Spring Newsletter

                                                        

Newsletter  No  14..................................................Spring 2015 

.

Our environment

Ponder the story of a little boy on a beach throwing stranded starfish back into the ocean. “Why do you bother? a man asked him. “There are hundreds of them, you couldn’t possibly save then all. “No” the little boy answered, “but I can save this one and it makes a difference to him.

Environmentalism is an idealogy that evokes the necessity and responsibility of humans to respect, protect and preserve the natural world from the effects of humans.

As with the little boy and the starfish, small changes can make a big difference.  By educating ourselves, friends and family that the physical environment is fragile and indispensible we can begin fixing the problems that threaten it.

Once we become more environmentally aware, we can use that knowledge to make some small changes to our own lifestyle.

Some simple measures to help our environment

• Start composting and recycling which will help cut down on our waste production.
• Buy reusable products such as glass bottles, reusable bags, cups etc. Taking canvas bags to the supermarket saves tons of plastic.
• Support local businesses and farmers by buying organic food at farmers markets.
• Instead of driving everywhere, take the bus, carpool, walk or cycle. This cuts down on greenhouse gas emissions.
• Consider investing in clean power (solar or wind) if not in your home maybe for a community centre.  This will reduce our fossil fuel emissions.
• Unplug electronic devices when not in use. Although they may be turned off energy is still being used up.
• Turn off the light when you leave the room.  This not only saves energy but money! or buy some energy efficient light bulbs.

Environmental Awareness Week

To mark Environmental Awareness, Castleisland Day Care will have the following speakers -

Friday April 10^th – @ 12.00 Frank King of Radio Kerry Birdwatch

Wednesday April 15^th – @ 12.00 Frank King of Radio Kerry Birdwatch

Friday April 17^th – @12.00 Micheál O Coilleáin environmental officer Kerry Co Council

Monday April 20^th – Visit to Kingdom Falconry @ Crag Caves

Tuesday April 21^st –  12.00 Joan Brosnan  Food and our environment

Wednesday April 22nd – Killarney National Park

Thursday  April 23^rd - @ 2.00p.m. John Lenihan Gleannagealty trails

Friday April 24^th – Killarney National Park Education Centre.

Alternative therapy

Many thanks to all the therapists who pampered us for a few days last month for Alternative Therapy week with reflexology, massage, bio-energy and nutritional facts.

Therapists are available by appointment to attend the centre for a session.

If you wish to avail of any of these therapists please enquire from a staff member.

Reflexology with Patricia O Connor  Phone 087 6400964 €30 for 45 minutes.

Reflexology with Annette Wedig Phone 087 8275711        €20 for 40 minutes

Head massage with Annette Wedig Phone 087 8275711  €10 for 20 minutes

Bio-energy therapy with Rita D’arcy Phone 0872807657

Castleisland Day Care Centre would like to emphasise that alternative therapies do not replace conventional medicine but that it does in many instances, and as recommended by your G.P. compliment it.

Bealtaine

With the recent spell of fine weather we are all looking forward to Summer 2015, and what better way to kick start the summer than with planning for May and for the Bealtaine festival.  Bealtaine is twenty years old /  Fiche bliain ag fás so, to mark the occasion we have a number of projects in train.

As the month of May is traditionally linked to growth and flowers we have decided to celebrate with flowers and flower arranging . Thanks to the K.E.T.B. (Kerry Education and Training Board) we will have floral displays and flower arranging classes towards the middle of May  - dates to be confirmed.

As is usual every year we will also celebrate with  music session, songs and dance.

Governance/Advocacy

All organisations have a responsibility to provide and follow a code of good practice when it comes to how their organisations are run. “Governance” refers to how an organisation is run, directed and controlled. Good governance means an organisation will design and put in place policies and procedures that will make sure the organisation runs effectively.

To date Castleisland Day Care Centre strives to perform to the highest standards possible. Board of Management of Castleisland Day Care Centre  are seeking your assistance with any suggestions on improvements which we can make. In pursuit of this Castleisland Day Care Centre now wishes to set up a committee consisting of you, the clients. It is hoped that there will be  representatives  from each group. These representatives will ideally meet three to four times a year to discuss how the centre is going and how it is hoped the centre will progress.

Please consider putting your name forward for this “advocacy” group and if you feel that you would have an interest in becoming involved please put your name forward to Marcella.

Please be reminded of our comment boxes which are located in the dining room and at the front entrance.  All comments will be treated with the strictest of confidence.

 The suggestion box is there so that you can feel free to make any comments or suggestions to improve our service.

Staff

Welcome to new C.E. scheme workers Ann McAuliffe, cleaner and

 Noreen O’ Sullivan carer who commenced in the New Year.

Congratulations to physiotherapist, Mary Kilkenny on the recent birth of baby son Noah.

Summer Holidays

Castleisland Day Care Centre will close last week of July and first week August that is Monday 27^th July to Friday August 7^th.

Sam Mc Guire visits the Day Centre

Ice bucket challenge .Donal Nelligan and Marcella Finn cool down after cycle with a bucket of ice cold water

Cheque presentation from Currow Cycle club. €8386 was raised by annual charity cycle on first Sunday of September

Christmas Newsletter 2014

                                                        

Newsletter  No  13...................................................Christmas 2014  

Friends,

Here we are at years end and preparing for Christmas 2014. What a year we have had as the sun shone on and on.  The lovely memory will take us through whatever winter presents to us in the months ahead.

Our Centre is always a welcoming place, and despite work pressures, our staff welcome us all with full hearts.  What great people they are, God bless them.

The Board of Management  wish you all a happy and blessed  Christmas and a healthy New Year.  Thanks for co-operation always and thanks especially for helping  our fund raising.

My New Year wish for you all is that we will look out for one another and be there for one another.

God Bless you all,

Kindest Regards

Monica Prendiville

Chairperson Board of Management

Christmas Parties

Mon 15^th – Music by Stevie Donegan

Tues 16^th-   Music by Pat Cassidy

Wed 17^th   - Music  by Stevie Donegan

Thurs 18^th – Music by Stevie Donegan

Fri 19^th -        Music by Pat Cassidy

Finances and Fundraising 2014

A huge Thank you to everyone who organised, supported and participated in fundraising events for the Day Care Centre in 2014.  It is indeed very heartening to see this level of support for the day centre and it is through your support that services have been maintained over the past number of years.

We would also like to thank the H.S.E. who are our main financial support.  Budget for 2014 remained the same and we did not get any budgetary cuts from the H.S.E. this year so hopefully this will be an indication for future years where we can look forward to more financial security.

Fundraising in 2014

Annual cycle                      €8,386.93

Ceilí by T.J. Nelligan         €790

Church gate collection   

Scartaglen                         €265

Castleisland/Cordal         €1540

Brosna/Knocknagoshel  €530

Currow/Currans               €545

Once again Thank  you to everyone who supported these fundraisers in any way.

The Gospel Tree

There once was a shining Christmas tree

Standing out where all could see

Its brilliance captured every eye

And seemed to cheer each passer by.

“The lights are so bright”, they would say

And hesitate to walk away.

The tree stood proud ablaze with light

For every light was burning bright

Then one bulb was heard to say

“I’m tired of burning night and day

I think I’ll Just go out and take a rest

For I’m too tired to do my best

Besides I am so very small

I doubt if I’d be missed at all”

Then a child lovingly touched the light,

“Look, mother, this one shines so very bright.

I think of all the lights upon the tree

This one looks the best to me”

“Oh my goodness”, said the light

“I almost dimmed right out of sight.

I thougt perhaps no one would care

If I failed to shine my share”

With that a glorious brilliance came

For every light had felt the same

Our Gospel, like this Christmas tree,

With little lights which are you and me

We each have a space that we must fill

With love, and lessons and good will.

Let’s keep our tree ablaze with light

With testimonies burning bright

For our Gospel is a living tree

That lights the way to eternity.

Staff

Sadly we had to say farewell to David O’ Donoghue who finished his C.E.Scheme in October.  Welcome to Ann Walsh in his place. Congratulations to physiotherapist Mary Kilkenny who is expecting a baby in 2015.

Christmas closure

Castleisland Day Care Centre will close on Tuesday 23^rd Dec @ 4.00p.m.

Re-opening on Monday 5^th January.

Wishing you and all your families a happy and peaceful Christmas.

ut Positive Ageing WeekWhat is Positive Ageing?

Day Care Cycle

Castleisland Day Care cycle on Sept 7th .
Registration from 9am for two routes 10miles or 50miles.
Helmets compulsory.

Daniel O Donnell visits the Day Care Centre

Castleisland Day Care Centre was delighted when singer Daniel O’ Donnell paid an unannounced visit to the Day Centre.

Daniel who is in the area at the moment will be appearing in the I.N.E.C. in Killarney for five sold out shows on August 12^th, 13^th, 15^th, 16^th & 17^th .

According to Nurse Manager Marcella Finn, we were all just flabbergasted when Daniel O’ Donnell appeared at the door and walked into our Day Room.

Daniel who had visited the Day Centre two years previously in 2012 was familiar with the Day Centre and was able to make his way in unannounced.

As on the previous occasion both clients and staff were impressed with his easy manner and friendly disposition.  Daniel took time out for individual photos with everyone and treated us to a sample of what may be in store in his concerts when he sang “Forty shades of Green” and “Our house is a home”.

All at Castleisland Day Care Centre would like to thank Daniel for taking time out of his busy schedule to visit and added that  Daniel O’ Donnell’ will continue to be at the top of our playing list at the Day Centre, as is normal anyway

Castleisland Day Care Centre Cycle is on Sept 7th

Castleisland Day Care Centre officially launched their Annual Fun Cycle.  This is the 8^th year of the cycle which is aimed at  all cyclists.

This year we have two routes, an easy 10 mile route and for the cyclist who is looking for more of a challenge, a 50 mile route.

According to event organizer, John Breen of  Currow Cycle Club this event is for all levels of cyclists .The 50mile route may be of particular interest for someone who might be beginning preparations for the Ring of Kerry 2015 or for cyclists who may be winding down after this years Ring.  He went on to say that the shorter 10 mile route is geared towards families and beginner cyclists and is a great incentive for people  to get on their bikes and promote cycling as a way to get active and healthy.

Registration  is €20 with special discount for families and  takes place at Castleisland Day Care Centre between 9.00 a.m and 9.45 a.m .Cycling helmets are compulsory for all cyclists and under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The cycle gets under way from the Day Centre at 10.00 a.m.

At  the launch of the cycle nominations were made to Castleisland Day Care Centre Board member Donal Nelligan and staff member Marcella Finn to accept the Ice Bucket Challenge. So it seems that cyclists will not only be treated to live music and food at the end of the cycle but  will also get to see both Donal and Marcella getting a bucket of Ice Cold water thrown on them. 

Heritage Week at Castleisland Day Care Centre

Castleisland Day Care Centre is once again delighted to celebrate National Heritage Week       23^rd to 31^st August. 

This year’s theme is Discovering  the past, Build the future.

According to Nurse Manager, Marcella Finn “This week is a great week in which we can value our heritage and  enjoy and promote our sense of place and the natural and cultural heritage that it contains. Marcella added that Heritage week is particularly significant for our elderly clients who attend the centre as our elderly generation have a huge contribution to make to our Irish Heritage.

Events organized by Castleisland Day Care Centre are as follows.

If any member of the public has an interest in any of these events please feel free to call in to the Day Centre and join in.

Mon 25^th @ 11.30 a.m. Tim Murphy Slide show of old photograph of Castleisland town.

Tues 26^th – Mary Howard – East Kerry Roots organizer with old photographs of Killarney town

Wed 27^th @ 11.30 a.m. – Basket weaving and Making Soda Bread with Peggy Reidy and Leo

Thurs 28^th @ 11.30 a.m. – Robert McGuire – History of the Castle in Castleisland town.

Fri 29^th @ 11.30 a.m. –  Mike O’ Donnell – Storytelling and old Irish yarns with renowned Kerry  

                                       storyteller