Tuckahoe Village Departments

TUCKAHOE TALK
With Mayor John Fitzpatrick

PUBS, PINTS and OPEN DOORS

March 17,2011

March is noted for many different things. It can simply mark the end of another winter, or the village elections throughout the state of New York. Celebrations range from the solemn Ash Wednesday or Lent to the revelry of Mardi Gras. Without taking away anything from those who may celebrate the day of St. Joseph, I myself am of the opinion that the month belongs to St. Patrick. Which also means March definitely has an Irish thing going on.

And that bring us to our community’s first parade of any new year, the St. Patrick’s Parade. The event, which is organized and managed by the Eastchester Irish American Social Club, celebrated its seventh annual run. This year’s parade grew yet again and the club’s President John Phelan must be congratulated for successfully continuing the tradition of using this parade to showcase and promote Irish culture.

The St. Patrick’s festivities may culminate with the parade but they start with a naming of a Grand Marshal and Honoree at the Sash presentation dinner. This year’s recipients were Anne Hendry and Liz Ahern. Our town is lucky to have both ladies as residents. Anne Hendry was a great selection as this year’s Grand Marshal since she so clearly represents a resident who promotes Irish culture within our community. Anne runs the Hendry School of Irish Dance along with co-owner Brenda Geraghty, in St. Luke’s Church on Lincoln Ave. I am not sure how the Grand Marshal is ultimately chosen but I am happy to see the Eastchester Irish American Social Club have continued to steer away from politicians. Sticking to non politicians certainly gives any event more credibility. Politicians tend to be associated with that mutual admiration society mentality, where they are always honored for this or that anyway.

From a purely Tuckahoe standpoint, regretfully, the St Patrick’s parade never enters the village. Personally, I don’t think there is a better place to end a parade than in Tuckahoe Village Square, and not just because I prefer parading downhill. It has many advantages that are lacking in the rest of the town where parades tend to end. Besides having plenty of parking available in our many commuter lots, and great businesses, the ambience is unrivaled. On the parading note, I have been informed that the upcoming Memorial Day has also been relocated. The veteran’s groups which organize the Memorial Day Parade have decided to march from Concordia to the newly installed Medal of Honor Monument. This will take all the parades from our fair village. I have always been of the mindset that these decisions are best left to the organizations and the government shouldn’t be meddling or funding parades for that matter.

Nevertheless, I did want to add my own personal parting touch to March. And I thought that would best be accomplished while incorporating one of our town’s greatest assets. No, I’m not talking about Irish pubs; I’m referring to the Community Fund. I have long wished to involve more Tuckahoe residents in the wonderful work of this organization. Residents need to know that they don’t require six figure bank accounts to contribute to the Fund. The Fund’s motto is simple, “All money raised in our community stays in our community”. Whether it’s programming for children, for teens or new ambulances, the Community Fund is always at the forefront of community philanthropy.

Sadly due to logistics, I just could not get it done in March while still the mayor, so I had to settle for my first night of post mayorship Friday, April 1st. In the spirit of continuing to serve residents on this night, at Tuckahoe’s Stephen’s Green Restaurant and Pub I shall serve as guest bartender. All tips from this endeavor will go to the great work of the Community Fund. Waiting until I was out of office might not be a bad thing, since my self-appointed political advisors always counseled that it’s bad imaging for a politician to stand behind a bar. However, those advisors were always offering bizarre advice such as never to wear a hat referencing the Mike Dukakis tank helmet incident. Since that didn’t stop me from donning the goofy trolley conductor hat, I wouldn’t have been stopped here either. For the few who may be saddened by my departure from village politics, I assure you this is not a new career path but merely a night of music and fun to aid a great cause. Please join us 6 to 10 pm! Slainté!