It Says in The Bridge: Nov 06
There's a definite autumn-into-winter look about The Bridge this month, with reports in pictures and words about regular events for this time of the year.
That night is continued inside with the many Pat Foley photographs of the presentations for Tidy Towns efforts, and the spread of faces, many of them new residents of our town, is a heartening hint to a continued community future.
News items this month include word that a Lions Club project called 'A Feather for Hope' will be launched in Kilcullen during the upcoming Gala Performance of the Drama Group's presentation of 'Kindly Keep it Covered' on November 24. The project is geared to encouraging us to encourage others, especially young people. Keep an eye out for it.
In other news, there are congratulations to Claire Ginty and Mark McCormack who were married, to Damian Kelly of Brannockstown and Claire McCormack of Baronsland, who recently graduated, and to Mabel Sully, longtime resident of Paris, who recently came home to the Kilcullen area to celebrate her 94th birthday.
There's also a report by Joe Dooley on the summer trip to Kenya -- dubbed Operation Maintain Hope -- to work on the orphanage at Ngong. It's a good account of a positive adventure, which, it seems, is not over yet.
There's good coverage of the recent exhibition of photographs by Amit Sha'al, a former volunteer at The Bridge Camphill Community, which was a great success in the old lounge of the White Horse Inn. Some pictures too from earlier in the year, when Patricia's Hairdressing Salon closed its doors after 30 years looking after the ladies of Kilcullen. As Patricia put it herself, 'it wasn't only about coming to get hair done, but sharing stories, advice, problems -- and gossip, of course -- over a cup of tea, or something stronger, depending on the time of the year'. An end of an era, truly.
Other news: the Halloween Disco run by the Parents Association of Scoil Bhride raised 1,000 euros for Enable Ireland; the recent street collection for the Kilcullen First Responders raised 1,800 euros to be used for buying training equipment, and pupils of Brannockstown NS debated a motion 'Halloween is fun for Everyone' ... and then proved it by having a great party.
There are some traffic tales which don't reflect well on some of our motorists, and another slightly related story about the planning of the proposed Athy Road to Curragh Road link, which rather shows that Kildare County Council planners are unable to join up the dots.
On the Environmental Notice Board, the 10 steps we can all take to make for a better environment are outlined. Meantime Paul Aspell highlights the other side of that coin and those who drop the litter that debases our little town so much. Apart from a need to change our ways, he suggests that we all use this election year to hassle our public representatives to facilitate the appointment of a street cleaner. It seems there is somebody who would take the position, but the Council won't provide the money to hire him.
Roy Thompson previews the upcoming Miscellany on Sunday which is Phena Bermingham's annual 'at home' fundraiser for charity, this year again for the Michael Garry House shelter for homeless people. The Diary was at the event last year, and it is great craic ... Sunday November 19, in the afternoon.
Pat Behan does a business profile of Sabrina's Dog Grooming Parlour in Nicholastown, a new enterprise where 'caring pet lovers can have their doggies pampered to their hearts' content' ... 481787 if your pooch needs the treatment.
There are picture spreads from the CPC Debs, of the winners of the Adrian Dunne pharmacy's Halloween Painting Competition, and from the official opening of Ardenode Hotel undert the new management of David and Sharon Mulcahy.
In the 'regular's slot, Sean Landers writes from Taiwan about Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who'd be 250 if he was alive today. It seems that the Taiwanese have taken to the maestro as if he was a son of their own soil. For home interest, Sean's other article looks at the origins of the 'White Horse Inn' name, and comes across suggestions in history that it could relate to King Billy of the Boyne fame.
In a more serious vein, Jo Doyle writes a heartfelt 'Cry for the Land', a personal piece about part of her family's property being compulsorily purchased for the new southern motorway. It is thought-provoking for many reasons.
Thought-provoking too is Pastor Robert Dunlop's analysis of 'Darkness and Death' visiting Paradise, prompted by the recent horror of the killing of schoolchildren in an Amish School in rural Pennsylvania. And a note from the Bridge Editor wishes Robert a 'speedy recovery' from illness. I didn't know, and add my own best wishes for him.
There's also an extended obituary for the late Fr Ned O'Connor, by John O'Neill in Solihull, England. Perhaps we might get his permission to publish it on the Diary.
The wind-down to the Pitch and Putt year is noted in the sports pages, with a reminder that the AGM is next Monday night, 13 November. Kilcullen GAA is looking for new players and helpers for their underage and ladies sections.
There's more, of course. But that's enough from here. Until next month's, which will be the Christmas Edition appearing on Saturday 16 December. Get your news in early.
Brian Byrne.
