Benefit Concert on June 21 at the Irish American Heritage Center

Michael McMechan, is a Gaelic scholar and a true inspiration to all who attend classes with the Na Gaeil Irish Language group at the Irish American Heritage Center in Chicago. He has volunteered his time to teach the ‘ard-rang’ (advanced class) for more than 20 years with Na Gaeil and he has also prepared and taught courses on Irish Mythology at the Newberry Library. He has such a tremendous passion and dedication for the Irish language (Gaeilge) that shines brightly through his classes and through the materials that he hand prepares twice a week, each week year-round for his devoted students.

Our group Na Gaeil has organized a Benefit concert at the Irish American Heritage Center in order to raise funds to assist Michael with his medical bills for both his debt and his ongoing care.

The date is Sunday, June 21^st from 4-8pm, held at the Irish American Heritage Center’s Fifth Province Pub and Lounge. There will be basket raffle prizes, a silent auction, and live Irish music entertainment from some of Chicago’s finest performers including: John Williams and Friends, Baal Tinne, Deorad, Academy of Irish Music, and Tantrum featuring Kathleen Keane.

Come on out and help us to raise funds in support of one of Chicago’s best Irish language teachers and academics, win some raffle prizes, and enjoy the fine music entertainment!

Admission for the event is only $10 at the door. Children 12 and under are free. Be sure to bring out the entire family!

The Fifth Province Pub will be open for business and the music starts promptly at 4pm. We hope to see you there.

Be sure to visit our Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Benefit-Concert-for-Michael-McMechan/95199660989

Go mbeannaí Dia daoibh.

Noah Smulkis

new mail box address

Thanks for the many contributions for Michael's care - as Lucy is embarking on a period of travel in the next few months, there is now a new mail box address in Michigan. Please note the new address!

The Discretionary Trust for Michael S. McMechan
c/o Andrew McMechan
P. O. Box 2317
Birmingham, MI 48012-9998

If you've already sent a donation c/o Lucy, it will be forwarded - in fact, hand delivery tomorrow in time for the tasting benefit in Beverly Hills! Many thanks, Lucy

Michael update + Friday is the Michigan Tasting!

Hi all
Michael said goodbye to his home in Chicago on Sunday and is now sorting through boxes here.
Great friends including Shaunna, Kelly, and the extremely hard working Noah were there; I also heard Lisa mentioned and I know there were others....you guys made all the difference for Michael to get through a huge undertaking.
Thanks to everyone who has helped out with the tastings and of course the trust itself! It blows me away how many wonderful people there are who care about Michael.
He continues to be feeling very good and enjoyed a spring walk yesterday. We are so glad for him! He just finished another course of chemo and is now in the rest period before another.
Michael plans to visit this Friday's tasting with his brother Andrew; maybe he'll see you there?
Marian

Save the date: Na Gaeil’s fundraiser on June 21 at 4 p.m.

Kelly Doherty announces the confirmation of the date, June 21, 2009, for the Na Gaeil's fundraiser on behalf of Michael McMechan. The sponsor of the Irish language classes is producing the event, including live music, and the venue is the Irish American Heritage Center on the north side, 4626 N Knox Ave Chicago, IL. Kelly promises more details to come.....and please save the date...June 21, 2009, from 4 PM on.

Latest news about Michael

Hi everyone
Just a quick note: Michael is doing so well right now that he has gone to Chicago to work on shutting down his apartment. Shaunna is coming April 25 to help. Kelly and Jamie are also there for Michael. He insisted on doing this and we think it's wonderful that he can.
Lucy is hosting an event for Michael May 8 in Michigan. She is amazing!
Thanks to EVERYONE who is doing so much --in so many ways-- to help him!
Marian

Tasting + Benefit on May 8 in Michigan

Join me at a benefit tasting of artisan cheeses and craft beers from Wisconsin - some one-of-a-kind seasonal releases including the New Glarus Brewing Co. Unplugged Apple Ale - with all proceeds to go to Michael's medical expenses.

The benefit tasting will be held at a private home in Beverly Hills, Michigan, near 14 mile and Evergreen, on Friday, May 8, 2009, from 4-7 PM. The menu will include many specialty foods and 7 fantastic samplings.

Donation is $50 per person, and RSVP with a check for the fundraiser is necessary to hold a seat. Space is limited to 30 people, so please send your check, payable to:

The Discretionary Trust for Michael S. McMechan
c/o L. Saunders
4230 N. Oakland Ave. #178
Shorewood, WI 53211

I'll send directions to the tasting with confirmation of your RSVP! Many thanks for all your support on behalf of Michael, and hope to see you there...

thank you to all at the Newberry Library benefit on April 14

We had a fantastic time at the silent auction and benefit, which raised about $2.4K to help defray Michael's medical expenses. About 40 friends from Michael's classes both at the Newberry and the Irish American Heritage Center, came to enjoy chef Jamie Doherty's creative samplings of specialty foods and artisan cheeses, presented so beautifully on platters with dried fruits, Marcona almonds, lemon and tomato confitures. The cheeses, from the Wisconsin Milk Marketing Board, were paired with assorted Irish style ales, with special thanks to Great Lakes Brewing Co. and Josh Sazy, who donated to the silent auction.

Thanks for all the auction item donations, and for all the volunteer help needed to make this possible. Special thanks to our hosts, The Newberry Library, for donating the space, and to Michael's colleagues, Tom Popelka and Rachel Bohlmann, for making that possible and handling the logistics of the silent auction! Many thanks to Ellen Levy for underwriting the insurance.

Special thanks to Kelly and Jamie Doherty, for getting out the word to so many of Michael's students, and for all their care of Michael's cats and apartment over the past 5 months.

Musicians Noah Smulkis, Mike O'Regan and Karen Reshkin performed wonderfully. They are organizing a benefit concert in June, and details will appear soon.

Thank you to all!!