The Thistledown Scottish Society of Tidewater, Inc. MARCH - APRIL 2009 VOLUME 26, ISSUE NUMBER 2 Tartan Day Ceilidh 2009 by Marcey Hunter If you missed this year’s Tar- gum tasty, if I do say so myself! tan Day Ceilidh, you sure The food this year was catered missed a good one! by the Church of the Ascension. Turnout was exceptional with What an outstanding job they did! nearly 100 people attending. In addition to the haggis, neeps & Many of them were “newbies” tatties, we enjoyed shepherd’s who had not participated in pie, curried chicken and rice, and past SST events, and by all meat pies. Everything was just accounts they had a ball! One delicious and plentiful. They sold person signed up as a mem- very affordable imported beers and ber, and there were many oth- a variety of wine. Folks were en- ers who took applications and couraged to BYOB, and many did. promised to join soon. For dessert we had a large cake, This year’s committee was decorated with our SST logo, chaired by Edward Brash. which was purchased at NAAS Thanks to Edward for organiz- No less than four fiddlers entertained at this year’s Tartan Day Ceilidh. Bakery in Norfolk. Delish! ing such a fun and meaningful event! There were tartan swatches on each table, Among our challenges was to transform and fresh flowers sporting tartan ribbons as the church’s main hall into a Tartan para- well. Votive candles and Christmas lights dise. I think we did pretty well, actually! gave the whole room just the right atmos- phere. Thanks to everyone who helped with the decorations. The evening started with the parade of the haggis. Participants included Rob Lockwood, Edward Brash, John McGlynn and Tom Crouch. Rob performed “To a Haggis” as only Rob can. Wonderful! Edward Brash gave a very moving speech about the significance of Tartan Day, which is to celebrate the contributions made by Scottish-Americans. This helped to set the mood for a grand night of Scot- tish celebration, indeed! The Selkirk Grace was recited by Rob, Many people checked out the Scottish Cas- tle game, include Laurie MacPherson. and we were all invited to sample the hag- gis, complete with neeps & tatties. The President Rob Lockwood presented a haggis was “expertly” prepared by Edward scholarship check to Charles Murla. Jack & Betsy Kennedy join in the dancing Brash and Marcey Hunter, using Skip Charles will use the money to help offset while Donna Looney looks on. Hunter’s “secret recipe.” It was pretty dag- costs of attending the Jink & Diddle Fiddle Continued on page 8 PAGE 2 THISTLEDOWN MARCH / APRIL 2009 About the Scottish Society of A Few Words from the President Tidewater, Inc. I am pleased and honored to be offering you my first official “Message from the President.” I T he Scottish Society of Tidewater exists to have been a member of the SST for many years, promote the preservation and study of Scottish cul- and I can honestly say that I am humbled to have ture, including music, language, art, history, folk- been elected president of this wonderful organi- lore, dance, literature, athletics, and all other things zation and look forward to serving you in the distinctively Scottish among interested persons in coming year. the Hampton Roads, Virginia area and to cooperate I wish to thank Edward Brash for his three with like-minded persons, groups and organizations years at the helm as SST president. Through his here and abroad. hard work, creativity and dedication, the SST A meeting is held on the first Wednesday of each grew in membership, enjoyed three successful month at the Virginia Beach Central Library, 4100 Tartan Day events, and participated in many edu- Va. Beach Blvd., in meeting rooms "A" and "B." cational programs that helped to further Scottish- Social time begins at 7:00pm, and the meeting American culture. In addition, he brought to the starts at 7:30pm. Anyone interested in Scottish cul- area world-class musicians by organizing two ture and history is invited to attend. Scottish music concerts. Thank you also to his wife Lynnette for her passion and enthusiasm in promoting all things P.O. Box 3733, Norfolk, VA 23514-3733 Celtic. She also served as Programs Chair, and did a fantastic job. A www.tidewaterscots.com heartfelt thanks to you both for your service. The new Board of Directors had our first meeting this past week. There SST Executive Board is a lot of energy in our Board, and we are dedicated to working hard this President: year. We hope to do you proud! Rob Lockwood [email protected] Now to business ... Vice President: Unfortunately for our “Nessie,” she had to stay home this year because John McGlynn [email protected] Secretary: of the inclement weather that cancelled the Ocean View St. Patrick’s Marcey Hunter [email protected] Parade. The bad weather didn’t stop Scott MacGregor and his support- Treasurer: ers, however, who raised a good deal of money to help fight juvenile Jeanne Rider [email protected] cancer at the St. Baldrick’s event. See page 5 for an update. We are all Board of Directors: proud of Scott and his commitment to this worthy cause. June Lockwood [email protected] By all accounts, our Tartan Day Ceilidh was a huge success. We had a Donna Looney [email protected] great turn out, hosting nearly 100 people. The committee, chaired by Edward Brash, did an outstanding job. Thank you all so much. We are Linda Lucas [email protected] already planning next year’s Ceilidh, and would welcome your participa- George Phillips [email protected] tion and input. Please don’t forget to purchase your tickets to the Tattoo on May 2. Terri Woodward [email protected] The SST is offering discounted tickets, so be sure to take advantage of Trish Young [email protected] it. It’s a wonderful event, as many of you know, so don’t miss it! See page 17 of the Thistledown for more information. SST Committees We are going to try something different this summer. Instead of the Webmaster: Scott MacGregor [email protected] usual monthly meetings, we are going to have “Pub Nights” during the Membership: months of July & August. I expect these evenings out will be a fun way Marcey Hunter [email protected] for us to connect and re-connect with each other, and I encourage you Program: all to attend. Stay tuned for more information. The SST Board of Directors Sunshine: One of my goals as president is to build upon past successes of the June Lockwood [email protected] SST while looking for opportunities to strengthen it. Please know that I Newsletter Editor: am always open to ideas and discussions as to ways to improve your Marcey Hunter [email protected] Scottish Society and enhance your enjoyment of it. I encourage you to contact me with your ideas and concerns. Thanks again for the opportunity to serve as your President. Yours Aye for Scotland, Rob MARCH / APRIL 2009 THISTLEDOWN PAGE 3 SST Election of Officers 2009 At our annual meeting in March, the SST elected the 2009 Officers. Front row, from left, is Treas- urer Jeanne Rider, Sec- retary Marcey Hunter, Vice President John McGlynn and President Rob Lockwood. Back row, from left, is June Lockwood, Trish Young, Terri Woodward, Linda Lucas and George Phil- lips, all members of the Board of Directors. Congratulations to all! And thanks to the mem- bers of the SST who came out and voted. Thanks also to Edward Brash for serving as Elections Chair. Ceud Mile Failte! "One Hundred Thousand Welcomes" to New & Returning Members! Charlie & Breeze Stewart Laurie MacPherson 1125 New Market Dr. 416 Croatan Rd. Virginia Beach VA 23464 Virginia Beach VA 23451 757-495-4765 [email protected] [email protected] Clan Affiliation: MacPherson Clan Affiliation: Stewart Aurora & David Livingston Debra & Wayne Welpe 4604 Brideshead Court 1612 Cliffwood Dr. Virginia Beach VA 23464-5835 Virginia Beach VA 23456-5000 757-226-0992 757-450-3967 [email protected] [email protected] Clan Affiliation: Livingstone Belinda & Herbert Nash Randy Dedrickson 801 Cathedral Dr. 274 Bingham Rd. Virginia Beach VA 23455 South Mills, NC 27976 757-490-2504 757-284-8997 [email protected] [email protected] Clan Affiliation: McGregor Clan Affiliations: Loudin / Hamilton / Bell PAGE 4 THISTLEDOWN MARCH / ARPIL 2009 St. Patrick’s Day 2009 Although this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ocean View was cancelled because of weather, there was still a jolly time to be had. Members of the ensemble Glasgow Kiss (Edward Brash, John McGlynn, and Tom Crouch) performed at the pub on the Eastern Shore. Here are some photos from that event. Mike Bailey has an impromptu pipe lesson at the Blarney Stone Pub John McGlynn and Donna Looney enjoying a wee dram. John plays during the St. Patrick’s Day Festivities.. Scottish fiddle in the ensemble Glasgow Kiss. Glasgow Kiss was a huge hit with the Blarney Stone Crowd. In fact the owners have invited GK to play at the Eastern Shore pub at least once a month this summer. Piper Tom Crouch and his wife Lynette at the Blarney Stone. One of the owners of the Blarney Stone is a first generation Scottish American, and included in the pub décor is a framed kilt outfit she used to wear as a child along with a picture of her in it. MARCH / APRIL 2009 THISTLEDOWN St. Baldrick’s Day 2009 - Yes Way, Jose! PAGE 5 My “Thanks” go out to all my friends who contributed to St.