The St. Patrick’s Day Festival

I think everyone will agree that the festival at Central Catholic High School
exceeded the hopes of all of us and surprised the skeptics among us (myself,
for example).  Thanks to all of the volunteers.  You are the absolute best!!!

All I can say about the Art Fair is that it was an outstanding success.  We will begin earlier next year and get even more students and schools involved.  The Art Fair exceeded the hopes of all of us.  Special thanks to Mike Cassidy for his outstanding efforts and the wonderful help given him by Nora Cassidy, Sherri McNeill, Maurine Horgan and Larry Maher.  Mark and Eileen did another great job on the food.  Did you know that our Corn Beef and Cabbage or Jigg’s Dinner has been voted the best tasting in Toledo?  Mary Miller did a wonderful job with the Father Tom Quinn Memorial Mass.  Her music at the yearly Mass is always outstanding.  I would be remiss if I didn’t thank Father Dennis Hartigan for making the Sullivan Center available to us.  I apologize to Tom McCabe.  He has done an outstanding job every year.  I meant to introduce him from the stage and heap praise on him before I presented the “Hibernian of the Year Award” to Matt & Tricia Cassidy.  When I had to “slightly” raise my voice to get attention, I lost my train of thought.  Tom, I don’t know what we would do without you!!!  You are definitely the best.
 

The Irish dancers from the Heinzman School of Irish Dance were so wonderful that our guest of honor, Senator Mike DeWine and his wife, Fran came back a second time to see more of their dancing. Another fine performance..thank you!

 

The signs, that appeared all over the area,  were put up by Greg Cassidy and
Jim Dreps.! Those signs, more than anything else, got the word out about our festival.  Great job!! 

 

Two things occurred this year that have never happened before. I don’t know if you noticed that my little(?) baby sister, Sister Mary Neal, S.N.D. not only worked a shift at selling tickets, but went out and sold raffle tickets after that.  All I can say is I’m one heck of a salesman to get her to work!!!!! The second thing was a special treat this year. The pleasure of  Tom & Marian King being here instead of in Florida.  “First time in thirty years”. 
All of the bands gave outstanding performances. I have said it before, but it needs repeating...The support on the air as well as his great performances have helped  the festivals grow bigger and better every year.  Thanks John Connolly!!

 

THE WINNER OF THE TRIP TO IRELAND WAS CHARLOTTE KEHOE!!

I heard that she has wanted to go to Ireland for 25 years and now she will!! Congratulations

 

I am so proud to be a part of this great group!!  God Bless us all!!