Warren Scullin

Vic Vogel

John O'Herron

Kevin R. Cummings

Vic Vogel

Dia duit! Congratulations to President Brian Clancy and Chairman Tom McKenna for an outstanding Suffolk County Ball. New York State Chaplain, Father Henry Reid, President Chip McLean, Vice President Mike McNabb, Secretary Jim Burke and Past President John Hennessy were in attendance, as well as National Vice President Brendan Moore.

President Mike Byrnes and his committee are making plans for the annual Nassau County Feis. The feis, which is known for its step dancing and pipe band 'competitions, will be held on September 19th at Molloy College.

The Suffolk County Board conducted a service at the site of the Tom Clarke Memorial in Manorville, Long Island. National Historian Mike McCormack spoke about the life and work of Tom Clarke and his wife, Katy Daly. The service was followed by a Communion Breakfast. Congressman Peter King was the featured speaker.

The Nassau County Hibernians participated in a ceremony at the Easter Rising Monument in Mineola, Long Island. The commemoration marked the 94th anniversary of the Irish Easter Rising of 1916 in Dublin. Members of Division 15 formed the Color Guard for the event.

The Tara Court Degree Team recently performed a Major Degree in Levittown, Nassau County. Twentytwo members received their degree. The next scheduled Major Degree will be held on October 24th at Division 2 Hall in Babylon, Suffolk County. Any brother without a major degree may register to be initiated. All others are welcome to attend and participate.

Division 8 President Mark Donovan and Division 9 President Walter Butler have begun work on the Long Island Feis which will be held on August 1st at SUNY Stony Brook, Suffolk County. The feis, which is held indoors, features step dance competitions, Irish vendors and air conditioning!

President Phil Baumgartner reports that Nassau Division 11 brothers continue work on their Hibernian Hunger Project. This is a major effort to stock local food pantries.

President Ron Allen of Suffolk Division 1 reports that the Hibernian Festival Singers are preparing for their summer schedule. They have recently performed at the Irish Famine Mass in Bay Shore, the St. Brigid's Mass at St. Joseph's Convent in Brentwood and in "From Galway to Broadway" in Glen Cove.

President Jim Dawes reports that Division 2 of Babylon is supporting the LAOH Project Outreach Program which supports local food pantries. In addition, look for the monthly ceili at Division 2 hall.

President Jim Henry reports that Division 14 of Lynbrook will host their annual golf outing at Lido Beach Gold Course on June 7th.

Division 15 of Massapequa ran a Night at the Races and Roast Beef Dinner on May 7th. President Ken Ferguson reports that the division also held a Blood Drive on May 11 th at the Marine Corps League . The Tara Pipes and Drums golf outing will be held on June 28th.

Division 3 of Smithtown will host its annual golf outing at the Smithtown Landing Country Club. President Mike Hanley reports that the proceeds support local charities.

President Bob Boden of Hampton Bays Division 11 reports that their annual St. Patrick's Parade fundraiser at the famous Boardy Barn in the Hamptons will be held on September 4th. The parade has become a major attraction on Long Island.

Nassau County Division 17 held its annual golf outing on May 13th. President Brian Sarkey reports that proceeds from the event support the division's scholarship.

President Noel Byrnes reports that Division 3 of Nassau County held its golf outing on May 20th and its annual picnic will be on July 18th.

President Rich O'Neill of Division 7 in Nassau reports that his division took a fishing trip on May 8th.

Division 7 of East Islip will hold its annual Horseshoe Tournament on June 19th. Proceeds will benefit the Roisin Dubh Irish Pipe Band. A golf outing will be held on June 28th at the Wind Watch Golf Course for the benefit of the division's Project Children Program.

District Six is the home of five Hibernian bands: the Roisin Dubh Irish Pipe Band, Tara Pipes and Drums, Saffron United, Glor na Gael and Siol na H’Eireann. All of these bands are presently preparing for the upcoming competition season. They will represent Grades 3, 4 and 5. Good luck to all.

For information regarding any of the events listed in this report, please contact me directly.

John O'Herron

JUNE 2010

The divisions in District 7 and beyond have been keeping in close touch recently by sharing in St. Patrick's Day events, the AOH/NYS Board Meeting on May 1st and the exemplification of the Major Degree in Elmira on May 8th. The Major Degree, put on by Elmira's President Tom Corcoran and Past President Mark O'Herron had candidates from Binghamton, Geneva and Hornell, all approximately 60 miles away, east, north and west respectively. Also District 3 Director, Dan Case brought in a contingent from Syracuse. AOH/NYS Vice President Mike McNabb opened and closed the session. On behalf of myself and all those present, we thank Michael Glenn and the Schenectady Degree Team for an impressive ritual.

At the AOH/NYS Board Meeting, Binghamton's AOH President Hugh Reynolds advised Elmira's President Tom Corcoran that he plans on surpassing Elmira in division membership this year. Each division hovers around the 400 mark, with Elmira being slightly ahead in the past few years. We'll see how the numbers fall at the end of the year. Binghamton's Third Annual AOH CaptainnCrew Golf Tournament will be held on August 7th at Ely Park. With the upcoming opening of Binghamton's Ross Park Zoo, a joint effort will soon be made by Broome County's AOH and two LAOH divisions to spruce up a garden within the zoo grounds. The divisions maintain a 40ft. X 60ft. area by spreading mulch, planting flowers and keeping park benches and a carousel horse in repair. Also within the garden, candles are lit to commemorate deceased members of the Order. What a wonderful way to espouse the Order in conjunction with community service.

Elmira's Msgr. John J. Lee Division is currently planning their Annual Irish Festival to be held at their facility grounds on Saturday, September 11th from 2pm 11pm. This is an entertainment filled event featuring bagpipers, step dancers and music by Pat Kane, The Stoutman and Hair of the Dog. Admission is free and the food and beverage prices can't be beat. The 11th Annual Josh Palmer Fund / Coaches vs. Cancer Golf Tournament will be held on Sunday, October 3rd. This tournament is comprised of 90% AOH members who support Hibernian cancer survivor Josh Palmer and family in their effort to help local cancer patients and their families to cope with this disease. This tournament raised $10,000.00 in 2009.

Hornell's Sons of Ireland Division will host their Fourth Annual Irish Fest on St. Anne's grounds after 4:30 Mass on Saturday, August 21st. The event will feature Pat Kane and the Blarney Rebels along with Irish fare, beverage and vendors. The division is proud to be able to help kids with disabilities get out and play baseball by sponsoring two Hornell challenger league teams. The AOH sponsored Irish Open Golf Tournament will be held in September but the exact date has not been set. The four year old division may break the 100 member mark at their next initiation in June.
 

For the past District report's, go to the HOME page and click on the newsletter.

Kevin R. Cummings

The following are highlights of the happenings in and around Rockland, Orange, Ulster, Greene, Dutchess, Putnam, Sullivan and Schoharie Counties.

The members of Msgr. Sheahan Division 1 of Dutchess County are collecting food and personal items to benefit the House of Faith/House of Hope, a women’s shelter in their area. The division is also participating in the AdoptAHighway program as a way of advertising its presence in the community. The Dutchess County brothers are also planning a summer BBQ for the enjoyment of patients in the Castle Point Veteran’s Hospital.

Members of Ulster County AOH have been actively supporting their newly formed Junior AOH Division and we wish them well. The division members have announced the date for the Hooley on the Hudson which will be held on Sunday, September 5, 2010 from 11:30 am until 9:30 pm. The gathering is one of the premier Irish festivals in New York and a great time is guaranteed. This is a free event open to the public and they can use the support of the Irish communities in the surrounding counties.

In Greene County, members of the AOH and LAOH will be celebrating their First Annual Memorial Rock Mass on Saturday, June 12th at 11:00 am. The Mass Rock is located on the grounds of the Michael J. Quill Irish Cultural and Sports Center in East Durham. President Tim O’Sullivan and his brothers continue to plan events to raise funds for improving the Mass Rock site.

Rockland County AOH will be holding the 37th Annual Feis and Field Games on Sunday, July 18, 2010. Piping and dance competitions start at 8:30 am. The day includes Mass at 11:00 am. The Feis is held at Anthony Wayne Recreation Area in Stony Pointjust off of Exit 17 on the Palisades Interstate Parkway. I had the opportunity to attend the Rockland County AOH Board May meeting held in Division 3, Pearl River. Our brothers in Rockland continue to plan for a successful NYSAOH/LAOH Convention to be held July 1317 2011.

In Orange, County, members of Joseph Duelk, Jr. Division 1 held their “Fleming’s Fling” on May 29th with all profits going to support the Thomas Fleming Scholarship Fund. To date, the scholarship fund has awarded over $30,000 to deserving recipients. Division 1 will be holding the 8th Annual Joseph Duelk Jr. Memorial Mass at 9:00 am on Saturday, June 12th at Sacred Heart Church in Monroe. The Mass will be followed by an Irish Breakfast at the division hall. The day concludes with a wreath laying at the grave of Joseph Duelk, Jr. in Washingtonville. On May 7th Orange County members from the Fr. Donald J. Whelan Division 2 helped wheelchair bound vets plant a handicap accessible vegetable garden at Castle Point Veteran’s Hospital. Division 2 members also held a very successful American Cancer Society Relay for Life dinner and raised close to $1000 for Team AOH Division 2 which will be participating in the relay on June 4th.