The Saltire - St. Andrew Society, Sarasota

The Saltire
St. Andrew Society of Sarasota, Inc. PO Box 2592 Sarasota, FL 34230
.Coming
Events
Board Meeting January
6th Selby Library at 6:30
PM.
All members are invited.
January llth, 2014
Golf Tournament at Bent
Tree
January 25th, 2014 Saturday, Burns Supper at
Laurel Oaks
February 1st. 2014
Highland Games
Burns Club
The Burns Club of St. Andrew held its December
meeting at MacAllister's
in Lakewood Ranch.
Karen Ronney had a nice
table set up for us and we
had a great turn out. We
were all sorry that Burns
Club President Jim Martin
was not able to be with us
because of a back injury.
We all wish him a speedy
recovery.
We welcomed new members Ron Lee and Theda
Connell as well as guests
Graham Ross, Pete's
brother, and Bob, a friend
of Chrystalle's, from Denmark. Everyone enjoyed
a beverage and some
Volume 34 Issue 5
delicious food and then
we discussed the following poems:
1. Flow Gently Loyalhannon-a poem
by member John Williams
about freedom
2. To a Mouse-The best
laid schemes o' mice and
men gang aft agley!
3. To a Louse-O would
some Power the gift to
give us to see ourselves
as others see us!
4 Address to the Unco
Guid-Then gently scan
your brother man, still
gentler sister woman;
though they may go a little wrong , to step aside
is human.
5. Christmas-Chrystalle
DeLuca shared a poem
about the Christmas season 6. Auld Lang Synewe sang the 1st and 5th
verses, We are getting
better.
The next The Burns Club
of St. Andrew January
meeting will be Tuesday,
January 14th, 1:30 PM at
January 2014
the British Open Pub in
Venice. We will be making final plans for the
Burns Supper and also
reviewing some poems
one of which will be "The
Address to a Haggis"; I
will send out a more
complete agenda later.
The Burns Supper will
be held January 25th at
Laurel Oak Country
Club. If you haven't received your invitation let
me know or you can go
to our website at
www.standrewsocietysar
asota.com and print one.
Attached is information
on the Robert Burns Association of North American Annual meeting
which will be held in Columbia, South Carolina
in late April. It is unusual
for the meeting to be so
close to us so it will be a
great opportunity for any
interested persons to attend. I think I am going
to try and make it.
David MacMillan,
Secretary
Until then, think Burns.
Saltire - January 2014
Page 2
President’s Message
Happy New Year All!!!!!!!
I’m very late getting this to Shirley, so the delay in
the Saltire rests with me. My apologies.
I hope that everyone enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New Year visiting with family and friends. I
would like to congratulate Lola and her committee
on a very enjoyable Christmas luncheon. The food
was very tasty and the entertainment was wonderful. It was nice to get a chance to visit with everyone prior to the Christmas rush.
Thank you very much Lola for a great time and your hard work.
As we look forward to the new year, we have a fairly full calendar. The Burns Supper this year actually falls on the 255th anniversary of Rabbie’s birth. From what I
have heard, the Burns club has a wonderful evening in store for us. Jody and I look
forward to enjoying another evening of chatting and dining with everyone. Hopefully some of our new members will be able to attend so we can get to know them.
Speaking of new members I want to extend a hearty welcome to David and Margaret MacLeod. David will be joining Jack piping at the Burns Supper.
A week after the birthday bash, rain or shine, we have the Highland Games. If anyone would like to volunteer to help man our tent, please contact me. We can always use a little help. For those who have never attended the games, they are a lot
of fun. The athletic competitions are amazing. I have watched the Caber Toss and
still can’t see how it is done. The piping and dancing competitions and demonstrations are well worth the time spent watching. I wish I had the rhythm to participate.
Jody really enjoys browsing through the various vendors tents. It really is a rousing
good time. One last note on the games, the Heritage Society and the Caledonians
are always in need of volunteers to help man the event. Jody and I have volunteered a couple of times and have enjoyed the time we spent helping out. If anyone
would like to help, just give me or Al McIlraith a call.
That’s about it for now. Take care all. We will see you on the 25 th.
Yours aye,
Mike
Mike Wilcox
Saltire - January 2014
Page 3
OF INTEREST TO MEMBERS
Don't forget if you would prefer receiving a hard copy of the Saltire, please call me
at 941-722-9840. If you are already receiving your copy, it will not be necessary
to call.
___________________________________
Note from the Editor
Please remember that I do need your help. Since my last plea, I have only heard
from three wonderful people, and I hope they know how grateful I am for their help.
Surely someone else has a story to tell, even about a member who has passed on!
Even a joke that you might like to share. What about your last vacation?
Add to your Scottish Activities
Have fun and join the Sarasota Country (Scottish) Dancers every Thursday from
7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Bay Front Community Center (behind the Municipal
Auditorium) at 803 Tamiami Trail in Sarasota. It is only $5.00 per person and it is
great exercise. For information please call Ellen McRanor at 941-953-6707 and
also visit their web page at sarasotascd.org. Their schedule is displayed there and
seeing how active they are as a group, it may just may entice you to put on your
dancing shoes again.
_____________________________________
Note: We want to be sure that our new members know that we do have a Scottish
Store on 17th St. in Sarasota. It is Scots Corner. Sheila Jackson , the owner, will
help you find Scottish or UK food , Scottish dress and gifts from all over the UK,
books, music and much more. If you have a question, please give her a call at 941
-953-6707.
_________________________________________
Thought for the Day: I didn’t forget that project! It is just that my brain is too
full.
_____________________________________________
There is another Special Scottish Activity to look forward to, sponsored by the Scottish Heritage Society of Sarasota. The Gillespie Memorial Golf Tournament will
be held Saturday, January 11th 2014. There will be many, many special prizes.
More information appears in this issue of the Saltire. Contact Muriel Maxwell for
information. 941-377-3588
Then, of course, the Highland Games to be held February 1st, 2014 in Sarasota.
You will not want to miss either of these event.
Saltire - January 2014
Page 4
Jack’s Jottings for January 2014
Hi Folks, warm wishes are being sent to all of you for a
very Happy New Year from myself, family, Dunfermline, and also from Brugge in Belgium where we are on
vacation for the New Year. I will share all the news in my
February 'Jack's Jottings'.
Slainte,
Jack (Pryde)
E-mail: discoverdunfermline@live.co.uk
Golf Tournament on Jan. 11, 2014.
Its shaping up to be an interesting event. Jack Pryde was able to get the Kingdom of Fife to donate a voucher for four golfers to play Golf at one of 5 Golf
Courses which includes St. Andrew Golf Course. The decision of site has not
been finally confirmed. Jack says all the five courses are excellent. That was
nice of him to make this contact for us.
Also, attached is an updated Registration Form being posted on the SHS/SHG
website with Tom and Norma Cunningham, registrars, phone # 941-929-0909
and the website www.sarasotahighlandgames.com/games
It has started to show some activity. I think we have about 40 golfers. My initial
goal was 100 golfers. We'll see.
We have Dinner gift certificates for Ruth Chris x4, Ophelia x4, 2 nights at Hampton in Bradenton, 2nights in B&B, Massage, a Golf Bag, several other Door and
raffle prizes, 50/50, Hole-in-one - 2yr lease on 2014 Cadillac, also another Holein-One wins a 3day/2nites, air/hotel at MGM Grand Hotel in LasVegas, NV. from
DIXON golf.
Plus the Golf Game for four in Scotland. Sounds good! You had mentioned a
bottle of Single Malt Whisky. Maybe not now?
Muriel Maxwell
941-377-3588
muriel.maxwell@sympatico.ca
Page 5
Saltire - January 2014
Saltire - January 2014
Page 6
Dear friends and cousins: The date is October we, 1758. On this day British Forces
under the overall command of General John Forbes and under the local command of
Col. George Washington of the First Virginia Regiment defeated French Forces at the
French & Indian War Battle known as the “Battle of Fort Ligonier.” Flowing past the
fort was the beautiful stream known at the “Loyalhannon.” Now known as Loyalhanna
Creek, this stream furnished pure mountain water from the slopes of nearby Laurel
Mountain. But the question is now posed: Will the Loyalhannon and its natural
beauty continue to remain free and clear? Perhaps a somewhat political poem might
provide an answer. . . . . . . . . .
FLOW GENTLY LOYALHANNON
Crystal clear and regal water,
For years she pleasured classic eyes,
She pleases new man’s westward dreams,
And makes his spirit thank God’s sighs.
Yet swimming free against the tide,
A rain bowed lover of lush space,
Leaps to mouth a gratis fly,
Sweet Providential food of Grace!
Now round the boulders flowing smoothly
Walks Freedom’s logic fair maintaining,
There lives abundance and refreshment
Nourishing, feeding and sustaining.
So who would dare defy this sea?
One clothed to wade and not to swim?
To challenge Founders’ simpler laws?
With only learned and pre-gowned whim?
All dressed and prepped to cast a word
In shinning boots up to the neck.
He leaps down into Freedom’s pool.
Is majestic water now in check?
Downstream from where intruder plunged,
Sweet Freedom questions its fair zeal.
The muddied stream takes sides against itself,
Finned striver fails to nab its meal!
continued on page 7
Saltire - January 2014
Page 7
This poem is dedicated to my ancestor, Pvt. John Carpenter of Virginia and later
Ohio, who was a member of the First Virginia Regiment. He participated in the Fort
Ligonier battle and later actions leading to the defeat of the French Forces in what
is now western Pennsylvania and the capture of the French Fort, Fort Duquesne,
later named Fort Pitt. He later served as a Sergeant in the Virginia Militia in the
Revolutionary War, raised a family of nine children, one of whose greatgrandchildren married a Williams. To me, he was a great American and a true
hero!
John Williams—10/11/13
Membership Report
Address Change:
New Member:
Dr. David Scott & Margaret MacLeod
1352 Harbor Drive
Sarasota, FL 34239-2012
941-316-9372
Cell 706-506-5815
Hootmonmac@verizon.net
NOTE: Be sure to add these additions and corrections to your current Directory.
Also, it is important for you to keep us notified of any changes in your personal information so that the SAS Board and your fellow members will be able to keep
their records current.
A Very Special Note:
Congratulations are in order to our Chaplain, Rev. Michael McBride and Victoria on
their recent marriage. Christmas will be a very special time for them for many years
to come.
I speak for all when I wish you both all the happiness that life has to offer in your
future together.
Saltire - January 2014
Page 8
Scottish Folklore, Myths & Legemds
KELPIES, The mythical kelpie is a supernatural water horse that was said to haunt
Scotland’s lochs and lonely rivers. The kelpie would appear to victims as a lost dark
grey or white pony but could be identified by its constant dripping mane. It would entice people to ride on its back before taking them down to a watery grave.
SELKIES, Selkies were mythical creatures that could transform themselves from
seal to human form and back again. The legend of the selkie apparently originated
on the Orkney and Shetland Islands where selch or selk(ie) is the Scots word for seal.
Tales once abounded of a man who found a beautiful female selkie sunbathing on a
beach, stole her skin and forced her to become his wife and bear his children, only for
her to find the skin years later and escape back to seal form and the sea.
ROBERT the BRUCE and the SPIDER. Robert the Bruce became King of
Scotland in 1306. Edward I of England took immediate action, forcing him into hiding.
According to legend, at some point while he was on the run and when he was at his
lowest ebb, Bruce hid himself in a cave. There, he watched a spider spinning a web
from one part of the cave to the other. Watching the spider try and try again to build
her web before succeeding, is said to have inspired Bruce to carry on fighting the
English. He did so and after the death of Edward I in 1307. Bruce defeated Edward
II’s armies at Bannockburn in 1314. There are a number of caves in South West
Scotland that claim to be the one where Bruce watched the spider. No one is certain
which is the authentic cave or even if the incident with the spider ever really happened.
THE LEGEND OF SAWNEY BEAN, The story of Sawney Bean is one of the
most gruesome Scottish legends, and wouldn’t be out of place in a modern horror
movie. It is unknown whether Alexander “Sawney” Bean was actually a real person
or just a creation of Scottish folklore, but the story is certainly of some intrigue. According to legend, Sawney Bean was the head of a criminal, cannibalistic family in
the 15th Century, during the reign of King James I of Scotland. It is claimed that he,
his wife and 46 children and grandchildren killed and fed on over a thousand people
before they were captured and executed.
OTHER SCOTTISH MYTHICAL CREATURES,
WULVER, a werewolf in Shetland, that is said to have had the body of a man with a
wolf’s head. It was reported to have left fish on the windowsills of poor families.
BLUE MEN OF MINICH, blue skinned men who lived in the water between Lewis
and the mainland Scotland, looking for sailors to drown and boats to sink. BEANNIGHE: Scottish Gaelic for “washer woman”, is a Scottish fairy seen as an omen of
death. It is said she could be found by streams and pools washing the clothes of
those who are about to die.
Saltire - January 2014
Page 9
SCOTS TO MOROCCO
In October six of our members decided to go someplace "exotic" and settled on a
bargain trip to Morocco. Lola Gardela, Dennis Craig, Jeanne and Joel Davies and
Dick and Liz Thompson flew over with three other friends and spent ten days exploring Morocco with the help of a wonderful guide.
We traveled from the royal capital of Rabat, to Fez, Marrikech and finally to Casablanca on a very modern bus over good roads," said Dick. The trip, by Gate 1
Travel, gave us a good feel for both the ancient and modern aspects of the country.
Highlights included a visit to a rug shop where two were purchased to be enjoyed in
Sarasota, and a walk through the densely populated 8th century old city within
Fez. Most agreed that the views of the countryside on the ride through the Altas
Mountains was among the most memorable. Of course, lunch at Rick's Cafe in
Casablanca brought back memories of the famous film starring Humphrey Bogart
and Ingrid Bergman.
The most exotic part of the trip, according to Dick, was the intestinal distress most
suffered. "It was from the water, safe for locals to drink, but not good in ice made for
visitor's drinks," he said.
The friends will share a lot of stories this winter!
Scotland Welcomes in Momentous Year 2014
REVELLERS welcomed in 2014 in style with September's independence referendum set to define a massive year for Scotland.
Scotland welcomed 2014 and looked ahead to the most important year in
the country’s history. As the bells rang out across the country and fireworks lit up the skies at midnight, a momentous year kicked off.
Scotland’s future will be defined by the independence referendum on
Thursday, September 18, 2014.
As taken from the DAILY RECORD.UK 1 January 2014
Saltire - January 2014
Page 10
SAS Name Badges: can be ordered by
any member. If you are interested in getting a Saint Andrew Society name badge
email, snail mail or fax your order to:
Sarasota Trophy and Awards, Inc. ,
6601 Superior Ave.,
Sarasota, FL 34231.
You must pay for the badge when you pick
it up. The cost will be $10.50 plus tax for
the magnetic back. $8.00 plus tax for the
pin back. If you would like to pay by check
or credit card and have the badge mailed to
you, the shipping charge can be arranged
for an additional $3.75. If you encounter a
problem, please call David MacMillan at
941-966-0425.
Articles/Stories Needed
The deadline for submitting articles or reports is the 15th of each month. If you are
unable to work with that for any reason,
please call me at 941-722-9840 or by email
at : shirleyszoboscan@gmail.com
We are always looking for articles from
SAS members so if you have something
that you think others might enjoy, please let
me know. Thank you,
Shirley Szoboscan—Saltire Editor
The St. Andrew Web Address
http://www.standrewsocietysarasota.com
President
Vice President
Secretary
Treasurer
Asst. Treasurer
Past President
Membership
Trustees
SALTIRE
St. Andrew Society
of Sarasota, Inc.
P.O. Box 2592
Sarasota, FL 34230
Piper
Sergeant-at-Arms
Historian
Chaplain
Saltire Editor
Photographer
Sunshine Lady
Scholarship Chairman
Publicity
Burns Club President
Burns Club Secretary
Web Manager
Michael Wilcox
Shirley Szoboscan
Terry Neuss
Diane Kemp
Open
Dennis Craig
Open
Dr. David MacMillan
Jim Martin
Rev. Mike McBride
Dr. Bert Mitchell
Tom Thompson
Larry Jacob
Joel Davies
Jean Catsakis
Rev. Mike McBride
Shirley Szoboscan
Nick Catsakis
Carrie Martin
Dr. Bert Mitchell &
Linda Prowten
Open
Jim Martin
Dr. David MacMillan
Wayne MacLellan