Platinum Clubhouse Newbridge, Co.Kildare, Ireland.
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October 2006 Newsletter

Editorial

Here we are now in the month of October with less than twelve weeks to go to Christmas. There are a number of social events planned for this month as usual, and the Christmas Party has been booked in Monasterevin for December. We said goodbye to Ian last month and will really miss him. We wish him well in his studies, and hope he keeps in contact. We also send good luck wishes to some of our members who are continuing or starting various courses from VTOS to Culinary skills to Internet and Web access etc. Best of luck to all. That’s it for now. Enjoy the read and if you wish to contribute an article, then contact us either by coming in to the Clubhouse or through the email. Enjoy this newsletter.

.platinumclubhouse@eircom.net

Farewell to Ian

On Wednesday September 13th, a group of seventeen people, both members and staff got together in a local pub/restaurant called Swifts, to say goodbye and good luck to Ian. Ian has been part of the Platinum Clubhouse staff team for approximately 2 years and is now heading to Trinity College to gain further qualifications. In his time here, Ian has proved to be a very easy going chap and a pleasure to be associated with. His presence will be missed in Platinum Clubhouse.

Rathsallagh Holiday August 2006

It all started on Tuesday 29th when Michael B collected me from home at 9 am in the Suzuki Cultus. We went straight to the Golf Club having had a successful trial run courtesy of Carmel. We arrived there shortly after half nine and we had a cup of coffee and a few biscuits in the Clubhouse to keep us going prior to our round of golf. Breda had kindly booked us in to tee off at 10.45 am but when we were paying for the round the staff let us go out at 10.20 am. It took us over five hours to play the round and we were exhausted. It was a lovely course and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.
We then had our lunch as we were both starving. I had the mixed grill and Michael had the curry. We then booked into Rathsallagh House and relaxed for a while in our glorious room watching TV and recuperating. Dinner was served in the Dining Room at 8.00 pm and we had a six course meal. A lot of the items on the menu I had to get Michael to describe to me what they were as I had never heard of them and he is the Clubhouse culinary expert.
The following morning we had a lovely breakfast. It was a great spread with cereal, a variety of juices, fresh fruit salad, croissants and a big fry up if you wanted. We were going to play another round in Rathsallagh but they were working on the greens on the front nine so we headed off to Baltinglass Golf Club instead. It was a good bit cheaper. On a number of different holes, we had a blind view of the fairway and green. By this I mean that we could not see where our shots went, because the course was hilly. The weather was very mixed with heavy showers, so luckily we had bought water-proof gear the week before. We only played thirteen holes due to the prevailing weather conditions and then we both had the beef stir fry in the Baltinglass Clubhouse. We headed back to our accommodation and relaxed for the rest of the day. We had our dinner at around the same time and for starters I was adventurous and had the quail. It was very tasty as was the rest of our meal and we were too stuffed to have a few drinks afterwards. The following morning it was all over shortly after breakfast as we had to have our rooms vacated by 11 am and we headed back home having had a thoroughly enjoyable trip. The only complaint we had was that our golfing vacation was too short. We are both very grateful to Carmel and Breda for organising a lovely trip.

Clive

Soap Update

Emmerdale. Who says a farmers life is easy? There is poor Andy, who is married to the lovely Katie, and into his life comes a minx called Jo, who is driving poor Andy mad with desire and lust. The lovely Katie is afraid she is going to loose poor Andy to Jo. What is she to do, when horses have the same problem, Andy has them gelded. Elsewhere, Sadie and Cain are going to kidnap Tom King. Len has his Pearl of the seven seas back.

Coronation Street
Charlie the builder is busy now with Marie, hair brained hair dresser. With hair dressers like her I am glad I am nearly bald. Mrs Peacock. Claire has a bad case of bird flu.

Eastenders. Billy and Honey at last got married, and had a lovely baby girl as well. Peggy discovers there is life in the old dog yet, as she gets to grips with Honey’s father. I heard it said Honey is good for you, guess Billy did too..

Fair City. Carol is cheating behind Garrigan’s back with an under cover cop called Rory. Christy is trying to fight off the greedy hands of his ex-wife Renee, and Bob. Charlie has taken up chess. Lorcan is to become a dad.
It is of my countryside within me to embrace,

Predictions. I believe in time that Scott and Debbie will have an affair in Emmerdale. In Coronation Street, Charlie will bed Liz or Hailey, he might as well, he has had all the women on the street bar them.

Philip

A Humorous Look at the Pitch & Putt Outing

On Saturday the 19th of August we met up at Platinum Clubhouse. It was a very cloudy and rainy morning. Carmel and Eileen were the staff on the day out. The members who came were myself David, Peter K, Robert and Lydia. Two members called in sick, not mentioning their names, but they know who they are Ha Ha Ha.

I could be wrong but I don’t think they were ill, I think it was down to all the rain we had that morning, that’s cynicism for you! Anyway we met up at Platinum Clubhouse, Carmel drove us to the golf club. We got our golf balls, clubs and tees from the golf shop, and set out on to the golf course. The rain came down, but it was only light. We split up into pairs, Peter and I teed off first. Peter started cribbing from the off, saying things like, “we cant play in this *** rain surely”, and other statements of that ilk.

I said come on Peter lets go for it. So he went up to the Tee, and after numerous practice shots he eventually hit the ball. And a nice shot it was too, then my turn. I gave the ball a right thump, up it went skyward, but it went off course about 30 yards. Oh well!

It took us about 7 shots each to get the ball into the hole. Robert and Lydia were flying around the course, and seemed to be playing quite well, I think! Last of all Eileen and Carmel teed off, they looked professional in their waterproofs but professionals they were not. Ha Ha only kidding girls. Then the weather took a turn for the worst, it started pouring out of the heavens. Peter said sod this I’m off to the clubhouse. I said come on Pete its only a bit of rain, Peter said “no I’m off, see ya Dave”. So I joined forces with Eileen and Carmel. But the rain started bucketing down. Lydia and Robert were racing away and on about the 16th hole, so we decided we would all give up when they reached the 18th hole. So we called it a day and had a cup of tea and snack at the golf shop. All in all I think we had a good day and good craic, except Peter (maybe.)


David

Social Calender

Saturday 7th Pitch and Putt
Wednesday 15th Table Quiz
Friday 27th Employment Dinner
At The Dog Track

American Visit

We have had our American visitors over. Kevin and Denise are no strangers to Platinum Clubhouse as they were here for the first post site visit in December 2000 . They went through the action plan that Patrick, Breda, and Carmel did at the end of theie training in September 2004. Kevin and Denise were very impressed with the out comes of the action plan .They filled us in on things we should work on for our accreditation visit which will take place in September 2005. They were also here for our mid week social which was held in the White Water Hotel. We hope that this was a worth while trip for them.

The Japanese Gardens

Last Wednesday two female staff and three woman members went to the Japanese Gardens I was the only man which is interesting as the clubhouse is mostly male. We left the clubhouse in the morning and looked around the clothes shop beside the gardens and then went for coffee and cake. We were all in good form as we walked around the Garden and after had a look in the stables at a variety of horses in the stud. We were lucky with the weather as we stood by the lake admiring the swans and went into a number of caves including one with Waterford Crystal in it. After a very enjoyable day we went back to the clubhouse and had dinner. Robert

Farewell Pope John Paul

Upon this earth a heavenly man
Leader of nations with all his love
He done the best he can
To preach the message of God above
He travelled many of a place
All mankind in his prayer
With all of his gentle grace
For all the world he truly cared.


Living a life of Christianity
Our very own pontiff John Paul
From pain and suffering set free
With our true God in his call
A true catholic leader forever be
In his voice spread the word
Set many of a person free
In the eyes of our good Lord


A theologian & politician
With sacred ways one could find
He changed the course of society
And eased the pain a person lived
This mans love of our Lady and our lady
Through whom he prayed for others to her Son, our Lord
So reaping a heavenly reward
Lay deep inside his soul.

Paddy

Summertime

Summer is here at last a time to enjoy the weather, long bright day, flowers, shrubs, birds are out beautiful country side many people are now planning holidays, and some are planning week ends away + day trips We now have at Platinum our own mini bus and we should also avail of some trips out We don’t need to leave our beautiful county Kildare. We all ready have visited our Japanese gardens a good day was had by all. We have many beautiful old houses and castles in Kildare and we should try and visit some in the near future. All of these houses and castles can be seen by the public 7 days a week.

Here is a list of those venues to be visited.

Leixlip Castle (leixlip)
Castle martin House (Kilcullen)
Castleton House (Celbridge)
Carton House (Maynooth)
Strafing House (Straffin)

Admin unit

Admin unit is very busy all of the time. Members and staff publish the newsletter monthly, the Action plan for out post site American visit was typed up and printed off. Members and staff are now doing up a weekly news sheet and it will be available every Monday. It will be edited by Patricia and Robert.

Handy Tips

Cooking Duck

As duck can be very fatty, it is better to follow this process for cooking. Prick the bird all over and roast at 240 degrees for 20 minutes. Remove and pour off the fat. Butter the breast. Season with salt and pepper. Return to cooking at reduced heat of 200 degrees for 40 to 60 minutes.

Announcements:

Get Well wishes to: All our members who are unwell.

Birthdays: John B., Anna, Philip F., Sean, Patrick T., Peter K., Mary O' L., Margaret K. & Hugh

Disclaimer:
The views, opinions and beliefs expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily the views of Platinum Clubhouse.

Contributors: Philip, David, Michael B, Patricia, Clive, Tom W

Editorial team:Tom W, Michael B, Clive, Breda, Shay

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

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