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The Pibroch Official Journal of St. Andrew’s Society of Baltimore standrewsbaltimore.org October - November 2012 * Volume 206 Issue 6 * Stuart Blair Editor William Wallace Memorial Ceremony Druid Hill Park Baltimore Submitted by Al Schudel Sunday August 19, 2012, just after a nasty 2 week 90 to100 degree heat wave, we arrived at the hill on the west side of Druid Lake where stands the magnificent statue of William Wallace. There was a light breeze coming across the lake from east to west. The Baltimore City Pipe Band had arrived and was tuning up and the E.T.C. was drifting in. This was going to be a fine morning. We are here to celebrate the life of William Wallace who was thought to have been born in Elderslie, Scotland in 1272, so this year 2012, he has been known for 740 years. His main claim to fame is that it was in Lanark, in 1297 that he first took up arms to free Scotland from the yoke of the English. The parade was formed at 11:00 and the pipe band followed by 21 of our Lads carrying flags. They took their positions at the Monument, a brief welcome and history of the monument was given by Al Schudel, President Don Kerr gave the invocation, and Rod McCaslin our Historian gave the inspirational address on William Wallace. The pipe band played a lament and also Scots W’a Hae which we sang. Ralph Wallace brought greetings from Clan Wallace while Bud Howe and Jim Wallace snapped photos. Pipe Major Ed McFarland led the pipe band off followed by the ETC. We noted the gathering of people who had stopped to watch our ceremony. No shows: Ed Clay, R.C. Miller, Mike Betts < SASB Historian Rod McCaslin presentation of William Wallace’s life of commitment and his legacy hamburgers, old time hot dogs from Binkert’s, baked President’s Wee Word beans, cold slaw, corn on the cob, liquid refreshments and homemade crab soup. Before ending a wonderful One day in August on time for long term and new members to get to know returning to my wood shop I each other we had a delightful rendition of the Address found a stack of to the Haggis by Al Schudel and then we enjoyed the woodworking magazines Haggis with Nips and Tatters; a great way to spend a and The Highlander beautiful September day in Baltimore. I would like to magazine awaiting my thank Tom Harroll and Diana for all their hard work, and arrival. Fellow member, Bud dedication for a most enjoyable well organized event. Howe had stopped by to “recycle” some of his As we enter our Fall season I encourage all members to magazine collection. I don’t attend our October and November Stated Meetings, our know whether you are a Kirkins, our Anniversary Dinner and the Christmas Walk regular reader of The in Old Town Alexandria the first weekend of December. Highlander but I have found the magazine quite In addition to these Society events, your Society would interesting. One of the things that strike me is the like to know if you would like to serve as a member of massive castles, towers, bridges, and houses. All of our Board of Directors or be a member of one of our these structures are made of stone and have withstood many committees. If you would like to get more involved the test of time, weather and changing cultural times. I in the Society please let one of our current board find it fascinating to learn about how past Scots have members know of your interest or send me an email or influenced our lives today. The many interesting facts give me a call. I look forward to seeing you at our and items of interest are enjoyable to read. In the back upcoming events. of the magazine is a list of clans and Saint Andrews Societies around the world that have placed an Slainte mhath to all advertisement, if you look closely you might even find Don Kerr one from our Society. If you should find our ad, give me rd a call and we’ll raise a dram together. On the other hand, 53 President if you are a woodworker and would like to know more about the latest tips and tricks, let me know and we can talk “shop”. August 19th was a wonderful day, not too hot, a slight breeze and blue sky; a great day to gather at the William Wallace memorial in Druid Hill Park. We gather in remembrance of this historic Scottish figure that instilled the sense of desire for freedom in all peoples of Scottish decent regardless of where they live. Following the memorial many of us traveled to Cockeysville to attend the Nisbet Cemetery memorial to honor the resting place of Judge Alexander Nisbet, one of the Society’s founding members. Judge Nisbet was the 3rd President of the Society serving from 1831-1857, a period of 26 years. Additionally, this is the place that we gather each year to honor Society members that have passed away during the ensuing year. This year, 2011-2012 we were blessed in that we did not have any of our members pass on to “To a Scot, the past clings like sand to wet feet, the lands of the forever young. Those in attendance did and is carried about as a burden. remember family members that had passed away during the year or in past years by placing a rock on the The many ghosts are always a part of them, cemetery’s cairn. Following the ceremony led by Rev. inescapable." Ernest Smart and 1st V.P. Herb Glasby we enjoyed a bountiful luncheon hosted by Russ Tagg and his committee. September 15th was another delightful day as we gathered at the St. Andrews Community Church for our Society Picnic on Roland Avenue in Baltimore. There was a cool breeze while we enjoyed camaraderie, - 2 - The Almoner’s Report “ Honor Your Rev. Dr. George Gray Toole Father“Posthumous Tribute & Eulogy By JS Merrill Bad Advice from After a recent conversation with one of my peers, a Charles DeGaulle young teacher, of whom I shared advice and When Jacques Soustelle was encouragement, I am governor-general of Algeria reminded of my Father. Like (1955-1956), he complained my father was. I am proud of to De Gaulle that all his my vocation as a teacher. friends were attacking him for My father was a magnificent supporting the general's teacher and so was my Pipe Algerian policies. De Gaulle's Major, James Quigg. Rev. George G. Merrill. Jr., MD reply was brief, Changez vos Connections are important in life and build our strength. Hence amis!" (Change your friends!). my phone call to Pibroch editor Stuart Blair made out of the blue after “the Major” gave me a copy of magazine to read. We in the St. Andrew's Society do not value our friends “Tell the story of your father”, Stuart said as I ranted on and on that lightly. Our friendships are often measured by the telephone. So here it is…. And the story is peppered with decades, or at the very least by our common bond of “The Voice, the Golden Voice of “the Major” saying “The Pen is Scottish heritage. Whatever the differing opinions we mightier than the Sword!” may have, we treat one another with consideration and Two “Gifts from the Sea” offered me this opportunity to share kindness. my thoughts of my father with you. One was Pipe Major James Quigg presented me with the current Pibroch from the St. Through "thick and thin" we care for one another. Andrew’s Society and the other was this young teacher. Therefore, we now keep in mind those members who are ill. They include Joe Woodward, who is mostly It’s been almost 6 years since I buried my father but I will confined to home, while suffering from a malady that never forget him. He touched so many people’s lives, including limits his mobility. Ken MacDonald is undergoing I know many members of the St. Andrew’s Society. I hope, as I treatment for cancer while residing in a nursing home. am sure all of hope, I am never forgotten through the eyes of my children and friends and acquaintances. I wanted to take a They would appreciate your encouragement, for they are little trip down “Memory Lane” as I share some memories of his important to us....and not as easily pushed aside as De life, his life and accomplishments, his LOVE of Scottish Gaulle thought Soustelle's friends were! Culture, his connections with others I remember as a child, and most importantly of the Good Ol’ Days of GROWING UP Our sympathy and support is extended to Lisa Barnhill, SCOTTISH IN AMERICA WITH GOOD DOCTOR!© the wife of Gregory H. Barnhill, who died recently. The Reverend George G Merrill Jr, MD, THE GOOD Yours aye, DOCTOR, as it should say on his gravestone, was born a True “Blue Blood” American Bostonian- bred aristocrat but George born a little off-base in Buffalo, NY, a “True Blue Blood” almost, except his mother Pauline Stuart was the “poorest youngest sister of Ann Brown nee Stuart, married to John Brown (ala John Brown University, Providence RI) and Eleanor Vanderbilt nee Stuart (ala George Vanderbilt University Scottish Trivia Question Tennessee and Biltmore, NC) of NYC fame. The Good Doctor, recollected to me of early years of walking to school in 3 to 4 Who was the English born Queen of Scotland, wife of feet of snow.