St David’s Day Banquet
January 26, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
St David’s Day dinner 2010 - details below
Date: Saturday, March 6th, 2010
Time: 11:30am to 3pm
Location: Carleton Hotel
Street: 1110 Pleasant St
City/Town: Oak Park, IL 60302
Contact Info: Dilys Rana at 847-251-3214
Organized By: The Cambrian Benevolent Society of Chicago
Come join us between 11:30 and noon to meet your friends and greet new folks; dinner will be at 12:30. There will be a raffle of interesting items. For further information contact board members Dilys Rana or Barbara Jones.
Carleton Hotel Oak Park
1110 Pleasant St
Oak Park, IL 60302
2007 St. David's Day Dinner
The Annual Welsh Picnic
January 26, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
2007 Annual Picnic
The Cambrian picnic was a highlight of the year for many of the Welsh families who settled in Chicago in the late nineteenth and early twentieth century. Since its inception in 1869 it has continued to provide good fellowship and good fun for the families who come and bring their picnic lunches and lawn chairs out for a summer afternoon in the park. In recent years it has most often been held in the parks of Oak Park but many years ago it was held in large purpose built parks as far apart as Evanston and Glenwood Park.
In those days most people traveled on the train as few families owned automobiles. Announcements for the picnic included train and street car information. Hundreds of people came out to try and win one of a number of prizes for athletic events. In 1911 there were so many children in attendance that twelve separate races and a high jump contest were arranged. No child was allowed to compete in more than one event. For the adults there were eleven categories of events and fine prizes for the successful competitors; a brooch or a cut glass piece for the ladies and a box of cigars or a pocket knife for the gentlemen.
Baseball and soccer teams competed for a cup which was retained by the organization after winning teams were dutifully recorded. (What has happened to that cup is a mystery. Does anyone know where it is?) Judges were appointed to oversee the competitions and physicians were in attendance to administer to any unfortunate casualties.
Modern picnics are not such elaborate affairs but we still enjoy getting together and having fun chatting and trying out our skills at ‘tea toss’ competitions and ‘shoe kick’ contests. Take a look at the photos from recent picnics held at Maple Park (2005) and Taylor Park (2007) in Oak Park.
The 2009 picnic was held at Taylor Park at Division and Ridgeland in Oak Park on Saturday, July 18th.
2010 Welsh picnic -
Saturday, July 10th at the Taylor Park picnic area, Oak Park, IL. 11a.m. - 3 p.m. Hot dogs, drinks, and ice cream will be available. Bring your folding chairs and prepare for fun and games!
Questions? Call Dilys Rana at (847) 251-3214 or Barbara Jones at (773) 275-9789
Annual Welsh Picnic — Taylor Park 2007 (view photos)
Annual Welsh Picnic — Maple Park 2005 (view photos)
Cambrian Benevolent Society of Chicago: Nov. 2008 NEWSLETTER
January 26, 2009 by · Leave a Comment
The Welsh Christmas tree at the Museum of Science and Industry was decorated by nine Cambrian members last Saturday. It is absolutely gorgeous!! It will be on display, along with 50 other ethnic trees, November 14 to January 4, 2009 from 9:30 AM to 4 PM Mon. – Sat. and 11 to 4 on Sundays. Hope you are able to take your family to see it. Cambrian will sponsor a special program of harp music and folk dancing, highlighting Welsh Christmas traditions, at the Museum on Saturday Nov. 22 at 11 AM. This is a wonderful program for families, so invite your friends and relatives!!
Plans are underway for our annual St. David’s Day celebration. Mark your calendar for Saturday Feb. 28, 2009, at the Carleton Hotel in Oak Park. Come between 11:30 and noon to meet your friends and greet new folks; dinner will be at 12:30. There will be a raffle of interesting items. Entertainment will be provided by harpist Carl Johnson and his wife Mona. We have heard them at Celtic Fest, and know you will enjoy them. Invitations will be sent out the middle of January.
St. David’s Episcopal Church in Glenview is planning to present a special concert in honor of St. David, on Sunday afternoon March 1. Last year’s concert was delightful. We’ll send you the details when the plans are finalized.
Cambrian’s annual Spring Gymanfa Ganu will be held on Sunday afternoon April 26 at 2:30 PM at The Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church, 744 Fair Oaks Avenue in Oak Park. The conductor this year will be Rev. Joe Corbin, from Wisconsin. Te bach (tea and little sandwiches) will be served following the Gymanfa.
We need volunteers to help with our various programs and would REALLY appreciate it if you could give us a hand. Here’s who to call if you can help:
- Take down the Christmas tree – Sat. Jan 10. We especially need some young folks who can climb ladders. Call Janet Walquist at 773-549-6938.
- Sell raffle tickets at St. David’s Day dinner Feb. 28 – call Dilys Rana at 847-251-3286.
- Decorate the tables and/or help hang the flags and other decorations at the St. David’s Day dinner Feb. 28 – call Barbara Jones at 773-275-9789.
- At the Gymanfa Ganu, April 28, we need volunteers to greet people and hand out programs, take collection, and help with clean-up afterwards. – Call Gwilym Williams at 847-991-0870.
We are delighted to welcome two new Cambrian Board members: Jeff Williams of Palos Heights and Sue Stealey of Downers Grove.
Hope to see many of you at the special program at the Museum of Science and Industry on Nov. 22 at 11 AM.
Barbara M. Jones, President
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