Lowell’s Mardi Gras

I guess I haven’t been downtown on St Patrick’s Day for a couple of years, othewise I wouldn’t have been suprised to see the street festival that this day has become in Lowelltown. I had meetings downtown between 3 and 5 pm. It was Green Halloween. Bunches of people in emerald…

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At Lowell City Manager’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast: No Corned Beef but Lots of Blarney

The funniest guy at Lowell City Manager Bernie Lynch’s St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast this morning is dead -but God rest his soul never forgotten – the Ultimate Toastmaster  and Emcee – the late Kenny Harkins. By opening with  a wonderful video* tribute to two greats from past Manager breakfasts – the…

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‘Digging’ by Seamus Heaney

Digging . Between my finger and my thumb The squat pen rests; as snug as a gun.   Under my window a clean rasping sound When the spade sinks into gravelly ground: My father, digging. I look down   Till his straining rump among the flowerbeds Bends low, comes up…

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New Irish PM to Visit White House, Ireland Fund Gala and NYC Parade

Presentation of the traditonal “Shamrock Bowl’”  President Obama – 2010 Since the Eisenhower Administration – the St. Patrick’s Day presentation of shamrocks to the President of the United States has become an important tradition. In 1952 what was then a  ceremonial  “box of shamrocks” became a custom-made Waterford crystal vase – now…

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