by Kathleen Mullane

“Walking on Sunshine”

Well, there was a sense of ‘anticipation’, ‘wonder’- ‘eagerness’- and what was this ‘WALKING ON SUNSHINE’ fund-raising concert for the hall all about before we get to see it for the first time on Saturday night last in the hall. And I must say it was very appropriately named and it did indeed throw a lot of ‘ SUNSHINE’ into the lives of all those present  and I’m sure  also into all those involved in its production despite all the hard work and many hours of rehearsing that went into it.

From the moment it started until “THE SISTERS” ended it—it was a night filled with music, song, dance not to talk of the hilarious sketches. They say ‘Laughter is the best medicine’ and in these recessionary times we all need a bit of “laughter “and “sunshine” in our lives and indeed this Variety Show did just that! I’m not going to give too much away, as it would spoil it for those who haven’t yet got to see it. There’s something in it for everyone both young and not so young, music, song, dance and so much more.

Tom O’Keeffe made a great job of doing MC and introduced all the acts and incidentally we must congratulate himself and his good wife Anne who have just celebrated their 40^th Wedding Anniversary. Best wishes to them both on this happiest of occasions.

The Athea Church Choir was wonderful and of course The Athea Wrenboys were quite a lively bunch. Tim and Karen Connelly – what a talented couple. I’m told Jessica and Damien Ahern put in many hours of surfing the internet – getting their ideas for the concert. Each and every one had a special part to play – and the teas and eats in the kitchen of course were welcome.  Declan O’Carroll did a marvellous job on lighting and sound.

What talent we have in this area and congratulations to them all in helping to fund-raise for our hall. Hopefully someone will do a DVD of it – no doubt it would sell like ‘HOT-BUNS’ well done to all who gave spot-prizes for the raffle also. Here’s to next weekend and “ WALKING ON SUNSHINE”.

A reminder that the AGM of Athea Community Games will take place this Wednesday October 19^th at 8pm in the school.

Congratulations to Neilus and Linda Hunt on the birth of their new baby boy Tadgh. Also to the proud grandparents Mary and Henry Moran and Teady Hunt.

John Joe Tierney is holding a grand fund –raising concert for the hall on Saturday October 29^th at 9.30pm. All welcome.

Please help the the Athea Ladies Football Club to raise a few Euros for their Club. They are holding a “CLOTHES DRIVE” on the 4^th November from 6pm-8pm at The Clubhouse, so if you have any unwanted bags, shoes, clothes, soft toys etc bring them along.

They are also holding their Annual Raffle on the 5^th November (Fair Day) with 1^st Prize a Load of Timber, 2^nd Prize – A Pony – tickets on sale shortly.

The U-12’s, U-14’s and U-16’s will have their day out on November 3^rd to the Cinema and McDonalds. Only those who have their insurance paid will be allowed to travel.