WEARING OF...THE PURPLE!

    I know. For the past two days all we've
heard about is Saint Patrick Parades in
just about every town that has a Main
Street.
   Everybody, marchers and watchers,
have been decked out in green.
   But Saint Patrick's Day isn't until
tomorrow.
   And today is Saint Urho's Day!
   This guy never made it quite as big
as the Irish Saint. But today is his
day and it will be celebrated, mainly
in Finland and Minnesota!
    According to the legend , while
Saint Patrick was driving all the snakes
out of Ireland Saint Urho was driving
all the Grasshoppers out of Finland.
    Of course there are those who say
the story of Saint Urho was concocted
by Finnish immigrants to Minnesota
who were tired of hearing the Irish
rave about Saint Patrick.
    They set Saint Urho's day for
March 16th to get a day's start on
celebrating with beer! Those folks claim
there really is no such person at all, but
just an attempt to get to the "green beer"
before the Irish do.
    Anyone who has witnessed
Scranton's Saint Patrick's
celebration can tell them they're
a dime short even if a day early!
     Should you choose to celebrate
anyway Saint Urho's colors are said
to be Purple and Emerald Green.
     Whether he actually exists or not
there are statues to Saint Urho in
Finland and Minnesota.
      I don't believe there are any
in this region. Perhaps celebrators
can substitute the bust of Jason
Miller on Courthouse Square in
Scranton.
    And, if the bleachers are still in
place, maybe they can stage a quick
march around the Square with their
banners and beer.
    If the beer's all gone......maybe
they can order a "Grasshopper!"
    Now if we can only come up with
a Saint that chases politicians!
    Hope some of the pipers stayed
in town...and that all your NEWS
is good!

    The official colors for Saint Urho's
Day are Purple and Emerald Green.