By Jan Landon
THE ERICKSON TRIBUNE

The sea of green is the first clue that the Audubon Clubhouse has turned into a little piece of Ireland on St. Patrick’s Day.

Elizabeth Belwood plays Irish tunes on the living room piano. She plays by ear, and if someone requests a song, she quickly finds it on the keys. Nearly every seat is filled with Tallgrass Creek lads and lassies wearing green. Don Alexander sports shamrock suspenders and a bow tie, while others have chosen more conservative festive attire.

Doris Gomez takes time for a quick Irish jig, and Janet Filiault says that although she doesn’t have a drop of Irish blood in her, today she is Irish indeed. Hugh McCreery points out that he is Scottish not Irish, but he is wearing green nonetheless. And all of this is before the party has even started.

When the partygoers move into the Sunflower Bistro, the green beer is flowing. There is also a choice of Irish coffee and many other beverages. It is time for eating, talking, and laughing.

The St. Patrick’s Day event was planned by the Tallgrass Creek Event Committee, which consists of residents of the retirement community. The committee plans many events: the New Year’s Eve party, Valentine’s Day party, movie nights, and game nights.

This evening’s party includes a contest to determine which table knows the most St. Patrick’s Day trivia. Just a wee bit of that trivia is that St. Patrick was born in Britain with the name Maewyn Succat and was never canonized. March 17 commemorates his death.

The event’s official end comes with a rendition of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling,” a tilt of a hat, and a toast of another glass of green beer.