Celtic collects money for family in need

At the Irish Christmas in America concert on December 13, we raised and donated $135 for the Smith Family, who had three children injured in an accident on their way to school. All three children are now out of the hospital and continue to recover. Below is information on the Smith Family Fund, taken from www.erschools.org.

DISTRICT REACHING OUT TO FAMILY AFFECTED BY ACCIDENT;THIRD SIBLING HOME FROM HOSPITAL (updated 12-18-08)
Students, teachers, and staff in the East Rochester School District are doing all they can to make sure the family of three siblings hit by a school bus recently know that many thoughts are with them.
The students' classmates have made get-well cards and other items, which were delivered directly to the family.
In addition, the village of ER, with the help of school resource officer Scott Montcrieff, has set up a fund for the family's medical and other expenses and needs.
Second-grader Malik H. was released from Strong Memorial Hospital Tuesday, Dec. 16; his sister, fourth-grader Monefay, and brother, seventh-grader Akeem, were treated and released the afternoon of the incident. The accident happened as the children, along with a fourth sibling who wasn't injured, were being escorted through a crosswalk by a crossing guard on their way to school.
Those wishing to contribute to the fund can send donations to the Village of East Rochester Smith Family Fund, c/o the village of East Rochester, 120 W. Commercial St., East Rochester, N.Y. 14445. Checks must be made out to "Village of East Rochester Smith Family Fund."

Irish Christmas in America at ERHS

It was another great night last night as we welcomed the tour Irish Christmas in America, featuring Teada and Karan Casey. They did not disappoint... Teada was in top form and Karan's voice was every bit as sweet as it is on her many recordings. There were several great sets of quick reels and jigs, but for me the highlights were Karan singing The Parting Glass and the encore of her singing Silent Night in Gaelic.



For our opening set we welcomed guest musicians Jayne Pomplas (fiddle), Kevin Crouch (bouzouki), and Ted McGraw (accordion), and it was also the first performance for three new 8th graders, Austin, Alyssa, and Brittney, who look like the future of this group. Our set: 1) Reels: Swallowtail, The Banshee, Merry Blacksmith; 2) Jigs: Leitrim Fancy, Butlers of Glen Ave., The Tenpenny Bit; 3) Waltzes: South Wind, The Gentle Maiden; 4) Jigs: Morrison's, The Butterfly; 5) I'll Tell Me Ma, The Silver Spear. Congrats to the students on a great performance!



The show was followed by a truly great session at Timothy Patrick's with a couple of dozen musicians that went well beyond 1:00 am. (And thanks again for the sandwich, Mr. Malone!)

Special thanks to Mr. Regan who did an absolutely brilliant job with sound; Seth, who ran lighting for us; Bill Ertle, whoh got us our video and helped keep us safe while we worked on the set; and to our good friends in Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann who brought the tour to town and put the whole thing together. This is - I think - our 7th collaboration with CCE.

Hope you enjoy this video of I'll Tell Me Ma & The Silver Spear!