Building Community Through Adventure: St. Patrick's gathering supports new nonprofit

In the centuries following Saint Patrick’s death (believed to have been on March 17, 461), the mythology surrounding his life became ever more ingrained in the Irish culture.

Perhaps the most well-known legend is that he explained the Holy Trinity (Father, Son and Holy Spirit) using the three leaves of a native Irish clover, the Shamrock.

On St. Patrick’s Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. Corned beef replaced the bacon in most festivals, but the cabbage remains along with potatoes and soda bread in many cases.

That being said, we’ve come to know it as a boisterous event but all in good cheer with green beer and wearing leprechaun hats and green accessories.

Not necessarily known as a family event, that is changing this year at the Old Superior School Gymnasium from 5:30 to 11 p.m. on Thursday, March 17. This is an open invitation to individuals, couples, families, and new people to Mineral County to meet and socialize while partaking in food, beverages and entertainment at what is known as the Indoor Beer Garden Party.

It will be modeled off a European beer garden with a Montana brewery twist. Indoor cornhole, music, pub trivia, games for adults, games for kids, face painting, corned beef and cabbage, and a no-host beer bar along with Irish drinks for sale, sponsored by the 4-Aces Bar.

This is being organized by the new nonprofit, Mineral County Rec Club, whose slogan is "Building Community Through Adventure."

“Growing up in Superior was a dream come true for me with all the outdoor recreation activities that we had”, remembers Andrew M. Hanson, aka Andy or Drew Hanson. “I was born and lived here until the completion of seventh grade. Both my parents are from here and graduated in 1967. My family owned Hanson's oil which was on top of the hill where Cenex operated. My mother's parents, the Whitcomb’s, owned a motel and gas station out at Forest Grove."

Even after leaving the area, Hanson stayed connected to the recreation and people. Today, he and his family live in Superior as he works remotely for Simpson Strong-Tie based out of Pleasanton, California as an instructional designer, and his wife, Debbie, teaches kindergarten at Superior Elementary School.

“I was eager to share some of the experiences that I had growing up with my two boys. However, things changed. The pool had to be taken out due to issues that were beyond repair, some of the events stopped running, and the ski bus was not going to the Mountain (Lookout Pass),” he said.

That happens, and in most cases, it hurts. Fond memories might not be repeated, but new memories can be created with the right people and attitudes.

“With lots of support from the Superior Schools and a number of interested families, we started a large idea: the Mineral County Rec Club,” Hanson smiles.

They are a 501C (3) with many ideas such as camps, clinics on fly fishing, kayaking, mountain biking, and cross-country skiing. The organization will support community events that are based on recreation and sport and assist with developing new activities.

Hanson serves on the Mineral County Community Foundation and is on their Pool in the Park committee as replacing the swimming pool in Eva Horning Park has been moving full steam ahead for the last few years.

“We have some of the best access to the outdoors anywhere”, he shares. “We have communities that embrace adventure. Hopefully, through organizing this way we can build experiences that are affordable for everyone. We can connect area families and kids to resources they may not have access to. This is not a short or small mission but one that will be sustainable and help grow the economy, the connection between residents, and be fun.”

The First Indoor Beer Garden Party is an effort to raise some money ($10 for individual entry and $25 for a family), have a community function, and show off an exciting new club.

“This is an event for anyone and hopefully can become part of the culture of our county going forward. With all the inevitable change that is coming our way and us facing some divided times, coming together over some common goals and beer sounds great. I don't think anyone wants to lose the feel of Mineral County. We love the fabrics of our towns. So, it is important to get involved and make sure our heritage survives as our county evolves,” Hanson said.