http://songsandstories.net/myblog Blog for Author, John O\'Brien Sat, 28 Jan 2012 01:39:41 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en 10th Annual Merry Ploughboys Fundraiser for The Little Sisters of the Poor is February 3rd On February 3rd it will only be forty-three days to the biggest day of the year, St Patrick’s Day. What better way to put yourself in the mood than by attending the 10th Annual Merry Ploughboys ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/28/ohio-irish-american-news-a-story-from-this-month%e2%80%99s-issue-10th-annual-little-sisters-of-the-poor-is-february-3rd/ Happy New Year to everyone, I hope you had a safe and enjoyable holiday season. I must also send out a big happy anniversary to this very magazine, the Ohio Irish American News, Five years young and I think we can all agree the editor-in-chief Mr. John O’Brien Jr. has ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/27/ohio-irish-american-news-a-story-from-this-month%e2%80%99s-issue-owens-sports/ By Terry Boyle I’m not sure why this time of year is usually equated with darker emotions, but the progression through autumn towards winter somehow changes our perspective. As our conversation becomes more weather centered, not only do we seek to protect our bodies, but also our spirits. As ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/24/ohio-irish-american-news-a-story-from-this-month%e2%80%99s-issue-terry-from-derry-stained-by-time/ Stories from the Corner Bard By Sean McCabe Here we are, it's 2012 finally, the year many folks have been dreading. The world is going to end in December. After all, it's the end of the Mayan calendar., December 21, to be precise. Doomsday movies have been made based on this prediction, ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/23/ohio-irish-american-news-a-story-from-this-month%e2%80%99s-issue-stories-from-the-corner-bard/ By Susan Mangan At times I feel both blessed and cursed, charmed and deluded, foolishly optimistic and gut wrenchingly cynical. I am a walking caricature of the harlequin masks: comic and tragic, prone to over dramatization and embellishment. Creative souls tend to be a bit too sensitive, too introspective. ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/22/a-story-from-this-month%e2%80%99s-issue-blowin-in-i-resolve/ The Ohio Scottish Arts School: A Truly Unique Experience By Barry Conway Over this past summer, I had the opportunity to teach at the Ohio Scottish Arts School or OSAS. Being a life-long Ohio resident, piping enthusiast, and a member of OSAS Alumni, you’d have thought, that I would know a great ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/21/a-story-from-this-months-issue-the-ohio-scottish-arts-school/ NEW BOOK SIGNING, with Great music, dancers, door prizes and more. 34th Anniversary of the Irish American Club-East Side Celebration! Saturday, January 21st. Featuring Callahan & O’Connor Irish band, Irish Dancers Door Prizes and ME! I’ll be signing my books, First Generation and Festival Legends: Songs & Stories. Doors open ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/21/irish-band-irish-dancers-open-bar-and-me-2nite/ After a lifetime of playing the lottery, My dear Aunt Sheila hit the jackpot; she has gone to heaven. Her jokes and stories, chatter and constant laughter will keep the Holy Family groaning and bemused. I haven’t seen Auntie Shee in a very long time. She was sick, and ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/21/rest-in-peace-and-laughter-auntie-shee/ The Aud – A Failure to Communicate By: J. Michael Finn Failure to communicate could have served as the motto of the 1916 Easter Rebellion. Communication before and during the rebellion was either non-existent or contradictory. No one knew exactly what was going to happen or when. Even some of the ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/21/a-story-from-this-months-issue-illuminations-the-aud/ I am currently booking festivals and performances for "At Each End of the Rifle", a 40 minute spoken word presentation of song, story and verse, highlighting the similarities between men on opposite sides of war with their brothers. Coming to a festival and cultural hall near you (if you invite ... http://songsandstories.net/myblog/2012/01/20/at-each-end-of-the-rifle-men-at-war-with-their-brother/