WSWNE’s St. David’s Day Luncheon - back in person

Article by WSWNE member Shirley Gilmartin

It is a fair guess that most of the members arriving for the 2022 St. David’s Day Luncheon, at the Nutmeg, East Windsor, CT might have entered the dining room wondering what to expect after the cancellation of in-person meetings forced upon us by the Pandemic. Meetings on Zoom had been a substitute, and had helped us through, but we had come now to anticipating how splendid it would be for us to come together again in flesh and greet each other once again.

A peep into the dining area revealed a roomful of masked mankind. No, it was not a masked ball. It was just a forward-cast shadow from the Pandemic, a relic of its restrictions. It is another fair guess that there were smiles behind those masks. The eyes said so. It was such a pleasure to meet new members, and a fond reminder it was for us to acknowledge those missing faces of members newly passed away, memories to be cherished.

Members & friends enjoy St. David’s Day including those in Welsh National Dress - Beth and Ed Brown

There was the good Ed Brown, and there was his good wife, Beth Roberts Brown in their Welsh costumes moving amongst us, bringing with them color and authenticity, and a linkage between past and present. There was the good Don Sit, tinkering mysteriously with the audio-visual bits and pieces. Indeed, as we looked around the room, we could see the hard preparatory work that had been done – the flags, the daffodils, and the display of Welsh items.

And it came to pass that we took our place at table, each table decorated beautifully with daffodils, supplied by board member Ms. Evan Williams. Susan Davies Sit, our intrepid president, took the podium and outlined the agenda, first telling us of all the greetings our Society had received from Welsh Societies around the world.

Then we watched on a big screen, a St. David’s Day greeting from the First Minister for Wales, Mark Drakeford, to exiled Welsh people everywhere. Feeling hiraeth, we raised our glasses to toast our own native land, “Iechyd da,” we said (good health) and I silently added “BENDITH DUW at ein gwlad annwyl, Cymru.”. (God’s blessing on our beloved country, Wales).

Enter Annie Rodgers, board member, to lead the invocation. There are 1440 minutes in each day, be it known. Annie made five of these more valuable by offering a prayer before the meal, one that reminded us, in timely fashion that the earth is not flat and that there is a vertical dimension. Da iawn, Annie. Somewhere out in eternity, St. Illtyd leaned over to St. David and murmured, “Well done, Dewi”

President Sue promised a brief Annual General meeting, and truly kept it brief. She noted that Susan Jenkins Meers had stepped down from the Vice President position, but thankfully will remain on the board. Her service has been invaluable. Current board members were re-elected by acclamation and the meeting was adjourned.

We were fed from farm and ocean and settled back to be entertained. We were introduced to “Wild Notes”, a group of three accomplished musicians, playing on harp, flute and accordion. They came with a repertoire of Welsh airs. It was a superb performance of melody, march and dance music. Thank you “Wild Notes.”

Some lucky person won the bottle of Penderyn whiskey, not me. It should have been me. After all, I have memories from youth of walks with school friends from my home town Aberdere, in the Cynon Valley, to Penderyn in the foothills of the Brecon Beacons, a village about six miles away and downhill six miles back. Others won Welsh cakes and gift certificate from the Copper Kettle Bakery, via its owner/WSWNE member, Helen Coates, and further gift certificates from the U.K. Gourmet in Bethel, CT.

Was it all well done? Yes, it was. Will we be back next year? I will. By Shirley Gilmartin, Member

See below, a YouTube video of the March 5, 2022 WSWNE St. David's Day Luncheon event.

The video includes:

- WSWNE President Susan Davies Sit announces greetings from other Welsh societies and businesses, an introduction of some attendees, and a video message from the First Minister of Wales.

- WSWNE Vice President Annie Rodgers adds remembrances of deceased members, world concerns, and a prayer.

- A post-luncheon presentation by Annie Rodgers tells the story of Y DDRAIG COCH (The Red Dragon) as written by WSWNE Board member Magdalen Dowden.

- A lively concert of Welsh tunes is performed by the local band WILD NOTES (Kasha Breau, John Kalenowski, and Mickey Koth).

All you are missing from the day is the delicious food, a business meeting, a raffle, and (sadly) a rousing singing of the Welsh National Anthem (due to technical difficulties). Enjoy.