Good evening, Fellow Members!

Welcome to our October General Membership meeting. The board has been working on a few things on your behalf that I’d like to share. First, Erin took on the task – and this is one of many jobs she has taken on for us – to purchase a new printer. This printer will be used for club business. We were allotted a certain number of prints per month, so we will be monitoring usage and will adjust as needed. Instructions will be shared with Committee Chairs as to how to use it as well. Also, Erin’s husband, Mike, donated a podium to use by the front door instead of the large round table that causes congestion near the doorway. Thank you, Erin & Mike, for your efforts to support the IHSM!

Another item the board has been working on is an attempt to soundproof the bar at some of our events. The noise level in the bar ocassionally deters from the membership’s enjoyment of some of our acoustic performances. I’ll update you next month on where we are with this endeavor.

Last, I am so excited to share that Candace Rooney has volunteered to take over the creation of the Happenings! If you’ve seen tonight’s version, I’m sure you will see that her new format is absolutely terrific!

Also, Autumn has turned out to be a busy season at the IHSM! An abundance of Activities and Cultural Events fill our days and nights thanks to the efforts of our Activities Co-Chairs Dana & Melissa as well as our Cultural Co-Chairs Maureen & Sheila and all of their committee members. Slainte has added to the festive atmosphere with a couple events thanks to the guidance of Noeleen and her committee members. We also are blessed with the continued expertise of Mike McCabe who does a great job finding us fantastic entertainment each month. He has also been instrumental in supporting another project we’ve been working on to help archive past documents of the IHSM. This job could not be done without him! Thanks to all of you for filling our rooms with laughter and good cheer.

I’d also like to recognize the continuous efforts of the Bar Manager, Bill Schule, and House Committee Co-Chairs Ed Mead and Bill Schule. Bill deserves a huge ‘Thank You’ for organizing the day to day needs of the club in his volunteer role including inventory, bar schedules, and deliveries to name a few. And Ed is often first on the scene when something needs fixing from bathroom fixtures to Jukebox malfunctions. Thank you, gentleman, for all you do for us!

Slainte has asked me to put forth an additional volunteer name who has been invaluable in service to Slainte this past month. Noeleen wishes to thank Berenice Dohn for donating food on some impromptu occasions.

Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Lacey

The Irish Heritage Society of Milford’s Board wishes to announce and congratulate the recipients of The Irish Man and Woman of the Year Awards!
They are:
Irish Man – Jerry Hodges
Irish Woman – Paula McGill

Nollaig na mBan or Women’s Little Christmas

On this day, it is the tradition in Ireland for women to get together and enjoy their own Christmas, while the men folk stay home and take care of the chores and look after the children.

At IHSM, we have had a long standing tradition to celebrate this special day to honor all the women in our IHSM families who have worked tirelessly during the holidays as well all year long. Except for a couple years during the pandemic when this blessed event was not possible, we have celebrated this day on the closest Sunday to the date of the Epiphany.

Well, our wonderful little tradition is back again this year!! Sheila Olcott has found a lovely place for us to gather and enjoy our Women’s Little Christmas once again! We are all set to host this wonderful event again!

We will gather on:

January 8th, 2023 at the River Bistro in Stratford from 12 to 3 pm. More details will follow as to price and food offerings.

Most importantly, we want to make this a peaceful and restful time for ALL the women in attendance, some of whom will be organizing the festivities or helping with raffles. So, we are requesting a $5 donation from all those thankful benefactors of the love of our IHSM women and who are willing to support this tradition and its various raffle drawings. All donators will have the option to write their names on little snowmen that will be placed on our “Honor Wall” at the clubhouse. Donations can be made either at the next general membership meeting, dropped off at the Clubhouse in an envelope labeled "Women’s Little Christmas’’ or mailed to: IHSM, 131 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford, Ct 06460. Anonymous donations appreciated too.
Please support our Women’s Little Christmas!

Respectfully Submitted,
Amy Lacey

Another time-honored tradition!
We will be taking nominations for the next Man and Woman of the Year at the November General Membership meeting. There will be a collection box with nomination slips set up so anyone can contribute his or her choices for the man and woman who they feel have gone above and beyond this past year to support the Irish Heritage Society of Milford. In addition, you can email me at ihsmpresident1@gmail.com to share your nominations. Please be sure to share some bullet points about the many deeds your chosen man and woman have done to support the club, so the board can discuss the merits of all entries.
Slainte!
Amy

Click this link to see the responsibilities of the Board: Roles and Responsibilities of the Board