Pody's Column: Celebrate responsibly on St. Patricks’ Day

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One of the things I learned when I moved to Rosemount over 40 years ago, was the addition of St. Patrick’s holiday. Regardless of the weather or the day of the week it fell on, it was party time.

When it fell on Saturday it was the biggie. People started early in the morning, first going to early mass, then out for a quick breakfast before joining kin folks in the St. Paul parade.

I talked with a reader last week. She said that changed slightly. Now they had a slice of toast for breakfast before mass and stopped at the cemetery before heading into St. Paul. Today most of the true Irish are snowbirds or resting in the cemetery. Some years decorations on the graves were greener than the parade.

When the true Irish left, some of us were left behind to man the store and give service to the few customers. For lunch we’d get corn beef from Pat and Fritz at Shenanigans. Their food was always outstanding. The pub was crowded early as some of the would-be Irish started before noon, afraid the green beer would run out.

The cases of cabbage kept coming.

Later in the afternoon the marchers drifted back to town. First they made a quick stop at Shenanigans to see friends and neighbors before heading down the hill to the Legion club for the St Patrick’s party. They didn’t hire entertainment because Helen Dobmier was at the piano, Claire Gramitz and Donna Goggin did their Irish jigs, Bob Reinhart sang “Danny Boy” and Frank Goggin, Ed and John Doyle did their renditions from the old country. 

During the evening people ate, sang, danced and sipped on refreshments.  Some ate dinner, others a sandwich, knowing it was their last supper until next year.

The seniors headed home early as it had been a long day for them. An indication for them to leave was when the cops walked through.

Remember Nick Fox, Ray Tousignant or Ray McNamara just walking through the bar checking everyone out?  I don’t remember any true Irishman getting out of line. They learned years ago it would be a long day and they had to eat and sip their drinks.

One thing that always amazed me was the last man to leave the pub was the first usher at mass Sunday morning. Those true Irish knew and loved to party, but they did so with common sense.

The demographics in Rosemount have changed over the years. To many newcomers, March 17 is just another day or an opportunity to be Irish for a day and an excuse to party hearty.

A lot of people are on medications these days and mixed with alcohol that can be deadly.

If you party, be responsible. Use common sense, don’t get into trouble and, like the Irish founding fathers would say, you can come back next year.

Tags: opinion, rosemount, commentaries