MISS CAREW'S GRADE 8 CLASS, 1950

Today's post is a great photo of Miss Carew's Grade 8 class of 1950.  It was very kindly loaned by Doreen Heffernan.  The photo was taken in the convent garden and, as usual, the photographer was Sr M Immaculata.  The pupils were able to purchase copies of the pictures for the princely sum of 10 cents!  We can smile at that I suppose but I am very grateful to the parents who scraped up the 10 cents and to the girls who have shared their photos with us.  I think an immense debt is owed to Sr Immaculata for the wonderful photographic record she has left us.   I just wish the teachers had joined the girls on these photographs!

 

Anyway, with thanks to Doreen, here is Miss Carew's Grade 8 class of 1950.  Anyone here you know?  Does anyone know anything about Miss Carew? 

 

Miss Carew's Grade 8 class, 1950

 

Front Row: Shirley Walsh, Lorraine Nugent

2^nd Row: Joan Turner, Cecelia Byrne, Mary Tobin, Anna Tobin, Helen Power, Doreen McAllister, Patsy Picco, Joan Kerrivan, Pauline McDonald, Anne Buckingham

3^rd Row: Margie Kavanagh, Blanche Green, Margie Stafford, Tess Dunphy, Madeline Kavanagh, Lorraine Holden, Dorothy Nugent, Lorraine Doran, Marie Cunningham, Helen Hickey,

4^th Row: Joan Skinner, Joan Tobin, Shirley McDonald, Pauline Corbett, Mary Hawco, Betty Hayes

DON'T FORGET TO CLICK ON THE PHOTO TO ENLARGE IT.  Enjoy!

MOTHER JOHN'S GRADE 4 CLASS, 1950

This is a picture sent to me by Enid O'Brien and her sister, Joan (Stanford) Dutile. It is Joan's Grade 4 picture from about 1950.  It is a great picture and I only wish that Mother John was on it.  Have you noticed that in  the class pictures from the 50s and 60s the teachers were seldom in the photo?   I wonder why?  Perhaps they were just shy!  On that thought, if anyone has  pictures of any of the teachers, they would make great posts here.  You could send them to me at mcallistersmith@gmail.com

I love the background to this picture too.  I am no expert on architecture but I know what I like and I love the look of the Convent in the background.  It is a really beautiful building.  Also, note the washing on the line.  By the way it is blowing, I would say it was an ideal day for drying clothes!

Mother John's Grade 4 Class, circa 1950

Front Row L-R:

Kathleen Dobbin, Emily Bishop, Lorraine Sheehan, Rosemary Ashley, Joan Abbass, Yvonne Beck, Margaret Miller, Mary Bulger, Brenda Casey, Brenda Molloy, Andrea Martin, Eleanor Sears and Joan Predham.

2nd Row:

Mary Whelan, Catherine Corbett, Rita Kielly, Joan Reynolds, Joan Ryan, Joan Connolly, Irene Viscount, Barbara Ryan, Joan Byrne, Ruth Howell, Patricia McCarthy, Marie Madden, Barbara Mahoney

3rd Row:

Joan O'Dwyer, Margaret Hynes, Marie Fitzgerald, Gertrude Cleary, Betty Antle, Joan Stanford, Mary English and Mary Farrell

Many thanks to Joan & Enid.  I could not keep this blog going without the help of people like you so I am very grateful to you for your support.

FIRST COMMUNION AND CONFIRMATION

Today's post has a little mix of both First Communion and Confirmation memories with two certificates and a photograph.  The first photo is courtesy of Enid Stanford O'Brien and is Enid's Confirmation certificate.  This beautiful certificate is dated 10th June 1953.

 

Enid was Confirmed in St Patrick's Church, Riverhead,
on 10th June 1953

A post about First Communion and Confirmation in St Patrick's Parish would be incomplete without somehow including dear old Holy Cross!  This wonderful picture is of two Holy Cross Boys, Bill and John McAllister.  The picture was taken in 1941 on the occasion of John's First Communion and Bill's Confirmation.  John is wearing the traditional white rosette and Bill the traditional red rosette.

 

 

John's First Communion and
Bill's Confirmation

This last photo shows my own First Communion Certificate.  It is dated 10th June 1952, exactly one year earlier than Enid's Confirmation certificate.

My First Communion Certificate,
signed by Msgr R McD Murphy



FIRST COMMUNION, 1916 AND 1943

We continue our First Communion Theme with a picture of two more St Patrick's Convent School pupils. Approximately 27 years separate the  pictures as one was taken in 1916 and the other in 1943. The two girls, Ellen Josephine Williams and Doreen McAllister, are mother and daughter  The certificate is also from 1943. 

 

 

Ellen Josephine Williams,
First Communion 1916

 

 

 

Doreen McAllister,
First Communion, 1943



Doreen McAllister's First Communion
Certificate, 11th June 1943

FIRST COMMUNION 1911

This time of the year seems to be when, in Parishes all over the world, children are making their First Holy Communion  and receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation.  For this reason, I am going to do a couple of posts on that theme.

 

This post is, I think, very special and a really beautiful slice of our School and Parish history.  I hope you enjoy this 102 year old photo and, if you would like to share a  First Communion or Confirmation photo, certificate or story  on this blog, you would be most welcome to send it to us at mcallistersmith@gmail.com

 

This is the First Communion picture and certificate of Mary Margaret Williams.  She was born in August 1900 in Petty Harbour.  When she was very young, her family moved to St John's and became parishioners of St Patrick's, Riverhead.  Mary, always know as May, attended the old St Patrick's Convent School on Convent Square.  Here she came to know such distinguished teachers as Mother De Sales Walsh and Mother Rose Reddy.  At that time, Mother Rose was a  Novice, still with her white veil. 

 

On 29th April 1911, May received her First Holy Communion.  The certificate states; "Mary Margaret Williams Baptised in the year 1900 received First Holy Communion in the church of St Patrick on the 29th of April 1911 and the Holy Sacrament of Confirmation in the same year".  She was 11 years old.

 

Mary Margaret Williams,
First Holy Communion, April 1911

 

 

First Communion and Confirmation Certificate
of Mary Margaret Williams,
St Patrick's Church, April 1911

 

SR IMMACULATA'S GRADE 6 CLASS, 1948

This is a picture of Sr Immaculata'a Grade six class of 1948.   I have to thank Doreen (McAllister) Heffernan for contributing the photo.  Doreen has also supplied most of the names but if you can fill in any of the missing names we would be happy to add them.  I am going to post two versions of this photo.  I will post the original because there is so much great background visible.  I will also post a cropped version, all the better to see everyone.

 

Doreen said that the photo was taken, by Sr Immaculata, in the Nuns' garden. The old Convent Square School can be seen in the background.   The double windows that can be seen in the school are Mother Berchman's Grade 9 class, grade 8 class, and Sr Immaculata's Grade 6 class.   In the left hand corner of the photo, part of the Convent is visible and to the right of the school, among the trees, you get a little glimpse of that 'famous' Passage Way! 

 

Those who wanted a copy of the photo could buy one for 10 cents each!  I think Sr Immaculata must have been the official photographer because she was still taking class pictures in the late 1950s and possibly early 1960s.  For that we should be grateful to Sr Immaculata because she has left us an excellent photographic record of St Patrick's Girls.  While I am thanking people, I have to say a big 'THANK YOU' to Sean for all his hard work in getting this and some other fantastic pictures to me. 

 

By the way, Doreen has dug into the family archives and come up with some First Communion pictures (St Patrick's and Holy Cross) and a certificate or two. One is from 1911! I hope to post some of these soon so if anyone out there has a First Communion or Confirmation picture, certificate, etc, that you would like to submit, we would be more than delighted to post it.  Just send it to mcallistersmith@gmail.com

 

 




Sr Immaculata's Grade 6 Class, 1948

 

Front Row: Dorothy Nugent, Doreen McAllister, Lorraine Nugent, Maureen Molloy, Margie Stafford, Eileen Penny

2^nd Row: Irma Kelly, Tess Dunphy, Anne Buckingham, Bernadette McCormick, Helen Walsh, Joan Turner, Dorothy Dillon, Joan Skinner, Kay Fowler, Betty Ryall, Mary Tobin

3^rd Row: Shirley Cromwell, Betty Hayes, Mary Hawco, Mercedes McAllister, Helen Power, Anna Tobin, (?), Jean Connolly, Geraldine Horan, (?), Barb Green

4^th Row: Imelda Walsh, Margie Kavanagh, Patsy Picco, Madeline Kavanagh, Blanche Green, Claudine Horan, Pauline Corbett, (?), (?), (?), Genevieve Power, (?)

 



The cropped version


LIBRARY HELPERS 1979

This is another picture from the 1979 St Patrick's Year Book.  Are you on this photo.  Sr Redempta was the Librarian.  She was a lovely Nun.  Do you remember her?

 

Sr M Redempta & the Library Helpers, 1979

 

Front Row, L-R: L Maher, B Ducey, E Thomas, B Carew, R A Gillingham, H Gushue, E Efford

Standing, L-R: C Flynn, M Moores, L Hickey, K Noftal, N Mulrooney, P Carew, C A Carroll, C Ryan, S Francis, Sister M Redempta

DID YOU ATTEND THE 1987 REUNION?

For these great pictures, taken at the 1987 reunion, I am indebted to Rose (Mallard) Ash and Louie (Mallard) Tucker.  Does anyone else have a story or a picture from that event?  If so, I would love to post it here.  Thanks again Rose and Louie.  Your help is very much appreciated! 

 

Cathy Fitzpatrick, Dianne Baird, Sr Brendan Lynch,
Bernadine Simmons, Tony Walsh

 

Tish Mallard, Rose Mallard Ash, ?, ?,

Sr Brendan and Miss Eleanor Lawton, two of
St Patrick's excellent music teachers

THE RUBBER BAG, PART 2

Last post I promised that I would post any comments or memories from those of you who were able to identify the “curious object” pictured there and below.   As expected, all of you recognised it as a rubber bag or a gaiter bag.  The following are some of the comments received on said “curious object”!

THE FAMOUS 'RUBBER BAG'

 

Anonymous 

“Oh, the gator bag....I haven't thought of one of these in years. When you think about it these things made a lot of sense.”

 
 

c984d1d2-a786-11e2-8167-000bcdcb8a73          

“God help you if in Sister Immaculata's class, your rubbers were thrown outside the door, which she watched everyday! Some of us called it a rubber bag.”

 

Carmelita Hearn

“I remember it well....and I remember running back home as fast as I could because I forgot my 'rubber bag'.....it was just as bad to be late. Sister Immaculata would stand by the front entrance of the school on Patrick's St. and check if you had your bag, you could be sent home to get it if you forgot. I also remember mopping the second floor corridors outside our Grade six classroom when we were in her class, anyone else remember that? She was a real 'sergeant major' but we sure learned to do as we were told.”

 
 

Frances Noseworthy “That is a gaiter bag.....in winter you wore your boots to school, carried your shoes in this bag, changed in the front porch and carried your gaiters to the classroom in your gaiter bag. I'd say most moms made these for the kiddies, I know mine did.”
 

 

Catherine Altini “The dreaded boot bags. All the Moms had to make them for the girls. Carrying book bags, then boot bags, traipsing thru the snow, and then walking home uphill or downhill. No wonder we turned out strong as bulls.”

 

MARY KENNEDY   “Of course, I was in Sister Immaculata's class!!”

 

CARMEN CATTLES “Who could forget Sister Immaculata at the front door of the school making sure your boots never touched that floor.”
 

 

CAROL DUGGAN  “Someday I'm going to walk on that floor with my wet boots on in her memory---- and in memory of "rubber bags" as they were called.”

 

JACINTA DOYLE “She (Sr Immaculata) had eyes like a hawk....watching the back door and the front door at the same time...all the while doing her crocheting.....like Madame defarge.”

 

GABRIELLE PAFF   “I'm not a St. Patrick's girl but we had those bags at Mercy Convent also - they were called shoe bags. Same difference.”

 

DOREEN (McALLISTER) HEFFERNAN “ In the late 40s and early 50s I was a pupil at St Patrick’s on Convent Square, the real ‘old school’.  The entrance was on Convent Square, the doors by the auditorium.  Even way back then, dear Sr Immaculata stood at the top of the stairs waiting to see if you had your rubbers/gaiters in your rubber bag and NOT in the sleeve of your coat!  Occasionally pupils would forget their rubber bag and try to sneak their rubbers into school in the sleeves of their coats.  When Sr Immaculata asked where their rubber bag was some would pretend that they hadn’t worn any rubbers and had walked to school in their shoes.  Of course with the snow possibly up to your knees and dry shoes, Sr Immaculata certainly didn’t fall for that one!  She would know immediately that the rubbers were stuffed into the sleeves of their coats and she would say, “Let me see your coat” and then check to see if the gaiters were in the sleeves.  If they were, you got punished for lying AND sent home to get the forgotten rubber bag!”

 

Well everyone, this has been a fun post for me and I hope it has been for you too.  I certainly remember the famous (infamous?) rubber bag days.  Like most of you, I remember Sr Immaculata doing sentry duty at the ‘new school’ on Patrick St.  I know that all that you have said in your comments is fact because I too remember attempting to smuggle rubbers in coat sleeves, being sent home to get a forgotten one, and being told to leave the ‘bagless’ rubbers outside the front door.  Gabrielle, I am very pleased to learn that you girls at Mercy had to suffer the rubber bag ordeal too.  It is great to hear Doreen’s story of her days in the old school on Convent Square.  It just goes to show that, as the saying goes, “There is nothing new under the sun”.  Thanks everyone!”

WHAT IS THIS????

This will be a short post because I want to know if anyone out there knows what this curious object is. If you went to St Patrick's, you definitely had one!  Mine wasn't as pretty as this one but it served the purpose.  If you know what it is, then please leave us a comment with your stories about it.  My next post will reveal all, so don't forget to look in again soon.   Thanks to Doreen Heffernan for this picture and for jogging my memory.  I hope it will jog your memory too.

 

Woe betide you if you didn't have yours!

 

MISS MURPHY'S KINDERGARTEN, 1950/51

For this beauty, I owe sincere thanks to Enid O'Brien. Enid has a rich source of material which she generously shares with this blog. As well as this photo, Enid has also supplied most of the names. If anyone out there is able to add any more names or, indeed, add any information about the photo, where it was taken or ANYTHING AT ALL, Enid & I would be delighted and grateful.

Miss Murphy's Kindergarten Class, 1950/51

Enid wrote;

"I have attached a picture of Miss Murphy's Kindergarten Class 1950/51. It is unbelievable that she could teach so many children without a helper(at least I don't remember one). Also, I think Kindergarten was a full day.

Below you will find a list of names. There are some omissions, a few girls I couldn't see their faces and if there are errors I am open to corrections. It is hard to remember everyone after 63 years."

Row 1. L-R: Paula Murphy, Barbara Crotty, Geraldine Reddy, Mary Reddy, Marie Perchard, Diane Edison, Gail Skinner, Geri Hearn, Carmelita Hearn, Pauline Reddy, Betty Finn, Maureen Shea, Marina Grace

Row 2. 1. Over Barbara Crotty’s shoulder ?, Norma Williams, ? Shirley Dooley’s sister, Shirley Dooley, Patsy Scott, #6 ? #7 ?, #8 ? , Patricia Morrissey, Francis Meaney, Patricia Squires, ? , Shirley/Sheila Power, Shirley Walsh

Row 3. Mary Hatfield (standing), Florence Furey (uniform), 3.?, Mary Neville, Sheila Pridham, Margaret Murphy, Mary Healey, Joan Picco, Joan or Marie Reddigan, Pauline Reddy, Frances Cousins, Joan Rumsey, Betty Healey, Elisabeth Roche, Joan Evans

Row 4. Betty Rodgers, Rosalie Stevenson, ? , Enid Stanford, Elizabeth White, Betty Holden, Libby Dillon, Theresa Brewer, Helen Westcott, Barbara Cleary, Trudy Hayes

You have done well to remember so many names, Enid.  And I agree, it must have been a daunting task to have to teach such a large group of children.   When I was in Kindergarten, we just went a half day.  I went in the morning as did my friend but her sister went in the afternoon.  Perhaps it was different other years.  Anyway Enid, I appreciate all your input and thank you again.  Let's hope we hear from some of the 'girls' on this beautiful picture.

MISS DOYLE'S CLASS, 1967

I couldn't manage to keep this blog going without the help of so many generous St Patrick's girls.  In this case, it is Rose Ash to whom I am indebted.  I received this e-mail and class picture from Rose and she and her cousin Mary Lou have also supplied the names.  Thank you so very much Rose and Mary Lou.  Keep the great material coming!

"Hi Beth Anne

This is my Grade 6 Class of 1967 at St. Patrick's School. My cousin Mary Lou Tucker, my sister Helen Mallard and I were in this class.

Hope this can be added to your St. Patrick's School Blog.

Mary Lou and  I think we're accurate with the names, but not sure. We're hoping we're correct.

 

Cheers"

 

 

Grade 6 class, 1967

 

 

 

Front Row (L to R): Miss Doyle, Dianne Finley, Marie Wyatt, Miranda Jenkins, Glynnis Janes, Donna Kavanagh, Allison Murphy, Helen Mallard, Debbie Parrell

 

Second Row (L to R): Caroline Frizzle, Jean Harding, Maureen Power, Isabel Hynes, Rosemary Mallard, Betty Walsh, Elsie Johnson, Joan Marie Chipman

 

Third Row (L to R): Marie Cochran, Marilyn White, Rosalind Pear, Anne Marie Tobin, Cecilia Lampkin, Mary Lou Mallard, Rhonda Bishop, Lorraine Howell

Top Row (Lto R): Sheila Corbett, Joanne Ring,

Doris Walsh, Dianne Peddle, Marilyn Tucker,
Noreen Osmond, Debbie Walsh, Betty Walsh,
Betty Murrin

 

SR COLUMBA'S BUDGIE, AGAIN

I am greatly indebted to the good people at PRESENTATION CONGREGATIONAL ARCHIVES for this beautiful photo. It certainly brought back memories for me as I am certain it will for many of you. In an earlier post, Marie O'Brien Burkhart had a lovely story about Sr Columba's Budgie (click here for link) so it is with the greatest pleasure I add this photo along with the writing which is on the back of it.

 

Sr Columba was my grade 1 teacher at the Deanery Avenue School but she didn't have a budgie then.  Well, if she did, she never brought it into the classroom or mentioned it.  Later, when the 'new' school opened on Patrick St, Sr Columba taught Grade 4 there and I think, later again, Grade 5.  It was during her years at the 'new' school that Sister acquired her budgie.  Marie, can you remember the bird's name? 

 

Mother Rose was also a very popular and well loved teacher at St Patrick's.  In the late 1950s, she  taught Grade 7 in the Patrick St School.   Long before the opening of the school on Patrick Street, Mother Rose had taught at St Patrick's so it was a return to the West End for this gentle Nun.  Some of  our grandmothers remembered Mother Rose as a young Novice in a white veil in the early part of the 1900s.   Mother Rose had three nieces who became Presentation Sisters.  Sr Mary Aquin, Sr Mary Isadore and Sr Mary Stephanie were the daughters of Frances Reddy Walsh, the only sister of Mother Rose.  I have a dim recollection of Sr Stephanie teaching at St Patrick's in the early 50s and I think that Sr Aquin was at some point a member of the St Patrick's community.

 

Again, my thanks to the  kind folks at Presentation Congregational Archives for the use of this valuable photograph.  It is such a pleasure to recall these wonderful teachers and their contribution to St Patrick's Convent School.  God rest their souls. 

 

Sr M Columba Hannon, Mother M Rose Reddy and
Sr Columba's Budgie (Presentation Congregational Archives)

The writing on the back of the photo
(Presentation Congregational Archives)

.

AN OASIS IN THE DESERT OF LENT

ST PATRICK

Back in the 1950s and early 1960s, Lent was a very sombre time, a time of penance and mortification.  Lent was a very serious season then and certainly not a lot of laughs.  However, smack dab in the middle of all this austerity there was one shining, glorious day that released us from seriousness and brought joy to the heart.  What day was that?  Why, St Patrick’s Day, of course!

 

ST PATRICK'S DAY RIBBON

St Patrick’s Day meant a day off school but it meant a lot more than that.  For that one lovely day we could indulge in candy again or put sugar in our tea.  The men, if they were so inclined, could have a little drop of the hard stuff or a smoke.  Phew, what a day!    We would pin on our St Patrick’s Day ribbons, usually purchased at the little shop on Water Street owned by dear little Miss Jenny Hayes,  and head off to Mass.  Then it was home to breakfast and the Big Six Program on the radio.  If you were lucky, sometime during the day you would have a green ice cream which Brookfield always produced especially for St Patrick’s Day and unavailable any other time.

In St Patrick’s Parish the very highlight of the day was the St Patrick’s Day Concert put on by St Patrick’s Dramatic Troupe!  The venue for the play was Holy Cross Auditorium or St Patrick’s Convent Auditorium and both the afternoon and evening performances were always well attended.  We went to the evening performance with our parents, aunt, and uncle and we always had chocolates to munch on! 

 

MISS KAY HAYES

Who remembers those wonderful plays and the great singers, musicians and storytellers who entertained us while the scenery was being changed behind the curtain?  I remember one great act was a man who was a whizz on the spoons.  Who accompanied him on the piano?  Was it Mrs Simms or Mrs Molloy?  I am not sure.  Anyway, the plays were organised and directed by the magnificent Kay Hayes.  George O’Brien was the talented parishioner responsible for painting the scenery.  The play was often, if not always, a comedy, sometimes inadvertently.  Like the time a group stood on stage waiting for a phone to ring.  Someone back stage forgot to ring the bell so eventually one of the actors just said “Ding-a Ling” and with a straight face an actress picked up the phone and said “Hello”.  Well, the audience thoroughly enjoyed this bit of unscripted comedy.  Who were some of the parishioners who annually brightened our St Patrick’s Day?  I remember such people as Blondie Horan, Pat McAllister, George O’Brien, Helen Molloy, Eleanor McAllister, Gerald Costello, Shannon McAllister, Joe Newman, Bill Harris, Mary Downey and Mary Gosse.  I am sure some of you will remember more names and I hope you will remind us of them.  Also, your memories of those eagerly anticipated St Patrick’s Day Concerts that were such an important part of parish life then would be more than welcomed if you would like to share them here.



THE MUSICIANS

The days of the ‘play’ are long gone in St Patrick’s Parish but St Patrick’s Day is still celebrated with gusto I believe.  Last St Patrick’s Day saw parishioners and friends invited to a ‘time’ in the Parish Room after Mass.  There was food galore, a drop of wine, singing, dancing, music and laughter.  Ah, the music and singing!  The Parish Priest, the inimitable Fr Wayne Dohey, and a group of very talented parishioners kept everyone singing and dancing and, as the saying goes, “a good time was had by all”.

A SONG FROM FRANCES

While the way in which St Patrick’s Day is celebrated in St Patrick’s Parish has changed, the good people of St Patrick’s and their pastor still know how to commemorate our Patron Saint.  Perhaps most importantly of all, the spirit of community and friendship that has always existed in the Parish is still as strong as ever.  Long may it be so!

AND FATHER SANG TOO

 

THE LADIES KNOW HOW TO DANCE!

 

 

A VERY HAPPY ST PATRICK’S DAY TO EVERYONE!



 

MARY LOU'S TRIBUTE

I am very pleased to post this lovely tribute to St Patrick's School.  It was written by Mary Lou (Mallard) Tucker.  Thanks Mary Lou and I look forward to more of your poems.

St Patrick’s School

Our address was 26 Stephen Street

In a house that had three flats,

Our very close family all lived there then

Beautiful memories flowing back to that.

Being at that address where City Hall is now

St. Patrick’s was our designated school,

With my sisters/cousins Rose, Liz and Helen

We toddled off, respecting mostly every rule.

Rose and I had Anna Croft as our first grade teacher

Nellie Rogers we had in two,

Sister Camilla in grade three taught us our times tables

With great consistency we all learned how to do.

Grade Four we had teacher/singer Doreen Walsh

Grade five was sweet and kind Ms Ball,

Grade six was Ms Doyle, I came second in achievement

Seven and eight, Ms Croft-Meaney was back to all.

Grade nine we had Ms. McDonald

That was the hardest grade I spent,

Math a big problem for me back then

Off to summer school I went.

Four of us were taught singing at an early age

Sisters Catherine and Brendan helped us there,

Our Glee Club went to the Kiwanis Music Festival

Coming first place for many of those years.

Sister Luke was our long standing principal

Eleanor Lawton accompanied all our songs,

Saying Good Bye to the closeness of St. Patrick’s

Made everything in my heart seem wrong.

St. Patrick’s was a special part of my life

Made me the person who has been shown the way,

These teachers taught me love, kindness and respect

With Jesus and Mary I am helped now day by day.

Love You St. Patrick’s …..Mary Lou Mallard Tucker