Conference tallis::celt

	It's only fitting that your first reply should be from "home".
    	Imagine running away to that big, bad old U.S. of A. Just wait
    	until you meet a few of those people like Burns and Culbert.
    	You'll soon wish that you were home again. :-)
    
    	As to the culture shock I was over there for a week in October
    	and I still haven't recovered. Seriously though I had a great
    	time over there and I'm sure that you will have also.
    
    	Just remember you can always come home to Lonergans and you
    	could even get some wheaten bread and other delicacies.
    	
    	Best wishes and no doubt we'll meet in the notes now and again.
    
    	Andy.
                                                      

    
    
    
    	Welcome Ann ..... "There goes the Neighborhood" !!!!  ;-)
    
    
    	Andy: Did you make the tape for me ??
    
    
    
    
    	keVin
    
    

    KeViN,
    	 It's a long story but it'll be on it's way to you soon.
    Andy.

    Ann, the list to answer your questions would fill volumes.

    There are plenty of differences good and bad, but if you
    ask me to put them on a scales, I would reckon the US wins.

    A lot of the problems I've found with home were basically to
    do with the financial mess that Ireland is currently in.  The
    governmental overspending in the late 60's and 70's have caused
    havoc which those left behind are still paying for.  Unfortunately,
    when more than half of what you earn - assuming you're lucky
    enough to have a job - goes to pay the government, you don't
    have a lot of time or money left to enjoy living.

    Having said this, it's amazing the country is SO enjoyable,
    and still such a great place to live in or visit.  We all know
    why, it's the GREAT people.

    The last two paragraphs are my attempt to explain why the US
    has the edge on Ireland.  If we could make as good a living at
    home, I know where we would be.

    Anyway, to your questions.  The family misses Irish sausages,
    Dunnes Stores baked beans and Balisto bars, among other things.
    (No, these three items were NOT our staple diet).

    The kids also miss their grandparents, and phoning home is SO
    expensive.  Yes, the crack in pubs is not the same, though I
    believe keVin will point in some that are a bit better.

    'Natives' are very friendly & generous.  Big problem is basically
    getting to know people outside of the work environment.


    Anyway, welcome here and hope to meet you at some stage.  Enjoy
    your stay and good luck with settling in.

    Bernard.

    .....and "not socializing with the locals" is not something I would
    encourage. Once you get to know people you share the neighbourhood
    with, you may be surprised at how friendly, helpful, etc they can
    be.
    [Having said that, I am still waiting to meet my new neighbours
    who have gone into hibernation for the winter]
    
    Mike
    

    re: .4
    
    > governmental overspending.
    
    hmmm, sounds familiar!  I guess we will all be moving to Ireland
    in 10 years or so.  I can't wait...
    
    Michael
    

    I'd love to meet some of you folks from Ireland who haven't socialized
    much with the natives.
    
    But I'm kind of shy, so you have to promise to do most of the talking!
    
    Holly

    
    	re .7 and .5
    
    	The problem as I see it (not only because its America - this
    is true of any country!) with trying to socialize with the Natives
    is how do you go about 'breaking the ice' without looking like a
    mental case - knocking on someones door saying "Hi Im your new
    neighbour" ?!?!? (visions of "so what!" followed by SSLLLAAAMMMMMM!)
    
    	In our case we're living in a temp. relocation apartment complex
    so that means that everyone else around us are 'blow-ins' too.  I work
    in DEC - a new facility thats got about 5% of its employees moved
    in only, my other half also works in DEC - hes wandering around
    between 3 or 4 plants at the moment on a project....DECcies are
    renowned for not socializing with fellow employees - so tell me
    what have you found to be the solution for making contact with the
    Natives or is everyone else like .5 waiting for the end of the
    hibernation season????? 
                      
    Holly the Irish have been blessed with "the gift of the gab" 8-)
    
    Regards,
    
    	<Ann_still_looking_forward_to_living_here_despite_everything!>
                      
    

    A way to meet people is to go where they are.  Not being funny.
    Go to church, and attend the teas after church, people will
    be mellow then and come up to you to talk.
    Go to those entertainments which have intermissions, like the opera
    or legit theater.  You then get to meet those seated near you.
    Search out a sports group for a sport you like (or can teolerate).
    Put notes in a lot of notes files.
    Etc.
    You do not say what part of the USA you are now in.  Regions of
    the US vary IMMENSELY in character warmth.  The New England area
    (where I live) are the coldest.  I have not spoken with my near
    neighbors more than a total of 10 minutes each in the last year.
    Good Luck, Phil

    Re: .8 + .9  Well, it depends what neighborhood you live in too.
    If you live in an apartment complex in the US you are likely
    to find itinerants, phD types that live at work, and young
    professionals who can't afford homes.  It varies.  You'll find
    too that some groups of people really prefer living in complexes.
    
    I live in a upper middle class neighborhood (house) in Waltham with my
    parents still.  My neighbors are incredibly friendly.  They have
    keys to our house (when we lose ours).  Everybody watches over 
    each others houses as best they can.  Generally speaking (with only
    few exceptions) I like the people who live around me.
    
    If you're looking to meet 'natives' then I would recommend our
    informal CELT get-togethers (mixture of natives and old sods),
    going skiing (DEC Ski club), local Jaycees or any other volunteer
    group, any good Irish bar/pub around Massachusetts is a great way
    to meet people too.  I find American 'discos' a rather stale way of
    meeting people.  Concerts, plays, supermarkets -> they even have
    singles night at Purity Supreme.  The US isn't as 'homey' as Ireland
    and therefore you have to be more outgoing in order to meet others,
    and probably a little more choosey as to whose company your in.
    
    -g
   

    In every Thursday's Globe, there's a Calendar section with a listing
    of just about every event in New England for the coming week.
    Great source of info...

    Welcome, I live in the south... I am from Kerry.  As for Americans,
    laugh a great deal, they are a bit of crack and have so many 
    different points of views.  I personally would like to go home
    I've done what I set out to do; Married an american, now I'm widowed
    had seven American born children, one is taking her leaving in Dublin
    
    You will like it here, and we are such pleasant, good natured people
    that friends are never hard to find.  Another thing, these people
    are very affectionate.  Take care and God Bless
    
    Slan, Kate

    
	
	Is anyone interested in attending a "Turkey Cheer/Raffle" at
	the Ancient Order of Hibernians (A.O.H.) to be held in Lawrence Ma. 
	on this Saturday night November 21st. ??


	Basically, it works like this .....

	A table is set up with several gifts on it.
	(Case of beer, Bottle of Booze, canned ham, boiled dinner, radio,
	 jewelry,turkey, etc, etc) whatever !!!!

	What you do is buy a strip of raffle tickets (Usually 5 for $1.00)
	Once everyone who wants to buy tickets has made their purchase of 
	tickets, all the items on the "table" are raffled-off.
	ie.

	#34744 wins the Case of Beer
	#85048  "    "  Bottle of Booze
	#12876  "    "  Canned Ham
	#93763  "    "  Boiled Dinner (everthing from soup to nuts)

	Once everthing on the table has been won, they start all over again.
	New prizes,and new tickets to be purchased (if you want to try and win)
	I suppose they will raffle-off an average 20-30 tables during the 
	evening.

	The A.O.H has set aside $2500 for prizes to be purchased at BJ's
	Wholesale Club, and members also donate gifts, so I would assume that 
	the items will be good. (I'll be parting with a bottle of Jamesons')

	If you're not winning upstairs at the raffle, we could always go 
	downstairs into the A.O.H. pub, where the scheduled Irish Entertainment
	is the "Dooley Brothers" (Emer did yoy hear that) or we can just drink 
	Pints of Porter or Harp all night long)
	
	Some excellent "door-prizes" are also usually awarded also.
	
	All of the money raised at the raffle is awarded to several High School
	students in the form of a scholarship towards further education.

	This could be a good informal chance for some of us to meet each other.

	If your interested in attending, contact me for further info and 
	directions.

						keVin

    Ann   Don't listen to .9  we are not a cold people a bit over cautious
    and protective but a greater and more loyal bunch you'll never find.   
    
    I think that a good way to meet the locals is to join in on some
    of the festivities........
    
    keVin and I have been out with a few of the more active folks in
    this file along with some very colorful individuals from the old
    homestead for good times.  Why not go to the turkey cheer?  You
    will surely meet some 'strange' people.  
    
    keVin has also promised to arrange a get together for a pop around
    christmas time ( you did say that didn't you keVin?)  that should
    prove to be a good time.  Welcome to the states and celts
    
    paddy
    
    P.S.  Andy  ---   How are the Wellies?????

    Ann,
    
    Now that I know you come from Carrick-on-Suir (off-line correspondence)
    and that you're located on the East coast, I'm sure I can come up
    with some good ideas...
    
    Carrick had a great Amateur Drama Society.  There are a few of those
    around here, and it's a great way to meet people.  Southboro Players
    is one I can think of off hand.  There's also amateur Opera with
    the Savoyards in Sudbury.  Another fun thing to do, and you don't
    have to know how to get involved, is Contra Dancing.  It's very
    similar to Irish dancing, but a little less formal in form.  the
    dances are called.  As it turns out, you already know Robbie and
    I, sort of.  And that's just the beginning...Sean, my father-in-law
    says he can't go anywhere but he meets a Carrickman (read person).
    
    We'll get together soon...
    
    
    Slan,
    Roxanne
    
    P.S.:  I also disagree about New Englanders being cold.  I seem
    to remember my childhood as one big open house.

    
    
    	IRISH LECTURE SERIES
    	sponsored by
    	DIVISION 8, A.O.H. & LADIES A.O.H. LAWRENCE MA.
    	&
    	Nothern Essex Community College
    
    
    			TOMMY MAKEM
    	Topic: "OUR HERITAGE _ OUR CULTURE"
    	Tuesday November 24, 1987 8:00 P.M.
    	Hibernian Hall, 9 Appleton St.,
    	Lawrence Ma.
    
    
    	FREE ADMISSION
    

    
    
    	Those of us that DID attend the Turkey Cheer/Raffle had one
    	unforgettable evening ....
    	
    	Joe Drotter was the big winner, and upon leaving, he mentioned
    	something about "Big Mac's,Ice Scrapers,and Nancy Reagan" and
    	that "His Monkey" would no longer be cold.   :-)
    
                                                                  
    	Paddy Culbert is "no longer in the dark", and could have won more
    	prizes had he arrived on time .. Paddy expressed disappointment in
    	not winning the "Deluxe 2-step Ladder" but I am certain that
    	he is looking forward to trying again next year ... :-)
    
                                        
    	I'll let them tell you the rest !!!
    

    The turkey cheer was clearly the occasion of the year.
    
    Kevin M. won a blanket and a automatic ice scraper
    Joe D. won the same stuff
    Jim C. won the same as keVin B.
    paddy C. won something with a candle around it
    and last but not least keVin B won s*it
    
    The high lite of the evening was watching Joe shoot elastics at
    the other table.  Joe, Patty is still looking for you.  I told my
    wife what the difference was between a dog and a fox was.  She said
    that you are clearly a sick puppy.  Is your monkey ok?  Tom MCan's
    has a pair of shoes that might match the bag.
    
    All in All it was probably the most fun I have had at one of these
    things ever.  To all of you that weren't able to make it you did
    miss some fierce crack that was one of those happenings that turn
    up every so often  Chemistry was there for a fun evening.
    
    Have a nice THANKSGIVING everyone.
    
    paddy 

    re. 19
    
    Paddy: You are mistaken, I did a "manual angora Ice Scrapper" :=)	   
    (and 2 "small teddy-bears" that were given to me for my children)
                                  
                                                         
    For the uninformed, the difference between a dog and a fox is
    about 6 beers .... Right Joe !!!!
    
    
    
    keVin
    

    Say keVin  in that case I'll bet Joe thought that they were all
    Foxes that night.  
    
    Sorry about not realizing you had won one of the long sought for
    ice ssssscrapers.  
    
    You got those two little teddy bears for the kids huh????  Tell
    me another one big guy you got them because you forgot where you
    left the cows.  Did the bears fit into your Wellies???
    
    Lets get more people there next year this not only will increase
    our chances of winning more ice scrapers and blankets it will give
    everyone a chance to meet Joe and his pet monkey.  
    Hey Joe just what kind of monkey is that anyway ??????
    
    keVin do they have one of these events at Christmas???