COILL DUBH
Congratulations to Mrs. Noreen Smith on her recent retirement from her
teaching post at Coill Dubh National School. Her contribution to Coill Dubh as a teacher
for over forty years is greatly appreciated which was evident by the large attendance at
Dag Welds for a presentation to her by the local community on Friday the 22nd of October
last. Noreen is wished a long and happy retirement and we hope that she will keep in touch
with her many friends in Coill Dubh.
The Coill Dubh childrens annual Christmas party will take place on Tuesday 14th
December next in Coill Dubh community hall. Prior notification will be sent through the
school to all the parents.
WOODLANDS GOLFCLUB
The captains dinner dance was held on the 13th of
November at the Ambassador hotel. It was a very successful night, enjoyed by all, music by
the Jazz Freaks, which suited everyones taste. Congratulations to Noel O Connor and
Mary Craddock for a wonderful year and best of luck to Kevin Reilly and Antoinette Conway
as incoming captains for the year 2000.
The pitch and putt annual meeting will take place at Woodlands golf
club on Thursday 2nd December at 8.30pm.
All members please attend. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
The A.G.M for Woodlands golf club, 5th December at 2pm in the
The 29th AGM of Coill Dubh & District Credit Union, on Tuesday
29th November, was held in their impressive new office.
Frank Lynch, National President of the Irish League of Credit Unions, honoured the
meeting by attending. He congratulated the Board on a successful year. He praised the
tremendous effort and input of voluntary workers and their dedication to the Credit Union
ethos. Quoting from the AGM booklet, he said Coill Dubh & District Credit Union could
"look back with pride and look forward with optimism"
Executive officers, who will lead the Credit Union into into the Millennium, were
elected directly after the AGM.
Chairperson: Maureen Fitzpatrick
Ass. Chairperson: John OShea
Secretary: Margaret Kane
Ass Secretary: Paddy Maher
Treasurer: Esther Hendrick
Ass Treasurer: Nuala Owens
STORIES AND POEMS
Ould Tom" - Our Kindly Neighbour
"Ould Tom" never passed our door without calling in to see us. He always sat
down in my grandfathers chair beside the fire. His greeting always was the same:
"God save all here.". Sometimes as he strolled through the door hed repeat
the greeting especially if he didnt hear a reply. We might all be out "at the
milking" and Toms only company in the kitchen was the sheep-dog, Rover.
Tom would then begin to light his pipe with the assistance of a red coal from the fire.
As he went through his ritual he would ask Rover "Where are they all?". Rover
would then wag his tail against the ground in acknowledgement of Toms questioning.
As time passed Rover sensed that "Ould Tom" wanted to extend his conversation
somewhat. The sheep-dog then left the kitchen and came out to the cowhouse and wagged his
tail against the milk-churn. This indicated to us "cow-hands" that "Ould
Tom" was in need of company in the kitchen.
My mother took the opportunity to give me a rest from the milking. I being the youngest
and the least helpful in the cowhouse was advised to go to talk to "Ould Tom". I
was usually glad of the release from the work.
As I approached the back-kitchen door "Ould Tom" spots my tiny footsteps. His
greeting reaches my ears even before I see him, "Ah little Pat did ye sleep it out
this morning?". In defence I reply, "No Tom, the clock stopped and we dont
know what time it is". Then, to level the score Tom replies, "neither do I a
Mhic, theres no timepiece in our house at present.".
"Ould Tom" may not have had a timepiece but he always seemed to have lots of
time. I never saw him in a hurry. His presence always brought tranquillity and ease. His
conversation covered everything from the price of cattle in Ballinakill to the Pope in
Rome.
If Tom was unable to answer a question for me as I struggled through my "home
exercise" especially if I was looking for a Irish word, he would immediately focus
attention on his pipe which had gone out from lack of plug(tobacco). "Pat,"
hed say "the tobacco I got yesterday in Maryborough burned like chaff.
Theres no lasting in the stuff you get in town. I tell you Pat," said Tom,
"God made the country and man made the town.".
Pat Ramsbottom
WHAT ARE SENIORS WORTH?
We are worth a fortune! Remember, old folks are worth a fortune with
silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet,
and gas in their stomachs. I have become a little older since I last saw you and a
few changes have come into my life. Frankly I have become a frivolous old gal.
I am seeing several gentlemen everyday. As soon as I wake up, Will
Power helps me out of bed. Then I go to see Lou. Next Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the
rest of the day. He doesnt like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from
joint to joint. After such a busy day, Im really tired and like to go to bed with
Paddy or Jameson. What a life! Oh, by the way Im flirting with Al Zymer.
P.S. The clergyman called the other day. He said that at my age, I
should be thinking of the hereafter. I told him, "Oh I do, all the time. No matter
where I am, in the sitting room, upstairs, in the kitchen, or out in the garage, I ask
myself. Now what am I here after?"
Author unknown
Green ideas for Christmas
This month we have some "Green" ideas for Christmas Gifts.
Why not make some table decorations and centre pieces, all the materials are readily
available - holly, ivy, moss, tree branches.
Try your hand at home-made sweets such as chocolate and fudge.
The Irish Peatland Conservation Council catalogue has lots of interesting items. You
can find them at 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1, phone (01-8722384).
Why not give a present of your time instead of a material present - give a carer an
afternoon off. Do the Christmas shopping for a housebound friend. The possibilities are
endless.
Hollows
High up in the deep green valley,
Staring at the blue loch below,
Feeling unbalanced in my stance,
With the wind at my back,
The sun burning my neck,
As birds climb upto higher heights,
With the serenity of all nature beneath.
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