Moran Taing Many thanks to those who helped with our Highland Tea with Diana Gabaldon and the St. Patrick’s Day whiskey tasting. For the tea we would not have had a wonderful silent auction without Barb Ripple and Kris Satterwhite. Thanks also to our eye candy bartenders…Michael Satterwhite and Richard McKenzie. Thanks to Nicki Keesee for piping at BOTH the tea and the whisky tasting! And lastly for helping at the tea…thanks to Dorianne Pollock. Thanks to Doug Lintner for organizing the whiskey tasting, the piping, and the McTeggart dancers. Thanks to the McTeggart dancers for coming out to support our St. Patrick’s Day happening. Volunteers Needed If you want to get out and join in on some Celtic fun here are some volunteer opportunities. If you are interested in volunteering please call Jude at 928.556.3161…..and remember it doesn’t happen without volunteers! NAU College of Education community day – April 16 Prescott Highland Games – May 7 Soar Into Spring – May 14 Las Vegas anyone? Don’t miss the opportunity for two great events in Las Vegas. First, is the Las Vegas International Tattoo…a military piping extravaganza. The tattoo takes place on April 15 & 16 and is being organized by the head instructor from our own U. S. School of Piping and Drumming, Bruce Hitchings. This event will be very special for Flagstaff folks because they will feature the tune written for the late Jim Thomson. The tune is called Jim Thomson of Flagstaff. On the same weekend you can also enjoy the Las Vegas Games on April 16 & 17. If you go be sure to check out the whisky tasting as members of our organization will be on hand to help. April 4th Gaelic Class, Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6:30 April 5th NACHS meeting, Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6:00 April 11th Gaelic Class,Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6:30 April 18th Gaelic Class, Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6:30 April 25thth Gaelic Class, Thorpe Park Adult Center,6:30 Learn Gaelic! Richard Ferguson continues to teach a weekly conversational Scottish Gaelic class for beginning and intermediate speakers, using the Teach Yourself Gaelic materials. In the classes, students can also pick up Scottish cultural and historical information! Best of all, the classes are FREE! Join Richard Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm at the Flagstaff Adult Center, 245 Thorpe Rd. Thank You A big Knockabouts thank you to NACHS for thier continued support and especially to Doug for helping organize some events at Charly's on St.Patrick's Day. The Knockabouts had a great trip to the LA Irish Festival and spread the word about our festival. There was a great turnout at Charly's on St.Patrick's Day and everyone seemed to have a great time. Bluegrass and Greengrass? If you like bluegrass then check out the Durango Bluegrass Meltdown April 8-10. The Knockabouts will be playing the "celtdown" part of the meltdown and providing some green-grass music for everyone. For more info: www.durangomeltdown.com Prescott Highland Games Mark your calendar for the Prescott Highland Games. The games will be May 7th at Watson Lake Park and if all goes well NACHS will have a tent at the event. Grand Canyon Celtic Arts Academy July 12 - 14 Ever wanted to learn how to play a Celtic instrument or just improve on the one you play? Now is the time! Enroll for classes at the Celtic Arts Academy in July. For more information: /www.grandcanyoncelticarts.org Arizona Highland Celtic Festival July 16 & 17 It's getting closer and if you want to be involved in all the planning or be a volunteer, please contact NACHS or , better yet, attend one of our monthly meetings! Long renowned for their tradition of military bravery, the Graham Clan is of ancient origin. Traditionally, the Grahams claim descent from Gramus, a Caledonian chief who breached the Antonine Wall in 420 in order to repel the Romans from their occupation of Scotland. The first authenticated record is of William de Grahame, who witnessed the David I's charter of the Abbey of Holyrood in 1128. He was later granted the lands of Abercorn and Dalkeith by David I, and the Grahams went on to marry into a family of Celtic royalty and so obtained further lands at Strathhearn in Perthshire. The Clan became famed for their military prowess, to the extent that they justly earned the title "the gallant Grahams". It was in Scotland's struggle for independence against England that the Grahams first shone in the volumes of Scottish history. Sir John Graham of Dandaff was the right-hand man of the great Sir William Wallace, and died fighting the English for the control of his homeland in the Battle of Falkirk in 1298. His nephew had met a similar end two years earlier at the Battle of Dunbar, carrying the banner of King John Baliol into battle. Sir John's son, Sir David Graham, became the first to acquire lands in the Highlands for the Clan, including the territory of Montrose. Clan Graham's loyalty to the Crown of Scotland did not go unrewarded. In 1445, the Chief of the Clan, Sir Patrick Graham, was created Lord Graham. His grandson, William, was made 1st Earl of Montrose in 1505 by James IV, and laid down his life for the King at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Subsequent Chiefs earned their successors further royal titles. James Graham was created Marquis of Montrose in 1644, and James, 4th Marquis, was raised to the Dukedom of Montrose in 1707. During the Great Civil War which engulfed the British Isles in the seventeenth century, James Graham, 5th Earl and 1st Marquis of Montrose, fought for Charles I as a ingenious commander and gained his reputation as Europe's leading general. Montrose, commanding a small force, having defeated seven Covenant armies during 1644 to 1645, briefly reconquered Scotland for the King. Unfortunately, the tide of war turned against the royalist forces and Montrose left Scotland on the King's orders, only to return after the Charles I's execution to wage war against the roundheads under the banner of Charles II. He was captured after the Battle of Carbisdale in 1650 and was taken to Edinburgh, where he wrote his famous poem on the eve of his execution. He was then hanged and his body quartered and sent to different regions of the country for display. Such a ignominious end did not befit a soldier of Montrose's calibre, however, and upon Charles II being restored to the throne, the General's remains were given a magnificent state burial. Almost forty years later, yet another clansman, General Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee - "Bonnie Dundee" to his admirers or Bloody Claverhouse to his enemies - died at the head of his victorious forces at the battle of Killiecrankie. Directory of Celtic Arts For Lessons: For Performance: Bodhran Bagpipers Ron Barton: 928.774.7261 Jude McKenzie 928.556.3161 Fiddle & Irish Dance Kari Barton: 928.600.1365 The Knockabouts Irish Whistle John McGregor 928.814.2480 John McGregor 928.814.2480 Flute Jacquie McGregor 928.814.2480 .