WISDOM OF THE WORLD - WEEK 36

The Last Supper

When Leonardo da Vinci was painting his famous work, The Last Supper, he wanted to paint Jesus first. So he sent people far and wide with the hope of finding a person whose overall countenance would be representative of Jesus. His representatives brought back the perfect fit – a handsome, upright young man with good manners. Da Vinci was very happy with the young man modelling as Jesus.

Over the next few years Leonardo found models to portray eleven of the disciples and at last there was only Judas left to paint. Finally a man was brought to the artist, whose appearance was testimony to many years of anger, hatred and selfishness. Leonardo was satisfied and started to paint. The model began to cry.

“What is the matter?” Leonardo asked him.

“Don’t you know me?” the man wailed.

“I’m sorry…” Leonardo said in confusion looking at the man more closely.

“Look at your own painting,” he pleaded to the painter, “I’m the same man you choose to portray Jesus so many years ago.”

Da Vinci looked closely and saw that it was true. Due to years of spending time in bad company, becoming selfish, angry and hurtful, the same man that had so well represented Jesus was now a perfect match for the man who betrayed him.

We become like those we associate with.

5 MINUTES WITH - MARK CAREY

Mark Carey is just back managing Flanagans Furniture shop in Buncrana. Mark, originally from Malin Head, started working for Flanagans in 1994 and is happy to be back to see long-standing customers and meet new ones. He had taken time out to work in Franklins but feels furniture is a more interesting business because customers can create an item to their own taste. Mark feels that the challenge of the economic climate is to make sure that Flanagans offer the best service and the best product while not being beaten on price. Mark is married to Susan Porter from Dumfries and they have two sons, Jordan (9) and Lee (7).

What music do you like?
I like most stuff. Heavy rock like Rainbow and Lynyrd Skynyrd. I remember going into Derry up to HMV to buy Rainbow’s Greatest Hits. The shop-keeper asked who sang it. Grrr.

What would you never throw away?
I would throw anything away!

What book are you reading?
Funnily I’m reading 2 Ku Buk, which is the Scouting Handbook for Ireland. I am a leader with the 11th Donegal Buncrana Scouts, which started this year.

What was your favourite childhood game?
It had to be football.

Have you been to the cinema recently, what did you see and was it any good?
The last film I went to was Igor and the next will be Madagascar 2. It tends to be kid flicks with the boys and it’s a good excuse to go and see them because they are usually enjoyable.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I’m not much of a newspaper reader – It tends to be a glance at the front page and then I turn to the back.

What is your idea of a good night out?
Decent food, decent wine, decent company.
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Have you a favourite TV programme?
Match of the Day and I enjoy the CSI’s too.

How do you relax?
With work and family I don’t have much time for relaxing.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be a fireman.

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I’d love to take the family to Disneyland –I’m still a kid at heart…

Your idea of heaven?
That would be myself, Susan and the boys all curled up on the couch watching a good DVD.

Your idea of hell?
Driving in Dublin. Everything is so badly signposted.

What would you spend a lottery win on?
I would get the usual things, a new car and a classic car. We’d have our trip to Disneyland, I’d get all the jobs done around the house and get an Astroturf pitch for the boys.

What couldn’t you live without?
Susan and the boys. Family comes first.

Biggest fear?
Anything happening to the family.

Biggest thrill?
I’m usually pretty even in my moods I’m easily contented, but I guess it would have to be getting married to Susan and the boys being born.

The world’s most irritating invention?
Mobile phones are pretty annoying, but I think Bluetooth must be the worst. People walking about, talking away on the phone. Sometimes I go up to talk to them and they are just chatting away to some-one else.

Do you have a hobby?
I coach under-10 football and I am a scout leader. I also enjoy gardening.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
I’m quite happy in this period –I think I lived through the best times in the 80’s and 90’s. I don’t want to live in history –just enjoy the present.

World’s most useful invention?
All inventions have their uses but I think health inventions like kidney dialysis machines are useful- anything that eases the suffering of people.

What did you have for breakfast?
Coffee and a nutrigrain bar

What is the best piece of advice you have been given?
Two pieces of advice really. 1) Keep trying and 2) Do your best.

LINK 2 IN LETTERKENNY

Link2 in the Courtyard Shopping Centre in Letterkenny opened its doors this October and has a great selection of gift ideas this Christmas. Paul and Keith Harvey had been working in music retail in Letterkenny for seventeen years and really know and appreciate their customer base. They saw a gap in the market and decided to branch out on their own, selling gadgets and novelties as well as music and DVD’s.

Link2 has a superb selection of all the top Irish CD’s including the new albums from Ronnie Drew, Enya and Snow Patrol. Don’t forget the comedy gem Nob Nation 2 –The Recession Album and DVD’s from Conal Gallen, Tommy Tiernan and Brendan Grace. There are loads of others to choose from and include all the chart stuff as well.

Novelties
At office Christmas parties it is customary to have a Chris Cringle and it can be difficult to think of a gift for a colleague who you may see every day, but not know that well. There are all sorts of fun ideas at Link2 such as the tight-git wallet (only €7.99) or the swearing punch ball (for €9.99). Guaranteed to break the ice and get a laugh before your first glass of wine takes effect.

Gadgets Galore
What is it about boys and their toys? How does a remote control helicopter make a seemingly well-adjusted man go weak at the knees? How many fathers buy a remote control car for their son and end up only giving them a turn very reluctantly? Link2 has a wide range of gadgets including the latest remote control helicopters, which they demonstrate in the store every Saturday and Sunday.

Ideas for Kids
Of course kids love gadgets too. What about a popcorn-maker at €34.99 for a healthy and fun treat or there is a rocket lava lamp (at €19.99) to create the right atmosphere for your moody teenager. They also have all the Sesame Street Puppets as seen on the Late Late Toy Show including Bert and Ernie and Oscar for €20.

On-Line
Paul and Keith have recently launched Link2 on-line too and you can purchase items at http://www.link2.ie/. This website only shows a few of their in store items but more are being added.

So when you are in Letterkenny, why not pop into Link2 in the Courtyard Centre and grab a few innovative and different gifts.

MAKING A WILL

An old proverb says that there is nothing certain in this life except death and taxes. We may not know the hour or place but our days are certainly numbered. It is not something we like to think about, and we all hope it will come later rather than sooner, but it is important to be realistic and to prepare for death by making a Will. It doesn’t have to be time-consuming or expensive to have a Will drawn up, and it gives you the opportunity to direct where you would like your assets to go. Some people have land, property or shares to leave as specific legacies and we all have personal items that we might like to leave to a friend or relation for sentimental reasons. As well as bequests to spouses and children, you may wish to remember a particular charity.

Your Local Solicitor
It is advisable for every-one over the age of 18 to make a will that will enable your property and assets to be distributed according to your wishes. A properly drafted Will allows you to provide for your wishes and the needs of your spouse, children, partners and/or family members. Your local solicitor will be happy to explain the benefits of drawing up a will on your behalf and you’ll find it doesn’t take up too much time and it is not that expensive. Drawing up your Will provides that all-important peace of mind that your affairs are in order and that your loved ones are taken care of. Wills may need to be reviewed over the years

Appointment of Guardians
A Will also deals with the appointment of guardians for children under 18. In the event of an unexpected or premature death, children under 18 or those with special needs need to be looked after and taken care of. A guardian will take on the parental role and responsibilities. In order to ensure that your children have a guardian that you choose, it is important to have this specific information written into your Will, and of course talk it over with potential guardians to make sure that they are willing.

Personal Executor
A personal executor ensures that your last wishes and the instructions in your will are carried out. When you draw up your will, you can choose your personal executor. Again, check out with this person that they are prepared to do this for you.

What happens if I die without making a Will?
If you die without a Will this is called in testate. This means that your worldly assets and property will be divided according to the Succession Act of 1965. In effect, this means that your spouse inherits your entire estate if you have no children. If you have children, two-thirds goes to your spouse and a third to the children. If you have no spouse, all your possessions go to your children. If you have no spouse or children, your assets go to your parents and if both are deceased to your brothers and sisters. When you die in testate, delays and probate expenses can mean that your loved ones have to wait when they might need financial support. It also means that your finances become public record.


Make an Appointment
It is easy to delay making the appointment for drawing up your Will, but it is something that shouldn’t really be put off. It is one of the most important documents that you have to prepare, so why not phone up for an appointment today.

LAURENTIC BAR IN LINSFORT

HAPPY 1ST BIRTHDAY THE LAURENTIC BAR

It doesn’t seem like a year ago that the Laurentic Bar in Linsfort first opened its doors to the public. How has the past year been for this exciting new business venture on the road to Dunree?

“It’s been a fantastic year,” says manager Jim Porter. “One year on and we have gone from strength to strength, building up a loyal customer base from all over the peninsula and further a field.” The Laurentic staff pride themselves on custom service and Declan and Danny, the two in-house chefs who have been with them from the start, are always adding to the mouth watering choices of food that are available every day. “We have some real delights on the menu.” Begins Declan. “The black and white stir fry with chicken and beef, stir fried in a wok is proving to be very popular. We also offer a sea bass infused with lemon and parsley to keep with the sea faring theme of the pub.”

STEEPED IN HISTORY
The name of the bar has strong links with the sea. The SS Laurentic, which inspired the name, was chosen to carry forty-three tons of gold bullion from Great Britain to Canada. On 25th January 1917. The ship struck a mine and sank within an hour in 40 metres of water. An incredible salvage feat between 1917 and 1924 recovered 3186 gold bars of the missing 3211 with a further 5 being recovered in 1932 by another salvage operation, leaving 20 gold bars still unaccounted for at the bottom of Lough Swilly worth some €15 million at current prices. So if you have a spare afternoon you could have a look around the coast of any that have washed up before going to the pub for a bit of refreshment.

POPULAR SPORT
If you are in the need of some relaxing sporting activities, how about a game of darts? The Laurentic is proving to be so popular for the game that they have had to install a second board in the taproom.

LIVE ACTS
Over the coming week s the Laurentic bar has an impressive line up of live acts to get the feet tapping. Hugh McGonagle, Damian Harkin, Sharon Nixon, Brian Mulland, Robbie Cunningham, Danny McCarron, Kevin McLaughlin and the band Tullagh will all be appearing between now and the New Year. And if you fancy a bit of a flutter, the Dunree Rovers are having a night at the races on the 30th of December.


HERE’S TO THE NEXT YEAR!
Jim puts customer service on the top of his most important list and realises it is the support of his customers that has made this year so successful “The Laurentic has had a wonderful year and I would like to thank all of the customers from here and around the world that have graced our doorway in that time. Here’s to the next year!”


WHAT’S ON LIST

5TH OF DECEMBER- Hugh McGonagle – ANNIVERSARY NIGHT

6th of December – Damian Harkin.

12th of December – Sharon Nixon.

13th December – Tullagh

19th December- Brian Mullan.

20th December- Robbie Cunningham.

21st of December – Hugh McMonagle.

26th of December – Danny McCarron.

27th of December. Brian Mullan

28th of December- Sharon Nixon.

29th of December- Tullagh

30th of December - Hugh McMonagle.
And the Dunree Rovers Night at the races.

31th December – Kevin McLaughlin

5 MINUTES WITH - HARRY KERR

Harry Kerr is originally from Scotland and has been living in Inishowen for 8 years with Martha, his wife and business partner. Before moving to Buncrana Harry, worked as a graphic designer and photographer for Scotland’s largest Museum, the Summer Lee Heritage Trust before moving on to become a Technical Instructor for fine art at the Glasgow School of Art. He and Martha now run the highly respected Memory Factory Photographic Workshop in the centre of Buncrana.


What music do you like?
I have a varied range. I enjoy the likes of John Martyn and just missed him playing at McGrorys in Culdaff last time he was here. I also enjoy classical music and I pretend to know a bit about it.

What would you never throw away?
Photographs, good, bad or otherwise. Photographs are important when they are first taken, then generally get forgotten. It’s good when a photo re-appears years later and their true value is recognised.

What book are you reading?
I have just finished All the King’s Men by Robert Penn. It’s been made into a film starring Sean Penn and Jude Law. The story is about the life of populist American Southerner Willie Stark and loosely based on Governor Huey Long of Louisiana

What was your favourite childhood game?
When I was a wee boy I would get up to the usual physical stuff that the pre- daytime television or computer game generation would do. I was the youngest in the house of three brothers and one sister so spent years coming last at games, especially ones that included a ball.

What section of the newspaper do you turn to first?
I don’t read the printed news…. I am on the computer a lot and have a ticker tape style news headline list running on the corner of the screen. It gives me up to date world news and if something catches my attention, I’ll click on it.

What is your idea of a good night out?
I enjoy a good meal out. I was spoilt for choice when I lived in Glasgow and London and like to think I know a good restaurant when I see one. My favourite at the moment is the Sunrise Indian restaurant in Buncrana.

Most embarrassing moment of your life?
It varies from day to day…..The one that springs to mind was at the Sanctuary rail in Letterkenny Cathedral recently. I was taking photographs at a wedding with at least four hundred guests attending. The mass was just over and the bride and groom were about to sign the register when my phone went off. The ringtone was “I will walk 500 miles” by the Proclaimers. I ran to the door and threw the phone outside.

Have you a favourite TV programme?
I really enjoyed a series called Westwing. The program was made between 1999 and 2006 (I have the DVD’s). It was years ahead if its time. Lost is quite good fun but they have lost the plot a bit this series.

How do you relax?
When I am left to my own devices I like silence or a bit of opera, something like Tosca.

What job did you want to do when you were a child?
I wanted to be an astronaut or a train driver, most children of my age group aspired to these professions. I used to sit on my coal shed at night with a telescope looking up at the moon. I treasured my Fisher Space Pen, remember those?

Where would you like to go for your holidays?
I enjoy cities so regular holidays would be going to European cities like Florence, Milan or Barcelona. It would be fantastic to visit the world’s emblematic man-made structures too, such as the Pyramids and the ancient Inca site of Machu Picchu in Peru.

Your idea of heaven?
It would be the very earthly experience of walking the dogs in the woods on a nice spring or autumn day.

What famous people would you invite around for dinner and why?
The theoretical physicist Robert Oppenheimer who is remebered for being the father of the atomic bomb. He headed the team that first tested the bomb in the Trinity test in New Mexico. Oppenheimer famously quoted the Bhagavad Gita: “If the radiance of a thousand suns were to burst at once into the sky, that would be like the splendor of the mighty one. Now I am become Death, the destroyer of worlds.” He did loads of other work that isn’t as well known such as research into black holes and quantum field theories.

Favourite animal?
I have two of them. Two Dalmatians, twin sisters Flash and Leica.

Biggest fear?
Trading my clogs in… It puts everything else into perspective…

The world’s most irritating invention?
Badly spelt text messages, Txt spk.

What is your idea of a good night in?
A big fire, a good film and a half decent bottle of red wine.

Do you have a hobby?
I have never understood the idea of hobbies. What my wife and I do now is part of our lives and who we are. I don’t have the need for anything to fill my time.

Which period in history would you most like to have lived through?
This one. It would be tempting to say in the past to meet people like Leonardo da Vinci but then again when you think of the open sewers, pestilence, plague and famine. No thanks…

World’s most useful invention?
Moveable type and the printing press. These gave us mass produced books and the dissemination of information.

What do you have for breakfast?
Toast if there’s time…

What couldn’t you live without?
If it’s things you are talking about, they are very over rated. I think it’s more important to have an understanding of people. That is where inspiration comes from.