The luck of the IrishKeely Collins named St. Patrick's parade manager

      People familiar with the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's parade and the events surrounding it recognize the name Keely Collins from the Grand Marshals reception. Keely, along with her husband Kenneth J. "Ken" Collins, have run the Grand Marshals reception for the past few years. These events have been meticulously planned and have been very successful. "She was instrumental in helping us raise $100, 000 for our charities last year," said Joe Kelly. Keely's father-in-law, Joe Collins, was last year's grand marshal. Bud Cosgrove, parade co-chairman adds, "In addition to Keely's excellent planning skills, she has tremendous interpersonal skills which are so important when organizing such a diverse group of parade participants. Maintaining a good sense of humor, along with a great deal of patience go a long way in assuring that most, if not all, of the needs of the one hundred marching contingents are properly addressed. Keely has an abundance of both."
      Keely, who has lived in the village since 1993, grew up Keely Hallinan in Newfields, New Hampshire. After graduating from the University of New Hampshire in 1985 with a bachelor of science in hotel administration, Keely went into hotel management with Marriott International. As a hotel manager for 15 years with Marriott, Keely managed staffs of up to 300 people and budgets of $2 to 3 million annually. She worked in some of the largest hotels in the country, in cities including Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New Orleans and New York City. Her last position with Marriott was at the New York Marriott Marquis. She has since decided to focus her energies more locally. Keely decided to be more involved with her son, Joseph, as well as the Rockville Centre community. She is very proud of Joseph, a brown belt in karate and an avid baseball player and Yankee fan.
      The Rockville Centre St. Patrick's parade will take place on Saturday, March 19. The parade will step off at noon beginning at the municipal parking lot at the corner of Sunrise Highway and Long Beach Road. The parade route will follow Maple Ave through town and wind up going past St. Agnes Cathedral. Groups interested in marching should contact Keely Collins and the Rockville Centre St. Patrick's parade committee in writing at 265 Sunrise Highway, Suite 1-350, Rockville Centre, NY 11570.