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October
2003 Newsletter
Editorial
Its
that time of year again when the goblins and ghosts are out for
a night on the town.
Many young people dress up and go visiting from house to house to
entertain the householders with the question: Trick or Treat?
The goblins, ghosts and little monsters then perform a trick or
do something in return for something from the householder. It used
to be that the performers would be happy with sweets, nuts or fruit,
but nowadays they seem to prefer money.
Happy
Halloween
If
anyone has any articles or comments they would like to submit please
e-mail them to us at:
Your
Pets at Halloween
As
you are all aware it is now the time of year that Halloween celebrations
begin. You probably all hear the bangers and various different fire
works going off. It is extremely annoying for us all, but most of
all we tend to forget our “good old loyal friends,” our cats, dogs,
hamsters to name but a few. These “little loyal friends” of ours
are often abused, especially when it comes to bonfires etc. The
most important thing is to protect our little friends from all that
noise, which petrifies them that they don’t know whether they are
coming or going. If possible at all keep them in doors, especially
on Halloween night. If not protect them in their outside little
houses to the best of your ability. We are aware that we have a
good old “Garda” force that will reduce all this cruelty and disturbance
greatly, but we must help them in their task. I would like to wish
you all a safe a happy Halloween. “Penny for the Pucai!"
Cathy
Halloween
Halloween
is here again this year
so be aware of this scary night
as soon as the darkness draw near
many spirits drool with their fright.
Strange faces call to each door
looking for apples and nuts at their fill
these little monsters we so much adore
shall inhabit the night with a shivery chill.
They will sing songs with great fun
celebrate the night until very late
the night will not be over and done
until the bon fire is burning great.
Kids dance and play around and around
until the stars soon shine in glory
fire works blaze from the sodden ground
until the spell of the night tells its story.
Employment News
Two members, Stephen and Philip completed the First Aid Course
held in the Clubhouse for three consecutive Saturday mornings.
They enjoyed it immensely and we congratulate them both. We
are looking for funding for more First Aid Courses and Manual
Handling for people in work and thinking of going to work.
Some of our members are still improving their hours. There
are two T.E. site vacancies at present. All members and staff
are doing very well in Education at the moment.
The
Special Olympics
Even though we worked extremely hard
and had some very long days, we didn’t grudge a minute of
it. Any challenges that we met were outweighed by the camaraderie,
sense of participation and knowledge that we have made a
difference. We left with new friends, stories to tell, and
lots of memories. I don’t want to paint too serious a picture
as we also had an amazing amount of fun and “craic”. The
organisers made sure that it was not a case of “all work
and no play”, so they threw in a few parties for good measure
which were most enjoyable with food and wine supplied. I
don’t want to omit the Opening and Closing ceremonies which
were seen by all on television, but being present to experience
the atmosphere in Croke Park was the icing on the cake.
Words fail me at this point—it was indescribable. Will we
ever see the likes of it again, I wonder? Since then we
have received two very nice certificates as a thank you
, and also included was an application form to fill if we
are interested in volunteering for Special Olympics Ireland,
or even future World Games in Japan or China. I’m seriously
considering saying yes!!!
Eileen D
Announcements
Get Well wishes to: All our members who are unwell
Birthday Wishes to: John, Anna, Philip, Patrick T,
Mary O' L., Margaret K. & Hugh
Welcome to our new members: Hugh, Brid & Aaron
Doctor:
“Ah Mrs Quinn, I have not seen you for a while…”
Mrs Quinn: “I know you have not doctor, I have been ill.”
Q What is a ghosts favourite dessert?
A:I scream
Q:
What did the rabbit want to do when it grew up?
A: Join the hare force.
Q.Why
do skeletons drink so much milk?
A: Because its good for the bones.
Q. What does a monster eat after his teeth have been taken out?
A: The dentist.
Q: How did the woman feel when she saw her electricity bill?
A Shocked Patricia
Mince
Stew
Serves
4-5
Ingredients
1
lb mince
1 ¼ pint hot water (approx.)
½ cooking apple
2 cloves garlic - optional
1 carrot
2 tablespoons flour
½ teaspoon salt
1 shank broccoli
1 onion
Method
Half
fry mince and onion separately. Put them into hot water. Add chopped
garlic. Grate cooking apple, carrot, and broccoli, add and stir
well. Simmer for half to three quarters of an hour.
Grand
Canal
In
my hometown lies the Grand Canal it attracts lots of boats. It
is very peaceful place. I go fishing there a lot. It has a wide
range of fish Bream, Tench, Roach, and Eel. The main bait used
is maggots and sweet corn. My son started fishing this year and
when he caught his first fish it was magic, he spoke about it
for a week or more.
I remember when I started, my rod was hazel stick with some line
tied to the top it was simple but it done the job. I find it very
relaxing just sitting there waiting for the float to disappear.
It is a great place to meet people as they pass, they stop for
a chat. In my opinion, it is a great pastime.
Hugh
Swimming
My
favourite hobby is swimming. I swim in the Standhouse Leisure
Centre. Time permitting, I usually swim early every morning. Sometimes
the most difficult part is getting myself out of the bed and up
to the swimming pool. I suppose it’s a question of motivation.
I’m a strong swimmer and swim thirty lengths. There’s usually
a bit of crack in the changing rooms and a chance to get to meet
new people. Swimming is a tonic for the mind and the body. It's
very invigorating. I’ve been doing it now for years. It's the
only sport that exercises every muscle of the body. Young and
old alike benefit greatly from swimming. I would recommend it
as a sport to everyone.
Angela
Trip
to Galway
The
residents of Bramble Lodge went to Galway city on holidays from
22nd to 25th September 03. They stayed in a three storey hotel
called Sacre Couer, which was a quarter of a mile from the sea.
There were Casinos there where one resident, (I think it was Scoby)
lost his money. One of the days they were driven in the minibus
to see the Quiet Man's Cottage. There was a shop there for people
on holiday to buy souvenirs. In the hotel the meals were lovely
with a choice of beef, lamb or fish every day for dinner. Needless
to say, they all had a few or more pints at night.
Barry
Killarney
On
Monday the first of September, Michael and myself went on the
train from Kildare to Killarney. It was a three-hour journey by
train. On getting off the train we asked a local where was Killarney
town, he replied in a Kerry accent, aren’t you in it boy, can’t
you see it. During our stay in Killarney we stayed in the Killarney
Ryan Hotel, for three days and nights. On the Tuesday we visited
Muckross House, and we visited the National Park and Torc Waterfall.
Queen Victoria stayed in Muckross house during her visit to Ireland.
It was once owned by the Herbert family, and is now in the care
of the state. Each night we went out on the town. There was Traditional
Irish Music in most of the pubs, but I hasten to add none of us
got up to sing. We went shopping in Killarney town, and we got
some presents to bring home. In the hotel, Michael and I had a
game of tennis, and a swim in the swimming pool. On Thursday we
got the train home. We enjoyed our holiday in Killarney, and please
God we will go back there again.
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.
Contributors:
Patricia,
Philip, Barry, Eileen D, Hugh, Angela, Paddy, Cathy
Editorial
Team: Angela,
Tom, Patricia
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