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