The Blarney - Shamrock Club of La Crosse
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The Blarney
September 2018 laxblarney@gmail.com shamrockclublax.org
The Newsletter of The Greater La Crosse Area Celtic Community
Busy, Busy, Busy.
July, August and September is the busiest three month period in the La Crosse Celtic calendar, starting off in
early July with the annual Brat Barn Fundraiser and ending up with the Oktoberfest Maple Leaf Parade. This hive
of activity coupled with one of the hottest Wisconsin summers on record brought out record crowds to local
events but put a heavy burden on those who volunteered their time and effort in setting up the various parades,
events and fundraisers. So a very large thanks to all of them for making our summer months so entertaining.
Many thanks to Tom Peterson for the cover photograph and to Pat Mullaney, Kathleen Ryan and Lynn West for
their updates from The Shamrock Club, Irishfest and Bantry respectively.
Not the usual view you get of Irishfest. Taken on Saturday morning by a high-flying drone.
2018 Bratt Barn Fundraiser
Liz Oelke, Linda Boyle, Mary Monks and Linda Smith take a well-earned
break from serving Brats and Burgers outside Festival Foods in Onalaska.
Over eight hundred dollars was raised at this annual fundraiser.
Trempealeau Catfish
Days Parade
(Top) Club members line up for a pre-
parade photograph.
(Right) Irish Rose, Mary Monks and Irish
Man Brady Hoeth meet and great Miss
Galesville and her court. The court
consists of Miss Galesville, Alexi Hunter –
1st Attendant, Liz McCabe, 2nd. Attendant
Helen Peterson and 3rd. Attendant BriAnne
Bohn.
(Bottom) Linda Boyle, Kathy O’Driscoll,
Kathy Peterson and Mary Monks taking in
some shade.
Second Annual Irish Heritage Night At The La Crosse Loggers
The Guilty Kilts entertaining the crowd prior to the start of the game
(Top Left) A pre-game huddle.
(Top Right) Irish Rose Mary Monks shares a laugh with Dennis and Diane O’Brien and Ron and Linda Smith.
(Bottom Left) Tim and Connie Sprester.
Irishfest 2018
Opening Day 2018 – The 15th. Irishfest
Brady Hoeth, Dawn Letch and Mary Monks
at the Shamrock Club table in the main
tent.
Part of the Shamrock Club
display in The Cultural tent
Royalty Everywhere
2018 Irish Rose, Mary
Monks and 2018 Irish Man
Brady Hoeth pose for a
photograph with 2018
Miss Wisconsin Tianna
Vanderhei
The Scattering brings to a close Irishfest for another year
Festmasters Ball
This year, The Greater La Crosse Area Shamrock Club attended the Oktoberfest Festmasters Ball in numbers.
The 2018 Irish Rose and Irish Man were accompanied by a further twenty-one club members as well as a
number of other guests. During the ball, Mike Kell and his wife Karen were introduced as the 2018 Festmaster
and Frau.
Festmaster and Frau meet with Irish Rose and Irish Man
Pre-Ball aperitif’s at Turtle Stack Brewery
Gatorfest
This year The Shamrock Club attended, probably, one of the most unusual parades it has ever entered. The
Gatorfest Parade held in Leon, Wisconsin. This is a standing parade where the floats line up and the attending
people parade past the floats. Wile the day was not the hottest day we have paraded on, it did make a welcome
change to sit back and watch the World go by.
A Prize will be offered for a
suitable caption for the
photograph below.
laxblarney@gmail.com
Steppin’ Out in Pink
This year’s walkers,
Back Row L to R, Linda Pfaff, Jessie Bumgarner, Ann Malin, Char Barton, Linda Boyle, Pat Barton, Katherine
Kenimer, Luke Seilstadt
Front Row R to L Becky Zentner, Sarah Bumgarner, Liz Oelke, Sophie Bumgarner, Joan Temple
The group take a time out for some mid-walk refreshments.
Coulee Celtic Cup
2018 marked the third year of The Coulee Celtic Cup, the tournament is a charity event put on by The Irish
Brigade, which, in turn is a combination of The La Crosse Area Shamrock Club, the La Crosse Bantry Friendship
Association and Irishfest La Crosse. It’s intent to raise funds for deserving families in our area to foster
educational and cultural learning or to help out with unexpected expenses due to loss or emergency.
This year’s event was held at Fox Hollow Golf Course in Barre Mills, as well as playing nine or eighteen holes of
golf, various challenges were set up during the round to test the golfers. These included using an old-style
wooden driver off the tee and putting with a camán. For those of you that do not know, a camán is the bat or
stick used in the Gaelic game of Hurling, it is also called a hurl. At least one golfer wanted to take the hurl home
as he said he putted better with it than with his putter.
Liz Oelke accompanied by Les Oelke present the JD Oelke memorial trophy to this year’s winning team. The
team comprised of Rod Schultz, Matt Lehmann, Jason Martin and Jeremy Kendall.Not only do you have to play like you know what you are doing you also have to dress like you know what you
are doing. Two of the many golfers taking part in the cup.
Two distinctly different putting styles.Applefest
With the set up completed it’s time for the long wait for your turn to set off, a very hot day made the wait seem
even longer.
On the night before the Applefest parade, the 2017 and 2018 Irish Men and Roses attended the
coronation of this year’s Applefest queenTorchlight Parade
Maple Leaf Parade
1982 Wild Irish Rose – Ann Malin
Our great musicians, from L to R – Finnian Cullen, Lisa Marchel, Kyle Humfeld and Matt Duckett
Top Left – A view from the float of the
crowds on Rose St.
Top Right – Perfect scores from Midwest
Broadcasting.
Left – Early morning set up.News From Around The Groups
The ‘Shamrockers’ stepped out in pink again this year. 15 walkers (13 adults, 2 children) signed up for this year’s
team: Linda Pfaff (Team Captain), Linda Boyle, Char and Pat Barton, Jane Brannon, Jessie, Linda Smith, Sophie
and Sarah Bumgarner, Katherine Kenimer, Ann Malin, Liz Oelke, Luke Seielstad, Joan Temple, and Becky Zenter.
It was a wonderful day for a walk and many stopped midway for some ‘hydration’ at the Barrel Inn on West
Avenue! In the end, with some wonderful donations, we came in 3 rd in ‘Community Goups’ Division with a total
of $3.940. Congratulations to our own Linda Boyle for being the ‘Top Participant’, securing $3.410 in donations.
A special ‘THANK YOU’ to our team and its sponsors/donors in their achievement and for helping our local
community in breast cancer research and assisting in so many other ways, like free yearly mammograms to
those who cannot afford one!
The ‘Shamrockers’ totally ROCK!
Ushering Opportunities
• Pixies, Kings and Magical Things on November 10th, 9:45 am- 12:15pm (6 spots available)
• Pixies, Kings and Magical Things on November 10th, 12:45 - 3:15pm (6 spots,FULL)
• Santaland Diaries on December 21. 6:15 - 8:45 pm (6 spots, 1 filled)
• The Game's Afoot on December 8. 6:00 - 10:15 pm (12 spots, 4 filled)
• Wait Until Dark on January 26. 6:15 - 10:15 pm (6 spots, FULL)
• Streetcar on March 24. 12:30pm - 4:45pm (12 spots, 5 filled)
Another performance of Pixies was added since it filled up so fast, another performance of Wait Until Dark
performance can be added if requested.
If you are interested in volunteering to usher at any of these events please contact Kathy Peterson via e-mail at
britkatscrap@gmail.comYear 14 of Irishfest La Crosse is behind us! It’s sort of like Christmas – all the excitement, the planning, the hard
work by a multitude of people – then after 3 days, it’s over! The time for rest was much appreciated by many,
but now we move into planning for our 15th festival in 2019.
The festival was very well attended with over 8300 people attending this year and all went well! The weather
cooperated with no rain, we had another year of awesome entertainment from around the world, great food,
beer and craic! Now it’s time to start planning for our 15th year, so watch for a spectacular 15th anniversary
festival, August 9, 10 & 11.
Clancy O’Coulee had a super fun time at the festival with a busy schedule and has been busy since then. First off,
he needed to go in for his annual cleaning and came out fresh as can be. Clancy joined the Shamrock Club on
their floats at the Oktoberfest Torchlight and Maple Leaf parades putting smiles on thousands of faces.
We held our Volunteer Recognition Dinner at the Onalaska American Legion on September 20 with over 100 of
our volunteers attending. A fun filled evening included dinner, drinks and door prizes. We are always looking for
more volunteers, so be sure to talk it up to family, friends, and coworkers. Another big thank you to all of our
volunteers!
A group of board members will be attending the Association of Irish & Celtic Festival Organizers conference,
which will be held in Milwaukee this year. This is an organization of festival organizers from all over the United
States and some from Canada who share ideas, attend workshops, meet and listen to some new entertainment,
and general networking with other festival organizers. We always bring back some new ideas and/or
entertainment.
We always want to know what you think! Anyone who has suggestions, likes, dislikes about Irishfest can email us
at irishfestlax@gmail.com
Slainté
Nothing to report yet, although we have been informed that work is scheduled to begin soon. When the garden was last
visited there were barriers placed along the pathway at the Western end of the Irish Garden, whether this is an indication
that work is to start, we do not know.Over the past few months our new Shamrock Club Board has met 3 times. The purpose; generate new ideas,
develop our calendar thru March of 2019, build a budget that will support the club, its members and activities
within the community. This will enhance our general meetings creating more social time. We have restructured
and developed committees to work on projects ie: Coulee Celtic Cup, Parades, Club Dinners and social events
promoting the club. We have the good fortune of having our new members be involved with our active
schedule and participating in our future. Long time members love this infusion and their inspiration. We just
completed a successful parade tour with Rotary Lights to go.
I want to thank the Monks for hosting the Chili Cookoff Picnic on the 13th and opening up their home to the
whole club. They have a wonderful setting on French Island. This will be a great day to meet and share our Irish
heritage.
Please feel free to contact me anytime to discuss the club, meetings or ideas. I have a new phone # 608 792
8179. patrickmullaney07@gmail.com
Thank you again for your membership and participation in our club.
Patrick Mullaney
Shamrock Club President
Pub Jig Logo
To the left is the design chosen to be on
the commemorative shirts for our fourth
annual pub jig. Tee shirts are $10,
Crewneck Sweatshirts are $20 and Hoodies
are $30. There is an additional charge of
$2.50 for XXL and above. To order please
contact Brady Hoeth at
bradyhoeth@yahoo.com or Mary Monks at
marymonks1968@yahoo.com koozies will
also be available for $1 each.LBFA has been very busy this summer, participating in many events and fundraising activities.
People Fest
LBFA joined fellow Irish Brigade members
from Shamrock and Irishfest to celebrate
the first People Fest Event July 29th at
Riverside Park. Many organizations set
up displays, performers presented and
citizens gathered to honor our diversified
community.
(Pictured L to R) Barrie Monks, Kathy
O’Driscoll, Linda Pfaff, Lynn West &
Romeo, Linda Boyle, Heather Ducher,
Mary Monks, Bill O’Driscoll and Kathleen
Ryan
Oktoberfest 2018
Members of LBFA and fellow Sister City
organizations joined La Crosse Mayor
Kabat to celebrate the 58th year of
Oktoberfest during the Maple Leaf
parade.
(Pictured L to R Linda Pfaff, Shirly Abts
and Lynn West)
You may also have seen a familiar face or
two in the Southside ticket windows as
several LBFA members volunteered for
front gate sales during the fest.Irishfest 14
Serving delicious Bantry Bay mussels has traditionally been an important Irishfest fundraiser for LBFA when we
offer a taste of our Sister City’s most famous product. 2018 proved to be our best fundraiser ever. Thanks to
the generosity of our friends at Bantry Bay Premium Seafoods, Rogge’s and Festival Foods, LBFA raised over
$1,100 in donations that will be used on projects to further enhance our global ties with Bantry.
(Pictured L to R Nancy Weise, Bob Hillary, Lynn West, Linda Pfaff and Ross West)
Irishfest Mussels Server LBFA Board Member Art MarsonLinda Pfaff (Pictured L to R) JoAnne Marson, Marsha Erickson and Arlene Butler
The LBFA display in the Cultural Tent was also a popular destination to learn more about our beautiful sister city.
Heather Ducher and Lynn West
Margaret Wood, Val Burn, Lynn West and Kathy SpelkerLip Sync Battle-Bantry, Ireland
Cork ARC Cancer Support our 2018 Bantry recipient of funds from the 3 rd annual Coulee Hoolie Ceili coupled
with Bantry Hospice for a joint fundraiser on September 21 and 22. LBFA supported the cause with a full-page ad
in the event program promoting the Sister City connection between La Crosse and Bantry.Upcoming events for LBFA
LBFA will participate in Global Initiatives Week in November with a display at the Kick Off event on Friday,
November 2nd at North Woods International School. LBFA members Mary Monks and Lynn West, with daughter
Carmen, will read children’s books.
In addition, LBFA is sponsoring a presentation by UW-L Associate Professor Ken Shonk Wednesday, November
7th, 6:30 PM at the Eagles Club 630 6th Street, La Crosse. The event is free and open to the public.
4th Annual Coulee Hoolie Ceili Irish Dance and Cultural Night Fundraiser.
Saturday, March 30, 2019.
6:00-10:00 PM, American Legion Hall.
Featuring the Coulee Hooligans
A “Blast From The Past ”
Linda Pfaff came across this picture which she thinks was taken in the early-mid 90's after an election, with the
new board participating in the 'swearing in' with lit candles and taking the 'oath of offices', so to speak. Yep, a
different time.
Names are from left to right, Patsy Venner, Marian Schnell, Mary Kay Smith, Donna Finn, Pat Stephens, Marian
McKenzie, Linda Pfaff and Dave McKenzie.What’s in a Name - Mullaney
Mullaney is a surname of Irish origin (from Connacht). It is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Maoil
Sheanaigh meaning "descendant of Maoilsheanaigh". The Gaelic personal name Maoilsheanaigh means
"devotee of (Saint) Seanach" and the personal name Seanach is made up of the element sean meaning
"ancient", "old". Many spellings of Connacht named omit the Sh and in consequence one theory is
that Mullaney may be an Anglicisation of Ó Maoileanaigh "descendant of Maoileanach". The personal
name Maoileanach means "chief of the marsh". An Ulster family, unrelated to the Connacht family, bore the
name Ó Maoileanaigh.
Variants of the name Mullaney include Mulany, O’Mulleena, O’Molina and Molina.
Famous Mullaney’s
Dominick F. Mullaney (1854 - 1929) was an American politician from New York.
Jack Mullaney (1929 – 1982) was an American actor. Mullaney acted in several television series and films
throughout his career
Joseph Alexander Mullaney (1924 – 2000) was an American professional basketball player and coach.
Mark Alan Mullaney (born 1953) is a former defensive end in the NFL. He was selected by the Minnesota
Vikings in the 1st round (25th overall) of the 1975 NFL Draft. At 6'6", 246 lbs. from Colorado State University,
Mullaney played in 12 NFL seasons from 1975 to 1987 for the Vikings and is 9th on the Vikings all-time sack list
with 45½ sacks.Birthdays
Oct. 9 Kathy O’Driscoll Nov. 1 Marsha Erickson
Oct. 10 Wayde Pollock Nov. 3 Ann Nolan
Oct. 11 Lynn Holtze Nov. 6 Ken Birnbaum
Oct. 18 Heather Peterson Nov. 7 Pat Moran
Oct. 19 Kathy Houlihan Nov. 12 Katherine Kenimer
Oct. 20 Kate Kersten Nov. 13 Hannah Nelson
Oct. 24 Brady Hoeth Nov. 16 Bernardo Cueto
Oct. 24 Liz Oelke Nov. 17 Erik Coaty
Oct. 25 Lynn Marie West Nov. 18 Emily McConaghy
Oct. 29 Steve Korger Nov. 25 Sean O'Neill
Nov. 27 Jessica Bumgarner
Nov. 29 Kathy Peterson
Dec. 4 Louise Keenan
Dec. 4 Cole Murphy
Dec. 6 Arlene Burns
Dec. 7 Pam Smith
Dec. 17 Lamom Hoban
Dec. 18 Cheryl Walsh
Dec. 17 Vicky Hampe
Dec. 18 Grace Schroeder
Dec. 18 Cheryl Walsh
Dec. 20 Dave Holtze
Dec. 27 Pat Barton
Dec. 29 Kathleen Ryan
Dec. 30 Jim Finn
Dec. 30 Debbie Kroner
Dec. 31 Kody Kuss
Dec. 31 Bill Nelson
irishroz_2000@yahoo.com
1914-1918Announcements
August appears to always be a busy month for weddings, and it is no supprise that this trend shows up within
The Shamrock Club membership.
Jeanine & Tom Nolan celebrated their 50th
Pat & Joanne Stephens celebrated their 48th
Barrie & Mary Monks Celebrated their 47th.
Bill & Kathy O’Driscoll celebrated their 36th.
Congratulations go out to all those listed above, as well as any other couples who have celebrated a recent
anniversary.
The Board Members of the Greater La Crosse Area Shamrock Club would like to welcome the following new and
returning members:
Jane Brannon
Siobhan Burns
Terry Hafner
Geoffrey Harris
Kaitlyn Lance
Ryan & Breanne Little
Ron & Annette McGinley
Matthew & Debi McGrury
Steve & Patti Mohr
Pat & Caroline Moran
Bill Mort
Anne Nolan
Jackie Sagear
Dan & Pat Campbell
We encourage you to attend our meetings, become involved and above all have fun.
If you would like to celebrate an event with us please send an e-mail to laxblarney@outlook.comUp-Coming Events
October 13 – Shamrock Club Fall Picnic
October 17 – Shamrock Club meeting @ Shenanigans 6pm
November 2 – Global Initiatives Kick Off @ Northwoods School
November 3 – Irish Pub Jig
November 17 – Decorate Rotary Lights Tree
November 21 – Shamrock Club Meeting @ Shenanigans 6pm (See Note Below)
November 23 – Rotary Lights Parade
December 5 – Shamrock Club Christmas party @ The Freighthouse
Due to the proximity to Thanksgiving, the November club meeting might be resceduled or cancelled. An e-mail
will be sent out to members if a change is made.
Current Board Members
President – Patrick Mullaney - patrick.mullaney@xerox.com
Vice President – Bill O’Driscoll - billodriscoll@msn.com
Past President – Barrie Monks - monksb@yahoo.com
Secretary – Char Barton - patandcharbarton@gmail.com
Treasurer – Liz Oelke - oelkegirl@hotmail.com
Parlimentarian – Luke Seielstad – luke_seielstad@yahoo.com
Sergeant At Arms – Kathleen Ryan - ryantigo@msn.com
Membership Chair – Linda Pfaff - irishroz_2000@yahoo.com
3 Yr Trustee – Stephanie O’Driscoll (2021)
3 yr Trustee – Finnian Cullen (2021)
2 Yr Trustee – Kathy Petersen – britkatscrap@gmail.com (2020)
1 Yr Trustee – Kelly Smith – yllek86@aol.com (2019)
1 Yr Trustee – Brady Hoeth – bradyhoeth@yahoo.com (2019)In an effort to keep The Blarney topical and entertaining, I would
greatly appreciate some feedback as to what you, our members
and readers, would like to see more of, less of or suggestions for
new items in upcoming editions. Please e-mail your suggestions
or comments to laxshamrockclub@outlook.com
Thank You
The Board of The Greater La Crosse Area Shamrock Club would encourage our members
to frequent the establishments below, each of which has contributed in some way
towards club activities.
Thank You.You can also read
