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They DID Dance Like Stars

It had everything you could have wanted from a star-studded evening worthy of the Red Carpet: Talented performers, beautiful costumes, and even a wardrobe malfunction.

Don’t expect anything titillating. It was only Pat Bourke’s Elvis wig that came off during his final dance number with Carmel Donaghy who, in her white halter top and peroxide-blond Marilyn wig, did a more than fair impression of the ‘50s bombshell.

Delco Gaels coach Pat Bourke as Elvis with partner, Carmel "Marilyn Monroe" Donaghy

By any measure, the Delaware County Gaels Gaelic sports organization’s “Dancing Like a Star” fundraiser last Friday at Springfield Country Club was a rousing success. With more than 700 people in attendance at $40 a person and votes for the eight dancing couples costing $1 a pop, it appeared to be the mother of all fundraisers, sure to spawn a few copycats in the coming months.

The 16 volunteer dancers started practicing in January—some five days a week—and it showed. There were a few stumbles, one or two feet got stomped, and there was the wig incident, but the evening showcased grit, determination, and some real talent.

We were there, had a ball, and took lots of photos so you can be there virtually yourself.

March 1, 2012 by
News

Second Streeters Get the Party Started

Johnny Doc, enjoying the day.

Johnny Doc, enjoying the day.

The Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day doesn’t march up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway until Sunday, March 11, but anybody familiar with the parade knows the fun all starts a lot earlier.

So it was on Sunday, when the Second Street Irish Society hosted a big fund-raiser for the parade at their headquarters down in the Pennsport section of Philadelphia.

Party-goers made their way up the steep wooden stairs to the Society’s cozy third floor, there to catch up with their friends—both the friends they see all the time and the friends they hang out with once a year for a few short but busy weeks in February and March. There was music, too, the band Clancy’s Pistols stirring things up with rebel tunes like “The Broad Black Brimmer of the IRA.”

The Society’s dancers took to the hardwood floor for a preview of the style they’ll show in the parade, followed by the Society’s pipes and drums band, whose drones probably shook a few bricks loose.

Grand Marshal John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty and parade officials showed up toward the end of the celebration, there to thank the Second Streeters for their generosity and hospitality.

Dougherty spoke few words, but managed to convey the spirit of the season: “Being Irish is more than St. Patrick’s Day, having a beer in an Irish pub or getting an Irish tattoo on your 16th birthday.” He urged the assembled guests to take pride in their heritage every day of the year.

We’re guessing you don’t need any further reminder.

We captured a bunch of photos from the fund-raiser. In the days and weeks leading up to March 11, look for more such celebrations.

February 24, 2012 by
News

Irish Anti-Defamation Group Has New Target

A storefront in NYC. Photo by iStockphoto.

Shamrocks may say Ireland to you, but does a drunk vomiting shamrocks? It apparently does to Urban Outfitters, a US company that started in Philadelphia in 1970 selling funky fashion and other products to the 18-30 crowd. It’s selling wearable merchandise with the image to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day.

The Philadelphia-based Irish Anti-Defamation Federation has set its sights on the company, which has several stores in Ireland. This week, Federation Chairman Timothy Wilson, in an email to members, said that he had “written to the CEO, sent him an email and sent an email to their customer service department,” demanding a public apology along with removal of the merchandise bearing the image.

This isn’t the first time Urban Outfitters crossed an ethnic line. In 2011, the Navajo Nation demanded that the company stop using the term “Navajo” for a line of products that included a liquor flask.  The company removed the name. They also voluntarily withdrew products including a t-shirt that read “Everyone Loves a Jewish Girl” surrounded by dollar signs, a Monopoly-style game called Ghettopoly, and a “Jesus Dress Up” game, after protests from various groups over the years. In 2006, they agreed not to sell sparkly handgun-shaped Christmas ornaments after the murder in Philadelphia of Police Officer Charles “Chuck” Cassidy.

Headquartered in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, the company has 140 stores in the US and abroad, and also operates Anthropologie, Free People, and Terrain.

Federation officers, including Wilson, will be on the “Come West Along the Road” Irish radio show with Marianne MacDonald on Sunday, February 26, at noon at WTMR 800AM where they’ll be talking about Urban Outfitters and other retailers whose merchandise they’re targeting in the region. Last year, the new organization went head-to-head with Spencer Gifts, picketing its stores which sell gag and risqué gifts the federation deemed offensive. (A check of their website finds that most of those products are back. “Drink all day and fight all night” is one of the few Irish-themed slogans that can be printed here. )

February 24, 2012 by
News, People

Grand Re-Opening

It's a party!

When the opportunity arose to expand the digs of the Irish Immigration Center in Upper Darby, the organization’s board had one question.

“We wanted to know how much was this going to cost us,” said board President Liam Hegarty on Friday night, at a “grand re-opening” party at the new, larger offices that have spread into what was once an adjoining apartment. “So, in the great Irish tradition, we looked for volunteers.”

They got plenty. Volunteer workers knocked down and rebuilt walls, laid flooring, patched, painted, and built a custom frame around a large map of

Ireland marked with family names that now dominates the room. “We could have had more people,” says Hegarty, as the 50-some guests milled around the center, enjoying homemade beef stew, Irish bread, and drinks in the meeting area, which can now accommodate several round tables—not to mention a band and even dancers.

The Center was founded in 1998 to meet the needs of the region’s Irish immigrants. Today, it provides a broad range of services, from legal advice on immigration issues to, once a new social worker arrives from Ireland, outreach to the area’s many seniors. Some of those seniors meet every Wednesday for lunch. A genealogy group also uses the center for monthly get-togethers. The Philadelphia Gaelic Athletic Association is also a regular “customer.”

Musician John Byrne—himself an immigrant from Dublin—brought band member Rob Shaffer to entertain for the evening. We have photos—check them out.

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February 23, 2012 by
Dance, News, People

They’re Dancing Like Stars!

Lisa Sweeney and Danny Conway trip the light fantastic.

In January, 16 people volunteered for a dance competition that would raise money for the Delaware County Gaels, the region’s largest Gaelic sports club. More than  200 young athletes–footballers and hurlers–travel all over the country and to Ireland to compete, which, as you can imagine, gets expensive.

Some of the 16 had danced before. Others suspected they might have two left feet. Some weren’t sure they had even one left foot. At least one didn’t really volunteer.

That would be Bob Albino. He was “volunteered” by his boss, whose sons play for the Delco Gaels.

“He texted me one night. ‘Hey, Bob, I signed you up for “Dancing Like a Star,’” said Albino, after a grueling couple of hours on Sunday cha-cha-ing at the studio of the Cara Irish Dancers in Drexel Hill. “After I found out what it was, I said whoa, I’m going to be the only Italian. He said, ‘You’re probably going to be the only one that’s not Irish.’”

As it turns out, he’s not. His partner is Latina. She’s Diana Garcia, an Herbalife distributor and fitness buff whom one competitor described as “born doing the cha cha.”

Albino, who works for the US Department of Defense in Philadelphia, said he was surprised—and yet not surprised—that his boss volunteered him. “He knew he could get a lot of people out here to watch me and he was right. We have 25 people coming,” laughed Albino. “They just want to razz me.”

They’ll be joining about 700 more people who paid $40 a ticket for dinner and dancing—someone else’s dancing. The “Dance Like a Star” event, hosted by CBS3’s Jim Donvan, is Friday night, February 24, at the Springfield Country Club, and it is sold out. Not one ticket left. And dancers are encouraging friends, family and even strangers to vote for them online—each vote costs $1. That pretty much assures that the kids are going to Chicago this year for the Continental Youth Athletic Games championships. More than 100 players competed in the event, held in Boston last year, and the under-14 footballers brought home a trophy. The Gaels have also traveled to Ireland for the Feilie Na nGael, a competition for boys and girls under 14, sponsored by the Gaelic Athletic Association.

The competitors, who have had professional training since the practices began in January, come from all walks of life. Kilkenny-born Enda Keegan, for example, is a musician who spends most of the week in New York where he’s a fixture in the Irish music scene. Keegan ought to have an edge. His wife is a professional dancer in Philadelphia. Has she helped him? “She could be God and it wouldn’t help me dancing,” admitted Keegan with a laugh. His saving grace, he said, is that he’s paired with Siobhan Lyons, executive director of the Irish Immigration Center of Philadelphia, who has ballet training. “She’s good and she’s helping me out,” he said.

If you frequent Cawley’s Pub in Upper Darby, you may have seen Chuck Cawley behind the bar, practicing his moves. “I’ve been cha-cha-ing everywhere,” said Cawley, who admits his dancing experience is largely limited to weddings. On Friday night, he’ll have a bus waiting at Cawley’s on West Chester Pike to transport the throngs coming to root for him and his partner, Lisa McAteer. McAteer admitted that, like Cawley, she too dances everywhere. “I think my fiancé is getting sick of the music,” she said, laughing. “I’ll be doing it when I go into the shower. He hears the banging and he knows I ran out of room!”

Karen Boyce McCollum is juggling and dancing at the same time. She’s juggling three children and a fulltime job in the communications department of a major Philadelphia pharmaceutical firm with as many as five nights of dance practice with her partner, Delco Gaels assistant coach Gabriel Brogan. “I’m doing this because my nieces and nephews play for the Delco Gaels, not because I have tons of extra time,” she admitted. “You have to know the people running this. They are all good people. They always have treats for us when we practice on Sunday. Donuts or lunch. Nothing really good for our cha-cha outfits.”

Though “Dancing With the Stars” contestants seems to lose more weight than the competitors on “The Biggest Loser,” McCollum said that despite dancing most days of the week, she hasn’t lost an ounce. “Is it because they bring us donuts every week—I’m not sure,” she joked.

All the contestants have one warning for the audience: Don’t expect Astaire and Rodgers. Don’t even expect Jerry Springer and Kym Johnson, considered by many the worst pairing ever on TV’s Dancing with the Stars.

But at least one thinks many of the competitors sell themselves short. “It’s been amazing watching the transformation since January,” said Siobhan Lyons. “If you saw everyone on the first day, we were a mess. Now, everyone can dance.”

 

Check out the competitors in our photo essay. 

February 23, 2012 by
News, People

Johnny They Really Know Ye

John Dougherty marching in a past parade.

By Kathy McGee Burns

I’ve known John Dougherty, business manager of IBEW Local 98 and this year’s Grand Marshal of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade, for many years. I’ve interviewed him many times and admire him greatly, so I’ve decided to leave the kind words to his friends.

When Parade Director Michael Bradley nominated the man everyone knows as “Doc,” he submitted a very succinct, business-like list of reasons that led the board to elect him unanimously. Here’s what Michael Bradley wrote about Doc:

1. His grandparents were Irish-born and he has nurtured the Irish traditions
2. He supports virtually every benefit involving the Irish community
3. He has been honored by the Delaware Valley Irish Hall of Fame
4. He was a founding member of the Irish Memorial
5. He was honored by Maynooth College for his support of Irish seminarians
6. He and his union are lead sponsors of the parade
7. His strong presence has brought our parade to a new level of excellence
8. He has never sought the limelight
9. John Dougherty sets a good example for us to follow
10. He is a Treasure in the Irish community and best of all, he is one of us and we love him!

Here’s what others have to say about this year’s Grand Marshal:

Ed McBride, friend, neighbor, coach, manager of the Edward O’Malley Athletic Association, Philadelphia
John grew up with my sons, Ed and Dan. They played football together. I coached John when he was a skinny 75-pounder from age 8 to 15. This all took place at the EOM Athletic facility in South Philly. John Dougherty became a major factor in Philadelphia, a lightening rod! He is a great family man, a great church man, and a great Irishman. He does the right thing for the right motives. He get things done and doesn’t want recognition. If we had more people like John Dougherty, we’d be much better off. This is the best choice.

Mick Treacy, neighbor and friend
John is a true gentleman. His hand has touched every Irish event. I’ve been his neighbor and friend for some 25 years. When sickness hit the Treacy family, John Dougherty was very kind to us. He is the finest Irish American I’ve ever met.”

Bobby Henon, Philadelphia City Councilman
John Dougherty has built his life and career around helping people. His mantra is, ‘You never forget where you come from if you never leave’. He took a near bankrupt business and with creativity, work ethic and vision built it up to a billion dollar enterprise with a brand. Local 98 is the fabric of Philadelphia. His financial stability and political power is used to help people who need it. He believes in giving it all back. He is my family. Once, after having surgery, I opened my eyes and they were all there; my Mom, Dad, my wife, and John. I think that being the Grand Marshal will be one of John’s most proudful days….a singlemost honor which will be held in the highest regard. He is Irish 365 days of the year, 24/7. To know John is to love him. Philadelphia is a better place because of John Dougherty’s commitment and service.

Bob Gessler, founder of the Hibernian Hunger Project and first vice president of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Observance Committee
Any man who starts out a speech with “I am Irish, I am Catholic, I am Union–and proud of it!” is the kind of man that I want to lead the parade. John Dougherty has a complete commitment to Irish America. He is ready, willing and able to help anyone. He does it citywide, in many ways that no one knows about. John Dougherty is a family man, neighborhood man and a Philadelphian. He is the ‘go-to guy’ who came up through Irish roots. When they were talking about the Irish Memorial, people said, too ethnic, not the right ethnic, scale it down’…Not John! He fundraised, did the original site work and involved the other trade unions. He got it done!

Bill Green, Jr., Philadelphia City Councilman
John Dougherty is a force for good in so many ways in Philadelphia. His charitable works whether it be Magee Rehabilitation or the Variety Club has reached thousand upon thousand of lives in our city. He is truly worthy of this recognition and I am proud to call him a friend.

Bill Green, Sr. Former Mayor of Philadelphia
John Dougherty as grand marshal is really a terrific choice. He is proud of his heritage and I look forward to seeing John lead the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Parade.”

Kevin Dougherty, Administrative Judge, Family Court, John Dougherty’s brother
How do I feel about having John Dougherty as my brother? Well, he’s just my big brother. He has never changed. The way he is today is the way he’s always been. Genuine! His heart is bigger than his body. When I was a law student and he was a struggling union apprentice with a young family, he would send me care packages, maybe $25, or food…always addressed to Kevin Dougherty, Esq., with a note of encouragment. John has the patience of my Dad and the assertiveness of Mom. He shares their hearts. He aspires to inspire. He doesn’t realize the impact he has! And at the end of the day…I love him.

Gerry Adams TD, Sinn Féin President, Northern Ireland
John, a chara, comhgairdheas / congratulations on your election as Grand Marshall of the Philadelphia St Patrick’s Day Parade for 2012.

It is an honour well deserved for your record of working for the rights and wellbeing of your members and for the whole community. Let me take this opportunity to thank you and the members of Local 98 for your support and help over the years. Your commitment to freedom, justice and peace in Ireland has helped us to move forward towards our goal of Irish unity and independence.

As you head the St Patrick’s Day Parade in that great city of Philadelphia ,I know that our friend, the late, great Mike Doyle, will be with you in spirit.

So to you and all our friends who will be proudly marching with you on March 11th, have a great St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Bain sult as an lá! Is mise le meas, Gerry Adams

As for me, it will be one of my proudest moments as President of this great Parade when I put the Grand Marshal sash on John Dougherty.

Kathy McGee Burns is president of the Philadelphia St. Patrick’s Day Observance Association.

February 16, 2012 by
News, People

Remembering Shane Kelly

Kelly Flite spread out her fingers to show off her nails. They were painted white, and each carried one letter of the name of her childhood friend, Shane Kelly.

“My brother always joked with him that if he married me, I’d be Kelly Kelly,” she said, laughing. “We grew up like brother and sister. He was an all-round great guy, the jokester of the group who brought all the groups of friends together. If you met him, he’d have been your best friend.”

On November 13, while he was walking home with his girlfriend from a bar in Fishtown where the friends had gathered after a day of paintballing, 27-year-old pharmacy technician Shane Kelly was shot to death in an attempted robbery. His girlfriend, Maryelise Doyne, was dialing 911 before the two would-be robbers had even fled the scene. Two men have been arrested and charged in the killing.

His friends, his fellow Hibernians—Shane was the Sentinal or AOH Div. 61—his soccer buddies, colleagues at Jefferson University Hospital—made up the winding trail of people who waited hours to honor the young man at his viewing. And it was standing room only at Canstatter’s hall on Sunday, January 29, when his AOH brothers and sisters celebrated his life with a fundraiser to benefit Kelly’s family.

“A lot of wonderful people have been there for us,” said Shane’s mother, Maryanne, her eyes watery with tears. She stood in one room of the catering facility in Northeast Philadelphia where rows of tables were lined with raffle prizes. There were 96 of them, ranging from baskets of cheer to a signed Man United soccer jersey. Shane was heavily involved with Casa, a Philly-based amateur soccer league, which has renamed its league championship “The Kelly Cup” in his honor.

A group of Shane’s friends—a mix of old and new—sat together at one table, all wearing the green Div. 61 shirts on which was printed “In loving memory of Shane Kelly,” all sharing memories of a young man, president of his high school class at Frankford High, who was a born leader and the glue that held them together.

“He got everyone together through the AOH,” said Kelly. “I became part of the group when I started dating her,” said Jeff Morrison. “Shane was always the go-to guy.”

“Yeah,” added David Crego, “if you want to know what was going on, you texted Shane.”

“He was also really good at talking,” said Morrison, and the friends laughed.

The Shane they knew was a friend to all, a stand-up guy who died protecting the woman he loved.

“Him and Mar had just bought this house in Fishtown,” said Kelly Flite. “That’s where they were going when it happened. She called 911 and the cops were there fast, but it was too late. She still got to look into his eyes until he lost consciousness.

“There’s a reason there were a thousand people at his funeral,” said Kelly. “He was one in a million.”

View our photos of the Shane Kelly “Celebration of Life” event.

February 2, 2012 by
News

Remembering Bloody Sunday

Father Ed Brady displays the H-Block memorial medal.

Father Ed Brady displays the H-Block memorial medal.

“Some bonds can never be broken.”

Those words were etched into a small gold-colored medal struck for a 2011 reunion of former prisoners of the notorious H block of Belfast’s Long Kesh Prison—site of the 1981 hunger strike in which 10 Irish prisoners died. The commemorative medal came into the hands of Father Ed Brady through the good graces of a friend, and he chose a particularly meaningful occasion on which to share it.

Father Brady celebrated Mass at the Philadelphia Irish Center last weekend in observance of the 40th anniversary of the Bloody Sunday massacre in which 13 unarmed protesters—mostly teenagers—were killed by elements of the British army in the Bogside district of Derry, Northern Ireland.

Plain white poster-board crosses hung from light fixtures throughout the Irish Center’s dining room, where the Mass took place. Each cross bore the name, etched in indelible ink, of one who died. Close to 60 Irish and Irish-American worshippers filled the room. The Mass was sponsored by the Sons and Daughters of the Derry Society.

Just before Mass began, Father Brady spoke of the Bloody Sunday dead, but he also recalled the sacrifices of the hunger strikers. He opened the little box in which the medal was held and he passed it around then room. Their shared sacrifice, he suggested, “is what’s it’s all about.” Later on, in his homily, he returned to the theme, recalling that the Bloody Sunday victims used non-violence in pursuit of their goals. “The easiest thing to do is to take up arms,” he said, “but the peaceful way is what triumphs in the long run.”

After the Mass, the Derry Society’s Bill Donahue said it’s only natural to remember the Bloody Sunday victims, even after all this time. “They made the ultimate sacrifice, not only for Derry but for the aid of Irish freedom. You always remember that.”

January 27, 2012 by