volume 39 issue 6 mARCH 2017

On February 13, 2017 the Executive Board made the

announcement of their choice for the 2017 Member of the

Year, Rita M. McNeely. Rita has been a member of our

Club since 1980 and has been a steadfast member for over

35 years. She has been an active member working on var-

ious committees such as serving dinners and after funeral

luncheons. She was a consistent

bartender for a number of years

when the Pub first opened. Rita

also marched with the Ladies Drill

Team. She has also volunteered at

the Ohio Celtic Festival for many

years. When you see that there are

tickets to be sold at ANY Club

event it's Rita who has them with

her at all times. There are few

times when she misses an event at

our Club. Going so far as to leave

the Emergency Room at Euclid

Hospital because "she made a

reservation for the Club dinner and

they would be counting on her to be

there".

Rita was born Rita Mae

Templeton on July 12 (a while

ago). She is the daughter of John

William Templeton of Scotland and

Elizabeth Hayes (McCarthy/Hayes,

County Limerick). Rita was born

in Cleveland and grew up on

Cleveland's near east side. When Rita was in first grade

her family changed their name from Templeton to Bennett

in order for her immigrant father to procure a job with the

Cleveland Press. She has a younger brother John, "Jack"

Bennett (Barb) whom she adores.

Rita Mae Bennett graduated from Notre Dame Academy

with many friends who she still lunches with monthly. She

went on to work at White Motors. During her time there

she met and married James Francis McNeely on April 14,

1956. Because Jim was from Euclid she assumed he was

rich. Although he was not wealthy, he was very Irish. His

parents were Anne and Joseph McNeely from County

Mayo.

Together Jim and Rita went on to have 6 children, James

Joseph (Laura Delaney), John Michael (Lori Valenti),

Kathleen Mary (Rick Ruggles),

Therese Marie (Gary Disbrow),

Thomas Patrick (Kelly Quinn) and

Patricia Ann (Chris Barker). Rita

also has eight grandchildren and

four great grandchildren. Rita is

also lucky to have a host of

cousins including Pat Boley and

Carol Orozco to name a few. She

is also aunt to our member Peggy

Bennett.

Rita worked for Beachwood

City Schools for 35 years. She

held several positions with

Beachwood, however she spent

most of her time as a Special

Education Assistant, which was a

very physically and mentally

demanding job, but also very

rewarding. Rita brought her sense

of humor and kindness to each

classroom.

If you know Rita, she is a

woman of faith. She is a longtime

parishioner of St. Clare Church and some think she has a

direct line to Saint Anthony, as she prays to him on a pret-

ty consistent basis for lost things. Rita has a big heart and

is so generous not only to our Club but to her family and

friends.

The stories of Rita are never ending, not only with her

family but also with her "family" here at the Irish

American Club. We congratulate you and love you Rita.

Enjoy these weeks ahead!

Rita M. McNeelyIrish American Club East Side Member of the Year

Linda Walsh & Patty McNeely

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PADRAIC PEARSE CENTERIS ON FACEBOOK

Check out the new Padraic Pearse Center Facebook Page at

http://facebook.com/padraicpearsecenter and click on LIKE

to follow our 2017 upcoming events, photos and more fun

stuff!

BOOKBUZZBonnie Easton

Here’s a sneak peek at some new titles. You’ve heard the

stories about the Magdalene Laundries in Ireland that were run

by the Catholic Church from the 18th century to 1996. Young

women, considered flirts in danger of shaming their families,

spent years in hard labor under the direction of nuns. V. J.

Alexander offers a new novel, The Magdalen Girls, about

three teenagers who endure cruel punishments for small infrac-

tions and plot their escape.

An Irish Country Cookbook by Patrick Taylor is a new

entry in the author’s popular Irish Country series. The book

contains over 140 Irish recipes plus 10 new short stories about

the people of the village of Ballybucklebo and the cantankerous

Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly.

The Fire by Night: A Novel by Teresa Messineo focuses on

the experiences of World War II nurses. An Italian-Irish nurse

from the Brooklyn tenements finds herself in a freezing tent in

France trying to singlehandedly keep her patients alive while

Germans camp nearby. Her best friend Kay is imprisoned in a

POW camp in Manila. Love and friendship prevail even dur-

ing the horrors of war. Happy reading!

For more reading suggestions, check out www.padraicpear-

secenter.weebly.com under Talking about Books.

PADRAIC PEARSE BOOK DISCUSSIONThe book discussion group will not meet in March so every-

one can enjoy the many St. Patrick’s Day festivities at the Club.

The Padraic Pearse Book Discussion group meets the third

Friday of each month. Our selections for the remainder of the

year include:

April 21: Little Red Chairs: A Novel by Edna O’Brien

May: 19: To be determined

June 16: The Secrets of Roscarbury Hall: A Novel by Ann

O’Loughlin

July 21: Leaving Lucy Pear: A Novel by Anna Solomon

August 18: The Wonder by Emma Donoghue

September 15: Valiant Gentlemen: A Novel by Sabina

Murray

October 20: To be determined

November 17: Ashes of Fiery Weather: A Novel by

Kathleen Donohoe

Please join us in the months ahead! We would love to see

you!

“RUN FOR THE ROSES”LADIES ONLY LUNCHEON & RAFFLE

Pat DowdTwo and a half months before an event, how many organ-

izations can boast of 17+ tables reserved? Well, the Padraic

Pearse Center didn’t even have the tickets printed and the

reservations started coming in for our annual “Ladies Only”

Luncheon & Raffle. Word has spread that this is the place

to be for a great afternoon where gals of all ages can dress

up or not, relax and sip some special cocktails, catch up on

the latest news (gossip), enjoy a delicious luncheon, try for

a favorite Chinese auction prize, or be a lucky big cash win-

ner.

This year’s theme is “Run for the Roses”, and while you

won’t be watching the Kentucky Derby or any other horse

race, you will be enjoying a unique afternoon. We’ve

learned that many of you ladies love to dress for the occa-

sion, so feel free to do so. And if hats are one of your

favorite wardrobe accessories, be sure to take part in our Hat

Contest – Prettiest, Most Creative, and Most Unique – with

prizes for each category.

The big day is Sunday afternoon, April 30. Doors open

at 1 pm, Luncheon at 2 pm, and the Raffle and Auction are

at 3 pm. Tickets are $40 each. The following Padraic Pearse

committee members have tickets, however they may be

gone by the time you read this, so you can call me to find

out who has tickets that are available: Peggy Bennett,

Thomasine Barner, Martha Chrosniak, Amy Bopp, Eileen

Garin, Pam Splittorf, Judy Wade, Kevin McCluskey, Dolly

Luskin, Dianne Probst, Brigid Gurry, and Maggie Gurry

Spellman. My number is 440-429-5151. Check with your

family, friends, relatives and co-workers now so that you

can reserve your tickets before they are all gone.

Looking forward to another great “Ladies Only” fun

afternoon – hope you are, too!

CHARLESTON/SAVANNAH CLUB TRIPPat Dowd

Once again, our annual Club trip was a sellout as soon as

it was revealed at our Anniversary Dance! This year’s trip

to Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia will

take place September 17- 23. If you are still interested in the

trip, and would like to be put on the waiting list, please let

me know. Last year, due to various circumstances, we were

able to accommodate most people on the waiting list. My

number is 440-429-5151.

Be sure to call Emily Russell on March 3, her 21st birth-

day. She shares it with Alexander Graham Bell (1847), who

would be amazed at today’s cell phones. One ring-a-dingy.

Bob Spinks will also celebrate on March 3, but he is way

beyond legal!

Jessica and Matt Skedel will blow out the birthday can-

dles on March 4. Shannon Hanratty Stewart will celebrate

her 26th birthday on March 8 followed by Sister Joanne

Gross on March 10. Lily Skedel will have eight candles on

her cake March 12.

All is nice for Cathy Rice who celebrates her birthday

March 18. Kathy Foster will enjoy cake and ice cream on

March 19.

Happy birthday to our newest quinquagenarian, Beth

McNally, who celebrates March 21. (Hint: Beth will have

50 candles on her cake.)

The love of family is life’s greatest blessing. The

Fitzgerald clan has much to celebrate this month. Catlin

Fitzgerald will blow out the birthday candles on March 7.

Gabby’s special day is March 10, followed by her aunt

Casey Hatcher on March 25. Connor Hatcher will don

the party hat on March 19.

HE SAID…SHE SAID…By Rosemary Nugent and the Membership

MARCH 2017 7

Annette O’Brien will enjoy cake and ice cream March

24. Elizabeth Marino will have 17 candles on her cake on

March 26.

Whose turn is it to light Bill Carney’s birthday candles

on March 27 – all 81 of them! Pat Dowd’s special day is

March 30 and we send her a busload of birthday wishes.

Belated birthday wishes to Colin Hatcher who celebrat-

ed February 22.

Sugar and spice and everything nice...is Grace Helen

Giancola who was born January 31. Grace is the daughter

of Katie and David and the fourth grandchild for Donna

and Dave Baioni.

Red Roses to Beth and Darrin Gaffney whose wedding

anniversary is March 16.

To have your important events included in this column,

please jot them down on the flyers found on the tables at the

membership meetings, or call me at 216-531-8529, or email

me at nugent220@yahoo.com.

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Dave and Bear Baioni Emerge Victorious

Tom McNeill

Bear and Dave Baioni Debbie McNeill, Mike

Burke and Pat Pease

In the midst of the most severe blizzard of 2017, 32 brave

souls risked life and limb to play in the Club Championship

Pinochle Tournament on Sunday, January 29.

The double elimination tournament was won by Dave

and Bear Baioni; they won their three matches to arrive at

the final table. They defeated Phil Maguire and Tom Reilly

in the championship match and have been directed to have

green and gold sashes (proclaiming them to be the undisput-

ed champions of pinochle) fabricated at their own expense.

They have earned the right to proudly wear them when they

march in the St. Patty’s Day Parade this month.

To help defray the expense of the sashes, Dave and Bear

received generous prize awards at the conclusion of the

event. Other runners-up received less generous awards. In

the event that prize awards are not sufficient to defray the

cost of sashes, participants may, at their option, fancy-up the

name tags they were required to wear during the event by

adding additional colors and decorations to make March

events more festive.

Participants feasted during the course of the afternoon on

four varieties of gourmet pizza, crisp salad, and assorted

cookies in addition to keeping Bridget extremely busy in

The Pub. As the Hibernians were feasting and reverse raf-

fling upstairs, it was good to see the high level of activity on

what would otherwise have been described as a pedestrian

day of football withdrawal. (Almost no one has interest in

the Pro Bowl, right?)

Most of the entrants are regular players in the Pinochle

League and have been perfecting their games over time. Bill

and Barb Dunagan, avid readers of The Schanachie, came to

realize that the Pinochle League exists, opted to play in the

tournament and seemed pleasantly surprised that their dusty

pinochle skills allowed them to win a match or two.

Some years ago, this tournament was held annually. As its

re-introduction was well-received, the league intends to

offer it again in 2018. To increase attendance, there is some

thought of extending an invitation to West Side Irish-

American Club members.

MARCH 2017 9

Lolly the TrolleySt. Patrick’s Day Parade

Every year the Golden Shamrocks ride Lolly the

Trolley in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. Some seats are

available for members who would like to join them.

Cost is $10 per person for the ride to the parade and

back. If you are interested, please contact Linda Walsh

at 216-538-1358. Seats must be paid for no later than

March 13.

OUR ANNUAL CORNED BEEF, HAM & CABBAGE DINNERSUNDAY, MARCH 5, 2017

Linda WalshHard to believe it is almost that time of year again. One

of the best days of the St. Patrick’s Day Season is ourAnnual Corned Beef, Ham and Cabbage Dinner. This yearour dinner will be held on Sunday, March 5, 2017. Doorswill open at 12:30 pm with dinner served from 1 – 5 pm.Our great crew of volunteers will be cooking and serving upone of the best dinners around and we hope you will join us.

We will be entertained throughout the day by our ClubUnits and Irish Dance schools. Following dinner, there willbe entertainment by Crawley and Hopper in the Phil WalshCabaret Room. Make your reservations now for dinner.Tickets are $11/adults and $6/children. Call Sarah Dirk at216-337-9004 or Linda Carney at 216-531-3816. ALLRESERVATIONS MUST BE MADE AND PAID FOR NOLATER THAN MARCH 1, 2017.

FOUR FAMOUS FISH FRIESLinda Walsh

Beginning Friday, March 3 through Good Friday, April

14 we will host our Lenten fish fries, with the exception of

Friday, March 17. Doors open at 5 pm with dinner served

5:30-7:30 pm. Our menu includes fried or baked cod, beer

battered perch and shrimp. Dinners include macaroni and

cheese, French fries, cole slaw, rolls with butter, and dessert.

We’ll also offer a beer battered fish sandwich with fries for

$8 or a side order of crab cakes for $4. Cost is $11/adults,

$6/children with cash bar. After dinner, stay for entertain-

ment in the upper hall as we offer a great variety:

March 3 - Loch Erie

March 10 - The Bog Trotters

March 24 - Kevin McCarthy

March 31 - Donegal Doggs

April 7 - Pop the Cork

April 14 - Flashbaxx

Float CommitteeOur award-winning float committee is looking for more

hard-working, talented people to join our crew. We meet

every Tuesday and Thursday 6-9 pm and Saturday 9 am-1

pm.

Hospice of the Western Reserve has once again generous-

ly provided space in their warehouse for construction of our

float. Their warehouse is located at 17876 St. Clair in

Cleveland.

Contact Bob Henry if you want to join the Float

Committee at 216-402-3062.

Marching in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Linda WalshThere is nothing better than a good parade and we all

know that the Cleveland St. Patrick’s Day Parade is #1 inour hearts! We encourage all members to join our Club con-tingent in this year’s parade.

You may not know that our membership contingent isentered as a marching unit in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade.So in keeping with the rules and regulations set by theUnited Irish Societies we ask that if you decide to marchwith us that we do so with the utmost respect and honor asa member of the Irish American Club East Side, Inc. Whilewe all like to have a good time on that day, we ask that yoube respectful of those around you that are marching and usecommon sense in your pre-parade festivities if you plan torepresent our Club.

We are happy to have MEMBERS ONLY march withour unit and ask that you do so proudly as a member of theIrish American Club East Side, Inc.

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MARCH 2017 11

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“In Memoriam” PlaqueIn the lower hall there is an "In Memoriam" Plaque

with the names of deceased members of the Club listed.

If you have a friend or loved one that was a member of

the Club and has passed away and you would like their

name to be included on this Plaque, you can send their

name and a check for $50.00 made out to the Irish

American Club or you can contact Jean Walsh at 440-

942-3207

HEADLINES and DEADLINESIf you would like to submit an article for the

Schanachie, the deadline for the April issue is March 6.You may continue to send your articles to the Club or you may email them toSchanachie@gmail.com. Submission time is not the onlycriteria for inclusion and we reserve the right to edit due tocontent and space. If you have any questions call Ann at440-943-3088 or Kevin McCluskey at 216-956-2653.

Note from the EditorAll articles must be submitted to me by e-mail at:

schanachie@gmail.com

They can be typed in Word and do not have to have

any limit on the width. No spaces before new paragraphs,

no returns at the end of each line and if you use tabs do

not use multiple tabs. The printer will fix the tabs.

Pictures must be jpeg (jpg). Send to me as an attachment

in your e-mail. Staff meet Wednesday, March 15 for

proofreading at 7 p.m. Thank you in advance, Ann Turk.

Monthly Membership MeetingsMembers last names beginning with the following letters

please bring a dessert for that month's meeting. Any ques-

tions please call Dolly Luskin at 216-261-0967.

Month Letter Month Letter

JANUARY A & B JULY N & O

FEBRUARY C & D AUGUST P, Q & R

MAR. E & F SEPTEMBER S

APRIL G, H & I OCTOBER T, U & V

MAY J, K & L NOVEMBER W, X, Y & Z

JUNE M DECEMBER All Members

Membership Rewards ProgramThe Executive Board has approved a Membership

Rewards Program for this year. Each Club member gainspoints for recruiting new members to join, old members tore-join and for corporate sponsorships. Every new memberis worth 5 points, every member who has been dormant forover two years and re-joins is worth 10 points and each cor-porate sponsorship is worth 20 points. Any member whoearns a total of 100 reward points receives a free member-ship for next year or $30 worth of March tickets. Pleasemake sure your name and membership number is on eachform submitted to earn your points.

Keep up to date with weekly emailblasts from the IACES!

Do you know that the IACES sendsout weekly email blasts with informationon upcoming events at the IACES,Padraic Pearse and the greater Irishcommunity? If you would like your emailaddress added to this list, please contactSarah Dirk at obriendirk@gmail.com or216-337-9004

Membership Has Its PrivilegesBy Linda Walsh

YOUR vote counts! Vote on action at the monthlymembership meetings. You must sign the attendance sheetto earn credit. Please don’t sign in for anyone but yourself.

If you attend three meetings between July and May,you can vote in the June election for Board members.

Card carrying members pay the member price forClub events.

Receive our monthly newsletter, The Schanachie,delivered to your home.

New members will receive a Club Pin and a copy ofour bylaws by attending a membership meeting.

There were 106 members signed in at the Februarymeeting.

If you paid your dues, but are not receiving TheSchanachie, contact Membership Secretary, Linda Walsh.The Schanachie is available online on the Club website(eastsideirish.org) and on our Facebook page (IACES).

If you have a child 18 years of age who has come off yourFamily Membership, we have a membership rate of $20 peryear until s/he reaches age 21.

New members this month:Dan & Brigid Fejes Kelsey HastingsJim & Sarah Hill Michael Dreamer

Doug Grosel

MARCH 2017 13

TICKET POLICYTickets for any event at the Irish American Club East

Side can be obtained by phone or mail. When mailing yourticket request, please be sure to include a self-addressed,stamped envelope and a check made payable to: IrishAmerican Club East Side. If you pre-order a dinner for anevent and do not show up or you do not cancel within 48hours of the dinner, you will be billed by the Club for theprice of the meal

Linda Carney Sarah Dirk161 E. 196 Street 150 E. 200 St.

Euclid, Ohio 44119 Euclid, Ohio 44119216-531-3816 216-337-9004

lcarney161@sbcglobal.net obriendirk@gmail.com

Tickets for sold out event must be paid for by the Thursday prior to the event

Club Rental InformationThe Irish American Club is available for rentals of all

sizes. We can accommodate showers, graduations, banquets,receptions of all kinds, and of course, weddings. We havetwo facilities available, the upper hall for larger parties andthe Phil Walsh Cabaret room for smaller parties. Koumbarosis the exclusive caterer for the upper hall. If you wish to rentthe lower hall you may bring in your own homemade foodbut you also have the option of using our club caterer. Toreserve either the upper hall for rentals or the Phil WalshCabaret room, please call Rick Eberhard, 216-338-3774 orJoe Capuozzo, 216-376-0599.

Pub Hours for Fall and Winter Monday CLOSED

Tuesday CLOSED

Wednesday 6 P.M.- 11 P.M.

Thursday 6 P.M.- 11 P.M.

Friday 6 P.M.- 11 A.M.

Saturday 6 P.M.- 11 A.M.

Sunday 1 P.M.- 11 P.M.

Closing time at the Pub is at the bartender's discretion

Published by the Irish American Club * East Side Inc.Kevin McCluskey Chairman

Editor: Ann Turk (440-943-3088)Ad Manager: Kevin McCluskey (216-956-2653)

Circulation: Pat Homan (440-946-6232)Contributing Editors: Linda Burke

Rose Marie Eppich * Rosemary Nugent * Sharon Spinks

Executive Board Members 2016-2017President Kevin McCluskey 216-956-2653Vice President Mary Alice Curran 440-665-8110Recording Secretary Sarah Dirk 216-337-9004Treasurer Pat Dowd 440-429-5151Membership Secretary Linda Walsh 216-538-1358Members at Large Mike Keenan 216-280-0207

Amy Logan 440-567-5170Mike Byrne 216-990-2581Brigid Gurry 216-375-5469

Club Website:www.eastsideirish.org

Phone numbers:

Irish American Club: 216-731-4003Pub Phone: 216-731-1189Club Fax: 216-731-6120WiFi: Username-IACES Password: 2167314003

Schanachie email: schanachie@gmail.comwww.facebook.com/IACES/

ON AIR IRISH RADIO

Saturday

10am - 11am: Johnson Brothers Irish Hour WKTL

FM 90.7

Sunday

7am - 9am: Sweeney Astray WCBS FM 89.3 & on

wesb.org

10am - 12 pm: Gerry Quinn’s Irish Hours WHK

AM 1420 with Colleen Corrigan Day & Eddie

Fitzpatrick

1pm - 3 pm: Echoes of Erin WCWA AM 1230

w/John Connolly

6pm - 7 pm: Song of Britain & Ireland WCPN FM

90.3 w/Joe Nichols & Kevin McGinty

4pm - 6pm: Beyond the Pale WRUW FM 91.1

w/Roger Weist

5pm - 6pm: The Hooley Hour WHK AM1420

9pm - 10pm: Hooley Hour WHK AM 1420 w/Tara

Quinn & Josh Vaughan

SUNSHINE CLUBIf you know of a member who is sick or if there has been

a death in the family, Mary Kay Malone, Chairperson of the

Sunshine Club, will try and send a card on behalf of the

Club. You can contact Mary Kay at 216-337-4356 or send

her an e-mail mkm1159@yahoo.com with the member’s

information

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The Green PagesPlease support the businesses that support us!

Jack Murphy’sTradewinds Lounge319 East 200th St., EuclidHappy Hour between3 - 6 Weekdays216-481-8228

MARCH 2017 15

CLEVELAND'S BEST IRISH BANDSDoors: 3:00 pm Music: 4:00 pm

Free family fun! Weekly food & drink specials.See MusicBoxCLE.com for this week's band.

West Bank of the Flats near Shooters

Harp Level:

Bluestone Division — Ancient Order of Hibernians

Cleveland Whiskey

Flannery’s Pub

Irish American News

Koumbaros Catering

Mayo Society of Greater Cleveland

Monreal Funeral Home

Music Box Supper Club

Packy Malley's

Claddagh Level:

Eastside Landscaping

Jack Murphy's Tradewinds Lounge

Schulte Mahon-Murphy Funeral Home

Skinny’s Bar and Grille

Summit Painting

The Travel Connection

Shamrock Level:

Muldoon’s Saloon and Eatery

IBEW Local #38

Henry Fence

Lake County Captains

Adelio’s Contracting

Corporate Sponsors:

We would like to thank all of our Corporate Sponsors. Support those who support us.

15335 Waterloo Rd.Cleveland, Ohio 44110

216-785-9475Open

Mon 5 p.m.-12 a.m.Tues-Th 4 p.m.-12 a.m.Fri- Sat 4 p.m.-2 a.m.Sun 6 p.m.-2 a.m.Food Available

Live Irish Music Every Thursday

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Trivia

Night

8:00 pm

Change Service Requested

mailed 2/23/2017

dated material

please expedite

the schanachie22770 Lake Shore Blvd

Euclid, Ohio 44123

PRESORTED

STANDARD

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

WILLOUGHBY, OHIO

PERMIT NO. 151

Donegal Doggs

6-9:30 pm

5:30-9 pm