SDFA Updates
Lynn Rowland and her
son, Christopher Cornett, have moved from NC to OH. That's going to
be quite a change for them in a couple months. Sharon Harvey has
moved in the opposite direction - from CT to FL.
David and Janet
Battistoni have already started making plans for next year's AGM.
Keep an eye on the AGM section for updates. If you would like to be
on their e-mail list, send an e-mail to them so that they have your
e-mail address. Also check the SDFA website for links.
Tartan Day pins will be
sent out in your winter newsletter at the end of January. Several of
our members have assisted in running a tent or split a tent with
another group to represent us and now we have our first official
convener. Francis and Barbara Dyer have signed, sealed and delivered
their convener and assistant convener papers and are ready to take on
a few of the states in the Northwestern Region. See the Northwestern
Report section for a short note from Francis (Rick).
There is a list of
current members with their districts accompanying this newsletter. If
you see someone in the list with a name that is in your heritage and
wish to correspond, let me know and I'll get that member's permission
to give you contact information.
New Members
Welcome to our new
members. The Scruggs-Maxwell Family (Ken, Tracey, 15 year old Sean,
and 13 year old Logan) from Winston-Salem, NC is associated with the
Roxburgh District through the name Scruggs. They are also associated
with Clan Maxwell. James Blyth and Family are from Howes Cave, NY
and are associated with the Tweedside District. Robert Halley lives
in Ravena, NY and is associated with the Gala Water District through
the name, Pringle. Mrs. Sally Park Saltsman Ready of Oneida, NY is
associated with two districts - Fife and Tyneside through the names
Dodds and Stevenson. Jack Browning Greenshields is from Stillwater,
MN. His name is found in the Glasgow District though many of his
ancestors appear to have come from Edinburgh. Jack discovered us
through Clan Hamilton at the Minnesota Renaissance Faire. Cornelia
Proctor-Jenness and Family from Spofford, NH are associated with the
Angus District. Darin and Eric Long's name is associated with the Fife
District. They are from Lewiston, ME. Francis Parker of Everett, MA
is associated with the Perthshire District. From Earlville, NY, Craig
Muckle is associated with the Tweedside District. Mary and Charles
Savage from Hollis, NH are associated with the Mar, Strathspey, and
Deeside (where Balmoral Castle is) Districts through the name
Strachan. Apparently there is or was a Strachan family tartan, also.
Robert Searles and Family from Weare, NH are Dundonians from the
Dundee District. Our first members representing the Arran District are
Jeanie and Clifford Sillars from Farmington, NH. Jill and William
Walls are from Willow Springs, NC. Their districts include Dundee,
Aberdeen, Angus, Inverness, Galloway, Tyneside, and Caithness.
New Members, cont'd
The following picture
is one of the folks who met at the SDFA tent this summer (see the last
issue of the newsletter) and discovered that they were distant
relatives. Standing left to right are Lee Powers and member Phil
Mulligan. Seated are Lee's sister and Phil's wife, Cindy.
Annual Dues Renewal
If you joined the SDFA
before October 15, 2003, then your renewal is due by the end of
December. On-time renewals are $10.00 for single members and $15.00
for family memberships. If you wish to upgrade at this time to a
family membership it is $20.00. Please send your renewals along with
the accompanying renewal form giving us your most recent information
to Homer Phifer, Jr. , 490 Burning Tree Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374.
Genealogy Queries
If you are having a
problem finding a certain ancestor or line and would like the help of
the membership - this would be the section to ask for general help by
having it published in a Query. Keep it short and mail or e-mail the
query to me first.
Example:
Looking for
Information: (Scotland)
James Wood-b. 1809 Sanend, d. 22 Aug. 1868 Fraserburgh m. 16 June 1832
Isobel Bruce
Does anyone have information on parents:
Alexander Wood & Janet Hutcheon?
Looking forward to
hearing from everyone.
Diane
Diane Strout
24 Millbury Avenue
Millbury, MA 01527-4121.
genseeker11@aol.com
Hogmanay & First Footing
Hogmanay is the
celebration of New Year's for Scots. Before midnight the entire house
must be cleaned and all of the old ashes removed from the stove. All
debts should be paid. Right after midnight Auld Lang Syne is sung.
Friends and strangers are welcomed with kisses and hugs, bad blood
forgotten, and starting the new year is started with a fresh
appearance and mind. There is much celebrating, with bonfires and
fireworks a mainstay of most of the festivities. The most spectacular
event involving fire takes place in Stonehaven, just south of
Aberdeen, where huge fireballs are swung on 5 foot poles that require
60 men to carry them.
First Footing tradition
is that a dark man (used to be a dark stranger) stepping foot over
your threshold bringing coal, dark bread, or whiskey will bring luck
for the oncoming year. He should in turn be greeted with food and
drink. There are probably many dark haired men in Scotland happily
stumbling about the streets of Scotland between midnight and morning
on New Year's Day.
2004 Annual Meeting
To remind you - the
SDFA Annual Meeting will be held at the NH Highland Games in
Hopkinton, NH next year. Hopkinton is within a half hour of both
Concord and Manchester, NH. The games will be held the 24th through
26th of September 2004. David has blocked off condo units near the
games. He and Janet did this this year and it worked out very well
for them. The condos have 3 to 4 bedrooms. They have a certain
group set aside for SDFA members since there are also clan members who
have joined them in the past. From David's description of this year
it sounds like everyone really enjoyed being all together at the
condos, and they were the envy of other clans. David would like
anyone who wants any information on the AGM to e-mail him at
dbattistoni@webjogger.net.
Keep watching this space as plans firm up. You'll be receiving more
information in later newsletters and you can visit the SDFA website
for information and a link to the games site, also.
Northeastern Region Report
(CT, MA, ME, NH, NJ,
NY, VT)
SDFA NERR
Janet and David
Battistoni
18 Harvard St.
Red Hook, NY 12571
e-mail -
jcbattistoni@hotmail.com
dbattistoni@webjogger.net
South-Atlantic Region Report
(NC, SC, GA, TN)
At the Triad Games in Archdale, NC young
member, Matt Hitchcock wrestled, with Mad Max judging. Matt placed
3rd place again against much more difficult competition (and bigger
too!). He's happy that he is placing each time.
The picture is of member John McDaris, as
he marched past in the massed bands at GMHG.
The Celtic Fest in Cary, NC was a
success. The weather stayed nice throughout the day and everyone
seemed to enjoy the music and the camaraderie at the SDFA tent. There
was a special children's area where crafts from the different Celtic
nations were done, face painting, a climbing wall, a couple more
Scottish vendors (so new shopping could be done), and great music and
dancing throughout the day. The Welsh joined us this year. Member,
David Warren, had the honor of carrying the saltire in the Parade of
Flags. He and Michelle Mosco were there as long (perhaps longer) as
I was Friday evening and Saturday volunteering for the games and
assisting in the tent. Lynda Pletcher also came to assist in the tent
and keep us in stitches. She was at her best with Black 47.
Christie and Matt Hitchcock were there helping out also. No wrestling
this time for Matt. "Sword" fighting with one of the young Clan Hay
boys had to suffice. Also there and helping out were Bill Jarrett and
Lee Caldwell.
Member, Paul Smallwood, was manning the
Ulster Scot tent and Sheila Valentine came out for the Saturday
evening portion of the Fest.
Our final games for this area was the
Flora MacDonald Games. Again great weather and a wonderful day. I
got to hear the Glengarry Buoys. They do a mixture of rock and
traditional music. Members in the area all had prior commitments, but
the tent was put to good use by people who had been identified as
district people. The tents as this game are right on the edge of the
field so they are a great place for viewing the athletic competitions,
sheep dog exhibitions, and the massed bands. Member, Billy McKenzie,
popped over from the MacKenzie tent for a quick hello and
conversation.
Acting SDFA SARR
Judi Lloyd
112 Riverwalk Circle
Cary, NC 27511
e-mail -
jlloyd@a4healthsystems.com
starshipraleigh@aol.com
Mid-Central Region Report
(MO, CO, KY, NB, KS,
IA)
[For those of you
attending games in the Mid-Central check the Ferguson tent for Paul.
Other Ferguson conveners are also aware of his involvement with the
SDFA.]
We need to "talk up" the District Tartan
concept when we meet folks at the games. It is hard enough for a lot
of them to understand the tartan of their surname . . . or the concept
of the septs . . . or we hear "that isn't my name, it isn't spelled
right". Those of us who do understand the idea need to convey it to
those who don't . . . the proliferation of publicity for Tartan Day
on April 6 helps. I already bought a button for next year at the St.
Louis games Oct. 11th. This idea is catching on, thanks in part to the
faithful promotion of the State Tartan idea by my colleague Rupert
Furgerson II, FSA Scot, who was instrumental in getting the state of
Kentucky to be one of the first. I understand California has recently
joined the ranks. These are tartans based on geography, where you
live . . . like in the old days. I'm a Ferguson, but I also qualify
for the Gala Water District near Edinburgh. Our goal is to reach those
who do not have a surname tartan, but who might qualify by District. I
wonder what the Schwarzenegger tartan will look like?
SDFA MCRR
Paul's Cales, FSA Scot
No. 5 Park Dr., Apt 101
c/o Peachtree Village
Holiday Island, AR 72631
e-mail -
grosfader@cox-internet.com
Greetings from Wisconsin
I have just returned from a great
experience at the Wisconsin Highland Games & Celtic Fling, located in
Waukesha, WI. (Sept. 5th - 7th.)
The event was held at the Expo Center and
grounds and hosted by the Wisconsin Scottish Inc. a non-profit
organization chartered to preserve the traditional arts, crafts,
culture, heritage and traditions of the British Isles through
educational activities, such as this event.
This was their second
year, but you would swear it's been in existence for at least forty
years because of how well the event came off. In addition to having
perfect weather for the entire weekend, the event was well advertised
by every television station and several radio stations in town. Their
organizational skills, communication, teamwork, and tons of volunteer
help were evident as the weekend progressed.
This year among the new
events added was a sheep dog trial. It was a full trial with all
classes of dogs and handlers participating from novice, pro-novice,
nursery and open. There were approximately 115 dogs entered total.
Each class represents the level of training either the dog, and/or
handler has accomplished. The nursery is for young dogs, (30 months or
younger). The course has been designed to resemble actual farm work.
From sending the dog out on a 350 yard outrun, to going through
several freestanding panels, putting the sheep into a small pen and
then separating one or more of them all within a 10 minute time limit,
(on this course) each field size determines the amount of time
allowed).
The course proved to be
a difficult challenge because the sheep kept trying to break and run
off, but it was the dog's responsibility to keep them on course.
There were handlers from 7 or 8 states who came to participate, and
some were on their way to compete in the National Finals held this
year in Sturgis, South Dakota. There was an award for the handler
wearing the best Scottish outfit walking to the post and I humbly
admit to winning that prize. Typically, we run our dogs from sun up
to sun down in order to fit in as many runs as allowed by daylight.
But we stopped running on Friday by 5:30 PM so all could attend the
Opening Ceremonies.
I was very honored to
be asked to participate in the Opening Ceremonies on Friday evening.
I have never attended the Friday evening Ceilidh so I'm not sure if
all festivals celebrate with such extravagant ceremonies or not.
Originally, I was to lead the procession by shepherding in a small
group of sheep with the aide of my five-year-old border collie, Jan.
But because the event drew such a crowd, (and several small children
were running amongst the sheep) it was decided to leave the sheep
behind and so the "Calling of the Clans" was led in by a shepherd and
his dog. Although I had not a clue to what I was doing, I was told it
looked very cool and everyone was happy with the way it worked out.
There must have been a hundred camera flashes going off as we walked
down the hill leading the way!
It started out with a
lone piper standing upon a nearby hilltop with Jan and me standing off
to one side. One of the event organizers summoned a rider on
horseback to, "...go call in the Clans" and off galloped the horseman
up the hill. Then the horse reared up and he shouted, "It's time to
call forth the Clans." At that point the piper began to play Scotland
the Brave and from all directions amongst the crowd came the Clan
representatives carrying torches and they filed in behind the piper.
Next he played another tune and the Pipes and Drum Corps marched up
the hill and performed an about face in front of the lone piper and
then at the command of the band major, the entire procession was lead
back down the hill by a lowly shepherd and his dog. It was, without a
doubt, one of the coolest experiences in my life!
Once we were at the
bottom I cut off to the right side and the Clan representatives all
formed a semi circle. Then one by one, each Clan person yelled out
their Clan name and tossed their torch into a fire pit, by the time
the last Clansman spoke, there roared a blazing fire that burned long
into the evening.
As for the "official"
word on who all was represented and how the games proceeded, I'll let
Jim Cranston say it in his words:
"The Opening Ceremony
itself is a way to introduce the Honored Celt, the Honorary Clan Chief
of the games, and the Honored Clan. Speeches and placing the torch in
the communal fire is a way for each Clan to show pride in their Ilk
(family) and to show unity with the other clans. In the old days,
they didn't always see eye to eye! For the Highland Games and Celtic
Fling, we kind of see the fire like the Olympic torch.... a sign of
peace and fellowship to all who attend and compete." This year we had
24 clans and organizations represented at our games. This thing just
keeps growing each year. It is truly a unique experience to have the
opportunity to share one's culture and heritage with so many different
people over the course of the weekend. Next year, we are planning on
adding a proper "Presentation of the Haggis" to the ceremony with an
honor guard, pipes and the traditional readings. If you've never seen
this ceremony I would urge you to attend. It's a wonderful piece of
our culture. And everyone will have the opportunity to sample some
Haggis.... a much tastier dish than you have been led to believe! And
of course, we'll have to make sure our four legged friends from the
Stock Dog Trials are involved as well! I'd like to invite people to
join Wisconsin SCOTTISH, Inc. by having them visit our website. You
don't have to be Scottish or even of Celtic background to join. All
are welcome." Our website address is
www.wisconsinscottish.org
Steve Riddle, SDFA
member, Worden, IL
Roxburgh District
Northwestern Region Report
(WA, ID, OR, MT, WY,
AK)
Barb & I are trying to get things together
here for next year, and looking forward to meeting people from the
Northwest or any place else. Hope to see them at some Festivals or
Games. We are in the process of sending letters of introduction to
different Festivals & Games, and hopefully by our next newsletter we
will have some dates and places. We know we will be attending the Dave
Cameron Highland Festival, Jackson Hole, WY. Next year, I believe it
is in August. Will get the dates as soon as possible. ( Rick & Barb
Dyer )
Convener
Francis Dyer
P.O. Box 249
Black Eagle, MT 5941
e-mail -
grizzlybear1@bresnan.net
