Platinum Clubhouse - July 2006 Newsletter

God is in his heaven, and the month of July is here, so it is time for the Galway Races again. July is also the month many members and staff get their holidays off work, so hope you all have a good time.
The clubhouse will be going on their summer outing to Powerscourt house, hope you have a good time. The world cup draws to a conclusion on the 9th of July. It is also the month for us all to eat strawberries and cream, there goes that diet again. Enjoy the summer

You are all looking remarkably well, no longer suffering from seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and with a golden tan and without any sign of burning or bites from insects or thorn damage from the garden. The children are all well behaved and not bored and playing happily with sand and sea and not really looking for another swimsuit or snorkel or another bucket and spade- that the other lovely child on the beach ‘acquired’ last year!
Cheer up, you did get a chance to take out the sandals, loose the tights, and try out your ‘Summer Bay’ dress that you didn’t chance last year, because it really wasn’t as warm!
Well you do have to make the effort now before it passes you by for another year – at least smile for the picnic photograph and don’t feed the ants until later in the evening. Have a good July, don’t get dehydrated, or too sunburned, or too tired from all this activity!

Saturday 8th Saturday Opening
Friday 21st SummerOuting [Powerscourt]
Friday 28th Employment Dinner

Times they are a changing, are the lyrics of a well-known song and they certainly apply to the world of Gaelic football, going on the results of recent matches in the championship. Tyrone, who reached the lofty heights of all Ireland glory in September last, came crashing back to earth with a thud in the first round of the Ulster championship on Sunday last. In a foul ridden unforgettable encounter they lost heavily to arch rivals Derry.
Tyrone failed to score at all in the first half and at full time had registered just 5 points. Oh how the mighty have fallen. The shocks continued in Leinster as Meath, once a formidable force collapsed against Wexford. Continuing the trend, Kildare went out to neighbouring county Offaly in a game that rose to no great heights as a spectacle. The race for Sam continues, no doubt with a shock or two along the way.

Over the past two weeks we have experienced a “Summer Climate.” It has been considerably hot and I believe as “Irish” we automatically jump out in bathing suits and sunbathe. We tend to forget about the damage “The Golden Ball” in the sky can do to ones skin and health. When I refer to “the golden ball”, it is ironic as The World Cup is also a topic surrounding a ball. Whom ever ends up winner’s (Brazil of course) will be sure to have a “golden ball”.
Back to sunbathing, no matter how dark or fair we are we must use sunscreen. For example I myself would be dark and I wore factor 30, day 1 and day 2 and the next day I wore Factor 20 and so on but nothing less than factor 7 at all times. On the other hand my son is fair. I put factor 60 on him at all times.
When choosing Sunscreen nowadays we tend to do so ourselves, but it is no harm and perhaps of long-term benefit to ask a pharmacist or a shop assistant to help you select the correct factor. You should be looking for a factor that will protect you from the Ultraviolet rays and the Infrared rays (heat rays). The ultraviolet rays are absorbed by the skin and may cause sunburn and tanning. It is vital that we are protected from both forms of rays. Enjoy the Sunshine! To all the secondary and primary school teachers and pupils, have a lovely holiday.

Kids Sniffing Glue

Two young lads sat together
They both knew each other well
Both boys heads as light as a feather
Only God knows their future to tell

For sniffing glue was their release
From this crazy uncertain life
If only they were in peace
And an end to their inner strife
Soon they were very, very high
If only I knew their problems in full
I asked myself what was their cry

And what made their lives so dull
Happy they felt in their high stage
But their reactions were so strange
For a short while feeling just great
A few kicks for a few pence change

How sad is this whole affair
A dilemma that would touch your heart
If only more people would care
Of this tragedy tearing their dreams apart
I had a very happy childhood
And never dream of this happening to me
To help these kids we really should
And give them a place in society.
Their youth is on their side

But they surely feel the pain
All they want to do is hide
From this crazy world gone insane
Poverty and lack of love
With many other ailments their fate
A secure world their dream of
And with concern, hope and prayer never too late

Patrick M

The World Cup is on in Germany at present. However not everyone is interested in the world cup, so what do you look at on TV if you are not interested in the world cup. For the ladies there is always the Soaps, Coronation Street, Eastenders etc. However with the current fine spell a nice walk in the country side would pass away a few hours.
You could always go shopping in the White Water Shopping Centre, but that would be like a hard days work on your poor wallet, or your credit card. You could always go visit relatives you have not seen for a while, but then again that might not be a good idea as they could be watching the World Cup on TV too, so you may have to make your own tea or coffee, and put up with a frosty reception. You could always go on a clubhouse social, or even go to the pictures for the night, or hire out a DVD.
If your husband or partner, is not interested in the matches you could go out for a meal together. However the best plan may be to look on the World Cup as a form of penance that comes around every four years, so sit back like the rest of the world and enjoy it. By the way, my tip for the World Cup is Brazil to retain their title, with the best outsiders possibly being Mexico.

Hope you are enjoying the good weather and the hot sun. Don’t forget to drink lots of fluid and soft drinks to prevent dehydration. We are offering a wide range of salads in our kitchen these days and all ideas and recipes are welcome for the menu planning. Thanks to all members who attended and gave a helping hand at the BBQ day which was a great success. Our plan is to have picnics and out and about trips for the summer so all are welcome. We have been kept going in the kitchen of late and our attendance is good which is good for morale.

450 g/ 1lb Odlums Cream Flour
1 teaspoon Bread Soda Good pinch of salt
1 Tablespoon Sugar
25g/1 oz Margarine
A little over 1/2 pint Buttermilk

Sieve flour, salt and soda into a bowl. Add sugar. Rub in the margarine to resemble breadcrumbs, lifting mixture with fingertips to introduce air to the dough. Add sufficient buttermilk and mix to make a soft dough. Turn onto a lightly floured board and knead a little. Turn the smooth side and shape into a round. Place the dough on a floured tin. Cut a cross over the top. Bake in a pre-heated oven, 400 Degrees F, 200 Degrees C, Gas 6 for 40-45 minutes. When baked the underneath when “tapped” should have a hollow sound. Cool on a wire tray. Cover with a tea towel to give a soft crust.

Birthday Wishes: Jackie, Reg ,Ian, Breda, Aileen, Denis, Bernie, and Shane

Any articles, items or pictures in this newsletter may only be reproduced following permission from Platinum Clubhouse.