Presidents Remarks – General Meeting – September 26, 2017
Thank you all for coming tonight. I hope you are all enjoying the late summer weather we have been having.
Before we get to the news of the month, we must pause and say goodbye to old friends. Ned Doran passed away on Sunday. A charter member, you could always count on Ned and his fellow snowbird Judy Greene to be with us for the summer activities. His wake is this Friday and funeral Saturday at Cody-White.
Stephen Kraffmiller was a charter member, a member of Book Club No. 1, the original Slainte Board, and initial Chairman of the History Committee, getting the oral history project off the ground. Steve and Kathy were inseparable, just like their Facebook page and email address. Although I only knew Steve about 11 out of his 88 years, in reading his obituary and attending his funeral, I got a fuller measure of the depth and breadth of his life, and his great capacity for work, and love.
As I was driving away from his funeral, the first song that came on my Pandora was “The Parting Glass”:
For since it fell unto my lot,
That I should rise and you should not,
I’ll gently rise and softly call,
Good night and God be with you all.
So I decided at that point that, instead of a moment of silence, we will do a toast to our fallen friends:
Our Father’s house has many mansions…Ned and Steve, leave the light on until we meet again.
There was good news this month. We have been informed by the Irish Consulate that we will receive a grant of $7,500 from the Irish government. In fact, they would very much like to formally present the check in person to us on behalf of the government of Ireland. Stay tuned for further details.
I will leave the good news about the Festival for those who are responsible for it. I will just give my profound thanks to all who worked so hard and contributed so much to this year’s efforts.
As we have mentioned previously, the Board is recommending a plan to repave the parking lot, with provisions for a future patio. We shall bring this before you later on tonight.
Other projects have not been forgotten. The work to install exterior lights and stonework on the front of the clubhouse is resuming. We shall do as much as we can before winter sets in, and complete the job next year. And all of our refrigeration and other bar equipment is up and running.
As always, I am available for a question or a suggestion.

Respectfully,
Michael McCabe, President

IHSM
Volunteer Appreciation Day
Sunday, November 5th
5pm at the Clubhouse
Light fare and a champagne toast will be served.
Traditional Irish musicians
will entertain us.
All Members are welcome!

IHSM Milford Senior Center Food Drive
Canned and dry foods will be collected for donation to the Milford Food Pantry.
Some items in need are:
stews, pasta & sauces, coffee & tea, peanut butter, dry cereal, oatmeal, pancake mix & syrup, granola bars, juice, and soups.
Check expiration dates before donating.
Please consider donating one or more items.
A collection box is at the Clubhouse
Contact Nancy Smith for more info: 203.937.6330

October’s General Membership Meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 24th so that Members can spend October 31st, Halloween, with their families.
Regular Meeting times are in effect:
Bar Opens – 5:30 p.m.
Social Hour – 6:30 p.m.
General Membership Meeting – 7:30 p.m

Last Tuesday of the month, at IHSM Clubhouse, 131 Bridgeport Avenue, Milford. Bar will open at 5:30 p.m., social hour at 6:30 p.m., General Membership meeting at 7:30 p.m. Bar will close during the business meeting, but will reopen at the conclusion of the meeting. General Membership meetings are only for members in good standing, no guests can be signed into the clubhouse on the nights of general membership meetings.