Tuesday, May 27, 2014

CAKE SALE JUNE 7th



All are welcome so please come along and treat your family to a delicious cake and support a great cause. Are you good at baking ??? Your support would be greatly appreciated by supplying home baked goodies. These can be delivered to the DR MARTIN from 9am on the Saturday Morning.

We will also be running a raffle on the day with some amazing prizes!!
-   oooOooo   -


There is now Mediation on Thursday morning and Bingo on Tuesday and Thursday afternoon. Shower facilities and hair washing service now possible at the centre; if anyone would like to avail of this service please drop in.

Recent trips away include Lady Lane in Waterford, the cinema, Dungarvan Day centre, the Active Retirement group in Dungarvan, and also the Cappaquin Day centre and Mount Melleray.  All are welcome to come on future trips.  Trips to Our Lady’s Island, JFK Memorial Park and Kilkenny Castle being planned; if anyone would like to come please ring the centre to book.
 

Monday, May 19, 2014

WORDS FROM ALICE!



A few words from the centre's manager - Alice Kiersey:

John O'Shea from Wateford Local Radio visited the centre on April 30th for an Afternoon Tea Dance, and kept everyone entertained for ages. John has already visited the centre in the past, providing much in popular music from his huge collection of discs, plus mentions and requests on the radio in days following. Same day a contingent from the Lady Lane centre in Waterford City, led by Ann-Marie, arrived for the entertainment and accommodation became somewhat of a problem. Nevertheless, it didn't detract from the great enjoyment. Local members have been visiting Lady Lane on a reciprocal basis.

Feena's Fun programme runs on Tuesday mornings - to keep everyone's minds active. Dancing with Cora and Liz has been a Tuesday afternoon feature, while Darren Loftus gets everyone exercising on Wednesdays from 11.30 to 12.30 pm. Citizens' Advice Bureau will hold a talk here shortly, followed by mobile opticians - Eyes on the Road - , also Josie Gough (Counsellor & Emotional Well-Being). 

Then there's our regular Chiropodist - on alternate Wednesdays. Appointment essential for some of these visits.  If transport is a problem, telephone the centre any day during open hours - 10.00 am to 4.00 pm.

Wednesday Music Sessions


The Wednesday sessions have been running now for over eighteen months, from 2.00 pm to 4.00 pm,  and have proved to be a popular event  for local seniors seeking alternative mid-week entertainment, in which they all participate to some degree. Music and song has been provided regularly during that time by Kevin Nolan on accordion; Margaret Dooley (songs, plus the occasional demonstration of the dance - 'Varsovienne', also known as 'Shoe the Donkey');  Gerry Walsh - well-known local professional singer;  Bim Connors - another well-known local professional, with his digital orchestral backing tracks;  Davy ('Busty') Griffin - who comes out regularly from Waterford City - accordion, songs, jokes and yarns galore; Tom Comerford - still another popular local professional singer; Con Lucy - ballads galore, usually of County Cork origin;  not forgetting some trad, folk, and other pieces on the harmonica and concertina , plus an occasional song and photography by 'your's truly'!  There are quite a few others who drop in 'out of the blue' and contribute still more songs and music, but I do not have all their names.

 Pictures in this section are from a selection taken on Wednesday, May 7th (2014)
Included above from L to R.:  Percy Wall who arrived in unexpectedly from Newtown (Kilmacthomas), Eileen O'Brien and Maudie Hallissey - regular locals. Maudie likes most days to show off her waltzing and jiving ability.

 Johnny O'Brien, famous for his GAA exploits, had a look in same day.













Ned Hanrahan, a native of Grangemockler, and Ann O'Shea from Windgap, County Waterford,
who also dropped in unexpectedly same day.


Percy Wall, from Newtown (Kilmacthomas), wasn't long sitting down when we discovered he was a singer, whom some may have heard occasionally at Lenihans' of Newtown.
He obliged with about four 'country' songs, all of which were well received!

 Regulars - Peggy Brophy and Eileen Coffey, who never miss a week.

 Kevin Nolan, a regular who keeps the whole show going with his songs, music and amplification equipment.

 Two more regulars, who never miss a week - Terry Walsh and Mary Power (?).
Mary has been known to sing a few songs, and Terry contributes much to the general banter.
The big surprise on the day in question was when Ned Hanrahan sang, and was then recognised as one who was heard singing that great Tipperary ballad about footballer Michael Hogan, in Delaney's Pub, Ahenny, one night about twelve years ago.'Mick' Hogan was killed during that infamous incident at Croke Park on 'Bloody Sunday' in 1920. Ned obiged once more with that great, seldom-heard ballad, and by strange co-incidence had been invited to sing it the following Sunday at the oficial opening of a new GAA pitch in Grangemockler, dedicated to Michael Hogan!  He then surprised all when he produced a harmonica on which he played a number of tunes and some music leading up to songs from his repertoire. Ned sings in a church choir in Carrick-on-Suir.

Some further text to follow.