TheThe LeodLeod VoiceVoice Clan MacLeod Societies Canada National Council Newsletter # 47 Fall, 2007 Fall, 2007 Page 1 Two Clan Families United by Beth Mcleod and Don & Lesley McCrimmon s proud parents, we are thrilled to announce the marriage of Karen Macleod (Colin and Beth’s daughter) and Paul McCrimmon (Don andA Lesley’s son) on Saturday, August 18, 2007. This has been a long time coming. They had met once before at a local ceilidh but truly got together at the 14th Clan MacLeod Parliament at Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye in 2002. It all started with early morning Scottish dancing lessons where Paul waited patiently each day for Karen to arrive. It seemed that morning is not her thing! Quotes from speeches: “Karen is a pas- sionate person who would do anything for any- body. She is a thoughtful, loyal person who we truly value. She is an excellent teacher who will critique and also demonstrate to her class, the teenage method of bumping and grinding ex - plaining what is acceptable at the high school dances.” “Paul is a calm person who is a good listener and generous with his time. He makes shy or reserved people CMSC Newsletter # 47, Page 2 feel welcome.” “This is a good match as they compliment each other, care, support and love each other.” (Bridesmaid) “A toast to the groom. May he be handy with a hammer, paint brush and chainsaw. May he be knowledgeable in the ins and outs of marking multiple choice high school exams. May his car remain intact for the next 6 months. May he always win at poker. May he always treat his sister-in-law with the respect she deserves. And may he remember that his bride needs constant maintenance, and just because he has been working all day on other people (as an os- teopath), that is no excuse for forgetting his wife’s daily massage.” (Matron of Honour and Karen’s sister) “She maybe stepping down a bit to marry a McCrimmon after all the Macleods lived in the Castle, the McCrimmon’s lived in, shall we say, the suburbs.” (Father of the Groom) “There is nobody more deserving of find- ing someone with which to share all that he has to give than Paul. There is also nobody less equipped to find that person than Paul. Thank God Karen found him instead.” (Best Man) May you have - Walls for the wind And a roof for the rain, And drinks beside the fire Laughter to cheer you And those you love near you, And all that your heart may desire - Celtic Blessing With best wishes for a long and happy marriage. The Parents. [Editor’s Note: And may your lives be enriched with much Clan MacLeod Society activity and leadership. Congratulations from all your Clan friends, current and future.] Fall, 2007 Page 3 President’s Report by Ian C. MacLeod fter the flurry of activities and significant events covered inA the last two issues of the Leod Voice, in some ways, it is a bit of a relief to have a period of “back to normal”. This summer has been an “off” year in terms of large gather- CMSC Coordinating Genealogist ings (Parliaments and NAGs) and Lesley) were married in August. fortunately, to my knowledge, we If they do have children down the have been spared the deaths of any line, any child will have a pedigree more of our Clan leadership, unlike almost begging for a CMSC leader- the circumstances over the previous ship role! nine months. Needless to say, our local soci- Barbara & Bob 50th Wedding eties have carried on with their usu- Anniversary: Bob & Barbara al summer activities of Highland (MacLeod) Armstrong celebrated Games and clan picnics and other their 50th Anniversary on October social events. So my comments in 5. Barb has been a stalwart of the this issue of the Leod Voice will Clan MacLeod in Canada for de- be more general – commenting on cades. She and her father, Donald, Chief Hugh’s transition into lead- co-chaired the first North American ership, some special events, some Gathering in Glengarry/Ottawa in ACMS activities, things Scottish, 1976. She was CMSC President and so on. from 1994 to 2000 and she is again chairing the NAG 2008 in Ottawa. SPECIAL EVENTS Those of you at Parliament last year, will recall her high qual- Congratulations are in order to ity presentation, promoting NAG some of our active kinsfolk. 2008. I sent to them a Certificate Karen & Paul’s Wedding: of Congratulations on behalf of Central Ontario President Kar- CMSC. en Macleod (daughter of Beth, CMSC Treasurer, and our recently Manitoba Society has 20th An- departed dear friend, Colin) and niversary: In October, the Mani- Paul McCrimmon (son of CMSC toba Society celebrated it’s 20th VP-Central Canada Don and Anniversary. Congratulations! CMSC Newsletter # 47, Page 4 Dr. Alastair MacLeod, President means in practice for the Clan in of the Cape Breton Society hon- the foreseeable future is that Chief oured: In July, The Sydney and Hugh will attend one annual Clan Area Chamber of Commerce, in MacLeod society dinner each partnership with Cape Breton Uni- year if invited, either England versity, announced the induction or Scotland [he just attended the of Alastair into the Cape Breton CMS England dinner and ACMS Business Hall of Fame. meetings in Wareham, England in early October]; attend the Clan Parliament; and write two letters each year for the Clan Magazine, if asked. Those who remember when the late Chief John became Chief will recall that he didn’t really be- gin to be involved in Clan matters until his late forties. Chief Hugh As a Past President of both a is 34. Equally, those who saw the small town chamber of commerce castle last summer will appreciate (Lumby, BC - 1979-81) and the BC the need for a coherent restoration Chamber of Commerce (1992-93) effort and a continuing growth in and a past Director of the Canadian the business. Chamber of Commerce, I well know All his communications to and how important this kind of recogni- from clansfolk and the Clan soci- tion is, both to the recipient and to eties will continue to be through the broader community. Congratu- me.” lations Alastair! We continue to wish Chief Hugh all the best and, of course, give CHIEF HUGH him our full support, as he makes There is not much new to report this difficult transition. Chief John on his activities. I will simple pass was Chief for just over 30 years on the note that I received from (Nov 4, 1976 - Feb 12, 2007) and ACMS President Malcolm, as fol- his grandmother, Dame Flora for lows: over 40 years (1935-1976) before “For my part I have been gradu- him. Chief Hugh will need time ally getting to know the new Chief to develop the knowledge and re- and particularly his priorities, which lationships which, on the surface, are understandably his career and came so easily to Dame Flora and the castle, then the Clan. What this Chief John. Fall, 2007 Page 5 CLAN MACLEOD SOCIETIES OF CANADA (CMSC) MATTERS North American Gathering 2008 much different from selling cars. – Ottawa, July 2-6, 2008: I en- You don’t sell the car – you match courage you all to read Barbara’s the needs of the potential buyer to information on the NAG elsewhere the attributes of the car you wish to in this issue of the Leod Voice sell, then you ask for the sale. So and on the NAG website (www. we have to do two things. macleodgathering2008.ca/), and to First we have determine what make plans to attend. It promises it is that potential members would to be a great event. If you arrive find interesting enough that they a couple of days early, it will also would be motivated to join, and be a great opportunity to take part then match those needs or interests in the Canada Day celebrations in to what we have to offer. Secondly, our National Capital. and most importantly, we have to “ask for the sale”. Brochure / Membership Those interests could include Development: All of the Clan family or Scottish history; genetics; MacLeod Societies around the a love of piping or Scottish music world are struggling with mem- or dancing; comeraderie with like bership development., let alone minded Scottish descendents; etc. growth, particularly as many of our I am in the process of collecting long time leaders are aging. ACMS existing brochures, and reviewing Management Council, led by Ex- what I do have on why it is that ecutive VP Leonard McLeod of clansfolk join (or decide not to South Africa, is trying to build on join). Over the next while I will the ideas discussed at the workshop pull all of that together and prepare at the NAG in Chicago in 2000. a draft of a new brochure that can In the meantime, CMSC Trea- be used as a template for all local surer Beth was looking to assist in societies. updating the Central Ontario Clan I would appreciate receiving MacLeod brochure, and suggested copies of any existing brochures that as I have done some of this and your suggestions. kind of work in the past (in the political and business contexts), I Local Society Notes might like to tackle this as well. I Cape Breton: They have a readily agreed. new President, Dr. Alastair, who In many ways, raising mem- took over from the very fine lead- berships in any organization is not ership of Father Greg.