It Says in The Bridge: May 2010
Something sought, something won. The two lead aspects on the front of this month's Bridge represent respectively the need for a new premises for the Community Playgroup, and the winning of the Irish International Open by Kilcullen's Pitch & Putt star Chrissie Byrne. They're good openers on positive community activities.
Which makes the Editorial just that little bit more sad, on the theme of vandalism and anti-social behaviour, which seems to have made a resurgence in the last few months. It's about a 'small group of young people' in the 13-16 age group who seem to be 'given the freedom to roam at all hours of the day and night'. The writer asks the question of a number of parents: do you really know exactly where your son or daughter is at all times? It may be important that they do, as the Garda are actively involved now.
Back to positive stuff, and it is summer flowers time again, and KCA is hoping that people on Main Street will once again support the effort that has brought so much colour to the town in recent years. There are good things too in the report from the Carer & Toddler Group on the success of their recent Information Morning. And their 'Guide to Parenting in Kilcullen' is coming along well, but they're still open to ideas and news of relevant facilities.
The support given to the recent Daffodil Day is highlighted, with thanks from organiser Nuala Collins to those who collected and who gave. The total was €5,700. And for those who are taking part in the Flora Womens Mini Marathon in aid of the Punchestown Kidney Research Fund there's a reminder that next Tuesday evening there's an information meeting about the cause.
Photo coverage this month comes from the Tidy Towns Table Quiz, the 'My Very Own Story' performances in the theatre, and the Irish Horse Welfare Trust Charity Night at the Riverside Restaurant. There are wedding picture congratulations to Michelle McCarthy and John Berney, and to Audrey O'Reilly and Paul Burdis. And there's a 'looking back' photo that shows your editor when he had hair ...
Features include a profile of Linda Geraghty and her work since she left Brannockstown NS, which is media related and specifically radio documentaries which included her doing a parachute jump in order to explain gravity in a science series for children. With 'a lot of screaming recorded'. There's a backgrounder to the formation of the St Vincent de Paul Society marking the opening of a 'Vincents' shop in Kilcullen, and a reprint from here of your editor's unexpected 'holiday' when the Icelandic ash cloud stranded him in a northern Spain winery (for which I got no sympathy, for some strange reason).
The regulars are away too, with Billy Redmond recounting his latest IWA fundraising walk, this time in New England (one of our favourite parts of the world). Sean Landers, rather than go on about 'Tomb Sweeping Day' in Taiwan, discusses a biography of playwright Sean O'Casey and a DVD of Mozart's 'The Magic Flute' produced by Kenneth Branagh. He recommends strongly that last.
Sports from Kilcullen Community Games, the Canoe Club, Pitch & Putt, Crookstown and Millview AC, Soccer Club and GAA all fill the needs for followers of those various disciplines.
But the sweetest story of the issue has to be Hannah Crowley from Scoil Bhride writing about 'The Best Day Ever' of her six years, the day of her Uncle John's wedding to Michelle. Read it and smile through happy tears. And when she becomes a famous writer or journalist, remember where you read her first ...
Brian Byrne.
