Religious Roots to Celebrating Raucous Parties March As March arrives, many look forward to the holidays of St. Patrick’s Day and Mardi Gras. Yet both of these holidays are more modern American inventions than age- Irish-American Heritage old religious traditions. Month St. Patrick’s Day, as a religious celebration, has a lengthy history. It Optimism Month dates back to the mid-17th century and was initiated to honor Saint Pat- rick and his work to bring Christianity to Ireland. The Feast of St. Patrick was held each year on the date of his supposed death, on March 17, 461 Craft Month AD. The observance of the date was a solemn occasion, mostly involving Management Team quiet prayer. As recently as the 1970s, pubs were closed in Ireland on Celebrate Your Name Week St. Patrick’s Day. The rollicking revelry typically associated with the day was decidedly un-Irish and an American invention. During the Irish Jamie Maul - Executive Director March 3–9 Famine of 1845–1850, many Irish immigrated to America, where they Misty Nicholas-Liceaga -Resident Services Director were not welcome. As the Irish community in America grew and Mardi Gras prospered, they began to celebrate both their Irish-ness and their new- Pam Burbank R.N. - Wellness Director March 5 found American-ness. Corned beef, shamrocks, and leprechauns were never part of true Irish St. Paddy’s Day celebrations, but they were inte- Alex Beard - Business Office Manager International Women’s Day grated into Irish-American identity and so became celebrated symbols Tony Liceaga- Dining Services Director of St. Patrick’s Day. The American version of St. Patrick’s Day is so strong March 8 that many Irish-American traditions have even returned to Ireland. Annie Gaca - Community Relations Director Pi Day Mardi Gras, like St. Paddy’s Day, originated as a solemn religious holi- Kelly Graves - Life Enrichment Director March 14 day. As the day before the start of the ritual fasting of Lent, it was an op- Bryan Ostrander - Plant Operations Director portunity to indulge in sweet, fatty foods, giving rise to the name “Fat Tuesday.” Over the centuries, these small indulgences led to great- Brittney Schlichting-Housekeeping Supervisor St. Patrick’s Day er hedonism, practices that were heavily discouraged by the Church. The March 17 elaborate Mardi Gras celebrations held in New Orleans emerged in 1857 when a group of men created a secret society called the Mistick Krewe of Make Up Your Own Holiday Comus. They held a lavish ball and parade, setting the secular founda- *Articles and Photos Provided by Activity Connection Day tions for many wild Mardi Gras to come. March 26 March Horoscopes & Crossword Fun! March Famous Birthdays Turn in a completed crossword with 10 or In astrology, those born March 1–20 are the slippery Fish of Pisces. Selfless Pisces are very wise and empathetic, more correct for bonus Auction Cash! making them always willing to help others. These deep Happenings… emotions also make Pisces talented artists and good friends. Those born March 21–31 are Rams of Aries. Like rams, Aries charge forward with courage, confidence, and 3/6 Nature Presentation With: enthusiasm. They embrace action, take risks, and will Kevin Smith fight for their goals. 3/12 Coffee Clatter With Jamie Ron Howard (actor/director) – March 1, 1954 3/13 Western Story Teller: Part 4 Dr. Seuss (author) – March 2, 1904 3/16 St. Patrick’s Day Lunch Jean Harlow (actress) – March 3, 1911 3/20 Sing A-long With Bill Elizabeth Barrett Browning (poet) – March 6, 1806 3/27 Birthday Celebration With: Bobby Fischer (chess champ) – March 9, 1943 Jamie Morris Liza Minnelli (entertainer) – March 12, 1946 Albert Einstein (scientist) – March 14, 1879 Moms Mabley (comedian) – March 19, 1894 Resident Ambassador Program Fannie Farmer (culinary expert) – March 23, 1857 It is our belief that an essential part of the move-in and acclimation process for new residents to any Alan Arkin (actor) – March 26, 1934 Senior Living Community is found with a caring group of peers who “remember what it was like to Sam Walton (businessman) – March 29, 1918 be the new kid on the block.” The goal of the Resi- Liz Claiborne (designer) – March 31, 1929 dent Ambassador program is to promote a welcom- ing integration of the newly arrived neighbor with the rest of the community, its residents, its services St. Patrick’s Day facts and its programs. 1. Saint Patrick didn’t wear green. His color was “Saint For more information please attend our Ambassador Patrick’s blue.” The color green became associated Coffee Clatter held the 2nd Tuesday of each month. with St. Patrick’s Day after it was linked to the Irish This month is Tuesday, March 12th at 10:00am independence movement in the late 18th century. 2. Despite his Irish notoriety, Saint Patrick was British. He was born to Roman parents in Scotland or Wales in the late fourth century. 3. According to Irish legend, Saint Patrick used the Resident Birthdays shamrock as a metaphor for the Holy Trinity when he was first introducing Christianity to Ireland. 4. Saint Patrick is credited for driving the snakes out of 3/1 Roberta C 3/11 Art M Ireland, but according to the fossil record, Ireland has never been home to snakes as it was too cold to host 3/2 Faye D 3/16 Gail K reptiles during the Ice Age. The surrounding seas have kept snakes out since. 3/3 Edna M 3/20 Barbara B  Saint Patrick was born “Maewyn Succat” but changed his name to “Patricius” after becoming a priest. 3/4 Darlene M 3/23 Inez W  Irish immigrants began observing St. Patrick’s Day in Boston in 1737 and the first St. Patrick’s Day pa- 3/7 Barbara H 3/26 Jack A rade in America was held in New York City in 1766.  In Chicago, the Plumbers Local 110 union dyes the river Kelly green. The dye lasts for around five hours.