Twenty Years of Clan Pride The Hendersons Are Here!

20t
h
Vol. XX No. 3
niversary
An
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AGM
page 4
Genealogy
page 6
DNA Update
page 7
Pride,
Involvement
Membership
page 9
Games Reports
page 10
Clan Recognition
2007
page 19
Summer 2008
Twenty Years of Clan Pride
The Hendersons Are Here!
t is with great pleasure that I congratulate Clan Henderson Society of the USA on its 20th birthday.
I well remember those approaches of a few dedicated individuals in the early days, that have
grown into lasting friendships and bonds formed across the country and the world.
I congratulate all who have worked so hard to bring the Society to the eminent position it holds
today, and encourage all members to commit to maintaining its strength in the future.
Aye
Fordell
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CLAN HENDERSON
wenty years ago at Grandfather Mountain four or five members met under a tree and decided
to form Clan Henderson Society. Twenty years later at the Society’s AGM in Glasgow,
Kentucky, Clan Henderson Society was the honored Clan, led by a pipe band wearing uniforms
of Henderson Tartan. During those twenty years our Chief, Dr. John Henderson of Fordell, from
Australia has visited several times. His son and successor, Alistair Henderson of Fordell, has also
visited and was the honored guest at the Richmond Games. He will meet Clan Henderson members
in July 2009 where our Clan will display our tartan to the world through the BBC—a lot of growth
in twenty years: four or five men became a family of approximately 3,500. Most significantly this
Clan has clearly become a FAMILY with strong bonds. Limitation of space precludes naming all the
people who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. It has truly become a family of brothers and
sisters who deeply care for each other. Rather than reflect upon our past accomplishments, let’s work
together towards the continued success of Clan Henderson for the next twenty years.
David S. Henderson
High Commissioner and Chieftain
T
CONGRATULATIONS FROM CANADA
he old expression, “time flies when you are having fun,” certainly helps to explain
why it seems like only a couple of years ago that I joined the Clan Henderson Society
of the United States and Canada. It was actually eighteen years ago that Henry McCarl
convinced me that I should become a member and a convenor from Canada. Of course, John W.
Henderson from Ontario was already involved with the Society and had contributed much to
the initial historical documentation of our clan. As with any family, as our clan society grew and
matured, the Canadian members decided to move along and form their own organization while
maintaining close links with their American cousins, especially in the sharing of genealogical data.
I sincerely wish to congratulate all the volunteers who have given so much time and effort over the
past twenty years to make the Clan Henderson Society such a success. With the continued support
of our members, I am confident that our two societies will continue to promote our Henderson and
Scottish heritage, uniting our extended family around the world for many years to come.
Cairns Henderson
President, Clan Henderson Society of Canada
T
T
An Canach
8500 Wendell Drive
Alexandria VA 22308-2158
(703) 780-1068
EdAnCan@aol.com
An Canach Staff
Editor
Assistant Editor
Printing & Distribution
Russell Henderson
Judy Henderson
Mark Henderson
Contributing Columnists
Billy J. Henderson
David Henderson
James E. Henderson
Cairns Henderson
Dottie Henderson
Fred and Peggy Sanford
Reporters
Gary Henderson
Larry Henderson
Steve and Janiel Henderson
Joe Henderson
Lori Henderson
Linda Hendricks
he Internal Revenue Service has ruled that the
Clan Henderson Society of the United States,
Incorporated, is a tax-exempt educational
organization within the meaning of 501(c) (3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1954. Consequently donations
of funds, library books, and other property made to the
society are deductuble contributions for the purpose of
Federal Income Tax Returns.
An Canach is the Official Newsletter of the Clan
Henderson Society. It is published quarterly to provide
information about Clan Members, Scottish Culture, Attire,
Music, Food, Upcoming Events, and our individual and
collective Genealogy. It is the expression of life in Clan
Henderson as maintained by your contribution of articles,
information, and ideas. Please submit your material
anytime, either online or by regular mail.
An Canach does not maintain a mailing list. Please
notify the membership secretary of any address changes.
Articles and reports for An Canach are requested
and encouraged. Please send photos separately. Email or USPS are both acceptable. Deadlines are
1 December, 1 March, 1 June, and 1 September.
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Copyright 2008, Clan Henderson Society of the United States of America, Inc. All rights reserved.
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Please use your member number when you contact the society.
2
An Canach
Summer 2008
by Billy J. Henderson
T
Billy
J. Henderson
Edwin P. Hendricks Jr
20th Anniversary of Clan Henderson
DNA
Carol Maley
Membership
Speaking of relatives, I’ve received the DNA results for the additional markers that I
ordered. With the first 12 markers I had matched all markers with four other individuals. One
of these four had tested for 67 markers, so I ordered the additional markers for comparison.
He and I match 64 of 67 markers. He’s definitely a relative, but we need to determine how
we are related. This will be interesting since our ancestors’ immigration patterns are not
identical. We plan to get together soon to work on this.
Yours aye,
Billy
Dottie Henderson
Recording Secretary
This is the 20th anniversary of our Clan Henderson
Society. It was formed in 1988 at Grandfather Mountain.
[See page 9.] We celebrated with a birthday cake in
Glasgow, but there are other things we can do. Let’s
flaunt out clan pride this year. We can show that pride
by wearing our tartan and getting to as many games as
possible. Tap into your extended family for new members. If you attend a reunion, be sure
to try to get those attending involved. When you can, bring a family member to the games.
If you don’t normally attend the games, try to make it to one this year. You’ll find good
fellowship in the Henderson clan tent. You may find a relative at the games. It happened to
me in Stone Mountain last year.
VP General Counsel
Earl R. Hendry, JD
Vice President
he AGM in Glasgow,
Kentucky was excellent!
Glasgow was a great
location for the AGM, and a good
number of Hendersons attended.
We managed to accomplish some
important business and elected
officers for the next two calendar
years. Congratulations to all
those elected, thanks to each of
them for agreeing to serve.
[AGM Minutes on page 4]
Many people contributed
to the success of this AGM,
bringing items and working in the tent, but I would like to mention four who served above
and beyond:
Fred and Peggy Sanford served as our hosts in Glasgow. They took care of all the planning
for the Clan tent and the ceilidh. They secured honored clan status and dealt with all the
details involved in hosting. We couldn’t have asked for better. Our time at the Games was
wonderful, but the ceilidh was fabulous. Thanks, Fred and Peggy.
Annette Henderson Stokes prepared and brought us food that we nibbled on for two days.
We had anything you could think of from extra rich brownies to homemade cinnamon rolls.
Thanks so much for all your work, Annette.
Ellen Bentley brought refreshments from Washington state that really added something to
the ceilidh. Additionally, she brought Colin Grant Adams and his wife to the ceilidh. Colin
is one of my favorite entertainers, so it was delightful to have him entertain us.
I should mention that Fred and Peggy had arranged for us to have the ceilidh at Hall Place
Bed and Breakfast. It was built in 1852, and visited by Abraham Lincoln. Also, it was part of
the underground railroad. Owners Gary and Karin Carroll were wonderful hosts.
President
Secretary
Treasurer
President's Message
Gregory L. Schwartz
Summer 2008
An Canach
3
The Glasgow Kentucky Highland Games
30 May - 1 June 2008
by Fred and Peggy Sanford
T
he 20th Anniversary Year of Clan Henderson Society
was celebrated at the Glasgow Kentucky Games, which
included a Ceilidh in the City of Glasgow on Saturday
Night. We were the honored clan, although took second billing
behind Clan Irwin whose chief was present. The 2008 Annual
General Meeting took place at the tent on Saturday afternoon
at which most of our officers and a number of regional
Commissioners attended from around the country. Results
of the Meeting will be found on the next page, but we voted
to elect President Emeritus Rex Maddox as President, and
Larry Henderson of Seffner, Florida as Vice President. Both
were present at the meeting, while nearly fifty Hendersons
watched.
Helping Peggy and me convene the tent (a double at that)
were Rex Maddox, George Henderson, Ed Hendricks and
Billy Henderson. Dawn Henderson, Annette Stokes, Josephine
Felner, Paula Setters, Suzanne Shimp, and Ellen Bentley helped
with the food table. Our Piper, Patrick Heston, was present
to lead us in a walkabout, as well as leading President Billy
and High Commissioner David Henderson back from the
reviewing stand at the opening ceremony, with Christian
Garin, Ed Hendricks, George Henderson, and Rex Maddox as
Bodyguards.
Nearly forty-five Hendersons and guests were present at the
Ceilidh at the Hall Place B&B. Special guest at the dinner was
folk singer Colin Grant-Adams, who sang for us afterwards
and, with his wife, Julia, stayed for the rest of the evening.
Helping at the dinner were David and Kari Henderson. Ellen
Bentley brought some wine from Washington State, and Tom
and Linda Hendricks brought a food basket from Oklahoma.
Some of the veteran members recalled the beginning years
of the Society, and Doug Henderson played the keyboard in
Scottish and patriotic songs.
Commissioners present were Tom and Linda Hendricks
from Oklahoma City (Far South), Harry and Suzanne Kiefer
from Atlanta (South East), Joe Henderson from Long Beach
(South Pacific), and Doug and Kathy Henderson from Rocky
River (Great Lakes). And, of course, President Billy and Dawn
Henderson from Pearl, (Mid South). Lee and Dottie Henderson
from Marco Island were there, Dottie being re-elected as
Recording Secretary. High Commissioner David S. Henderson
was accompanied by his lovely wife, Loulie. Rex Maddox was
accompanied by Pat, who also ran the COSCA tent along with
Bob and Christy Heston. Bob Shimp, our new quartermaster,
was also present with Suzanne.
We thank all who contributed to the success of these Games
in our 20th Anniversary Year, even those whose names are
not here, and hope that it all can be continued at the AGM at
Kansas City next year.
Clan Henderson Society of the USA
Treasurer’s Report
Balance as of 1 January 2007
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income:
Contributions Income
Henderson Goods
Caps
Clan Tag
Lapel Pin
Modern Tartan Yardage
Name Tags
Pendant
Pewter Crest Badge
Pewter Kilt Pin
Sweatshirts
Tee Shirts
Tote Bags
Yardage- Cotton
Henderson Goods - Other
Total Henderson Goods
Membership Dues
8,995.00
7,990.00
Total Income
Cost of Goods Sold
Modern Tartan Yardage
Cost of Goods Sold - Other
Total COGS
Expenses:
Administration
Bank Service Charges
Genealogist
Secretary Postage US
Secretary US
Treasurer
Total Administration
1,652.57
An Canach
Editor
Postage
Printing
Total An Canach
5,879.1
Chief’s Fund
2,700.00
Computer Software/Supplies
1,567.00
18,552.00
Henderson Goods EXP
Postage
Shipping
Total Henderson Goods EXP
680.90
Gross Profit
17,871.10
Uncategorized Expenses
Total Expenses
An Canach
35.65
Promotional
Advertising
Claude A. Henderson Memorial Award
Award - Other
Travelers/Christian Garin School
Youth Award
Total Promotional
2,750.00
Regional Expenses
AGM Expenses
Body Guard Expenses
Mid East - Christmas Walk
MidSouth
South Pacific
South West
Total Regional Expenses
Balance as of 31 December 2007
413.41
684.00
Highland Games
Net Ordinary Income
Net Other Income
Net Income
4
$46,042.02
Profit & Loss Statement
320.43
90.00
14,525.16
3,345.94
-15.00
3,330.94
$49,365.12
Summer 2008
Clan Henderson Society of the United States of America
Annual General Meeting
30 May 2008
T
he meeting was held at the Glasgow Highland Games
in Kentucky and was called to order by President Billy
Henderson at 2:10 P.M.
The invocation was given by Chaplain Fred Sanders.
Billy announced that this is the 20th Anniversary of Clan
Henderson Society’s organization in 1988. The first meeting
was held at Grandfather Mountain in July 1988.
Billy thanked Peggy and Fred Sanford for organizing and
hosting the AGM and he also thanked Dawn Henderson for
helping with the food.
Peggy Sanford thanked everyone who helped her by
bringing food and in any other way.
The secretary read the minutes of last year’s meeting. George
Henderson moved to approve the minutes and Rex Maddox
seconded. The motion carried.
The Treasurer’s Report was given. Total income for the year
was $17, 871.00 and total expenditures were $14, 525.00.
The Membership Secretary’s Report showed that in 2006
there was a total of 3,523 members with 996 Active and 1,845
Inactive. In 2007 the total was 3,609 members with 951 Active
and 1,956 Inactive. The president recognized Tom Hendricks
Commissioner of the Far South Region and Joe Henderson of
the South Pacific Region for increasing membership in their
regions. Both were present at the meeting. (The full membership
report is attached.)
Rex Maddox pointed out that the Henderson of Fordell
standard is flying over our tent. On the Lord Lyons’ declaration
making Alistair Henderson as Chief, this is the standard that
is indicated in the declaration. It will fly at every AGM and
at other meetings in any region when requested by regional
commissioners. A 20 foot pole is needed to fly the standard.
Rex announced the clan recognition awards for 2007. [The
awardees are listed on page 19.]
Rex Maddox said that the executive board, on his
recommendation, approved that we donate $3,000 to the
Shadle Park High School Pipe Band in Spokane, Washington
which was started by a Henderson linked family. The band has
six pipers and eight drummers. The money will be used to
purchase new kilts and instruments.
Our Chieftain David S. Henderson reported on the
distribution of the Glencoe appeal funds. $2,500 had been
approved and the money was presented by him to Jean
Henderson of Glencoe on behalf of the Glencoe Primary School
for purchasing chanters, shinty sticks and for teaching piping.
Billy said that the executive board had voted to purchase a
kilt for the music teacher in Glencoe, Scotland.
The Henderson Stone location was not known by the staff at
the Historical Trust site in Glencoe. It is hoped that people can
be taught about it and recognize its importance.
While he was in Scotland David had visited the property
at Fordell that the clan was considering buying for Clan
Summer 2008
Henderson use. The part of the building that is being offered is
a barn in poor condition. David said he could not recommend
purchasing it.
David also reported that the Clan Henderson Culloden
Stone we had purchased for $250.00 was to be put in place on
the walkway leading to the entrance of the Culloden Visitor’s
Center.
The Gathering of the Clans in 2009 is being planned and
David encouraged any that want to participate need to make
the commitment as soon as possible. Accommodations and
passports (tickets) to events are going fast. Let David know
if you are interested. 135 clans are signed up. Clan Henderson
members from Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the UK and
the U.S. will be there. Our Chief will attend and there will be
a Clan Henderson tent.
Billy announced that the site for the 2009 AGM will be held
at the Kansas City, Kansas Games on the 13-14 June. The 2010
AGM will be held at Stone Mountain Georgia. Our Chief is
planning to be present at that event and he will be the honored
guest.
The Slate of Officers for 2009-2010 was announced.
President
Rex Maddox
Vice President
Larry Henderson
Recording Secretary
Dottie Henderson
Membership Secretary
Carol Maley
Treasurer
Greg Schwartz
The president called for nominations from the floor. There
were none.
Dawn Henderson moved that we accept and vote to elect
the slate as presented. Linda Hendrix seconded the motion.
The slate was accepted unanimously.
Other Business:
Christan Garin announced that there would be a walkabout
after partaking of the 20thanniversary cake.
Peggy Sanford asked if anyone wanted to add to the Flowers
of the Forest list for Sunday’s Kirking of the Tartan.
Directions to the evening’s celidh are available.
Quartermaster Bob Schimp announced that we have some
new items in stock, the newest is a collared knit shirt available
with or without a pocket. The price is to be determined.
A motion was made by Harry Keifer to adjourn the meeting.
David Henderson the younger seconded. The motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:35 P.M.
Submitted by:
Dottie Henderson
Recording Secretary
An Canach
5
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The Hendersons and Their Music
I
have this theory that our connection with certain music is a
DNA thing; that the appreciation of a certain style of music is
passed to us from our ancestors, and likewise can be inbred
into future generations. I’ll admit my proof is not terribly
scientific, but it makes sense to me because I’ve watched me
own wee grandchildren fall under the spell of a Scottish lullaby
and float gently into that peaceful slumber only the innocent
know. My belief is the melody flows through their little veins
and makes them feel loved and safe and, of course, sleepy.
By the same token, I find that Scottish or Irish folk music
produce in me a hard-wired response, a calming sensation, a
feeling of well-being as though the music somehow resonates
with the molecules of my brain and body. Conversely and
here’s the null argument, I don’t get that feeling of peace and
serenity when I listen to Rap music or Latino music or even
Classical music. Although I sometimes enjoy that kind of
music, it just doesn’t go to my core. My belief then is that the
music I most enjoy is mine by inheritance from my old Scottish
and Scots Irish ancestors.
by James E, Henderson
Clan Genealogist
With this musical DNA theme in mind, let me tell you
an interesting story about one of our First Hendersons who
inherited the ability to not only play music without any formal
instruction, he also understood the mechanics of how musical
instruments were constructed and with intuitive knowledge
could craft his own string instruments, the fiddle, guitar, and
mandolin. His name was Joseph Clark Henderson, born in
Missouri, 20 March 1863 toward the close of the bloody Civil
War. He was known around Hickory County, Alexander
Township as Uncle Joe. His life-mate was Nannie Owens,
known to the community as Aunt Sis. She also came from a
musical family. Her father was a singing teacher.
Uncle Joe was an accomplished fiddle player who played at
county fairs, at weddings, and any number of other occasions
including concerts in his own front yard, but he promised his
mother on her deathbed that he would never play his fiddle at
a dance. In the Second Great Awakening of the 19th century,
dancing was thought by many good church people to be the
door to perdition, and to their superstitious Scottish minds,
fiddle music sounded faintly like the wailing of lost souls from
the shores of desolation.
Uncle Joe didn’t see it that way. He just loved to play the
fiddle and even wrote a few memorable songs like “Dark
Tickle” and who could ever forget “Durang’s Hornpipe”. Even
so he deferred to his mother’s wishes and remained in the good
graces of the church by keeping his distance from dances, and
drinking, and all other related vices.
Joseph made his first fiddle when he was fifteen. He attended
school at Mount Herman in Hickory County, Missouri and
being the oldest boy, it was his task twice daily to get water for
the kids in school from a spring at the bottom of the hill. Near
the spring lived an old man named Lewis Sharp, a renowned
Ozark fiddler who could be heard playing through the mist
of the pines when Joe went to fetch water. Joe became friends
with Mr. Sharp who taught him to play a few easy pieces and
help refine his natural talent.
In those days, Joe played his brother’s fiddle, purchased in a
store for forty cents, but then his brother moved away. Finding
himself without a fiddle to play, Joe decided to make his own.
“It played all right,” he once told a newspaper reporter, “so I
have been making them ever since.”
Uncle Joe cut the wood for his fiddles from the hard maple
trees around his farm. Three important tools were used in
fiddle making—the adze, a drawing knife and a plane. With
these simple tools, Uncle Joe made each part of the instrument,
even the bow and keys. When asked where he got the hair for
the bow, he answered “From Jerry, of course.” Old Jerry was a
Continued on page 8
6
An Canach
Summer 2008
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A Case Study in Genealogy DNA Testing
by James E, Henderson
Project Administrator
A
bout two years ago, one of the European DNA
collection companies announced to the world that they
found a descendant of Genghis Khan living in Florida
- a Caucasian accountant named Tom Robinson. The result was
later re-evaluated by an independent lab and the collection
company admitted it had made a mistake. Tom, an associate
accounting professor at the University of Miami, canceled a
planned trip to Mongolia after learning of the new lab results.
He said he never sought publicity for his ancestry, and “I’m
certainly not going to look for any more tests on Genghis
Khan.” In the final outcome, it appears the DNA collection
company rushed Tom’s results and perhaps fudged a bit on
the conclusions in order to use his story in a press release.
DNA testing is a great genealogical tool but it must be
interpreted by professionals and applied to one’s personal
genealogy quest with a great deal of common sense. (In that
regard, I am confident we are well served by our own DNA collection
company, Family Tree DNA of Houston, Texas.) The benefits of
DNA testing may not be revealed in your lifetime. It may
be your grandchildren or great grandchildren who discover
a connection between your family line and another line that
branched off back in the 16th century.
The best approach to DNA testing is at the layman’s level,
learning as much as possible about the basics to aid your
understanding of what is possible and what is not possible.
Here’s a case in point that might help your understanding of
the art of DNA testing and evaluation. If you don’t know the
answer, just try to reason it out. You’ll probably come close to
the textbook solution.
Questions:
Part 1: If two Henderson brothers were born in England
in the early 1600s and were the first of that family line to
come to the colonies, would it be likely that present day
descendents of those Henderson brothers would have
similar Y-DNA results?
Part 2: If the last names of their descendents were spelled
differently, for example Hendison, Herrison, or even
Anderson, would not the descendents of these two brothers
still have similar DNA Haplogroups?
Part 3: Could descendents of one Henderson brother
belong to haplotype R1b and the descendents of the other
brother be R1a or even G, J, or I?
Summer 2008
Answers:
If you test a descendent of each of the 17th century
Henderson brothers, the male descendents would be either
an exact match or a close match. A close match between the
two descendents would be possible due to rapid mutation
of one of the brother’s DNA. Their haplogroup however
would be the same, since this reflects distant or deep
ancestry origin.
If the two modern Henderson participants fell into
different haplogroups, this would mean their common
ancestor lived tens of thousands of years ago – not relevant
in genealogy terms. This would also reveal the two
modern Hendersons are not descended from the original
Henderson brothers. There are several explanations for
this including errors in the paper trail research, infidelity,
a wife marrying while pregnant by an unrelated man, and
there are always informal adoptions.
As for spelling variations, surnames evolved over time,
and spelling was not standardized until the 1900s. It is
very typical to find changes in the spelling of a surname
prior to the 1900s. Most people in the 16th – 19th century
were illiterate, and when they spoke their name, another
party wrote it down, based on how it sounded. Migration
had a significant impact on the spelling of surnames due
to regional pronunciations in the new location. Bottom
line: If two modern Henderson descendents of the two 17th
century brothers have a different spelling of their surname,
their DNA test results would still be a match.
If you would like to join the Henderson DNA Project, go
to our website at www.clanhendersonusa.org/dna.htm. then go
to the “Ordering” tab. When you order a DNA test, you will
receive a genetic test kit consisting of a cheek scraper and a
collection tube. In about five minutes, you will be able to read
the instructions and perform a painless cheek scraping. Mail
back your sample along with the disclosure form provided in
the kit. In a few weeks you will be notified of the results by
individual email. If you signed the disclosure form, your results
will appear with other Henderson DNA test participants on
the Clan Henderson website.
An Canach
7
Music from page 6.
gray horse whose tail had the distinction of furnishing the hair
for many fiddle bows made by Uncle Joe. He pulled the hairs
out of Jerry’s tail one at a time, one hundred hairs for each bow.
Uncle Joe said he figured some day Jerry would kick him in the
head for sure, but he never did.
When the instrument was finished and Uncle Joe was
satisfied with his craft, he signed his name on the inside with
a soft lead pencil. He usually completed two instruments in a
year, working in his spare time by the light of the south kitchen
window.
In their later years, Uncle Joe and Aunt Sis lived alone in
the farm home that they built in 1896, located just about a mile
from the place his parents built when they moved to Missouri
back in 1845 from Blount County, Tennessee. They had a
concert every evening for their own enjoyment and for friends
who might stop by. Uncle Joe played the fiddle and Aunt Sis
accompanied on the mandolin guitar harp. She also played the
cello which of course was made by Uncle Joe.
Now I’ve told you that Uncle Joe was accomplished in
woodcraft, but I didn’t tell you that Aunt Sis was a fine
seamstress. They were also abundantly practical, a Henderson
pioneer characteristic typical of the 19th century. In the final
years of their lives they decided to craft their own funeral
boxes. They searched the woods near their farm for just the
right maple trees. Once the boxes were framed and formed,
Joseph painstakingly rubbed and finished them to a beautiful
sheen. The interiors were lovingly sewn and padded by Nannie
and once completed, both caskets were stored in the attic of
their farm house.
It was an odd story in the newspaper that day in April 1950,
the kind of story that makes the hair on the back of your neck
stand up. The headline read “Double Funeral Service”. The
story described a funeral held the previous Monday afternoon
at the Concord Church west of Fristoe, Missouri, the occasion
when Joseph Henderson, age 87, and his wife Nannie Owens
Henderson age 86 were laid to rest side by side. Nannie died
first. Since Joseph was seriously ill, he was not told of his wife’s
death. He died about five hours later.
The newspaper obituary closed with an understated
farewell, common among pioneer people who never cared
to draw attention to themselves or brag or boast of their
accomplishments. The final sentiment simply proclaimed,
“Mr. and Mrs. Henderson formerly lived on a farm near
Fristoe.” Nothing was said about their musical abilities or their
contributions to the community or their love of life. They didn’t
make it into the history books, as some of our First Hendersons
have done. They were simple American folk heroes who
contributed to their clan and community the best way they
knew how. They lived their lives one day at a time, enjoying
their own peculiar Scottish inheritance for making music.
“D” Company - Buffalo City Guard - Gordon Highlanders
Honors New Colonel-in-Chief
M
onday, 2 June 2008 at the monthly business
meeting of “D” Company - Buffalo City Guard
- Gordon Highlanders, retired commanding
officer Major Bruce A. Henderson was awarded the
highest honor ever presented to a member in its 171
year history. He was promoted to the honorary rank
of Colonel and given the title of “Colonel in Chief “
of the Company. In the British Army, “Colonel” may
also refer to the ceremonial head of the Regiment, this
is almost always a general officer, often retired, with a close
link to the regiment in question. The last Colonel in Chief
of the Gordon Highlanders Regiment was Prince Charles,
the Regiment was amalgamated into the Highland Regiment
in 1994. While “D” Company patterns itself after the Regiment,
in the uniforms it wears and some of the traditions it also has
8
an American military flair and a style unique to itself.
“D” Company decided to honor Bruce with this title for
his service of over thirty three years with the Company,
the last twenty as commanding officer. Due to physical
limits placed on Bruce from an injury he had a few years
ago, he can no longer march with the Company, but you
can still see him riding his electric scooter at parades and
performing with the Drums and Pipes during concerts,
dances and stand still performances. When asked to
comment on this promotion at the meeting, it was one of the
few times in his life he was speechless. Later in the evening
when he regained his composure he did comment, “This is the
greatest honor I have ever received and I am forever grateful to
the individuals responsible for this honor.”
An Canach
Summer 2008
niversary
��
Pride, Involvement and Membership
by Russ Henderson
�
20t
h
An
T
his year Henderson Pride looks
back on our founding as a clan
society in North America through
the eyes of Claude Henderson, the Chief’s
first High Commissioner. He begins with
an explanation of how his brother Douglas had regularly invited
him to Grandfather Mountain for a number of years to attend
those Games there. Douglas had told him of the parade of
tartans that always took place there, always on Sunday after the
kirking. We were told that there was an old Henderson Tartan
flag there and always three or four Hendersons would answer
the call to take part in the tartan parade. There was not a society,
only a couple of Hendersons that could not resist the temptation
to wave the Henderson Tartan. And now in Claude’s words . . .
“On Saturday 9 July 1988, Miss Ann and I joined brother
Douglas, Bonnie and Kyle at Grandfather Mountain for a weekend of Scottish activities. It turned out to be one of the most
enjoyable and rewarding weekends of my life.
On that Saturday morning after we arrived on the field, I
ask my brother about why there was not a Clan Henderson
Society. He told me no one had ever organized one. He said
there were a couple of fellows that usually attended the Games,
one was David S. Henderson, an attorney from New Bern,
North Carolina, the other person was Walter M. (Toby) Parrish
Jr., an attorney from Nashville, Tennessee.”
“Douglas said it was his understanding that either David or
Toby had written to the Chief of the Hendersons for permission
to organize, but that was all he knew about it. I ask if he would
recognize either of these two gentlemen, he wasn’t sure but
thought he might recognize David, and maybe he would be
around the Clan Donald tent if he was attending the Games.
We walked over to the Clan Donald tent and checked the
register, David had checked in and we were able to locate him
after a relatively short period of time. David knew Toby, they
had been coming to Grandfather for a long time, and the two
of them had participated in the tartan parade quite a number of
times even though there was no organized society. David was
able to locate Toby.”
“On Saturday afternoon, Walter M. (Toby) Parrish, Jr. (his
mother was a Henderson), and the following Hendersons,
David S. George C., Kirn, Claude A., Douglas C., Kyle, Charles,
and Chris met on a hillside, under the trees, at Grandfather
Mountain and decided to organize the Clan Henderson Society
of the United States.”
“The following day, this small and determined group
were joined by Ken Henderson of Ninety-Six, S.C. and Toby’s
son Andrew, as they took part in the Tartan Parade. In the
afternoon, a business meeting was held; Walter M. “Toby”
Parrish, Jr. and David S. Henderson were elected President
and Vice-President, respectively. Claude Henderson agreed to
accept the office of Secretary and Treasurer. These members
were joined by many others who have dedicated many hours
of labor to create the Clan Henderson Society of the United
Summer 2008
States and Canada which has grown to what it is today.”
“Two years earlier, Toby had obtained permission to
organize the Society from Dr. John William Philp Henderson
of Fordell. Dr John had been recognized on 25 June 1986 by
Lord Lyon, King of Arms, as Chief of the Name and Arms of
Henderson. Since two years had passed and nothing had been
done, David agreed to write another letter to Dr. John asking
him to reaffirm his earlier authorization to form this Society.”
“David’s letter to Dr. John was dated 5 September 1988; Dr.
John responded to David in his 22 September 1988 letter, not
only giving his permission, but suggesting we include Canada
as well.”
“A number of things happened at our first meeting on that
hill side. Kyle Henderson suggested that we adopt the Gaelic
name of our plant badge. An Canach, (The Cottongrass) as
the name of our germinating newsletter. A call was then put
forth to find an individual to become our newsletter editor. A
procedure for receiving new members was established and
Claude was authorized to establish a bank account to receive
the revenue. Membership forms would be developed, as well
as a newsletter format. It was agreed that the Clan Henderson
membership dues would be ten dollars a year for the family;
this family dues would include family members less than 18
years of age. We would officially sponsor the Grandfather
Mountain Games and the Stone Mountain Games and other
Games as resources would allow.”
“When I arrived at Grandfather Mountain on 9 July, there
is no way I would have believed anyone would ever get me
in a kilt. On Sunday afternoon, 10 July, I stopped in a Scottish
shop at the bottom of the mountain and spent $1000 on a kilt,
jacket, shoes, belt, sporran, hose, pins, you name it, I bought it.
Miss Ann thought I had lost my mind. Well I want to tell you,
I couldn’t wait to receive my kilt, which was made in Scotland.
Since then, Ann says I never pass up a chance to wear the kilt.
I received my kilt from Scotland just in time for the Christmas
Walk in December 1988.”
“Things began to move rather quickly, mailing list were
obtained from an organization in Leesburg, Virginia that had
produced an Henderson Genealogy subscription. Application
and newsletter formats were established. By 1 December
1988, Clan Henderson had its first twenty-two members as
the Clan Henderson Society took part in its first Alexandria
Scottish Christmas Walk. We produced our first newsletter
in the spring of 1989, such as it was. It was a cut and paste
edition that Claude had pulled together, but the format was
established and we were on our way with a commitment for a
quarterly publication.
Dr. Horace Loftin was member number 16 and was recruited
by Claude to become the Clan Henderson Genealogist, Russ
Henderson, member number 26, joined the Society immediately
after that first Christmas walk and responded to Claude’s
challenge to become our official newsletter editor.”
The clan society was off and running.
An Canach
9
Games,
Festivals, and
Gatherings
Far South Region
AR, OK, TX
Tom Hendricks
Commissioner
Batesville
and the Far South Region
by Tom and Linda Hendricks
W
e had a great time this year at
the Arkansas Scottish Games,
held at Lyon College.
We set up the tent Friday night, next
to the McKay Clan and the Robertsons.
It was old home week--getting to catch
up with all our friends from Arkansas.
At dinner we were surprised to see
Billy and Dawn and our favorite Henry
sisters!
It was wonderful to have all the
support!
Saturday morning, we arrived bright
and early. We tried a new arrangement
for the tent, it seems to have worked
well. We brought cookies for the younger
visitors involved with the Children’s
Quest (several parents also “copped” a
cookie or two!)
We had a steady stream of people
asking questions, several were sent from
other clans.
We were sure glad to see Billy and
Dawn arrive! Linda helped identify
several prospective members and we
signed up a new member. Our Henry
girls arrivied in time to have a short
visit, and our Henderson cousin Billy
Henderson from Little Rock came with
his wife and son. They are planning to
go on the chief’s tour to The Gathering

2009 in Edinburgh, Scotland. At noon
it was time for the Clan Parade--before
the parade the Lyon Collge people took
a group photo [above]. The Henderson
Clan banner is VERY noticable in the
front row. The announcements for the
best tents were made—the Hendersons
missed winning by 1 POINT! They
counted and recounted the points three
times! Watch out NEXT year!
By 5:00 P.M., we had packed up for the
day and took a much needed rest.
Sunday morning, we rushed in just in
time . . . to miss the Kirking (the alarm
didn’t go off!)
But, we did get to see the wedding.
One of the piping instructors from the
college got married.
The weather was cool and very nice—
it wasn’t nearly as hectic as Saturday.
Early afternoon, we had a visit from Rick
The clans at Batesville, Arkansasa
10
An Canach
Summer 2008
It involves a 350 lb. solid iron weight,
shaped like a thistle, The ladies weight
looks the same, except it weighs less.
The winner of the Men’s competition
carried the weight fifteen times around
the field!
Plans are under way for next year. The
date will be announced soon, but it will
still be in March, after St. Patricks Day.
San Antonio Games
by Linda Hendricks
T
Hendersons in our tent at Batesville, Arkansas
Ewing from Tulsa. Rick is a singer (a
great voice) and piper--he always comes
by to have a “cold” one. Linda finally got
to go shopping and to the entertainment
tent. She got her picture made with Alex
Beaton. The Henry sisters came back by
before they had to head home. Hopefully
they will get to come to the AGM. They
plan to be at Arlington.
The other group, Needfire, was also at
the San Antonio Games and will be at the
Glasgow Games. We told them that we
were stalking them--they said, no, they
were following us.
The lead singer, John Cleghorn, even
came by to visit the Henderson tent. We
had a nice visit and learned a lot of the
history of Needfire.
We love to go to the Arkansas
Games—they are very laid back and
always a great time.
Iron Thistle Festival
T
by Linda Hendricks
his is the second year for the
Iron Thistle Festival—this year
held in Yukon, Oklahoma on the
Kirkpatrick Family Heritage Farm on
15 March. USCO, our Oklahoma City
Scottish club (of which Tom is the CEO),
hosted this new festival.
Friday night was the Fire Ceremony.
Unfortunately, we forgot to calculate the
Summer 2008
Daylight Savings time change when it
was scheduled. But it did have a good
turnout—we brought in the audience
to represent their clans. Many of them
didn’t have one represented at the festival.
Linda was put in charge of the ceremony
at the last minute--so she improvised.
Next year it will be combined with a
Friday night Kirking of the Tartan.
The Hendersons were well represented at the games. Our own Highland
dancer, Laura Venable, danced between
the music sets and was represented
on the festival poster. Tom played in
the Highlanders Pipes and Drums,
Oklahoma City premiere pipe band, who
are celebrating their 50th Anniversity
last year.
Linda, was the Opening Ceremony
announcer and in charge of the Fire
Ceremony.
We had a great spot for our tent, very
near the Athletics and the music tent.
Besides Laura and her parents, we
had Garry and Dawn Canaday with their
nephews. The boys pitched in like they
had been there for years.
Linda had a table set up with snacks
and a vegetable tray—which was a
HUGE hit—everyone came by for a bite,
a cool drink and to sit a spell.
The Iron Thistle Festival is so named
for the final event of the games—the Iron
Thistle Carry.
An Canach
he Hendersons didn’t have a tent at
these games. Tom and I went down
to check out the “Lay of the Land”
(and to rest for the Iron Thistle Games,
which were held the weekend before.)
The San Antonio Scottish Club held a
Tartan Day Ceremony at the Alamo on
the Friday evening.
Going with the regional commissioner
of the Clan Donald, Joe McDonald, we
were surprised to find that they were
thrilled the Hendersons were attending.
They even announced that both the Clan
Henderson and Clan Donald regional
commissioners were there. And the
fact that Tom is the CEO of the United
Scottish Clans of Oklahoma was just a
plus (many pictures were taken). The
Texas Tartan Day coordinator, Sia
Benton, recognised Linda’s name as the
Oklahoma coordinator and they had a
good talk. Linda was able to get Tartan
Day officially designated in Oklahoma
and brought a copy for Sia to see. They
worked on ideas for next year.
We couldn’t have had a warmer
welcome. The clan coordinator has
offered to help contact all the Hendersons
in the area if we set up next year. If we
decide to go again next year, we are
going to contact all the Henderson’s
from the area, we hope to get someone
interested in convening on the southern
Texas area. Dick and Sue Hoffman do a
great job in the northern part of Texas,
but the state is so big, we need others to
help! Volunteers are welcome and we
will come down to help with the tents
until you get your feet under you!
So all the San Antonio and Houston
area Hendersons---contact Tom if you
want MORE information on how to
convene!
The weather was so nice--warm and a
nice breeze--We sat in the Clan Donald
11
tent, but visited with the Wallace, Gunn,
Morrison, Buchannan and Irvin clans.
We hope to get back next year. If we
do, we hope to see ALL the Hendersons
from the area.
Please let us know if you would like to
atttend the games and have a Henderson
tent available.
South Pacific Region
CA, HI, NV
Joe Henderson
Commissioner
Costa Mesa Games
24-25 May 2008
by Joe Henderson
T
he
76nd
Annual
Highland
Gathering and Festival of the
United Scottish Societies returned
to the Orange County Fairgrounds in
Costa Mesa, California for the Memorial
Day Weekend on 24-25 May. South
California Conveners, Mary and Will
Dobrzensky, joined me in shared the
duties of convening the Henderson
tent for the two-day event. The event
is traditionally the largest Scottish
gathering in Southern California.
The best way to describe the weather
for the weekend was Unpredictable.
When we set up our tent on Friday
afternoon, the weather was fine. But
the storm clouds gathered and gave us
a downpour of rain on Friday night. We
had a few of our displays ruined by the
rain, but they can be easily replaced. On
Saturday, as I drove to the fairgrounds,
I saw a great rainbow hanging over the
area and hoped that the rain was over.
Even though the day turned out to be
cold and windy, and rain was predicted
—it stayed away. Sunday started out
with dark gloomy skies again, but they
cleared and we had the best day of all
with a warm sun and breezes. During
the festival, we were entertained with a
wide variety of Scottish and Celtic music,
including performances by Alex Beaton,
Alasdair Fraser, Bad Haggis, The Wicked
Tinkers, the Granada Hills High School
Band with their Pipes and Drums, and
the San Diego Celtic Harp Group.
There were over 200 pipes and
drums for the mass band opening and
closing ceremonies, with twenty bands
competing in three grades of competition,
including the world champion Simon
Fraser University Pipe Band of British
Columbia, Canada, the Robert Malcolm
Memorial Pipe Band and the Los Angeles
Scots Pipe Band. The first place
winners were: Grade one: Dowco
Triumph from Canada, Grade three:
Robert Malcolm Memorial Pipe Band
of Simon Frazer University, British
Columbia, and Grade four: Nicholson
Pipes and Drums of Orange County,
CA. The Nicholson Pipes and Drums
took the prize for the best overall
weekend performance for all the
bands. All three of the grandstands
were full for the mass pipe and drum
competitions. For all of the Scots
and guests at the Festival, there was
a proud thrill in their heart and soul
when the pipes were playing.
Sixty clan tents were set up to
represent their clan membership along
with Clan Henderson at the festival.
Twenty four Henderson cousins and
Mary Dobrzensky and Judith
Freeman represent Clan Henderson
at the Parade of Clans
their families visited our tent during
the two-day event including, Judith
and Kelly Freeman, Roger and Heidi
Hunt (who will be going off to Seattle,
WA to the Cornish College of the Arts
in the fall majoring in Performance
Production), Scott Henderson, Carolyn
Henderson and her daughter Carrie
White with her family, Paul Henderson,
Dan Henry, Doug Henderson, James
and Mary Henderson, Chad Henderson,
Micheal Henderson, Jim Henderson,
Randy Julian, Michelle Ocana and C.J.
Henderson, who was performing with
the Wicked Tinkers and playing the
“digeridoo” for the weekend.
The weekend festival began Friday
night with a whiskey tasting at the
Costa Mesa Marriott Hotel, near the
fairgrounds. On Saturday night, we
joined with many of the other conveners
for a “cook-out” at the picnic pavilion at
the fairgrounds. The Clans Committee
of the Festival organized this first-time
get-together for the conveners, so that
we had the opportunity to have dinner
together and to get to know each other
better. It was a pleasant way to end a
busy, hectic day, and I hope that it will
become a regular feature of the games.
Mary Dobrzensky and Joe
Henderson at the Clan
Henderson tent
12
An Canach
Summer 2008
Hawaiian Scottish Festival
April 5-6, 2008
by Joe Henderson
I
t was a pleasure to be invited to be a
convenor for Clan Henderson at the
Hawaiian Scottish Festival that was
held on 5 - 6April at the Queen Kapiolani
Park in Honolulu, Hawaii. One unique
feature of this festival is its location.
The park is at the end of Waikiki Beach,
across the street from the ocean. The
land had originally been owned by the
Hawaiian royal family, and was given to
the people of Hawaii with the provision
that no admission fees could be charged
for any events in the park. The Festival
was presented by the Hawaiian Scottish,
which depends on grants, donations
and sponsorships to be able to hold the
Festival.
I was asked to come to the Festival
by Clan Henderson members Larry and
Jackie Phillips who are members of the
HAS and are in charge of organizing and
running the athletic competitions on both
days. Jackie has set up a Clan Henderson
table in the clans’ tent each year, but she
is so busy with the athletics that she is
unable to stay there. I was very impressed
with the awards ceremony at the end of
each day’s athletic contests. Each athlete
was given an especially designed kukui
nut lei with a teak medallion that was
laser engraved with the logo of the games
and the date. Attached to the leis of the
first, second and third place winners of
each athletic contest were additional teak
medallions with the symbol of the event
and the place laser engraved on them.
One of Jackie’s many duties during the
games was to attach the winners’ disks
to their leis.
The weather for the weekend was very
typical for the islands with warm sunny
days, cool ocean breezes. At times, there
were also a few showers of rain that was
so light that it felt more like a mist than
a rainstorm, and it didn’t put a stop the
activities.
The festivities started on Friday night
with a Ceilidh at the Willows Restaurant
in Honolulu that features a tasting of
twenty-six different beers from around
the world and four Scottish whiskies,
a buffet of pupus, Scottish music and
dancing, and a great time to get together.
Joyce and I went attended the Ceilidh
with Larry and Jackie Phillips. We were
Summer 2008
given leis that Jackie had made for us.
My lei was a “cigar flower” lei, which I
have dried and will use it as a band for
my “Aussie” hat that I wear at the events
that I convene.
The Festival had a large tent
erected that provided cover for the
representatives of the eleven clans and
five Scottish societies that attended.
A second large tent was provided for
the vendors and an auxiliary stage for
entertainers. The park’s bandstand was
used as the main stage for the opening
and closing ceremonies and performances
by a number of entertainers and bands.
The Society for Creative Anachronism
brought their own tent and recreated
the customs, combat and courtesy of the
Middle Ages, including sword fights and
story telling.
Eighteen
different
entertainers
performed during the festival that
included the Marine Forces Pacific Band,
the Royal Hawaiian Band, the Celtic
Pipes and Drums of Hawaii, the Muses,
and the Tam O’Shanter Scottish Country
Dancers.
Ten Henderson cousins and their
families visited us. Three of my visitors
joined Clan Henderson including new
members, Kathy Henderson, Jean
Henderson and Michaele Mahelona, all
from Hawaii. I was surprised to also
welcome member Dana Adams from San
Diego, California. Dana was vacationing
in Honolulu and stopped by on Sunday.
As I was talking with Kathy Henderson,
I found out that we had something in
common. We are both originally from
New Jersey. In fact, we grew up in
neighboring counties, and I am now trying
to find out if our Henderson families have
the same ancestors. Another visitor who
stopped by was Bruce Hafferkamp who
is a teacher at Shadle Park High School in
Spokane, Washington. Bruce told me that
the Shadle High School Bagpipe Band
proudly wears the Henderson Tartan as
their uniform and that the Henderson
Crest is included on their school crest.
They are known as the Highlanders. The
Shadle family, who donated the land
where the school and a park was built,
were descendents of a Henderson family
from Scotland.
By far, I was most impressed at the
festival by the spirit of “Aloha” or
“Welcome.” Everyone that we met made
us feel as though we were part of their
family and shared the spirit that the
An Canach
Hawaiians call “Ohana.” My only regret
is that we can’t attend the Festival each
year. However, we are indeed looking
forward to returning to Hawaii for
another Scottish Festival.
Queen Mary Games
16-17 February 2008
by Joe Henderson
T
he 15th Annual Queen Mary
Scottish Festival and Games were
held on President’s Weekend
at the Queen Mary in Long Beach,
California. The events were held
both aboard the ship with athletic
events in the park adjacent to the ship.
The weather was great—warm and
sunny. The weekend started on Friday
night with a whisky tasting that featured
six different whiskies. Athletic and pipe
band competitions, and weaving and
spinning demonstrations were held
outside of the Queen’s Village, a small
shopping area adjacent to the parking
lot. Inside the ship, the three-level open
area Exhibit Hall, that was one of the
four engine rooms during the ship’s
sailing days, was the location for visitors
to visit with the clans and vendors,
enjoy the entertainers or have breakfast
or lunch at a Scottish Buffet. The dance
competitions, Scottish Country Dancing
performances and a darts competition
were held in different areas of the ship.
Fifty-six other clans and societies
were represented at the festival along
with Clan Henderson. Each morning, a
traditional presentation of a haggis was
performed, followed by Bill Campbell’s
recitation of Robert Burns’s Address to the
Haggis. Inspired by the ceremony, Bill’s
eloquence or appreciation for the taste
of a good haggis, so many of the visitors
sampled the haggis that it quickly
disappeared.
This year’s festival was a bit more
difficult for me. I had both of my knees
replaced just one month before the event.
At least I can walk, although I often need
the use of a cane to help me. It was a great
pleasure to have Judith Freeman and her
daughter, Kelly, helping at the table on
Sunday this year. They also helped pack
up when we closed down. During the
weekend, the only a few visitors came
to the Clans Area and I had only four
Hendersons stop at our table. However,
13
Joshua Peak, who visited us last year,
became a member of Clan Henderson this
year. Other Hendersons who stopped by
were Nellie Lowry, Gerard Smith, David
Tillman and Grahaem Rettie and his
family. Each of them was given a Cotton
Flower boutonniere to wear, showing
their pride of being part of the Henderson
family.
South East Region
FL, GA, NC, SC
Harry Keifer
Commissioner
North East Florida
Highland Games
Jacksonville, Florida
by Larry Henderson
T
he games held at the Clay County
Fair grounds were once again a
success. Our Vice President Ed
Hendricks and his sister Nina King
joined me at the tent to welcome the
many visitors we had.
The Hendersons were well represented on the athletic field. Steven
Henderson and his brother Jonathon
attended the games; however Jonathon
was in a wheelchair having broken his
ankle at a clinic for Scottish athletics. It
seems he will be out for the rest of the
year recuperating. We also had two new
athletes, Rocky Henderson and his wife
Jean. Jean has been to several games
and is a force to be reckoned with. She
has won multiple medals at many of the
games in Florida.
Erica Milner and her mother Carol
attended the Games and Erica entered
the dance competition and won four first
place medals in the four novice categories
and the trophy for Best Overall Novice
Dancer, I was able to watch this young
lady dance and I was very proud.
Once again our Clan Falconer Karen
Carroll was at the games with several of
her birds. Karen is very active in raptor
rescue and she puts on demonstrations
to educate the public about the peril that
many of these birds face everyday and
how we can help these beautiful animals.
I urge everyone that lives in the area to
please come out and join us next year at
the games
Sarasota Highland Games and
Heritage Festival
by Lee and Dottie Henderson
T
he games were moved from early
February to late March last year
and the location changed from
the Sarasota Fairgrounds to the Venice
Airport. The change of venue has been
a positive because we are not dealing
with “iffy weather (wind, rain and often
cold—cold for Floridians that is).
Our tent was quite lively all day with
lots of people stopping by. We were
pleased to welcome our Clan Henderson
athletes, Steve Henderson from Atlanta
and his brother Jon from Jacksonville.
We were situated across from the
athletic field so we had a good view of
the events. Jon participated and came in
4th overall. Unfortunately, Jon broke his
leg in January and is still on crutches, but
he was there to cheer Steve on.
We also were fortunate to meet
member Doug Henderson who is a
member of the pipe and drum group, The
Jacobite, who were one of the featured
performers. They give a modern twist
with some Celtic rock sounds. Larry
14
An Canach
Henderson, our Florida convener
extraordinaire and his girlfriend Jan
Wharf were there to assist us with the
tent and their help was most appreciated.
One of our highlights of these games
every year is the appearance of Alex
and Barbara Henderson and Barbara’s
mother Mary. Alex marched with us in
the parade of the tartans and the master
of ceremonies announced to all that Alex
at age 90 was most certainly the oldest
person marching with the clans.
I managed to march with the Hamiltons
(my mother’s clan) as they were the
honored clan. I then slipped back and
marched with the Hendersons. We also
had visitors from the New World Celts, a
fun group that Larry and Jan and Lee and
I belong to. They promote awareness of
the contributions people of Celtic origin
have contributed all over the world.
It was a memorable day with beautiful
weather and lots of great Henderson
cousins and guests to make it very
enjoyable.
Tampa Bay Renaissance Fest
15-16 March 2008
by Larry Henderson
T
his was our first time attending
a Renaissance Festival. The
organizers asked for Clans to attend
during the Shamrocks and Shenanigans
themed weekend.
They provided a free space, table
and chairs to participating Clans and
Societies. They also held a Highland
Games invitational and the top athletes
from around the south competed.
As Ren Fest virgins, Jan and I were
amazed at the atmosphere of the festival,
putting it mildly. The Clans were greeted
with an air of dignity and we were most
pleased with our two-day experience. If
you have never been to a Ren Fest you
don’t know what you are missing.
Summer 2008
Mid Central Region
IA, KS, MO, NE
Lori Henderson
Commissioner
Greetings to all the
Henderson Cousins in the
Mid Central Region!
by Lori Henderson
M
any of you have attended
our Clan’s AGM in Glasgow,
Kentucky on 30 May. That
is regarded as a great event and I am
envious of anyone who is going as I am
busy with finalizing the KC games for
June and can’t get away. We are looking
forward to the 2009 AGM that will be
held at KC! Our yearly annual meeting
is a great way to put all the faces with the
names we see throughout the year when
reading An Canach each quarter.
I want to take this opportunity to let
you know of our Region’s Highland
Games dates and some changes that have
taken place. Remember to lend a hand
to a Convenor of any games you attend,
they welcome the support; also so they
can take needed break!
13 July 2008 – Midlands Celtic Festival
– brand new, trying to get started. They
would like us to join them on Clan Row. If
anyone would like to get Clan Henderson
established in the Omaha, Nebraska
area please e-mail Shayna Post at
slapost@yahoo.com.
23 August 2008 – Quad City Highland
Games - Davenport, Iowa – this is a joint
Iowa/Illinois game and is convened
by Art and Mary Anne Wagoner from
Illinois. They survived the near rain
out of 2006 and have already applied to
continue the Clan Henderson tent for
2008. Stop and talk with them, they have a
great time! This game just keeps growing
and growing with added attractions and
great Clan Village! Visit the game’s
website at www.celtichighlandgames.org
for details.
27-28 September 2008 – MacPherson
Kansas Scottish Festival and Highland
Games. This is a full two-day game
with a Clan gathering Friday night. This
was the site for the 2007 Masters World
Summer 2008
Championship in Scottish Athletics and
they did a superb job. A little game
with a huge heart and great community
support! Lots of clans and activities
for the whole family. Stop by and see
the same Convenors you met at the KC
Game, Bob and Dorothy Henderson
along with Rob and lots of other family
members. Visit the website for details at
www.macfestival.org.
October 2008– Normally, you would
have seen us attend the St. Louis Scottish
Highland Games. Sadly, the Game’s
committee there have decided to cancel
this game for 2008. Watch for further
news of a new site and date for 2009.
Hope to see many of you soon.
Leather
I make dress and causal belts,
1” - 1 1/4 “ or 1 1/2” widths with
a continuous Celtic knot design
embossed in them, black or brown
for $30 each, $5 more for a buckle
or you can use your own. Sporran
belts (standard size $20, extended
sizes $25) all leather( they look
great for military bands or day
wear) or leather and chain( heavy
duty chain, not the cheap type). Kilt
belt pouches, for wallets and keys(
they are approximately 4” x 5” and
snap over the kilt belt or slid on it).
My biggest seller is a drink holder
($25), for water or beer bottles. Kilt
belts ($70 without a buckle or $140
with a clan buckle if I can get the
proper clan, some are harder to
find) they are 2 1/4” widths. Key
hooks ($10) that fit on a kilt belt
and then you tuck the keys into
your kilt, I’ve been wearing one
for over 30 years with my kilt, the
keys don’t show and the strap isn’t
very noticeable on a uniform belt, it
solves the problem of where to put
your keys when wearing a kilt. I am
in the process of making wrist rank
badges, I have a Company making
me miniature rank insignias that
I will affix to a wrist strap, to be
worn with a summer uniform. I
am still waiting for the insignias
they should be coming shortly.
Key fobs with a Celtic concho on it
($10). Small wallets to fit in the kilt
pouches or a shirt pocket($20).
Bruce Henderson, majhen@aol.com.
An Canach
North East Region
CT, MA, ME,
NH, NY, RI, VT
Gary Henderson
FSA Scot
Commissioner
Dear Cousins,
Another year has gone by and I hope
everyone had enjoyed their time off! Well,
another season is getting started and I’m
hoping for a lot help this year, especially
in the far northeast part of the region
(new England state area). William (Bill)
Henderson was a great help last year
convening for the state of Connecticut—
thank you much!!—and thank you again
for the help this coming year as well.
If any Clan member is pondering the
possibility of helping us gather the clan,
please do not hesitate to call me or email me at bagpipes@roadrunner.com. I
will be more than happy to give you the
details of what is involved (which is not
much at all). If you are going to attend
any particular game/event, that is the
perfect reason to convene for the Clan
Henderson. It would generally save you
the cost of getting into the event, plus
free parking, and a place to sit—more
importantly to support to the Clan.
I REALLY NEED THE HELP AND
PARTICIPATION OF OUR MEMBERS
in this Region in order to grow our
membership, get together’s, etc. . . .
I would also, like to thank Bruce
Henderson for his involvement and taking the time to submit article information
for the An Canach- Thanks
If anyone is interested in a new kilt
belt, sporran strap, etc... Please do not
hesitate to contact Bruce Henderson,
majhen@aol.com. As a side trade Bruce
had been producing these very high
quality leather goods. They are far more
superior than anything you would
purchased from any event.
Well, Hope to hear from the
overwhelming helping support this
year.
Yours Aye-!
Gary!!
15
Mid East Region
(DC, DE, MD, NJ,
PA, VA, WV)
Leon Hicks
Commissioner
Frederick Celtic Festival
10 May 2008
by Steve and Janeil Henderson
T
he Frederick Celtic Festival and
Clan Henderson have a long
association together. This oneday festival every mid-May has had
different sponsors and has been held
in different locations around Frederick
County since the early 1990s. Starting
the second year, (when there were just
four clans attending!) Clan Henderson
has participated every year. This is a
small local festival, held in a part of
Maryland settled by Germans after the
Revolutionary War.
There’s always good music, good
food, good Scottish country dancing,
good vendors, good athletic events, and
usually a goodly amount of rain and
mud.
Clan members Kathleen and Keith
Collins, with their one-year old
daughter Allison, worked at the Festival
Admissions tent, Elisabeth and Janeil
Henderson helped Steve at the Clan Tent
and answered questions about tartan
weaving, and newly-weds Jeffrey and
Kathryn Henderson DeYoung attended,
with Kathryn participating in the country
dancing.
K
athryn Mae Henderson and Jeffrey DeYoung were married in Middletown,
Maryland on 19 April 2008. Greg Hicks piped the wedding party in to the
reception, and a good time was had by all.
Hendersons at the wedding were Walter and Marilyn Henderson, grandparents of
the bride; Steven and Janeil Henderson, parents of the bride Bill and Susan Henderson
Adams, Uncle and Aunt of the bride; David Henderson, Uncle of the bride; Elisabeth
Henderson, sister of the bride and flute player; Greg Hicks, piper and friend of the
family; Leon Hicks, friend of the family; Aaron Henderson, of Akron, New York.,
groomsman and friend of bride and groom. No relation that we know of, but he does
admit to being Scottish!
Henderson
Weddings in the
Mid East Region
O
n 26 May 2008 Janine Henderson Chatfield and Skylar Kovack were married
in a family ceremony by the Reverend Jason Micheli of Aldersgate United
Methodist Church. The ceremony was held at the shore of the Potomac River
on the grounds of historic Collingwood House. The bride was escorted by her son,
Colin. Bridesmaids were her daughters, Susan and Tiffany. Janine is the daughter
of COL Russell (Editor of An Canach) and Judy Henderson. Emily Markow,
granddaughter of Claude and Ann Henderson, took pictures of the event.
16
An Canach
Summer 2008
Ke
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g Our Pride
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Regional Organization
Take advantage of the opportunities available in your region.
�
T
he Bylaws provide for regional organization and the
opportunity for any and every member to have an import
role within the clan society:
The regional commissioners have full administrative
responsibility for the activities of Clan Henderson within their
region; specifically growth and involvement of the membership
in clan activities and Scottish events.
Regional commissioners may appoint officers or deputies
within the region consistent with the appointed officer
positions specified within the basic clan structure; to include
state convenors, games convenors and any other position
considered necessary to the proper management of the region.
The regional commissioner is responsible for attendance at
the Scottish/Celtic events held within the region and submits a
report on each games or festival to the Vice President, Secretary,
and Treasurer at the conclusion of that event.
The regional commissioner is also be responsible for the nomination
of individuals to the awards committee who have given outstanding
individual performance in support of clan activities. This will include
their recommendation on applications from members who are under
the age of 26 for monetary awards to support continuing training or
education in Scottish, Celtic music, dance or athletics.
We are proud of our clan and what is being accomplished.
Think how much more we could be doing by involving your
members and giving them responsibilities and support. Another
good reason for implementing the Family Plan in your region.
You were asked to lead your region for Clan Henderson and
some suggestions have been presented here as to how to do
that. Some regional Commissioners have faithfully sponsored
and convened five to ten events in subsequent years. We truly
applaud them and so should you. Participating in gathering the
clan is important; keeping members proud enough to remain
involved and active is equally as important. .
We cannot thrive on just our successes. We must continue
to seek new leadership from among our membership while not
wearing out our current volunteer leaders. This is a continuing
process and a vital one to ensure the perpetuation of our clan
society.
Your direction for future growth and a chance to find our
ancestors is to share responsibilities and extend your members’
involvement. Given the direction in the bylaws, here is our
vision of your regional organization:
• You are the Commissioner, the representative of
the executive board to your region, kin and the Scottish
community, the representative of the Chief for your region,
and the coordinator of Clan Henderson activities and the
honored person at those activities. While you should serve as
a Convenor where necessary, your greater role is to select and
sustain kin for leadership roles.
• In each state you should have a Convenor. This cousin
is responsible for clan activities in the state. If there are many
events, or they are widespread, your state Convenor can/
should share the various events with -
• The convenor of a specific reunion, gathering, Highland
festival or games. The convenor makes arrangements with the
event committee, advertises the event through An Canach,
phone net, mail to the clan. The convenor also gets help as
necessary (a deputy, bodyguard, a genealogist, performers et
al). This convenor should live near the event and be responsible
for helping the local clan members to be a part of the family,
by remaining in touch with them throughout the year—
implementing the Family Plan.
Now, in military or industrial language, those positions are
the line, the ones who speak for Clan Henderson. As you create
this organization, it is obvious that they will not really cover
the objectives of the Clan by themselves. You need specialists
and so the vision continues:
• Deputy. Your chief assistant. How you use him/her is up
to you. Maybe your deputy could live in the far end of your
region to help by having a regional officer at events there. Note
that your deputy is just that, not a deputy commissioner.
• Piper—as many as you can get, but identify one as the
Regional Piper. Responsibilities include providing music
for the region, leading clan walkabouts, membership in the
Henderson Pipes and Drums, helping establish new musicians,
and generally supporting you and coordinating with the Clan
Piper.
• Chaplain. The clan chaplain has asked for regional
chaplains to help him in his ministry, keeping in touch with
our kin, and providing spiritual support.
• Genealogist. Each one is a part of a large genealogy
committee made up by individuals across the country in
each state—who would assist in the research being done by
individuals and the Clan. They are also responsible for the
COSCA mission performed by the clan—providing help to
event visitors who seek to find their clan family. The Clan
Genealogist formed “Desks” in order to focus research on
the root families. This group approach requires an active
membership.
• Bodyguard. This position follows from MacEanruig in
Glencoe. This person would be responsible for ceremonies and
parades. We do not wish for the individual to be dressed up
like a soldier, but needs to be in highland dress and would be
armed. He is an asset to each Convenor since nearly every event
has a parade of tartans, and we would expect him to support
the event. He might appoint an alternate for a games, but at
least there would be two folks at the games then. [There may
be a regional bodyguard leader, and state leaders and other
bodyguards who are present at the local event.]
• Historian. This position is important in finding out more
about our past and chronicling our present for the future. The
historian and genealogist coordinate on matters of family/clan
history.
• Secretary/Treasurer would help pay attention to the
membership, dues renewal, budget planning and execution,
etc.
Remember that any and every Convenor could use some help—planned-for help would be great!
Summer 2008
An Canach
17
Hendersons Leave Their Mark in Nevada
by Jim Henderson
I
t’s interesting to note how many places across this great
United States of America bear the name Henderson.
Like so many dots on a map, there are towns named
Henderson, counties named Henderson, rivers, ridges, bridges
and buildings named Henderson. There are colleges and
universities that have Henderson in their name. The purpose
of this bit of trivia is to acquaint you with one of those dots on
the map, a notable Henderson landmark - Henderson, Nevada.
The township of Henderson emerged in the 1940s to supply
the country with magnesium, the “miracle metal” of World
War II. The Henderson magnesium plant supplied the US
War Department with magnesium for munitions and airplane
parts. In 1947, reality hit Henderson, Nevada with a big fist,
magnesium production was no longer necessary for defense
and most of the 14,000 defense employees moved away.
Enrollment in the school system was reduced by two thirds and
well over half the houses, built to house plant workers, went
vacant. In 1947 the United States War Asset Administration
actually offered the town of Henderson for sale as war surplus
property.
In an effort to save the city, the Nevada Legislature spent a
weekend visiting Henderson evaluating the possibility of state
administration of Basic Magnesium. Within days of the visit, the
legislators unanimously approved a bill giving the Colorado
River Commission of Nevada the authority to purchase the
industrial plants of Henderson. Governor Vail Pittman signed
the Bill on 27 March 1947, helping save Henderson from
becoming another Nevada ghost town.
Today you’ll find Henderson Nevada among three of the most
renowned man-made attractions in the world—Henderson is
18
situated amid the glamorous Las Vegas Strip, the engineering
marvel of the Hoover Dam, and the tranquil beauty of Lake
Mead. The city’s population (269,245 in January, 2008) puts
Henderson as the second largest city in Nevada—trailing only
Las Vegas. The city’s official slogan “Henderson—a Place to
Call Home” reflects a community that enjoys small town values
while benefiting from big city efficiencies.
But where did Henderson, Nevada get its name? That’s
a very good question. No one seems to know. None of the
historical societies in the area, none of the city offices, no
person or agency in Henderson contacted for this article can
answer the question. Though Henderson Nevada was saved
from becoming a ghost town, its founder was not as fortunate.
He will forever be
known to his clan
as the forgotten
Henderson
who
went
into
the
Nevada desert and
was never heard
from again though
his name lives on.
If you can solve this
mystery of
the forgotten
Henderson,
let us hear
from you.
An Canach
Summer 2008
Clan Recognation
2007
Chief’s Order
A medal awarded for recognition of service to the Clan or
Society during any given year.
Lori Henderson is recognized for the Chief’s Order for
tireless effort to make the Mid Central Region an active part of
the clan. She is also recognized for supporting various Games
and the athletic portion of several games.
Tom and Linda Hendricks are recognized for the Chief’s
Order for leading Clan Henderson in the Far South Region
while actively leading the United Clans of Oklahoma.
Matthew Henderson Elder III and his wife Anete K.
are recognized for the Chief’s Order for their many years of
representing Clan Henderson while convening the Alma,
Michigan Games.
Chief’s Prize
An award in recognition of leadership shown in youth
programs, heritage, culture and the future of the Society. Only
one person may be selected each year.
Mary Louise Henderson Nixon is nominated for the Chief’s
Prize based upon her thirty-year career as the go-to person who
has helped unlock college opportunities for greater Cleveland
teenagers. In her retirement from the Cleveland Scholarship
Programs, she plans to pursue her passion supporting the
Lakewood Public Library where she is on the board of trustees.
The mother of two, she and her now-deceased husband also
raised a few extras, having opened their home nine times to
children who needed a home.
Hard to be a Bard
Sometimes, it’s mighty hard
To be a Scottish bard
For, when AN CANACH goes to press,
Then, I must do no less,
And try to coin a rhyme
Before the deadline time.
Still, I procrastinate,
And suddenly, it’s too late.
Thus, when you see the words I wrote,
It’s ‘cause Russ sent me a note.
John Robert Mallernee
Summer 2008
Youth Scholarships
Requested by the individual youth (under the age of 26)
for recognition of specific talents in —the fields of music or
dance or academics, this award is a certificate of recognition
signed by the Society President and accompanied by a check
for a specified amount that is determined by the Executive
Board. (The current award is in the amount of two hundred
fifty dollars.)
Jacob Craig, Piper
Jessica Craig, Fiddler
Joshua Craig, Celloist and Piper
Erica Milner, Highland Dancer
Laura Venable, Highland dancer
The Saint Paul Travelers-Christian A. Garin
Youth Award
The Travelers Insurance Community Action Awards
program is comprised of two components: Matching Gifts
of Money—the program matches up to $500 of Christian
Garin’s charitable contributions per year. The minimum grant
that will be matched to each organization is $50; and Matching
Gifts of Time—When Christian Garin gives a minimum
of 24 hours in a calendar year to a nonprofit, charitable
organization, in our case Clan Henderson Society of America,
Christian can apply for a $500 grant to that same organization.
Christian can request one gift per year.
The Shadle Park High School Pipe Band in Spokane,
Washington will receive this award for 2007 in the amount of
$3,000.
Flowers of the Forest
Clan Henderson lost a friend and supporter on Sunday
evening, 8 June 2008. Josef “Sepp” Hoerdegen, 84, was
born in Germany, flew in WWII, lost two planes then
spent time in the US and Scotland as a POW. He loved to
tell of escaping from a camp in Texas with the intention
of going to Mexico, but ending up in Chicago.
He married a Scottish lady, Jessma Logan, then lived
in Germany, but eventually immigrated to Alexandria,
Virginia, in the early 1950s. The entire family eventually
made a life as American citizens. They were neighbors of
the editor and joined the society in order to receive An
Canach. Jessma predeceased her husband.
Sepp marched in Black Watch tartan with the clan each Christmas Walk and they
were always present for our ceilidh. Sepp and Jessma also made a habit of visiting the
Alexandria Scottish Heritage Fair when it was put on by members of the clan.
He is survived by his sister-in-law, Annette Logan.
An Canach
19









MacIan Is Looking Forward to seeing You
at One of These Events
This schedule is as correct as we can present at time of publication. Please let
the editor know of changes. In some cases, dates have not been set and may
change. Be sure to check further to confirm before leaving for the event.
2008
July
5
5-6
10-13
10-12
11-12
12
12
12-13
12-13
13
18
19
19
19-20
19-20
26-27
Round Hill Highland Games
Cranbury Park, Norwalk, CT
Monterey Highland Games
Toro Park, Monterey, CA
Granfather Mountain Highland Games
MacRae Meadows, Linville, NC
Payson Scottish Festival
Payson City Park, Payson, UT
Saline Celtic Festival
Mill Pond Park, Saline, MI
Blackstone Valley Celtic Festival
Webster, MA
Maine Scottish Military Tattoo
Fort Knox, Rt.175, Prospect ME
Dunsmir Scottish Highland Games
Dunsmir Estate, Oakland, CA
Skagit Valley Highland Games
Edgewater Park, Mt. Vernon, WA
Midlands Celtic Festival
Omaha, NE
Maine Celtic Celebration , Belfast City Park,
Borthport Ave, Belfast ME 04915
Portland Highland Games
Mt. Hood CC, Gresham, OR
Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
Look Park, Florence, MA
Arizona Highland Festival
Foxglenn Park, Flagstaff, AZ
Elizabeth Celtic Festival
Elizabeth, CO
Jeff Rutt Convenor
Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games
Expo Center, Enumclaw, WA
August
1-2
Detroit Highland Games
Historic Greenmead Village, Livonia, MI
2
Spokane Highland Games
Spokane, WA
9
Central NY Scottish Games
Long Branch Park, Liverpool, NY
9
High Desert Celtic Festival & Games
Cline Falls Ranch, Redmond, OR
9-10 Colorado Scottish Festival
Highlands Ranch, Denver, CO
Buzz McEldowney Convenor
15-16 Jackson Hole Scottish Festival
Teton Fairgrounds, Jackson, WY
16
Amherst Highland Games
Amherst Museum, Amherst, NY
16
Douglas County Celtic Highland Games
Riverbend Park, Winston OR
16
Maine Highland Games
Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick, ME
20
16-17 Hunter Mountain Celtic Festival
Hunter Mountain Resort Hunter, NY
23
Quad City Highland Games
Davenport, IA
23
Celts & Currachs Festival
Waterfront Park, New London, CT
23
Cortland Celtic Festival
Royal Motors Concert Tent, Cortland NY
23
Jamestown Celtic Festival and Gathering
Jamestown NY 14702
23
Kalamazoo Scottish Festival
Kalamazoo, MI
23
Long Island Scottish Games
Old Westbury Gardens, Westbury, NY
23
Quechee Scottish Festival
Polo Field, Quechee, VT
23-24 Highland Fling (MN Ren. Fair
Shakopee, MN
29-30 Dakota Gathering of the Clans
Memorial Park, Rapid City, SD
30-31 Capital District Scottish Games
Fairgrounds, Altamont, NY
30-31 San Francisco Highland Games
Alemeda Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA
Suzanne Emerson Convenor
September
4-7
5-6
5-7
5-7
5-7
13
13
13-14
13-14
13-14
13-14
19-21
19-21
20
Longs Peak Scottish/Irish Highland
Festival, Estes Park, CO
Buzz McEldowney, Jr. Convenor
Southwest Missouri Celtic Heritage Games
Buffalo City Park, Buffalo, MO
Ligonier Highland Games
Idlewild Park, Ligonier, PA
Sycamore Shoals Celtic Festival
Elizabethton, TN
Wisconsin Highland Games & Celtic Fling
Waukesha Expo Grounds, Waukesha, Wl
Highland Light Scottish Festival
Sandwich, MA
A Celtic Day In The Park,
Mills-Norris Memorial State Park,
Staatsburg NY (near Wappinger’s Falls,NY)
Columbus Scottish Festival
Bartholomew Fairgrounds, Columbus, IN
Kelso Highlander Festival
Tam 0’Shanter Park, Kelso, WA
Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival Games
Krull Park, Olcott, NY
Virginia Scottish Games
Delaplane, VA.
Christian Garin Convenor.
Clamjamfry: A Scottish Festival
Evergreen Presyterian Church, Memphis TN
New Hampshire Highland GamesLoon
Mountain Ski Resort, Lincoln, NH
Charleston Scottish Games
An Canach
Boone Hall Plantation, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Fresno Highland Gathering & Games**
Roeding Park, Fresno, CA
20-21 Oklahoma Scottish Games & Gathering**
River West Festival Park, Tulsa.OK
26
USCO Iron Thistle Festival
Yukon, Oklahoma
Tom Hendricks Convenor
26-28 Celtic Classic
Festival Grounds, Bethlehem, PA
27
Dandridge Scots-Irish Festival
Dandridge, TN
27
Pipes in The Valley
Hartford, CT
27
Treasure Valley Highland Games
Fairgrounds , Boise, ID
27-28 McPherson Scottish Games
Lakeside Park
20
October
3-4
4
4
4
4-5
4-5
4-5
4-5
10-11
10-12
11
12
17-19
25
25-26
Williamsburg Scottish Festival
Rockahock Campgrounds, Lenxa, VA
Christian Garin Convenor.
Loch Hartwell Highland Games
Hartwell, GA
Loch Lomond Highland Games
Ben Lomond, CA
St. Andrew’s Society of CT Scottish Festival
Goshen Fairgrounds, Goshen, CT
Chesapeake Celtic Festival
Furnace Town Historic Site
Snow Hill, MD
Flora Macdonald Highland Games
Flora Macdonald Campus
Red Springs, NC
St. Louis Highland Games—Cancelled
Reno Celtic Celebration
Bartley Ranch Regional Park, Reno, NV
Radford Highlanders Festival
Radford University, Radford, VA
Seaside Games
Ventura, CA
Joe Henderson Convenor
Anne Arundel Scottish Festival
Crownsville, MD.
Mike Henderson, Convenor.
Scotland Highland Festival
Waldo Homestead, Scotland. CT
Stone Mountain Highland Games
Stone Mountain, GA
Waxhaw Scottish Highland
Cane Creek Park, Waxhaw, NC
Richmond Highland Games
Richmond, VA.
Christian Garin Convenor.
Continued on page 21
Summer 2008
 



Dear Sir,
Last October my sister and I were going to the Scottish
Games at Rio Rancho, New Mexico. This would be the first
time we could attend. My sister called the week before and
was told they were cancelled.
SO WHY WAS IT IN MY NEXT NEWSLETTER? If it was
cancelled it shouldn’t [have] been there. I feel I deserve an
explanation.
Carol A. Henderson
Las Cruces, NM
Dear Carol,
Great question. The basic answer is that it should not have
been there. The Rio Rancho committee did not notify our clan,
nor publish an announcement in any media that I could find.
For the future, I would draw your attention to my caveat on
the events page of An Canach: “This schedule is as correct
as we can present at time of publication. Please let the editor
know of changes. In some cases, dates have not been locked in.
The schedule comes from collected event Web sites and from
individual sites. Be sure to check further to confirm.”
I am glad your sister did check.
Obviously this egregious error on my part can have no
satisfactory answer, but I am responding to let you and our
other readers know how the system works—or doesn’t work.
In a perfect world, all Scottish events would belong to
a national/international association that would serve as a
clearinghouse for the annual schedule. They do not! Also
they would all have a Web site, which would be established
for the following year, the morning after this year’s event is
concluded. They do not! In fact, they would also be held on
the same weekend at the same place each year without fail.
Some do, some do not! They would all be completely funded
at the beginning of the planning year, have all of the vendors,
performers, bands, athletes, locked up tight way ahead of time.
They do not! In some cases, the decision to hold the event may
rely on factors beyond their control. Rain is a very real threat
and if visitors such as yourself do not pay their way through
the gate there is a financial disaster.
November
1
Foothills Highland Games
Jackson Park, Hendersonville, NC
1-2
Tucson Celtic Festival
Rillito Park Raceway, Tucson, AZ
14-16 Highland Games of Louisiana
Museum Grounds, Jackson, LA
December
6
Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk
Clan Henderson Ceilidh
Alexandria, VA
Summer 2008
I do not know the reason for the cancellation at Rio Rancho. I
just checked the Web for a home page for the event and cannot
find one. Several lists still show the 20-21 October 2007 date,
but I do not see a date for 2008.
Again, in a perfect world, a Clan Henderson Convenor
who would have a friendly relationship with every games
committee. Our convenor would notify the regional convenor
(possibly sending me an informational copy for An Canach),
and with this information the regional commissioner would
be able to make a plan to cover each event. An Canach would
have a pristine list of events in posted six to nine months ahead
of the events. Based upon that plan, you would also be advised
that an event had been cancelled, in the issue before the event.
In the real world, it takes a continual search by your editor
to find out what is going on—in this case, I didn’t learn of the
cancellation of the October event until you wrote to me. At
least you found out about it before you left for the event.
I should tell you that for several years I convened the Games
in Phoenix. That required taking a week off and flying to
Phoenix with my tent and flags et al. Normally I arrived a week
before the event and flew home Sunday night after the event
closed. My parents funded a Ceilidh each year—a sit-down
dinner for 100 folks. One time it had been an unusually wet
year in Arizona and on Thursday, they cancelled the Games.
At least the Hendersons who showed up had a great celidh!
I hope I answered your question. Thanks for writing.
NOTE: The Regional Commissioner
Russ
just alerted me to cancellation of the
St. Louis Highland Games.
PS
Just another thought on this subject from Joe Henderson,
South Pacific Commissioner.
Four years ago, the United Scottish Society decided to
change the venue for their annual Scottish Games from the
Orange County Fairgrounds in Costa Mesa to the LA County
Fairgrounds in Pomona..
However, it was changed about two months before it
happened and they didn’t publicize it very well. Consequently,
a lot of people went to Orange County. I had sent out e-mails
to the Hendersons who had visited me in previous years, but a
member who I had not yet met decided to go and was one of the
ones who went to the wrong location. When she finally found
out where we were, she drove to Pomona to be at the event.
Needless to say, she is now on my email list and gets notices
when there are changes or special events, like the Chief’s visit
to Ventura.
Kilt For Sale
Weathered Henderson kilt, 28 to 32 inch waist and 22
inch length in sixteen ounce wool and pleated to the sett
is for sale. Cost new was $450 and it has been worn only
ten times. Best offer over $300.
Contact Zekan or Rex Maddox at (703) 765-8819
evenings.
An Canach
21
GENEALOGY
Dr Donald A Henderson
Dr John P Henderson Jr
Lorraine Baillie
Edwin C Henderson
Joyce C Peyman
Arthur Lee Henderson
Morrison DeS Webb
Thanks to Our
Donors
Carol Wells
Kathryn H Joyce
Florence H Hodge
Marjorie Haugh
Omer L King Jr
Laura F Collins
Joan P Myers
Joy A Creamer
Carol Kelley Bentley
Loretta J Paul
Delores Mariea
D Scott Henderson
Sara M Childers
Theodora Schock
Cynthia F Bright
D’Auby H Schiel
Ellen M Bentley
Clifford A Seyler, Md
Robert G Henderson
William A Henderson
James Michael Henderson
Paul D May
Janet L Parsons
Richard Henderson
Dr James M Williams
Christie A Heston
John D Henderson II
Susan A Henderson
Kathryn H Joyce
Denise A Booth
Albert Henderson
Loretta J Paul
David R Price
George E Henderson
CHIEF’S FUND
REGION
AN CANACH
MEMORIAL - MIKE MADDOX
GENERAL
Deanna H Bousman
Edwin C Henderson
Evelyn H Malan
Richard C Bartelt
Edwin C Henderson
Margaret H Davenport
Ann C Henderson
Russell L & Judy Henderson
Mike Maddox died on Friday, 18 April and was cremated the following Thursday.
He left instructions with Zeke as to where and to whom his ashes are to be distributed.
His final internment will be alongside his sister, Hartlie, who died in 1974. He will
receive a plaque in his honor at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church Memorial Walks.
We appreciate your concern and expression of sympathy. We believe he will rest easy
knowing so many of his friends have expressed their condolences.
The Maddox Family
Once a person has become a member of the Clan, he/she is assigned a number,
and never loses that number. If you happen to become inactive and do not pay
your dues for some time, you do not need to reapply for membership. All you
do is send in your renewal dues and you will
ORDER FORM for your
be reactivated.
Clan Name Badge
To the membership...
Clan Henderson Name Badge
P
lease return your dues
cards for proper credit
to your membership
number, it is very difficult
to find some members in
the database because of Jr.,
Sr., first, second, or third’s,
and of course we have
1,136 “Hendersons” in the
database, .... so again please
return your cards because
we also save them as a
record of your payment.
When you order your
name badge it will take some
time to receive it. We order
once we have six badges—
by ordering for your whole
family, yours will be made
more quickly.
22
Ú
Order Form
Submit your order to:
Robert G. Shimp
1836 Paris Ave
North Augusta SC 29841
Use this name on my badge:
Names for other badges:
My Address:
Encloded is my check for $10.00 times the number of badges requested.
Background Color: ❑ White
❑ Gray (Black Letters only):
❑ Pin or : ❑ Magnet
Please make check payable to Clan Henderson Society
An Canach
Summer 2008
Chief of the Name and Arms of Henderson
High Commissioner for
North America and Chieftain
David S. Henderson
Chief
Alistair D. Henderson of Fordell
PO Box 107
Paddington
QLD 4064
AUSTRALIA
Virtue
Alone
Ennobles
An Cirean Ceann Cinnidh
PO Box Drawer U
New Bern NC 28563
USA
mgoad@ncfirm.com
Clan Henderson Society
of the
United States of America
Society Web Site
www.ClanHendersonUSA.org
Recording Secretary
Vice President
Officers
President
Billy J. Henderson
863 Hwy 469 North
Jackson MS 39208-8056
(601) 939-8656
kilted@bellsouth.net
Commissioners
North East Region
(CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, RI, VT}
Gary Henderson, FSA Scot
2403 Lake Mead Road
Wheatfield, NY 14304
(716) 731-1832
bagpipes@adelphia.net
Mid East Region
(DC, DE, MD, NJ, PA, VA, WV)
Leon Hicks
4506 Penwood Drive
Alexandria VA 22310-1463
(703) 922-4647
alhich@cox.net
Appointed
Officials
- Oes Dana Clan Piper
Patrick A. Heston
5913 SE 71st Street
Oklahoma City OK 73135
(405) 596-1473
paheston@hotmail.com
Clan Genealogist
James E. Henderson
88 Eltham
Rocky Mount, NC 27804
(252) 452-2161
jimhen@beyondcommunications.net
Summer 2008
Dottie Henderson
686 Thrush Court
Marco Island FL 34145-1932
(239) 389-5515
dottiehenderson@embarqmail.com
Ed Hendricks
P.O.Box 669
Demorest GA 30535
(706) 778-9636
ehendric@alltel.net
Vice President—General Counsel Membership Secretary
Earl Ronald Hendry, JD
PO Box 220
Roan Mountain TN 37687-0220
(423) 725-5152
LawVeteranUSA@aol.com
Carol Maley
19 Sunbury Street
Minersville PA 17954-1441
(570) 544-3428
camteddy@aol.com
An
Canach
Treasurer
Gregory L. Schwartz
19 Sunbury Street
Minersville PA 17954-1441
(570) 544-3428
glspddgm@aol.com
President Emeritus
Rex A. Maddox
7504 Range Road
Alexandria VA 22306-2422
(703) 765-8819
HENDBDYGD1@aol.com
South East Region
(FL, GA, NC, SC)
Mid Central Region
(IA, KS, MO, NE)
South West Region
(AZ. CO, NM, UT, WY)
Great Lakes Region
(IN, IL, MI, OH, WI)
Mid South Region
(AL, KY, LA, MS. TN)
North Pacific Region
(AK, ID, MT, OR, WA)
North Central Region
(MN, ND, SD)
Far South Region
(AR, OK, TX)
South Pacific Region
(CA, HI. NV)
Harry J. Keifer
4511 Ridgeland Drive
Lilburn GA 30047-4347
(770) 925-9015
hjkeifer@hotmail.com
Douglas W. Henderson
3410 Wooster Road, #119
Rocky River OH 44116
(440) 356-2825
Virginia M. Broussard
4152 Campbell Road
Snellville GA 30278
Lori Henderson
10251 130th St.
Valley Falls KS 66088
(785) 945-3952
khenderson@grasshoppernet.com
Billy J. Henderson
863 Hwy 469 North
Jackson MS 39208-8056
(601) 939-8656
kilted@bellsouth.net
Tom Hendricks
2509 SW 45th Street
Oklahoma City, OK 73119
(405) 685-9734
tomff2376@yahoo.com
Head of the Bodyguard
Christian Garin
14025 Sterling Point Drive
Gainesville VA 20155
(703) 753-9041
Crgarin1@aol.com
Clan Chaplain
C. Frederick Sanford
520 Dogwood Road
Statesville NC 28677-3417
(704) 878-6094
cfsnfrd@bellsouth.net
Editor, An Canach
Russell L. Henderson
8500 Wendell Drive
Alexandria VA 22308-2158
(703) 780-1068
edancan@aol.com
Joseph H. McEldowney,Jr.
14996 East Columbia Drive
Aurora CO 80014-3812
(303) 690-2586
buzzmceldowney@aol.com
Clan Bard
John Robert Mallernee
AFRH-W # 158
Washington DC 20011-8400
(202) 449-9436
writesong@yahoo.com
Historian—Archivist
Elizabeth Gay
347 Rocky Knoll Road
Walhalla, SC 29691.
(864) 638-2986
bethscribble@aol.com
Quartermaster
Robert G. Shimp
1836 Paris Ave
North Augusta SC 29841
(803) 278-1564
rshimp4@comcast.net
An Canach
Joe Henderson
4920 Atherton Street
Long Beach CA 90815
(562) 498-2291
joehendy526@aol.com
Youth Activities
Ann Henderson Hicks
4506 Penwood Drive
Alexandria VA 22310-1463
(718) 922-4647
alhlch@cox.net
Clan Webmaster
David C. Henderson
232 Kinney Avenue NW
Walker MI 49534
(616) 453-6537
dcthenderson@yahoo.com
DNA Project Administrator
James E. Henderson
88 Eltham
Rocky Mount, NC 27809
(252) 452-2161
jimhen@beyondcommunications.net
23
Abernethy Biscuits
8 oz Plain Flour
1/2 tsp Baking Powder
Milk
3 oz Butter (or Margarine)
3 oz Caster Sugar
1 Beaten Egg
Method:
Sift flour and baking powder, rub in butter
then sift in sugar.
Mix beaten egg and enough milk to make a stiff dough
Turn onto a floured board and roll out thinly.
Cut into rounds and prick centerss with a fork.
Place on greased cookie sheet.
Bake in 375º oven for 10 minutes.
An
Canach
Clan Henderson Society
of the United States, Inc.
8500 Wendell Drive
Alexandria VA 22308-2158
Society Web Site
www.ClanHendersonUSA.org
An Cirean Ceann Cinnidh
NONPROFIT ORG.
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
RICHMOND VA
PERMIT NO. 1630
TIME SENSITIVE MATERIAL
Clan Henderson Society of the USA
Treasurer’s Report
Balance as of 1 January 2007
$46,042.02
Profit & Loss Statement
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income:
Contributions Income
Henderson Goods
Caps
Clan Tag
Lapel Pin
Modern Tartan Yardage
Name Tags
Pendant
Pewter Crest Badge
Pewter Kilt Pin
Sweatshirts
Tee Shirts
Tote Bags
Yardage- Cotton
Henderson Goods - Other
Total Henderson Goods
Membership Dues
8,995.00
1,567.00
7,990.00
Total Income
Cost of Goods Sold
Modern Tartan Yardage
Cost of Goods Sold - Other
Total COGS
18,552.00
Expenses:
Administration
Bank Service Charges
Genealogist
Secretary Postage US
Secretary US
Treasurer
Total Administration
1,652.57
An Canach
Editor
Postage
Printing
Total An Canach
5,879.1
Chief’s Fund
2,700.00
Computer Software/Supplies
413.41
Henderson Goods EXP
Postage
Shipping
Total Henderson Goods EXP
35.65
Highland Games
680.90
Gross Profit
17,871.10
Promotional
Advertising
Claude A. Henderson Memorial Award
Award - Other
Travelers/Christian Garin School
Youth Award
Total Promotional
2,750.00
Regional Expenses
AGM Expenses
Body Guard Expenses
Mid East - Christmas Walk
MidSouth
South Pacific
South West
Total Regional Expenses
Uncategorized Expenses
Total Expenses
Net Ordinary Income
Net Other Income
Net Income
Balance as of 31 December 2007
684.00
320.43
90.00
14,525.16
3,345.94
-15.00
3,330.94
$49,365.12