Merry
Christmas, Everyone!
In the rush of the merry morning,
When the red burns through the grey,
And the wintry world lies waiting
For the glory of the day,
Then we hear a fitful rushing Just without, upon the stair,
See two white phantoms coming,
Catch the gleam of sunny hair.
Rosy feet upon the threshold,
Eager faces peeping through,
With the first red ray of sunshine
Chanting cherubs come in view;
Mistletoe and gleaming holly,
Symbols of a blessed day,
In their chubby hands they carry,
Streaming all along the way.
Well we know them, never weary
Of their innocent surprise; Waiting,
watching, listening always
With full hearts and tender eyes,
While our little household angels,
White and golden in the Sun.
Greet us with the sweet old welcome--
"Merry Christmas, everyone!"
THE
TABLET
One
can keep taking the tablets night, noon and morning
for some don't get any warning
for the Pain barrier they go through as one goes.
For the drink, the smoke does a lot of harm
as do the tablets in the long run
now I've been on this planet for what seems like forever and a
day
and sometimes I say
just give me the tablets and let me hit the hay.
And as the rest of the world lead their own lives
some will always duck and dive
as I drive other folk insane.
And as for them they will just keep on taking the tablets
and just walk on by through this old world.
Martin
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
As for now my friend had been taken away from one walk of life
for just a short time as they walked on the wrong side of the
street
through no fault of their own.
But they are getting well soon - very, very soon
But who can really tell and back to the world we hope and pray
but they are the only ones that have the final say.
Martin
Social
Report
Social Outings in October
On the 6th of October, Platinum Clubhouse facilitated a Mental
Health Awareness Day in Dunnes Stores, Newbridge. Members and
staff handed out leaflets, balloons ,bars and did face painting
for the children as well. The theme of the day was "Smiles go
miles" and they sure do! A large number of people, especially
from the Clubhouse helped out, even if just for an hour or two.
The day went really well and everyone enjoyed themselves. That
evening a dinner was put on for all the helpers, in Swift's Pub,
by the local branch of the MHAI (Mental Health Association Ireland).
Another
meal was had in Swifts on the 11th of October. This time it was
for all the people out working, their employers and members of
the Clubhouse who were interested in hearing how the people out
working are getting on. About twenty people attended the dinner
that night. A couple of people talked about their jobs and how
they were enjoying being back in employment again. The dinner
was a great opportunity for people who haven't seen each other
in a while to meet up for a chat. The dinner itself was lovely
and the atmosphere and craic was very enjoyable.
We would like to congratulate Marguerite and Martin on their engagement,
which they announced at the employment dinner.
Martin R and Tom D
Catering
News
Once
again we have arrived at that time of year when Christmas becomes
a reality to us all, especially those people who like to make
the Christmas cake, pudding and mince pies. We in the catering
unit at this time will be making a few decisions about our Christmas
plans. At the moment, the few members who take an active part
in this unit are very busy. We cater for an average of between
18 & 22 dinners per day. Some members on TE & Supported Employment
enjoy a late lunch at the Clubhouse.
With
winter fast approaching, hot lunches are prepared every day, with
soup on the menu some days. We in the Catering Unit hope that
you will try our recipe for a traditional Christmas Cake. Enjoy
and happy Baking.
TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS CAKE RECIPE
Ingredients:
9 oz. Plain flour
¼ level teaspoon of salt
1 level teaspoon of mixed spice
12 oz. Stoned raisins
12 oz. Sultanas 12 oz.
Currants 2 oz.
Chopped candied peel 3 oz.
glacé cherries, quartered
8 oz.Butter
8 oz. Soft brown sugar 4 eggs,
lightly beaten
2 oz.Almonds blanched & chopped
1 ½ level tablespoons of black treacle
2 tablespoons of Brandy
Preparation
time: 30 minutes
Cooking time: 4 hours
Oven
setting: 300° F: Gas Mark 1 ½ ,
265° F: Gas Mark ½
Method: Line the base of an 8 inch, round
cake tin with a double layer of greaseproof paper and then tie
a double band of brown paper, 1 inch wider than the depth of the
tin, around the outside. Sieve the flour, salt and spice into
a large bowl. Cream the butter and sugar until pale and creamy.
Beat in a little egg at a time.
Stir in the treacle, then the flour, dried fruit, peel, cherries
and almonds. Turn the mixture into the prepared tin and bake in
a cool oven for three hours, reducing the oven to very cool for
a further hour, or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes
out clean.
Leave the cake to cool in the tin for 10 minutes and then turn
it out onto a wire tray, removing the paper. When almost cold,
turn the cake upside down and pierce with a skewer and spoon the
brandy over it. When completely cold, wrap in greaseproof paper
and foil, or store in an airtight tin.
TIP: the cake has an opportunity to mature if made at least
one month before Christmas.
Patsy & the Crew
Punchestown
Races
The 1st race meeting in Punchestown this year was due to be run
on Jan 10th 2001, but due to repairs it was Sept 30th before there
were any races. There should have been fourteen race meetings
in 2001 but this has been halved because of the repairs. There
will be seventeen in 2002.
It is mainly hurdle and jump [Steeple-Chase] races in Punchestown.
The
Bumper is the only flat race there. This is for 4 year olds or
more .It is two miles long. In hurdle races, the hurdles or fences
are 3 feet -6 inches in height, and about 4 inches wide. The horses
take off about 7 yards out. Jumps are 4 feet-6 inches in height
and just about 18 inches wide. There is one regulation jump in
each steeplechase race. This is about 10 inches wide on top. It
is 4 feet [approx] from fence.
Patricia
THE
BUS LAUNCH IN ATHY
Oh what a day we all had in Athy, on the launching of the buses
for the Mental Health Association.
One of the buses was purchased for the use of people within the
services in the Naas/Newbridge/Kildare area, for which we are
all overjoyed.
The
day, weather wise, was not pleasant but the people in Athy welcomed
us with open arms and laid on refreshments, which went down very
well with everybody.
There were speeches given by Mr Jack Wall, Mr Brain Howard, Mr
Joe McFadden and Mr Niall O Muiri.
A
special presentation of a bouquet of flowers was given to Ms Catherine
Brogan, the Development Officer of the Mental Health Association,
and Ms Francis Al Sayeed, the Chairperson of the local branch,
for their commitment and hard work. I just wish we could have
more days like that one.
Martin
New Clubhouse for Clondalkin/Tallaght area
Ray, Catherine and Patsy went to Glen Abbey Day Hospital, Belgard
Road, Tallaght, Dublin to discuss the opening of a Clubhouse in
the Clondalkin area.
We were there to explain what the Clubhouse model is all about
and how it would benefit people in the area. We explained how
the Clubhouse is run and how it has helped the people who come
here. We gave this presentation to members of EVE. Ltd., Psychiatric
Nurses, the Co-ordinator of Rehabilitative Training, E.R.H.A.
and the Director of Mental Health and Addiction Services.
They were impressed with the idea of the Clubhouse and are in
the process of doing work on establishing a new Clubhouse. We
had tea and coffee and a nice chat after the meeting. All in all,
things went very well on the day.
Ray
Announcements:
Welcome
to all our new Members: Ger
Member (attendance) of the Month: Ray(Sept) & Michael
(Oct)
Get
Well wishes to: all the Members who are unwell, at home or
in hospital.
Birthday Wishes to:
John, Mary, Margaret K, Garry, Robert, Declan, Margaret O'B, Anne,
Kevin
Margaret P, Alan, Simon.
Disclaimer:
The views, opinions and beliefs expressed in this newsletter are
not necessarily the views of Platinum Clubhouse. Any articles,
items or pictures in this newsletter may only be reproduced following
permission from Platinum Clubhouse.
Contributions:
Ger, Andrew, Martin, Tom W, Breda, Patsy, Patricia,
Ray, Barry, Micheal, Mary, Breda, Tom D, Des, Peter, Cath.
