Midland Arts and Culture Magazine - Register.ie

Midland Arts and Culture Magazine | SUMMER 2012BeeliciousRecipes for KidsDolores Keaveney writes about thepublication of her fifth book for children -Beelicious Recipes using Honey.“If you had said to me three years agothat I would have become an authorand illustrator of children’s books, Iwould not have believed you. So, thisreally confirms my belief that you neverknow what is around the bend. I havebeen an amateur artist for the past 35years, starting as a beginner at a nightclass and I continued to paint forpleasure. It was a great way for me tochill out and to express myself in mypaintings. I loved painting flowers and Ireally made this my painting choice.Then, a few years back I decided totrain as therapist but I found full timework very restricting and missed thefreedom to paint and garden at will andso I took a break. My interest in thehealing and spiritual side of lifecontinued and continues unabated andit was during this ‘down’ time that I gotthe inspiration to write the poemsabout the bees. I had lots of paintingsof flowers completed and I took thepoems and the flowers and put themtogether and I had the makings of abook. I self published this book in2009 and have produced three moresince then.Just when I thought I would be retiring awhole new career has opened up infront of me, which I am hugely excitedabout leaving me full of confidence andexpectation about the future.I am a grandmother with threewonderful children and five beautifulgrandchildren and I have to say that mygrandchildren are my inspiration; theyare full of life and they really havebrought out the child in me.Self-publishing is not for the fainthearted. You need great stamina to godown that route. I spent hours andhours on my computer looking up waysthat I could promote my book. In fact, Isuppose, you could say it took almosttwo years before I was ready to publishmy first book. With a lot of hard workand determination I think I am gettingthere.Writing books is a bit addictive becausewhen you have one written, then youwant another and another. Financiallyyou will not make a great deal out of it,but it is very satisfying.”LaunchMullingar woman Dolores launchedchildren’s cookbook Beelicious Recipesusing Honey in Red Earth, Mullingar inApril.The colourfully illustrated book drawstogether many of the skills Dolores hasgarnered over the years. BeeliciousRecipes using Honey is a simplecookbook for small children containinghoney recipes gathered from family andfriends.Learn how to bake simple scones, bunsand banana bread along with manyother tasty snacks using the magicingredient, honey. All of the recipes inthis book with the exception of four areones which her daughter-in-law Hilaryand her grandchildren Ellie, Greg, Maland Will have tried and tested manytimes. Ellie and her Mum along withGreg and Mal bake daily in theirbeautiful kitchen which Ellie callsButtercup Bakery, and Will and Ali cookbuns regularly.Ellie her granddaughter has handwritten some of the recipes andDolores said: “I think this adds greatcharm to the book.”here is an addedbonus in the book - lots of informationabout the bee! Dolores added: “I hopethat the recipes will be enjoyed bychildren and their parents and that theywill give joy to everyone who uses themand that the book helps promote one ofmy favourite insects the amazing bee!”Beelicious Recipes using Honey isavailable in bookshops and costs€9.99. You can also purchase any ofDolores’ books atwww.doloreskeaveney.com MBusiness of the Yearawards recognisesimportance of arts projectsThe Midlands Gateway Chamber of Commerce has announced thelaunch of The MidlandsIreland.ie Best in Business Awards 2012,which is now in its second year.Pictured at the presentation of the Outstanding Business Award Plate, to Belvedere HouseGardens and Park, Mullingar, County Westmeath are: L-R Daniel McLoughlin, CountyManager, Westmeath County Council, Cllr Micheal Carrigy, Cathaoirleach, Midland RegionalAuthority; Bartle D’Arcy, General Manager, Belvedere House, Gardens and Park (AwardWinner) Ray Byrne, President, Midlands Gateway Chamber, Martin Daly, Director, MidlandRegional Authority. Pic: Ger Rogers/HR PhotoSUBMISSIONS:4The President of the Midlands GatewayChamber, Ray Byrne, said: “This year’scompetition is bigger and better. Wehave added two new award categoriesand included the chambers of commercefrom the entire midland region of Offaly,Westmeath, Laois and Longford.”The awards categories are:• Emerging New Business Award• Best Multi National Business Award• Business Person of the Year Award• Outstanding Business Award• Best Cultural Tourism Business Award• Green Initiative Award• Retail Excellence Award• Lifetime Achievement Award, Athlone• Midlands Gateway ChamberAmbassador AwardThe Best Cultural Tourism awardrecognises the huge importance of thearts projects, festivals, centres,theatres, studios, galleries, hotels,exhibition and convention centres,country house properties and therestaurant sector of the cultural tourismindustry which operate from or arebased in any of the four MidlandsCounties of Offaly, Westmeath, Laoisand Longford.Ray continued: “These awards aim torecognise and promote excellence andinnovation in the regional businesscommunity and the judging panel plays apivotal role in the Awards programme.”“There is a rigorous judging processinvolved, the first round of judginginvolves short-listing the entries down tofive in each category.”The first round judges were chosen fromdirect nomination from each of thechambers in the region. Business peoplefrom outside the region conduct thesecond round of judging; selecting thethree finalists in each category and thisdecision will be announced in June. Theoverall winner in each category asselected by the second round judgeswill then be revealed at theMidlandsIreland.ie Best in BusinessAwards to be held in the Hodson BayHotel, Thursday June, 21.Mary Kennedy will be master ofceremonies and over 450 key businesspersonnel from the region will bepresent along with a large mediacontingent.Tickets are on sale now and cost €75each for this black tie event, meal andwine included. If you wish to reservetickets please contact Midlands GatewayChamber, info@midlandsgatewaychamber.ieor phone Angela Rigney on086 3891675. MThe Gallery at Abbeyleix Library is inviting submissions from artists,photographers and sculptors who would like to book an exhibitionspace in the gallery for 2013.Please call in to the library to pick up an exhibition applicationform or download it at Gallery@Abbeyleix Library Application Form.Please also consult the guidelines for exhibiting in the galleryGallery@Abbeyleix Library Guidelines.