Symons Says: End of summer musings; Expectations for Autumn

As the official end of summer is knocking at the door, a few comments, reflections, and highlights are in order.

Entertainmentwise, it has been a very hectic season. I can remember a time when you had one or two events to attend this time of year, and you had to do some traveling to boot.

Now, within a hundred mile radius of Schuylkill County, there are festivals, ceilis or picnics just about every weekend.

From the Delaware Valley to the Catskills, to points west, the Irish are celebrating their heritage in every conceivable manner.

I have observed at least two benefits from this: The younger generation has become aware of its roots and is getting involved, and there is a rise in membership in Irish organizations.

Although the signs "Irish Need Not Apply" have not been seen for many years, many have sat back and let their culture and history become subdued.

It is refreshing to finally see us getting some recognition along with the rest of the ethnic groups who are so proud of their heritage.

So much for comments, here are some highlights of the Summer of '95:

• The appearance of Barry McElduff, a senior representative of Sinn Fein, with two appearances in the Central Pennsylvania region: Scranton and Pottsville.
• The formation of an AOH Division in Shamokin, the first in Northumberland County in almost 100 years.
• The publication of this newspaper "An Scathan," is well worth mentioning (that should get me some points with the Editor!).
• The 100th birthday of Joseph Hughes, Heckschersville, Pa., the closest person to a shanachie in the United States.
• The opening of the Jim Thorpe (Pa.) jail as a museum, preserving the history and memories of the alleged "Molly Maguires."
• And finally, what I shall call a "sadlight," the closing of the social hall of the Clover Fire Company in Heckschersville, the scene of many an Irish event throughout this century.

Now for some observations:

Why is our grass brown and the weeds green?

When you enter an Interstate highway, you can see little red signs saying "WRONG WAY." How do they know where we are going?

Throughout the Poconos there are advertisements "Lots for sale." Lots of what?

But the thing that befuddles me the most is tomatoes. You nurture them day and night from seedlings, erect fencing strong enough to contain the First Armored Division, water them with rainwater saved in buckets so the chlorine won't affect them, and ward off every seven-year-old in the neighborhood with threats of "Van Diemen's Land," only to leave them alone for one weekend and come home to catsup!

Next Spring, I'm planting one cubic yard of concrete, painting it green, and going to the local farmers' market.

Not only will I save money, but they may take me out of this rubber room.

Some recent events worth mentioning:

On Aug. 19, a ceili was held in Pottsville to honor Alice Murphy of Branchdale. Alice was recently awarded the Anna C. Malia Ruddy Award at the State AOH Convention at Valley Forge. She is a charter member of the Pottsville Ladies Division, and president since 1976.

Her contributions to the Order are numerous and she is involved in every function.

If this isn't enough to keep her going, she also does volunteer work at the Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center and runs errands for the elderly and disabled in her hometown.

She is devoted to family, church, and the Ladies AOH.

Congratulations to Alice, I'm happy to be considered one of her friends.

Seamus Kennedy came to town that same week to a standing room only crowd at the Catholic War Vets. It has been a few years since he has been in the area, and he won a new contingent of fans with his humor and song.

A first ever "Irish Night" was held at the Rosemount Campgrounds near Tamaqua at the end of August.

Happy campers from all over the East Coast enjoyed a different type of entertainment at this normally tranquil campsite.

The "Orange & Green Road Show" along with an appearance by the "County Schuylkill Ceili Dancers," kept them up well into "quiet time."

During a technical difficulty (I pushed the wrong button), "Flash" McDonald made his debut as a stand-up comedian, and kept the audience in stitches. Should we call him Doc? Thanks to Mike and Marigrace Canfield for having us, it was a grand time.

Grab your pencils and get ready to mark down two things.

First, circle Nov. 11 on your calendar. A fund-raiser for Irish Northern Aid and the political prisoners held in the United States will be held in Mt. Carmel, Pa.

A joint venture between the Shamokin, Pa. and Pottsville, Pa. Divisions of the AOH, the event has gathered support from other Divisions from the State, as well as Irish organizations throughout the country.

At this time, plans are being finalized, but two bands, "Causeway" from the Philadelphia area, and "Wild Geese" from the Reading area, are booked to entertain.

Also, the McCune School of Traditional Irish Step dancing will perform.

Representatives from Sinn Fein have offered to appear as well as some Ireland natives who are facing deportation.

This should prove to be not only an entertaining night, but an informative one as well. More details will follow in future columns.

Now, for the second item. I'm sure a lot of the readers remember a man by the name of Chucker Barr. Chuck was the founder and former lead vocal for the "Shanachians" until his retirement this past year. A person with a warmer heart will be hard to find anywhere on this globe.

Chuck has been instrumental in keeping the Irish tradition alive all along the East Coast and has many friends and fans for his efforts.

Just about six weeks ago, he was involved in an automobile accident and has been laid up since. It's probably going to be another six to eight weeks 'till he gets back to work.

Just as it is his style, he kept this info to himself, not wanting to bother anyone.

Well, it's no bother to drop someone a line or a "get well card," and I hope a lot of you would do me this favor. For all he has done for us, this is the least we can do for him. Thanks.

Enough for this month.

Happy halfway to St. Patrick's Day (They didn't come out with a greeting card for this yet, did they?).

Safe home, and God bless.