Dear Cronins, Donaghys, Dunnes, Kreiders, Bob Howe, Dan McKenna, Pete Connelly and the Florida Snowbirds please stop with the “Snow Dance”, we get the message. This is not a threat but, the boys say one more inch and we are doing The Hurricane Waltz. We have had so much snow that even the squirrels are using meals on wheels. The other day I was shoveling and two of my sons, Laurence and Brendan, came by and said at my age I shouldn’t be doing that. They said they would do it but they were late for the gym (I’m only kidding they were going to Dunkin Donuts). I told them don’t worry I have my cell phone on speed dial for Wyman-Fisher. We were hoping to report on the final champions of The Fatoff but because of the early edition of the newsletter (something to do with a parade, etc) that will not be possible. However, this Journalist (geez I love that word) can state with the utmost conviction that this will be a Fatoff Hall of Fame finish. The sacrifices these athletes endure go beyond the pale not just the pain and sacrifice but also the financial side, i.e. both Chris Gallagher and Tony Alcaro have lost their lucrative galloping gourmet endorsements of Gildea’s, Murty’s and O’Malley’s. However, on a positive note, Jenny Craig and Slim Fast have contacted them. In addition the receipts from the Pub are down 34% and we out of necessity have applied for a stimulus package. We’re calling it “A few Pilsners prevents poverty”.
In spite of the inclement weather, the train being cancelled and they having to go by auto the lads had a great time at the Hilton Head Ski trip that was supposed to be a golf trip. John Gannon and John Draper Sr. pulled out of the trip when they found out that Bucky Berran wears a crash helmet and Boland gives each of the passengers Rosary Beads when Bucky drives the Church Ladies Van. If anyone wants to take part in the Draper/Gannon knitting/sewing class there is a signup sheet in the Pub. A special thanks to those winners in Super Bowl 1 & 2 for their generous 10% give back. Last year those monies went to help a member this year the funds are going toward the families Christmas Fund. One would be hard pressed to not consider this a win/win situation. There are two things we have been discussing for sometime and would like to bring to fruition, one is Rich Reidy CFP (Certified Financial Planner) has offered to chair a meeting on the rules’ regulations, etc. in the Financial World and the second is to start a History Club both would be the informal round table format with the mandatory refreshments. If interested let your favorite Journalist (I can’t help it) know.
I am going to step out of my rather infantile attempt at levity so please indulge me. On February 23rd we honored the 65th raising of the flag on Mount Suribachi, Iwo Jima. Some facts: of the 80 Medal of Honor awarded to the Marine Corps in WWII 22 (28%) were from the Iwo Jima Campaign along with 892 Silver Stars. I am sure that the majority who will read this were not even a number in the census in 1945. With that in mind the best you can do (I made the cut) is always remember, pay tribute and say God Bless to those that Tom Brokaw called the Greatest Generation.
Say one for the troops
Larry McKeever
P.S. March 17th– at Pub, there will be Corned Beef sandwiches after 5 or 6 O’clock
for people returning from the city parade. Also March 21st after the PR parade, the hall upstairs will be open. As in the past few years, only members and guests are invited to join us. With a pay bar, corned beef, and some Irish music, a good time is had by young and not so young.
Friday fish fry-we’ve added Macaroni & cheese as a substitute for the non-fish eaters.