Every January, the West Suburban Irish cut-ups set their sights on green as they step up their annual efforts to plan their fundraising festivities to benefit St. Baldrick’s Foundation and other worthy causes.
After selecting the design for their collectible scarf that is available for sale at $5 each at all their special events, they volunteer to organize the Emerald Dinner, held on Feb. 22 at White Eagle Golf Club. WSI Club member Lynda Reilly again served as chairman of the dinner, a fun-and frolic-filled evening when the group crowns its St. Patrick’s Parade Queen to the live accompaniment of Irish music and wit.
Decked out in a green bow tie and cummerbund, Mike Reilly, Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2014 St. Patrick’s Parade, who also served as emcee at the dinner, is pictured above to the left of Nellie Rose Barry, 2014 Parade Queen. Every year the honor of parade queen is bestowed on a teen to recognize her Irish ancestry as well as her high school and community spirit.
An honor student at Naperville Central High School, Barry serves on the Student Advisory Council, was captain of the Cross Country team and also has played basketball, soccer and track.
Outside of school, Barry dances with the Weber Irish Dance Company and is active in Girl Scouts.
Barry plans a career in nursing and already has been accepted into three university nursing programs. She traces her Irish heritage to Counties Tipperary, Armagh, Cork and Kerry.
The 2014 Parade Queen’s court includes Claire Costelloe, Allison Clymer, Victoria Krug, Mary Lipa and Shelley McCarthy, all of whom will ride with the queen in a special parade entry on March 15.
The 2014 Emerald Dinner welcomed a sold-out group of 200 revelers, many clad in hues of green, to an evening of that included a bagpipe performance by the Firefighters’ Highland Guard of Naperville, traditional dancing by the McNulty Irish Dancers, songs by Upside Downers and live music for dancing by Cirrus Falcon.
After dinner, Mike Reilly, serving as emcee for the evening was prompted by Positively Naperville’s photographer to invite everyone to the podium for the group photo that graces this month’s front page (print edition) and stretches across this centerfold.
The evening’s festivities continued with a raffle for prizes and a silent auction with generous donations from dozens of local businesses and individuals.
And, yes, Reilly’s Irish eyes were smiling when a five-member chorus of men singing 4-part harmony engaged him in song after song.
Next up, the West Suburban Irish will host their monthly Quiz Night at Quigley’s Irish Pub beginning at 7PM Tues., March 4; an Irish Mass with a musical prelude beginning at 7:30PM Thurs., March 13; all leading up to the 21st Annual St. Patrick’s Parade stepping off at 10AM Sat., March 15.
Put on the green and join a hundred thousand welcomes! Céad MÃle Fáilte!
