Another day of the Irish has been celebrated. Although, I was slightly disappointed that those of Irish decent failed to recognize the annual event. To keep this oversight from happening in the future, perhaps a little family history is in order for those in the Harrington / Riley lineage which includes all of my grandchildren. Before they grow, they must first know their "roots". The Harrington linage is of German and English origin and has been traced back several hundred years ago. However, the Riley lineage is much more difficult to trace. The reason for this is simple, the Riley side of the family is of original Irish descent. However, the original name was O'Riley, upon arriving in the "new land" a great deal of prejudices was focused on this minority group that was invading the United States. "Little Ireland" was established in New York City. To camouflage this prejudice, the "O" was dropped from the name to Riley, the birth surname of your grandmother and great grandmother. To further escape the prejudices and the big city, the family migrated to the Midwest and ventured into farming. By coincidence, the name "Riley" has been brought forward as names of two of my mothers great, great grandchildren, she would be proud.

Those folks in Chicago know how to celebrate St. Patrick's Day, the picture on the right is the Chicago River in downtown Chicago, Illinois. On St. Patrick's day each year they dye the river green, this particular year it was dyed "Kelly Green". Although it has no bearing on the subject what so ever, but makes a great trivia question, a river was dyed in the State of Alaska. Can you name the river, the color and the date that the river was dyed? As a hint, the first bank robbery in the State of Alaska occurred the same day.

SMALL TOWNS ARE GREAT: We often overlook some of the advantages of living in a small town. Recently, two of our neighbors were burned out when an exterior workshop caught fire. The workshop which contained a vast amount of wood and metal working equipment was a total loss and partially burned out the home. The community of Anchor Point with a lot of assistance from Homer came through with so much support. In less than a weeks time, a benefit auction was organized which was held last night at the Anchor River Inn. I conducted the auction, although, I will not divulge the amount that was benefited through the auction, there was no sign that the economy in Anchor Point and Homer is bad. It was an overwhelming success. Everything from brand new Toyo stoves, Norman Lowell artwork, to massages were auctioned off. As with any benefit auction, the home baked pies and cakes are always popular. One particular lemon meringue pie was auctioned off at $65.00. The proud owner, then had the waitress cut the pie and the individual slices were auctioned off. A slice of pie for $20.00 and it was gone! But not to fret, "we" will have a large Margarita Cheese Cake, delivered to us at the HITWRA on Memorial Day weekend. The reason "we" was used in the last sentence, to recoup my cost, slices will go for $25.00! Those under the age of 21 will be permitted one small bite with parental consent. The only problem occurred when the auction went late due to the turn out, the St. Patrick's Day dance and band started in the adjoining lounge so I had to compete volume wise to the music of the rocking 60"s. At one a.m. this morning we arrived home, the crock pot had done it's job and the aroma of "corn beef and cabbage" filled the house. I thoroughly enjoyed two very large helpings as a delayed midnight snack.