Fellow Kincaids, Kinsfolk, Friends, looking forward to having time to meet and get to know as many Kincaid Kin as possible. I remember my I was in Edinburgh last month for an Grandmother telling me at length about the first Games Executive meeting of the Standing she came to in Virginia and how much she enjoyed the Council of Scottish Chiefs. I always whole experience. find it a joy to step off the train at Ed- Here we are almost at the beginning of Advent again. inburgh Waverley station and start up I love Advent and the lead up to Christmas. At this the steps out onto the street! I look forward to our time of year, when most of us are mixing up Christmas meetings which are always interesting and varied. I Cakes, my Grandmother used to make ‘Black Bun’ and have been reading recently a bit about the history of always made one to give to the Vicar for Christmas. I the Council and found in an old book that: must confess I have never made one, usually opting for “The Council was founded in the reign of King a traditional Christmas cake with the fruit first soaked George VI by the Lord High Constable of Scotland in Whisky overnight. on the advice of the late and great Lord Lyon Innes I have just been sourcing glittery Advent Calendars of Learney to deal with the problems arising both for the children with beautiful pictures and bible verses from the growing bureaucracy of the Crown and behind each door (harder to find than I always think it from the increase in world-wide Clan Societies, is going to be these days). Then the fun of the Christ- among other matters.” mas shopping begins! However it is also such a I have had a wonderful time reading about the dif- thought-provoking time, especially now with the refu- ferent categories of Chiefs and about some of the gee crisis in Europe. Thousands of people are fleeing privileges and responsibilities that came with the from their homelands every week, often with nothing, Chiefship amongst other things. I have so enjoyed in search of safety. I heard recently that an average of my foray into the subject that I am resolved to write 42.5 thousand people move home every day to be safe an article for the next Defender with a little more and that at the end of December 2014 there were 59.5 information which I hope will be both informative million displaced persons in the world, I imagine the and will include some fascinating historical number will be higher again at the end of this year... knowledge! Then we remember that Jesus wasn’t just the baby in On a current rather than historical matter, and the picturesque hay filled manger on the front of bringing things a little closer to home, Angus has Christmas cards but became a displaced person himself been cast this term in one of the lead roles in a new in the early part of his life. It is difficult to know how musical adaptation of Great Expectations. He will to respond in the face of such overwhelming upheaval be playing the part of Abel Magwitch for those who in the world as we know it, and I am thankful for the are familiar with the Charles Dickens Classic. It is blessings of family - both close and extended - which is running over a week at school at the end of Novem- such an anchor in our lives, and thankful too for Em- ber and then next summer, all being well, the plan is manuel; God with us, God who understands the chal- for it to be running for a week during the Edinburgh lenges of our humanity this Christmas time and Festival 2016. Details of the venue and dates can be throughout our lives. provided nearer the time if anyone is travelling With warmest wishes for a Happy and peaceful through Edinburgh during the Edinburgh Fringe Christmas full of love and joy. next summer (August 2016) and interested in going Arabella along! I am hugely looking forward to the Kincaid Clan Gathering that Patrick Kincaid and James Brisbin are organising in Colorado next September, espe- An Annual General Meeting of Clan Kincaid Association Interna- cially since this will be my first Scottish Festival in tional will be held electronically starting February 15, 2016. The agenda will include the minutes of our February, 2015 meeting, America. I have heard such wonderful stories of the the Treasurers’ report, and announcements from members of the big festivals and always enjoy James’s reports after Board of Officers. Requests for additional item of discussion his visits to the various Games and I am particularly should emailed to President Kincaid at [email protected]. 1 in 2015 were deemed successful and uable in promoting our Clan and rewarding, which resulted in some its history throughout North instances in gaining new members America. Our commissioners, As this year as well as creating further aware- under the direction of our Chief comes to a close ness and interest in Clan Kincaid Commissioner, Suzanne Hakeos, and we look back Association International. are greatly appreciated for their in reflection we This year we also learned that our efforts and dedication in Clan realize that 2015 Chief, Madam Arabella Kincaid of Kincaid promotion and presence has been another Kincaid, has graciously agreed to among fellow Scots. outstanding year for Clan Kincaid. attend the Estes Park Games to be James Brisbin, the Energizer In August at the Livonia, Michi- held in Colorado in September of Bunny of Clan Kincaid aka Past gan Games Clan Kincaid was 2016. What a wonderful opportunity President, is present at many of named the Honored Clan. for Clan Kincaid members to per- the Scottish Highland Games The official Games program fea- sonally meet our most esteemed and throughout the U.S. and Canada. tured a full-page article on the his- gracious Chief. May I encourage His camaraderie and jocular tory of Clan Kincaid accompanied you to plan to attend this Clan Kin- manner is known throughout the by our clan crest. Clan Kincaid led caid Gathering 2016 in Estes Park, various clan communities and the Parade of Clans as befitted the CO. Madam Arabella’s dedication many ask about him each year. honor bestowed as Honored Clan and support is a blessing to our or- He is known at the Games as and so noted at the Grandstand. ganization, for which we are most “that Big Kincaid with lots of In addition, Barbara Kincaid, MI grateful. stories”. He can draw a crowd of Commissioner, sponsored our Clan I want to thank James Brisbin and old and young alike and a sea of Kincaid tent on Clan Row and won Patrick Kincaid for their diligent Scots from the many clans repre- the Livonia Games Nesbitt Award and outstanding work in planning sented at the Games, all eager to for Best Tent. A trophy was award- and collating this auspicious and share a story or a “wee dram” ed and the name of Clan Kincaid is important upcoming event, which with James. James’s knowledge etched in brass on the trophy as has a past history of 70,000 in at- is invaluable as a mentor, advisor 2015 winners. tendance. and historian. He is a valued It is unusual for a Clan to be We are fortunate to have members member of Clan Kincaid and our awarded both Honored Clan and who are dedicated to making Clan deepest thanks is extended to him also win the Best Tent award in the Kincaid an outstanding clan. Our for his many contributions. same year. The St. Andrews Socie- volunteers include, but not limited Be sure to visit our very in- ty of Detroit presented me with a to, an outstanding web site under formative Facebook page, updat- medallion on a lanyard stating that, the direction of our Webmasters, ed by our Facebook administra- as President of Clan Kincaid, I was Grant and Marian Kinkead; a very tor, Robert T. Kincaid III, where the Honored Guest of the St. An- thorough and informative newsletter one picture speaks a thousand drews Society Highland Games run by its diligent editor and Com- words. 2015. I wore the medallion proudly munications Director, Robert T. Each member is valuable to our during the entire Games. Plaques Kincaid, Jr.; an efficient and consci- organization. Your support were also given in recognition of entious Wee Shopper manager, Rick through membership keeps our these presentations. Kincaid, “minding the store” in a Clan vibrant and ongoing. I We were told there were 10,000 in superb manner; and a membership would like to encourage our attendance at the St. Andrews Soci- department with a dedicated manag- members to become involved in ety Detroit Games. er, Stephen Kincaid, providing us our organization and share their Clan Kincaid was also the Hon- with a state of the art operation. talents, which further enhance ored Clan at the Indiana Games, If you look within our publication, Clan Kincaid. Volunteer to be a held in September in Columbus IN. The Defender, under “Your Clan part of our mighty Clan Kincaid. Our thanks to member Joe Kincaid Team” you will see all the names of Your efforts will be warmly wel- of Illinois for stepping up to repre- every person who deserves our comed and greatly appreciated. sent Clan Kincaid at the Indiana thanks and gratitude for their volun- We have many great guides and Games 2015.