Now that you have had a few days to let the first part sink in, here's the rest of the story. The meetings ended Friday and we all went off on our merry ways, to different hospitality rooms. Dick Nelson had called it a convention and left for home ( By the way Dick, Emmit was a bit saddened that you left without saying good-bye. The rest of you get you mind out of the gutter, Emmit is Dick's private bartender). This left Chris and I to carry the load. We met up with some of my family in the Albany room and drank until dinner. That explains why when most everyone else, including Chris, were dressed in suits I was still in shorts and a tee shirt. Chris changed because he found out that the division was getting an award and I voted for him to except it. We were seated at a table with four extremely beautiful women, if only we were twenty years older we would have been in. Mary and her friends from Orange County were wonderful and we laughed all through dinner. After dinner we hit the rooms again. Ben Campney, Jeff Carney and Chris Templin joined the fun. We even hit the LOAH room, what a spread of food they had. The rest of the night gets a bit fuzzy and what I do remember will stay out of this blog. What happens at the convention, stays at the convention. Saturday was pretty much a free day. We voted on the one election that was needed and we planted ourselves in the Albany room at noon with Ed and Tom Leach. Greg Gallagher was our advance scout, he was headed to the Albany Hall to see how lunch was but we never heard from him. Saturday afternoon they held a major degree and four of our members attended. When that was over they came up to the Albany room and joined in our fun. At this point we had ten members and that made for a great showing amid the other divisions from around the state. At five o'clock we had changed our clothes and were lining up for the march to mass. Chris felt a little under dressed because he was asked to help out with the installation and was wearing a golf shirt. When mass was over we had time for a couple of quick ones before the cocktail hour ( only the Irish would squeeze in a couple of drinks before the cocktail hour). I drank with my cousin ( a term everyone was getting tired of hearing,this is my cousin, this is my cousin, this is my cousin) Donna, her husband Bill, who piped us back and forth to mass, and their son Ian. At the cocktail hour we were joined by Paul O'Donnell who had packed up all his wares and was now ready to enjoy the evening. Dinner was outstanding and then the installation began. first the woman, then the men. As the doors opened to bring in the new Officers, they were led by a group of pipers. Then each officer was led in, escorted by Jeff and the two Chris's, the boys looked great dressed in matching kilts and blue AOH shirts. As they escorted each officer in, they handed them off to three members of the National Board. This was a great showing for our Division.
Soon the ceremony was finished, the band resumed playing, Mary grabbed me for a dance, If only she was single and I was sixty. Soon the party started to break up and it had nothing to do with my dancing. In truth the party was only beginning. The Hospitality rooms were jumping. Chris and Paul bailed out around three, Chris to our room and Paul to Chris Kelly's room. I lasted to 4:48. I only know the time because that is when I made a phone call ( I didn't wake anyone up. It's the easiest way to get a girls phone number, you call her or she calls you; now you both have each others numbers.)
I love being Irish, I love the AOH, I love going to these conventions. I met a lot of fantastic people. Dennis and his buddy from Orange County, Mr. O'Donnell. The entire McNabb family, it would not have been as much fun with out you guys. Denise, what can I say. Martin, didn't get to hear Boston Rose. Pat, you are anything but a shrew. Michelle, you looked breathtaking in that black dress. Kenny and the gang from Watervliet, you do know how to put on a party. Mary and the girls from Orange, you were grand. All the rest who made my vacation great, thanks so much and see you all in New Orleans. http://picasaweb.google.com/saratogairish/Convention
Anyone who reads this and has photos please e-mail them to me and I will add them here.