Sharing pride in our ancestry

[joddy]

high~~ I don't input often, but I would like to copy an article out of the
Boyne City Gazette. Rather then add a link, I thought I would copy the
entire piece. (with out permission)--sue me -- I thought it is not only timely but also delivers a positive message. -- enjoy --
Inthe coming weeks many within our communities will pay special attention to their heritage. The Irish especially those on Beaver Island and in Boyne City, are likely to have the time of their resective lives with all the festivities planned for their areas.Boyne City will be having their Irish heritage festival, and every pub on the Island is guaranteed open till the wee hours of the mornig.
This got me to thinking hard about heritage, and what it means to be a part of an established culture. Often when immigrants came to a community, this was their chance to have a taste of home.
Polish communities (such as Boyne Falls)feasted on Pazckis on Fat Tuesday, and Pierogi's during major feasts.
Often, all would come together and make life as close to home as possible. Irish pull out the corned beef and cabbage, along with their beer of choice. Everyone has their culture, and items unique to them.
What is special here is that they do it together; they celebrate something so many of them have in common, and it can't be taken away, because it is literally in their blood and in their hearts
With things that have been going on in Boyne City (and B.I. my edit)
lately,I think a little bit of unity is the best thing anyone can ask for.
Issues within our communities have driven many people apart, and caused ill will in a lot of cases.
It is my hope that this Irish Heritage Festival in Boyne City and St.
Patrick's Day observances on Beaver Island, will help everyone remember what it is we have in common.
So, regardless if your ancestrs are from Germany, Poland< Italy,, Ireland, or right herein the good old U.S.ofA, you know that you are not alone when we all have something to share.
And maybe, just for a little while, everyone will get together for some good food and beer, good music and cheer, and forget about the trials and tribulations of our daily lives.
I hope you enjoyed this. Remember U. N. I. R. 1.

[wmarkey]

I can't helping reacting to the ktaylor post of March 10, 2012 12:34 p.m. and this joddy post of the same day @ 3:10 p.m. by adding my words to Joddy's and remind the forum's readers, users,or whatever that there is a lot of work to be done to make Beaver Island's future happen. We need everybody. Reach out! Pitch-in! Ante-up! Fix it!
William A Markey
Eagle Hill

[sbsp]

May the toasts made on the 17th be: "Here's to US".

Kirk D. McBride

[Dick and Amy]

Kirk, I thought you were going to add, "or Shut up" lol

[Party Plan Girl]

Joddy said it best: U N I R 1. Take responsibility for your actions and challenge yourself to help form a stronger and healthier community. Respect others and treat them as you would treat yourself and please, get involved. FORGIVE! We can do this if we are willing.

[sbsp]

Dick & Amy -

Let's hope the day will come when we can all, LOL and not be SOL.

Kirk D. McBride
.

[wmarkey]

I am sorry Jotty. My original reply to your post should have been put into its own thread, and I suggest to you, Kirk, that each of your topics in the reply just above could be put into separate threads also. Then replies might be consistent to the topic heading. I Know you can post as you wish, but if they were separate, replies could be specific and probably get more viewers.
Readers, scroll back to the top and reread Jotty's post. It is so wonderfully positive while mine carries a challenging tone and Kirk's latter one is so busy I think I have become more confused and slightly disheartened.

William A Markey
Eagle Hill

[Joey Timsak]

Very good point Bill, this thread ran way off topic. Thanks for posting Joddy! That article is informative and does bring a positive tone to this forum, that has been, as of late, a little dark and argumentative. It seems everyone wants to argue about tax dollars, etc. and I think it consumes people to the point that they forget what's important (and in most cases, free). The fresh air, flowers, waking up every morning in a vacation destination, knowing that you have a community standing behind you, etc.

[sbsp]

William,
I agree with your separate thread comment, a point well taken.
I will self edit my posts on this thread today.

Kirk D. McBride