A Dozen Trees Planted For National Tree Week
and
Ballymore in Bloom
“We Stand By Our Work”!
Ian Furlong, David Hughes, and Frankie Burke put the finishing touches to their work.

As we all know, trees are life‑giving resources. They take carbon dioxide out of the air and give us back oxygen – the breath of life. Trees are a joy to behold and are an important feature in improving our amenity.

Tree planting forms a vital part of the Ballymore Eustace Tidy Towns plans for making the village a more beautiful and pleasant place to be. Many people who enjoy the River Walk will have seen the trees which have been planted there gradually becoming more established – despite the best efforts of the vandals. At the start of National Tree Planting Week - which ran from 1st ‑ 7th March 2009 – a row of a dozen trees have been planted along the Kilcullen / Mount Cashel Road. The work, organised by Jimmy Pearse, was completed in double quick time by Frankie Burke, David Hughes, and Ian Furlong our - trusty and hard‑working FÁS team. The trees, which include Birch, Ash, Oak, and Rowan, are sited overlooking the Forty Acre Field and will add beauty and colour to the route to St. Mary’s Cemetery.

In addition, Ballymore Eustace Tidy Towns gratefully acknowledge donations to the “Tidy Towns Flower Fund” from:

· Paddy Murphy’s Pub
· The Ballymore Inn

These are in addition to those already mentioned in the January edition of the Bugle from:
Blessington Lakes Garden Centre, Kieran Langan Family Butcher, Fogarty’s QuikPick Foodstore & Post Office, Country Kitchens, and The Gallery and Gift Shop.

The donations are already bearing fruit in many spots around the village, including the beautiful show of daffodils in the boat at the Ballymore Bridge.

Off the Cutting Edge by Pastor R. Dunlop

FAREWELL DOGMATISM – WELCOME CONVICTION

We live in an era when nearly every utterance – political, religious or philosophical, is challenged and often rejected. Some commentators are convinced we are all at sea with no hope of rowing for the shore.
Many of the old dogmatic approaches are being declared redundant.
A major question is – what is going to take their place?
There is obviously a need for historical referent points, which include Scripture, tradition and experience. Russian lay theologian Vladimir Lossky sees tradition as “the life of the Holy Spirit in the Church”. For this reality to be realised it must percolate into the realm of experience.
When this happens, in Yeatesian language “all is changed, changed utterly”.

Dogmatism is cold, distanced and unattractive. Conviction grapples with past revelation, has a warm heart and is not trammelled with remoteness. It is consistently searching for unfolding truth and is ready to be surprised and assured from many quarters.
The dogmatic approach tends to hurl propositions and to treat devotees, real or potential as objects.
Much more effectively the inflow of information steeped in history and experience calls forth faith and leads to cherished conviction.
Here are some suggestions which enable us to bring this about.
1. Let us not be afraid to use our Bibles and consult the Scriptures for both information and inspiration.
2. We shouldn’t hesitate to make use of group discussion with a competent and open-minded leader.
3. We do well to search out helpful and readable books, T.V. and radio programmes on such subjects as spirituality, harmony, sexuality, forgiveness and communal coherence.
4. The best convictions are born in an atmosphere of prayer, waiting quietly on God.
5. Let us not forget that discoveries made are likely to stand us in good stead when hard times come.
6. We do well to discriminate between what is unwanted baggage and necessary supplies for the long journey onwards. This is best done when we take the decision ourselves. `
7. Here is a moving prayer from the famous Danish philosopher Soren Kierkgaard(1813-1855)
“Through your whole life, O Lord Jesus Christ, you suffered that I might be saved. And yet your suffering is not at an end, for still you have to bear with me, stumbling as I walk along the path, constantly going astray. How often have I become impatient, wanting to give up your way! How often have you given me the encouragement and helping hand that I need. EVERY DAY I INCREASE THE BURDEN THAT YOU MUST BEAR; BUT JUST AS I AM IMPATIENT SO YOU ARE INFINITELY PATIENT”.

Village Green Garden Club
We had quite a different night at our March meeting, as David Gardener, Physiotherapist, talked to us about ‘ Gardening without Pain ! ‘. The main message was gardening is good for you just like any exercise, just be wise and don’t overdo it in a rush of enthusiasm. So, stretch and warm up a bit before you go out. Plan your gardening activities, change what you are doing about every 20 minutes, to avoid repetitive strain. Vary how you are doing a task, eg: when raking change from side to side, when weeding try sitting on an upturned bucket for a while. Take regular breaks and when tired STOP, most injuries and strain happen when muscles are tired. Use good tools, throw out rusty secateurs! Use a trolley to move heavy items. Keep the mower well serviced, some companies will collect and return these, which will save your back getting them into the boot. Don’t dig continuously, don’t fill the wheelbarrow too much….its all so sensible, we know these things. So get gardening everyone and enjoy it!



Bits ‘n Bobs with Rose


SIMON’S PHOTOS ‘CLICK’ WITH GUESTS
Simon Pallister of Three Swallows, Boleybeg had a very positive response to his recent photographic exhibition in The Library, Naas. A group of friends from Boleybeg, Brannockstown, Broadleas, Donode and Carnalway turned out to view Simon’s work and he quickly found himself making a list of requested prints.
In his opening speech, Simon said he “enjoyed the simple pleasures of life – simple food, simple tastes, Nature at its very basic..” I was looking at his equally talented wife, Hillary at the time and breathed a sigh of relief when he finished his list of ‘simples’……God knows, Hillary – like Simon – can turn her hand to anything! Victor of Costcutters too attended as he is an enthusiastic photography student.

Simon’s work included very different views of nature; there were stunning shots of trees in bloom – the contrast of colours incredible; aerial shots which showed literally ’40 shades of green’; animals and birds – a swan attacking a canoe; a dog springing into space; a fox anticipating danger, a duck ice skating – true!; a wonderful study of a dragon fly on a human finger; horses at rest and play and several studies of frogs and frogs spawn which interested a lot of viewers. Aside from animals, insects and birds, Simon also displayed landscape portraits, many of them familiar to us all locally. Joined by Hillary, Holly and Sally, Simon made all his guests very welcome and the wine and dips were good too! For copies of Simon’s work, contact him at 045 483 765
Perhaps Victor, we might see your work in the future?

2-3 photos with this article
Captions Pallister6: Grania, Hilary & Breda.
Pallister7: Simon with James Sheeran.
Pallister 3. Gemma Allison viewing Simon’s work.


STONEBROOK PET FARM
Stonebrook Pet Farm, Ballymore Eustace, opens in May 2009 for guided tours (€7 per child) and birthday parties by appointment only. Children can collect eggs, feed lambs, hold chicks and meet some of their favourite farm animals including ‘Elf’ the miniature pony, Steve and Bertie the miniature goats, Podge and Rodge the ‘miniature’ pigs, calves, chickens and ducklings. A play area is also available for picnics. For more information or to book call Jackie on 045-483620 or 086-2661720.
Stonebrook Pet Farm won first prize in the Small Business Category at the Naas Easter Parade – well done!

Photo here






Back L to R: Jackie Ronaldson, Anna Broadley with "Elf' and 'Hazel'; Holly Devitt, Susan McKeown with 'Speckles', Ciara McKeown with 'Freckles'; Hugh Brady with "Dippy', Jess Brady with 'Buttercup' and Molly McKeown and 'Rodge' in front.

Special Olympics
Special Olympics are hosting a fun event to raise much needed funding -
CASINO ROYALE Ball in Killashee House Hotel, Naas on Saturday, May 9th
with champagne reception, dinner, Casino and live music till the small hours…..
Great fun, great cause - for tickets, please call Antoinette 059 863 4642 or 085 162 6084. Email kildare@specialolympics.ie



In a small boxed advert with cup of tea graphic:
Alzheimer's Coffee Morning
After 11.30 Mass on Sunday, May 10th
in The Resource Centre.
All donations will go towards
The Alzheimer's Society of Ireland for use locally.
Don’t forget…….

Kilimanjaro Trek for Childaid Charity
In August 2009, Anna Edgeworth will be participating in the CHILDAID Kilimanjaro Trek. This is a tough, high altitude trek, which Anna undertakes in aid of Childaid, an organisation which provides support through street projects, school funding, child sponsor, and many other ways to the poorest areas of Africa with particular emphasis on street children and providing education in the slum areas. CHILDAID is an entirely voluntary organisation established and run by the Irish Defence Forces, of which Anna, a grand daughter of Kathleen Edgeworth, is currently a serving office.

Your support would be most appreciated. You can donate hrough the following link on the Internet: http://www.mycharity.ie/event/anna_edgeworths_event/ or alternatively, send cheques, money orders or postal orders made out to CHILDAID to: Anna Edgeworth, c/o Kathleen Edgeworth, Truce Road, Ballymore Eustace, Co. Kildare

For further information, email: anna.edgeworth@gmail.com or anna.edgeworth@defenceforces.ie or phone Anna at 087 9137955.


In Reverse please: Acknowledgement
The family of the late Jim Browne of Briencan would like to thank everyone who supported or sympathised with them
on their loss. To the clergy, medical and nursing team; to neighbours and friends who attended the funeral service,
sent mass cards or floral tributes; to all who visited or supported us in any way – thank you sincerely, your kindness was most appreciated. The Browne Family

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Don’t forget CDA Raffle Sunday 26th in The Resource Centre after 11.30am.
Tickets to Punchestown to be won plus a fantastic range of prizes! Its not too late to get your tickets!