|
The Creaky Traveler in
the North West Highlands of Scotland is a great read, great idea!
Sentient Publications is proud to announce Warren Rovetch's new book The
Creaky Traveler in the North West Highlands of Scotland: A Journey for the
Mobile but Not Agile, featured on NPR's Morning Edition best gift book
list last December.
What happens to the backpacking crowd when the lure of the open road is
still strong, but the feet are better suited to loafers than hiking
boots? With the average length of retirement reaching 14 years and
travelers over the age of 50 taking 50% more leisure trips than their
younger counterparts, Creaky Traveler has stepped forward to give his
practical advice, and with a twinkle in his eye, some whimsical
observations along the way.
On an adventure of discovery, Warren and Gerda Rovetch, both in the mid
70s, explore the hidden places and deep feelings of Great Britain's last
wilderness, the rugged and spectacular coast of Scotland's North West
Highlands. Rovetch offers travelers techniques to sift and sort
information sources as they plan their trips and a "character study"
method for choosing routes and destinations. He also examines the art of
dealing with airlines.
ISBN 0-9710786-7-X. Sentient Publications, $15.95. Contact 1113 Spruce
Street, Boulder, CO 90302. Call 303-443-2188. Visit
www.sentientpublications.com
Aberdeen Conference Center Expansion nearing completion
The renovation program is nearing completion at the Aberdeen Exhibition
and Conference Centre (AECC, Ltd.) - one of Scotland's premier convention
venues.
The œ18 million-expansion will be completed on schedule this year and will
provide the city of Aberdeen with a world-class convention center with
plenary capacity for up to 2000 delegates.
For complete information contact Tricia Jean-Baptiste
trica@tricapr.com or 212-941-3988.
The BIA Guide is now available for Native American research
The Bureau of Indian Affairs has long been the custodian of tribal records
and maintains a small set of pages to help you with your genealogical
research. There are good basic steps to beginning your research, tips on
how to proceed as you seek documentation and some good information on
tribal enrollment. There is even a special page on Cherokee ancestry.
The pages are dotted with links - both online and offline - to
repositories and agencies that can help with research.
Visit
www.doi.gov.bia/ancestry/genealog_research.htm
18th Legan-Admire reunion set for July
Descendants of George Admire and Margaret Kuhn will have their 18th
Admire-Legan reunion on Sunday, July 13 and Monday, July 14, 2003 at
Creasey Mahan Nature Preserve Fieldhouse, Harmony Lane, Goshen, Kentucky.
For full information contact Carol Legan Anderson, 26 N. Bennington Rd.,
Olney, IL 62450 or Gerald Legan, 3590 S. 3000 W. Road, Kankakee, IL
60901-7878 <geraldlegan@prodigy.net>
Gerald Wayne Shinglebar, 50 years old, a member of Clan MacIntyre,
died unexpectedly on January 26, 2003. Gerald's grandfather was George
MacIntire of Pulaski, Tennessee.
Lt. Col. Howard Massey hangs his Templar painting on Friday
afternoon prior to presenting it to The Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library
on Saturday, February 15, 2003. The painting entitled "Non nobis, Domine,
no nobis" was purchased for the library by members of the Sovereign
Military Order of the Knights Templar of Jerusalem. The artist, Chev.
Howard Massey, GOTJ (Commandery of the Cumberlands) made his presentation
during Braveheart Scottish Weekend, 2003.
Beverly Stephen Kelley, KCTJ, Master Woodcarver, (Waynesville,
North Carolina) presented his red oak plank which is chip carved with two
ancient seals of the Knights Templar (the Temple Seal and the
Two-Knights-On-A-Horse-Seal). The 115th Psalm motto of the Templars is
carved in a lettering style that dates to the 7th century as found in the
Book of Kells. The plank measures 36 x 5« inches. It was donated to The
Ellen Payne Odom Genealogy Library to accompany Howard's painting.
Scottish Heritage Association of Northeast Ohio (SHANO) members at
their Robert Burns Dinner Dance on January 25, 2003. (l-r) SHANO piper,
John Montgomery, Burns Night Chairman, Craig Shepperly. Special
Entertainer, Frances Acar and SHANO Treasurer, P.C. Joe Clarke.
A letter to our readers
Dear Readers:
We have recently taken on the task of recataloging and rearranging our
genealogy collection here in Cheyenne, Wyoming. In review, we find we
have patrons that need more data on our shelves from the south and the
Midwest; but of course, would welcome any donation for our department.
The Genealogy Department of the Laramie County Library houses a very good
collection of genealogy data from all time periods and areas of the United
States. Because we lie at the crossroads of I-25 and I-80, and in a
tri-state region, we get a log of out-of-town visitors. We also
interlibrary loan throughout the state of Wyoming so anyone who wishes to
pursue genealogy in our sparsely populated state can do so. So you see,
any donation to our library gets a log of mileage.
If a reader has genealogy materials they no longer use, or have published
genealogy materials and have copies left, we would welcome them. A letter
of receipt would be sent to satisfy IRS requirements. Please contact me
by email to get the address to send the books. Thank you so much for any
help you can give us.
Sharon Lass Field
<SLassField@aol.com>
Sandy Mott writes about Haggis hunting in Scotland!
Sandy read this at our recent Braveheart Scottish Weekend 2003. It was
enjoyed by all and so we take pleasure - with Sandy - in sharing it with
our Family Tree readers. Sandy writes for her hometown newspaper...and
this was one of her columns.
One of the highlights of our recent trip to Scotland was a Haggis Hunt.
Our coach driver/guide, who is also a well-known professional Haggis
hunter, arranged this very special outing to enhance our knowledge of the
Scottish Highlands. This is a privilege offered to only a few visitors to
Scotland and is truly an experience not to be missed.
The Scottish people are very protective of this exotic creature - the
Haggis - which is indigenous to Scotland. During their mating seasons in
May and October, Haggis hunting is strictly forbidden, and this law is
rigorously enforced. July and August are considered to be ideal times for
Haggis hunting. At this time of year, the white heather is in bloom,
which is far and away the favorite food of the Haggis. In fact, each
animal is said to eat about three times his own weight in white heather
just before sundown each day. Thus, they grow fat and sleek.
The favorite habitat of the haggis is on the mountainsides of the
Highlands. Our guide explained the way to locate a good Haggis hunting
area. He pointed out what looked like a line that ran across the top of
the hill about 15,000-17,000 feet up. That is the track the Haggis use.
Because they live high up on the hills, the Haggis grow long and shaggy
hair to keep themselves warm, which tends to be swept back because they
spend their life galloping around the hill.
In order to travel round and round the mountainside in comfort, the Haggis
had adapted in a most unusual way. He has developed shorter legs on one
side than on the other to keep him level on the hill. This peculiarity
aids in the hunting of the Haggis.
Our hunt was conducted in the same manner the Highlanders have used for
hundreds of hears. Hunters go in pairs, and the best time for the hunt is
4:00 in the morning. One hunger stays at the bottom of the hill with a
sack while the other one takes a candle and climbs up to the Haggis
track. Standing on the track, the hunter lights the candle.
Now, the Haggis comes tearing around the mountain, and sees the candle and
is drawn like a moth to the flame. He increases his speed as he flies
toward the flame until he gets close enough to see a human attached to the
candle. Panic sets in, and he turns around and tries to go back the other
way. This puts the short legs on the long side and the long legs on the
short side, so the Haggis falls off and rolls down the mountain. By the
time he gets to the bottom, he is so dizzy he doesn't know where he is,
giving the hunter time to pick him up and put him in the sack.
With the hunt complete and the Haggis successfully bagged, it is time to
turn our attention to its preparation. In our case, the hotel chef
prepared our catch for presentation at a traditional Scottish evening of
music, dancing and feasting.
Of course, the highlight of the evening was the presentation of the
Haggis. The chef brings in his traditional dish on a silver platter,
preceded by a piper in full Highland dress. The master of ceremonies
presents the Ode to the Haggis, then, before it is served to the guests,
everyone joins in toasting the Haggis with a "wee dram" of Scotch whisky.
The hunting of the Haggis is not for the faint of heart, but if you are
ever offered a chance to go in quest of this elusive creature, grab a sack
and a candle, put on a warm coat and join that elite group privileged to
claim the distinction of being invited to hunt Haggis in the Scottish
Highlands. Those who have experienced this declare that it far surpasses
the thrill of an African safari. |
