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Chief's visit
to Stone Mountain, Ga
Chief Ruiriadh George MacLennan of MacLennan returned to Stone Mountain,
Georgia On October 18,19 and 20, 2002 as a guest to help them celebrate
their 30th year of holding Scottish Highland Games at Stone Mountain
Georgia. The weather was ideal (good highland weather) and a good
attendance was experienced at the game. This included a good contingent of
MacLennan's and Clan Septs. they came from as far away as Tennessee, South
Carolina, Florida, & North Carolina.
Everyone at the game had a great time meeting and chating with the Chief.
Unfortunately because of unusual circumstances the Chief's two sisters,
Lorna and Kirsteen were unable to attend and were sorely missed.
This was the chief's third trip to the games and he stated that he has
enjoyed the games every time he has attended. It was also quite obvious by
the way he was received by all the Scottish clans in attendance that they
really enjoy and look forward to seeing him at these game also. At times
it was difficult to keep him in the clan MacLennan tent because everyone
wanted to speak with him.
Clan MacLennan Association, USA, Executive Meeting
Stone Mountain Scottish Highland Games
Stone Mountain, Georgia
(October 19, 2002 )
Clan MacLennan has decided to purchase Clan Tartan material material for
resale. this will be handled by Marilyn Baumeister, our treasurer. The
material will be cotton/polyester at $20.00 per yard. We expect it to be
available by January of 2003. Marilyn's address is: Willton Bluff, Adams
Run, So. Carolina ,USA., 29426
A perfect weight for a kilt. It will absolutely be ideal for a woman's
long tartan skirt, pillowcases, bedspreads, covering on chairs and foot
stools, clan flags, tablecloths, place mats, cloth napkins, dishtowels and
many other items too innumerable to mention. It will be sold by the yard
at $20.00 Per yd. we expect the material to be available sometime in the
first of the year. When it is available we will let everyone be aware.
Placing Clan MacLennan's E-mail newsletter on the "Electric Scotland"
website . Formerly it was on the AOL "Hometown" website. This is being
done for convenience and cost efficiency.
Along with the
availability of the Clan Tartan Material, in 2003 The clan will supply all
the Conveners with a complete display of the basics needed to present a
Clan Tent table at the Scottish Highland Games across the country. The
details to this will be mailed to the conveners by your President as soon
as the materials are assembled. It will be in time for most of the Games
in 2003.
Other items discussed and decided upon at the meeting was that we have
appointed David Jones a new member of our clan from Florida to set up a
web page specifically for our clan in addition to the one that we are a
party of with Electric Scotland.com. David is also going to set up an
e-mail system . in addition he is currently looking at other ways that we
can use the electric highway.
We are also working on methods whereby we can put our newsletter on our
web site and not send hard copies to those that have e-mail addresses. A
letter about this should be received by all members shortly.
ARE YOU UP TO DATE?
A reminder that dues for the year 2003 are now due. If you have sent in
your money thanks. To those who have not your payment would be greatly
appreciated. the deadline for payment is January1,2003.
To really make our clan to work we need participants. We are looking for
people who would like to get involved in our clan, If you would like to
help please contact me at
winthescot@aol.com. Clan MacLennan Association USA, Incorporated.
NEWS OF THE CHIEF
Chief Ruaridh graduated in July 2002 with a Master of Surveying Degree. In
the next year or so he will pursue his APC (Assessment of Professional
Competency) training which will lead to being a chartered Surveyor.
He has been invited to Speak in Zurich, Switzerland at the 25th
Anniversary of the Pipes and Drums of Zurich who wear the Clan MacLennan
Tartan.
He has also had an invitation to be guest speaker at the Caledonian
Society of St Andrews Ball. In addition he is going to Australia around
the 9th of November 2003. He will be in Melbourne and New South Wales.
PRESIDENTS
REPORT
As I look back on the past 3-5 years of accomplishments in Clan MacLennan
Association USA, Inc on the surface it looks like we have made great
strides.
Yet on a closer look we see that we have really wasted time and
accomplished very little. It has taken 4 years to supply proper displays
at or games tables. 2 years to get an accurate membership list. 2 years to
purchase clan tartan material to sell to our members. 3 years to get an
accurate e-mail list started. I am sure that everyone is of the
realization that these items have been all worked on by the same few
people. Therefore they can not be done overnight. Also they are large
undertakings. However, I also do not believe that they are impossible to
reach.
However I do not feel that those that are willing to sit on the sidelines
should be throwing the first stones. Every year I hear "Didn't we bring
that up at the last AGM." Yes we did. However if it does not get done or
started by the end of that year it must be brought up and voted to do at
the next AGM by our by-laws as well as Roberts Rules for Charitable
Organizations.
If we feel that it should not have to be brought up again then we need
volunteers to assist in accomplishing these things. One thing we all as
humans must be cautious of is criticism without solution. Criticism in
itself is an excellent way to correct and/or adjust mistakes or things
that are not working. However criticism is a negative if after we
criticize we do not have solutions. I have always felt criticism is
necessary to advance the Clan Assn. But without then presenting solutions
to this criticism we are going to stay at status quo.
If we want to stay Status Quo. Fine. Then we can stay in the 20th century
while the rest of the clans move into the 21st century and prepare for the
22nd century. This is not to say that staying in the 20th century is
necessarily bad or that everything in the 20th century was bad . However
we have to decide . If we are moving ahead then let us look at the good
and bad and decide what is relevant and what is not. We have to look back
to see where we are and then move forward and realize that the past is the
past and the present is the present. We have to be willing to forget our
old slow moving ideas and realize that we are living in a world that
changes day by day and change with it. We have to decide where we will be
in the next 5 to 10 years. What we must accomplish and when we will
accomplish it.
To do this we must be willing to take 3 steps.
We must be willing to participate. That does not necessarily mean we have
to physically do games. However we all have a unique capability that could
be used in activities behind the scenes. For example painting Clan signs,
Making table decorations etc. We need computer programmers, who have
campaign experience, who have worked on membership and membership drives.
Who love to socialize for our tents. none of these requirements should be
considered having to be done alone. They should be done as a group.
However we have to have people to have a group.
We have to be willing to let go of the old ideas. Let us look at the ways
other Clans are operating . Analyze their procedures and then adapt these
to our specific situations. We are new at the game. let us not be afraid
to ask the experts, who have already made the mistakes. Then adjust to the
degree that we decide what we want to keep of the old and what we want to
accept of the new.
We have to make sure that our own prejudices are not a force that dictates
the decisions of the Association. Nothing can cause disarray or failure
greater than prejudices of any kind.
Politicians have a favorite quote on this subject. " if your not going to
participate then don’t complain." That is true I think in life also. no
organization will survive long if there is no interest, participation and
cooperation.
We have got vital committees in our by-laws that have never been filled
due to lack of participation.
As stated earlier I would like to make a five- year plan. In order to do
this I need your input. What do you think the Clan should be undertaking
for the next five years. I implore you for your ideas.
my e-mail address is:
winthescot@aol.com
my mailing address is: Win MacLennan, 1032 Lockridge Lane, Ashland
City, TN 37015
I urge you to participate. This Assn is for you. If no you then no
association. a few people can not do it without any direction ,
cooperation and participation.
As we are going now the feeling is that this Assn is in a downward spiral.
To be operational in the next five years we must think positive and to
the future. Our failure to do this in the past five years has been a
struggle. We must throw off some of the Old and add some of the new.
CONVENER NEWS
STONE MOUNTAIN GAMES
The Stone Mountain Games In Atlanta, Ga. were held on October 15 and 16
and 17,2002. The attendance of Clan MacLennan members was not as strong as
usual. However those that did attend had an enjoyable time. Pepper and
Jane McLendon provided an excellent food table during the entire days.
The Association sincerely thanks both of them for their efforts. It was
greatly appreciated. As a charitable Foundation the Association must
bring up subjects each year even though they may have been approved in
prior years If they are not started or finished. However this year
definitive steps have been taken and the items are presently being put
together even as this is being written. The Association is extremely
pleased to announce that Pepper and Jane have tentatively agreed to be
conveners for the 2003 Stone Mountain Games. We look forward to their
great work next year.
CHARLESTON S. CAROLINA GAMES
On September 21,2002 Clan MacLennan participated in the 31st Charleston
(South Carolina) Scottish Games and Highland Gathering. The convenors for
the games were Jim and Jolie Logan. While a record crowd attended the
event, which was held at the beautiful Boone Hill Plantation, only a few
MacLennan members were in attendance. Joining the Logan's were Chief's
Lieutenant Lock McLendon and Heard and Marilyn Baumeister. Additionally
Harvey McLendon participated in both the band competition and as solo
piper. Harvey took a first place for his grade in the piping competition.
The Charleston games are the second longest running games in the
Southeast (following only Grandfather Mountain ). The event organizer is
the Scottish Society of Charleston of which Jim Logan is a member of the
board of directors and Jolie is the newsletter editor.
The 32nd Charleston games will be held on September 20,2003. Jim and Jolie
will host a tent once again and hope that more clan members will join
them. For information on the Charleston Games please visit
www.Charlestonscots.com or
e-mail Jim at jim.logan@us.bosch.com
SOUTH CENTRAL WIN MACLENNAN
KENTUCKY
The game in Glasgow Kentucky on May 30 and 31,2002 was as usual very
pleasant. Every year the games have three parachutists drop in on the
grounds wearing a kilt and each carrying a flag of Scotland, England and
Canada. This has become a tradition at the games and as usual they landed
exactly on their ground marks.
TENNESSEE
The game at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro was held
on October 12, 2002. There was in the Vicinity 4000 to 5000 people in
attendance. The weather was ideal for the game: good Scottish weather.
JEAN SMITH
no report available
NORTHEAST
no report available
WEST
no report available.
FLORIDA
no report available.
LET'S TAKE A CRUISE
The Scottish Banner has announced their third Annual "Celidih Cruise". It
is going to cruise to San Juan, St Thomas, The Virgin Islands, and the
Bahamas on February 23rd to March 2ns 2003. it will sail from Ft
Lauderdale, Fla on the Holland Line.
The exciting news about this cruise is that our Chief, Ruaridh MacLennan
will be the only Guest of honour for the cruise. Activities will include
music by the Glengarry Bhoys, A celidih under the stars, talks, seminars,
informal get together and plenty of time for yourself. In addition you
will get to talk with our chief. It will be a great time.
If you are interested in joining the Chief call the Scottish Banner at
1-800729-8951 for more information and reservations.
SCOTTISH
HISTORY
A spectacular refuge
More a fortified promontory than a castle. Dunnottar is the most
spectacular refuge on the east coast. Just south of Stonehaven, a strange
rock formation protrudes into the North Sea. The ruined castle on top is
Dunnottar, ancient capital of the Mearns. Enclosing cliffs 160 ft high,
against which the North Sea pounds relentlessly, raise to the sky a grassy
plateau scattered with walls, gables an a lofty tower, all of reddish
sandstone. in the days before artillery, it must have been virtually
impregnable. On three sides the rock falls to the sea and on the fourth
it's protected by a deep ravine. this is St. Ninians Den, after the
Saint who founded a church here. Surely the most impressive castle in the
country, From around the 14th Century, Dunnottar was the stronghold of
The Earls Marischal of Scotland. But it's history is much longer than
that, in the year 681 Bruidhe king of Picts laid siege to what he called
Dunfoithir.
If stones could only talk, what tales these could tell! If you're South
of the border, you certainly wouldn't have wanted to be here in 1296
when Wlliam Wallace came to call. He cornered a garrison of around 4000
Englishmen in the church and set fire to it..... Smoke was to fill the
air again during the Civil War. In 1645, the Earl of Marischal couldn't
be persuaded to cede the castle to the King's forces. In retribution the
Marquis of Montrose burned Stonehaven and laid waste to the surrounding
countryside. Vulnerable to artillery, Dunnottar was relegated to a prison
when in 1685 a large body of Covenanters were held in appalling conditions
(some died and are commemorated in the Covenanter's Stone in the Dunnottar Churchyard.) and where in 1689 several Aberdeen Jacobites were
held for a year.
In the small graveyard there is one stone for a child of seven years...1685.
That was a fateful year in Dunnottar's history. If you've been in
Edinburgh Castle you'll no doubt have admired the Honours of Scotland,
or our Crown Jewels. You'd never think, looking at them in their special
room against all that red velvet, that for more than eight years the
crown, sword and sceptre mouldered under the floorboards of Kinneff Kirk,
south of Dunnottar. It was this way, Oliver Cromwell longed to find and
destroy the regalia with which Charles II had been crowned at Scone. The
honours had been hidden at Dunnottar ever since, and Cromwell's army
had siege in 1651. With a garrison of 100 men, Sir George Ogilvie kept
them at bay for months. Only once starvation set in , did he agree an
honourable surrender. The roundheads excitement at being so close to
their goal soon evaporated. They tore the place apart , but could not
find neither the honours nor the young Kings private papers. How could
this be possible? Well, the papers had walked past them sewn into the
lining of Anne Lindsay's dress . The story goes this way about the
honours- A young servant girl was out collecting seaweed on the beach.
When she returned home to Kinneff Manse, the honours, lowered down the
cliff to her in a basket ,were nestling under the seaweed she'd
gathered... neither Sir George nor gallant Lady Ogilvie revealed their
secret, even after months of torture. Only after the Kings Restoration was
it safe enough for the boards beneath the pulpit to be lifted, and the
honours of Scotland brought back into the light of day.
So, once a year, during the Queen's visit to Holyrood, the Sword of
State precedes her up the Royal Mile to the Thistle ceremony at St Giles.
Thanks to a serving maid with a cool head and an iron nerve.
(reprinted by permission of Clan Mac Lennan
newsletter-Melbourne Aus,)
WHY DOES THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH HAVE A SCOTTISH CROSS ON ITS FLAG
Because it came from Scotland! Following the Revolutionary War, the
United States had no American Bishops. They were all English, and had to
swear an oath to the King of England.
WHAT IS HOGMANY
Have you ever
wondered where the Scots got the word Hogmany? It is the word used in
Scotland for the last day of the year, December 31st. It is also a period
of gift giving or any other form of hospitality ,including a dram given to
a visitor. In olden days it was also a phrase for any monies given to a
tradesman or employee on that last day for their services rendered
throughout the previous year However, it was not originally called hogmany.
One explanation states that long ago at the final service of the year in
gratitude, the congregation was asked to embrace each other for the
fruitful year and a successful new year. The leaders of each church
allowed and encouraged their worshipers to break with tradition of no
speech and hug each other in appreciation and one and all they said" hug
me now'. This expression descended in time to become rendered Hogmany.
IN CELEBRATION OF ROBERT BURNS January 25, 1759 - July 21,
1796
In January Scots the world over will celebrate the birth of Robert
Burns. During his lifetime , he reached the heights of social success.
After his death, he became Scotland's best loved poet. The following
poem was written by him in the winter of 1785-86,shortly after he arrived
in Edinburgh. It was the first of his poems to be published in any
periodical (The Caledonian Mercury). Fair fa'your honest, soncie face,
great chieftain o the puddin-race! Aboon them a'ye tak your place,
Painch, tripe,or thairm weel are ye wordy o'agrace as lang's my arm. The
groaning trencher there ye fill, your hurdles liek a distant hill, your
pin wad help to mend a mill in time o'need, while thro your pores the dews
distil, like amber bread His knife see rustic labour dight; an cut you up
wi ready slight, trenching your gusing entrails bright, like ony ditch;
and then, O what a glorious sught, warm-reekin,rich! Then,horn for horn,
they stretch an strive: Deil take hindmost, on they drive, till a'their
weel-swall'd kytes belyve are bent like drums; They auld guidman, maist
like rive, bethankit'hums.
Is there that owre his french ragout, or olio that wad staw a sow, or
fricassee wad mak her spew wi perfect sconner, looks down wi
sneering,scornful view on sic a dinner? Poor devil see him owre his trash,
as feckless as a wither'd rash, his spindle shank a guid whip-lash, his
nieve a nit; Thro bloody flood or field to dash, O how unfit! But mark the
Rustic,haggis-fed, the trembling earth resounds his tread, Clap in his
walie nieve a blade, He'll make it whissle; an legs an arms,an heads will
sned, likes taps o thrissle. Ye pow'rs,wha mak mankind your care, and
dishthem out their bill o fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware that
jaups in luggies; But if ye wish her grateful prayer, gie her a Haggis.
ADDRESS TO A HAGGIS > > >
> >
Far fa' your honest,soncie face, Is there that owre his > French
ragout, > Great chieftain o the puddin'-race! Or olio that wad staw a >
sow, > Aboon them a' ye tak your place, Or fricassee wad mak her > spew >
Painch,tripe, or thairm wi pefect > sconner, > Weel are ye wordy o'a grace
Looks down wi > sneering,scornful view > as lang's my arm. On sic a >
dinner? > > The groaning trencher there ye fill, Poor devil see him owre >
his trash, > Your hurdles liek a distant hill, As feckless as a > wither'd
rash, > Your pin wad help to mend a mill His spindle shank a guid >
whip-lash, > In time o'need, His nieve > a nit: > While thro your pores
the dews distil Thro bloody flood or field > to dash, > Like amber bread.
O how unfit! > > His knife see rustic labour dight; But mark the >
Rustic,haggis-fed, > An cut you up wi ready slight, The trembling earth >
resounds his tread, > Trenching your gusing entrails bright, Clap in his
walie nieve a > blade, > Like ony ditch: He'll make > it whissle; > And
then,O what a glorious sight; An legs an arms, an heads > will sned, >
warm-reekin, rich! like taps o > thrissle. > > Then,horn for horn, they
stretch an strive: Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind > your care, > Deil tak the
hindmost, on they drive, And dish them out their bill > o fare, > Till a'
their weel-swall'd kytes belyve Auld Scotland wants nae > skinking ware >
Are bent like drums; > that jaups in luggies; > They auld Guidman, maist >
like to rive, But if ye wish her grateful prayer, > 'Bethankit 'hums. Gie
her a > Haggis! > > > > GAELIC AWARENESS Months November--------an t-samhain
December--------an Dubhlachd January---------an Faoliteach
February--------an Gearran March-----------an Mart April-----------an
Giblean May-------------an Ceitean June------------ant-Og-mhios
July------------an t-Luchar August----------an lunasdal September-------an
t-Sultain October---------an-Damhair
JOKE OF THE QUARTER
The wise old mother superior in a Scottish convent was dying. All the nuns
gathered around her bed, trying to make her comfortable. They gave her
some warm milk to drink, but she refused it. then one nun remembered a
bottle of Scotch she received as a gift so she opened it and poured a
generous amount into the warm milk.
Back at Mother Superior's bed. she held the glass to her lips. Mother
drank
a little, then a little more, then before they knew it, she had drunk the
whole glass down to the last drop. "Mother Mother!" the sisters cried,
"give us some wisdom before you go". She raised herself up in bed and with
a pious look on her face said,"Don't ever sell that cow".
(by permission of Melbourne Clan MacLennan newsletter)
As of the issue of this newsletter Clan MacLennan Assn USA Inc. is going
the way of the electronic highway. The newsletters will only be mailed to
those members that do not have an e-mail address. To facilitate this
change all members will be receiving a letter notifying them of the
change. They will be asked to return a questionaire telling the assn if
they have one. Anyone who does not return this form telling us their
E-mail address will not receive our newsletter. Those who specifically
notify us that they do not have an e-mail will continue to receive one in
the mail.
E-MAIL AVAILABILITY FORM NAME________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS____________________________________________
I DO_____ DO NOT_____ HAVE AN E-MAIL ADDRESS E-MAIL
send to: e-mail:
WINTHESCOT@AOL.COM mail: WIN
MACLENNAN, 1032 LOCKRIDGE LANE, ASHLAND CITY |
