Page 4 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • 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 Musicians help celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day 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 Mary Nussear, Penny McCulloch, Rev. Kathy Jo Blaske, and Catherine Van Houten, a resident and victories, beauty of the of Hillcrest Residence, whose great grandparents were of Irish descent. land, and love. All the harpers were men, since women and slaves were forbidden to there are several types of Celtic knots representing a variplay the harp.” ety of things, including the Trinity, eternal love, life, death, She explained that the harpists were so powerful in influ- and eternity. The one common thing about the symbol is encing the Irish people to protest against British rule that that there is no beginning and no end to the design. The Queen Elizabeth I ordered the harpists to be hanged and other decals are a serpent, representing good luck and prosthe harps to be burned. Consequently there are only three perity; a turtle, representing longevity; and a soaring bird, mediaeval Gaelic harps in Ireland today. One, known as representing the messenger of creativity and prophecy, Brian Boru’s Harp, is housed at Trinity College in Dublin. which are inspirational to artists and musicians. McCulloch also told the residents that her harp is an Nussear, a resident of Ridgewood who has been playing Irish harp, or Celtic harp, which are commonly called lever the flute since high school, said flutes are also important in harps because levers control the pitch of the strings. The 36 Irish history. strings correspond to keys on a piano. She also had special “This is a modern-day flute, but in Ireland they often decals of Irish symbols put on the front of the harp. use what are called tin whistles or fifes,” she said. The bottom decal is the Celtic knot. She explained that Rev. Blaske also presented a quiz about Saint Patrick.