SAS-SF Apr 2020
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Greetings Members and friends! By Irené Waldman Costello, 2nd VP ow is everyone doing? This has been a very challenging Htime for many people sheltering in place. There have been so many obstacles to overcome for us all, ranging from obtain- ing groceries on timely basis, accessing critical medications and also dealing with the loneliness and the feeling of being ostra- cized from loved families. And sadly more and more of us know people who have been personally affected, or have lost loved ones. Personally, my sister in law in Scotland has lost 5 people that she knew. And then we all know that both Prince Charles and Boris Johnson were taken sick with the virus, thankfully Francesca McCrossan, President both on the mend now. Life is very unusual right now. April 2020 I am no expert in viruses, or the medical field but I can’t President’s Message help wonder what this means Dear St. Andrew’s Society, for our world moving forward. What does this mean for my would like to start this message by saying that I hope you two lovely children that are and your loved ones are staying healthy and keeping in good I both so recent to this world? spirits as the world changes around us every day. Our lives in I also wonder when I will the Bay Area have been up ended, sometimes with very serious next see my elderly parents results, and at the same time, our experts are now cautiously in Scotland. Brian and I try to observing that the early rule to Shelter in Place may be lessen- tele-video them a few times a ing the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In January I began a week. Not just to ensure that new job on the campus of the VA Hospital in San Francisco and they are doing okay, but also I have seen firsthand how quickly and professionally the medi- Irené and Iona it gives us some socialization cal community and those of us who support it, have made the and it’s a nice comfort for the kids too. We are living more and necessary changes to keep our Veterans, the staff and them- more in a digital environment and trying to keep connected to selves safe. as many of our loved ones as is possible. My younger brother and his wife just moved to Australia. Not long after they arrived, At the same time, we have all had to make major adjustments they were in lockdown. They are feeling isolated, and starting to our lives and tenaciously stick to them in order to keep to wonder why they left bonnie Scotland. Currently unable to President’s Message, continued on page 4 Greetings Members continued on page 5 APRIL 2020 ~ Vol. 157, NO. 3 President’s Message ....................................................... 1 150th Anniversary of Golden Gate Park ................... 6 Greetings Members and Friends .................................. 1 Tae A Virus – A Poem .................................................... 8 From the Bard – Scots to English Translation ...........2 Calendar of Events ........................................................ 11 1 APRIL 2020 THE SAINT ANDREW’S SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO Haggis-Flavored Crisps Unveiled From The Bard — Jek Cunningham Scots to English Translation As you can see, this Scots language is not the Highland Gallic, spoken in the Scottish Highlands and islands. This is the language of Robert Burns, his time and locale. 1) ahint = behind 2) airt = point on a compass 3) argie bargie = argument 4) ashet = serving plate 5) bap = breakfast roll 6) bauchle = old slipper 7) bealin = suppurating 8) besom = heather broom, also a derogatory name for A traditional Burns Night cel- a girl ebration wouldn’t be complete without a meal of haggis, neeps 9) bike = wasps nest and tatties, so to honor the 10) blate = bashful country’s annual celebration of its national bard, Mackie’s 11) bothy = primitive cottage or hut of Scotland introduced the 12) bridie = pasty world’s first Haggis, Neeps & Tat ties Crisps. A limited run of 13) bubbly jock = turkey 150,000 bags hit the shelves last 14) but and ben = two room cottage January. “We’re fiercely proud of our Scottish roots, and when 15) byre = cow shed (ie: The Mukin’ a Geordie’s Byre) it came to taste tests, haggis, 16) caller = fresh or cool neeps and tatties emerged as the runaway favorite,” said 17) canny = prudent or cautious James Taylor of the family firm. 18) chap = knock Mackie’s is already known for its haggis and cracked black pep- 19) chiel = man per crisps—delicious with a cold 20) chuckle stane = small pebble beer, according to its fans. 21) clarty = mucky This article was first published in the Spring 2020 edition of Scottish Life 22) cleg = horse fly Magazine. 23) corbie = crow 24) coup = turn over a rubbish dump 25) daur = dare (“Flower of Scotland” - Wha daur meddle wi’ me.) Visions of Scotland! A selection of BBC.com reader pictures of Scotland sent in between 27 March and 3 April. 2 APRIL 2020 THE SAINT ANDREW’S SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO April 2020 Dear St. Andrew’s Society: In this COVID moment—we want to take the opportunity to update you regarding our Board of Relief response and activity. In addition to an email expressing our concern which was sent out to members on March 23rd, we also fol- lowed up by posting essentially the same message on our website. In parallel with this messaging—we’ve also continued to reach out to members about whom we might have concerns, and accordingly have been in touch with ~25 members in total. Fortunately, we can say that we are not aware of any reports of the Coronavirus affecting the health of any of our members or immediate family. We’ve also reached out again to the British Benevolent Society (BBS) as well, to keep this important line of communication and ultimately critical link open: British Benevolent Society of California Website: www.bbsofca.org Email: [email protected] Phone: 415.421.7195 In collaboration with our core leadership team, we are also currently undertaking the following COVID- related financially supportive measures: 1) The processing of $500 donations to each of our valued cultural partners, including: • American Friends of Erskine • John Muir Association • Peninsula Scottish Fiddlers • Robert Lewis Stevenson Museum 2) With respect and reach back to the Australian wildfires of late Fall 2019, we’ve processed a $500 donation just this week to the Australian Red Cross; 3) Additionally, we’re processing $250 donations each to both the San Francisco-Marin Food Bank and the Alameda County Food Bank. In closing, our St Andrew’s Society (SAS) and Board of Relief’s concerns and response are in the best sense and spiri—ones of collaboration. If you know of any fellow SAS members or local Bay Area Scots who might have need(s) or might benefit from outreach—please do let us know. You may get in touch with us—the Board of Relief directly as indicated below: Laurien Fiddes, Chair E: [email protected] Mobile: 510.219.3307 David Campbell, Trustee E: [email protected] Mobile: 415.225.9307 Sincerely, Your SAS Board of Relief - in service: Jean Allen David Campbell Laurien Fiddes, Chair 3 APRIL 2020 THE SAINT ANDREW’S SOCIETY OF SAN FRANCISCO Continued from page 1 research will be pivotal in directly responding to the disease. In President’s Message addition, I offer my thanks and full support to my colleagues ourselves safe and well. Scots are particularly known for their and our PhD students who are temporarily leaving their re- tenacity in hard times, and this is still true in our local Scot- search and work in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life tish and wider British Communities. The British Benevolent Sciences to help the NHS. Society has been keeping in touch with us so that together, we can support our community members as needed. The British I also take real pride in seeing a number of members of our American Business Council is hosting webinars to support alumni community playing key roles in directing the global the local business community. response to COVID-19: from Dr Kate Broderick (BSc Genetics 1999, PhD Molecular Genetics 2003) in San Diego leading the cross the Pond, the global race to develop a vaccine, to Professor Jason Leitch CBE AScottish Universities are (BDS 1991) who is Scotland’s National Clinical Director giving contributing the science of crucial advice and information to the Scottish population on understanding and treating how they can save the lives of others through their own actions. the virus, just as our local universities such as UCSF We are thankful to each and every one of you for the efforts you and Stanford are. Edinburgh are making in your own professional fields to come together in University, St Andrew’s response to the threat of the virus. University, University of Dundee and the University In particular, I wanted to express my admiration and gratitude of Glasgow are all major to all of the members of our alumni community working in front contributors to this effort. I line healthcare and other essential services at this extraordinary was particularly struck by Sir time. I know that many of you will be facing the greatest chal- Anton Muscatelli, the Prin- Sir Anton Muscatelli, Principal lenges of your career and making significant sacrifices to ensure cipal of Glasgow University’s of Glasgow University we can weather these times. message to Alumni that I share with you below. It speaks for itself: Finally, I wanted to let you know that although many normal University activities will be affected in various ways, our Devel- I am writing to you as a member of our alumni community, in a opment and Alumni team will be working off-campus through- week that has seen us have to contemplate and act upon unprec- out this period.