Jigs and Reels

Newsletter of the Buffalo Irish Arts Society

(Martin Wynne Chapter of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann)  April 2004
 
 

The Calm Before the Storm

 

After a hectic March, we’re calming down a bit in March to let you go to the Broadway Market.  But there are still weekly dance get-togethers and seisiuns going on.  Visit our online calendar to print out a listing of all the events.  Put it on your refrigerator so you don’t forget!  Dancing on Thursday, April 15 is still questionable.  E-mail dmstraube@adelphia.net immediately if you can make it!  If we don’t hear from three more people by Friday, the night will be cancelled.

 

Please note that our April meeting and seisiun will be held on Sunday, April 25 at 5 p.m., one week later than usual due to the North American Convention of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann being held in Parsippany.  If you haven’t registered, it’s not too late!  Visit the official web site.

 

So the later date gives you plenty of time to practice our Tunes of the Month.  Diana Straube has selected Walsh’s Hornpipe and Bag of Spuds.  Happy practicing!  Find past Tunes of the Month on our website.

 

So after some relaxation in April, be ready for a busy May, starting with fiddler Eileen Ivers at Rockwell Hall on the Buffalo State campus, Saturday, May 1 at 8 p.m.

 

Then head to the Buffalo Irish Center on Wednesday, May 12 at 7:30 to catch the trio Chulrua on Wednesday, May 12 @ 7:30 p.m.  You won’t find a more traditional group anywhere!  Look for more in next month’s newsletter, and please print out the attached flyer and post where others will see it.  Thanks to Marian McLellan for providing their housing.

 

The following Saturday, May 15, we will host a ceili at the Irish Center at 8 p.m.  There is also a big set dance weekend in Toronto with Tony Ryan that same weekend.  We had discussed canceling our dance, but since several of us will not be able to cross the border that weekend, the dance will go on as originally planned.  Our musicians will also play in the pub of the Irish Center on Friday, May 21.

 

Looking back at March, our members had a great time at the Contra/Ceili co-sponsored with the Queen City Contra Dancers.  Our webmaster and Vice-Chair Jim Lonergan takes many photos at our events.  Check them out!  Not only does he have pictures of the Dance, but also the new Seisiun at Nietchszes, another at McBride’s, the Dance Demonstration at the Prime Outlet Mall, the Irish Language Class’s St. Patrick’s Party, and the Great Guinness Toast Fundraiser at the Irish Center.. 

 

Congratulations to Joan Scahill for winning the first ever soda bread competition at the Buffalo Irish Center, chaired by Jean Devlin!  Donna Shine came in second using Joan’s recipe, except she forgot the half teaspoon of salt.  I always wondered what difference it made.  Now I know! 

 

JOAN SCAHILL’s AWARD-WINNING IRISH SODA BREAD

 

3 CUPS FLOUR            1 ½  TSP. BAKING SODA                  ¼  CUP MARGARINE

¼  CUP SUGAR             ½  TSP. SALT  

 

MIX ALL 4 INGRED. TOGETHER – CUT IN BUTTER OR MARGARINE  WITH  PASTRY  BLENDER OR 2 KNIVES TIL MIXTURE  RESEMBLES COARSE CRUMBS.

 

½  CUP RAISINS                         1 EGG (SLIGHTLY BEATEN)

1  - 8  OZ. PLAIN YOGURT       ¼  CUP WATER

 

ADD RAISINS  STIR IN YOGURT AND EGG  AND WATER UNTIL WELL COMBINED.  FORM DOUGH INTO BALL.  CUT CROSS ON TOP OF LOAF. 

 

COOL ON RACK ONE HOUR.  BAKE ON GREASED COOKIE SHEET.  BAKE AT 350 DEGREES FOR 40 TO 45 MINUTES.  TEST WITH TOOTHPICK.

 
 

 

 

 

Congratulations to Donna as well for publishing a book of original poetry called Ireland Speaks, inspired by her trips to Ireland and columns for the Irish Times.

 

Finally, we would not have an organization if it weren’t for our members!  Thanks to everyone who renewed for the coming year.  And it’s still not too late to join!  If you think your name should be here and it isn’t, please let us know.

 

Patti Ahern

Natalie Bennett

Robert & Susan Besanceney

Louise Brennan

Brendan & Glenda Brown

Joe & Sally Brown

Paul & Mary Buchanan                                                                                                  

Charles & Kathy Burke

Thomas Callaghan 

John Chadbourne

Bruce Clark

John & Mary Cotter

Tim Daly

Shane & Jean Devlin

Ed Dillon                                                                                                          

Teresa Dunne

Bridget English

Colleen, Noel, Sinead & Brady Gaynor

John Hartigan                                                                                                                 

Dave Johnston & Deb Andrasko

Jim Lonergan

Camille & Timothy McBride

Margaret & Pierce McGrath

Margaret McLaughlin

Jim & Marian McLellan

Kathy McLuckie

Jack & Ann McMahon

Jill O’Leary

Randy & Sheila Peel

Bill Raffel          

Mary Reidy

Joan Scahill & Ellen Lynch

Dave Stillwell

Tim & Diana Straube                                                                                                     

Donna Shine

Mark Warford                                                                                                                

Jancie Wiegley

Robert Williams