On March 17th, at 7:00
p.m., we had originally asked you to join us for a special St.
Patrick’s Day concert with Celtic folk duo Bruce and Sandy Hedman of
Tara’s Thistle. Today, we heard that illness will prevent the Hedmans
from being with us. At the very last minute, Molly McLaughlin, flutist
and Jeffrey Friedman, guitarist have heroically stepped in to keep Irish
music happening at Windsor Historical Society on St. Patrick’s Day.
Molly McLaughlin, a graduate of the Hartt School of Music will perform
on flute and Irish whistle. She plays with The Celtic Knots, has toured
with Jethro Tull, and will share her knowledge of Irish music traditions
and traditional instruments. Her partner Jeffrey Friedman will talk
about St. Patrick’s Day and how it has evolved as well as performing
engaging Irish tunes.
Beverly Garvan, a descendent of one of
Windsor’s first Irish families in town, has arranged a case display of
Irish artifacts, family memorabilia and postcards that will be on view
for the evening.
Society Director Christine Ermenc will lend
a bit of perspective on what drew the Irish to Windsor by showing images
of the Windsor Locks Canal which drew many Irish to this region, the
paper and textile mills in Poquonock which provided jobs for Irish
immigrants, images of Irish grocery stores, Catholic churches, and
well-known Windsor residents of Irish descent like teacher Inez Searle
and Constable Maurice Kennedy. Come celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with
us and enjoy Irish soda bread, baked goods and apple cider. Cost for the
program is $6 for adults, $5 for seniors and students, and $4 for
Windsor Historical Society members. Anyone wearing green gets a $1
discount! Parking is available in the Windsor Discovery Center and
First Church parking lots and around Palisado Green.
