many events. We also enjoy the support of numerous sponsors who frequently aid us financially in many of our events. Tara Players Dinner Theatre, the St. Patrick’s Day Gala, the Irish Open Golf Tournament and the upcoming Acting Irish International Theatre Festival are all events we count on sponsor support to make happen.

Occasionally, individual members choose to make a donation to the Irish Association of Manitoba as a way to help support our activities and events and to assist us in the promotion of Irish Culture and Heritage. Although these individual donations are greatly valued by our organization, and although they are greatly appreciated, we do not generally go to the trouble of publishing a formal recognition of such a donation in the monthly bulletin. This month we have an exception.

On March 16, 2009 The Irish Association of Manitoba received a single donation of $5,912.27 from Ms. Pearl McConnell of the McConnell School of Irish Dance. This very generous donation was made to the IAM to help the “Irish Community in Manitoba”. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the Membership as a whole I would like to express a heart felt thanks to Pearl for this very generous donation and her continued support of the IAM.

We are very sad to say that our absolutely wonderful Chef, Mr. Tony Eyer, has retired from the Irish Association. Tony has been with the Irish Association since 1997 and at this point in his life, he wants to spend time with his wife. I cannot express enough how much Tony has been and always will be appreciated for all his hard word, his dedication, his reliability and his great work ethic.

Tony cooked and catered numerous functions at the club over the years, functions such as our ongoing dinner theatre’s, brunches, socials, private parties, Musically Inclined productions, Irish Myst productions and many, many more. Tony took much pride in his meal preparation and it was always reflective in everything he prepared. He never wasted a thing, keeping in mind that our club could always use money so wherever and whenever he had the opportunity to save the club money, he did. Tony, for all you have done for the Irish Association over the years, on behalf of the board and the membership, I want to express a huge “heartfelt” thank you to you and to your wonderful wife. We don’t often say how much we appreciate the people in our lives and we don’t always see how easy our lives are with those people in it, until they are no longer there. Tony, you and your food will be missed by many.

And remember, as we all express our gratitude to Tony, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them.

The Irish Association is looking to hire a new Kitchen Manager. This person should ideally have a Food Handler license. We need someone to commit managing approximately
4 to 10 functions a month, from 4 course dinners to social type food. We have a huge fully functional kitchen with everything you need – we just need you. If you or someone you know is interested in finding out more details such as the rate of pay, etc., please call me at 895-0249 or email me at wilmy66@gmail.com.

At the end of St. Patrick’s Night, Hugh Cummins on behalf of the Irish Association of Manitoba presented a cheque to Michael Sykes for Habitat for Humanity Cycle of Hope for over a thousand dollars. Best of luck on the cycle Michael.