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Will make you want to hurl

Comments (0) By Mark Dischinger and Guy Gray and Byron Kerman Wednesday, Sep 24 2003

Hurling -- the fastest field sport in the world, the national pastime of Ireland -- arrived on the island with the Celts at the end of the last ice age. Seriously. It's no mystery, then, why a hurling stick looks a little like a prehistoric mammal's femur and why the game's played with the brutal intensity of early man fighting for rights to the carcass. Similar to lacrosse and field hockey (but better), the game was reintroduced to the world when the Gaelic Athletic Association resurrected the lost Celtic sports, late in the nineteenth century. The St. Louis Hurling League is part of the North American GAA; they practice at Parkway Northeast Middle School (I-270 at Ladue Road) on Saturday afternoons at 2 p.m. and hold "hit-arounds" Tuesday nights around 6 p.m. at Tower Grove Park (4256 Magnolia Avenue). If you want a hurley they'll order one for you, but only if you're going to play: you have to earn it. Call 314-664-3134 or visit www.stlhurling.com for more details and a schedule of games. -- Mark Dischinger

Hurling will put hair on your chest

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Not Just for Catholics

SUN 9/28

It's the VFW halls versus the American Legions at the annual Great River Road Fish Fry-Off at Eckert's in Grafton (noon-4 p.m., Great River Road at Ill. Rte. 3, 618-233-0513, www.eckerts.com). Ten groups representing various veterans' clubs and restaurants sell samples and sandwiches, and the public chooses the winner. Go fish. -- Byron Kerman

Thou Shalt Have Many Gods

SAT 9/27

Druids, Wiccans, elves and lovers of nature might want to consider attending Pagan Pride Day at Tower Grove Park (4256 Magnolia Avenue) from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. The event is free and features an art fair, bands, two rituals and a tree planting. Call 314-577-6217 for more info, or consult your spirit guide. -- Guy Gray