2010, was a great year, we struggled through the tough times with the economy and everything that life has to offer, and we made the best of it!!! We are a strong people and we are a strong country so we will get through this.

I haven’t posted anything in a while because life through a curve that was very sad and hard to understand. A very close family friend’s grandson Brian Fallon, 13 died from a brain aneurysm on Christmas Eve and buried on New Years Eve.

Christmas After the Loss of a Child

Amid all the Christmas shopping, decorating, caroling, pageants, anticipation and excitement, there is also a very real sadness that Christmas evokes in some people. For families in financial stress, you hear, "Oh, they won't get to have a Christmas this year." And what about celebrating the holidays when a loved one has died? Christmas just won't be the same."

While grief certainly affects our emotions as we experience the holidays, and while feelings of deep sadness are definitely expected and natural , we do not have to remain in a state of despair. Grief and tragedy do not dictate whether or not Christmas happens. Christmas is not something that happens if we have money for it and if all is "right" in our world and if we are emotionally stable and if we are not walking in the midst of broken-heartedness. Christmas already happened- period. And in fact, it happened BECAUSE of our broken world. Christ was born to save us from the hurt and tragedy and despair that He knew we would face. And with Him came promises of unimaginable hope and unspeakable joy- for everyone.

This was not the first in 2010 that we were saddened with a tragedy like this, two of our colleagues and teachers from England Sheila Hayes, and from Ireland, Sheila O’Conner-Rea, both dedicated their life, time, expertise and passion of Irish Dancing, passing on the steps of their heritage to the next generations. They will both be greatly missed by the Irish Dancing and Music Families and Community.

Also a special dedication to all the teachers that lost a parent or love one and the same for all the dancers and musicians families that lost someone close and dear to them. I don’t want to mention one and leave someone out, so we will say an extra little prayer for everyone.

It is very sad when a child is taken from us at a young age, it makes us question our faith and we all ask why? Why? Why? We are thought that they are in a better place and feel no pain. I hope this is true, and I hope that the immediate families find the strength and the faith to go forward.

The Pender-Keady Academy Feis is dedicating one of their competitions in the memory of one of their students Annie Bashlow Curtin, on Sat. Jan. 15th, 2011

I hope you can make it, but if not, you can still send a donation in the memory of Annie, Sheila, Brian or any loved one in your family.

Live life to the fullest, hug your child, hug your parents, hug your loved ones, life is so short and you never know what the next day will bring, so cherish every moment

Thank you all for your generous outpouring of love, support and prayers for All Families during this difficult time. Let's not forget to keep supporting them in the days, weeks, months, and years to come.

Annie Bashlow Curtin, March 10, 2004 - August 2, 2010

Think of Annie: When we think of happy things, The sound of a chirping bird that sings, A beautiful, big bright butterfly, A colorful rainbow in the sky, A firefly, a ladybug, A teddy bear for you to hug, Building castles in the sand, Someone to always hold your hand. When these happy thoughts appear, Think of Annie because she is here. Annie is all of these happy things, She is the first snowflake that winter brings, She is the first light of every sunrise, She is the angel that over you flies. So never stop thinking your thoughts fine and dandy, And when you do, smile, and think of Annie

PENDER-KEADY FEIS 2011

FEIS 2011

PENDER – KEADY ACADEMY FEIS

January 15th, 2011

Saxe Middle School – 468 South Avenue, New Canaan, CT 06840

PLEASE HELP US RAISE $10,000 FOR THE BRAIN ANEURYSM FOUNDATION! DONATE ONLINE OR SUPPORT OUR TREBLE REEL FOR CHARITY COMPETITION!

Donorpages.com

Please note the following (also written in syllabus):
· $15 pre-admission fee must be included with entry fee or entry will not be accepted
· Any entries postmarked after 12/18 will not be accepted without $10 late fee
· Checks should be made payable to “PENDER – KEADY FEIS”. Please do not make your check payable to Sheila Keady!
· Entries for the Treble Reel for Charity will require a separate check payable to BAF, please do not include this in your entry/admission fee check.
· We will be having a dress for sale room again at the feis, more info to follow

Adjudicators:
Brendan Brady, Massachusettes
John Carey, Birmingham England
Gail Casey, New York
Roger Casey, New York
John Cunniffe, Massachusettes
Ann Johnston, New York
Des Bailey, Ireland
Caitlin Allen, NY
Elicia Greenway-Folmar, MA
Jonathon McMorrow, Manchester England
Jen Nagle McGovern, New Jersey
Breda O’Brien, Galway Ireland
Kate O’Connor-Rea, California
Sean Flynn, New York
Peggy Woods Doherty, MA

Musicians:
Karen Conway, New Jersey
Felix Dolan, New York
Kevin Forde, New Jersey
Billy Furlong, New York
Dan Gibney, New York
Conor McGuirk, New York
Chris McLoughlin, New York
Patty Moriarity Morrissey, New York
Ann Marie Acosta-Williams, New York