By Kathleen Mullane

Well, as I just sit down to write these few lines this Monday night at 9 0’clock with 2 Christmas cakes in the oven for an hour and the “fruity” smell wafting through the kitchen, it’s barely believable that November is almost upon  us yet again and Christmas on the horizon. But let’s not be taken in by all the advertising in the run-up to the festive season, it’s a time to be spent with family and friends and that’s the most important thing, as who knows who will be around this time next year.

We sympathise this week with Joe Vaughan and his family Lorraine, Jenny and Joseph in Templeathea on the death of Ita last week. Ita was a ‘real lady’ a true family person and a great grandmother, no doubt she will be sadly missed by her family, relatives and many friends. Many came to pay their respects at the family home on Wednesday evening last. Burial followed Requiem Mass on Thursday to Holy Cross. ‘May the light of heaven be hers.

The wedding took place on Saturday last here in Athea of Breda Scanlon, daughter of Anne and John, Upper Athea to Fergus O’Keeffe of Kilmorna. Breda was assisted by her three sisters Katie, Jenny and Anne Marie and Joanne Keane. The best men were Pat, Gerald and Joe O’Keeffe and Tony Gould. The Nuptial Ceremony was performed by Fr. Bowen PP and the reception was held at The Devon Inn Hotel where everyone had a great day. Congrats and good wishes are extended to the newly-weds.

On Thursday, November 6th there will be a great night of music, song and dance at the Community Centre in Knockanure. The Rambling House starts at 9 0’clock and admission is free. There will be teas and cakes on the night and all are very welcome.

Sheila Walsh (Brosnan) reminded us all in Pat’s Column last week that it’s that time of the year again when we think of filling our shoe boxes for those children who are so  less well off than our own. And what a delight it must be for them to receive a box full of surprises from Ireland. I think it should be part of everyone’s Christmas list to get their shoe box filled early in November and it’s great for children to realise that they are giving to those kids who have little or nothing.

Thought for the week:

“Let go of the past, enjoy the present and keep an eye on the future”.