To the editor:

Mark Jarboe needs a little more information regarding the St. Patrick’s Day Parade that he found on the Lawrence.com Web site (Public Forum, March 4).

The parade had its beginning in 1998 with a small group of men (probably while seated in the Flamingo Club). It started small and has grown through the years because of the ideas of this group and by many, many individuals who have contributed long hours and hard work to make each parade better than the one before. Local business people and individuals have also contributed financially to enable the parade committee to contribute to many children’s charities in our area.

I am in my 80s and, through the years, I have been to the Flamingo Club for St. Patrick’s Parade activities and have never seen a “nudie” or “girlie” and am not sure if I ever saw a stripper pole. The food is excellent, and I have been treated with the utmost respect and dignity while there.

The change in the Shamrock Shuffle starting location is due to construction just north of the bridge. If it wasn’t for the Flamingo Club, its owner and his friends, there would be no St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the good it does for our community. Chill out, Mr. Jarboe.