GRACEVol. 24. No. 4 N TES April 2008 A CHANGE IN PLANS

The Board had a refreshing mo- ing, why not switch them? the website. ment of epiphany at their meeting on So, they did. Debbie Sellsmanberger is chairing Thursday, March 27th: The picnic will be later this spring the picnic and Member-at-large Mary Instead of having the ceilidh, a typi- and we will schedule the ceilidh Ann Lucas will handle the ceilidh. cally indoor event, in the spring when for some indoor (spell that “a.i.r.- Both ladies encourage your participa- there’s good weather, & the picnic, c.o.n.d.i.t.i.o.n.e.d.”) venue in the tion and welcome any help. a by-defi nition outdoor event, in the summer. Watch for the details in fol- summer when the weather is swelter- lowing issues of Grace Notes and on

IRELAND IN – 3 FREE CONCERTS Presented by the BIRDSONG HARP CENTER

Dr. Janet Harbison, founder of the As well as the concerts, Dr. Har- Please mark your calendars for Irish Harp Orchestra, 3 up and coming bison and the Irish will be conduct- these memorable evenings of Irish harpers from the orchestra and Mi- ing classes at Sheila’s Music near Music in West Tennessee. A love of- chael Ohalmain, “Uilleann Pipe and Birdsong Resort in Benton County fering will be taken at each concert for Flute Champion”, world renowned April 14-17 the Irish Harp Orchestra. Books and teacher, and former Chieftain will be Concert dates are: Thursday, April CD’s will be available for sale. in Tennessee April 14-19, 2008. 17 First Baptist Church, Camden, TN For more information on the Sheila Mitchell-Hart, of the BIRD- 7:00PM; Friday April 18 First Baptist concerts or classes contact: Sheila SONG HARP CENTER, along with Church, Highland Ave. Jackson, TN Mitchell-Hart 731-584-7068 or check students of the harp, fl ute, and pipes 7:00PM; Saturday April 19 Immacu- the website at www.birdsongharp- will join with the Irish to perform 3 late Conception Cathedral, Memphis, center.com fantastic concerts of Celtic music. TN 7:00PM

Memphis Scottish Society, Inc. Board President Secretary John Schultz ...... 754-2419 Mary Clausi ...... 753-9494 [email protected] [email protected] Vice President Members at Large Sue Malone ...... 385-1938 Debbie.Sellmansberger ...... 289-2141 [email protected] [email protected] Jackie Garner ...... 386-3269 Treasurer [email protected] Tom Lewis ...... 861-6640 Mary Ann Lucas ...... 725-1879 [email protected] [email protected]

www.memphisscots.com Grace Notes 2 April 2008 SCOTTISH CONNECTION Ah, Spring! When more & more toilet, some water remained in the as plumber to both Edward VII outdoor activities, like baseball bowl after each fl ush to stop sewer & George V, he is credited with games, Scottish festivals, and gases from leaking into the house modifi cations for which he was camping, re-introduce us to that and creating an unsavory odor.” awarded Royal Warrants for the ce- most necessary but noxious of inno- Cummings named the entire mecha- darwood seats and cabinets housing vations – the portable toilet. Maybe nism “the S-trap” and it is still the water closets in Sandringham before we get our fi rst whiff of the in use today. House, then residence of the Prince season, we should take a moment If you want more details, read on: of Wales. His popular links to the to appreciate the much-more-pleas- “His water-closet had a pan with a fl ush toilet were likely engendered ant cousin, the fl ush toilet. Did you slide valve across the bottom. When by an unfortunate surname, general know the modern fl ush toilet has a the user arrived, the bowl contained misinformation, and a 1969 satiri- Scottish Connection? a few inches of water held by the cal biography entitled Flushed with Enter Alexander Cummings, no valve. Having fi nished [Editor’s Pride. Incidentally, both Merriam- relation to the famous governor note: How do you like that euphe- Webster’s and the Oxford English of Colorado of the same name. mism?], the user pulled a lever to Dictionary record America in 1846 Cummings was born in Edinburgh slide the valve open and release (when Thomas was 10 years old) in 1733. He was a truly a modern the contents of the pan to the trap as the fi rst in-print appearance of scholar, known as a mechanic, a below and thence into the sewer. the Old English word “crap” as a mathematician, and a watchmaker. The same pull turned on the water verb, though the use of the word in His writings include volumes on to clean the pan, and the valve was any form had “fallen out of use in watch and clock works, the effect of then shut so that the pan contained Britain by the 1600.” various carriage wheel rim shapes some water for the next use.” (This So, next time you catch sight or on roads (this, a century before the also from Wikipedia.) whiff of the malodorous alternative, paving contributions of fellow Scot By the way, Yorkshireman think wistfully of the fl ush toilet, its John Loudon McAdam), and the Thomas Crapper didn’t invent or inventor Alexander Cummings, and infl uences of gravity. In his later lend his name to anything, though its Scottish Connection. years he was named a magistrate and was inducted as a Fellow of the Royal Society. In his workshop on Bond Street GRACE N TES in London he developed and pat- Grace Notes is the offi cial publication of the Memphis Scottish Society, Inc. It is published monthly. Like ented the fi rst ever fl ushing toilet the Society itself, the credo of Grace Notes is “to foster education and promote understanding of things Scottish.” (English patent #814) in 1775. If you have something of interest to readers of this newsletter, please submit a typewritten manuscript to the As is reported in Wikipedia.com editorial staff. If the article or notice is very brief (30 words or fewer), just use the telephone. Grace Notes will (where you can fi nd much more accept and publish good quality photographs (preferably black and white; no Polaroids, please). The deadline for all submissions is the second week of each month preceding the month of publication. Please information than you might ever include a self-addressed stamped envelope with each submission, if you want the material returned. wish on the subject), “In this de- Editorial Staff sign, the forerunner of the modern Mary Ann Lucas - [email protected] ...... Editor, (901-725-1879) Sammy Rich - [email protected] ...... Publisher, (901-272-7159) Gavin Anderson - [email protected]...... Circulation Editor, (901-682-5485) Melissa Gibson - [email protected] ...... Line Editor, (901 299-3170)

Please address all correspondence to: Grace Notes The Memphis Scottish Society, Inc. to foster education and [email protected] promote understanding of P. O. Box 241934 things Scott ish Memphis, TN 38124-1934

www.memphisscots.com Grace Notes 3 April 2008

Show yer colours!!! Day (part of is moving through the Canadian They were the centerpiece of the Week) celebrates the existing and Parliament for national recognition event where thousands of Americans historical links between Scotland of the day in Canada as well as a celebrated their links to Scotland. One and Scottish descendants in North bill to declare the Maple Leaf Tartan of Scotland’s national treasures, Wil- America. In the United States there the offi cial tartan of Canada. [4]. An liam Wallace’s sword, left Scotland are over 30 million people who claim annual ‘Gathering of the Clans’ will for the fi rst time in 700 years and Scots descent [1]. Tartan Day is held take place each April 6 on Parlia- was fl own to New York for the Tartan on April 6, the anniversary of the date ment Hill in Ottawa at 12 noon with Week celebrations of 2005. on which the Declaration of Arbroath pipes, drums, and dancing hosted In 2006 events were held in Ab- was created in 1320. by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band, erdeen, Montrose, Arbroath, Kilmar- In 1982, under the auspices of the Canada’s oldest civilian pipe band nock, Stirling, Perth, Glasgow and New York Caledonian Club , New http://www.sospb.com Edinburgh. [5], [6] York State Governor Hugh Carey, The idea was revived in the United Outside New York City, one of the and New York City Mayor Ed Koch States and since 1998, April 6 has largest Tartan Day celebrations in the declared July 1, 1982, as Tartan Day, been offi cially recognized by the United States takes place each year a one-time celebration of the 200th United States Senate as a celebra- on the weekend closest to April 6 on anniversary of the Repeal of the Act of tion of the contribution made by the banks of the Missouri river in St. Proscription of 12 August 1747, for- generations of Scots-Americans to Charles, Mo. The Missouri Tartan bidding Scots to wear the Tartan. the foundation and prosperity of Day Festival began in April 2000, In Canada, the idea of a ‘Scots modern America. after successful lobbying at the State Day’, immediately renamed ‘Tartan The date commemorates the sign- Capital in Jefferson City, members of Day’, to visibly promote recognition ing of the Declaration of Arbroath in the St. Andrew and Celtic Societies of Scottish heritage originated with 1320, the fi rst known formal Declara- of St. Louis, Kansas City, Jefferson the Federation of Scottish Clans in tion of independence. City and Springfi eld, MO, gathered Nova Scotia [2] in 1986 [3]. Peti- Tartan Day is now part of the North on the steps of the State Capitol tioned by Jean Watson, President of American calendar. Supporters of the Bldg. in Jefferson City to receive Clan Farquharson, fi rst the legislature event call it a signal of the strength- the fi rst proclamation of Tartan Day of Nova Scotia, in 1987, then con- ening Scots-Canadian/American in Missouri. This was for the year sequently the legislatures of each of relationship in the 21st century. The 2000 only. the other nine Canadian Provinces Tunes of Glory Parade in 2002 saw proclaimed April 6 as Tartan Day. 10,000 pipers and drummers march Currently a private member’s bill through the streets of New York.

April Meeting will be held at Jason’s Deli!

Flowers of the Forest Ralph B. Moff at, a long time member of MSSI and Clan Moff att Society, died March 25th . Memorials may be sent to the Methodist Foundation - Cardiac Rehab Memorial Fund, Methodist Healthcare Foundation, PO Box 42048, Memphis, TN 38174. Condolences to his wife Emily and the rest of his family.

www.memphisscots.com Grace Notes 4 April 2008 New York Choir of Men and Boys to Visit

On Friday, April 25, at 7:30 pm, the the boys. Currently there are 32 boys the Saint Thomas visit. We do need Choir of Men and Boys from Saint enrolled in the school, which features your help for housing the 20 boys who Thomas Episcopal Church in New daily choir rehearsals and music les- will be visiting. The boys need to go York City will present a recital at Saint sons for the boys. to families in pairs. The boys may John’s. This is a wonderful opportu- share a room, but each boy must have nity for both the church and the com- The cost for this recital is $20.00 per his own bed. We need 10 families to munity to experience this ensemble. person. I urge you to contact me about help with this responsibility. The choir reserving a seat for this special event arrives on Wednesday, April 23, and There will be 20 boys and 12 men as we expect to have a full house for leaves Memphis on Saturday morn- singing for this program under the the recital. To experience this choir, as ing, April 26. Please contact me if you direction of John Scott. Mr. Scott has I have on numerous Occasions, is both can help us with this housing need. been at Saint Thomas for four years. musically and spiritually uplifting. Before this appointment, he was the Geoff Ward organist and choirmaster at Saint The Memphis Boychoir will have Organist and Choirmaster Paul’s Cathedral in London, England. the opportunity to sing in a master Saint Thomas has a choir school for class setting with Mr. Scott during

Back Page Information and Request Did you love the pictures on this you like to share some of your photo- page and the back page of this issue of graphs from your travels inScotland? pictures in both the Grace Notes and the Grace Notes? (By the way, it is a Please send your photos(in any format) then for the silent auction at the next picture of Callendish below and the Isle to Sammy Rich at rich_samuels@ Burns Nicht. of Skye on the back page.) Wouldn’t bellsouth.net. We want to include this

www.memphisscots.com Grace Notes 5 April 2008 Calendar of Events

Mondays Fridays 7:00 pm Program: Brad Randle Caledonia Chorale 7 pm Dancing: 7:30-10 pm, Idlewild on Flintlock Muzzle Loading Church of the Holy Communion, Presbyterian; 1750 Union Ave, Guns. Walnut Grove at Perkins, West Entrance 272-7159 1st, 3rd & 5th Friday April 19, 20 Scottish Country Dancing. Arkansas Scottish Festival Thursdays 274-1889 Batesville, AR Sgt.W.K.Singleton Pipes & Drums 6:30-8:30 at Bethel Pentecostal Monday, April 14 Church, Stage Road in Bartlett; Monthly Meeting at Jasons. For Thursday, April 29 call 386-2052 for info. directions call 757-4200 or go to Board Meeting: Perkins at Wolf River Pipes & Drums, memphisscots.com. 1340 S. G’town Rd.5:30 pm. 6:30-9:30 at St. Luke’s Lutheran; 6:00 pm Dinner (reservations Germantown Parkway. 753-9494 helpful but are not required.)

Scottish/Celtic RadioMusic Sundays, 6-7 p.m. “The Thistle and Shamrock” WKNO-FM 91.1 Saturdays, 10 a.m. -1 p.m. “Strands of the Celtic Knot” Robert Campbell, host (From April 3, 2008): Songs of guitar style, how he develops his WEVL–FM 89.9 Robert Burns irresistible arrangements and his Sun and Mon 6 p.m. and Hear a variety of artists in the life as a transplanted Dubliner in the Fridays, 7 p.m. intoxicating embrace of the Scot- mountains of . “The Thistle & Shamrock,” tish bard’s songs, including Rod WMAV–FM 90.3 Paterson, Dougie MacLean and (May 1): Raise Your Voice Eddi Reader. Solo singing is revered in traditional circles, but layers of harmony and (April 10, 2008): Thistlepod Fol- massed voices create stunning ar- low-up Hear the full tracks of some rangements of traditional and folk of the recent previews and debuts song. Add your voice to the cho- from our popular podcast. ruses with choirs from Scotland and Brittany and some of your favorite (April 17): More Thistlepod Fol- bands in fuller voice. low-up Hear more of the full tracks of some (May 8): Welsh Roots of the recent previews and debuts Check out some of the emerg- from our popular podcast. ing roots music from Wales with established and emerging artists, (April 24): John Doyle including master of the Welsh triple Guitar master, singer, producer John harp Robin Huw Bowen and singer Doyle is one of the most versatile songwriter Meic Stevens. artists in Irish music. Find out about his signature rhythmic Copyright 2007 NPR/Fiona Ritchie www.memphisscots.com Grace Notes 6 April 2008

Next Monthly Meeting - April 14th - Monthly Meeting (reservations helpful but notrequired for dinnner), 757-4200 or online www.memphisscots.com - Jason’s Deli at Poplar and Highland Dinner at 6:00, Program @ 7:00 will be Brad Randle on Flintlock Muzzle Loading Guns. Board Meeting, Monday, April 29th at 5:30, Perkins @ 1340 S. Germantown Rd.

GRACE N TES The Memphis Scottish Society, Inc. P. O. Box 241934 Memphis, TN 38124-1934

www.memphisscots.com