Summer 2003

ST. PATRICK PRESERVATION UPDATE

I don’t think there was doubt in anyone’s mind that the luck of the Irish was with us on March 17, 2003 for the annual Town of Erin St. Patrick’s Day Parade. St. Patrick was thrilled to trade in his long underwear, earmuffs, gloves and foot warmers for a pair of sunglasses as the temperatures exceeded 70+ degrees.

A special thanks to Gary and Kay Ebert for the use of their pick-up truck, flags and many ideas. Without them there would have been no float! Thanks also to our “younger” version of St. Patrick—Tom Mauer; Laura Surges, our world renowned bagpiper who made the long trek from LaFarge, Wisconsin and Jesse Kamsler, who at age 14 is on the road to bagpipe stardom—thanks Jesse, for kindly missing school and helping Laura entertain us with many Irish tunes. Much gratitude is also owed to Ev Henke for the beautiful replica of St. Patrick Church.

We have resubmitted our Washington County Landmark application to the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and are hopeful, with the much appreciated help of the Landmarks Commission, that our designation will be approved in the near future. Recently, we also presented information to Archbishop Dolan on possible Catholic uses for our historic church and are encouraged that a positive dialog will ensue.

Nancy Henke has already begun work on the 150th Anniversary Book for St. Patrick Church, as 2005 will be here before you know it. If you have not already submitted a family tree—please contact Nancy for details. If you have pictures or information you would like to share, you can contact Nancy at 262/673-5219.

For continued updates on our progress, please visit our web site at www.savestpatrick.com or join us the second Tuesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Erin Town Hall. The Rosary will be prayed (weather permitting) from May through October at 6:30 p.m. prior to the meeting on the steps of St. Patrick’s. If you would like to become a member of the St. Patrick Preservation Fund, Inc. (reasonably priced at $5/Single and $10/Family), please contact Nancy Henke. We thank you for your continued support to preserve an important part of the Town of Erin’s history.