The Great Guinness Toast

Joe Patterson had a dream. A dream to bring Irish people together on a Friday night in an Irish Club to drink Guinness. Brilliant!

As well as bringing us together for the evening he brought along our Guinness Rep. Lenny Walsh. Lenny in turn brought along Guinness apparel tee shirts, hats, glasses etc. In addition Joe produced series of Guinness themed framed pictures that were also raffled off during the evening .

Imagine you're the lone barman in a crowded bar were all folks want is Guinness. It's not like you can pour it like bud. Much thanks to Adam Borre for a job well done. Adam has now dedicated himself to perfecting the art of the perfect pour.

Of course the whole purpose of the evening was to celebrate The Great Guinness Toast. And so from 7:00pm til 11:00pm at each hour on the hour Joe Patterson and John Sheridan took turns honoring this tradition, some would say they took turns turning off the music to get long winded. Thanks be to God each toast was followed by a refreshing gulp of the black stuff and a lively round of raffles for Guinness memorabilia and apparel. Both Joe and John will soon release a recording of the toasts titled "The Guinness made me do it".

Lest you think the men had all the fun... think again. Barbara Wagle, Dotty Sullivan and Charlene Delaney were well and truly lit that night. Adam had to move quickly whenever he covered that part of the bar he was getting blinded by the 100 megawatt shamrocks they were wearing.

As the night wound down the coffees came out. Irish Coffees of course, courtesy of chef DeMaio. Like miniature hot caffeinated pints it just seemed that by the end of the night Joe's dream had become our reality and another event had found a place on the annual FSOS calendar. Brilliant!

Additional Photos by Jackie Patterson

Sweethearts Night at the Very Friendly Sons

This past February 14th, sweethearts night was held(WHEN ELSE WOULD IT BE HELD) at the great FSOS. It was a big hit, with the pub packed to capacity and the mood right(if you know what I mean). Thanks go out to the great DJ Al LaGrou for the music. He had everyone dancing to music from the 60’s on up. Later in the evening, when the liquid courage kicked in, many brave souls tried their luck at karaoke. Thanks go out to Steve and Sue Hansult for doing such a sweet job this evening. The home made chocolates, and the fountain really set the mood off right.

Article by Don Bruchez

Photos By Sally Jelonek & Jackie Patterson

A Letter from the President

Each year on the occasion of the Annual Mass in remembrance of our deceased members,  it falls to the President of the FSOS to address the membership. Please find the text of his  letter below.

Dear Father Walsh, Fellow Brothers, Family and Friends,

My Special thanks to Father Tom Walsh and Deacon Bob McGovern for making this mass possible. This is our 31st Annual Memorial Mass to honor our deceased members. We do this by keeping them in our hearts and minds with prayer and song today. Our club has lost many fine and devoted members over the years but they will forever be part of the Friendly Sons family and will forever be with us in spirit. Just look around at the club or on the parade line and you will recall the faces of those who are no longer here but still remembered and are missed ...For full text of letter

Blood Drive & Clothing Drive

What a great tradition we have at the Friendly Sons. We meet together at the club so often to laugh, dance, talk politics, break bread and raise a glass to the health of our friends. On so many occasions during the year we step up and where there is a need we fill it. On Saturday, Feb 21 we once again have the chance to continue this tradition. Actually we have two. When you come to the club to cast your vote you will have the opportunity to donate blood and clothing. There are few things that feel better than random acts of kindness. Why not treat yourself to one or two on Saturday, Feb 21.

Blood Drive: Marty Cameron is tireless in his efforts to support this cause and is calling for your help now. Give the gift of life. We don't need to be persuaded to give blood. We already know the need... as a token of gratitude, enjoy a pint on us.... After! Please Note: Blood drive runs from 10:00am 'til noon.

Clothing Drive: Tom Esser is another member whose relentless in his efforts to help those less fortunate. He's working with a charity to collect clothes. Please go through the closets and pull out the old clothing. Those pants that shrunk over Christmas, your old Jets jackets and Cowboys jerseys. We're collecting everything from hats to shoes and all in between. On Sunday, Feb 22 Tom has arranged for a truck to come out from Brooklyn to pick up the clothes so it's essential that the clothing comes in by Saturday. Tom will also be collecting for Project USE.

Classic Rock Meets Pipes & Drums

Recently Q104.3's Shelli Sonstein sat down to interview The Friendly Sons Pipes and Drums own John Hatton and Jack "Tiny" Redden. In the interview which lasts approximately 15 minutes they cover liife in the band, the Friendly Sons and the charity work they do.

The interview will air this Sunday, Feb 8 at 7:00am. So if you're up enjoying a cup of coffee why not tune your radio to New York's Classic Rock Station Q104.3. You can also listen to them on your computer by clicking right here. 

It is especially important for all band members to listen in as there will be a test at the next practice. For more photos

Article by John Hatton

Beads Beads and More Beads

It was just a year ago that the dinner dance committee took it on themselves to throw a Mardi Gras party. It was an effort to help us get in touch with our New Orleans jambalaya, philly gumbo, jazz, funk and rockin' cajun blues roots. Who could have predicted the success. It was huge. Fast forward a year to the present day. The only day open for this event was Saturday Jan 31, early in the season right after comedy night and the day before superbowl Sunday ... would people come. Not only did they come... they brought their own beads.

The success of Saturday night has cemented Mardi Gras has a fixture in the Friendly Sons calendar. Dave Delaney was one of the many declaring it one of the highlights of the year. What did you miss? You missed Chef DeMaio, he makes hells kitchen look like childs play. Chef Tom McGrath who cooks the meanest Jambalaya North of New Orleans. Chef Jeff Schuld who served up his ultimate gumbo and Chef George Kuebler who brought his special brand of fire house heat to the kitchen.

The Voo Dudes used their magic on the crowd and brought the house down as they rocked from one set to the next. In a throw back to the 60's they sang Bob Dylan's "Rainy Day Women" aka "Everybody let's get high" at which point three of the guys jumped on tables... my how things have changed. Playing one hit after another they filled the dance floor all night on. 

The dance contest was close as Tim Black partnered up with President John Wagle only to be beaten out of first place by our favorite photo imposer Wayne Miller. Wayne chose a tray of jello shots as his partner and then surprised the judges by switching to a mop. It was his innovative use of space and form that was credited with earning him the champions necklace. You wouldn't believe what he can do with a mop and a tray of jello shots. Finally, congrats to Jim Connor who celebrated the big five-O during the evenng... doesn't look a day of 49.

Click hear to check out more Mardi Gras Photos

Thank you to Jackie Patterson for additional photos

February Anniversaries

10 Years with the FSOS

Kevin Daly
Darrell Jicha

5 Years with the FSOS

John Murphy

Past Anniversaries

It's a Girl

Member John Connor, wife Kerri & son Johnny have welcomed a new addition to their family, Madilyn Rose.

Born on Nov.14, 2008.

Best wishes to the Connor Family from the Friendly Sons

Article Submitted by Cathy & Jim McDonald

Proud Grandparents and collectors of Mardi Gras Beads!

Getting it right - A Project USE Update

Tom Esser has taken the initiative with Project USE where he finds a home for Used Sports Equipment. Tom recently received this photo from a senior member of the Trenton PAL. He asked that we pass it on to the Friendly Sons family along with his appreciation.

Sometimes we do the smallest of things like donating a used soccer ball, softball bat or hockey skates instead of letting them sit idly in the garage. And sometimes just sometimes the smallest gesture like remembering to bring these items in for Tom on meeting night can have a profound effect.

Look at all the smiling faces that result from getting it right.

Photos Courtsey of Tom

Emails from the Friendly Sons

Some of you may have received an email from the FSOSDiary regarding upcoming activities. If you haven't received one, then you're not on our mailing list. We won't be spamming you with jokes or selling your address to other websites.  This is just about getting information to you. So, if you haven't yet received an email from us then please send an email to Editor@FSOSDiary.Com with the text "Mailing List" in the subject field. Please include your first and last name with the email address.

Dave Cummins