Marion Pellicano Ambrose
It’s that time of year again! The holiday that I love to recall from my childhood! No, it’s
not Christmas or Halloween! It’s Saint Patrick’s Day!
Growing up in Brooklyn had many advantages. First, we had the best food anywhere!
There were Jewish delis, Italian, Chinese, and Greek restaurants, and food stores of every
nationality in between. My neighborhood was largely Irish and Italian and we reaped
the benefits of both rich cultures. Our school was closed on Saint Patrick’s Day so we
could all celebrate and watch the parade. The smell of corned beef filled the streets and
ally ways all day. You had to wear green or be pinched, and the Knights of Columbus,
where all our fathers were members, served green beer. The windows of our homes
had shamrocks, harps and leprechauns taped up and for breakfast – Irish Soda bread of
course! It was a wonderful time to be proud of your heritage, sing the old songs that my
father loved, and enjoy being Irish (even if you really weren’t).
