March is for shamrocks and weddings

Several years ago, my sister, Janna, and I joined our mother as members of the Lt. George Farragut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Membership requires proving a lineal, bloodline descent from an ancestor who aided in achieving American independence via the Revolutionary War. Thankfully, our mother did the genealogical heavy lifting required.

That’s when I realized that my fifth great-grandfather, John Milligan, was an immigrant from County Down, Ireland. He landed at New Castle, Pa., in 1771 at age 20. Pvt. Milligan enlisted in the Continental Army a few years later. He fought in the Batlle of Trenton and crossed the Delaware with General Washington’s Army.

The knowledge of that ancestry also brought the realization that I’d been under-celebrating St. Patrick’s Day for most of my life. On Saturday, thanks to Ilene Moss at All Things Irish, I’ll have the honor of representing for Great-Grandpa Milligan as Irish Woman of the Year in downtown Coeur d’Alene’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade. It’s a fun, festive and brief parade starting at 3 p.m. at Eighth and Sherman. In years past, I drove Irishman of the Year honorees, Mike Kennedy and Steve Saunders. My friend Pam Houser will do the driving honors for me.

It’s well-documented that I do love a parade in any season. I’m practicing my parade wave and hope to see all of you wearing green and being Irish for the day!

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It was 37 years ago today that my boyfriend, Bert, and I said, “I do!” and we have. I became a Norwegian by marriage, inheriting his large and lovely North Dakota family. He became dad to my three daughters and we’ve been blessed.

I was curious just how popular the month of March is for weddings and no surprise it ranks 11th on the list of months at 6.1% just ahead of last place January at 4.7%. Even with Valentine’s Day, February is 10th with 7%. June and August are the most popular months at 10.8% and 10.2%, respectively.

Considering how few marriages happen in March, I seem to know quite a few people who are celebrating anniversaries this month. So here’s a shoutout and best wishes to Charity and Brett Thompson celebrating 20 today along with Debbie and Ken Pohlmeier celebrating 43 years. Kelly and Shauna Moore celebrated 20 years March 8, sharing the date with Brenda and Daryl Eliff, who marked 43 years, and Kathy and Marchand Duke, 26 years. The longevity award goes to Dale and Carolyn Kreager, who were married 70 years ago March 12. Randy and Annette Wells celebrated their golden 50th March 3. Jim and Nancy Hoffman celebrated 47 years March 4.

Three of my CHS '70 classmates have anniversaries this month; Steve and Robin Anthony, 29 years March 26, Marty and Lynn Hayes, 22 years on the 31st, and Diane Wahl and John Imhoff, eight years March 17.

Bridget and RJ Axtell said their "I do's" 24 years ago March 20. Cindy and Derek Hval are coming up on 37 years of wedded bliss March 22.

Rhiannon Rickard and Brandon Reagan will join the March wedding ranks when they take their vows March 18.

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Reminder that the shortening of St. Patrick’s Day is St. Paddy’s Day, not St. Patty’s Day. Patty is short for Patricia, Paddy is short for Padraig, the Irish spelling of Patrick. Slainte!

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United Crown Pump and Drilling on Hayden Avenue has had bright green water flowing from the pump water feature all month. No sightings of the pot of gold or a rainbow yet, though.

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Happy birthday today to Bill Haughton, Terie Huston, Len Crosby, Barry Rubin, Zack Yost, Pam Humphrey and Penny Brownell. Tomorrow Colleen English, John Bujosa, Cindy Marcella, Cathy Riorden, Kelly Moore, Ken Kress, LauraLee Johnson, Laurel Rollins, Daniel Schelske and Dottie Pichard welcome another year. William Shannon Reynolds, Pat Castelian, Cody Peugh, Keith Hutcheson, Patty Conkle (70!), Trish Ortega, Carrie Nicholson, Mike Gump and Nichelle Price are combining a little luck o’ the Irish with their birthday celebrations. On Saturday my Birthday Club buddy, Jack Pierce, along with Chris Englebrecht, Dawn Johnston, Lisa Jirkins, Julie Bjornson and Bret Merry put on their party hats. On Sunday Lance Bridges, Taryn Nichols, Kris Storey, Megan Merry, Troy Jones, Judey Brown, Patsy Andres, Janet Batchelder and Taryn Moliter celebrate. On Monday Pam Houser, Kristi Granier, Aaron Sadler, John Blanchette, Tad Thompson, Julie Clark, Carolyn Anderson and Matt Hansen celebrate first day of spring birthdays. Brandie Chapman, Trey Bartoo, Luke Paul, Michelle Lewis, Marla Lopez, Trudie Chamberlan, Julie Billetz, Steve Hanson, Jacque Kress, Derek Teal and Jack Crawford celebrate Tuesday.

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Kerri Rankin Thoreson is a member of the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and the former publisher of the Post Falls Tribune. Main Street appears every Wednesday in The Press and Kerri can be contacted on Facebook or via email mainstreet@cdapress.com. Follow her on Twitter @kerrithoreson.