Winter 2005-2006 Newsletter in PDF Format

The Grandfather Mountain Highland
Games Newsletter
Winter 2005/2006
The President Speaks
This is being
written as I do
rehab for a left
knee
replacement that
will be in good
shape when the
early 2006
Scottish games
schedule begins.
General
manager Frank Vance tells me that
despite the icy winter weather MacRae
Meadows will be in top-notch shape for
the 50th Anniversary games July 6-9,
2006.
The new GMHG headquarters
building in Linville, NC continues to
make good progress and will soon be
completed. This new building will be
the cornerstone for our long term
planning program, which will help
enhance the future of these world
famous Scottish games.
We have some very exciting
events that will showcase next July
along with an internationally known
and highly distinguished honored guest.
Please use our award winning Scottish
games web site (www.gmhg.org) for
information and schedules.
The
webmaster of the GMHG web site is our
very own Assistant General Manager
Tommy Taylor.
A reminder for all Clans is to
take action now to assure that their
Clan’s name will be in place on the
bronze plaque of the Cárn Nan Cáirdean
which will soon be erected adjacent to
the new GMHG office building in
Linville, NC.
You
may
e-mail
me
at
highlandgames@vol.com regarding any
new events you might suggest for our
family-friendly Scottish games.
Ceud Mile Failte to you in 2006
at any and all Scottish games!
Sincerely,
Ross Morrison, Jr.
Ross Morrison, Jr.
GMHG President
Above: Several views of the new GMHG Office Building in
Linville. (Photos by Thomas Taylor, Sr.)
“A Wee Bit of the Scottish Highlands in North Carolina!”
Page 1 of 4
General Manager’s Perspective
As we
approach our
51st annual
Grandfather
Mountain
Highland
Games (our
50th
Anniversary)
the GMHG
Officers and
Directors wish
to express
their condolences to the family of Doris
McNeill, wife of GMHG Board Member and
long-time supporter Royce N. McNeill. Mrs.
McNeill passed away December 17 after a
lengthy illness. Services were held
December 21 at Mulberry Baptist Church.
My wife Jean and I saw many friends at this
beautiful service, including John Dall &
Flora MacDonald Gammon, Dick & Keets
Taylor, John T. Soule, and Tommy & Shelia
Taylor. Doris was a wonderful person and a
great supporter of Scottish heritage, and she
will be greatly missed.
I have recently received word
that Mr. Hugh Morton, owner of Grandfather
Mountain and a long-time Games advisor
and photographer, has been diagnosed with
esophageal cancer. He says that he will be
keeping a positive attitude as he seeks
treatment at his alma mater in Chapel Hill.
Our thoughts and prayers are surely with
him as he seeks this treatment.
I would also like to express
gratitude to all of our Patrons, Sponsors and
friends of the Games who have made our
new office building in Linville a reality. As
you can see from the pictures included in
this newsletter, the building is very near
completion and we are looking forward to
moving out of this cold warehouse and into
a more suitable workspace as the Games
kick into high gear!
We were very pleased to accept
two beautiful fireplace inserts with gas logs
from Buck Stove, Inc. in Spruce Pine, North
Carolina. Buck Stove president Robert
Young hand-delivered the stoves himself and
gave us tips on installing them. He also has
offered his services in the future if we need
him for anything else. These thermostatcontrolled heating units are 99% efficient
and have the appearance of real logs. They
will make a wonderful addition to our office
building.
I am also proud to mention the
generosity of the Appalachian Stone
Company out of Marion, North Carolina.
When we approached them about hauling
the stone for the new building from
Crossville, Tennessee, they offered to deliver
the 80 tons of stone at no cost, saving the
Games a considerable amount of money in
freight charges. We sincerely appreciate
them for their willingness to help out in any
way possible.
Avery County Schools, realizing
that we had no shelves or cabinets for our
new building, agreed to provide us with
some maple cabinets that were scheduled to
be removed as part of a renovation project
for the Health Occupations room at Avery
County High School. This will keep us from
having to use folding tables for our storage
needs as we have done in the past. A big
thanks goes out to them for their generosity.
Joe Pavelchak, Jr., local architect
from Banner Elk, has been stopping by
occasionally to check on the quality work
being done by Alex Johnson and his fine
construction crew. He assures me that they
are doing an outstanding job and that our
building is going to be a showplace for
downtown Linville for many years to come.
Expert stonemason (and fellow Scot)
Ken Young has begun laying the beautiful
stone on the outside as well as the inside of
the new building. He is a well-known
stonemason among the resort areas here in
Linville.
Of course, none of this fantastic
progress would have been possible without
the support of those of you who have given
so generously to the GMHG Building Fund
since our original office was destroyed in the
flooding of 2004. Your continued support
will determine the extent of “finishing
touches” such as landscaping that can be
done once the structure is complete. I
would love to see a Scottish-themed garden
to surround the Cárn Nan Cáirdean between
our office and the Tartan Restaurant.
As we continue to prepare for our
51st Games and 50th Anniversary, we seek
out your continued support and God’s many
blessings.
Thanks again for the integral part
you play in making the Grandfather
Mountain Highland Games known and
respected worldwide.
Sincerely,
YÜtÇ~ itÇvx
General Manager and Vice President of
Operations
The 50th Anniversary Games Will Be Held July 6th-9th, 2006
Page 2 of 4
News from the Celtic Groves
2006 will see both familiar and new faces
entertaining in the Celtic Groves. Since the
inception, the Celtic Groves have been known for
bringing the best in traditional and modern Celtic
music to the Games. This year’s mixture proves to
be some of the best that Grandfather has offered.
ALBANNACH (pictured below), are familiar
faces with a new name. These six former members of
Clann an Drumma from Glasgow, Scotland will
deliver the same foot stomping, heart pounding,
dance inspiring, tribal sounds that have gained so
much attention for the last three years at
Grandfather. With the sound of drums and pipes
you will be TRIBALIZED.
Also returning this year will be HUNTING MCLEOD
from Canada, with their high energy, high bouncing
performances. Games alumni, ED MILLER, will be
back along with SCOOTER MUSE and JIL
CHAMBLISS (Henri’s Notion) to perform as a trio.
GEORGE HAMILTON, IV joins us again along with
Scotland’s ALASTAIR McDONALD to reprise their duo
collaboration from the 2004 games.
JIM MALCOM (Old Blind Dogs) will return to
Grandfather after picking up the coveted Songwriter of the
Year award at the Scots Trad Music Awards for 2004. The
RIC BLAIR BAND from Nashville will also return
after wonderful crowd response in 2005 to their music,
dance and humor. National Scottish Fiddle Champion,
JAMIE LAVAL, will once again dazzle the audiences with his
stirring tunes and energetic persona (minus the toothache).
The new kids this year are set to deliver show stopping
performances and hail from across the US. THE
KILLDARES from Texas will bring their hard driving sound
and MACTALLA MOR out of New England will deliver their
special brand of Celtic fusion to the mix. HOOLY from
Birmingham, AL is the final freshman in the GMHG class of
2006 specializing in traditional tunes on numerous
instruments.
Check out the artist web sites below for more details,
bios and music clips. YOU’RE GONNA LOVE UM!!
Albannach
www.albannachonline.com
Hunting McLeod
www.huntingmcleod.com
Ed Miller
www.songsofscotland.com
George Hamilton, IV www.georgeiv.net
Alastair McDonald www.terraworld.net/mairi/Alastair.html
Jim Malcolm
www.jimmalcolm.com
Ric Blair Band
www.ricblair.com
Jamie Laval
www.jamielaval.com
The Killdares
www.killdares.com
MacTalla Mor
www.mac-talla.com
Hooley
www.hooleymusic.com
A New Date to Add to Your Calendar!
The West Virginia Celtic Festival and Games will be presented in Beckley, WV the weekend of August 18th, 2006. This is
being held at the YMCA Sports Complex and will offer a wide variety of activities for the whole family. Athletics, piping, dancing,
clans & societies, herding demonstrations, great food, merchants’ village, British cars and motorcycles, soccer demonstrations, reenactors, artist demonstrations, children’s activities, story telling and world class entertainment are all part of the fun. For more
information please visit the host site for the games www.visitwv.com or call 800-VISIT-WV (800-847-4898) DON’T MISS IT, SEE
YOU THERE!
Update on Celtic Grove Director Gary Morrison
As many of you know that attended the 2005 games, it
was reported that Gary Morrison, Director of the Celtic
Groves, had been hospitalized. At the time we had few
details other than the fact that he had required emergency
surgery. We have learned since that the surgery uncovered
stage four colon cancer. Gary has been receiving radiation
treatments and should finish this phase of therapy in midFebruary. Fortunately, doctors have found a reduction of the
spots on his liver.
On December 20th, Linda was involved in an automobile
accident after dropping Gary off for treatments and she
received a neck injury along with other pains. They are both
working through their ailments while keeping positive
attitudes.
Gary has stated that one of his goals this year will be to
make it back to Grandfather to see his many friends, God
willing. Please take a moment to remember the Morrison’s in
your thoughts and prayers.
Gary & Linda Morrison
616 Back River Neck Road
Baltimore, MD 21221
Cell: (410) 404-4783
News on 2005 Volunteer of the Year Helen Carr
We have recently received word that Helen has been
admitted to a hospital in Florida with a heart infection and
fluid build up. Her kidneys have also lost some function.
Please keep Helen in your thoughts and prayers. Send
correspondence to:
Helen Carr
1804 Puento Bello Drive
Lady Lake, FL 32159
The 50th Anniversary Games Will Be Held July 6th-9th, 2006
Page 3 of 4
Contributors to the Building Fund
Below is a list of those who have contributed to the GMHG Building Fund, and will therefore be recognized on our
“Cárn Nan Cáirdean” that will be erected adjacent to our new office in Linville, NC. If you would like to become a
part of this prestigious group who have honored the GMHG with their support, visit our website (www.gmhg.org) for
details.
Flowers of the Forest Plaque ($50.00 and up)
Anne & C. Herbert Magruder in memory of Lillian Magruder
Mr. William Macilwain in honor of Ruth Bradley Macilwain
Laura Belle MacRae in memory of Bruce Farquhar MacRae
Mrs. Lillian Magruder in memory of Abbie Magruder
Chris Snyder in memory of Daniel R. Potter, Clan Colquhoun
Mrs. Marian Smith in memory of Julius C. Smith III
A.T. (Tom) Skeen in memory of Flora McAndrew Skeen
Mr. John W. Murray in honor of Horace D. Murray, Lt. Chief of
Frances Hunter in memory of James Monroe Buchan
Clan Murray
Clan MacNeill Association, Inc. in loving memory of Dr. Herbert P. William Hunter in memory of John Gray Hunter
Duard & Elizabeth Barnes in memory of Nestor J. & Helen
& Ethel K. MacNeal
MacDonald
Capt. & Mrs. O.W. Hamilton, Jr. in memory of Ashley Nicole
Marilyn Creech in memory of Ruth Morrison
Hamilton
Nancy Jeffries in memory of Matthew Skene Family
Sandy & Gloria Ross in memory of Donald Roy MacDonald of the
Roger G. Ferguson in memory of Elizabeth McNeill Ferguson
’45
Clan MacNeil Assoc., Inc. In loving memory of Dr. Herbert P. &
House of Gordon in memory of Charles O. Gordon, Sr.
Ethel K. MacNeal
Mrs. Richard Campbell in memory of Richard A. Campbell
Mr. Donald F. MacDonald in memory of Maritta MacLeod (Mrs. D.F.) Patricia Hutchens in memory of Robert H. McKinnon
MacDonald
Patrons Plaque ($150,000.00 - $50.00)
Mr. Ellice MacDonald
Mrs. Rosa MacDonald
Mr. Petro Kulynych
Ms. Helen Carr
Mr. Ross Morrison, Jr.
Mr. Charles O. Gordon
Mr. Alexander R. Hamilton
Helen McLendon
John Monroe
Ruth Johnston
Royce & Doris McNeill
Agnes M. Woodruff
Marsha Glenn Stafford
Dr. Ronald L. McGowan
Tom Price
Kent Atkins, FSA Scot
Edward Mills
Richard Taylor, Jr.
Donald Cameron
Ken Buchanan
Vivian McFadyen
William & Frances Hunter
Marc McCook
K.D. Kennedy, Jr.
Bernard Kaiman
John Williams
R.H. Allen, M.D., FSA Scot
Patrick A. McCabe
Joseph Duncan
Laura L. Buchanan
Robert Tate, Jr.
Sam & Kate Holbrooks
Curtis & Pamela Stewart Mitchell
I. Neil MacInnis
Kevin McGee
Dr. Ben Stone
Ted & Deanna Kaplan
Lucille Payette
Aldor Pyatte
Kevin McGee
Michael Scott Fugate
Sponsoring Clans & Societies Plaque ($500.00 and up)
Clan MacLachlan Association of North America
Clan Keith Society USA
Clan Currie Society
House of Gordon
Donnachaidh of the Carolinas
Donnachaidh Mid-Atlantic Branch
St. Andrew’s Society of the City of Savannah
Montreat Scottish Society
American Clan Gregor Society
Macfie Society of America
Clan Buchanan Society International
International Association of Clan MacInnes
Clan Hamilton Society
Friends of the Games Plaque ($25,000.00 - $50.00)
Gordon & Mary Cain Foundation
Grandfather Mountain Marathon
Linville Falls Community Church
Broyhill Family Foundation
First Presbyterian Church of Johnson City
Hugh Fields
Martha Ann Moore
Grandfather Mtn. Branch of Clan Cameron
Skene Family
Ben Stone
Margaret Blackmer
Paul Bell
Clan MacRae
Scottish Tartans Museum & Heritage Ctr.
Clan Donald
Clan MacCallum/Malcolm
St. Andrew’s Society of the City of Atlanta
Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Griggs
David W. Schultz
The Hon. Earl of Dalhousie
Tommy Webster
Beth Johnston
Laura Glasscock
David Glasscock
Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
& Gathering of Scottish Clans
P.O. Box 1095
Linville, NC 28646-1095
Tonya Mills
Barbara Patterson
George & Jane Liles
R. Hunter Tate III
Mrs. David Mettetal, Sr.
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Haigler
Mae Bryson
Mr. & Mrs. Malcolm Griggs
Mr. & Mrs. Ronnie Haigler
William & Elizabeth Bailey
Tyrone & Jan Cosson
Mrs. Frank A. Swift, Jr.
Phone: (828) 733-1333
Fax:(828) 733-0092
e-mail: highlandgames@vol.com
http://www.gmhg.org
Secure Online Ordering Available
The 50th Anniversary Games Will Be Held July 6th-9th, 2006
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