Page 12 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • March 27, 2013 Area In celebration of Saint Patrick’s Day, harpist Penny McCulloch and flutist Mary Nussear gave a special performance for residents of The Longview Assisted Living Residence and Hillcrest Residence at Christian Health Care Center in Wyckoff. They led residents in a sing-along of Irish songs and hymns, including “When Irish Eyes are Smiling,” “Danny Boy,” “Be Thou My Vision,” (an ancient Irish poem and ballad), “Christ Beside Me,” and “My Wild Irish Rose.” Chaplain Rev. Kathy Jo Blaske, MDiv, organized the special event as part of her Chaplain’s Hour, which she holds weekly. McCulloch, a resident of Ramsey who has played the harp since she was in high school, talked about the importance of the harp in Irish history. “The harp is Ireland’s national symbol and dates back to the times Chieftains ruled the land and they all had minstrels,” McCulloch said. “The harpers transmitted the news of the day and were powerful in getting people to rally around a cause. Their songs included themes about the battles and victories, beauty of the land, and love. All the harpers were men, since women and slaves were forbidden to play the harp. How times have changed! Most harpers today are women.” She explained that the harpists were so powerful in influencing the Irish people to protest against British rule that Queen Elizabeth I ordered the harpists to be hanged and the harps to be burned. Consequently there are only three mediaeval Gaelic harps in Ireland today. One, known as Brian Boru’s Harp, is housed at Trinity College in Dublin. McCulloch also told the residents that her harp is an Irish harp, or Celtic harp, which are commonly called lever harps because levers control the pitch of the strings. The 36 strings correspond to keys on a piano. She also had special decals of Irish symbols put on the front of the harp. “I wanted my harp to reflect my love of Ireland and Irish music,” she said. (continued on page 19) Musicians help celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day Mary Nussear, Penny McCulloch, Rev. Kathy Jo Blaske, and Catherine Van Houten, a resident of Hillcrest Residence, whose great grandparents were of Irish descent.