Seeing Green! A St. Patrick’s Day Celebration For All

Each year around St. Patrick’s Day, everyone at the Witherell—regardless of nationality—delights in a celebration of the music, food, and fun of the Emerald Isle. This year was no exception. Our residents were bedecked in green beads, hats, and crowns to welcome Irish step dancers, bagpipers, bakers, singers, joke tellers, and more at a special celebration held recently in our auditorium.

This year’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities drew friends, families, entertainers, and volunteers—our “house” was full of good cheer and a bit of the Blarney. Events included an Irish soda bread-baking contest, along with performances by the Greenwich Bagpipers & Drum Corp, Irish step dancers, singers, and an Irish comedian.

Check out our photos for a glimpse of the fun (and wearing of the green!)

PARADE GRAND MARSHALLS

Overseeing our bagpipers and drum corp were our Nathaniel Witherell residents of Irish heritage (pictured l to r): Brigid McManus, Carolyn Reilly, Ed Collins and Jim Loughran.

IRISH JOKES & EMERALD ISLE MUSIC  

Resident Carolyn Moynihan became a stand-up comic with her own show featuring Irish jokes.  Carolyn’s daughter, Brigit, joined our Witherell musician, Vincent, for a duet of Irish ballads.      

IRISH SODA BREAD BAKING WINNERS

Our annual Irish soda bread baking competition yielded six bakers.  Judges had the enviable task of taste testing each entry.  First place went to the 3rd floor Thursday bakers, 2nd place to volunteer Jean Body, and 3rd place to volunteer Sally Van Leeuwen.

The Thursday bakers consists of 15 residents on the 3rd floor who love to bake and are organized by Gail & Amy of Recreation. They also baked green leprechaun cookies!

To all who made this year’s celebration a success, we say go raibh maith agat!