A Grand Family Reunion: Mike and Sharon Neary, Sisters Gay and Pat dine with Jack and Bridget Mary at "Sugar and Spice "in Sarasota in April 2010

left to right, Jack, Bridget Mary, Sharon
back row, Mike, and Gay


from left to right:
Jack, Pat, Mike, Gay and Sharon

A Grand Reunion
What a joy to meet my second cousin Mike Neary and his wife Sharon from Dayton, Ohio.
The last time I saw Mike, I was nine years old, just over from Ireland for one year!
It was great fun sharing memories of Charlie, (Mike, Pat, and Gay's father) and their mother, Margaret. Charlie helped Mom and Dad build the addition to our 3301 property in Arlingnton, VA. Brownie and Emily who lived in VA. are also related to the Neary famly. Brownie and Emily, now deceased, were close to our family. Brownie was the architect who designed our addition.
I remember that Charlie enjoyed pickles.
Our cousin Pat Neary Black, lives at Oakwood and she invited us down here for a vacation in 2004. We liked Oakwood Manor so much, especially the friendly people and the heated junior olympic size pool that we bought a home here and have been coming for 7 seasons. (Dec.-April)
Gay, Pat and Mike's sister, has visited Pat several times and so we have had the pleasure of her company over the years.
The Neary family is related on Mom (Bridie's side of the family). Mom's mother, Bridget Neary and Pat/Gay/Mike's grandfather were brother and sister and their grandfather and his brother, (Jack and Mike) immigrated from Ireland to Dayton, Ohio many years ago. We shared that we were back in Coolkerry in 2009 and it looks the same as in the 50's when we left.
So we have lots of Neary cousins in Ohio, we are told! One day, we hope to make the family reunion there in Aug.
Love to all our Neary relatives in Ohio.
Come visit us in Fl. or VA.
Jack and Bridget Mary Meehan

Jack Meehan plays Irish and American music at pool party, more clip links

Jack Meehan plays with
Phyllis and Bryan Zuerner,
accompanied by singer Nancy

Terry and Bobbie drum

Jack Meehan and Luigi

Jack Meehan plays Galway Bay at pool party at Oakwood Manor in Sarasota, Fl.
on April 28,2010
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_J9VUTnFYY
Jack Meehan plays Irish melody
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axksweHtt0M

Jack Meehan plays Oakwood Pool Party on April 28,2010

Jack Meehan, Joe Minter, Bryan and Phyllis Zuerner on bass and piano at campfire in park on April 28,2009

Jack Meehan, Bryan on Bass, Wife Phyllis on piano, and Nancy on mike with help from Joe

Jack Meehan plays Moon song for Camp fire in Park at Oakwood on April 28,2010


Jack Meehan plays O Marie with Luigi his friend at Oakwood Pool Party on April 28,2010


Jack Meehan plays I left my heart at Oakwood Pool Party on Aprl 28,2010



Jack Meehan plays Tennessee Waltz at Pool Party at Oakwood Manor on April 28,2010



Jack Meehan plays Waltz at Oakwood Pool Party on April 28,2010


Jack Meehan plays Country Song at Oakwood Pool Party on April 28,2010


Jack Meehan plays Blueberry H. at Oakwood Pool Party on April 28,2010

Jack Meehan plays big band music at Oakwood Pool Party on April 28,2010

Jack Meehan plays As time goes by at Oakwood Manor at Pool Party on April 28,2010


Jack Meehan plays Alvertersein at Oakwood Manor ta Pool Party on April 28,2010


Jack Meehan plays "lily of Lamplighter" at Oakwood Manor at Pool Party on April 28, 2010

Jack Meehan plays Arverderchi Roma at Oakwood at Pool Party on April 28,2010

Jack Meehan plays I'll take you home again Kathleen





Jack Meehan plays "I'm Off to Dublin"


Jack Meehan plays Athenry

Jack Meehan plays Danny Boy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fI_ij59RfAk


Jack Meehan plays "When Saints go Marching, Riverside" at Oakwood on April 28,2010

Jack Meehan plays for Irish Friends on Easter Sunday

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMOolAypFvs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_MeHEM4FSCE

Margaret Murray, from Wexford, invited Dad and me to a delicious dinner of potatoes, turnips, ham, roast beef, mixed vegetables, triffle, carrot cake etc.
Dad played for about 2 hours. Valerie and Patrick Donnelly from Boston were visitng. Patrick is from Wexford too. Margaret's cousins from near Disney World also were guests at this wonderful feast. Margaret and Joe Mintern, our good friends also were at the party.
Here are two songs Jack Meehan played.

Jack Meehan plays Irish, American and Swing Music at Oakwood Manor, March 31, 2010

As the community gathered for supper, Jack Meehan entertains outside by the pool at Oakwood Manor in Sarasota, Florida on March 31, 2010 . Enjoy these great clips of music by a professional! A beautiful day, great food and fun music!
As Katie and Danny often said, "Grandpa, you rock!"

"Easter Bonnet"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-k7idMmbxvs

"Five Foot two"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uv1JWeeYYUc

"Boogie Woogie"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9q3nD-Je7eE
"Danny Boy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QF8QFhs_k9o

"The Wild Colonial Boy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggnyTBsMyiI

"O Solo Mia"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQkNzYW6xLs

"Lily of the Lamplighter"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoeqZth9U9w

Moon Riv.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5AIrVOS1Gr8

Athenry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PKQ9guSfcEI

Jack Meehan plays "Indiana"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qhiidEE8IY

Jack Meehan plays "Marie"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HimDmq_muFM

Wearing of the Green
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSY5q-5psWU

Tennessee Waltiz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtiAUsfl-Lo

Little Brown Jug, Yellow Rose of Texas: Young dancers swing to Jack Meehan's musicc at Oakwood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrgkG8NYuIs


Battle Hymn of Republic
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j0pFCnG5UA
It's a Grand Old Flag
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYqL_oXd0tk

BlueBerry Hill
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mi_pnl3R7G4

Bill Bailey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hb1S1qoocu0

Danny Meehan Receives Eagle Scout Badge

Proud parents Nancy and Danny with Eagle Scout Danny

Danny with sister, Katie, home from JMU for occasion

Daniel Hurst Meehan was born on April 8, 1992, in Arlington, Virginia. He started kindergarten at St Thomas More Cathedral School in 1997 and graduated from eighth grade there in 2006. He joined Cub Scouts in the first grade by becoming a Tiger Cub Scout in St. Thomas More's Pact 194. Danny continued as a Cub Sccout there through the fifth grade when he decided that he wanted to become a Boy Scout. Along with many of his Cub Scout friends, he decided to join Boy Sout Troop 648.

As a Boy Scout, Danny has held many leadership positions in Troop 648. He earned 28 merit badges and has enjoyed the many different activites that he has able to participate in. Some of his favorites were Sinoquipe, Uncle Clem's the Smoky Mountains/Secret City Trip and almost any other outdoor activity the troop participated in.

Danny completed his Eagle Project in 2008. He chose to continue the Troop 648 tradition of organizing and implementing a trail reconstruction project at Lubber Run Park. Danny planned and organzied this project and recruited over twenty-five friends, family members, and Scouts and adult leaders from Troop 648 who provided over 235 hours of work to complet the project.

Danny is currently a senior at Bishop O'Connell High School and he will graduate in June. He has been a member of the O'Connell Varsity Football for the last three years. Danny recently received an Honorable Mention in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference as an offensive lineman, and he made the All-Arlington Football team. He is also a member of the Weight-lifting Club. Danny has served as an altar boy at the Cathedral of St. Thomas More for nine years.

Danny plans to attend James Madison University or George Mason University where he will major in Sports and Business Marketing.

Jack Meehan plays "Archie Bunker" in hilarious skit at Oakwood Manor's Got Talent Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSdAm8G_qJ0

Jack Meehan plays "When the saints go marching in" at "Oakwood Manor's Got Talent Show" in Sarasota, Florida

On Jan. 23rd 2010, we had a talent show: Oakwood Manor has talent! -- a take off on Britain has talent! ( great skits, songs and dances) Over 400 people attended. Dad played "when the saints go marching in" Enjoy this clip. He also played Archie Bunker in a skit. His job was to shake his head yes or no as Edith pleaded with him to go bowling. See clip of Dad playing "when saints go marching in"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSrLK4zwlLE

Jack and Bridget Mary Celebrate New Year's Eve 2009 at dance at Oakwood Manor/Florida

Dad enjoyed dancing with the ladies

at his table.

:

Our friends Margaret and Joe

Mintern who live about 1 mile from Oakwood

Cousin Patricia Black and Bridget Mary

Cousin Pat (right) and friend Bev on (left)

Pat invited us to visit in 2004

We fell in love with Oakwood Manor

Community. and have spent

every winter here since then.

Dad and me in our living room before dance

On New Year's Eve 2009 , Dad and I went over to Dottie's home, a friend who is recovering from a fall. Coming up her drive way, Dad played "Should Old Acquaintances be forgotten", the "Tennessee Waltz", and some other favourites. Later, Joe and Margaret Mintern dropped by our home and we went with them to the dance at our clubhouse.

We were joined at our table by our cousin Patricia Black and her friend Beverly. Everyone seemed to enjoy the music, dance and a delicious buffet supper. I won a prize in the raffle. Dad enjoyed dancing and chatting with our friends and neighbors. Several of the women danced in a circle to the music of the 40's 50's and 60's. At Oakwood, the atmosphere is informal and relaxed and a place where both couples and singles can join in the fun! For many, this is an extended family.

We are grateful for God's many blessings in 2009 and pray that God's love may continue to embrace us in the New Year. We hold our family and friends in our hearts and prayerful thoughts.

Bridget Mary Meehan

Meehan Family News: Danny Meehan's last football game at O'Connell High School

Today was another family milestone. Danny Meehan, a senior, at O'Connell High School, played his last football game. Nancy, Sean and Grandpa walked Danny out on the field at the beginning of the game. Katie came home from college for this big day. Ellen joined us too.
Here are some pictures. Congratulations! Danny. We are proud of you and we love you, win or lose!