How quickly Christmas has come "round" again. Where has the year flown to? The moments are racing by and yet we only have "the moment". What to write? What can one say that is new?
The Toronto Rose of Tralee 2010
The Irish Cultural Society/Rose of Tralee Committee are already hard at work organizing for our 2010 Toronto Rose of Tralee Selecion Night. We are broadening the base in extending invitations to Rose applicants, and this year have brought another Region on board...Simcoe...this new Region along with Brampton and Durham are invited to join with the Toronto Centre. All four locations will have individual initial "Selections" on Sunday Afternoon, April 11, 2010, to chose the Roses that will go forward to participate in the Toronto Rose of Tralee Selection. This will take place at "On the Park" on Friday, May 14th 2010. For those of you who have been around Toronto for some years, you will remember it as "The Inn On the Park". It has remained idle for about 10 years. In the last year it has been brought back to its former glory and is open for business once again. The hotel suites are not operational at this point. It is very well positioned on Leslie just north off Eglinton, off the Don Valley, with lots of parking available. For any young single women between the ages of 18 and 27 years interested in applying to be a Rose, or to any one who would like to attend the Rose Ball please check this web site for more information.
The Toronto School of Irish Music
This is an exciting new program in the teaching of Irish Traditional Instrumental Music. It started on a Monday evening on September 28th as a Pilot programme at the Emerald Isle Seniors Centre, 1190 Danforth Avenue (north-east corner of Danforth and Greenwood) and is running for 9 weeks. We plan to continue in January at the same location. At this time, we are offering Tin Whistle taught by Debbie Quigley and Fiddle by Patrick Ourceau. Levels being offered are: Beginners, Intermediates, and Advanced, in Group Classes. We are offering childrens and adult classes. We are encouraging parents to take the class with their children so it becomes a family time. We see in this project limitless growth. Toronto is home to a very vibrant Irish Music Community. We believe the school will bring greater awareness of that richness to the community at large, through local performances, sessions and at the anual Feile Ceol. For more information contact noritasbb@rogers.com or by phone at 905-881-5012.
Christmas...
A time of reflection...a time of memories...a time of sharing...a time of giving thanks. As I held my newest grandchild close, he, Everett William Douglas, arrived into our lives on September 24th 2009, my mind wandered back to the young woman of 20 years who arrived in Toronto on her own, Remembrance Day 1966. What life has given, and life has taken; the challenges forcing growth; the friendships to nurture the soul; the family to love with the heart. I was reminded of the letter my son wrote on how he sees the role of the importance of community in our lives with particular emphasis for us in the Irish Community.
Here is an extract from that letter:
""The story of an immigrant in another country is often a hard one to explain, a story that many (the generation born in Canada) may find difficult to fully comprehend, but a story that the Irish Community of Toronto understand very well. It is a story that unites us and provides us with added support when we need it most; it is an acceptance, in times when we may feel alienated from the world and will comfort us in times of sorrow." ... Andrew Fleming ...
So this Christmas, I encourage you to sit down with your children and grandchildren and talk about your experience and how being part of this wonderful community has enriched and nourished our lives.
To the Committee of the ICST/Rose Committee, my deepest gratitude for your dedication, hard work and laughter as we journey together. Thanks to all of you who have supported and continue to support the Irish Cultural Society of Toronto.
ICST AGM Sunday afternoon, December 6th, 2:00 p.m. at ST. Paul's Bascilicia Church Hall at Queen and Power.
On behalf of the Irish Cultural Society of Toronto and the Irish Benevolent Society of Toronto... A Happy Christmas One and All.
Irish Cultural Society of Toronto...Expanding our Horizons...Building Bridges Together.
Thanks,
2009 Toronto Rose
When I was selected as the 2009 Toronto Rose in May of this year, I truly had no idea what an incredible experience I was in for – nothing could have possibly prepared me for the excitement, the friendships, and the hospitality I was met with in Dublin at the beginning of my adventure. Upon our first introductions, all of the Roses were boggled by how many of us there were. We wondered how on earth we would remember fifty centres, let alone fifty names! As I slowly got to know each Rose, I was blown away by how much personality, flare, and sophistication each Rose had, and I was honored to be in the company of so many talented and successful women. Our journey was one of many pictures, many laughs, many stories and many songs!
From our fascinating day trips all over the country to the glamorous evenings we shared with our escorts, each day was full of new surprises and warm welcomes wherever we went. We travelled through counties Dublin, Kildare, Offaly, Galway, Clare, Limerick, and of course the Kingdom itself, County Kerry. Each stop along the way, we were met with family support, big hugs and handshakes, and lots of cheers, waves and smiles. Our onlookers were met with a parade of excited Roses, each of us dressed in our finest, and wearing our sashes with pride.
The Rose of Tralee has given me memories that will last a lifetime. Remarkably, by the end of the festival I did know each of the 50 Roses, and not only by their names – a feat I though might be impossible in such a short period of time, but was easily overcome through our shared experiences and new friendships. Being the Toronto Rose for 2009 is truly a special privilege and a great pleasure. I most enjoyed representing our Toronto-Irish community at the Festival this year, and am delighted to be part of such a tradition which celebrates an incredible calibre of individuality, national pride, and good craic!
