The history and revelry of St. Patrick’s Day

Published 5:00 pm Saturday, March 12, 2011

St. Patrick’s Day is an Irish holiday celebrated all around the globe to honor the patron saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated each year on March 17. It is believed that he died on March 17 in the year 461 AD. It is also a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. St. Patrick’s Day is a national holiday in Ireland, and a provincial holiday in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. Thirty-four million Americans have Irish ancestry, according to the 2003 US Census. That’s almost nine times the population of Ireland, which has 4.1 million people.

The four-leaf clover has always been one of the Irish forms of luck. One estimate suggests that there are about 10,000 regular three-leaf clovers for every lucky four-leaf clover. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, the highest number of leaves found on a clover is 14. Legend says that each leaf of the clover means something: The first is for hope, the second for faith, the third for love and the fourth for luck.

This year to celebrate this fun Irish holiday we are having two fun events. The first on March 17. Join us for a corn beef and cabbage lunch with Semcac dining then at 3 p.m. we are showing the movie Pursuit of Happiness. This is based on a true story about a struggling salesman who takes custody of his son as he’s poised to begin a life-changing professional endeavor.

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If you haven’t seen this movie it is well worth it. Walgreens is sponsoring this free movie and will be serving pop and popcorn.

On Sunday, March 20 at 2 p.m. we will be hosting a St. Patty’s Day Dance. Chris Von Arx will be back this time with his family “CW Von Arx & Highway 3” this fun band will be playing and singing the sounds of Buddy Holly, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Elvis and Hank Williams Sr.

You heard them for our Valentines party, now you can come and dance to the music all Sunday afternoon. There will be a $5 cover charge and the snack bar will be open. See you there.

Upcoming Events

Monday: Blood Pressure, 9 a.m.; Cards, 12:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Exercise with Evie Anderson, 9 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.; Pinochle and Duplicate Bridge.

Wednesday: Wood carving, 8:30 a.m.; Tai Chi Classes, 9:30 a.m.; cards, 12:30 p.m.; Cribbage Tournament, Duplicate Bridge; Stitching Bee’s. Bring your handy work, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.

Thursday: Exercise with Evie Anderson, 9 a.m.; Eye clinic, 11:30 a.m.; Cards, noon; Pinochle; Bingo, 1 p.m.; Open chess, 1 p.m.; Movie: Pursuit of Happiness, 3 p.m.

Friday: Tai Chi, 9:30 a.m.; Cards, 12:30 p.m.; Bridge Tournament.

Weekly Card Results

Monday Bridge

Tournament result for Feb. 28, three tables.

1st Ron Peters; 2nd Loretta Nelson; 3rd Betty Torgeson; 4th Larry Larson; 5th Jaynard Johnson.

Pinochle

Jaynard Johnson

Tuesday Afternoon “500”

Tournament results for March 1, four tables

1st Bealuh Luthe; 2nd Wilbur Mittag; 3rd Helen Broitzman; 4th Jerry Downing.

Friday Cribbage

Tournament result March 4, one and 3/4 tables

1st Dorothy Schloo; 2nd Dorothy Peterson.

Friday Bridge

Tournament results for March 4, three tables

1st Joan Daigneau; 2nd Jaynard Johnson; 3rd Betty Jorgenson; 4th Peg Leighton; 5th Mary Johnsen.

Duplicate Bridge

1st Joan Bachynsky, 1st Jim Fisher; 2nd Larry Crowe, 2nd Dick Hansen; 3rd Sheryl Ehlke, 3rd Fred Langlock Tie, 3rd Arne Lang, 3rd Larry Larson.

Weekly “500”

Tournament results for March 4, four tables

1st Arnold Burgstrom; 2nd Dennis Bray; 3rd Joe Harsing; 4th Lois Anderson.

Weekly Cribbage

Tournament result March 4, one and 3/4 tables

1st Russ Vaale; 2nd Lorretta Prantner.

Semcac Daily Meals

Monday: Country fried steak

Tuesday: Chili con carne

Wednesday: Pork roast

Thursday: Corn beef and cabbage

Friday: Baked fish. Alt: Pork steak