DANE COUNTY SHAMROCK CLUB, INC.

WELCOME TO THE DANE COUNTY SHAMROCK CLUB . . . where Irish Americans and those who love Ireland and its culture gather in friendship.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE FOR June 2008

By Jim Bennett

Our annual Shamrock Club picnic is scheduled for June 10th. It will be held at Lakeview Park, Allen Blvd in Middleton. The shelter has been reserved and the picnic will take place regardless of the weather. This is a family event and all are welcome. The club is providing the meat (hamburgers, brats and hotdogs), plates and silverware. Please see the reservation form in this month's newsletter. Please let us know by Friday, June 6, 2008 if you will be attending. You may call me at 608-845-9519. Members are asked to bring a dish to share. I will contact those planning to attend to coordinate the shared dishes. If you have a favorite you would like to bring, please indicate it on the reservation form. We are hoping for another large turnout and there is plenty of room at the park and shelter.

We had a nice turnout at the Shamrock Lunch Bunch on April 26th at Mulligan's Irish Pub. After lunch and some socializing, Greg Long gave a presentation on his recent semester studying in Galway, Ireland. It could have gone on much longer as it peaked the interest of those in attendance who had many great questions for Greg. Our next Lunch Bunch is scheduled for July 19 at the Claddagh Irish Pub at 1:00 p.m. Please contact Harry McCarthy to sign up. Join us if you can!

The MadCeltFest will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Volunteer activities include selling event entry tickets, pre-event site setup, parking and post-event site cleanup. Plans are for 3 (three) hour shifts. Club members wishing to volunteer for MadCeltFest should contact Jim Bennett at 845-9519 and he will get you signed up. Check out the planned entertainment at www.madceltfest.org.

Fitchburg Days are over for another year. The Shamrock Club was there again to provide volunteer time. Other club members who were very visible at the event were Eileen Heinrichs who was there with the Irish Sing-Along group, Greg Long presented a talk on "The Archaeology of Irish Art" and Bill and Carole Kinney led "Historic Fitchburg Trolley Tours. Thanks to all who gave of their time.

I want to call to the attention of all members that it is election time. A ballot is included in this newsletter. Please complete your ballot and return it by June 5th. I encourage you all to participate in the election for the future success of the club. Results are planned to be announced at the picnic.