NIAGARA, Wis. — We just finished celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, a day associated with the color green, shamrocks… and a wee bit ‘o drinkin’.

My husband and I have always gotten a kick out of the fact that when we first meet people, they assume he is Irish with a name like Killian. His first name of Patrick seems to confirm that assumption. His heritage is, in fact, a blend of German, Dutch and Luxembourger. We named our oldest son Timothy Patrick, so he really enjoyed this holiday as a student at University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Whatever bar he entered that evening, he found a way to state his name, and the bartender always gave him a free beer since it was, after all, his holiday. I was happy to give up my very German maiden name of Hoehne, because no one could ever pronounce it correctly. Killian was never mispronounced … until we moved up here. When our name was spoken as Kyllonen; we became Finnish. Let’s take a look at the facts surrounding this fun-filled holiday, along with the history of the leprechaun.

First, St. Patrick’s Day began as a quiet and solemn religious feast day in Ireland. It was established as a way of honoring St. Patrick’s role in bringing Christianity to the country. The day was primarily observed through prayer, church services and quiet reflection. Consequently, Irish law required pubs to be closed for the day to preserve its religious significance. It wasn’t until later in the 20th century, as Ireland was seeking to promote itself as a tourist destination, that the holiday took on more of a celebratory nature. Today, while the religious roots remain, St. Patrick’s Day is as much a celebration of Irish heritage and national pride as it is a tribute to the country’s patron saint.

Second, one of the most surprising facts about this holiday is that St. Patrick wasn’t Irish, and his name wasn’t Patrick. He was born in Britain in the late 4th century to a wealthy family. His birth name was Maewyn Succat, although legend states that he later changed it to Patricius, from the Latin word for nobleman. Despite the fact that his father was a deacon and his grandfather was a priest, Patrick was not especially religious as a youth. When he was a teenager, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and taken to Ireland. There he was enslaved for several years and forced to work as a shepherd. During this time, he endured harsh conditions and turned to prayer for comfort. He eventually escaped and made his way back to Britain, where he trained as a cleric. Years later, he returned to Ireland as a missionary determined to spread Christianity. He is now regarded as Ireland’s patron saint.

Surprisingly, blue was initially associated with Saint Patrick. A shade known as “St. Patrick’s Blue” appeared in ancient historic manuscripts and on the robes of Irish kings. In the 18th century, it became the official color of the Order of St. Patrick, a chivalric order whose knights wore sky blue capes. Green eventually became linked to the holiday in the 18th and 19th centuries due to Ireland’s nickname, “The Emerald Isle,” and the growing significance of the shamrock. According to legend, St. Patrick used the shamrock to explain the concept of the Holy Trinity. The color green became the country’s permanent symbol of nationalism, after it was worn by members of the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Did you know that, despite the legend to the contrary, St. Patrick never drove out all of the snakes from Ireland. First of all, Ireland never had any snakes. Since the last Ice Age, the island has been too cold and too isolated for snakes to survive, making it one of the very few places in the world to be naturally free of them. Historians believe that the legendary “snakes” symbolize the pagan traditions and beliefs of the Druids that had dominated the country for centuries. St. Patrick worked diligently to replace these beliefs with Christian teachings. His tireless efforts to convert the Irish played a key role in shaping the country’s spiritual identity.

Finally, the first St. Patrick’s Day parade was held in America, not in Ireland. On March 17, 1601, in what is now St. Augustine, Fla., Spanish settlers and Irish clergy organized the first known St. Patrick’s Day celebration.

The observances of this day that took place in the Northeast are probably better known. Boston hosted its first parade in 1737, followed by one in New York City in 1762, when Irish soldiers serving in the British Army marched through the streets to honor their homeland. These early parades ushered in a major tradition of Irish American communities.

When Irish immigrants arrived to our country in the 19th century, especially in the years following the Great Potato Famine in Ireland, the St. Patrick’s Day parades became a way of expressing their cultural pride and solidarity. Ireland, on the other hand, did not hold its first St. Patrick’s Day parade until 1903, when the day became an actual public holiday.

Last but not least, the transformation of the leprechaun from a mischievous and menacing trickster to a lovable little green-clad cobbler and beloved Irish cultural icon is an interesting story. The word leprechaun comes from the “Leipreachan” in Irish and “Luchorpan” in Old Irish, meaning small body or small-bodied fellow.

In Celtic mythology, leprechauns are descendants of a supernatural race similar to elves and fairies. The race included banshees and shape-shifting goblins that were thought to be descendants from ancient Irish gods living in an alternate realm. Early legends depicted them as wily, menacing male cobblers who hid their treasures. They were portrayed as cunning and untrustworthy tricksters who were often mean. They delighted in leading people astray and were known for stealing or playing harmful pranks.

The image of the leprechaun began to improve in the 19th century when they were depicted as mischievous and enterprising figures who outsmart greedy humans trying to get their gold. A variety of folktales written at this time described them as “merry, industrious, tricksy little sprites,” or being “of low descent, his father being an evil spirit and his mother a degenerate fairy” whose pranks were typically minor household mishaps. They were written about as industrious little cobblers who only meted out punishment to those who were trying to trick them.

The image of the leprechaun continued to improve when Irish immigrants came to America in droves. Impoverished and far from their homeland, they embraced the lucky leprechaun as a way to bring something familiar with them to their strange new home.

The leprechaun became a symbol of Celtic pride. The leprechaun became a feature in the St. Patrick’s Day parade and soon became associated with all things Irish and good luck as well.

In 1964, Lucky the Leprechaun became the mascot for Lucky Charms breakfast cereal. The leprechaun made his way into movies, filling roles in 1948’s “The Luck of the Irish,” in Disney’s “Darby O’Gill and the Little People,” and in the 1968 Fred Astaire musical “Finian’s Rainbow.”

In sports, the leprechaun has gained respect as the University of Notre Dame’s mascot for their “Fighting Irish” teams. And the Boston Celtics celebrate the leprechaun through their mascot, “Lucky the Leprechaun.”

Back in Ireland, various tracts of land are preserved and protected — as we do our national parks — as “designated areas of protection for flora, fauna, wild animals and little people.”

There you have it — the history of St. Patrick’s Day. It has become a day to celebrate, no matter our personal heritage.

On March 17 each year, we all become Irish for a little while … and enjoy a pint or two with friends and pay homage to those little cobblers dressed in green.

——

NURSING HOMES/SENIOR LIVING FACILITIES

Freeman Nursing and Rehabilitation Community

Kingsford

906-774-1530

They welcome anyone who would like to entertain the residents. Volunteers are also needed to help with crafts and other activities.

On the third Tuesday of every month at 2 p.m. they host a Memory Cafe – a fun hour to spend with others. For more information, contact Jaime Hathaway at jlhathaway@protonmail.com. The program is run by donations.

Sunday: Catholic Mass on TV, 10 a.m.; Strong Tower Church, 1 p.m.; coloring.

Monday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; dice club, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Nails, 10 a.m.; word games, 11 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Movie in the dining room, 10 a.m.; home school kids coming to play games, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Darts, 10 a.m.; bunny visits, 11 a.m.; crafts, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Room visits, 10 a.m.; small group in activities room, 11:30 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Word search, 10 a.m.; family time, 2 p.m.; “Weakest Link” on PBS, 7 p.m.

Iron County Medical Care Facility

Crystal Falls

906-874-1501

Sunday: Room visits, 8:30 a.m.; faces and places, 9:30 a.m.; chair exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; afternoon matinee with snacks, 2 p.m.

Monday: DT cooking, 9:30; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; DT lunch, 11:30 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.; Sunshine Club, 2:30 p.m.; trivia teasers, 6 p.m.

Tuesday: Just friends, 9:30 a.m.; Iron River Bible Church, 10 a.m.; balloon toss, 10:45 a.m.; travel film, 1:30 p.m.; hangman, 2 p.m.; crime movie, 6 p.m.

Wednesday: Coffee Scattegories, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; Yahtzee, 2 p.m.; night bingo, 6:15 p.m.

Thursday: Puzzler, 9:30 a.m.; bowling, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1 p.m.; wildlife film, 1:30 p.m.; happy hour with Gayle, 2 p.m.

Friday: Memory books, 9:30 a.m.; mystery ride, 9:30 a.m.; exercise, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 1 p.m.; monthly birthday party with music and cake, 2 p.m.; comedy movie, 6 p.m.

Saturday: Puzzle pack/Pictionary, 9:30 a.m.; geri-gym, 10:45 a.m.; room visits, 12:30 p.m.; social hour, 2 p.m.; musical movie, 6 p.m.

Optalis Healthcare

Kingsford

906-774-4805

Sunday: Devotional, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; games or movie, 1 p.m.

Monday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; Alzheimer’s Association program, 2 p.m.

Wednesday: Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; chair yoga, 1 p.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Thursday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; bean bag toss, 2 p.m.

Friday: Coffee time, 9:30 a.m.; daily chronicle, 10 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; mystery prize bingo, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Manicures, 9:30 a.m.; room visits, 11 a.m.; craft or games, 1 p.m.

Maryhill Manor Nursing Home

Niagara, Wis.

715-251-3172

Families are allowed to attend activities and are encouraged to join in.

Sunday: Coffee and trivia, 10 a.m.; delivery of communion, 12:30 p.m.; movie and popcorn, 1:30 p.m.; church service, 2:30 p.m.

Monday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; pamper and polish, 10 a.m.; shopping outing to Dollar General, 1 p.m.; derby day, 2 p.m.

Tuesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; Protestant service, 10 a.m.; morning mingle with waffles, 10:15 a.m.; bowling, 2 p.m.; Stations of the Cross, 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Rosary/communion service, 9 a.m.; short stories, 10 a.m.; jokereno, 2 p.m.; Chaplet of Divine Mercy, 3 p.m.

Thursday: Rosary, 9 a.m.; Catholic Mass, 9:30 a.m.; tic tac trivia, 10 a.m.; Pictionary, 2 p.m.; Lenten reflections, 3 p.m.

Friday: Five second rule, 10 a.m.; happy hour with Jim on the piano, 2 p.m.

Saturday: Uno, 10 a.m.; bingo, 2 p.m.

Northshore Healthcare

Florence, Wis.

715-528-4833

No information available.

Victorian Pines

Iron Mountain

906-774-5158

Sunday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; Bible study, 1:30 p.m.

Monday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Tuesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; trivia and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Wednesday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; bingo and refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Thursday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Friday: Juice time, 10 a.m.; exercise, 11 a.m.; refreshments, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday: Juice time, 10 a.m.

Pinecrest Medical Care Facility

Powers

906-497-5244

Sunday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bean bag toss, 10 a.m.; trivia, 11:15 a.m.; church services, 1:30 p.m.; ’50s quiz and ice cream, 2:30 p.m.; coloring pages, daily chronicles.

Monday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; where’s the verdict, 11 a.m.; bowling, 1:45 p.m.; Bible studies, 3 p.m.: book club, 4 p.m.; movie, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Tuesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; open room, 9:30 a.m.; juice hour and who-what-where, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Wednesday: Morning visits and reality orientation; reading with North Central Elementary, 10 a.m.; hangman, 11 a.m.; crafty Wednesday, 1:45 p.m.; kings ‘n’ corner, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Thursday: Morning visits and reality orientation; bingo/caravan of camels, 10 a.m.; “Wheel Of Fortune,” 1:30 p.m.; table talk, 4 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Friday: Morning visits and reality orientation; Catholic Mass, 10:30 a.m.; travelogue, 11 a.m.; Vicky and Dave, 2 p.m.; book club, 4 p.m.; game night, 6 p.m.; daily chronicles.

Saturday: Morning visits and reality orientation; exercise group, 10 a.m.; juice hour, 11 a.m.; Bible studies, 11 a.m.; bingo, 1:45 p.m.; one-to-one visits, 3 p.m.; activity packets.

SENIOR CENTERS

Amasa Center

906-822-7284

Menu for the week —

Tuesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, biscuit.

Wednesday: Cheese ravioli with marinara sauce, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Thursday: Mushroom Swiss burger, oven baked fries, baked beans.

Breen Center

Kingsford

906-774-5110

Dine-in eating Monday through Thursday at noon, salad bar at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals are available. Soup and salad bar are also available. Friday and night meals are on hold indefinitely. Menu for the week —

Monday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Tuesday: Baked ham, au gratin potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Liver and onions or substitute, roasted garlic potatoes, carrots, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Spaghetti and meatballs, Italian vegetables, garlic bread.

Note: All meals served with a choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Crystal Falls Center

Head Cook: Elizabeth Peryam

Assistant Cooks: Debbie Bigalke and Shannon Stapleton

906-875-6709

The center is serving meals for dine-in or takeout – call the center by 1 p.m. to make reservations or place an order. All food purchased from local vendors. All dinners include warm vegetables, salad bar, soup, homemade desserts, coffee, tea or milk. Salad bar begins at 4:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 5 p.m. Pickup for takeout meals is 4 p.m. — call ahead and leave a message with a phone number. A volunteer will deliver meals to homebound citizens only. Menu for the week —

Monday: Beef burgundy over egg noodles.

Tuesday: Taco Tuesday, soft tacos with Mexican rice, pinto beans and cheese.

Wednesday: Pork chops, mashed potatoes and gravy.

Home-delivered meals (prepared by DICSA — independent from above menu) —

Monday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

Tuesday: Chop suey with vegetables, lo mein, fortune cookie, fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Dickinson-Iron Community Services Agency

DICSA

Iron Mountain

906-774-2256, ext. 230 or 235

This is a Meals on Wheels program only. Home-delivered meals only — call to make arrangements. Menu for the week —

Monday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

Tuesday: Chop suey with vegetables, lo mein, fortune cookie, fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.

Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and gravy, candied carrots.

Friday: Ham dinner, cheesy potatoes, glazed carrots, dinner roll.

Note: All meals include a choice of skim milk, juice, or no beverage.

For more information, call Christine McMahon at 906-774-2256.

Crystal Lake Center

Iron Mountain

906-828-1776

Schedule for the week:

Monday: Les Artistes art club, noon to 4 p.m.; woodcarvers, starting at 9 a.m.

Tuesday: Cards — Pinochle and cribbage, noon to 4 p.m.; Happy Quilters, noon to 3 p.m.

Wednesday: Bingo, 1 to 3 p.m.; cards cost 25 cents with 10 games played

Thursday: Spinning Spools quilting, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Friday: Cards — smear, noon to 4 p.m.

Felch Center

906-246-3559

Open for dine-in eating — call for serving times. Carryout meals also available.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Egg-sausage-cheese biscuit, tater tots, pears.

Tuesday: Taco beef and noodle skillet, refried beans, Spanish rice, dinner roll.

Wednesday: Baked chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable, biscuit .

Note: All meals served with skim milk or juice.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

Tuesday: Chop suey with vegetables, lo mein, fortune cookie, fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.

Aging and Disability Resource Center

Florence County, Wis.

715-528-4890

Menu for the week —

Monday: Centers closed for cooks’ training.

Tuesday: Hot turkey sandwich, mashed potatoes, broccoli, fruit.

Wednesday: Polish sausage, sauerkraut, parsley potatoes, beets, fruit, strawberry lemonade cake.

Thursday: Parmesan chicken breast, au gratin potatoes, stewed tomatoes, fruit.

Friday: Fish tacos with cole slaw salsa, tomatoes, olives and onions, corn salad, fruit.

Note: All meals served with whole grain bread, butter and milk.

Aurora-Hillcrest Dining Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. For reservations call 715-589-4491.

Florence Community Center

Serving at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Thursday. For reservations call 715-528-4261.

Fence Town Hall

Serving at noon on Wednesday only. For reservations call 715-589-4491.

Tipler Town Hall

Serving at noon on second Thursday only. For reservations, call 715-528-4261.

Hermansville Center

Coordinator: Barb Peters

906-498-7735

Center is open 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Meals are served through the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft

Community Action Agency in Escanaba. Meals-On-Wheels program is available for those who are homebound.

Monday: Dinner frank on a bun, Malibu blend vegetables, corn, mixed fruit cup.

Tuesday: Swiss steak with stewed tomatoes over rice, mixed vegetables, wax beans, fruit cocktail.

Wednesday: Chicken bacon penne pasta, Italian blend vegetables, side salad, diced peaches, whole wheat breadstick, birthday cake.

Thursday: Beef stew, peas, sweet potato fries, biscuit, cinnamon applesauce.

Friday: Veggie cheeseburger on a bun, boiled red potatoes, sliced carrots, pineapple tidbits.

Iron River Center

906-265-6134

Serving at 11:30 a.m., salad bar available at 11 a.m. No night meals. Carryout meals also available. Menu for the week —

Monday: Chicken gravy over mashed potatoes, carrots, dinner roll.

Tuesday: Salisbury steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetable.

Wednesday: Ham and potato soup, biscuit, pudding.

Thursday: Pasty pie, vegetable, applesauce.

All meals are served with choice of skim milk or juice and fruit.

Niagara Senior Center/Cafe

715-251-1603

Dinner is served at noon Monday through Thursday. Reservations are required one day in advance. Suggested donation is $5 for those older than 60 and $11 for 60 and younger. Bingo played on most Wednesdays. Transportation is available.

Tuesday: Chop suey, brown rice, chow mein noodles, banana.

Wednesday: Liver and onions, garlic mashed potatoes, carrots, whole wheat dinner roll, peach dessert.

Thursday: Sub sandwich, three bean salad, chips, fresh orange, cookie.

The center will have bingo on Tuesdays and Wednesdays this month.

Norway Center

Director: Alicia Rochon

906-563-8716

Dine-in eating begins at 11:15 a.m. Takeout meals are available for pick-up from 11 to 11:30 a.m. Let staff know if planning to dine in or pick up.

Menu for the week —

Monday: Pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, squash, cookie.

Tuesday: Spaghetti with sausage and sauce, breadstick, vegetable, Jell-O.

Wednesday: Chef salad with ham, chicken and egg, ham and Swiss slider, cookie.

Thursday: Chicken patty on a bun, potato wedges, vegetable, pudding.

Board meeting on Thursday.

Birthdays and bingo on second Thursday.

Center activity schedule:

Mondays and Thursdays — Exercise at 10 a.m. and card bingo after the meal.

Monday through Thursday — Card game 101 from noon to 3 p.m. Call Joe at 906-563-5587 for information.

Tuesdays — Quilting and sewing.

Wednesdays — Ceramics and crocheting.

Last Monday of each month — Book club at 9 a.m.

Sagola Center

906-542-3273

Dine-in meals served.Salad bar opens at 11 a.m. and meal is served at 11:30 a.m. Carryout meals also available.

Tuesday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

Wednesday: Italian sausage bake, vegetable, cheesy breadstick.

Thursday: Pulled pork sandwich, potato wedges, vegetable, pudding.

All meals served with an option of milk, juice or no beverage.

Home-delivered meals —

Monday: Philly cheese sandwich with ground beef, baked fries, vegetable.

Tuesday: Chop suey with vegetables, lo mein, fortune cookie, fruit.

Wednesday: Chicken Florentine casserole, buttered pasta, baby carrots.