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
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