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A Commodore for St.
Patrick's Day
 Irish heritage is big in Port Dingle. Irish heritage is Port Dingle.
From its history of the love story between the Irish sea captain
and his best friend’s lovely widow to the present, Port Dingle lives
its many lives with a glimmer of Emerald Greene in its eyes and the
sometimes whimsical often contrary Irish will in its multiple
hearts.
St. Patrick’s Day in Port Dingle is the day of the prestigious
Commodore and the powerful Nanamae Hannigan. Part of her power comes
from being a direct descendant of the lovely widow. The greater part
of her power comes from the magnificence of her presence. Nanamae is
no force of nature; she is Mother Nature incarnate.
To use the nautical terms so dear to town residents, Nanamae
Hannigan is a man-o-war. She forges full sail through calm sea and
rough waters to bring love matches or, at the least, convivial
marriages to one and all.
No bachelor is safe from her designs, no maid secure from her
interference. Widows and widowers hide behind shuttered windows at
her approach. And, every man, woman and child of Port Dingle,
without exception, proclaims their love of her.
Everyone loves love and there is nothing Nanamae loves more than
finding true love, even if only for now. The wondrous Dame Hannigan is
matchmaker for local residents and for singles further afar.
Dignitaries, diplomats and truck drivers have sought her aid and her
advice. All lovingly given on a sliding scale payment system.
A mature woman of comfortable curves and petite stature, Nanamae's
eminence towers over all. In another time, the unmarried matchmaker
would have had besotted courtiers by her side. Modern times bring
her flattering fans and ardent followers.
Each St. Patrick’s Day, Nanamae steers the committee to pick a new
Commodore for the town. Suggestions are given and nominations made.
Only men of good standing and great heart can aspire to this honor.
The week preceding the St. Patrick’s Day Festival, nominees walk
and work the streets of town wearing gold trimmed green shamrock
pins bearing their number. They kiss babies; they compliment,
cajole, shake hands, and bestow smiles with sincere good wishes.
Residents vote by placing quarters in the correspondingly numbered
jars at the Treasurer’s office. Each night, the Treasurer and
Nanamae tally the votes (quarters). Each successive day,
anticipation grows for the moment when Nanamae Hannigan as Diva of
the Dance stands before the whole town and announces this year’s
winner.
Lesser men wear plain shamrocks printed with their names. They seek
love and proclaim their eligibility by their wearing of the green.
Interested damsels contact Nanamae if they wish to accompany one of
the men to the dance.
Those who are not chosen are not left out. Nanamae uses her
indomitable charm to make sure each man and each woman has an
escort. No one stays home alone on St. Patrick’s Day in Port Dingle.
Behind the scene, bets are being made on the good chances at
becoming Commodore for the very distinguished and long widowed Mayor
– Liam McGee. Nanamae has been single too many decades herself and
what better match than the Commodore and the Grande Dame.
I wait to find out why a Commodore and what IS the story of the sea
captain and the lovely widow? Which, as a newcomer to town, are only
a few of my questions.
Port Dingle waits to find out who will be this year’s Commodore knowing,
as Nanamae always says, a good time will be had by all
Port
Dingle Diaries Index
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