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More than just shamrocks, leprechauns, bagpipes, and beer!

Saint Patrick, the inspiration for our celebration, was born in the early fifth century in Britain. At age 16, Saint Patrick was taken to Ireland and enslaved there for six years (britannica.com). Forced to work as a herdsman and often on the verge of starvation, Saint Patrick relied heavily on his faith for the will to survive. 

Following his captivity, Saint Patrick returned to his family and believed he was called to spread the word of god. However, he was reluctant due to his lack of education. Ultimately, Saint Patrick heeded the call and “journeyed far and wide, baptizing and confirming with untiring zeal” (britannica.com). Saint Patrick was known for his humility, giving gifts to rulers and other men in powerful positions (britannica.com). Unwilling to receive gifts from those in power, which prompted their suspicion, Saint Patrick at least once was cast in chains (britannica.com).

Legends around Saint Patrick include stories of him banishing snakes from Ireland, raising men from the dead, and using the shamrock as a symbol to teach the holy trinity (britannica.com)

Saint Patrick is believed to have died on March 17, 461, and people in Ireland began celebrating a feast day in his honor on March 17 some time during the ninth or tenth century (history.com).

According to the United States Census Bureau, 3.4 million United States citizens claim Irish ancestry–that’s 9.2% of our population. On March 17, each year, whether we truly have Irish blood or no, most of us enjoy some form of celebration. 

To show its Irish spirit, Chicago first began dying its river green in 1962 (“St. Patrick’s Day Chicago”). Originally pouring enough dye into the river for the color to last a week, the city has switched to more environmentally friendly methods that only last a few hours but still contribute to the festivities. 

First held as a unified event in 1848, New York City’s Saint Patrick’s Day Parade is the world’s oldest civilian parade (history.com). (Prior to 1848, several smaller parades took place in various areas of New York City.) Typically lasting over 5 hours and involving over 150,000 participants and 3 million spectators, it is the largest parade in the United States (history.com). Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Savannah are also known for their festive parades, some of which may still be held this year, although on a smaller scale than usual. 

At home, Americans often celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day listening to traditional Irish music, wearing green to avoid the pinch of a  leprechaun, consuming corned beef and cabbage, and downing large quantities of Guiness. According to USA Today, “On a typical day, Americans drink about 600,000 pints of the Dublin-based beer. But on St. Patrick’s Day, about 3 million pints of Guinness are downed.”

Whether you plan to celebrate out in your community or quietly at home, the staff at Waitte’s Insurance Agency wish you a happy and healthy Saint Patrick’s Day. Give us a call when you are ready to discuss your unique insurance needs. 

britannica.com “Saint Patrick”

history.com “History of Saint Patrick’s Day”

“The NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade”

“St. Patrick’s Day Chicago”

United States Census Bureau

USA Today “7 Saint Patrick’s Day Traditions”

Have you ever thought of doing a home inventory? Most of us don’t spend much time thinking about all of the stuff we have in our homes, but if we stop and consider what it would be like if some of our possessions were stolen or, worse yet, if a fire or other major disaster occurred and we lost everything, we realize how valuable such documentation could be. 

Documentation could take a variety of forms, and it may be best to use a combination. First, you could just make a list of everything that you feel is valuable. Having your list in digital format, preferably stored in the cloud, makes obvious sense. Be sure to keep it in a file that will be easy to locate. 

Taking pictures as a way to document your possessions could be more helpful than just a list. Even better–consider using BOTH methods. You could also videotape your home. Walk from room to room inside and continue the video as you walk out the door and around the perimeter of your home–this proves that the items are really in your home, and you might be more likely to remember important things that could slip your mind if you are just making a list. Your video does not have to be professional quality–just good enough that the images are clearly visible. 

Consider, especially for items of significant value, adding details such as make and model numbers, purchase dates, serial numbers, receipts (if you still have them), and an estimated value. 

After you have gone through the effort of creating your documentation, being sure it is in a place you will be able to use it is worth the effort. Put it in your fireproof safe if you have one. A safety deposit box, a relative or close friend’s house, or your insurance agent if they offer storage for you are all good ideas as well. 

If you are ready to do a more thorough job or are looking for assistance to guide you through the process, consider using a home inventory app such as one found in the link below.  You can also just search “home inventory apps” and find a variety of options with reviews. Most of these apps are affordable, and some are even free. 

At Waitte’s Insurance Agency, we care about the health and well-being of our community because we are part of the community. Give us a call when you are ready to discuss your unique insurance needs. 

TheBalance.com “The 7 Best Home Inventory Apps of 2020”