Presidents Report

December 2020 News

Irish Breakfast

December 13, 2020

Division 2 Hall

9:30 am - 12 Noon

Adults $7.00; Children $3.00. All members and friends encouraged to attend

Division 2 Monthly Meeting

December 16, 2020

Division 2 Hall

7:00 pm

All members encouraged to attend

Division 2 Monthly Meeting

January 20, 2021

Division 2 Hall

7:00 pm

All members encouraged to attend

September - October Division News & Events

Dear Brother Members and Friends of the Division,

We hope this email finds you and your families safe and healthy. Some important updated event information can be found below:

Authentic Irish Breakfast - Sunday, September 13th - 9:30 AM to 12:00 PM @ Division 2 Hall. A traditional Irish breakfast is back! Only $7.00 for adults, children $3.00.

Division 2 Monthly Meeting - Wednesday, September 16th - 7:00 PM @ Division 2 Hall. All Members in good standing are invited to attend.

AOH-DJW Building Corp. Quarterly Meeting - Wednesday, September 16th - following our monthly meeting @ Division 2 Hall. All Members in good standing are invited to attend. The building belongs to the members. Please attend and discuss its future.

AOH-DJW Building Fund $100 Raffle - Sunday, September 27th - 12:00 PM is our early bird drawing. All paid (in-house) tickets are entered into the drawing and are eligible to win one of three $300 prizes. Please be sure to turn in all sold tickets prior to this date to be eligible. Our full drawing for one of 33 prizes will be held on Saturday, October 10th - 2:00 - 5:00 PM. Call Bill Kirnan at (845) 591-9682 with questions or if you need additional tickets. Note that your checks should be made payable to: AOH-DJW Corporation. Please keep in mind that this important event is critical in keeping the Hall open and in great shape for Division activities and events for you and your family.

We thank you for your anticipated participation in these important events and for keeping our traditions alive!

On a Special Note
Please say a prayer for all those lost on September 11, 2001 including our Division 2 Brothers Battalion Chief Dennis Devlin and Firefighter Gerry Nevins. Dennis and Gerry were members of FDNY who died at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Both men, by their selfless actions proved why the members of FDNY are referred to as "New York's Bravest." They are gone but will never be forgotten!

We look forward to seeing you at all our Division 2 events and festivities.

December 2018

Brothers,

My best to you and your family at this special time of the year. May you enjoy some relaxing time with family and friends, and catch up on what the busy world may have caused us to miss over this past year. May you be blessed with good health and God’s Grace. May you welcome the Christ child with open arms and be a shining example for others to follow as you live our motto. And may the new year bring us closer to one another, and allow us to agree to disagree at times, but always treat each other with respect and dignity. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all. I look forward to a great 2019!

In our Motto, Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

New Member

A very grand welcome to our newest member, Thomas Moriarty of New Windsor, who was initiated at the November meeting. Make Tom feel welcome the next time you see him at the Hall or in the neighborhood.

Prayers

We ask for your continued prayers for Brother Jack Green who is in the VA hospital in Montrose, and Brother Tom Quinlan who is recovering from an illness.

Parade Aides

Congratulations to Brothers Michael O’Keefe and Tim Allen on their recent selection as parade aides. O’Keefe will represent Orange County as aide to Grand Marshal Dr. Brian O’Dwyer, Esq. in the NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade on March 16th, and Allen will represent Division 2 in the Mid-Hudson St. Patrick’s Parade on March 10th. More information to follow, but we wanted to announce their selection and recognize each for their steadfast support of the Division and the Irish American community in Orange County and beyond.

November 2018

Brothers,

As we approach Thanksgiving, we should all take a moment to reflect on the journey our ancestors took when they left the shore of Ireland. Some arrived here via Canada, others directly to NYC, and others through a more circuitous route.

However they arrived, I am thankful that their journey and that of my ancestors allowed you and I to come together and be part of the wonderful Division we have. We have an entertaining night of country and Irish music on the schedule and a delicious Irish breakfast on the menu. Take part in a little or a lot of what we have to offer and give thanks to those who came before us and paved the way for the truly good life God has bestowed upon us.

My blessings to you and your family this Thanksgiving.

In our Motto,

Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

Monthly Irish Breakfast!

Come Join Us For A Delicious Irish breakfast

Sunday, November 11th

9:00 am to Noon

Adults - $7, children - $3

iWed Nov 14 Division Meetng - Hall: 7 pm.

All members encouraged to attend.NOTE THE DATE CHANGE!!

Sat Nov 17 Irish Country Night - Hall: 7 pm.

Music by the Parting Glass.

Thur Nov 22 Happy Thanksgiving! - With

loved ones: All day long.

Sun Dec 9 Orange County AOH Board

Quarterly Meeting - Division 1: 2 pm.

Congratulations to Us!!

We were honored to receive word that Division 2 was one of just eight Divisions in the United States to receive the 2018 Chieftains of Charity Award from the National Board of the AOH. The award acknowledged divisions that perform exemplary works of charity and mission in the community and beyond. A special thank you to each member, family member and friend of Division 2 who helped in any way to support our efforts. Perhaps you delivered Christmas dinners to local families in need, provided clothing for veterans at Castle Point, supported a Friday night BBQ, donated items for a raffle basket, or helped run a children’s holiday party. For all those who helped us achieve this distinction, thank you so much!

September 2018

Brothers,
I hope you and your family had time to relax during the
warm, wet summer months. We have a number of events
on the calendar this fall and I am encouraging each
member to attend at least one event, and to connect, or
reconnect with our fellow members. The $50 raffle is an
important fundraiser and I hope you will assist in the sale of
tickets or on the day of the drawing. The County fall
gathering in September at Division 2 will be a relaxing event
spent with people around Orange County who share many
of our values. The October Mass and Communion
Breakfast at the Carmelite Shrine in Middletown will be a
memorable service. If you have not been to the shrine
please take this opportunity to join us. This is a family
event!
In our Motto,
Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

Sun Sep 9 Irish Breakfast - Hall: 9:30 am - Noon.
Sun Sep 9 $50 Raffle Early Bird Drawing - Hall:
Following the breakfast.
Sun Sep 9 Orange County AOH Board Meeting
- Hall: 2 pm.
Wed Sep 19 Division Meeting - Hall: 7 pm. All
members encouraged to attend.
Sat Sep 22 Orange County AOH Fall Gathering -
Hall: 1pm. For members and families.
Sat Oct 13 $50 Raffle Drawing - Hall: 1 to 5 pm.
Sun Oct 28 AOH Orange County Mass and
Communion Breakfast - National
Carmelite Shrine: 9 am to 1 pm

May 2018

Brothers,
Thank you to all members who participated in the St.
Patrick’s Day events, especially the Mid-Hudson and NYC
parades. We received special thanks from Ed Burke, AOH
Orange County President, for our commitment to marching
in the parades and our public display of Irish pride. Ed
noted that next year’s NYC parade will again occur on a
Saturday, so mark your calendar now and plan to march
with us. Now is a good time to obtain a green jacket, white
gloves and balmoral so you are prepared for next year.
Please feel free to ask any officer for more information
I hope to see many of you at the upcoming Irish pub quiz
and the veterans pin ceremony this month.
In our Motto,
Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity
Bill Kirnan

MARCH 2018

Brothers,
Immigration is on the mind of our nation and we must
remember our Irish ancestors who made their journey.
Some traveled on the coffin ships of the 1800’s, the ocean
liners of the early 1900’s, or planes in the 20th and 21st
century. Still, some members are themselves immigrants.
We are the prodigies of American immigration. “Go ahead
with the plan … and remember to be a proud Irishman” is
from the Streets of New York, the popular song where a
young man responds to a call from America. Twenty-two
years later the man has a family and is settling in as an
Irish-American living in New York. You may not have begun
your family’s immigration, but you are its legacy, and you
are tasked with ensuring its memory. I hope to see most of
you at the Dinner Dance and the upcoming parades and
activities that celebrate our Irish heritage.
In our Motto,
Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity
Bill Kirnan

January 2018

Brothers,
Happy New Year, and best wishes to you and your
family for a healthy and prosperous 2018! The current
slate of officers will serve for 2018 and we appreciate
the confidence you have shown in us. The business of
the Division occurs at our monthly meetings on the 3rd
Wednesday. All members are welcome and encouraged
to attend. This is OUR organization and every
member’s voice matters. I am sure there are members
reading this newsletter who have great ideas and insight
into what the membership desires; please share it with
us so we can serve you better and meet the mission of
the Order.
In our Motto,
Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity
Bill Kirnan

Jan 13 The Blow Ins Concert - Hall: 7:00 pm.
$15 p/person includes admission, a
drink ticket, snacks and great music!
Jan 14 Irish Breakfast - Hall: 9:30 am - Noon
Jan 17 Division Meeting/Officer Installation -
Hall: 7 pm. All members encouraged to
attend.
Jan 28 Major Degree - Schenectady: Noon.
Members who have completed the
Shamrock but have not completed the
Major Degree should contact Bill
Kirnan.
Feb 3 Metropolitan Conference Meeting -
Stout Pub, W. 33rd St. NYC: 10:30 am.

December 2017

A Message From the Division President Brothers, On behalf of the officers of Division 2 I wish you and your family a very peaceful, happy, merry and safe Christmas and New Year. Despite what we see on television each day, we are truly fortunate to live in a land that allows each person to speak freely and express their views. We owe much of this fortune to our ancestors who traveled to America as immigrants, sometimes not welcomed by those who came before them, and chose to serve and protect this great nation. Any member who is a veteran is urged to notify us so that we can properly honor you as noted on the reverse. Peace to all and blessings for a great 2018!

Bill Kirnan

Upcoming Events (subject to change)

Dec 10 - AOH Orange County Board Quarterly Meeting - Division 1: 2 pm. Members encourage to attend.

Dec 10 - Irish Breakfast - Hall: 9:30 am - Noon

Dec 17 - Children’s Christmas Party - Hall: 1 to 4 pm.

Dec 20 - Division Meeting/Officer Installation - Hall: 7 pm. All members encouraged to attend.

Dec 25 - Merry Christmas! Warm wishes to you and your family.

Jan 1 - Happy New Year to All!!

Jan 13 - The Blow Ins Concert - Hall.

September 2017

Brothers,

The weeks ahead will be very busy as we host a number of important events at our Hall. I encourage you to participate in as many as possible to show the strength of our Division. Thank you to everyone who supported Sinead with good wishes and prayers as the New York Rose. Sixty-four participants, two weeks of non-stop travel across Ireland, countless hours being a great ambassador for the Rose of Tralee Festival, and a fine example of New York pride. What a wonderful experience! My family thanks you very much.

In our Motto, Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity Bill Kirnan

January 2017

Brothers,

Happy New Year to you and your family. It is my sincere hope that 2017 brings happiness and prosperity to all. As we approach the January 20th presidential inauguration, let us not forget that we either descended from immigrants to this great country, or emigrated ourselves. I pray that the Irish immigrants of the future, who will cross the Atlantic for many of the same reasons as the 5 million Irish who made the journey since the early 19th century, will have the same opportunities as our ancestors.

Division 2 will be here to support them as they continue their journey.

The current board of officers for the Division was reelected at the December meeting and will be installed at the January 18th meeting. Let’s thank them for their time, effort, and devotion to the Order and its ideals.

Please continue to keep Brother John Gehler in your prayers as his health continues to fail.

Thank you to Kim, Pat and Dennis Malone, and Chris and Marge Sherwood for a fabulous children’s Christmas party. The packed event helps to reinforce our commitment to family. Thanks to …John Encke and Stop & Shop for their generous donation of 52 turkeys for the Christmas dinner donations. Thanks also to Bill Kirnan and John Greehy for leading this annual holiday effort, and to everyone who helped distribute the food.

…Everyone who contributed to the Helping Hands request for a Brother in need. If you did not have an opportunity to contribute but now can, please send your donation to Bill Kirnan at the Hall and write

“Helping Hands” on the envelope.

Upcomming Events

Sun Jan 8 Irish Breakfast - Hall: 9:30 am - Noon.

Wed Jan 18 Division Meeting - Hall: 7 pm. All members encouraged to attend.

Sat Feb 11 Chili and Irish Soda Bread Cook-off - Hall: 2 pm. All are welcome.

Wed Feb 15 Division Meeting - Hall: 7 pm. All members encouraged to attend.

Fri Feb 17 Pub Trivia Night - Hall: 7 pm. Teams of 4 ($5 per team) compete for bragging rights.

In our Motto,

Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

November 2016

We will host our monthly Irish Breakfast this Sunday, November 13th from 9:30 am to 12:00 pm. Nothing better than a nice hearty meal on a crisp fall morning. We are also collecting canned goods (peas, peas&carrots, green beans, corn, cranberry sauce, stove top dressing…) at the Hall so please consider bringing a few items when you stop by. Your assistance will allow us to deliver the third prong of our motto, true Christian Charity. Also, John Walsh will be be collecting UNWRAPPED gifts at the Hall as part of the USMC Toys for Tots program. Please consider helping with this worthy cause

August 2016

Brothers,

Please join us on Saturday August 27th for the picnic and show your support for the AOH in Orange County. You are sure to have a great time. I serve on the Board of Directors of the Hudson Valley Honor Flight and while it is not, per say, an Irish organization, so many Irish-Americans and Irish fought for our country and for the cause we were fighting for. You probably have at least one in your family and many of us have someone who served who has gone home to God. I invite you to join hundreds of other area residents at Stewart

Airport. Come in honor of those flying that day or in honor of someone no longer with us.

In our Motto,

Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

February 2016

There will be plenty to do over the next two months so plan on coming out to the many events noted in the newsletter and on the website. We would love to have more members march in both the NYC and Mid Hudson St. Patrick’s Parades. Parade uniform is a must to march (black pants, white shirt, black tie, black socks and shoes, balmoral hat and green Division jacket). There are extra jackets at the hall that you can borrow.

In our Motto, Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

The Division is planning a bus trip to New York City on Thursday, November 19th to visit the Irish Hunger Memorial (http://bpcparks.org/whats-here/parks/irish-hunger-memorial) and National 9/11 Memorial (http://www.911memorial.org). The bus will depart the parking lot of the Hall at 10 am and bring you to lower Manhattan. First stop will be the Hunger Memorial, then the 9/11 Memorial. There will also be time to stop and have something to eat. The cost for the bus and admission to the 9/11 Memorial is $50. Coffee and donuts will be provided at the Hall before we leave.

Since the 9/11 Memorial tickets sell out quickly, we ask that you contact John Greehy (845-857-5177) as soon as possible if you would like to attend. Pre-payment is necessary.

Here are some upcoming Division events:

The Irish Breakfast is this Sunday from 9:30 to noon
Fall cleanup at the Hall on Saturday 10/24 at 9 am

September 2015

Welcome to fall, a wonderful time of year in the Hudson Valley. Come sit on the deck at the Hall on a Friday night and enjoy some food, drink and fellowship. I ask all of our members to help make the first-ever $50 raffle a success by helping to sell tickets and coming to the Hall on the 26th. We continue to look for qualified candidates to become members so please speak to your friends and relatives and encourage them to consider membership.

Please pray for our fellow Brother Bill Moore who passed away on July 28th. Please also pray for Bill’s family that they may be comforted in their time of sorrow and that they may one day be reunited with Bill.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Friday night BBQ’s at the Hall, starting at 5:30 pm, will continue into September. Each week someone

volunteers to cook the burgers and dogs, and they bring their own special treat (another meal item,

dessert, snacks…). Donations accepted for dinner with all proceeds donated to our local churches.

Wind down the work week and help support our local parishes. Congratulations and welcome to our newest members:

Erik Potter of Mountainville,

Collin Allen of New Windsor,

Casey Devlin of Cornwall.

Please introduce yourself and help them to feel at home.

See you at the Hall!

In our Motto,

Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

Sep 6 Hooley on the Hudson - Kingston

Waterfront: 11:30 am to 9 pm. Sponsored by

Ulster County AOH.

Sep 13 Irish Breakfast - Hall: 9:30 am - Noon.

Sep 13 AOH County Meeting - Hall: 2 pm.

Sep 16 Division Meeting - Hall: 7 pm. All members encouraged to attend.

Sep 19 AOH/LAOH County Board Halfway to St.

Patrick’s Day Picnic - Our Hall: 1 to 6 pm.

Sep 26 $50 Raffle - Hall: 2 pm to 5 pm.

May 2015

A Message from the Division President…

Good Spring to all members and their families. I hope you had a wonderful Easter. Now that the Hall is serving dinner on Friday nights, I hope to see many more of you there with family and friends. If you have yet to get your building fund raffle tickets, do so quickly! They always sell-out. Your assistance is needed at the AOH County Convention or spring cleanup; pick one and come out and lend a helping hand. Enjoy the nice weather and check out the calendar for upcoming events.

Upcoming Events

May 10 Irish Breakfast - Hall: 9:30 am

Mar 16 Orange County AOH Convention – Division 1 Hall, Monroe: 10 am.

May 20 Division Meeting - Hall: 7 pm. All members encouraged to attend.

May 23 Hall and Grounds Clean Up - Hall: 8 am. Spring cleaning. All are welcome.

May 23-25 East Durham Irish Festival - East Durham: Visit: http://eastdurhamirishfestival.com

Jun 20 Building Fund Raffle - Hall: 2 pm to 5 pm. Ticket holders admitted free. Others $25 p/p.

In our Motto,

Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

March 2015

Welcome to March!! As we look forward to the warmer weather and the departure of the snow, we also join together to celebrate our faith and heritage. There are many ways to show your Irish pride this month so consider joining us at one and marching in one of the parades (dress uniform required, but we should be able to provide some items you may not have). March is also a great time to invite a friend to the Hall or the next Irish breakfast to see what we are all about. That friend just might become our newest member. Enjoy the friendship, unity and Christian charity that our organization was founded on.

In our Motto,

Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Bill Kirnan

Dec 2014

With Christmas fast approaching and everyone looking
forward to spending time with their loved ones, I want to
take a moment to wish each and every member a
blessed, happy Christmas, and a healthy, prosperous
new year. We are all fortunate to belong to such a great
organization with outstanding membership. As we enjoy
the season let us not forget those who may not be so
fortunate as us. To quote the prayer of Saint Francis
“....it is in giving that we receive...” Please take some
time to share your love and fortune, whatever it may be,
with someone less fortunate.
In our Motto,
Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity
Michael Shannon

Sept 2014

Dear Brothers and Friends,

As you say goodbye to summer please plan on joining me
and fellow members at the Hall on September 13th to
celebrate with all of Orange County AOH at their annual
picnic. We are honored to host the event and look forward
to a good showing from our members. Because many of
the Irish Breakfast cooks will be working all day at the
picnic we will not have a breakfast in September. Please
join us in October.

Yours in our motto

Friendship, Unity & Christian Charity

Michael Shannon