From BabsFayth at aol.com Tue Feb 1 15:41:00 2005 From: BabsFayth at aol.com (BabsFayth@aol.com) Date: Tue Feb 1 15:45:23 2005 Subject: [Scottish News] Scottish News in Minnesota! Vol. 5, No. 41, February 01, 2005 Message-ID: <29.6bdc8fd9.2f31435c@aol.com> Hello Everyone Okay, this is it. Groundhog Day Eve. The second most important day of the year. The day before we learn if winter is on the wane or if we can expect to still be dodging snow drifts and frigid temperatures on Tartan Day. Put your faith in Punxsutawney Phil. Hope for a cloudy day. No sunshine to scare him back into his burrow for another six weeks ? which, ironically, is the first day of spring. We are Minnesotans. We are Scots. We are ever hopeful. We will prevail. COMING EVENTS - For details scroll down the page 1. February 4, 2005, Friday, 7:30 p.m., 3rd Annual Eilean Dubh Concert with Dunquin and Laura McKenzie. 2. February 6, 2005 ? Kirkin? o? the Tartans ? House of Hope Presbyterian Churck, Summit Avenue in St. Paul, 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. 3. February 19 ? 20, 2005, Saturday and Sunday daytime hours. A Scottish Ramble. 4. February 18 ? 20, 2005 - Royal Scottish Country Dance Society to mark 30th Anniversary with a GRAND BALL WEEKEND. 5. February 26, 2005, Saturday, ST. DAVID'S SOCIETY ST. DAVID'S DAY BANQUET ON GOING EVENTS ? For details scroll down the page 1. Clann Tartan hosts Scottish Country Dancing weekly. 2. Twin Cities Scottish Club - Winter Schedule Ceilidh dancing with George McCracken Most Fridays. 3. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society ? Beginners? Clinics. 4. ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY HOSTS CLASSES MONDAYS 7:30 - 9:30 pm 5. Celtic Worship Service, Westminster Presbyterian Church. FUTURE DATES - Additional Information in Future Issues. Mark your calendars now. 2. March 26, 2005, Saturday, 4th Annual Tartan Day Ball. 3. April 1, 2005, Friday, Duluth Scottish Heritage Association AGM Note change of date. 4. April 6, 2005 Wednesday, noon 7th Annual Tartan Day Celebration. MN State Capitol in St. Paul 5. June 25, 2005, Saturday, DSHA Highland Dance Competition, Fitger?s complex, 6. July 6 ? 10, 2005, North American Clan Campbell AGM. Watch this space for details. 7. July 9 - THE SECOND ANNUAL MINNESOTA SCOTTISH FAIR, Dakota County Fair Grounds, Farmington, MN 8. August 6, 2005, International Folk Festival, Leif Erickson Park, Duluth, Minnesota ANNOUNCEMENTS - Details below 1. MN Scottish Fair 2004 T-shirts still available. 2. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ? Tartan Day planning meeting to be held at the Ramble. 2. Web site links to be regular feature of the SNIM NEWS 1. Hot Off the presses. Audrey McClellan?s new book, Magic Carpet Ride. 2. News from Wild Bill Watkins. 3. Jackie and Denny Johnston agree with Bill. 4. Burns Night Dinners are hugely successful. TARTAN DAY 1. March 26, 2005 Tartan Day Ball Edinburgh USA 6:00 p.m. 2. April 6, 2005, Wednesday, noon, MN State Capitol, St. Paul MN COMING EVENTS 1. February 4, 2005, Friday, 7:30 p.m., 3rd Annual Eilean Dubh Concert with Dunquin and Laura McKenzie. Come spend a warm and welcoming evening February 4th, 7:30 pm, at a concert on Eilean Dubh! Like Brigadoon, this island magically appears only rarely---for us, once a year! Dunquin trio, with guest artist Laura MacKenzie and author Audrey McClellan, will present an evening of Scottish music, replete with a complimentary tea of sweets and savories included in the admission, which is $10 at the door. Eilean Dubh "magically" appears in Olivet Congregational Church's social hall, 1850 Iglehart Ave in St Paul (one block west of Fairview and one block north of Marshall). Editor?s note: This is a very special Scottish event---don't miss it! Audrey McClellan?s new book will be available, the sweets and savories alone would be worth the trip if everything else wasn?t so wonderful. 2. February 6, 2005 ? Kirkin? o? the Tartans, House of Hope Presbyterian Church, Summit Avenue in St. Paul. Presented by St. Andrew?s Society of Minnesota. Coffee and goodies served between services. Bring your tartans for this annual celebration of Macalester Sunday at House of Hope. 3. February 19 and 20, 2005 ? Saturday and Sunday, A Scottish Ramble. Daytime Hours. Landmark Center in St. Paul. Admission $5, Seniors and children $3. Liz Michaelson is just finishing the schedule and will have it on the web site soon. Special note to those of you particularly interested in tartan. Dr. Phil Smith, leading authority in the world on tartan, will be a special guest at the Ramble and will offer several talks on tartan. To my knowledge, Dr. Smith has never visited Minnesota before so this is a rare opportunity to get all those tricky questions you have about tartans answered ? ?from the horse? s mouth.? Schedule and other information will be available on the web site: www.scottishramble.org (Dr. Smith?s name doesn't ring a bell? Take a look at your copy of ?Tartan for me.?) 4. February 18 ? 20, 2005 - Royal Scottish Country Dance Society to mark 30th Anniversary with a GRAND BALL WEEKEND. The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society Twin Cities Branch marks its 30th anniversary in 2005/2006. The celebrations begin at our 30th ANNIVERSARY GRAND BALL WEEKEND, February 18-20. We would like to extend a particular invitation to former members or the branch to consider joining us for all or part of the weekend. Highlights include: The Friday night reception and ceilidh, where you can meet and greet our honored guests, RSCDS Chairman Stewart Adam and his wife, who are traveling from Scotland to join us; learn about the history of the branch; do a little informal dancing; and enjoy performances by the Night Scotsman (Sherry Ladig's new band) and others (you?) The Grand Ball itself at the University of St. Thomas, featuring a sherry reception, a plated dinner, and music by Thistledown. The "afterglow" party on Saturday night, plus the post-ball pancake/potluck brunch and music jam on Sunday, featuring a performance by Widdershins. Please see http://www.rscds-twincities.org/annualball.html for full details, plus a printable registration form. REGISTRATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 12. Questions? Contact the ball chairman, Tim Dickson (612.379.4973) or the ball registrar, Janet McKernan (jmckern@cems.umn.edu). 5. February 26, 2005, Saturday, ST. DAVID'S SOCIETY ST. DAVID'S DAY BANQUET The Annual St. David's Day Banquet will be held this year on Saturday 26 February 2005 at the North Como Presbyterian Church in Roseville. Start time is 12:00 Noon. Price will be $22.00/person. Entertainment will be the St. David's Dancers. Advance reservations and payment are required. For further information contact Tom Parry, tel: 952-926-0748, email jtparry@aol.com (The St. David's Society is a society of Welsh Americans with the purpose of preserving and promoting Welsh and Welsh American history, culture, language and heritage. It is a social organization as well.) ON GOING EVENTS 1. Clann Tartan hosts Scottish Country Dancing weekly. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in Inver Grove Heights, 2nd & 4th Thursdays in Roseville. Best to contact Mary McKinley at Mairi2@juno.com to get exact times and locations if you plan to go. Check web site: www.clanntartan.org for more information on schedule. 2. Twin Cities Scottish Club - Winter Schedule Ceilidh dancing with George McCracken Most Fridays. He is still doing it! Friday nights at 7:30 ? 9:30 p.m. at Providence Place, 23rd Avenue and 38th Street in South Minneapolis (Where the old Nile Theatre once was.) If you don?t get the email reminder, please let George know you are coming by leaving a message for him at 612-729-1785. If you would like the weekly reminder emailed to you send a note to thetcsc@hotmail.com 3. Royal Scottish Country Dance Society ? Beginners? Clinics. 1st & 3rd Thursdays 7:15 - 9:15 pm, Nokomis Community Center For more info contact Lara Friedman-Shedlov at ldfs@bigfoot.com 4. ROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY HOSTS CLASSES MONDAYS 7:30 - 9:30 pm Tapestry Folkdance Center, 3748 Minnehaha Ave, Minneapolis Newcomers may try classes free for the first six weeks. For more info visit www.rscds-twincities.org/classes.html or contact Lara Friedman-Shedlov at ldfs@bigfoot.com 5. Celtic Worship Service, Westminster Presbyterian Church. Located in downtown Minneapolis, 12th St. & Nicollet Mall; regular schedule is 7:00 PM on second Thursdays of each month, with special music usually provided by Ann & Charlie Heymann. Church phone is (612)332-3421. ANNOUNCEMENTS - Details below 1. MN Scottish Fair 2004 T-shirts still available. Plans are already underway for the 2005 Fair. And it is not too early to VOLUNTEER. Contact layman@mnscottishfair.org to volunteer or to get one of those great T-Shirts. Mac may actually have 2005 to sell at the Ramble on the 19th and 20th. 2. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT ? Presidents, Chairman, Coordinators of our Scottish organizations are reminded of the Tartan Day Planning meeting to be held on Sunday, February 20 immediately following the Kirkin? o? the Tartans at the Ramble. Location available at the Tartan Day table. If you aren't sure if you (or your representative from your organization) should be there, let me know. Call 612-869-7163 or email babsfayth@aol.com. If you have thoughts or ideas you would like to share about our Tartan Day celebration, pass them on to your organization?s leader and that person will bring them to the meeting. Input is welcomed from everyone. 3. Web Site Links Directory We will try to provide a directory here of all the web sites of our communities Scottish organizations. If we have left you out, know that it was inadvertent. Let us know and we will fix it. In no particular order: Tartan Day Cooperative _www.tartandaymn.org_ (http://www.tartandaymn.org/) St. Andrew?s Society of Minnesota _www.standrewsmn.org_ (http://www.standrewsmn.org/) Twin Cities Scottish Club _www.scottishclub.org_ (http://www.scottishclub.org/) Minnesota Scottish Fair www.mnscottishfair.org Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (Twin Cities Branch) _www.rscds-twincities.org_ (http://www.rscds-twincities.org/) Minnesota Scottish Celtic Dance Association _www.mscda.com_ (http://www.mscda.com/) Duluth Scottish Heritage Association _www.DuluthScots.com_ (http://www.duluthscots.com/) Minnesota Folk Festival _www.minnesotafolkfestival.org_ (http://www.minnesotafolkfestival.org/) Minnesota Pipes and Drums _www.mnpipesanddrums.org_ (http://www.mnpipesanddrums.org/) Twin Cities Metro Pipe Band _www.tcmpb.org_ (http://www.tcmpb.org/) A Scottish Ramble _www.scottishramble.org_ (http://www.scottishramble.org/) Stirling Renaissance Faire _www.stirlingfaire.com_ (http://www.stirlingfaire.com/) Clann Tartan _www.clanntartan.org_ (http://www.clanntartan.org/) Macalester Pipe Band _www.macalester.edu/~music/ensembles/pipeband.html_ (http://www.macalester.edu/~music/ensembles/pipeband.html) If the web addresses are in color, you may be able to just click on them to get to the site. If not, copy and paste into your browser and away you go. NEWS 1. Hot off the presses, literally: Magic Carpet Ride, Audrey McClellan?s third Scottish Island Novel, was released on Friday, January 28, and will be available for purchase and signing at "Over the Water to Eilean Dubh," the third annual Dunquin concert on Friday, February 4, at Olivet Congregational Church. The book is the first of a new series, has a new set of characters, and only a tenuous connection to Audrey?s earlier books, the award-winning Westering Home and its sequel, The White Rose of Scotland. Magic Carpet Ride is a light-hearted, witty romp that is an affectionate spoof of the romance genre, set first on beautiful Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia, and moving smartly along to Minneapolis. The hero is half Scottish/half French Qu?becois author Angus Alexandre MacLachlan MacQuirter, a gorgeous, goofy guy holed up on Cape Breton, trying to write a romance novel. The heroine is shy Minneapolis rug designer Dorcas Carrothers, who has decided after two unfortunate experiences that men are too much trouble, not enough fun. Sex is highly over-rated and love is a disappointment. But then she finds herself marooned for five days in Angus?s cottage and he? s reading poetry to her. Want to bet she changes her mind? Audrey says that she hopes readers will enjoy this change of pace in the Scottish Island Novels, and promises a new book continuing the story of the Eilean Dubhannaich, titled The Devil and the Dark Island, in 2006. Magic Carpet Ride may also be ordered through www.scottishislandnovels.com 2. News from Wild Bill Watkins. The grand opening of Scotty's Irish Pub, Delano, MN on Sat. 22nd Jan 2005 was a roaring success. An evening of sweet music, good food and copious amounts of fermented beverages was enjoyed by well over a hundred people, many in Kilts or sporting clan colours. The presentation by Jackie and Dennis Johnston of a sample of Minnesota tartan along with a description of the set was greatly appreciated by the owners who will have it framed and mounted in pride of place. Our thanks to all who made this Celtic celebration go so wonderfully well. Tapadh leat, Scotty's Irish Pub Wild Bill Watkins has sadly left Molly Quinn's due to irreconcilable cultural differences with the management, he now holds court locally at, The Lake St. Garage, 3508 E. Lake St. Minneapolis. Every Thursday is kilt night! 3. Jackie and Denny Johnston agree with Bill. Watkins, that is. Babs, I don't know if this is news but I just wanted to report that the grand opening of Scotty's Irish Pub in Delano was a smash hit. It was supposed to be from 6:00 to closing but when we got there, there was already a good crowd. We were able to get a table and we thought the Guinness Roast Beef was great. We talked to Bill Watkins for awhile. He was a lot of fun. Bill and his kin were wearing kilts as was Scotty (Dennis Scott Moorehead, the owner). There were a couple of other kilts there as well. It was fun to see this in Delano. I wonder what all those Germans thought about it. We had a great time. I presented Scotty with a piece of the Minnesota Tartan, a copy of the legend and the booklet so he could add them to his collection decorations in his pub. We left early because there were so many people waiting for tables. The cars were lined up on both sides of the street for a couple of blocks so I think it will be a good thing for Delano and for Scotty as well. I encourage everyone to take the trip out to Delano in eastern Wright County to check it out. It is only about an hour from downtown Twin Cities and is easy to get to. It is just off Highway 12 (394 in the urban area). From Hwy. 12, turn onto River street and go about three blocks or go to the third stop light on 12 and turn right on Bridge Street then left on River street. Congratulations to Scotty and his staff on their new pub! _www.scottysirishpub.com_ (http://www.scottysirishpub.com/) 4. Burns Night Dinners are hugely successful. Whether you attended the Burns Night Supper hosted by TCSC or St. Andrew?s or DSHA, if you didn?t have a great time, you must have checked in at the wrong events. What a great trio of events and what a fitting tribute to Scotland? s own bard who probably would have loved to have been present at all three galas ? and who knows? Maybe he was. TCSC prez Kirsty McCracken probably greeted all 400 guests at the TCSC event at the Ramada Thunderbird personally. Probably why she lost her voice (careless of her, I must say) and pressed her husband and brother into service to do the talking. The haggis was good; the food delish, Frank and Isobel turned everyone into dancers with the magic of their music. Co-Hosted by Minnesota Pipes and entertained by Macalester Pipes, there were no disappointed piping lovers in the house. And those wonderful dancers from MSCDA. WOW! Cheers to Kitty Hart, heir of Florence Hart and her dancers and instructors. These young people are great and they do us proud. Across town a week later, St. Andrew?s hosted their Burns Night once again in the plush surroundings of Rush Creek Golf Course. Trout in Oatmeal, Lamb Shank, Beef Tenderloin were the offerings from RCGC new chef. Absolutely wonderful Haggis, addressed most astutely and humorously by SAS?s own official ? Haggis Speaker Dude? Jack Barker. Clan Cameron was chosen Honored Clan and served as the sterling escort for the entrance of the Haggis. Audrey McClellan put together a fine tribute to Burns in poetry and song that spoke to the hearts and souls of all good Scots in the house. Meanwhile, up in Duluth, DSHA was hosting their Burns Dinner at the staid, traditional, and wonderful Kitchi Gammi Club. Secretary Ginny Johnson reports that the event sold out in 3 hours. Lots of Scots up there. We have not had a first hand report as yet, but having enjoyed Burns Dinners with those Duluth Scots, I have a feeling they dined on Angus Beef with the amazing Edinburgh Fog for dessert. David Bourschor?s splendid pipe band played and the dancers of Barbara Reyelts and Diana Dodge no doubt entertained with grace and charm. Bravo to my home town. TARTAN DAY 1. March 26, 2005, Saturday ? Tartan Day Ball. To be held at Edinburgh USA in Brooklyn Park or Center. Sorry don?t remember which, but we?ll get that sorted out. Social Hour beginning at 6:00 p.m., dinner at 7:00 p.m. Lots of fun including the popular Kilt Christening Ceremony (there were lots of new kilts at both Burns events we attended), and the announcement of the 3rd Annual Lifetime Achievement Award. Ceilidh Dancing with Thistledown and George McCracken calling. Cost is $40 per guest. Details about menu, etc., will appear in the March 1 issue. To reserve your place, you may email _babsfayth@aol.com_ (mailto:babsfayth@aol.com) or call Babs at 612-869-7163. There will be a chicken, a fish and a vegetarian by request. This is always a great event. Be with us. AND IN CLOSING If you have coming events, news, or announcements you would like included in future issues, please send the information to us (babsfayth@aol.com) and we will publish in the next issue. Our deadline for the first of the month issue is the 27th of the previous month. Please let us know if you would like to be included in the reminder email that is sent out on the 20th of the month. Please feel free to forward this on to whomever you think might enjoy receiving it. As always, if you do not wish to continue receiving Scottish News in Minnesota, go to www.tartandaymn.org , click on Scottish News in Minnesota, click on subscriptions page, and follow the directions for removing your email address from the mailing list (or adding it if you aren?t currently receiving it directly). All the Best, "Babs" Barbara Humphrey Scottish News in Minnesota is a publication of the Minnesota Tartan Day Cooperative and is published 12 times a year. It is intended solely for the information, interest, and enjoyment of members of the Scottish community of Minnesota and the border Scots of Wisconsin as well as others of our Celtic friends. "Cuimhnich air na coaine o'n d'thaining thu" Remember those from whom you are descended -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/news_tartandaymn.org/attachments/20050201/00e82151/attachment-0001.htm From BabsFayth at aol.com Tue Feb 15 13:42:44 2005 From: BabsFayth at aol.com (BabsFayth@aol.com) Date: Tue Feb 15 13:50:12 2005 Subject: [Scottish News] Scottish News in Minnesota! EXTRA! EXTRA! A SCOTTISH RAMBLE IS COMING! Message-ID: <1f0.35b2c9cc.2f439ca4@aol.com> CALLING ALL MINNESOTA SCOTS, BORDER SCOTS, CELTS, FRIENDS OF SCOTLAND AND KELTIA! It?s Tuesday, February 15, 2005 and in just 4 days, like Brigadoon rising from the mists of Saint Paul, A Scottish Ramble will open its doors to welcome all Scots, Friends of Scotland, and those Minnesota Scandinavian Celtic wannabees. Whether you are a first timer or one who has visited this event regularly over the years, there will be something here to tickle your Celtic fancy. Food, fun, fascinating workshops, cute guys in kilts, lovely ladies in kilt skirts, Clubs, organizations, highland dance competition ? all those wonderful things you would expect to find at the Upper Midwest?s biggest and most exciting indoor Scottish Festival. When coordinator Liz Michaelson can find a way, don? t be surprised to see cabre tossing and other of our favorite heavy games, but, until then. . . New vendors (I count at least 5), new workshops, new entertainment along with all of your favorite participants: Clann Tartan with a peek into how it was in Scotland in 1630; Twin Cities Scottish Club started by immigrants from Scotland showing us how they really dance in Scotland; St. Andrew?s Society part of a world wide network of Scottish Heritage associations offering the traditional Kirkin? o? the Tartans; MN Tartan Day Cooperative with news of the events planned for this year?s April 6 celebration (Come by and get your 2005 button - $1); The Minnesota Scottish Celtic Dance Association putting their best young people into the competition with other fine young dancers from the upper Midwest (Come cheer ?em on!). Ross Sutter and Laura MacKenzie, old favorites along with Amy, Jon, and Deb new to this event. Jim Sherman, award- winning piper, will fill the air with those sweet sounds we love to hear. Plan to participate in the Kirkin? o? the Tartans in the Cortile at 12:30 p.m. on Sunday. Bring your Tartan banners and join us for the Parade of Tartans followed by the Kirkin? conducted by St. Andrew?s Society and bring a piece of your family tartan to place on the platter ? what? You've never done this before? No problemo ? just watch the lads and lassies ahead of you and do what they do. You?ll be so proud. (Lining up in the room beyond the elevators at 12:15 p.m. for the Parade of Tartans.) And then there is Dr. Phil Smith, leading expert on Tartan who will conduct seminars both days. Check your schedule for time and place. We are so honored to have him in Minnesota! Thanks to those that made that possible. It all happens at the Landmark Center in Saint Paul, 10 a.m. ? 5:00 p.m. on Saturday February 19th (Highland Dance competition starts at 9:00 a.m.) noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 20, 2005. General Admission $5, seniors and kids $3. Don't miss their great web site _www.scottishramble.org_ (http://www.scottishramble.org/) . All your questions will be answered there. And there is more and more and more. YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS OUTSTANDING SCOTTISH EVENT. Give yourself a break from the midwinter crazies with a wee visit to Scotland. See you there! Babs Barbara Humphrey "Cuimhnich air na coaine o'n d'thaining thu" Remember those from whom you are descended -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: /pipermail/news_tartandaymn.org/attachments/20050215/763426ea/attachment.htm