Platinum Clubhouse - December 2004 Newsletter

Editorial

As Christmas is fast approaching the party season is back, it is time to start thinking of all the festivities ahead. Platinum Clubhouse is no exception. We have planned a mulled wine morning for Wed 8th of Dec from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is always a very enjoyable occasion. We serve mulled wine, minerals, mince pies and Christmas cake, to our members and the community you are all invited. Also on the 17th of Dec at the Town House Hotel in Naas we are having our Christmas Dinner. To date we have lots of names on our list but we would also extend a warm welcome to any other members who are interested. The cost is €10 for members and €25 for spouses or partners.

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year

All the beautiful stories told about Christmas, help to make it the magic that it is, especially stories involving birds, animals and flowers.

For instance, legends tell us of the raven being the first bird to know of the birth of Jesus. Apparently he was flying over Bethlehem when he heard the angels singings of a newly born infant. The cockerel also became aware of the good news, and proclaimed it to the world by crowing throughout the night. Ever since cocks are believed to celebrate the Nativity by crowing frequently during Christmas night.

Perhaps the most beautiful story of all is the ancient belief that animals kneel facing the East at midnight on Christmas Eve, and for a short time are given the power of speech

Well not really! We were lucky enough with listings to be able to see the newly released Bridged Jones The Edge of Reason in the ‘local’ - cinema that is!

Apparently Renee Zellweger actually was so dedicated to this comedy that she put on weight and got into a frumpy style. That shows her dedication in even messing potentially with her health—the dangers of yo-yo dieting and all that it entails.

The film to me was refreshingly old fashioned, in a good way, in that it was a comedy without the token bad sex, two guns blazing, noise and gimmicks. I am glad to say that there is still the capability out there to give us light entertainment that is not taxing, gratuitously violent or downright white noise and will ensure that there are no mental residues to prevent a good nights sleep!

I still miss Norman Wisdom, Jerry Lewis, Audey Murphy Ann Margaret and the Original Parent Trap and the original Star Trek!!

I had a look around the town first and a ’cuppa’ and had a very good evening as I think all had.

My trip to America was funny to say the least. Carmel, Breda and I had a good laugh and got a bit of site seeing while we were at it though. We saw Boston and went on a boat cruise around Boston harbour where the sailor told us all about the history of Boston. It was so good we went on it twice. We then had a trip to Cape Cod where we went to a fancy hotel for something to eat. I had a lobster for the first time and I have to say its mighty tasty. Our trip to Cape Cod was kind of rushed but I didn’t mind I had a few drinks with our colleagues and a good time was had by all there. Then after that we moseyed on back to the hotel, but before the meal and drinks I got a tattoo. Heads turned when I got home I can tell you that but hey, first trip to America, first time to get lobster, first time to fly so why not I thought. Carmel, Breda and I then joined a gym where we swam in the pool and worked out with the gym equipment. Plenty of shopping was done especially by me (hard to believe). The members of Genesis were great and some were working T.E. which I think were remarkable jobs to be in. I’d like to thanks Genesis for their hospitality letting us stay in their Guest house which was in excellent condition, a really old but classic house. The Clubhouse was only down the road from it. I’ll leave you now with one thing: Up the Irish and up the American Irish which everyone there was.

Santa Claus is on his way
With gifts for each good child
He will travel on his sleigh
Through snow so barren wild

Rudolph with his red nose
Will carry Santa without fail
For Father Christmas clearly knows
Each and every hill and dale

Down the chimney Santa will go
With the greatest of expertise
For any task Santa easily undergoes
With gifts for all to please

So sleep tight each one of you
And dream of Christmas day
Santa loves you through and through
In his very special way

So on a peaceful Christmas night
Many gifts for each girl and boy
Christmas holds a fear of delight
With Santa and all that cry

Q. What did Santa Claus say to his wife on Christmas Eve?
A. Don’t go out in the reindeer.

Q. What did one Christmas Cracker say to the other?
A. My pop’s bigger than yours.

Christmas Eve 24th December:                   11:30am - 3:00pm
Monday 27th December:                            11:30am - 3:00pm
Wednesday 29th December:                       11:30am - 3:00pm
New Year’s Eve 31st December:                 11:30am - 3:00pm

One of the easiest ways to entertain some of your friends before Christmas is to serve Mulled wine and Minced Pies with lots of whiskey cream. At that stage they are still a novelty, whereas after Christmas people tend to groan, “Oh no! Not mince pies again !”.

   - 1 Bottle of good red wine                                - a small piece of cinnamon bark
- a clove                                                              - a blade of mace
   - 4 ozs (110 g / 1 cup) sugar
   - Thinly paired rind of 1 lemon

Put the sugar into a stainless steel/cast iron saucepan, pour the wine over, add the lemon rind, cinnamon bark, mace and the clove. Heat slowly, stirring to make sure the sugar is dissolved.

Hints:

A Small room can look bigger if it
is painted white or off white.

Use paint imaginatively on old
furniture, picture frames or
mirrors

Employment is going very well at the moment. A large number of members are out working in T.E.’s and S.E.’s. Some members are up to the maximum number of hours a week, all members recorded as working are being fully supported by all staff from Platinum. A member has commenced employment in a long standing T.E. site of Platinum this week. He is enjoying being in the work force again. All staff at the company made him very welcome. Declan is commencing employment in a Hire Service.

Education has been very active over the past few weeks. Michael is busy on his course in the I.T. college. Anna is back in V.T.O.S. doing her 2nd year, Lydia is busy at Art Classes. Barry, Paul and Michael T have completed their computer course in the Library. Barry and Paul have done exams in computer studies and Brid is having an introduction to computers.

Announcements

Mulled Wine Morning.
Date: Dec 8th 11-2.

Christmas Dinner.
Town House, Naas.
Date: Dec 17th.

Birthday Wishes to: Ann, Martin, Curt, Declan, John, Angela, Caroline, Alan, Clive

Contributors: Eileen D, Patricia, Lydia, Paddy M, Robbie, Stephen D, Breda and Carmel.