September 2009

September 1, 2009

Scottish News in Minnesota – September 2009

All the news that fits, All that’s fit to be news, All the news that’s fit to print — the “Scottish News In Minnesota” is a monthly e-newsletter distributed for the Community of Scots, Scots-Americans, Canadian Scotch & Ulster-Scots as well as our Celtic kith & kin in Minnesota and the greater North Country.

DO NOT send address changes to the Editor — Send address macraeclan@gmail.com

SEND news & announcements to lawrencewinans@yahoo.com

Notices sent after the 28th of the Month are unlikely tobe posted, please send prior to that date

* * * TALE of ALE * * *

Your Editor loves many fine products of Scotland and none more than the ales and whiskies of the Auld country.

Most recently I had the opportunity to sample a “Traquair Jacobite Flavored Ale” brewed by a Stewart family brewery in commemoration of the Rising of ‘45. Made with Spring water, malt, hops and yeast, it is flavored with Coriander providing a delightful spicy aftertaste.

It can be found at the Four Firkins in St Louis Park at the corner of Minnetonka Blvd & Texas, TexaTonka forthe locals.

Stop by and buy a Jacobite or any of the other fine ales of Scotland. It would be a particularly appropriate toast to the Rising, to the memory of the Bonnie Prince and to the King o’er the water.

[An uncompensated endorsement of a delightful product and an excellent purveyor of beers and ales]

* * * HISTORY * * *

If one is looking for Just Cause to quaff a Pint

or sip a wee Dram, do so in memory

of our Dear Fathers & Mothers

in their Victories and Despair

September 1 - Feast Day for St Giles, Patron Saint of Edinburgh

September 6, 1715 - Beginning of the First Jacobite Rising

September 9, 1513 - Battle of Flodden Field, the worst defeat in Scottish history, in which King James IV dies

September 9, 1543 - Mary Queen of Scots crowned

September 11, 1297 - William “Braveheart” Wallace defeats the English at Stirling Bridge

September 14, 1745 - Bonnie Prince Charlie occupies Edinburgh in the Rising of ‘45

September 21, 1745 - Jacobites defeat English at the Battle of Prestonpans

September 28, 1326 - Battle of the Clans

September 30, 1813 - Birth of John Rae in Orkney (Clan MacRae), the explorer of the Canadian coast

* * * NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS* * *

Would you like your kids to do something energizing, aerobic and mind stimulating this fall? Instead of watching TV? Join us and learn Scottish Highland Dancing!

Classes are taught by World and National Champion Kitty Hart
at The Celtic Junction in St. Paul.

Classes begin Saturday, September 12th

Register online today!

Go to www.highlandkitty.com

NEW! Scottish Repertoire

Music with Laura

MacKenzie

Wednesdays 7

‐8pm 8 weeks

Tuition: $145

Instructor: Laura MacKenzie

Laura is an acknowledged master on flute, whistle, small

‐pipes,

concertina and song, and a fine purveyor of traditional Scottish and

Irish music. In this first

‐of‐its‐kind class, Laura will share her

knowledge of Scottish repertoire, including cultural background, the

stories behind songs and tunes, and the unique musical inflections

that give Scottish music its distinctive sound. The music covered will

be from the Highlands and Islands, Lowlands and Borders, Shetland

and Orkney, The Northeast, plus harp tunes, pipe tunes, and modern

tunes. This is a class for experienced players, intermediate to

advanced, interested in applying the skills they’ve learned in the

study of traditional Irish music toward adding a new dimension to

their playing, and to their enjoyment of traditional music.

Note: Minimum of five students required for this class.

Tales from Granny

Thursdays 5

‐6:15pm, 10 weeks

Tuition: $100

Instructor: Fern Lerwick

Why story time at a music school? Listening is one of the most

important skills for making music. Story time develops this skill in

children, and the stories themselves create cultural context and

social skills. Rhymes and games train memory, instill rhythm, and

build self

‐confidence. Crafts develop creativity and fine motor skills

to help little hands prepare to make music. Through Granny’s tales,

The CIM will help create future musicians and good citizens in our vibrant community. The TCSC has been asked to participate as a “cheering section” for all the “Brits” running in the Twin Cities Marathon on Sunday, October 4th. From the information I have received, it appears to be a 3 or 4 hour commitment beginning in the morning. I think it would be fun to participate in this event, and give GREAT exposure to the Twin Cities Scottish Club and Scotland! They would also like everyone to wear tartan/kilts/etc…which should be fine, considering it will be cooler weather in October. If we could get enough volunteers, we could stagger shifts. Please let me know if you would be interested in volunteering for this event by August 28th, so I can let the Marathon group know if we can commit to this or not. I can be contacted via email at weeyin57@aol.com or by phone at 952-888-2800 1) The RSCDS Twin Cities Branch is performing at this year’s Renaissance Festival (22 Aug – 4 Oct). We are there every weekend except Sept 12-13. We do four performances a day, and each performance has “audience participation” at the end. Come join us!

2) Curious about Scottish country dancing? Join the RSCDS Twin Cities Branch for a fun introductory night of dancing at our BRING A FRIEND NIGHT, Monday, 21 Sept 2009, 7:30 to 9:30pm at Tapestry Folkdance Center (3748 Minnehaha Ave in S. Minneapolis). It’s free and features live music by Night Scotsman. FFI: http://www.rscds-twincities.org/events.html#21092009

3) Ongoing: The RSCDS Twin Cities Branch welcomes newcomers and experienced Scottish country dancers alike to our weekly classes, Mondays, 7:30-9:30pm at Tapestry Folkdance Center (3748 Minnehaha Ave in S. Minneapolis) beginning September 28th and continuing through early May. FFI: http://www.rscds-twincities.org/classes.html Minnesota Police Pipe Band’s schedule for August, September and
October:

August 22 Sleepy Eye Buttered Corn Days Parade, Sleepy Eye MN
August 30 Minnesota State Fair Parade, St. Paul MN
September 6 Wisconsin Highland Games, Waukesha WI
September 11 9/11 Memorial, location tba
September 13 Defeat of Jesse James Days, Northfield, MN
September 21 Fraternal Order of Police member night, St. Paul MN
October 10 St. Paul Police Foundation Gala, St. Paul

Please go to the calendar page of the band website, www.mppb.org, for
additional information. Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games Saturday May 22, 2010 More Interesting Scot Facts George Washington had 22 generals serving under him in the War for Independence, 9 were of Scottish descent. As President, Washington had a Cabinet of 4, 2 Scots and 1 Ulster-Scot. And while Thomas Jefferson drafted the language of what was to become the Declaration of Independence, the actual scrivener who copied the Declaration for signature and proclamation was John Witherspoon, a Scot. Of the 56 signatories of the Declaration, 9 were Scots. For More Info Check scottishnewsinminnesota.wordpress.com

Scottish American Center and Heritage Resource - - – Our new phone number: (612) 721-8885

Located within the Danish American Center, Suite 300; 3030 West River Parkway South, Minneapolis, MN 55406

SNIM – August 2009

September 1, 2009

SCOTTISH NEWS

Minnesota

SNIM is a monthly e-newsletter distributed to the Scottish-American community in Minnesota & the Greater North Country. News & announcements should be sent to lawrencewinans@yahoo.com by the 25th of the month preceding publication and address changes sent to macraeclan@gmail.com

Not a lot of news this month —

Scottish American Center and Heritage Resource

Our new phone number: (612) 721-8885

Located within the Danish American Center, Suite 300

3030 West River Parkway South, Minneapolis, MN 55406

July 2009

July 16, 2009

Scottish News In Minnesota is an E-newsletter published on behalf of the Tartan Day Cooperative for the Scottish-American community in Minnesota & the Greater North Country Sends news & announcements to lawrencewinans@ yahoo.com no later than the 25th of the month and address changes to macraeclan@gmail. com

The community of Richfield sponsors an Independence Day march and the Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans is assembling Scots for the trek. Contact Jack MacMillan for more info — jacmacm@aol. com or check the Richfield website at www.richfield4thofj uly.com Twin Cities Scottish Club — Scottish Community Picnic will be held on July 11, 2009 starting 10am at the Picnic Shelter, East Bush Lake Beach, Bloomington — Bring your lunch, towels & lawn chairs — Fun & games planned for all ages — If you say you’re with the Club, parking is free    Did you know? The Chief of the Cherokee Nation from 1828 to 1866 was Scottish. John Ross was 1/8 Cherokee and 7/8 Scottish and a descendant of Metis, those of mixed heritage, who was repeated elected principal Chief of the Cherokees. Ross as a planter and as an entrepreneur was likely the richest of the Cherokees and one of the wealthiest men in the nation. As a leading member of the Cherokees’ constitutional commission, Ross incorporated elements of the American Constitution into the Cherokee constitution. Independence Day It is well known that Scots played a key role in the winning of independence and the founding of the American republic. They contributed equally to the foundation of the nations of Canada, Australia & New Zealand. What is less known is that a Scot was one of the founding fathers of India as well. Allan Octavian Hume, as many Scots before him, joined the civil service in India serving the British Raj. After a time he concluded that the English were ill-serving their Indian subjects and began to agitate for Indian self-government. He was the first General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, the organization advocating for independence, and laid the groundwork for Mohandas Gandhi’s later activities. *** Robert the Bruce This King of Scotland was born on July 11, 1274 *** Minnesota Police Pipe Band — July Summer has been bright and sunny for Minnesota Police Pipe Band no matter what the weather. Grade 3 has had a very successful competition season so far with first place results at the Minnesota (MSR and Medley and Best Bass Section) and Chicago Highland Games (MSR, Best Drum Corps and Best Bass Section). At the Alma Games, Grade 3 won the Medley with Best Bass Section and placed third in the MSR. They ranked third in the US Open Pipe Band Championships at Alma.

Coming up in July you can see Minnesota Police Pipe Band at the
following parades

July 4    10:00 a.m. Edina Parade
July 4    01:00 p.m. Richfield Parade
July 11 05:30 p.m. Pan-O-Prog Parade, Lakeview MN
July 12 12:45 p.m. Basilica Block Party Community Day (free)
July 19 12:00 p.m. Hastings Rivertown Days Parade
July 26 1:00 p.m. Glenwood Waterama Parade, Glenwood MN

More information is available on our website calendar page:
www.mppb.org

***Scottish American Center and Heritage Resource

Located within the Danish American Center at

3030 West River Parkway South, Minneapolis, MN 55406

The Center will be open following our Grand Opening, to be announced soon.

Grand News! New Location! We are moving to a new location, and hope to be visited by YOU soon.

The Scottish American Center will be located at 3030 West River Parkway South, Minneapolis; just at the west end of the Lake Street Bridge. We will be spending part of the month of June making the move, and will have a Grand Opening sometime in the month of July. Stay tuned!!

Meanwhile, we STILL have need for folks to help volunteer for a time to help meet and greet. Call Tommy King (651-776-4316) to find out how and when you can help out at the SAC. Volunteer to take a shift now and then by calling Tom or email info@scottishameric ancenter. org.

New Management: The Scottish American Center is under “new management”. The Board of Directors has elected Dr. J Scott McKechnie, FSA Scot, to the position of Chairman Emeritus. Scott will be available for advice and consultation, so he is not lost to the organization. The new and current Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of SAC is John McKeen. We also have some new members of the Operating Board and we are making a major effort to pump some new energy into the organization. If you would like to get involved, we welcome your interest. You can reach John at 651-228-0022.

Donors: Those of you that have contributed your time and financial support in the past have done a wonderful thing! And we wish to acknowledge your help! Soon you will be receiving a letter of appreciation. We are making a major effort to clarify donations that have come in over the past 12 months and will be contacting you soon! We continue to have a need for support to help finance the move to our new location! At this time, we have two anonymous donors that are willing to match any new donations, up to $500.00, will qualify. This is one Great way to help the SAC.

www.scottishamerica ncenter.org       Call (612) 721-8885. Saint Andrew’s Society News

The Annual General Meeting of the St. Andrew’s Society of Minnesota was held on June 14, as announced in the Thistle and Quill and previous emails. We want to share two very important pieces of information that resulted from that meeting.

First of all, St. Andrew’s has a new president. Lyaman (Mac) MacPherson was elected president. Mac and his wife Dorothy (Dee) have been members in the past, but have been inactive for a while due to their involvement with the Scottish Fair. Many of you probably know Mac through that. Mac also is a past president of the Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans. We are very fortunate to have Mac and Dee choose St. Andrew’s as their way of becoming reinvolved in the larger Scottish community and Mac will do a great job as president.

Denise Schlaeger was elected to fill out the one year remaining on the First Vice President term. Since Neil Johnson left for Boston, that position has been vacant. Denise will be working on putting together another great Burns Dinner, as well as other major events for St. Andrew’s. She continues as chair for the Tartan Day Cooperative and will be a great link between St. Andrew’s and Tartan Day.

Tom King and Jack MacKinnon were reelected as Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. New Delegates at Large are Don and Jo Luther, Phil Sutherland, Wells Wright, Jr., and JoAnn Wahl.  New members of the Board of Governors are Judith Palmateer, Ron McRoberts, Angie Schwartz and Neil Johnson.

Second, the proposal to partner with the Scottish American Center passed overwhelmingly. As discussed in the Thistle and Quill, this will not be a merger of the 2 organizations, but a 3 year trial partnership where we will work together to promote SAC and SAS, to grow them both, and to provide SAC with some greater stability and potential volunteers to help them . SAC will be moving to a new location, in the former Danebo facility in Minneapolis, very soon. It is located just south of East Lake Street on West River Road. It will be a great facility with space and access for St. Andrew’s to use and to host some smaller events. Everyone from both organizations is very excited about this partnership and the opportunities it provides to both organizations.

Finally, the membership thanked out-going President Bob Olsson for his 4 years of service as president. Bob and Lori have done a wonderful job of leading this organization, bringing it back with a much larger membership, and planning for its future. Thank you Bob and Lori! Bob, as immediate past president, will now be chairman of the Board of Governors, and has promised to maintain a significant involvement in the day to day operations of St. Andrew’s. Bob, we intend to hold you to that promise!

July 4th March in Richfield

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Scottish News In Minnesota *** June 11

June 11, 2009

Scottish News In Minnesota *** June 11, 2009

SNIM is a E-newsletter published by members of the Clan MacRae on behalf the Tartan Day Collaborative for the Scottish-Americans, Scots, Canadian Scotch, and our Celtic kin among the Ulster, Irish, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, Breton, Galician & Minhon cousins.

News & announcements should be sent to lawrencewinans@yahoo.com

Address additions & changes should be sent to macraeclan@gmail.com

MEMORIAM

SNIM is sorry to learn that one of fellow Scots has passed away. Marjorie (Marge) Hennesy, nee Campbell, age 81, of Oakdale, died June 4. Our sympathies areextended toMarge’s husband,Bob, and to Marge’s family and friends.

Funeral service set for Monday, June 15. Willwerscheid Funeral Home & Cremation Service, 651-228-1006

The History of the Scottish Thistle

According to legend, King Haakon of Norway, attempting to conquer the Scots landed at the Coast of Largs in darkness to surprise the sleeping Scottish fighters. So as to move as stealthly as possible the Norse removed their footwear.

As they approached the Scots, their bare feet discovered a field of thistle. Shrieking in pain, the Norse gave early warning to the Scots. With the absence of surprise, the Scots were able to defeat Haakon’s Army and bury his dream of a colony for Greater Norway.

The Scots gave credit to saving their nation to the lowly Thistle and elevated it as the official emblem of Kingdom and people. It remains a lesson to this day that one should be what one is even if one’s mission is to be a pain to others.

Some Famous Scots & Their Achievements

John Logie Baird — Invented TV, widescreen TV & fiber optics

Alexander Graham Bell —Invented the telephone

Joseph Black — Developed the field of Quantitative Chemistry

David Brewster — Invented the Kaleidoscope

George Brown — One of the founding fathers of Canada

Andrew Carnegie — One of the pioneers of the American steel industry

James Chalmers —Invented the postage stamp with adhesive

George Cleghorn — Discovered the use of quinine for the treatment of malaria

John Douglas — Developed the Marquis of Queensbury rules for competitive boxing

Arthur Conan Doyle — Created the immortal Sherlock Holmes

John Boyd Dunlap — Invented the pneumatic tire

Patrick Ferguson — Invented the breech-loading rifle

Alexander Fleming — Discovered penicillin

Patrick Geddes — Intellectual father of city planning

Thomas Lipton — Began the World Cup for football (soccer)

Kirkpatrick Macmillan — Invented the bicycle

John Muir — Promoted the creation of National Parks

John Napier — Created logarithms & the decimal point

James Pillan — Invented the chalkboard (blackboard)

James Small — Invented the iron plough

Robert Watson-Watt — Invented radar

James Watt — Developed the steam engine & indirectly kicked off the Industrial Revolution

James Young — Developed the process of refining oil and initiated the age of oil

New Commissioner for the Clan Donald

John Peterson, of Lindstrom, MN has been appointed to serve as the State Commissioner of Minnesota for Clan Donald U.S.A. Johnny will represent Clan Donald and have its full voting privileges as is the custom at the MCSC.

Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans General Meeting

SNIM has received a note that there will be a General Meeting of the Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans on Saturday, June 13 , 2009. Unfortunately, SNIM does not know the time or location.

Delegates & Alternates should look to their email inboxes or mailboxes for the Official Notice with time and location

Saint Andrew’s Society Events

The most important one is the St. Andrew’s Annual General Meeting next Sunday, June 14, at 1:00 p.m. at Bob and Lori Olsson’s home. Their address is 2758 Chisholm Avenue in North St. Paul. Directions: Take 694 or 36 to White Bear Avenue. South off 694 or north off 36 to Radatz. Go east on Radatz one block and go right on Chisholm.

This is a very important meeting as we will be electing a new president as well as other officers. We will also be discussing some important business items. St. Andrew’s is considering a 3 year plan to partner with the Scottish American Center and work with them toward building both organizations. More details are in the latest Thistle and Quill, which has already gone out by email and will go out by regular mail this week. It should also be available to view on the St. Andrew’s website. Please attend this meeting as we want and need member input on these important decisions.

Next event is the Celtic Solstice Celebration, sponsored by the City of Bloomington, on Thursday, June 18, 7 to 9 pm, at the Normandale Lake Bandshell, 5901 West 84th Street, Bloomington. Ring of Kerry will be playing Celtic music and it should be a great time. Come and celebrate the summer solstice, just as our Celtic ancestors did. Twin Cities Scottish Club will have a table there with some tasty treats for sale.

Finally, Friday, June 19, 7 p.m. is our June Pub Night at McGarry’s Irish Pub in Maple Plain. Click on this link for a map and directions. http://www.mcgarryspub.com/hours-directions.html We would love to see you there and have a great turnout, especially from those of you who live in the western suburbs. This is a really nice pub and a really fun place, with great food, a nice selection of beers, ales, and whiskies, and a great place to have a pint or a wee dram. Join us!

Ongoing

The CLANN TARTAN

hosts Scottish Country Dances on the first and third Wednesdays and on the seconds and fourth Tuesdays of every month.

Wednesdays at the Lake Hiawatha Community Center, 2701 East 44th St., Minneapolis, 7:00-9:00PM for free;

Tuesdays at St Christopher’ s Episcopal Church, Hamline Ave & Hwy 36, Roseville, with a $ 1.00 donation accepted to cover the church’s cost.

FFI contact brulieandjuice@ juno.com

The CLANN TARTAN also Sponsors a Music Guild in private homes

on the fourth Monday of every month to learn songs from the 17th century. FFI contact brulieandjuice@ juno.com

Policies & Procedures Send items for inclusion in the Newsletter to lawrencewinans@yahoo.com subscription requests or requests for address changes to macraeclan@gmail.com To assure inclusion, put “SNIM” in the subject line of your email. This will help us sort through the email received and identify SNIM items. DO NOT send notices to the SNIM email listed on the Tartan Day Cooperative website, the SNIM editors DO NOT have access to this site and receive no emails therefrom. If you don’t send a notice, it is unlikely your event will be listed. Do not assume that annual event “known by everybody” will be known by the editors. The editors will NO LONGER send out notices and announcements independent of the regular distribution of the SNIM. Please DO NOT send us an emergency order to send this or that notice to the SNIM mailing list apart from newsletter distribution. It may always have been done a certain way, we don’t know, but this is the way we’re doing it now. News and notices sent no later than the 25th of the month should be published in the newsletter issued on or about the 1st of the next month. * * * * * * * * * * * * Have a Story, a tidbit of history, an anecdote about a Scot or a Scottish event? Share it with your fellow Scots Send your BRIEF story,tidbit or anecdote to SNIM c/o its editor lawrencewinans@yahoo.com We’ll publish what we can with minimal editing and provide a byline so that you will have due recognition. And you can bask in the glow of your friends & family as a “Published Author”.

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SNIM Policies & Procedures

June 1, 2009

Policies & Procedures

Send items for inclusion in the Newsletter to lawrencewinans@yahoo.com subscription requests or requests for address changes to macraeclan@gmail.com

To assure inclusion, put “SNIM” in the subject line of your email. This will help us sort through the email received and identify SNIM items.

DO NOT send notices to the SNIM email listed on the Tartan Day Cooperative website, the SNIM editors DO NOT have access to this site and receive no emails therefrom.

If you don’t send a notice, it is unlikely your event will be listed.

Do not assume that annual event

“known by everybody”

will be known by the editors.

The editors will NO LONGER send out notices and announcements independent of the regular distribution of the SNIM.

Please DO NOT send us an emergency order to send this or that notice to the SNIM mailing list apart from newsletter distribution.

It may always have been done a certain way, we don’t know, but this is the way we’re doing it now.

News and notices sent no later than the 25th of the month should be published in the newsletter issued on or about the 1st of the next month.

— Published February 1, 2009

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SNIM – June 2009

June 1, 2009

Scottish News In Minnesota

Scottish News In Minnesota is an E-newsletter published on behalf of the Tartan Day Cooperative for the Scottish-American community in Minnesota & the Greater North Country.

Scottish Fair — Big Success!

by Norma R Macdonald

The weather was “a bit like Scotland”, which made our TCSC Taste of Scotland Tea Room products; shortbread, empire biscuits, lemon and strawberry tarts, Walkers Chocolate Cookies, scones, tea and coffee products “fly off the shelf”, so to speak. We also offered some new item’s this year, TCSC exclusive buttons (5 different kinds) created and donated by TCSC member Brian Jesness, with two of the button photograph’s donated by TCSC member Scott Moncrieff (Moncrieff Photography), Red Rose Tea in packs of 100, and Tartan Lanyards. It was hard to keep up with the crowds that extended out of our booth most of the day! Next year we will need even MORE volunteers to help in the Tea Room. The Family Tent hosted by the TCSC was also a very popular spot! We enjoyed “Mousy The Clown” (sponsored by the TCSC, MSCDA, and SAS) , and her balloon animals, for children of all ages, Scottish coloring books, and Scottish craft products. The children also participated in the “Wee Heavy Games”, in addition to the “Soccer Clinic” which was conducted by TCSC member Gordon Ferguson (Fergie’s Soccer Academy). Special “Thanks” goes to two special ladies, Deb Cygnar who coordinated the TCSC Taste of Scotland Tea Room with me, and without whom, the Tea Room would not be as well organized, or look at “beautiful” as it always does, and to Jennifer Peterson who coordinated the Family Tent activities. WELL DONE to both of you! Don’t forget to check out the pictures of the Fair on our web site www.twincitiesscottishclub.org. In addition, I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank all of our members, family, and friends, who volunteered yesterday in the Taste of Scotland Tea Room and the Children’s Tent. We could NOT have done it without you! South Dakota Celtic Faire & Games The second annual Northeast South Dakota Celtic Faire and Games to be held in Aberdeen, SD on September 19 and 20, 2009. This is a Saturday and Sunday with Saturday being the main activity day, and Sunday having a golf tournament, some vending and other sports (Irish Road Bowling Championship and Tug-o-War for example). The Scottish Heavy Games will be on Saturday. Our website is www.nesdcelticfaire.com .

Letter from Robin O’Neill:

The Northeast South Dakota Celtic Faire and Games planning committee would like to thank all who came to and helped with our first annual event. We had lots of help in advertising and “word of mouth” from many sources in the Twin Cities area, including the Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans and the SNIM. This help was extremely beneficial, and we are eternally grateful for it.

Entertainment was provided by the Irish Ceili band Barra, The Brian Boru Irish Pipe Band, Guthrie School of Scottish Dance, the ARCC cloggers (local) and Rince na Chroi Irish Dancers. There were piping, traditional Irish music, a jam session, Highland dancing and workshops, Irish soft and hard shoe dancing and workshops, clogging, medieval sword demonstrations, writing workshops,Scottish Heavy Games, kids’ activities, sheep herding demonstrations and Scottish livestock. The night was ended with a great Ceili with Barra and ceili caller Amy Wiberg. Clan Row consisted of representatives of Family Bruce, Clan Keith, Clan Donald with the Scottish American Society, Clan McMillan with the St. Andrews Society, Clan McBean, Clan Crawford, and Clan Stewart.

We are already in the planning stages for this year’s event. We have decided to move to two buildings and two days, September 19^th and 20^th. Sunday will consist of outdoor events only, such as a golf tournament, the Irish Road Bowling Championship and a few other non-Heavy Games types of sporting events. We hope to build this into a lasting and substantial event in our area. Please mark your calendars now for next fall and plan on coming out! Our website will be updated as we get new information and scheduling completed. We are also building a scrapbook page with a summary and pictures from 2008. You can see it at www.nesdcelticfaire.com . Thanks again, and we hope to see you there.

Robin O’Neill, President

Northeast South Dakota Celtic Faire Committee

Celtic Solstice in Bloomington MN

On June 18th, the Twin Cities Scottish Club will be participating in “A Celtic Solstice” sponsored by the City of Bloomington: The event is FREE, and will begin at 7:00 pm and run until 9pm. The location is the Normandale Lake Bandshell, 5901 West 84th Street, Bloomington, MN It is an absolutely beautiful site, overlooking Normandale Lake! This event is usually attended by 450 to 500 people. Bring your own lawn chairs or blankets to sit on! The featured band this year is ”Ring of Kerry”. The TCSC will have our ”Taste of Scotland” food booth at this event. The Hart School of Highland Dance will perform during the Band’s break, and Michael McCoy will be piping during the evening. Originally, the City of Bloomington was going to invite other food vendors, but because the program is starting at 7pm, they are only going to have us selling after dinner food and drinks (as of last week) -which means- WE NEED YOUR HELP! We plan on having pretty much the same food and drink that we did at the Scottish Fair (scones, shortbread, empire biscuits, tarts, Walker’s Choc. cookies, tea/coffee and LOTS of water!) Deb and I will be there in the early afternoon setting up the tables, etc…and we could use some help from 4pm to 10pm with setting up, breaking down the booth after the event, preparing our items for sale, and serving our guest! If you plan to attend the event and can volunteer any of your time, it would be much appreciated! Please contact Jennifer Peterson at jenip1971@hotmail.com or 763-473-9049 to let her know your availability for the evening to volunteer.

Highland Heartbeat

Wednesday, Sep 2 7:30p at State Theatre, Minneapolis, MN Opening with the emotive wails of the distinctive Scottish bagpipe, the music performed in Highland Heartbeat embodies the pride and passion of a country rich with history, offering a concert that spans genres and generations from traditional Scottish compositions like “Loch Lomond” and “Down in the Glen” to pop hits originally sung by Carly Sim

Curious about Scottish Country Dancing?The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Twin Cities Branch is
offering two great opportunities this summer to give it a try:

– 1 JUNE 2009: Bring A Friend Night, June Edition
Join us for a FREE evening of fun and easy Scottish country dances
that will give you a taste of what it’s all about.

– 15, 22, 29 JUNE 2009: 3-Week Mini-Course on Scottish Country Dancing Basics
Just $10 ($9 for members of Tapestry Folkdance Center, free for RSCDS
Twin Cities Branch Members) for all three weeks!

All events are on Mondays, 7:30 to 9:30pm at Tapestry Folkdance
Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave S. in Minneapolis. No need to bring a
partner! Please wear clean soft-soled shoes and comfortable clothing.

For questions or to sign up for the 3-week class, send email to
info@rscds-twincities.org or call Lara at 612-874-8299

FFI: www.rscds-twincities.org

Scottish American Center and Heritage Resource

151 Silver Lake Road NW, Suite 13 (Lower Level), New Brighton MN 55112

The Center is staffed by volunteers on Wednesdays & Thursdays 6-8PM

Saturdays 1-4PM

Grand News! New Location! We are moving to a new location, and hope to be visited by YOU soon.

The Scottish American Center will be located at 3030 West River Parkway South, Minneapolis; just at the west end of the Lake Street Bridge. We will be spending part of the month of June making the move, and will have a Grand Opening sometime in the month of July. Stay tuned!!

Meanwhile, we STILL have need for folks to help volunteer for a time to help meet and greet. Call Tommy King (651-776-4316) to find out how and when you can help out at the SAC. Volunteer to take a shift now and then by calling Tom or email info@scottishamericancenter.org.

New Management: The Scottish American Center is under “new management”. The Board of Directors has elected Dr. J Scott McKechnie, FSA Scot, to the position of Chairman Emeritus. Scott will be available for advice and consultation, so he is not lost to the organization. The new and current Executive Director and Chairman of the Board of SAC is John McKeen. We also have some new members of the Operating Board and we are making a major effort to pump some new energy into the organization. If you would like to get involved, we welcome your interest. You can reach John at 651-228-0022.

Donors: Those of you that have contributed your time and financial support in the past have done a wonderful thing! And we wish to acknowledge your help! Soon you will be receiving a letter of appreciation. We are making a major effort to clarify donations that have come in over the past 12 months and will be contacting you soon! We continue to have a need for support to help finance the move to our new location! At this time, we have two anonymous donors that are willing to match any new donations, up to $500.00, will qualify. This is one Great way to help the SAC.

Volunteer at the RenFest for the SAC: We have a major fundraiser planned at the Renaissance Fair and need people to help staff a booth for the sale of Mead. People are asked to come for a half day, or a whole day, to help us at the Mead Booth. To get on the schedule, please call Phil Sutherland @ (651) 241-8026, or Stacey @ (612) 859-5119.

Volunteer at the Irish Fair for the SAC: We have a major outreach effort planned at the Irish Fair, scheduled for August 7, 8, and 9. We are getting the word out to all those Scots, especially those who think they are Irish, and we need your HELP. We need people to help staff a booth to greet the public. Come for a half day, or a whole day, to help us at the Marketplace Tent To get on the schedule, please call John McKeen @ (651) 228-0022, if not there, please, please leave a message.

www.scottishamericancenter.org Call (651) 636-1558.

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SNIM – May 2009

April 23, 2009

A Loss to the Scots Community

SNIM is grieved to learn that Mary Hill, wife of Peter, both of whom have been involved in the Scots community in Minnesota, has passed away. Mary and Peter were at the Ramble and were looking forward to the Fair in May. Our condolences to the family and friends..

Volunteers Needed!!

We need helpers for the Minnesota Scottish Fair & Highland Games on Saturday 9th May, 2009 from as early as 7am to 6pm in the Tea Room and from 9am to 5:30pm in the Family Tent helping the kiddies with a craft and monitoring outdoor games.

We will need minimum of 5 people serving in the Tea Room and 4 people in the Family Tent throughout the day. Sign up as an individual, a couple or a family.

You can sign up to help out for as little as one hour or all day if you like!! We are able to offer you free admission to the Fair for a 4 hour commitment.

It’s a lot of fun helping out. It’s a great way to meet lots of people and you have the satisfaction of knowing that you contributed to a great Scottish event.

If you are interested in either station please email Jennifer with your preference and desired time at GlasgowGirl@q.com

HIGHLAND HEARTBEAT

HIGHLAND HEARTBEAT

Centuries-old Tradition Meets Modern Music to Capture the Heart and Soul of Scotland in Song in New TV Special Starring Fiona Kennedy

Airs Thursday, May 14 at 8:30pm on tptLife

(Repeats on Friday, May 15 at 2:30am)

Preview video and more at wliw.org/highlandheartbeat

Singer/actress Fiona Kennedy, a member of Scotland’s leading theatrical family and well-known in North America as the host of “Tartan TV,” leads a group of singers brought together from a country-wide audition to represent a range of musical styles. Singers Jim Malcolm, Jillian Isbister, Maureen McMullan, Daisy Chute and Darren Maclean perform at the historic Theatre Royal in Glasgow backed by the Scottish Festival Orchestra. The men wear the traditional Scottish kilt, and the women wear modern designs that riff on traditional Scottish themes. Emmy Award-winning Scottish actor Brian Cox (“The Bourne Supremacy”) reads the works of Scotland’s national bard, Robert Burns, with stunning footage of Scotland interspersed between songs. The concert was shot in high definition in August 2008.

HARP Competition

On May 9, 2009, the Scottish Harp Society of America (SHSA) will present the first annual Scottish harp competition at Minnesota Scottish Fair. Ann Heymann, master harper and SHSA ‘Distinguished Judge’, will judge the competition.

The goals of the Minnesota competition are to foster confidence in harp students and players of all levels, from early beginners to masters, in a friendly environment, as well as to encourage harpers to include Scottish music in their repertoire.

Every competitor will receive judge’s comments and a certificate of participation. We also plan to provide some awards for the winners. In order to encourage participation in the competition by as many harpers as possible, registration for the competition is free. This means we are completely dependent on sponsors for prizes and awards.

We would very much appreciate your support in this endeavor through your sponsorship or donation. Would your Clan be able to contribute an award for the first place winner in one of the competition categories? SHSA competitions offer five graded solo harp categories by skill level: Beginner, Novice, Apprentice, Journeyman, and Master; as well as five graded special categories: Early Scottish Music, Harp & Vocal, Harp & Spoken Word, Harp in Ensemble, and Emerging Forms. For more information on the requirements for these categories, please see the SHSA website.

Other, more general, awards are also possible. For example, one local clan has arranged to present a prize for Most Promising Harper. Other possibilities for general awards include Harper of the Day, or even Never Before Played the Harp!

We have arranged with one of the Fair vendors, Cindy Stephens, to design and create handmade framed awards for the first-place winners in the SHSA regular categories, at a cost of $50 each. If your Clan could sponsor the prize for an entire category, or even a portion of a prize, we would much appreciate it.

We hope to make the SHSA Scottish Harp Competition an annual feature of the Minnesota Scottish Fair, so this year, there is a unique opportunity to establish such a prize as an annual gift from your Clan, if you wish. As a sponsor, you will be recognized at the awards presentation for your generous contribution. In addition, a representative of your Clan will be invited to present the award at the awards ceremony.

If you are able to support the efforts of our competitors, please contact me by Wednesday, April 22 to make arrangements for your donation. Thank you!

Best regards,

Cindy Schaufenbuel, Chair

SHSA Harp Competition at Minnesota Scottish Fair 2009

18320 Cascade Drive

Eden Prairie, MN 55347

(952) 693-3755

cindy@schaufenbuel.com

www.shsa.org

www.mnscottishfair.com

HAGGIS – IT’S NOT JUST FOR JANUARY!

I can’t claim to be an authority on haggis. But for three years while we lived in the Highlands, Barb and I enjoyed haggis almost every week; and not just any haggis, but Cockburn of Dingwall’s All-Scotland Champion Haggis. So last week, when we spotted “fresh haggis” in the meat case at the new Seward Co-Op at Franklin and Riverside in Minneapolis, well – we had to give it a go.

That first batch of haggis out of the Co-Op was pretty good, It was made with the right parts, but they used beef instead of lamb, and rolled oats, too, and it was packed like bratwurst in natural sausage casing. After Barb and I tried it, we consulted with Bill, the Seward Sausagemaster, and made a few modest suggestions. Bill is now making his haggis with lamb and steel-cut oats, and searching for a more appropriate casing. And – having sampled it on this lovely April evening – we can attest that the Seward Co-Op haggis is as close to Cockburn’s classic as we’ve had this side of the water.

We also brought home a nice small rutabaga from the Co-Op’s produce section. Diced, boiled and served with butter, salt and pepper, the rutabaga made a credible imitation of the ‘neeps we always enjoyed with tatties and haggis. Being tradition-bound, I was forced to have a wee dram with the meal as well, along with a nice pint of ale. All we lacked to complete the Highland scene was gale force winds and slashing rain.

So here’s a tip for those poor souls whose exposure to Scotland’s national dish has been limited to that obligatory dollop from parts unknown (literally) appearing on the plate at a Burns Night Supper: haggis is not just for January. And it deserves to be more than an ethnic icon, a Celtic equivalent of Norway’s notorious lutefisk. Well made, haggis is a tasty dish deserving of Robert Burns’ lavish praise and delicious at any time of the year. Now that we have a source for good, fresh haggis, it will be gracing our table often. With a wee dram, of course!

—– Jack Maloney

Scottish Fair & Highland Games

May 9

9:00 am – 5:30 pm (Gates open at 8:00 am)
Ceilidh 5:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. at the McCracken Pub

Dakota County Fair Grounds
4008 220th Street West, Farmington MN 55024

General admission tickets $15
Seniors 65+ $10
Children 6 – 15 $5
Children 5 & under FREE
On site parking is FREE

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Tartan Day – April 4, 2009

March 31, 2009

APRIL 2^ND FESTIVITIES

We begin with a program at the Minneapolis Central Library at 6:30 pm on April 2nd to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns, the Scottish Bard. We will feature the Minnesota Police Pipe Band, a display about Robert Burns and program full of Scottish flavor. Representatives from many of the local Scottish clubs and clans will be on hand.

BURNS DAY at the LIBRARY

IT’S THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE BIRTH OF ROBERT BURNS; CELEBRATE WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY. At the CENTRAL LIBRARY, DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS, 300 NICOLLET MALL; APRIL 2nd, 2009 6:30 PM TO 8 PM

SCOTTISH MUSIC, DANCE AND POETRY FEATURING: Ross Sutter, Premier Interpreter of Burns’ Vocal Music; The Night Scotsman; Jack Barker Addressing the Haggis; Scottish Country and Highland Dancing; The Minnesota Police Pipe Band will ROCK the Library!

ADDMISSION IS FREE~ SCOTTISH ATTIRE ENCOURAGED!

APRIL 4^TH FESTIVITIES

1. Saturday, April 4th offers three schedules events. The afternoon Event will begin at 2:30 pm with the parade from the Vietnam Memorial up to the front of the Capitol, the same as previous years. On the Capitol steps (or inside at the rotunda in case of rain) the Macalester College Pipe Band will be receiving the 2009 Lifetime Achievement Award from the Minnesota Tartan Day Cooperative. Mayor Chris Coleman will proclaim a call has been put out to all of Macalester’s College’s Pipe Band alumni to join us on that day.

2. The film of Sean Connery tour of Edinburgh, filmed in 1983, will be shown at 5:00 p.m. at Merlin’s Rest at 3601 East Lake Street.

3. Highland Reign is playing a concert on the night of April 4th at O’Gara’s Garage to benefit the Minnesota Tartan Day Cooperative. The event begins at 7:30 pm. (Doors open at 6:00) @ 164 N. Snelling Avenue. The program including the Macalester College Pipe Band will play at 8:00. Highland Reign starts at 8:30. The program that April 4th, 2009 will be Macalester College Pipe Band Day in St. Paul, Minnesota. O’Gara’s will have a special menu available from 6-8pm. All drinks will be cash only in the Garage & there is an ATM inside O’Gara’s Bar. Tickets are $10.

Please consult the web-page for further information: www.mntartanday.org/25501.html

Details:

Here is the Schedule of Events

7:30    Emcee Babs Humphrey
7:40    Tombola
7:50    Dancers
8:00    Macalester College Pipe Band
8:15    Presentation of engraved Lifetime Achievement Award by Norma Macdonald
& Tombola winners
8:30    Highland Reign
9:15    Tombola winners
9:30    Great Kilt demonstration
9:45    Highland Reign
10:30   “Bessie’s Boil” by Robert Service to be read by Jack Mahoney
10:45   Highland Reign

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Scottish News In Minnesota

March 31, 2009

Scottish News in Minnesota (SNIM) is an electronic newsletter prepared by members of the Clan MacRae on behalf of the TARTAN DAY COOPERATIVE as a service to Scots, Scot-Americans, Ulster-Scots, the Canadian Scotch and our Celtic kin in the North Country.

APRIL in MARCH

The April SNIM is being published in March so as to give adequate notice of the upcoming TARTAN DAY on April 4. Who knows, perhaps it will be a harbinger of an early Spring?

BURNS DAY at the LIBRARY

IT’S THE 250TH ANNIVERARY

OF THE BIRTH OF ROBERT BURNS

CELEBRATE WITH HENNEPIN COUNTY LIBRARY

CENTRAL LIBRARY, DOWNTOWN MINNEAPOLIS

300 NICOLLET MALL

APRIL 2nd, 2009

6:30 PM TO 8 PM

SCOTTISH MUSIC, DANCE AND POETRY

FEATURING:

Ross Sutter, Premier Interpreter of Burns’ Vocal Music

The Night Scotsman

Jack BARKER Addressing the Haggis

Scottish Country and Highland Dancing

The Minnesota Police Pipe Band will ROCK the Library!

ADDMISSION IS FREE~ SCOTTISH ATTIRE ENCOURAGED!

TURN OUT FOR THE TARTAN!

GAELIC LANGUAGE

My name is Nancy Antenucci of the Clan Donald in St Paul. My friend Stacey Peacock and I are interested forming a group to learn a strong Scottish Gaelic language foundation. A small group of us, mostly from Clan Donald, have been trying to teach ourselves which has proved quite difficult without a fluent Scottish Gaelic speaker as a guide or mentor. We would really like to find someone locally who could meet with us regularly or periodically to help us move along a little faster and with better understanding. At the very least, we would love suggestions for resources for those who managed to teach themselves. Is there any chance of posting this inquiry in the next newsletter? You can contact me at 651-644-7440 or nucc40@yahoo.com.

ST ANDREWS‘ KILT KRASH

Hey everybody!Wanted to get the word out on our first Kilt Krash of the season.We are planning on having it at Merlin’s Rest and also at O’Gara’s.This event is to promote our Tartan Day events on April 4th.We would also like to encourage anyone who would prefer their own local pub to get out there and spread the word.We will have fliers available to anyone that wishes to visit their own pub.You can contact Jack MacMillan,and he can assist you with fliers.We are planning on having the Krash on March 27th(Friday),beginning at 7pm.To get a hold of Jack email him at: jacmacm@aol.com or phone him at 612-798-5092.Any questions for me,Tommy King you can reach me at doulltommy@yahoo.com or call=2 0me at 651-776-4316.Thanks abunch for your time and hope to see you on the 27th!

FAERIES & FRIENDS

Fern Lerwick will be presenting a class at the Center for Irish Music spring semester Fairies and Friends. This class will explore Celtic culture through stories and crafts. We will meet the magical creatures and heroes of Celtic legends. Learn the tales and rhymes of Ireland and create treasures to take home. Be prepared to make a mess.
    Fun for ages 2-5 Yrs. 2year olds can bring an adult friend.
Saturdays 11:00-11:45 10 weeks March 28-May 30
($50.00 tuition) Special introductory offer, buy 2 get one free!
    CIM @ The Paul & Sheila Wellstone Center/ Neighborhood House
197 Robie Street East St Paul, MN 55107   www.centerforirishmusic.org

TARTAN DAY – APRIL 4, 2009

Since 1999, Minnesotans of Scottish heritage have gathered on Tartan Day at the State Capitol in St. Paul to publicly recognize the contributions of Minnesotans of Scottish Heritage and to celebrate Scottish culture with music, dancing, and song. The date for Tartan Day was selected because it was on April 6 in 1320 that the Declaration of Arbroath was signed, a document often regarded as the Scottish Declaration of Independence.

We encourage all Minnesotans, whether Scots or not, to join us as we proudly celebrate our heritage. And if you can’t attend in person, be sure to wear your tartan and a Tartan Day Button!

The Macalester College Pipe Band will be honored with a lifetime achievement award from the Minnesota Tartan Day Cooperative for providing 60 years of Scottish music and culture to Minnesota.

Saturday, April 4

3 p.m. Tartan Day Parade starts

Minnesota State Capitol
75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.,

St. Paul
Find it here

6 p.m. Continue the Scottish festivities

O’Gara’s Garage

164 Snelling Ave., St. Paul

8 p.m. Macalester Pipe Band

9:15 p.m. Highland Reign

Cover: $10 at the door

The day will be proclaimed Macalester College Pipe Band day in St. Paul by Mayor Chris Coleman. All are encouraged to come and watch the parade of pipe bands, dancers and other Scottish types.

All alumni of the pipe band are invited to step in with the current roster of 30 to play a special Tartan Day set of Scotland the Brave, Murdo’s Wedding, and Wings. So, bust out your pipes and cinch up your kilt! The songs can be downloaded from the Macalester Pipe Band website.

Alumni pipers who wish to perform with the group for the parade are asked to meet at 2:30 p.m. on the Capitol Mall at the west end of the Veterans Services Building which is near 12th Street and John Ireland Boulevard. (#8 on this map of the Mall)

Continue the Scottish festivities, and join members of the Macalester Pipe Band performing at O’Gara’s. People will gather at 6 p.m. to eat, socialize and participate in the tambola (a UK form of bingo). There will also be poetry readings and a reintroduction of the Macalester Pipe Band as the honorees between shows.

DANCE … DANCE … DANCE

Ongoing

The CLANN TARTAN

hosts Scottish Country Dances on the first and third Wednesdays and on the seconds and fourth Tuesdays of every month.

Wednesdays at the Lake Hiawatha Community Center, 2701 East 44th St., Minneapolis, 7:00-9:00PM for free;

Tuesdays at St Christopher’ s Episcopal Church, Hamline Ave & Hwy 36, Roseville, with a $ 1.00 donation accepted to cover the church’s cost.

FFI contact brulieandjuice@ juno.com

The CLANN TARTAN also Sponsors a Music Guild in private homes

on the fourth Monday of every month to learn songs from the 17th century. FFI contact brulieandjuice@ juno.com

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Scottish News In Minnesota – March 2009

March 1, 2009

Scottish News In Minnesota (SNIM) – March 2009

SNIM is an electronic newsletter published by members of the MacRae Clan on behalf of the Tartan Day Collaborative for Scots, Scot-Americans, Ulster Scots & the Scotch-Canadians in the North Country.

Announcements

* The Minnesota Coalition of Scottish Clans has revised and updated its website at www.mncsc.org, take a look.

* The Minnesota Police Pipe Band has won “Champion Supreme” status from the Midwest Pipe Band Assn. for 2008 Grade 5.

The Minnesota band was led by Pipe Major Wayne Sanford, Center City; Pipe Sergeant Trevor Bailey, Belview; Drum Sergeant Nate Kerr and MidSection leader Erin Lerwick both from Minneapolis. In addition toband honors, MPPB soloists who achieved Champion Supreme status are Erin Lerwick for Group Tenor and piper Tom Hinrichsen.

Calendar

- March 14 – The Twin Cities Scottish Club is holding its Whist & Pies event, 1 – 5 pm at Macalester-Plymouth United Church adjacent to Macalester campus. Cost is: $7.00 per person for Members, $9.00 per person for Guests $5.00 for children 12 years & under; Deadline March 8 Register with Check by March 8th, 2009 to: TCSC c/o Carolyn Jackson, 12212 Goldenrod Circle NW , Coon Rapids , MN . 55448

- April 4 – TARTAN DAY in MINNESOTA – We will march on the Capitol, listen to a few speeches, take a group photo and then party down at O’Gara’s Garage at Snelling & Selby in honor of the Declaration of Arbroath. Further details will follow

May 9 - MINNESOTA SCOTTISH FAIR & HIGHLAND GAMES – Dakota County Fairgrounds, Farmington MN

A daylong celebration of family, friends and culture complete with clan exhibits, vendors, games, potables, edibles, displays, entertainment and a pub tent all capped off with a celidh for the grown ups in the evening.

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News & Notes for Scots in the North Country

SNIM – August 2009

SNIM Policies & Procedures

Tartan Day – April 4, 2009

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