Community Corner
A Great Day To Be Irish
Stratford's Irish-Americans honor their heritage at a St. Patrick's Day Flag Raising celebration on the Town Hall grounds.
Click on the video (then click 'View Gallery') to hear the Stratford High Marching Band and the Town Hall Glee Club play at the Irish flag raising ceremony at Town Hall on Thursday.
The morning sun shone brightly, a crisp wind at their back, and the gathering of Irish-Americans and Irish-for-the-day honored their Irish heritage in a 40-minute ceremony Thursday morning that included raising of the Irish flag on the Town Hall grounds.
State Senator Kevin Kelly, chairman of the St.Patrick’s Day committee, led the proceedings.
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The celebration began with a lilting tune from a bag piper. Monsignor George Birge, senior priest at St. James’ Church, then gave the welcome invocation. He spoke of the shamrock, the symbol of St. Patrick, Ireland’s patron saint, which represents “re-birth” and “strength.”
The two honorary mayors, Jean Castelot and Ed Roberts, then raised the Irish flag while the Stratford High School Band led by Dr. Mark Ryan played the U.S. National Anthem followed by the Irish National Anthem, A Soldier’s Song.
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Stratford Mayor John Harkins praised the Irish ability to overcome adversity. “Wearing green is great,” he added while reminding the gathering “how lucky we are,” in light of the unfolding crisis in tsunami-ravaged Japan.
Council Chairman Tom Malloy and Jack Flynn also greeted the gathering.
The Town Hall Glee Club - Dave Killeen, Richard Whalen, Joe Baron, and Debbie Baron - struck up that catchy Irish melody, When Irish Eyes Are Smiling.
Stratford High School Band played Irish Party in 3rd Class, from the Titanic and O Danny Boy.
Honorary Mayor Ed Roberts, retired industrial arts school teacher, and Stratford resident for 55 years felt “it was an honor.” This is the second year of the flag raising.
The town's other honorary mayor, Jean Castelot, said she “loves” being mayor. Among her duties was to “increase the pension by 10 percent,” she joked.
Castelot has lived in Stratford since 1960.
Among Honorary Mayor Robert’s "duties" was to be on the panel of judges for the soda bread contest. The first place winner of the contest was Beth Rooney with a 100-year-old family recipe; Barbara Whelan placed second, while Alexandra O’Richo, eight-years-old, won third place with a family recipe.
Monsignor Birge concluded with a benediction that reminded people how fortunate they were to be living in the town of Stratford which is blessed with “so many wonderful people.
"This wonderful event reminds us how blessed we are.”
Stratford Patch wishes everyone the luck of the Irish all year long!
