St. Patrick's Day Party 2009

OLLI members with or without an Irish heritage gathered on March 17 in the spacious OLLI lounge to play games, drink emerald-colored punch and devour a delicious assortment of cookies. Hosted by the Special Events Committee, the party began with an ice-breaker that had everyone searching for someone to do an Irish Jig for them, as well as finding others who knew a lot about the patron saint himself.

When Patrick Reilly took the floor with his "Tale of a Cow" we were in for an amazing story, which involved Pat buying a calf in 1999 during a visit his family's ancestral home near Knock a Hoppie, Ireland. He gave the calf back to the farmer with the understanding that it should be used to help other families in the area. As the tale developed, the calf became a cow and had at least five calves, which were given to benefit others in the town. In telling his tale, Patrick had pictures and momentos to prove he wasn't giving us "blarney"!

The party's final game of "hot potato" proved we seniors are agile and able to play kiddy games. Prizes were given to the lucky Irish potato passer. At the end of the party, most felt we had honored Saint Patrick in a most enjoyable way. See photos.
— jane whiteside