Altamont

Having a child can be a very exciting, nerve-wracking, wonderful, and awful experience especially when you are having your first child. We do not really know what to expect, even though we have had loads and loads of advice and counsel from our friends and family.

A perfect example was when a friend told me that I might have some strange food cravings.

Even with that sagacious bit of wisdom, my desire to consume copious amounts of pepperoncini in the darkest hours of the night was inconceivable to me. Yet I did have those cravings, and sent my husband out in the dark to locate the nearest store that had those peppers in a gallon size container. He was successful, but had to drive to Schenectady to make the purchase. That subject comes up annually.

We have just celebrated St. Patrick’s Day, which joggles my mind with many memories of our first-born daughter who arrived in world on that day. I was just happy that she was healthy when she arrived, and did not even think about the special day when she made her appearance.

That is, until the following morning when Father William Walsh, the parish priest at St. Lucy’s Church in Altamont, arrived at the hospital. My husband, Jim, called the night before to alert him of our exciting news. Of course, he came before visiting hours and went directly to the nursery to see our baby prior to coming to my room.

When he reached my room he stood in the middle of the doorway with his hands on his hips. Being a large man he seemed to fill the whole entrance to the room. Then in his usual booming voice he asked, “What do you mean Christa-Marie? She was born on St. Patrick’s Day. She should have been named Patricia!” That is a tradition that many people observe when they have a child born on a special holiday. Father Walsh could be a very imposing personality and many would tremble at the thought of questioning him.

With a slight smile on my face I asked him if he was happy for us because she was healthy. Naturally, he said, ” Yes.” Then I reminded him that her name was Christa-Marie. We could not decide on a name until we said, “She is a beautiful gift to us. Why don’t we name her after Christ and Mary?” Father Walsh laughed and agreed that the name was very appropriate, and perhaps we could try to have another girl born on St. Patrick’s Day and then we could name her Patricia. Or perhaps even a boy and name him Patrick.

We hope that every Patrick, Patricia, Christa-Marie, and others of Irish decent had a wonderful celebration on this past St. Patrick’s Day.

Here are a few facts for those not familiar with the holiday. According to tradition, Patrick returned to Ireland to convert the pagan Irish to Christianity. He spent many years evangelizing in the northern half of Ireland and converted thousands. Tradition holds that he died on March 17, and has become Ireland’s foremost saint.

On St. Patrick's Day it is customary to wear shamrocks or green clothing or accessories (the "wearing of the green").

St. Patrick is said to have used the shamrock, which is a three-leaved plant, to explain the Holy Trinity to the pagan Irish.

Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals as well as the “wearing of green” attire or shamrocks. Christians also attend church services, and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which is said to have encouraged the holiday's tradition of alcohol consumption.

As with any holiday there are so many different stories and traditions that have come and gone that it has become everyone’s habit to take the favorite part of any holiday and make it their own. Some friends of ours make the trip to New York City or to Boston for their annual St. Patrick’s Day parade. If you do not mind crowds it can be a lot of fun and very exciting.

The pipe bands are wonderful, but I cannot believe that they would be any better than the ones we see on the Altamont Fair Grounds at the Scottish Games.

During the day, you have two opportunities to see the massed bands parade around the track and join in front of the grandstand to perform and drill right in front of us.

The big city parades also include many Irish Step Dancers, but we can also see them at the Games when they compete for the trophies in the dance competition at The Scottish Games. I guess we would be missing the green beer and corned beef and cabbage.

However, we Altamont residents have guests who come from far and near to the Altamont Fairgrounds in support of the Scottish Games  once on the grounds, the visitors can enjoy  a cold beer while enjoying good music under the tent.

We have told the story before about part of my family being Irish and part of Jim’s family being Scottish. He has said that corned beef and cabbage is to the Irish like spaghetti and meatballs is to the Italians. We decided long ago that it did not matter which nationality you came from or where a food originated if it is good it is American. We have adopted them all.

The traditional corned beef and cabbage is one of our family favorites. We enjoy all parts of the combination. Beef, carrots, potatoes, onions, and cabbage work well together and the fact that they can be cooked in one pot makes the meal even better.

Another of Jim’s favorites is Irish Stew. It is very similar to the corned beef and cabbage. It has lamb, potatoes, carrots, onions, leeks, and cabbage all cooked in one pot with a few different spices included. Just the fact that everything is cooked in one pot makes Jim’s mouth start to water. He has always liked stews, soups, and one-pot meals.         

Classic Irish Soda Bread is a great accompaniment to any of these dishes and there are a variety of green desserts to satisfy even the fussiest palate such as Classic Rum Raisin Rice Pudding or a piece of Green Frosted Chocolate Cake.

If the holiday passed and you were unable to feast on some of the traditional favorites or enjoy any of the festivities, there is still time to enjoy them. Maybe not next week or next month, but sometime soon there will be activities at the fair grounds that will excite young and old alike.

Just remember to eat and drink in moderation. Don’t drink and then drive and never text or use the phone while driving.

Induction ceremony

Guilderland High School has announced that the National Junior Honor Society Induction Ceremony previously scheduled for Thursday, April 2, will be held on Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. Please mark your calendar.

Brother relocates

Brother Anthony Casso, a longtime Altamont resident and LaSalette Missionary on Leesome Lane has relocated and is now working at Our Lady of La Salette Church in Friendswood, Tx. 

Brother Casso, originally from Cheshire, Conn., was well known in the Altamont area, as he was a member of the Altamont Senior.

Best wishes are extended to Bro Anthony in his new position. He will be missed by his many Altamont friends. 

Irish night

St. Lucy/St. Bernadette Church will hold an evening of Irish food and Bluegrass Music on Saturday March 21, in the parish center. For more information call the church office at 861-8770.                                 

Official visit

Members of the Albany, Rensselaer, and Schenectady District will welcome Bonnie Blanchard, the Grand Matron and Bruce Whitmore, Grand Patron of the Order of Eastern Star on Saturday, March 21, when they make their official visit  to the Albany, Rensselaer, Schenectady area.

The visit will include a noon luncheon at Michael's Banquet House, New Loudon Road in Cohoes. Reservations are to be made with Eleanor Stannard, 3033 Town Office Road, Troy, NY 12180.  Luncheon tickets are $30.

YMCA reminder

GHS sophomores, juniors and seniors who are interested in applying for the 2015 Outstanding Student awards sponsored by the Guilderland and Bethlehem YMCAs are reminded that the deadline for the completed applications is March 20.

Immunization changes

Parents of children entering kindergarten through grade six are reminded that the NYS Department of Health and NYS Education Department announced immunization requirement changes beginning with the 2024 -15 school year.  

According to the Altamont Elementary School a letter will be sent to all parents of students in those grades on April 2.  This letter will explain the required changes. 

Dog program

Bloomingrove Veterinary Hospital will host a fund-raising event and silent auction on Saturday, March 21. It will be held at the Franklin Plaza Ballroom in Troy to benefit the Guilderland Central School District’s social dog program. This event is open to all staff and community members.

Anniversary

Happy anniversary wishes are extended to Carla and Doug Stefan who will celebrate their special day on March 24.

Birthdays

Happy-birthday wishes are extended to:

— Sara Edson,  Andrew Licari, Ron Lindell, Dan Miller, Karen Naginey, Jen Smith, and Mike Thomas on March 20;

— Hugh Lindell and Joyce Schreiber on March 21;

— Wayne Davi and Amy Roemer on March 22;

— Michelle (Sholtes) Connolly, Marcia Perlee, Nathaniel Reals, and Robert Slingerland on March 23;

— L.J. Brock, Kelly Irwin, Donald Schubian, Jaime Tice, and Lizzy Woods on March 24;

— Jessica Peck and Donna Abbott Vlahos on March 25; and

— Heidi Meusen on March 26.

        

 

        

    

                                                                        

 

        

 

 

 

 

 

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