Page 18 March 2014 Arcadians celebrate fun, tradition of Saint Patrick’s Day By Katie Mayer In the United States, Saint Patrick’s Day is a time for celebration. We gather with loved ones, drink green beer and feast on corned beef and cabbage. festivities, the history of the holiday has more somber roots dating back more than 1600 years when a teenage boy was kidnapped from his home in Scotland and taken to Ireland. The man known today as Saint Patrick worked as a slave sheepherder during his time in capture, but as a person of deep faith, ultimately escaped, was ordained a bishop, and went on to convert the entire country of Ireland to Christianity. Today, Saint Patrick, Patron Saint of Ireland, remains one of the most beloved saints worldwide. Each year on March 17, the holiday of Saint Patrick’s Day is celebrated in America through a variety of traditions as diverse as Americans themselves. Some wear green, while others wear orange. Some attend parades, drink green beer and dine on corned beef and cabbage, while still others choose to recognize the day through quiet prayer and church services. In Arcadia, Saint Patrick’s Day offers families a chance to enjoy longstanding traditions, celebrate with neighbors – and in true Arcadia spirit – create unique and imaginative activities to share with their community. Mischievous creatures In the Cheke home, the night with anticipation. For the past seven years, “leprechauns” have sneaked into the family’s Arcadia home and sideburns green and even painted the dog. So, to combat the mischievous little creatures, the Cheke children Patrick,10, Nicholas, 8, and Zachary, 6, build and set traps in the front yard. Along with neighbors and other family members, the boys spend Saint Patrick’s Day eve enjoying Lucky Charms cereal, green Kool-Aid and building traps. “The next morning, they see what the leprechauns did in the front yard and see if they got anything,” said mom Rose Cheke. Although the children have never actually trapped a leprechaun, Cheke said the children often discover leprechaun droppings in the form of green jellybeans and other bits of evidence near their traps. Cheke, whose family members are of Irish descent, isn’t exactly sure how the tradition started, but said she always imagined leprechauns being “mischievous and mystical” so the family decided to try to capture one. “We are kind of kooky and celebrate everything,” Cheke, who works in pharmaceutical sales, said while laughing. ! " wasn’t especially pleased with me because # # toenails.” A pub and a party Every Saint Patrick’s Day, the carport of Peter and Emily Burch’s Arcadia home is transformed into an elaborate Irish pub. More than a month before the holiday, Peter and his graphic designer father- in-law Bill “BAABEe” Taber build an elaborate wooden façade modeled after a famous Irish pub and place it at the front of their carport to form a realistic entrance. Inside, the two men build a bar with beer on tap, hang posters, a dart board, create a picture wall and even build a Snug, which Bill Taber and Peter Burch stand proudly in their handmade pub, ready for another year of green beer with family and friends. Continued on page 20 In the Cheke home, creating a leprechaun trap has become an annual Saint Patrick’s Day tradition. Susan Tibbets Associate Broker ! "#" $%% "&' !( ) % *** +( "( Wonderful Family home… Completely Remodeled. 4 Bd. + Den + Loft, 3.5 Ba., Pool & Spa. $1,100,000 Y O U R P E R F E C T PA R T N E R S SUSAN TIBBETS & C O L D W E L L B A N K E R We can sell your home too! 6235 E. Calle Rosa Arizona Country Club… looking onto the 15th Green and across the Golf Course. 1/2 Acre + Lot. Ideal for remodel or build your dream home. $850,000 5929 E. Indian School Rd. Golden Keys (near 60th St. and Thomas)… 2 Bd., 2 Ba., 2 Car Gar. Really nice Opportunity in a 55+ Community. $250,000w 6290 E. Catalina Here’s what a client of Susan’s has to say... “Susan, thank you for an outstanding level of service. Your knowledge of the market, in depth research, attention to detail and personal touch produced results beyond our expectations,” — Michael and Elaine Whitcomb 4 Bd., 2.5 Ba., Pool, 3 Car Gar. + Full Guest House. 1/2 Acre Lot… Fantastic Camelback Mountain Views. $895,000 Base of Camelback Mountain
