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March 2009

News

A Day of Pre-Parade Ceremonies

Highway Patrol Officer Richard Decoatsworth

Philadelphia Highway Patrol Officer Richard Decoatsworth receives his Ring of Honor sash from Kathy McGee Burns of the parade committee, while the other Ring recipients--families of slain officers--applaud.

When the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade kicks off on Sunday, March 15, one of the first banners to come down the Parkway holds the names of seven Philadelphia police officers killed in the line of duty in the past three years.

The theme of this year’s parade is “St. Patrick, Guide Us to Peace and Prosperity,” particularly apt for these times in the city.

Their families were honored by the parade committee on Thursday, March 12, at a luncheon at the Doubletree Hotel on Broad Street, following ceremonies at City Hall during which Mayor Nutter proclaimed March “Irish Month,” in the city.

March 12, 2009 by
News, People

Get Your St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast and Help a Great Cause

When Patrick Kerr passed away in 2002 at the age of 15, he had only just finished his freshman year at Roman Catholic. But, says his mother Liz Kerr, Patrick had already set down deep roots in Roman. On St. Patrick’s Day, his family will pay tribute to his memory by hosting an Irish breakfast at the Center City restaurant Fado, with proceeds to benefit a scholarship fund in his name at the big school on North Broad.

“He really loved Roman,” says Kerr, “so we try to keep the connection to that school.”

The Kerrs are already well known for helping to establish another—and altogether unique—scholarship. The Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship helps defray college tuition for high-achieving students who are also notable advocates for skateboarding. Patrick himself had already established quite a name for himself as an activist on behalf of skateboarding. In a tragic irony, the young man slipped under the wheels of a truck while skateboarding in Jenkintown.

The Kerrs are well-known Hibernians—Liz and her husband helped found AOH Division 25 for Cardinal Dougherty alumni eight years ago. Liz is on the Philadelphia board. Consequently, the Fado benefit is an AOH-managed affair all the way, and the two annual student beneficiaries of $1,000 scholarships are traditionally Hibernians themselves, or from Hibernian families. Most of the winners, she says, have come from the Patrick Kerr Division of the AOH at Roman Catholic.

“This is the fourth year, maybe the fifth year in a row, for the benefit,” says Liz. “It was done through John Reilly and Tom McCourt at AOH Division 1. They talked to Fado about it. Fado has just been so good to us these past few years. They’re even talking about going national with it, to try to institute a fund-raising breakfast in all of their restaurants.”

Local AOH volunteers also help raise money for the scholarship throughout the rest of the year, with events such as beef and beer benefits and a big half-ball tournament. And some funds come from abroad. “We get donations from Belfast,” she says. “My husband (Pearse) is from Belfast and his brother has a pub called the Farmer’s Inn, and they do fund-raising as well.”

But the showcase fund-raiser is the St. Patrick’s morning traditional breakfast at Fado. “It does really well,” Liz says. They turn over everything. Anyone who comes in for the breakfast, they turn it over to Roman; it’s funded a lot of kids now.”

Unlike a lot of the events on St. Patrick’s Day, which can be raucous, beer-soaked affairs even in the early hours of the day, the breakfast at Fado (15th & Locust) is comparatively subdued—and the people who dine on traditional Irish delicacies like it that way.

“It’s just such a nice way to start St. Patrick’s Day,” says Liz. “It’s really low key, more traditional, like what you’d find in Ireland. The fireplace is going, and the music is quiet in the background.”

You can get your fill of sausage and eggs and help a good cause. The breakfast starts at 8 and lasts ‘til 11. The price is $15.99.

March 11, 2009 by
News

Second Parade Fundraiser Draws 700

CBS3 meterologist Kathy Orr gives an early weather report. The parade is broadcast every year on the local CBS station and the CW.

CBS3 meterologist Kathy Orr gives an early weather report. The parade is broadcast every year on the local CBS station and the CW.

As he looked out from the stage at the 700-some people who paid $25 each for a buffet and a side order of Celtic rockers, Blackthorn, at the Springfield Country Club on Sunday, Michael Bradley grabbed the mike and said, “We’re doing it right.”

Although the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day parade director had gone head-to-head with the city over its request for an additional $40,000 to pay for police, barricades, stands and clean-up—something the city donated to the event in previous years—he wasn’t waiting for someone to cave. With Philadelphia facing a billion dollar deficit over the next five years and the parade only a month away when the new bill came in, there wasn’t time for a protracted stand-off. And Bradley wasn’t about to call off the parade, one of the oldest in the country.

So everyone rolled up their sleeves and planned fundraisers—the quiet kind, where one or two people approached the generous high-rollers in the region, and the high-profile kind that mixed music and raffle tickets and 50-50s and food. The effort got its first boost when Brian Tierney, CEO of Philadelphia Newspapers Inc, publishers of the financially troubled Philadelphia Inquirer and Daily News, offered to match the first $20,000 raised.

And it’s coming in—in small bills and large checks (on Sunday, Ed Last of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick, handed over a check for $1,000 from the organization, the second four-figure donation the group made to the parade). Bradley won’t talk about how much money the parade committee has raised until there’s a final tally, but he says it’s going well.

If you couldn’t be there, check out our huge photo essay. And send your tax-deductible contributions to:

St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association
PO Box 32158
Philadelphia, PA 19146

Watch the Cara School dancers performing while Blackthorn plays.

March 11, 2009 by
News, People

Gael Scoil 2009

 

Irish baking got a rise out of the students.

Irish baking got a rise out of the students.

By Tom Slattery

Building on the success of its initial entry into the realm of education, that of Irish cultural education for youth from 7 to 17, AOH Division 10 of Trenton, New Jersey, just completed its second Annual Gael Scoil.

Gael Scoil is Gaelic for Irish School. Held over the weekend of February 28 and March 1, the second class built on the success of of the 2008 venture and set a standard for future years. Last year Division President John Walsh stated that the Gael Scoil would be the Division’s signature event, and this year’s success was testament to the seriousness of that statement and Division 10’s commitment to make it happen..

The original committee returned intact but with one important addition, Gerry O’Rahilly. Gerry brought with him not only an intimate knowledge of computers which he translated into a clarification of the school’s logo, professional stationery, brochures and posters, but also that key commodity that escapes so many cultural organizations, youth and its enthusiasm. You better believe us older cats took advantage of this and worked even harder, and sometimes even smarter.

We learned a lot last year and so incorporated some new classes while rearranging some others. We also learned that the end of June was not the best time as we were up against vacations and other sports camps, so we took advantage of a rare open weekend in the Notre Dame High School schedule and switched the class to the start of the St. Patrick season. With the luck of the Irish we finished up about 12 hours ahead of the season’s worst snowfall.

Knowing that T-shirts, great for summer, would not work in winter, we voted on giving the kids “hoodies,” which looked like a budget-breaker until Joe Bradley and Mick McCabe combined to “make it happen.” We realized that the economy might prevent some from being able to attend and so we set up a sponsor program, which several organizations supported. Through this we grew attendance from 17 to 26, a 50 percent increase.

Two sessions we added were Irish Baking and Irish Movies. Baking was a wild success because of the four “bakers” from the Ladies Division 10. This was a true hands-on class that the kids loved. Their efforts were baked and then wrapped during the next few classes so that they all had their own loaf of soda bread to take home, along with the recipe. Since one of my grandsons attended, I can vouch for his “cake” which we had for dinner. In the Movies session we had to cut the time short, but the limited viewing of “Into the West” drew so many questions, we know it is a “keeper” session.

Aware that February 28 was not the best of times to learn Gaelic football outdoors, we came up with an alternative, which turned out even better. Pat Trainor, the local GAA Development Officer, started the Scoil off with a professional PowerPoint presentation with added film clips of Gaelic Football, and followed with a Q&A session which drew great participation. He also left a GAA football to be raffled among the students. Both Daltai and the Carrolls, Mark and Tim, built on their 2008 success in Language and Musical Instruments respectively, while filling longer time slots. The musical instruments covered were the harp, fiddle, bodhran, Irish pipes and dulcimer.

Jim McFarland gave a PowerPoint presentation in geography, which included a hand-out of all his pictures in a folder. Other topics which were all well received included history (Tom Slattery), dance (Joanne Connell Knox of DeNogla), songs (Tom Glover), highland bagpipes (Marty and Ian Ferrick), and storytelling (Tom Slattery).

There are so many that helped make this event a success. First, there is the staff of Notre Dame High School in Lawrenceville, N.J., who allow us the use of one of the first-class venues in the area. Once again Mary Yeaple from York helped us with the county flags. This year she only had to lend us four since the Set of 32 which Division 10 had purchased came in, but missing four. John McKenna, a personal trainer at Notre Dame, again provided the expertise in meeting state and local filings and was the required on-site medical person. The committee consisting of Division 10 members Mick McCabe, John Walsh, Jerry McGuire, Gerry O’Rahilly and Don Carroll along with Trenton Division 1 member, Jim McFarland, and myself met pretty much weekly since October. Also, kudos to our bakers Patty Walsh, Maggie Connell, Philomena McCabe and June Balaz. June did double duty as a monitor throughout the two-day program.

Financial assistance came from McCabe Concrete Foundation LLC, who sponsored the “hoodies,” CCC Celt, who sponsored five students, Niall Brady whose generous donation helped to cover lunches, morning coffee and donuts, as well as a couple of kids. Sons & Daughters of Erin and AOH 1 Trenton each sponsored a student. George Zienowicz of Na Bodach once again provided us with a great entrance sign.

With three students from Philadelphia and one from Lower Bucks County we now realize that Philly and even Delaware County are not that far away. After all Notre Dame is only two miles south of Exit 7A (Route 206) of I95. Therefore we will try harder to attract more students from these areas next year. Without recruiting additional teachers, I feel we will be able to handle a maximum of 50 students in 2010. This is a very reachable number, so if you are interested either in sponsoring or sending a student next year, please let us know either through www.aohdiv10.org or 609 587-3208. Check the AOH website as well as Irish Philadelphia to see our 2010 Gael Scoil weekend date.

March 10, 2009 by
News

Luck of the Irish Shines Down on Mount Holly

This young lady evidently received the shamrock memo.

This young lady evidently received the shamrock memo.

Hard to believe it was the same place. In Mount Holly on Saturday, St. Patrick’s Day parade-goers were happily waltzing up and down High Street in shorts and T-shirts—with the salt and cinders from the preceding Monday’s big snowstorm still fresh on the road.

Talk about the luck of the Irish.

Here and there, patches up snow persisted in some of the shadier places, but otherwise it was officially spring in Mount Holly. It might have been the best day they’ve ever had—a perfect day for taking in the pipers, Irish dancers and paddy rock bands on floats as they made their way down through the center of town.

It might also have been the best crowd we’ve seen in the five years of the parade, too, and they were decked out in their finest St. Patrick’s Day regalia—but you can see for yourself. We took lots of pictures.

March 10, 2009 by
People

Conshy Grand Marshal Has a Strong Record of Service

Reine "Rae" Marie DiSpaldo.

Reine "Rae" Marie DiSpaldo.

By Pete Hand

Reine “Rae” Marie DiSpaldo has been selected as the Grand Marshal of the Montgomery County St. Patrick’s Day Parade. The parade will be held on March 14, 2009. in Conshohocken and is hosted by the Montgomery County Saint Patrick’s Parade, Inc. This organization is made up of the members of the AOH, LAOH and friends of the Notre Dame Divisions of Montgomery County.

Rae was born February 7, 1948, in Norristown to Howard and Rita Johnson, who are members of the A.O.H. and L.A.O.H. Notre Dame Division. Their Irish ancestry can be traced back to the counties of Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal, and Brandon Bay in Ireland. As a family, the Johnsons have supported and promoted the mission of the Hibernians and have been a consistent presence in the Irish community.

Rae attended St. Patrick’s elementary school and graduated in 1965 from Bishop Kenrick High School in Norristown. Rae is a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She and her husband John have three children: her oldest son Joseph, his wife Gladys, daughter Leah, her husband Greg and son Gabriel and her youngest, Jake. For the past 21 years, Rae has worked as an administrative assistant at Women’s Health Care Specialists in King of Prussia. Through her involvement with her parish and school community, Rae epitomizes the Christian spirit and demonstrates to her children the importance of service to others. She continues to participate in community services through the Delaware Valley Reading Association by reading to children at affairs sponsored by the Elmwood Park Zoological Society.

Since 1992, Rae has been an active member of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians and has worked hard to enhance the organization and expand its mission beyond Montgomery County. She has held every position on the board, and set a new precedent for both the LAOH and AOH Notre Dame Division when she became the first member to hold an elected position at the state level. But, perhaps most admirable is the work she did as county president. In her term, Rae reorganized the county division, re-energized its members, encouraged and solicited more member involvement and helped to promote the implementation of two new county divisions.

She continues to work hard on behalf of events sponsored by the AOH and LAOH, such as the Irish Festival, Veterans’ Day Ceremony and Home Association gatherings. Whenever called on to be of service, whether it is serving, setting up, lecturing, or promoting, Rae answers the call. She is an original member of the Parade Committee, where she currently serves as secretary. Each year she organizes the Grand Marshal’s Ball and celebrates with those honored with the Marshal title by putting forth the extra effort to make each Marshal feel special.

March 10, 2009 by
Arts, Music

Danu Dazzles at Zellerbach

There was a moment, just after intermission at their concert Saturday night, when members of the Irish band Danú took to the Zellerbach Theatre stage wearing the kinds of tacky Irish hats you might otherwise see on the street at the Wildwood Irish Festival.

The stunt got a good laugh and they proceeded to play a set of tunes while wearing the headgear—picture box player Benny McCarthy with a tatty leprechaun beard and guitarist Donal Clancy with an undersized green plastic derby. And that’s as green-beer Irish as the band was ever going to get as they presented two hours of solidly traditional Irish music, played with passion and consummate skill.

Zellerbach certainly is capable of handling large crowds, but the theatre somehow comes across as small and cozy. Consequently, the concert at times felt more like an intimate Irish music session—albeit played by musicians who are among the best in their field.

Lead singer Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh was in great voice. Her strong, smoky alto stands in contrast to the breathy sopranos who seem to front most other bands. She knows how to deliver a song, from the sublime (Tommy Sands’ “The County Down”) to the wonderfully ridiculous (“Only 19 Years Old,” a tale of regret told from the standpoint of a young man whose blushing bride turns out to have more in common with the Bride of Frankenstein).

Nic Amhlaoibh also is a master of the flute and whistle, and she gamely jumped between one and the other all night.

Of course, all of the members of Danú are acknowledged masters. Along with Clancy and McCarthy, bouzouki player Eamon Doorley and fiddler Oisin McAuley (brilliant on a “Breton Lullabye”) all provided shining moments.

Sitting in on bodhran was Glaswegian Martin O’Neill. His solo was mind-blowing.

A superb, sure-handed performance by all.

March 10, 2009 by
Columns, How to Be Irish in Philly

How To Be Irish in Philly This Week

Well, you know it’s St. Paddy’s month now. The “Erin Express”—Philly’s 30-year-old pub crawl—leaves for the first time this year on Saturday at noon. Ten buses will take revelers to some of the city’s best Irish pubs and you don’t need a reservation or a ticket. Check our calendar for participating establishments, and drink responsibly.

The first of the region’s parades steps off the curb on Saturday—Mount Holly, NJ’s march is expected to be the biggest ever.

And here’s the rest of the lineup for Saturday:

•Conshohocken will hold its parade grand marshal’s ball in Jeffersonville.
•Queen of Peace Parish in Ardsley has scheduled its annual Irish night fundraiser.
•Sean nos singer Terry Kane and her partner John Beatty will be performing at Porter’s Pub in Easton, part of the Celtic Cultural Alliance’s Celtic music nights.
•Incredible harper Grainne Hambley and her musical partner William Jackson will perform at Calvary Church in Philadelphia.
•Solas is appearing at the Appel Farm Arts and Music Center in Elmer, NJ
•Gloucester County Div. 1 AOH is holding its St. Patrick’s Day party at Richard Rossiter in National Park, NJ.
•Danu is appearing at the Annenberg Center.
• Frank McCourt’s “The Irish and How They Got That Way” is in the beginning of a four-week run at The Kimmel Center.

Then, on Sunday:
Head over to the Springfield Country Club to hear Blackthorn—they’re playing a fundraiser for the Philly St. Paddy’s Day Parade, which came up $40,000 short in the city’s budget crunch.
Before you go, fortify yourself with a full Irish breakfast spread laid out by AOH Div. 22 at Smoke Eater’s Pub—it too is a fundraiser for the parade and other AOH charities.

The rest of the week:

• Scottish group Malinky will appear at the Bethlehem BrewWorks, a fundraiser for the Celtic Cultural Alliance, on Tuesday night.
• Folklorist and musician Mick Moloney will give a musical talk on Jewish and Irish collaborations in Vaudeville and early Tin Pan Alley at the Falvey Library Lounge at Villanova on Tuesday night. The following night, Gerald Dawe, Heimbold professor of Irish studies, will give a talk and reading.
• On Thursday morning, the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick will hold its annual wreath laying ceremony at City Hall, and Mayor Michael Nutter will read a proclamation marking St. Patrick’s Day in the city. A luncheon follows, and Ring of Honor winners, including Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey and District Attorney Lynne Abraham and families of slain Philadelphia police officers will be honored.
• In York, Barleyjuice will be performing on Thursday night, and in Borders in Springfield, golf writer Tom Coyne, author of “A Course Called Ireland,” about his own personal golf tour and genealogy trip to Ireland, will do a book signing.
• AOH Div. 1 in Swedesburg has its annual Irish Coffee Contest on the schedule for Thursday night—it’s always a lot of fun, and there’s a two-time winner that’s facing some steep challenges this year.
• Also on Thursday, Black 47 will raise the roof at the World Café Live, the second “Rambling House” evening of entertainment will be happening at the Irish Center, and Cathie Ryan will be performing at the Montgomery County Community College in a benefit for victims of domestic violence served by the Women’s Center of Montgomery County.
• Friday’s lineup: Bell X1 at the World Café Live, the coronation of the King and Queen of the Allentown Parade, Flogging Molly in Atlantic City, a benefit party sponsored by the American Ireland Fund’s Young Leaders of Philadelphia, and Burning Bridget Cleary burning it up in Spinnerstown.

Next weekend it’s the big Philadelphia St. Paddy’s Day Parade, and much, much more.

March 5, 2009 by