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
Cemeteries and Graves Project
January 12, 2008 by · Leave a Comment
We have recently begun a study of the records in our possession and hope, eventually, to have a complete listing of Welsh graves in the Chicago area. There is still much to be done and we have been working with cemetery staff to check for accuracy and to fill in the blanks. Our hope is that we will ultimately have a resource for those who may be searching for information about Welsh ancestors. The Board has also authorized funds to repair and restore a marker at Oak Ridge Cemetery, to straighten tilted headstones and, to generally tidy up the area. Read more