The River City Caledonian

Transcription

1 NEWSLETTER OF THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA The River City Caledonian Society Officers: President: Andy Calvo Volume 1, Issue 2 November-December 2010 Vice President: Doug Elder Treasurer: Maggie Mackay Secretary: Joseph Schaub Board members: Joyce Blunt Deborah Calvo, Rosemary Day Margaret Duckworth, Barbara Evans, Jerry Mackay, Dani Tiller Inside this issue: Upcoming Society Events 2 Recipe 3 Society Puts on the Tartan at Games The Society participated in two festivals this October: The Williamsburg Scottish Festival at Rockahock Campgrounds in Lanexa, and the Meadow Celtic Festival in Doswell. Both events were great successes in increasing the visibility of the Society, sharing our love of things Scottish with the patrons, and just plain having great snacks and great fun at the tents. Many thanks are offered to those who helped at the events. At the Williamsburg tent: Maggie & Jerry Mackay, Judy Garrett, and Cathy Maxwell. At the Meadow tent: Rosemary Abbott, Andy and Debbie Calvo, Margaret and Allen Duckworth, Barbara Evans, Bruce Kleve, Robert Land, Jerry and Maggie Mackay, Rachel Mackay, Joseph Schaub, Bruce and Kathleen Sutton, Dani and David Tiller. Thank you also for Sarah Slutzah for personalizing and donating water bottles, 216 of which we gave to thirsty patrons, as well as handing out 125 coloring books and crayons to the wee ones. Several folks also took our Celtic coloring book to use at future games. Many persons expressed interest in Burns Night, and we ll follow up with them to help ensure a packed and fun Burns supper in January. Maggie & Rachel at the Tent Barbara & Rachel in the Parade Thankfully, we got better weather for the Meadow Festival this year. Maybe next year we ll have a brave soul enter the Punkin Chunkin contest for the honor of the Society! Member News 3 Scotland History and Events 4 Looking Ahead Clan Profile 5 Clan Badges 5 Christmas in Scotland 5 Right now we re all thinking about turkey and Christmas shopping, but don t forget that our annual Burns Night Supper is not too far off. The intrepid Dani Tiller continues to work hard to get everything lined up for this January 29th event. The venue and the band are booked; the invitations will be out before too long. We ve worked to keep prices down, but you can help us out immensely by contributing items for our silent auction, which helps offset our operating costs. It doesn t have to be Scottish-themed (though that often helps the items sell, since, hey, we re all about the Scottish stuff); it just has to be something people will want to buy. At Christmas, we tend to have well-meaning family and friends who give us gifts that are nice enough, but they just don t fit our style the silent auction can be a great way to move those items out of your house (just don t tell your wellmeaning gift-giver!). Please return your reservation form and check as soon as you can after receiving it. It s going to be a good one! (Reminders in next newsletter)

2 Page 2 The River City Caledonian NOTICE: The Society will be holding a yard sale in April to raise funds for our operating expenses and to bring great programs to our meetings. Please hold on to your saleable items and contribute them in the Spring. Look for further reminders in upcoming newsletters and at our meetings. Nov., Dec. Meetings: Taste of Scotland, Kilt Wearin, and Christmas It seems everyone is serving turkey around the holidays, and the presence of that famous bird can get pretty oppressive. Carved turkey, followed by turkey sandwiches, followed by turkey casserole, with turkey stock flavoring all sorts of other dishes... then for those who don t fix up a ham or a goose, more turkey at Christmas! With that in mind, our November meeting will be dedicated not to Pilgrims and Indians and turkey, but to the cuisine of Scotland. Bring your favorite Scottish-themed food (and we ll try to achieve some communication among members to ensure that we have a nice variety unlike those church covered dish suppers where everyone brings Jello salad!). Also, Tim Batten will be presenting some information about the Wearin o the Kilt. Enjoy the food, fellowship, and music! As always, our December meeting will be a Christmas-themed party. Celtic Christmas music will play, we ll enjoy lots of good food (we tend to have to diet after our meetings!), and there s more than a slight probability of a round of Dirty Santa, known by some as a Chinese Auction, and by many others as just a plain good ol time. Bring a dish and an inexpensive ($5 maximum) gift, but most of all, bring yourselves and maybe a guest or two for the fun! Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk On Saturday, December 4, the Campagna Center and Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, will be holding the 40th annual Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk. Our affiliated pipe and drum bands will be part of the parade, and members of the Scottish Society of Richmond are currently considering participation (stay tuned). The parade will last from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Old Town is wonderful great shopping and food; it s not too far away; parking typically isn t a problem. The walking s not too strenuous, either though historically its been rather chilly that first weekend of December, so if you go, bundle up and find a good place for a hot mug of cider as part of your post-parade meal! You can find further details online at and more information about Society participation from any of your Society officers. Remember Community Chest Nights at Capital Ale House! Bring in the SSR flyer at the end of this newsletter (also sent via by Doug Elder, and handed out at the Meadow Festival) to any Capital Ale House location between 5:00 and 10:00 p.m. on any Thursday in November. Capital Ale House will donate 25% of your table s food sales to the Scottish Society! & we have a Pub Night on Nov. 11; see event calendar. Area Scottish and Society Events Calendar November 1: Board Meeting, Trinity United Methodist Church, 7 p.m. Each Thursday in November: Community Chest Nights at Capital Ale House (see notice to the left of this calendar) 5-10 p.m. November 11: Pub Night at Innsbruck Capital Ale House (Glen Allen), 7 p.m. (Contact Doug Elder at elderclann@yahoo.com if you plan to come so we can give them an estimate of attendees.) November 18: General Meeting and Taste of Scotland, Trinity UMC, 7 p.m. November 30: St. Andrew s Day December 4: The Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk, Old Town Alexandria, VA, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. December 6: Board Meeting, Trinity UMC, 7 p.m December 16: Society Christmas party, 7 p.m. Pipe and Drum Band events: Urbanna Oyster Festival (Nov. 6), Ashland Holiday Parade (Nov. 21), Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk (Dec. 4), Celtic Vespers at St. John s Episcopal Church (Dec. 12)

3 Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 3 Recipe: Brandy Custard A Christmas favorite Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups milk 3/4 cup thin cream 4 egg yolks 1/2 cup caster sugar 1 1/2 tablespoons corn flour 1/4 cup brandy Heat the milk and cream in a medium saucepan over medium -high heat for 4 minutes or until it comes to a gentle simmer. Remove from heat Use a balloon whisk to whisk the egg yolks, sugar, and cornflour in a bowl until pale and creamy. Gradually whisk in milk mixture. Return to pan. Place over medium heat and stir with a wooden spoon for 8 minutes or until the custard thickens and coats back of spoon (do not boil). Remove from heat; stir in brandy. Transfer to a heatproof serving jug. Serve warm or place a piece of plastic wrap directly on the surface of the custard and store in fridge until required. Makes 3 3/4 cups. (From Society Member News Welcome, New Members: Sandra & Granville Ambrose, Grace Deane, Isabel & Richard Hodge, Caroline Kasci Lawrence, Scott & Linda Young Birthdays: We wish a happy birthday to the following Society members: November: Anne Scholte, Nov. 7 Maggie R. Caskie, Nov. 13 Valerie Miller, Nov. 13 December: Scott Henry, Dec. 5 Jerry Mackay, Dec. 15 Liliana Page Young, Dec. 16 Scott Young, Dec. 17 Martha Darlene Curtis, Dec. 18 (If we don t have your birthday in our database, please let us know so we can wish you the best on your special day!) Condolences: The Society extends its deepest sympathies to Dani Tiller on the loss of her sister, Andrea Ambrogi, to cancer on October 1. We also offer condolences to Scott Henry on the loss of his uncle, Donald Henry, and to Tim Batten, whose father passed away on October 30. Would you like to contribute to the Newsletter? Ideas or complete stories, up to about 200 words, are welcome! Just contact Newsletter Editor Joseph Schaub! A Memorial As reported in the September- October issue, the Society expressed its condolences to Paul Scholte and Annie Scholte on the death of, respectively, son and husband Robert Scholte. Annie has since graciously made a contribution to the Society in memory of her husband who, as she says, Was the only one who wouldn t wear a kilt. The Society is thankful for this memorial gift and we hope to do honor to Robert s memory. Below, Left to right: Paul, Robert, and Ed Scholte Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

4 Page 4 The River City Caledonian November & December in Scottish History Mary, Queen of Scots Nov. 13, 1715 The Battle of Sheriffmuir: The major battle of the 1715 rebellion that attempted to put James the Old Pretender on the British throne, was fought between Government forces under the Duke of Argyll and Jacobites under the Earl of Mar. It ended in a tactical draw, when government troops won on the battle s left flank while Highlanders took the right flank. Mar retreated to Perth, the Old Pretender arrived too late to Scotland, and the 15 was no more. Nov. 19, 1600 Birth of King Charles I, son of James I of Britain (James VI of Scotland). Charles was the last king born in Scotland. Unfortunately for him, many forces, including his own arrogance, led to civil war and his beheading. Nov. 24, 1542 Battle of Solway Moss: Still reeling from the devastation of 1513 s Battle of Flodden, this was another ill-advised invasion of England by Scottish forces that ended in disaster for the Scots. King James V is said to have died of a broken heart as a result of the loss and the birth of a daughter rather than a son (see Mary, Queen of Scots, below). Dec. 6, 1768 First publication of the Encyclopedia Britannica, oldest and largest English language encyclopedia, in Edinburgh. Dec. 8, 1542 Birth of Mary, Queen of Scots, ill-fated ruler of Scotland and mother of James VI. Where can you get great quality Scottish Society merchandise while helping out the Society? Go to our website and check out Society merchandise from Café Press! Clothing, mugs, backpacks, doggie products, and more, at great prices! Just some of the great Scottish Society Merchandise available from Café Press! They make great Christmas presents! Go to click on Store, then click the SSR Store button Scotland Events, November-December City of Inverness Civic Bonfire and Fireworks Display: Nov. 5 Fiddle (fiddle music, talks, concerts, workshops): Nov Edinburgh s Christmas: Nov. 25-Jan. 3 Carols in Culzean Castle (Choir of Paisley Abbey sings): Dec. 11 Torchlight Procession (Christmas Eve procession): Aviemore, Inverness-shire: Dec. 24 Edinburgh s Hogmanay, Dec. 30-Jan. 2 Glasgow s Hogmanay, Stirling s Hogmanay: Dec. 31 Stonehaven Fireball Festival (Stonehaven, Aberdeenshire): Dec. 31

5 Volume 1, Issue 2 Page 5 Clan Profile: Clan Buchanan (from the Buchanan Society Page) The Buchanans trace their clan to Anselan Buey OKyan or Ocahan, a son of the king of Ulster. He emigrated to Argyll in 1016 after taking part in a massacre of the occupying Danes. He acquired lands in Lennox and was granted Arms. The name Buchanan has three possible sources: the Gaelic Boghchanon ( low ground belonging to the Canon ); the place name Bothchanian; or the development of Buey OKyan into Buchanan. The Clan supported Robert the Bruce at Bannockburn in the Scottish War of Independence. Its chief, with so many others, was killed at the Battle of Flodden (1513). George Buchanan, Latin scholar, humanist, and reformer, was tutor to both Mary Queen of Scots and her son James VI. The succession from Anselan lasted, uninterrupted, to the 22nd Laird, John Buchanan, who died with no surviving male children and many debts. The ancestral lands were purchased by the Duke of Montrose, who built Buchanan Castle (though the castle has no tie to the Buchanans themselves). The Clan supported the Crown in the 45. The Buchanans boast the oldest Scottish clan society in the world (1725), founded as a charitable society. Right Top: The Clan Crest Right Bottom: Loch Lomond in Buchanan country Holly and other Clan badges Holly is typically associated with Christmas, but it is also one of many plants used as badges by Scottish clans. According to lore, sprigs of particular plants would be worn in clansmen s bonnets as a mark of identification. Once again, though, lore must give way to common sense, since when a battle is raging, is Angus going to pay attention to whether that s a sprig of cranberry or cloudberry in yon fellow s bonnet? Here a few of the plant badges and some affiliated clans: Common Heath: the Clans Donald Red Whortleberry: Clan Chattan group Pine (Scots Fir): Grant, Gregor, Macquarrie Holly: Drummond, Maclean (Though I don t think they ll mind if anyone wears a cutting in his Santa Claus cap this December!) Mistletoe: Hay (Pretend you re a Hay if you want some holiday kisses!) Do you know someone who shares your interest in things Scottish and who isn t a member of the Society? Tell them about us, bring them to a meeting, describe all the benefits of joining! Christmas in Scotland While the way we celebrate Christmas has evolved through the centuries, Scotland was not so different from other Christian nations in its Christmases. Over time ivy, holly, and other evergreens, gift-giving, formal dinners, eating, dancing, and singing all became part of the holiday. In 1607, King James I of Britain (James VI of Scotland) required games and a play to be staged on Christmas night. But for nearly 400 years Christmas was not celebrated because under the influence of John Knox and the Protestant Reformation in Scotland, it was deemed too papist a celebration (after all, it is Christ s Mass ). Remember that King James held his celebration in England, not in Scotland. Christmas wasn t even a public holiday until Since then, Scotland has slowly adopted what we in the U.S. would think of as Christmas traditions but for the longest time, Scotland s Christmas tradition was that it was not celebrated! These days, a traditional Christmas lunch would consist of: Scotch broth or smoked salmon; roast turkey with sage & onion stuffing; chippolata sausages, roast potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts; Christmas pudding & brandy custard. (see the recipe on page 3)

6 THE SCOTTISH SOCIETY OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA P.O. Box 1264 Glen Allen, VA Visit us on the Web. And don t forget: You can order Scottish Society logo gear from our website caps, shirts, mugs, bags, and more! The Scottish Society of Richmond was founded in 1978 for the purpose of sharing ideals of Scottish heritage. It provides a gathering place for those with an interest in Scotland, educational programs and events on Scottish themes, as well as scholarships and awards for those studying Scottish arts and culture. The Society meets the 3rd Thursday of each month, September through May, 7:00 p.m., Trinity United Methodist Church (903 Forest Avenue, Richmond, VA) We re on Facebook, too! Check out our page! Become a fan! Blethers A bagpiper tells of a homeless man s funeral: As a bagpiper, I play many gigs. Recently I was asked by a funeral director to play at a graveside service for a homeless man. He had no family or friends living, so the service was to be at a pauper s cemetery in the Kentucky backcountry. As I wasn t familiar with the area, I got lost and like a typical man, didn t ask for directions. I finally arrived an hour late and saw that the funeral director had evidently gone and the hearse was nowhere in sight. There were only the diggers and crew left, and they were eating lunch. I felt bad, and apologized to them for being late. I went to the grave and saw the vault lid was already in place. I didn t know what else to do, so I started to play. The workers put down their lunches and began to gather around. I played my heart and soul out for this poor man with no family and friends. I played like I d never played before. As I made my way through Amazing Grace, the workers began to weep. They wept, I wept, we all wept together. There wasn t a dry eye around. When I d finished and was packing up my pipes into the car, I heard one of the workers say, I never seen nothing like that before and I ve been putting in septic tanks for twenty years! Apparently I m still lost. Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas, and Happy New Year! Look for the next newsletter at the beginning of January!

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