St. Mary celebrates St. Patrick's Day

With Irish music and corned beef and cabbage, the celebration hit a pot of gold.

  • By Katie Johns
  • | 10:55 p.m. March 11, 2017
  • Longboat Key
  • Neighbors
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The only thing missing from the St. Patrick's Day celebration  March 11 at St. Mary, Star of the Sea, Catholic Church seemed to be leprechauns.

From green clothes to greener decorations and live music to traditional Irish food, such as a corned beef and cabbage, the celebration struck a pot of gold. After a buffet dinner, guests enjoyed a night of dancing before the raffle winners were announced.

After the raffle, event chairs Chuck Sobieck and Lenny DiStefano had couples stand up so guests could figure out which couple had been together the longest. A lot stood up for 50 years, and a lot stood up for 55 years. However, one couple has been together longer than all the rest. Marilyn and Stanley Hochman have been together for 67 years.

The evening peaked with a performance by the Rev. Gerry Finegan, who sang for the crowd.

Lenny DiStefano, Chuck Sobieck and the Rev. Gerry Finegan
Lenny DiStefano, Chuck Sobieck and the Rev. Gerry Finegan
Linda Olsen, Mike Hink and Mary Ahern
Linda Olsen, Mike Hink and Mary Ahern
Budee Jacobs and Stan Horwich
Budee Jacobs and Stan Horwich
Joe and Linda Zampino
Joe and Linda Zampino
Bill Rigby and David Endean
Bill Rigby and David Endean
Patsy and Majella performed live music throughout the entire evening.
Patsy and Majella performed live music throughout the entire evening.
Cindy Phillips and Midge Pescatello
Cindy Phillips and Midge Pescatello
The dance floor was packed as Patsy and Majella performed live music.
The dance floor was packed as Patsy and Majella performed live music.
Judee and David Endean
Judee and David Endean
Carole McMahon and Patty Thomas
Carole McMahon and Patty Thomas
The annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration include a buffet dinner complete with corned beef and cabbage.
The annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration include a buffet dinner complete with corned beef and cabbage.
Dick and Sue Antonello
Dick and Sue Antonello
Donna and Larry Wojack
Donna and Larry Wojack
During a dance break, guests enjoyed cake for dessert.
During a dance break, guests enjoyed cake for dessert.
Antoinette Brill and Marilyn Bettencourt
Antoinette Brill and Marilyn Bettencourt
Esther Cook and Diane Zampino
Esther Cook and Diane Zampino
Genie Sundquist and Ken and Mary Ann Simpson
Genie Sundquist and Ken and Mary Ann Simpson
Barb and Stan Brown
Barb and Stan Brown
Standing: Jerry Strzempka and Victor and Kelli Ticola; sitting: Mary Ellen Strzempka, Pat Lotz, Diane Cicora and the Rev. Gerry Finegan
Standing: Jerry Strzempka and Victor and Kelli Ticola; sitting: Mary Ellen Strzempka, Pat Lotz, Diane Cicora and the Rev. Gerry Finegan
Patsy and Majella, both from Ireland, performed live music throughout the night.
Patsy and Majella, both from Ireland, performed live music throughout the night.
At the end of the night, the attendees went through the couples that had been married the longest. Stanley and Marilyn Hochman have been married the longest- 67 years.
At the end of the night, the attendees went through the couples that had been married the longest. Stanley and Marilyn Hochman have been married the longest- 67 years.
The Rev. Gerry Finegan sang a song for everyone after the raffle winners were announced.
The Rev. Gerry Finegan sang a song for everyone after the raffle winners were announced.

 

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