The guys at the poker table were leery of the new telephone man in town. They conversed in secret. “He’s an outsider.” “What’s he doing here?” “Does he attend St. Thomas or Assumption Catholic church?” “Is he from the north or south side of the tracks?” “I just know he was not born in Emmetsburg so he’s not one of us!” From the back of the narrow establishment, Francis Brennan bellowed, “Hey White!” “You can’t be in here.” “You’re not Irish!” With that, Roland pointed to his shirt. It read Happy Day You Irish B-stards! (Printed in Poland)

“BAHAAHA!” The entire poker table roared! John Murphey yelled, “Hey Brennan!” “Whitey here has some boldness!” “He’ll fit right in our town.”

That's my town- not yours! I was born I was raised I keep all my yesterdays. (Montgomery Gentry)This is MY town!

You see, Emmetsburg, Iowa is one of a few dying breeds of small towns in the USA. I just know it is going to be a boom town someday. That is whay my town is a secret. I don't want urban small America to invade my town. It's a quaint little town where everybody's famous.

They still are. While I don't live there anymore, many E'burgians still support and converse on Facebook everyday. Our motto: "If you can't handle us during or worst -you certainly don't deserve us at our best." (Merrilyn Monroe)

Emmetsburg, Iowa is the sister city of Dublin, Ireland. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated for 3 days in March. The town was founded by Irish immigrants; decendents are part of a dying breed of Emmetsburgians. Robert Emmet, an 1800 Irish nationalist, orator, and rebel from Dublin, Ireland, is whom the town is named. Today, a casino called The Irish Rose brings outsiders to town.

There are no ski resorts, monuments (other than Robert Emmet) nearby. Although many of us have moved away, Five Island glacier made lake still exists. That was where we met for summer eveing bike talks, rode circles around the pool, and yelled at friends. As in the Lake Woobagon days- kids were kids, doors unlocked, neighbors talked (and still do), people laughed, we were the fighting Irish- do you dare enter out town? I hope not.