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The Kilkenny Observer Friday 20 August 2021
kilkennyobserver.ie
Community Group
A Transylvanian girl adopted by New York city (via Kilkenny) BY BIANCA RALLIS
PART 2 MY first stop was Forest Hills, Queens, the place where my husband, Demetrios, grew up. It was love at first sight! Green trees everywhere, beautiful houses where rich families enjoy their life in the heart of the huge city, apartments in old 1970s and 80s style with fancy yards and fancy entrances, or new glass buildings where the doormen dress as 5-star hotel valets. After two days came the magic moment: the first trip to Manhattan, the heart of New York. It was the day of our anniversary: two years of marriage and three years of relationship. The sunset embracing the high buildings, the people walking around or enjoying their time with friends on the terraces or restaurants, the music, the
smells, the sky reflecting into the dark blue glass walls; it was a magnificent symphony of life! We had dinner in a small cozy French restaurant. The menu was written in the French language, the music gave us the feeling of being in Paris. We walked on the streets afterward, discovering old buildings lost between the giants. I couldn’t stop thinking of the old times, imagining all the immigrants that chose, like me, to start a new life in this magnificent city! The days to come were full of new adventures and beautiful places to discover. I had the chance to walk for a few minutes in Central Park. By the entrance, we were welcomed by a live jazz band. Live music was something that I really missed during the pandemic. I was also happy to see many Irish pubs, with green, white, and orange flags hanging on their facades; this gave me the feeling of being back in Ireland. I could write few pages only after spending two weeks in NYC. There is a big Romanian community in NYC and New Jersey.
They offered me a warm welcome on the Facebook group, and a Romanian woman invited me to a Romanian community meeting in New Jersey at the end of the month. This will
‘You’re A Star’ quilt raffle for Teac Tom There’s still plenty time to get your tickets for the ‘You’re A Star’ quilt raffle in aid of Teac Tom... THE beautiful quilt featuring 72 star blocks was part of an exhibition by the South Midlands Branch of the Irish Patchwork Society, held at the Chapter House at St Mary’s Cathedral last week. There were a number of fabulous quilts, cushions and other decorative pieces on show, but the star of the show was the ‘You’re a Star’ quilt, made during lockdown and being raffled for a good cause. The members were delighted with the response to the exhibition and there were a steady stream of people visiting over the four days. The quilt would make a wonderful addition to any home and will comfortably fit a double bed. It’s a one of a kind piece and would be a piece to cherish and pass
down through generations. The quilt will be raffled with all proceeds going to Teac Tom, a well-known mental health support charity based in Kilkenny. Founded in 2014 by Angela Hayes and her family, Teac Tom provides suicide intervention and support services for those affected by or bereaved by suicide. The charity was founded in response to the death of Angela’s own son Thomas, on the anniversary of his dad’s death. Teac Tom provide a 24-hour helpline, immediate intervention and professional counselling services to those in Kilkenny and the surrounding areas. Last year a new centre was opened in Stradbally, Co. Laois. Angela Hayes, CEO of Teac
Tom, says that the last 18 months have been extremely challenging as the pandemic has severely restricted the charities’ fundraising capabilities, while at the same time they have experienced an increased demand for services. Tickets for the raffle are available online or at Teac Tom. The members sincerely hope that it will be well supported and raise vital funds for Teac Tom. The raffle will be held in early September and tickets are just €5 each or 5 for €20. www.idonate.ie/raffle/irishpatchworksociety Teac Tom, 15 Ormonde Rd, Kilkenny 056 7796592 www.thethomashayestrust. com
be a chance to form new relationships and to become an active member of my Romanian community in New York City, the way I was in Kilkenny. Being a spiritual person, I was
hoping to find Romanian orthodox churches in New York City, and I was happy to discover that there is a small one just a few blocks away from our neighborhood. Although I have not yet had the chance to visit a Romanian church, I have been inside the biggest catholic cathedral of NYC – St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Newly renovated, inside you discover magnificent architecture, beautiful sculptures, and hypnotizing stained glass windows. Again, I felt like I was back in Ireland. Regarding another important aspect of life that is still with us, I would like to mention a few impressions of NYC during the Covid 19 pandemic. Even though I was a bit nervous at the beginning, I became more relaxed after witnessing a responsible population around me. In NYC, the majority of people, even the fully vaccinated ones, are still wearing their masks on the streets, not just inside. Watching the news, I could see that it is not the same story in other states, where people are encouraged to protest
against masks and other covid restrictions that may soon be imposed with the delta variant spreading fast. Without a doubt, hard times are still to come, and many protests will take place in USA as they did in some European countries. I just hope to be safe as much as we can, and in the next months not to face, once again, a huge number of cases and overflowing hospitals. So, these are my first impressions after spending two weeks in NYC, with many more weeks ahead, as this city has become my new home! I know I will face more experiences along the way, but I am confident that I will handle them, having beside me the man I love and a lovely family! We are wishing you all the best, Kilkenny, and we are sending greetings to all our Irish and Romanian friends. Keep safe, all of you!. This article is supported by the Romanian Twilight Community Group Contact: kclw.ro@twighlight.ie
Community Group
Let’s go forward together SPORT is a great indicator for integration. The Twilight Community Group and the local South Sudanese Community Group have been working closely together as they involved all our ‘new communities ‘ in sport. The success of this collaboration can be seen in the success the African Community teams have secured over the past number of seasons. They are the current holders of the Twilight Integration Cup . They were first victorious in 2018 and regained the title in 2019 and based on their strength in depth they would have been favorites to retain in 2020 title but unfortunately covid cancelled last year’s event. Arts and Drama pre-covid was another way in which the Twilight group and Samuel Morgan’s led South Sudanese Community association of Ireland (SSCAI ) to collaborate on ways for young adults to meet and have fun in a safe and secure environment. The
Intercultural Miscellany was an excellent success, and we hope to reintroduce it to our programme this year subject to a sponsor coming forward to Twilight (0863255840) This programme, under the professional guidance of Mr. Ger Cody, encouraged all the participants to discove, and develop their talents to not only perform a one act play but to write it. Kevin Azalt a student in Waterford IT wrote
the play called ‘Ananse and the GUM’ which then performed by Mina Helen, Yona Samuel, Gift Obasogie, Joao Macumbu, Emmanuel Boahen , Abdullah Abdullah, Emmanuel Tacina , who also performed the monologue ‘I and Me’ the struggle of an immigrant as they settle in their new home. The Twilight Community Group and SSCAI can and will continue to support each other. The new Twilight Youth Inclusion group will be an open and inclusive association. Their members will come from all our diverse community group backgrounds. Our African communities are now an important part of the Kilkenny Community scene.
