photo by Paul Fixx
“Yanks in the Attic” played for the St. Patrick’s Day celebration, Saturday, March 16, at Hardwick’s American Legion. The group included (left to right) Andrew Koehler tickling the piano ivories; Patrick Flood strumming his banjo; Lucinda Smith clacking away on spoons, Johnny Flood of picking and Roy MacNeil (sitting) picking on mandolin, Mavis MacNeil plucking her bass and Harrison Martin-O’Brien of Cabot playing drums.
HARDWICK – “Yanks In the Attic” drew a big St. Patrick’s Day crowd in a celebratory mood to Hardwick’s American Legion Post No. 7 following its traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner on Saturday, March 16.
photo by Paul Fixx
“Yanks in the Attic” players Roy MacNeil (left) fiddling away, Johnny Flood on guitar and Mavis MacNeil strumming her bass at the Hardwick American Legion Post No. 7 on March 16.
The all-ages community dance was organized by The Civic Standard of Hardwick.
“Yanks in the Attic” are a local St. Patrick’s Day favorite; a family band made up of the Floods who were joined this year by the MacNeils, and others, all playing Irish jigs and reels, pub songs, and old favorites on banjo, guitar, fiddle, tin whistle and mandolin.
When asked why The Civic Standard organized the event, Tara Reese responded without hesitation, “Because it’s fun!”
Patrick Flood, on Banjo leads the band, though younger, rather more energetic family members and friends drove the sometimes frenetic pace when Roy MacNeil on fiddle and Johnny Flood of Hardwick on guitar or mandolin would take the band to an ever faster pace that often had dancers taking a break to watch the dueling duo.
photo by Paul Fixx
A St. Patrick’s Day Crowd danced to a traditional Irish tune played by “Yanks in the Attic” at Hardwick’s American Legion on Saturday, March 16.
Mavis MacNeil on electric bass drove the beat with her husband, Andrew Koehler on piano, both from Greensboro. They were joined by Harrison Martin-O’Brien of Cabot on drums. Caitlyn (Flood) Obenauer of Brookfield lent her voice to some tunes in between attending to two young children and Colin Flood of Woodbury accompanied some tunes on the tin whistle. Patrick’s wife and mother of Colin, Johnny and Caitlyn, Lisa, watched from a nearby table.
Lucinda Smith, also of Woodbury played spoons on some songs.
The announcement suggested, “Come on down for an Irish ceilidh, and a full evening of music, singing and dancing.” The band most certainly delivered on that promise and Reese’s declaration that it’s fun.
For the record, the March 20th issue incorrectly spelled Roy and Mavis McNeal’s name as well as incorrectly identifying the instrument Roy McNeal is playing in the top left photo as a violin when it is a mandolin.
Paul Fixx is editor of The Hardwick Gazette and lives in Hardwick.
