COILL DUBH

Congratulations to Mrs. Noreen Smith on her recent retirement from her teaching post at Coill Dubh National School. Her contribution to Coill Dubh as a teacher for over forty years is greatly appreciated which was evident by the large attendance at Dag Welds for a presentation to her by the local community on Friday the 22nd of October last. Noreen is wished a long and happy retirement and we hope that she will keep in touch with her many friends in Coill Dubh.

The captain’s dinner dance was held on the 13^th of November at the Ambassador hotel. It was a very successful night, enjoyed by all, music by the Jazz Freaks, which suited everyone’s taste. Congratulations to Noel O Connor and Mary Craddock for a wonderful year and best of luck to Kevin Reilly and Antoinette Conway as incoming captains for the year 2000.

The pitch and putt annual meeting will take place at Woodlands golf club on Thursday 2^nd December at 8.30pm.

All members please attend. Your support will be greatly appreciated.

The 29th AGM of Coill Dubh & District Credit Union, on Tuesday 29th November, was held in their impressive new office.

Frank Lynch, National President of the Irish League of Credit Unions, honoured the meeting by attending. He congratulated the Board on a successful year. He praised the tremendous effort and input of voluntary workers and their dedication to the Credit Union ethos. Quoting from the AGM booklet, he said Coill Dubh & District Credit Union could "look back with pride and look forward with optimism"

Executive officers, who will lead the Credit Union into into the Millennium, were elected directly after the AGM.

Chairperson: Maureen Fitzpatrick

Ass. Chairperson: John O’Shea

Secretary: Margaret Kane

Ass Secretary: Paddy Maher

Treasurer: Esther Hendrick

Ould Tom" - Our Kindly Neighbour

"Ould Tom" never passed our door without calling in to see us. He always sat down in my grandfather’s chair beside the fire. His greeting always was the same: "God save all here.". Sometimes as he strolled through the door he’d repeat the greeting especially if he didn’t hear a reply. We might all be out "at the milking" and Tom’s only company in the kitchen was the sheep-dog, Rover.

Tom would then begin to light his pipe with the assistance of a red coal from the fire. As he went through his ritual he would ask Rover "Where are they all?". Rover would then wag his tail against the ground in acknowledgement of Tom’s questioning.

As time passed Rover sensed that "Ould Tom" wanted to extend his conversation somewhat. The sheep-dog then left the kitchen and came out to the cowhouse and wagged his tail against the milk-churn. This indicated to us "cow-hands" that "Ould Tom" was in need of company in the kitchen.

My mother took the opportunity to give me a rest from the milking. I being the youngest and the least helpful in the cowhouse was advised to go to talk to "Ould Tom". I was usually glad of the release from the work.

As I approached the back-kitchen door "Ould Tom" spots my tiny footsteps. His greeting reaches my ears even before I see him, "Ah little Pat did ye sleep it out this morning?". In defence I reply, "No Tom, the clock stopped and we don’t know what time it is". Then, to level the score Tom replies, "neither do I a Mhic, there’s no timepiece in our house at present.".

"Ould Tom" may not have had a timepiece but he always seemed to have lots of time. I never saw him in a hurry. His presence always brought tranquillity and ease. His conversation covered everything from the price of cattle in Ballinakill to the Pope in Rome.

WHAT ARE SENIORS WORTH?

We are worth a fortune! Remember, old folks are worth a fortune with silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet, and gas in their stomach’s. I have become a little older since I last saw you and a few changes have come into my life. Frankly I have become a frivolous old gal.

I am seeing several gentlemen everyday. As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me out of bed. Then I go to see Lou. Next Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn’t like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day, I’m really tired and like to go to bed with Paddy or Jameson. What a life! Oh, by the way I’m flirting with Al Zymer.

P.S. The clergyman called the other day. He said that at my age, I should be thinking of the hereafter. I told him, "Oh I do, all the time. No matter where I am, in the sitting room, upstairs, in the kitchen, or out in the garage, I ask myself. Now what am I here after?"

Green ideas for Christmas

This month we have some "Green" ideas for Christmas Gifts.

Why not make some table decorations and centre pieces, all the materials are readily available - holly, ivy, moss, tree branches.

Try your hand at home-made sweets such as chocolate and fudge.

The Irish Peatland Conservation Council catalogue has lots of interesting items. You can find them at 119 Capel Street, Dublin 1, phone (01-8722384).