At the final count, 115 people from Mesquite and surrounding areas gathered last Thursday, March 17, for the annual Kelley’s St. Paddy’s Day Walk. The tradition started in 2000 with Doug and Carol Kelley still living on beyond their lives thanks to some good friends, Kathleen Goode and Bob Kirkwood, who gave their word that they would carry on the tradition. Doug Kelley started the event with a few of his golf buddies, and as word spread through the years, it became a community event that involved good times with good friends and a drink at every stop. Local veteran and businessman Dennis Hangey has also committed his time to the event, playing his bagpipes along the walk and at each stop. Milestones for the event include 40 participants in 2004, 60 in 2005 and in recent years, as many as 120. Now in its 16th year, the walk has proven that for at least one day a year, 115 close friends can carry on and have a great day. Photo by Stephanie Frehner.
