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The Christmas Song

The Back Story to Mel Tormé’s Classic Christmas Song

Bill O'Boyle
Winter 2022

December 23, 2021 by 1 Comment

This story is about Rita and Mel and a Christmas song — no, make that "The Christmas Song." "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose." Rita O’Donnell was just 15 years old and a sophomore at Coughlin High School in 1940 when she got a call from her older sister, Aileen, who was dancing as a member of the Rockettes at Radio City Music … [Read more...] about The Back Story to Mel Tormé’s Classic Christmas Song

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August 14, 1814

Mary O’Connell, famous American Civil War nurse, was born in Limerick on this day in 1814. After immigrating to the U.S. and being educated there, O’Connell became Sister Anthony, SC. On the battlefield, she became known as “the angel of the battlefield.” Aside from caring for soldiers, Sister Anthony was also recognized for her work during the yellow fever scare of 1877.

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