From the Presidents Podium

From the

President’s Podium

- September 2005 -

Well, summer is almost over. We are entering September and are close to the Irish Country Fair, on Sunday, September 25th. We will need workers both at the Division booth, AND at the St. Louis City County Board beer booth. We have formulated a plan where we can sell Anheuser Busch beer at the fair, and not bother either Lohr Distributing or Local 600 of the Teamsters. Our division booth this year will be selling both the “Irish Crème milkshakes” (hey they sold good!!!) and Jell-O shots”

I would like to welcome Terry L. Wipfler from St. Charles who came in at the June meeting and Matthew W. Vineyard, son of one of our great division workers, Dennis Vineyard. I already have some three new applications ready for the September meeting.

Since we are attracting quite a few new and younger people into the division, I would like to bring up the St. Louis Area Color Guard. The color guard desperately needs more and younger people, Brothers under say, 45 years of age. Your complete uniform will be paid for by the Color Guard Team Fund. The Color Guard does only 4-5 events a year; The St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the Valley of Flowers Parade, The Parade of Flags at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Memorial Day, The POW-MIA March to the Arch in September, the opening ceremonies of the Irish Country Fair (a 5-10 affair), and the annual St. Louis Veterans Day Parade in downtown St. Louis. The Color Guards across the country, from the pictures I’ve seen in the “Hibernian Digest” SEEM TO HAVE 5-10 OR MORE members. Why in the heck we can NOT attract more is totally beyond me—especially when it does NOT cost you anything anymore- the team fund will pay for your whole uniform. This Color Guard should be a source of pride for the entire St. Louis AOH community, and I can not understand the lack of support. For you younger members; please if you are interested in joining the Color Guard, PLEASE contact me—Jim Otto. You ARE needed!!!

I was contacted by Dave Holmes in early-mid July about a possibility of acquiring the “Admiral” (as a gift to a non profit organization). After getting feedback from what members did respond, and weighing all options, I have decided to pass completely on this. There are just too much in expenditures that would have to be undertaken—i.e. mooring, parking for vehicles, upkeep and maintenance, just the amount of restoration to make it viable, would be totally out of sight. I know some of you will totally disagree, but I as your president must look at every aspect, every angle and try (as I always have) to guide the division in the best direction.

I must comment on our most wonderful Chaplain, Father James J. Byrnes. Thanks to our wonderful archbishop, Fr, Byrnes is now pastor in Washington, Missouri. YET he still makes the division meetings—“Hey, its only 50 miles one way!!” That is dedication!! I wish many of my brothers had just a little of that dedication so as to attend meetings and help out at events. Fr. Byrnes is one the real assets of this division, and I for one am so very glad to have him with us.

I know it is truly wonderful to have Tony Conroy, Jr. in the division, but I have to tell you, sitting up at the head table there running the meetings, I really do miss looking out into the general membership and not seeing Tony Conroy, Sr., and Matt O’Neill Sr. setting there “kibitzing” and laughing during the meetings. I know you all know it, but I will remind each and everyone of you—each and every day you wake up and are able to put two feet upon the floor—that day is a gift from God. Make every day as though you knew it were your last day here. NEVER ever neglect to those you love around you that you do indeed love them. When you come across your fellow Hibernian brothers, never ever neglect to give them a warm handshake, and a smile. AND NEVER EVER neglect to give a compliment to someone—there is far too much criticism and not nearly enough compliments in this world.

SPECIAL NOTICE: For those of you who have failed to pay your 2005 dues, or for those of you who have joined in 2005 and have NOT paid your dues yet---you have until 1 SEPTEMBER, AND THEN YOU SHALL BE DELETED FROM THE MEMBERSHIP ROLLS. The division has expenditures which it must meet, and therefore we rely upon the dues money to help us pay those debts. PLEASE we want you with us, so bring your membership up to date.

Finally, beginning with the September division meeting, it is nominations time once again. September, October, and November are the three months of nominations of officers who will guide the division for the upcoming year. After the close of nominations at the November meeting, the division elections shall be held. Those elected will be “installed into office” at the annual Christmas party at the Czech Hall on Saturday, December 10^th.