The Daughters of Ireland and the beloved Father Patrick O’Brien presented Nancy Ray Johnson with the Irish sash at the Southside Knights of Columbus on Feb. 27.
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Picture a room with a red-haired leprechaun, an authentic bagpiper (kilt included) and Catholic priest surrounded by close to 120 vivacious ladies led by the indomitable Betty Schwarz and you have the annual grand marshal’s leading lady reception.
Back to Betty — she is one classy dame! She invited me to this event at last year’s Daughter’s of the American Revolution celebration and has followed up with me often to make sure I don’t miss their event.
My first introduction is with the guest of honor — Nancy. The sister of St. Patrick’s Day Grand Marshal Jimmy Ray is nervous. Nancy says she isn’t fond of talking in front of crowds. But I don’t believe her. She is exuberantly reminiscing with family members Ashley Ray, Lisa Holmes, and Carol Ray about past parades.
Another lady I am fond of is professional caterer Lavon Freeman. Direct and refreshing, my long-time friend greets me a big hug and introduces me to her table of friends, who I attempt to photograph. It isn’t meant to be. Too many women and not enough time because the ceremony is starting and I am in the way of Shane Parris’ beautiful bagpipe introduction.
After Father O’Brien “sashes” Nancy and leads the crowd in a heartfelt prayer, the ladies line up for a bit of scrumptious Irish fare like shepherd’s pie, smoked salmon and “green” velvet cake. After a quick cake test, I hug former Grand Marshals Tim Ansley and Walter Crawford and then run around like a crazy person trying to get ladies to pause, smile and give me some gossip.
My first group of ladies who accommodate my bossy request is Clara Russo, Marcia Morgan and Nancy Arnsdorff. With limited time for chatting I rush the posing professionals for a quick pic and then snag one of the best pictures of the night. It’s of six Irish queens on the plus side of 80 years old, with the eldest lass checking in at 90 years young!
Along with the senior ladies are many mother and daughter duos. My first pair is “K” Grayson and her daughter Kathryn, a fourth-generation Irish lass who manages Savannah’s only import store, Saints and Shamrocks on Bull Street. The lovely 31-year-old shares a bit of her upcoming “green” itinerary from Tara Feis to her “most favorite Mass of all” — the Celtic Cross Mass today at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist.
I ask the 10-year veteran of St. Patrick’s Day what the shop’s most requested items are.
“Anything from Irish lapel pins, cuff links and flags to Hannah hats — that’s a tweed or patchwork flat Irish wool cap. We are an authentic Irish boutique. Why haven’t you checked us out?” asks the devoted daughter of Ireland.
After watching an invigorating dancing routine from the Irish Dancers of Ireland and snapping some fun pics of the young ladies changing shoes, I round up some of the DOI officers for a reluctant photo!
Vice president Kimberly Carver, secretary Georgia Steinmetz, sergeant in arms (another name for the person that keeps the ladies in order and quiets them down) Julia Phillips and historian Kelly Hunt tolerate me for a few fabulous poses and I get a chance to catch up with Kelly.
The neonatal practice manager at Memorial University Medical Center has been a DOI member for 25 years and traces her Irish heritage back to her great-grandmother who hailed from County Cork in Ireland. With the maiden name Kilpatrick, she definitely looks a lot like the Irish ladies I saw in Ireland last year.
Another reason I was excited about meeting the Irish ladies is because it is an organization that opens its doors to any female of Irish descent. Check out www.daughtersofireland.org if you want to join the elite ladies of Ireland and their rich heritage.
With a final chat with Nancy about her brother Jimmy, she shares a moment that resonates.
“We have spent our entire lives involved in the parade and watching my brother walk in our father’s footsteps is something we have always dreamed of.”
Here’s a toast to walking in your daddy’s grand marshal shoes Jimmy Ray!
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