New Haven Independent

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee held the ball Saturday night at Yale Commons on Saturday night. Everything about the event was festive, right down to the kilted honor guard.

Chairman Bob Shanley, Grand Marshal John Canon and Parade Chairman Mary Lynn Malenda were rightfully proud as they surveyed the crowd. As though choreographed, Stamford’s mayor and gubernatorial hopeful, Dan Malloy hopeful and New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, with his wife, Kathy DeStefano, worked opposites side of the great hall.

Aldermen Charlie Blango, Bitsie Clark, Alphonse Paolillo and Sergio Rodriguez turned up in their formal wear.

The cadre of friends and family who came to cheer Mike on included Mimsie Coleman,executive director of the Hamden Arts Commission and Barbara Lamb of New Haven’s Office of Cultural Affairs (shown together in photo), David Newton (Yale Properties), Claudia Merson , Bernadette Holodak (development for Greater New Haven Free Public Library) and her husband Bill, Reggie Solomon (director of the Presidential Fellows program at Yale) and Michael Morand’s parents and aunt, Sister Rose Martin of Cincinnatti.

Former West Haven Mayor Rich Borer, with his wife Dorinda (she was a past grand marshal of the parade), greeted us with the news that he will take the helm at Easter Seals when Malcolm Gill retires. He should do a terrific job as it blends the politics, networking and fund raising skills with a new dimensions. He reported that former Hamden Mayor Carl Amento will resume his legal career in the Office of the Corporation Counsel in New Haven, working for Tom Ude. Mitch Goldblatt, former mayor of Orange, will be visible at the H. Pearce offices in Orange, assuming a managerial role in real estate sales.

The Irish crowd showed it complete assimilation as people danced every number but
the Irish jig; the splendid catering featured fine Italian and continental cuisine; they brought their own Irish whiskey. Irish eyes (and all of the others) were all smiling through a very, very enjoyable evening.