NEXT
(0)
   +1
A newspaper headline from March, 1967, said it best; “Scotsman Adopted by O'Neill Irish”. Here's the scoop on how it all came about: We know O'Neill is the true Irish Capital of Nebraska, proclaimed by the Governor in 1969. But have you ever stopped and wondered, HOW did that official proclamation actually come about? What was it that made our small, local celebration, gain the notice of the state, & eventually, even the nation? Mr. Tom Allan, more than any other single person, shined the media spotlight on it, giving it tremendous publicity, via the large circulation of the Omaha World Herald (aka OWH). Born in Scotland in 1918, Tom Allan came to America at age 9. He grew up to become the OWH roving reporter-photographer, covering the entire state “To Bucktail and Back” as he titled his book published in 2002. He had accumulated literally over “A Million Miles of Memories”, wearing out 20 company cars in 52 years. Tom officially retired from his position in 1999 at age 83. But he continued to write his signature column “Nebraska Byways” until 2002. He was a member of the Nebraska Press Association's Hall of Fame, described as “likely the best read and most recognizable journalist in the state over his career”. An OWH “Magazine of the Midlands” in December 1978, was dedicated to some of Allan's best stories & photographs. In it, he mused “I'm often asked where I love Nebraska best. Maybe the most truthful answer is where I am at the moment. But best loved of all has to be anywhere in the Sandhills”. And surely the Sandhills town that loved him best, was O'Neill. His earliest reference to O'Neill's St. Patrick's Day celebration was in March 1965. In what was to become an ongoing theme, despite bad weather, townsfolk still honored their Irish heritage. (Some things don't change in 60 years.) Allan's coverage of the 1967 State Centennial Official St. Patrick's Day Celebration, really put O'Neill on the map. He had joined in the fun so memorably, that the town presented him with a Nebraska-shaped walnut desk set, embedded with a bronze Centennial medallion, and “Tom Allan, O'Neill's adopted son” engraved on the base. The town always loved her adopted son, even when he would stray from the fold & give coverage to the “other” St. Pat's celebration, held in an obscure town 90 miles from Omaha. This earned him trips to Kangaroo Court and frequent “death sentences” from “Hangin' Judges” Joe Cavanaugh & Larry Wanser. The sentences were often suspended, upon Allan's promise to ONLY attend O'Neill's celebration, & avoid visiting or mentioning “Brand X”. The fact was, Allan was on probation, under the exact same conditions, in the other town! His comical descriptions of the rivalry, the yearly “reminders” given by the 2 towns, and overall effect on his nerves, was humorously detailed in his column. Including a memorable description of riding the Green Horse behind Pete Matthews! Allan's column was so popular, evoking curiosity & fan-base loyalty, thus the attendance grew at both celebrations. O'Neill showed it's appreciation for Tom, honoring him as Parade Marshall in 1984, Irish King in 1986, and Official Ambassador in 1991. In 1987 he noted he would be absent “for the first time in at least 25 years”, so he could accompany his wife to Las Vegas. He was known & loved by many, many people throughout the state, but O'Neill will always owe him a special debt of gratitude, for bringing widespread attention to our celebration in its earliest years, & into the next 5 decades. His last report on it came in 2001. Tom had deep pride in his Scottish heritage, but he embraced his adopted country, & particularly the beautiful State of Nebraska. At his passing, in June of 2003, his colleague Tom Ash opined “Tom Allan had a better grasp on the soul of Nebraska than anyone else I knew. He embraced the unique culture of our state, and he embodied it. He knew our culture was rooted in the ranches and farms and small towns of the state, and that the spirit of our pioneer heritage was strongest there.” Colleague Don Bryant paid tribute to Tom. “He was Mr. Nebraska. Somebody in every town knows him. He was just a legend.” The O'Neill Irish Walk of Fame is proud to continue his legend today, by inducting him as Tom Allan, O'Neill's Adopted Son. _________________________________________________________________________________________ Scott Poese is a name synonymous with O'Neill, Nebraska. Born and raised in this close-knit community, Scott has dedicated his life to promoting its growth and prosperity. His deep roots in O'Neill have fostered a passion for its people and a commitment to its future. Growing up, he was a member of Vivian Melena's Irish Dancers, a formative experience that instilled in him an appreciation for the arts and community engagement. This early exposure to local culture laid the foundation for his future contributions to O'Neill. He continued this association by being the emcee for the Irish Dancer Spring Revue for many years. As a young lad, age 13, Scott began his career at KBRX, the local radio station run by his dad, Gil (also a Walk of Fame inductee). This early start ignited a passion for broadcasting & led to him becoming possibly the best-known voice in the community. He has been a fixture at KBRX ever since, becoming an integral part of the station's identity. Scott is best known as the host of the Partyline Show, a beloved morning program that airs Monday through Friday. His warm and engaging personality connects with listeners, sharing local news, events, and community updates. His genuine enthusiasm for our area shines through every broadcast. Beyond his work at KBRX, Scott is deeply involved in promoting O'Neill and its surrounding communities. He is a tireless advocate for local businesses and organizations, always seeking opportunities to highlight their contributions to the area. His commitment to community development led him to join the O'Neill Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors at the age of 22, a testament to his early dedication and leadership potential. Scott's passion for O'Neill extends to his involvement in the O'Neill Men's Club. He played a key role in making the annual painting of the World's Largest Shamrock a family-friendly event. This initiative plus his role in the 1998 April Fools Day prank on KBRX, that raised $20,000 in just 5 hours, to make it the World's Largest PERMANENT Shamrock, exemplifies his creative approach to keeping it a beloved landmark for generations to come. Scott was also a member of the O'Neill Community Center Fundraising Committee, dedicating years of effort to the construction of the facility located at the south end of O'Neill. In a lighter vein, this led to Scott's brief modeling career which peaked in 2012 when he was one of 12 men who posed for the Real Men of the Shamrock City calendar. Also in 2012, Scott's belief in the "luck of the Irish" was famously demonstrated when he and his wife, Darcy, attended the Kentucky Derby. The couple was busy distributing O'Neill St. Patrick's Day pins for good luck amongst the crowd. Their efforts were rewarded when Scott's chosen horse, trained by Doug O'Neill, won, leading to a memorable payout at the tax window. The St. Patrick's Day pins with a new design each year have continued to be distributed by KBRX, with proceeds from the sales going toward many worthy local causes. For over 30 years Scott has emceed O'Neill's St. Patrick's Day Parade, taking over from Walk of Fame member Joe Cavanaugh. Through all kinds of weather, always in his signature “lucky boots” and green fedora, Scott's enthusiasm for the celebration shines through. Scott is also a proud member of the Irish Walk of Fame committee since its inception. Scott and Darcy have two sons, Brandon and Michael, who were raised in O'Neill and share their family's appreciation for the town's Irish heritage. Scott Poese's dedication to O'Neill is a testament to his love for the community and his commitment to its continued success.
| |||||||||||||||||||
Welcome to the discussion.
| |||||||
| Tags | St. Pat's |
|---|