The Belt and Beyond | February 11th, 2016

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Immaculate Conception School
Open House
Photo by Kris Ordinsky-Parks
Catholic Schools’ Week began with Holy Mass and Open House at Immaculate
Conception School, in Pen Argyl
Immaculate Conception School (ICS) commenced Catholic Schools’ Week
on Sunday, January 31st with the celebration of Holy Mass at 9:30a.m. at
St. Elizabeth’s Church in Pen Argyl, accompanied by the ICS Children’s Choir.
Following Mass, Open House was held at the school. Families and friends were
invited to tour the facility, speak with the principal, teachers, staff and parents.
The Mt. Bethel Fire Co.
Presents The Main Street Cruisers Dinner Dance March 12th, Doors open
at 4pm, Dinner at 5pm Dance 7-10pm. For tickets and info contact Dale
Handelong 570-897-6919
February 11, 2016
What's Happening in the Belt and Beyond?
7
A Country Home
Country Primitive Home Decor & More
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610-759-4744
Directions: Turn at the Widow’s Tavern & Grill,
Go 1 block & turn right
HOURS: THURSDAY, FRIDAY, SATURDAY,
10:00 AM-6:00 PM, SUNDAY 12:00-5:00 PM
SLATE BELT SISTERS
DANCE AT IRISH WORLD
CHAMPIONSHIPS
The Gallagher School of Irish Dancing counts
some world-class talent among its ranks.
Two sisters who reside in Upper Mt. Bethel
Township, Therese McCoy, age 15, and
Annemarie McCoy, age 13, will be heading to
Glasgow, Scotland for the Irish Dancing World
Championships held from March 20 - 27.
Therese & Annemarie, both graduates of
Immaculate Conception School in Pen Argyl,
have been Irish dancing for 7 years. They dance
at the Gallagher School of Irish Dance in East
Stroudsburg under the instruction of Fedelmia
Gallagher and Conleth Mullan.
Therese qualified to dance at Worlds after
placing 5th at the National Championships in Rhode Island in July. Annemarie
qualified for Worlds after placing 7th at the Regional Competition in Philadelphia
in November. Both girls practice 6 days/week to maintain their stamina in order
to prepare for this demanding international Irish dance contest that combines
athleticism and artistry.
Each sister will be competing in their respective age group and in each of
those contests there will be about 200 dancers from around the world. For the
competition, the dancers must dance one light shoe and one hard shoe dance.
The top 50 in each age group will go on to the finals.
“It’s like our Olympics,” said Fedelmia Gallagher, Gallagher School owner and
teacher.
It takes a lot of dedication, self-motivation and sacrifice to reach this elite
level of dancing. It is a dream that both girls have been working very hard to
achieve. Therese attended the World Championships last March in Montreal
and this is Annemarie's first time qualifying.
Mrs. Gallagher agreed that it takes a special commitment to reach World
Qualifying skill level.
Competitions like the World Championships illustrate how far in popularity
Irish dancing has come in the last couple of decades. It’s exciting to watch
the dancing. It’s upbeat and a lot of fun. The girls are preserving Irish culture
through music and dance.
“It’s not just dancing anymore,” said Mrs. Gallagher, a native of Northern
Ireland. “It’s really become a sport, which is great. The friendships these girls
form, it’s with girls from all over the world. It’s a lovely activity for children.”
The Gallagher School of Irish dance is currently in the process of raising money
to be able to send Therese and Annemarie, along with their teachers, to this
prestigious event.
Anyone wishing to support our local talent or for further information about
Irish dance classes, please contact Fedelmia Gallagher at 570-977-4035 or
email: gsid@ptd.net.