Letter from the President

I would like to take this time to thank all of our members who have supported the Emerald Society so loyally over the years. It makes my job and the jobs of the entire Board of Directors of this organization very rewarding when we see your smiling Irish faces at our meetings and events that take place over the year. Wonderful friendships have been made and the common element that connects us all, our Irish Heritage/Law Enforcement, which we are all so very proud of, ensures the Emerald Society of Illinois/Irish American Police Association remains the largest ethnic organization in the state.  I and the entire Board look forward to seeing you at all of our upcoming events. Our Annual Rib-Fest and Awards Night is a favorite of mine, a great night when we recognize the unsung heroes in Law Enforcement for their outstanding acts of courage and their loyal dedication to their profession. A commitment to serve and protect….to run towards danger, place their lives in harm’s way for the safety of others. Not a job most could do. We recognized 5 dedicated Chicago Police Officers along with Chief Norman Nissan Jr. from the Northlake Police Dept., for his efforts in organizing sufficient petitions keeping two “Cop Killers” in prison. It was wonderful to see all of our members and their families join us as we recognized this brave/dedicated men and women on June 6th, at the FOP Hall. The ribs were the best, and the Board presented Past Presidents Tom Cody & Rick Toolis with the “Best Chef’s Trophy. A well-deserved honor that was long overdue. The beverages were icy cold and plentiful, the talented Larkin Brother’s perform and we had some bag games to toss around. We were treated to the musical talents of our own parent group “The Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society Chicago Police Department.”  They are a most talented and dedicated group of individuals and were are all humbled and honored to be in their presence and their performance was awesome!

I would also ask that you mark your calendars for our upcoming Family Picnic, (a wonderful day to spend with your family and friends) on August 6th, and Annual Dinner Dance on Sept. 23rd at Gaelic Park. Our Annual Dinner Dance is of  course our night to shine as an organization. This year we are honoring Mr. Brian Hickey, President of Local 399/ International Union of Operating Engineers for his contributions and commitment to the Irish Community. As most of you know Mr. Hickey and his staff roll out the “Green Carpet” as I like to say for the Emerald Society’s St. Patrick’s Day Celebration at Local 399’s Hall. It is a wonderful venue, enjoyed by all in attendance. Mr. Hickey supports numerous other endeavors throughout Chicago in the Irish Community and it is an honor and privilege to have him as our 2011 Irishman of the Year! Gaelic Park is a most befitting place to honor our awardees. Good food, cold libations, wonderful Irish music, and fabulous Gift Basket Raffles, all in the house the Irish built. I hope all of our members and their families will help us honor Mr. Hickey and support your fellow brothers and sisters in Law Enforcement and some outstanding citizens as we announce our Irish Police Officers of the Year and our President’s Award Recipient’s.

Hope you are all enjoying your summer, stay safe and thank you for your continued support to the Emerald Society of Illinois as we “Continue the Tradition”.

Go mbeannai Dra duit, (May God Bless You)

On June 10-21 a group of lucky travelers were led by our Entertainment Coordinator Kathie Flannery on yet another one of Kathie's well planned excursions across the pond. The itinerary was chocked full of exciting sights and experiences within Ireland. Kathie has organized multiple trips to the Old Sod, and all have been met with great success by those who traveled with her. Thank You Kathie!

On Monday, July 11th, past Emerald Society President and eternal golf-outing Chairman, Patrick Moriarty put together a top-notch, fun filled day of great golf, (well, good golf) food, icy cold beverages, golf shirts and goodie bags, lunch on the turn, a "hole in one" contest, 5 course dinner, open bar and a room full of raffle prizes at Carriage Greens Country Club in Darien, IL. We so enjoy seeing our entire regular golfer’s that come out each year along with the new faces soon become our regular’s also!!! The Moriarty Clan again put together a Golf Outing that was enjoyed by all, along with a room full of great prizes/raffles at the end of the Day. A special thanks to all of our loyal supporters who so generously donated items for the raffle and to the entire group of golfer’s who’s continued generosity makes the Emerald Society Golf Outing the tremendous success it is year after year!! Thank you, Patrick Moriarty and your top-notch Golf Outing Support Staff.

Saturday, August 6th at 1200 will be the Annual Picnic, at Palos Park Picnic Preserve, Grove #1 located in the Sag Valley Division of the Forest Preserve District, located at Calumet Sag Road (Route 83) & Kean Avenue. The picnic begins at noon and ends at dusk. Music, cold beverages, hot dogs, burgers, chips, corn on the cob and anything else you want to bring and share will be served. Games & prizes for the kids and adults will be on hand, a Jumping Jack for kids under the age of ten, Bean Bag Tournament, volleyball etc.... provided. Entry is $10.00 per person or $20.00 per car-full. All members are encouraged to support this good old fashioned Family Picnic. This year’s Picnic Chairman is Bob Shoup. Bob is working to create a day of R&R for all members to sit back, enjoy the day and all of the amenities provided by the Emerald Society!

LINK TO POSTER FOR ADDITIONAL INFO

Map Links:

  From O'Hare             From Mount Greenwood

On Friday, September 23rd, we will celebrate our 36th Annual Dinner Dance at Gaelic Park, 6119 W. 147th St., Oak Forest, IL, 7pm.   We are proud to announce that Brian Hickey, President of the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 399 has been chosen as the Emerald Society’s 2011 Irishman of the Year.   Brian is an outstanding member of Chicago’s Irish Community and a driving force behind many of the successful Irish Organizations in the City of Chicago & state of Illinois.   We are honored to bestow this award upon Mr. Hickey. We will also be honoring 8 Chicago Police Officers that have displayed extraordinary courage in their service to the citizens of the City of Chicago as our 2011 Irish Police Officer’s of the Year and they are, Rick Toolis (012), Mike Hynes (215), Dave Hickey (193), Joe Biggane (193), Joe Perez (193), Jim McNichols (393), Pat Kelly (314) & Tom Hanrahan (314), along with 5 outstanding individuals who have left a lasting impression on the Emerald Society /Irish Community in the City of Chicago & State of Illinois with the Emerald Society’s 2011 Presidential Award, and they are, Alderman James Balcer, City of Chicago, 11th Ward, Dave Dunham, Chief Marketing Officer, Chicago Patrolmen’s Federal Credit Union, Patty Fadden, Co-Coordinator, Chicago’s St. Patrick Day Parade Committee, Kathie Flannery, Emerald Society of Illinois Event Coordinator and Dominick Kearns, Chicago Police Officer-Emerald Society Sergeant-at-Arms.   I am asking that all Emerald Society members purchase an Ad in our Dinner Dance Ad/Program Book acknowledging these amazing individuals.   I am also requesting that our members join us as we recognize these dedicated individuals at the upcoming Dinner Dance and demonstrate why the Emerald Society of Illinois is still the largest ethnic organization in the state of Illinois and help insure we keep that status. Most all Board of Directors of all of the ethnic police organizations in city attend our Dinner Dance. Let’s show them how the Irish support one another at this event. I hope none of us ever forgets that it was our Irish ancestors who carved our names into the foundation of Law Enforcement and it is only right that each and every one of us honor their commitment and our Irish Heritage by “Continuing the Tradition” which will ensure we remain the greatest ethnic organization in existence…. The Emerald Society of Illinois. Go Irish!!!!

Oktoberfest/Scholarship Drawing/Nominations for 2012-2013 Emerald Society Office’s

October 17th is our Annual Oktoberfest and Scholarship Night at the F.O.P. Hall, Lodge 7, 1412 W. Washington St., 7pm. Hearty German food, cold libations & great music will be the order of the evening. We will also be selling our Turkey Raffle tickets which fund our yearly Scholarship Drawing. We will award five $250.00 scholarships (under new guidelines as of 2010) which include grandchildren along with the children of eligible Emerald Society members (must be a member in good standing for 4 consecutive years). The eligible children must be enrolled in kindergarten thru college level, and we have also included children attending public school. I ask that all members purchase at least the $20.00 of Raffle Tickets you receive to support this worthy cause.  Nominations for the 2012-2013 Emerald Society Offices’ will be made at this meeting. If necessary an election will be held at the November meeting.

On Saturday, October 29th, the Emerald Society is sponsoring a Bus trip to Notre Dame University in South Bend, Indiana. Last year’s event under the Chairmanship of Board Member Mike S. was a wonderful success and a fun filled day. The motor-coach was first-rate, the bus was well stocked with cold libations and snacks, the weather was perfect and Notre Dame pulled off a win against Western Michigan. A great day was enjoyed by all in attendance.  Tickets will be sold on a first pay first served basis and I believe this year’s cost will remain right around the same price as last years, which was $125.00 per person. Get your tickets early as this fun filled day of football, good food, friends and “leave the driving to us” sells out extremely fast. All info is available on the Emerald Society website.

Condolences

The entire Board of Directors would like to extend their deepest sympathy to any of our members and or family members that have lost loved ones this past year. We usually name each individual member, but inevitably someone gets left out. So, in an attempt to recognize each and every member or member’s family or loved one who has passed on, you are all in the thoughts and prayers of your Emerald Society family now and always.

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