The annual St. Patrick's Day weekend in Jim Thorpe got off to a grand start Friday night with the annual dinner program held at the Mahoning Country Club by the St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee.

The 18th annual Grand Marshal Dinner was held honoring this year's grand marshal Gary Dobias, a life-long resident of Palmerton. Dobias is the former long-term district attorney of Carbon County, who retired last August. He joined the Carbon County District Attorney's Office in 1980 and served as district attorney from 1992 until his retirement.Noel Behan, parade co-chairman, said, "As Hibernians, we stand for our motto of 'Friendship, Unity and Christian Charity.' Everyone on the selection committee is very happy about Gary's selection because he has all those qualifications."The dinner is a prelude to the annual St. Patrick's Day parade in the county seat which will be held on Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. on West Broadway.Dobias said that as district attorney he marched in 17 of the last 18 parades, missing one four years ago when his grandson was born. The parade is sponsored by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Alec Campbell Division I.Master of Ceremonies Ronald J. Sheehan, introduced Dobias, who received a standing ovation. Bagpipe music was played during his escort to the podium where AOH members presented him with his official sash and a plaque.Also recognized were the aides to the grand marshal, Robert McMenemon of the Men's Division of the Ancient Order of Hibernians and Mary Dugan Figura of the Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians.McMenemon, originally from the Flatbush section of Brooklyn, N.Y., and now lives in Penn Forest Township.Figura was one of the first members of LAOH and served as past historian for the LAOH.A native of Jim Thorpe, she has over 20 years of experience in teaching and administration.Special presentations included a $1,200 contribution to the Pennsylvania Wounded Warriors Inc.The project offers wounded warriors, their families or veterans financial assistance with medical emergencies, home repairs, utility bills, mortgage payments and more.Accepting for the project were retired Army Major General Randall Marchi and Dan Rocko, who works for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.The parade committee has been selling raffle tickets for several months and all the proceeds were donated to the Wounded Warriors project at the dinner.AOH member Ed Coll was in charge of the fundraising event. The ticket sales raised $700 and the parade committee added $500.Sheehan also gave a ceremonial report to the grand marshal outlining the parade lineup for Sunday. Sheehan said he's been a more accurate predictor of the weather than Punxsutawney Phil."On groundhog day I predicted that it would be 43 degrees and overcast on parade day," Sheehan said. "Looks like that will be pretty close."Charles Thamarus is president of the AOH assisted by Daniel Evans, vice president. The ladies auxiliary is led by Shari Beers as president and Peggy Sue O'Donnell, vice president.The parade committee is headed by Hugh Dugan with Noel Behan, co-chairman.Following the program entertainment was provided to those attending.