It says in The Bridge: Feb 08
The February Bridge is a symbol of yet another year of achievement -- it completes 37 years of publication of a community magazine that started off in March 1971 as a collection of photocopied typewritten pages.
In an editorial, the writer notes that though the technology to produce it has changed, the basic concept hasn't. It is, as it says on the cover, a 'community magazine' that is a forum for anybody in Kilcullen to air their views on just about any subject.
It is also an example of community cooperation, a sometimes changing mix of readers, reporters, advertisers and printers without whom the publication would have 'quietly vanished many years ago'. Congratulations to all concerned.
The lead story this month is built around a photo taken from the Bridge archives, showing Fr Vincent Kehoe turning the first sod for what became Scoil Bhride. The story recalls that the school was built by Kilcullen Development Association on land donated by the sisters of the Cross & Passion. Another example of community working for itself.
Inside there are other items of community import -- such as the letter from the St Brigid's Conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul giving thanks for donations and contributions that allowed them give 18,533 euros in aid in 2007. There's a 'thank you' too from Billy Horan, who retired recently from his post as caretaker at Brannockstown NS. He appreciated the 'unexpected' Mass and the subsequent party and presentation organised by the parents and management of the school.
Other school related items this month include a lovely note from a Scoil Bhride pupil about the pre-Christmas visit by grandparents of Third Class pupils to talk about times when they were growing up. Meanwhile, the Kildare Steiner School piece is about the Waldorf philosophy that the 'spirit of emulation' is a stronger way to life success than the spirit of competition.
How many of those at the other end of their lives are enjoying it is the focus of picture coverage of the post-Christmas party held in Fallons for our senior citizens. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then there's a small book of enjoyment here.
There are regular features and new ones. The Environment page reports on backyard burning, and paints a rather frightening picture of the kind of health dangers which this practice gan cause. The Parish Page repeats an appeal for parish memorabilia for the planned exhibition in association with the Cruinniú ChrÃost parish gathering in May. Kilcullen Gardai Notes warns of the activities of 'strangers at the door' and burglars in the area.
There's as profile of Michelle Ryan of Lui na Greine, who has set up a Wedding Videography business. Pat Behan profiles Kilcullen Post Office and its current operator, Noeleen Eston Sheridan, and in his series of GAA profiles, John Mulhall talks to Liam Sherry.
Sean Landers in his Letter from Taiwan writes recollections of his journey home for Christmas and the people he met while here. Billy Redmond goes Off the Cuff on the possibility of reading about 'ordinary' people instead of celebrities. And Pastor Robert Dunlop muses about 'the pearl of self esteem' which allows us to 'unlock the place of custody, and throw away the key'.
In travel vein, Fergal Sloan recalls a recent visit to Austria on the trail of the Sound of Music, and gives us some fascinating insights into this very lovely land.
Finally, I commend to you the small story about a young entrepreneur in Kilcullen who many years ago used a certain person's fear of mice and his own access to a cat to make a regular few bob. The entrepreneur was the schoolboy version of 'The Gilly', and the yarn is priceless. If you haven't already bought your February edition, do so if only for this.
