For More Information
Contact: Becky McClarran
301-724-2450
becky@mcclarranwilliams.com

CUMBERLAND CELEBRATES IRISH HERITAGE

Cumberland – March is Irish-American Heritage month and Cumberland will be celebrating throughout the month beginning with the Hooley Plunge two-day event, March 4 -5.

The Holiday Inn in Downtown Cumberland kicks off the celebration with the Hooliday Inn’s It’s Good to Be Irish party on Friday, March 4, 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. There will be a $5 cover charge which will be added to the Hooley Plunge’s donation to the Allegany County Special Olympics and other programs for the developmentally disabled.

Leading the party revelry will be the popular Shanty Irish, a ten-member Irish pub band based in Allegany County. The group brings the lively music of the pubs of Ireland to its audience and propagating its unique blend of mirth and merriment. “Shanty Irish” was used to describe the poorest of the poor Irish immigrants, the kind who ended up in shanty town. The origin of the word “shanty” is unknown but it might come from the Irish “sean ti”, meaning old house. The group members include Mike Burkey, lead vocalist, pennywhistler and bodhranner; Tommy Dunn, Irish tenor and harmonicist; Stephen Owens, vocalist, strings, guitarist, banjo player and accordionist; Gil Hocker, vocalist, penny whistler, illean piper and accordionist; Denis Reen, vocalist, penny whistler and illean piper; Jim Moen, vocalist, fiddler and mandolinist; Ron Leaf, vocalist and guitarist; Paul Douthitt, vocalist and upright bassist; Vic Ward, soundman; and Michael Owens, sound technician.

The seventh annual Hooley Plunge will be held on Saturday, March 5 at Rocky Gap State Park. Last year’s Plunge saw nearly 600 participants jump in the chilly waters of Lake Habeeb and raise over $91,000 for the Special Olympics of Allegany County and other local programs for the developmentally disabled including Boy Scout Troop #89, Friends’ Aware, Allegany Public Schools and Bishop Walsh SLE programs and Frostburg State University. “Every year we see more and more people coming out and either taking the Plunge or cheering on their friends and family. It’s incredibly rewarding to see our community come out, have fun and support a worthy cause,” commented Dr. Sean McCagh, Hooley Plunge founder. “We’re very fortunate to have the support and hard work of the Alhambra Wamba Caravan #89 who coordinate the event, the staff and management of Rocky Gap State Park, and really, the entire community.” Hooley Plunge registration kicks off at 10 a.m. and the Plunge takes place at 1 p.m. Jim Van with GO106 will serve as master of ceremonies. Hannah and Trucker from WFRB and Tim Martin and Rhonda Keefer with GO106 will be doing live remotes throughout the day.

For more information or a registration form, visit www.hooleyplunge.com or on facebook at 2011 Hooley Plunge.

Superintendent to Participate in Hooley Plunge

BOARD OF EDUCATION OF ALLEGANY COUNTY
NEWS RELEASE

For Further Information Contact: 
Mia Perlozzo Cross, Public Relations Specialist
Phone: 301-759-2092
Fax:  301-759-2039
Email:  Mia.Cross@acps.k12.md.us  

*Release Date:  Immediately

Superintendent of Schools to “Take the Plunge” on Saturday
Dr. David Cox Lends His Support by Participating in Annual Hooley Plunge

Dr. David Cox, superintendent of Allegany County Public Schools, plans to participate in the 2010 Hooley Plunge on Saturday, March 6, 2010, at Rocky Gap in support of the Allegany County Special Olympics and the local developmentally disabled.  Last year’s plunge raised more than $90,000, which was used to fund the Special Olympics, Boy Scout Troop 89, YMCA Camp Bright Star, and numerous ACPS SLE programs.  This year’s plunge hopes to exceed $100,000. 

A number of teachers, coaches, and student groups in the ACPS system have participated in the Hooley Plunge each year, and this year is no different.  Cheerleaders, football, soccer, and baseball players, mock trial and National Honor Society members, student government groups and more will join the superintendent in the icy waters of Lake Habeeb to help raise money for Allegany County programs for developmentally disabled individuals. 

According to Hooley Plunge chairman, Sean McCagh, “We have had tremendous support from the teachers, coaches, and students every year.  And it continues to grow.  I am personally thrilled that Dr. Cox is proving that good leadership starts from the top down.”  He went on to say, “ACPS students made up the vast majority of plungers at last year’s event.”

The superintendent is excited to participate in his first plunge.  “I am looking forward to joining our ACPS students and staff members for such a great cause that so directly benefits our kids in SLE programs.  The water will be cold, but our hearts will most certainly be warm.”  Of the more than $90,000 raised last year, $20,000 was allocated to the public school system’s SLE programs to fund computers, instructional supplies and equipment, and fieldtrips at nine different schools.