September 2014 Volume 17, Issue 9 Black Hills Celtic Society Newsletter Black Hills Celtic Society PO Box 765, Rapid City SD 57709 www.blackhillsceltic Events.org Email: Info@BlackHillsCeltic Events.org From the Prez Wow! What a way to end the summer and to start the fall. I'm referring to the Highland Games which were held on August 30th at Founders Park. The games were spectacular. The weather was spectacular and the games were Events Calendar Sept 17 7:00 General Mtg Oct 1 6:00 Board Mtg Oct 31 Halloween Celebration at Hamilton s (details to follow) Nov 9 4-6:00 Scotch Tasting, Colonial House supported very well by the public. All that being said the thing that struck me the most was how well supported and attended the games were by members of our group. Many spent the entire day in and about our tent and mingling with the public answering any questions about the games and any questions about our society. Plus informing any and all about our Celtic group. Others stopped by to say hi and watch a bit of the games and to visit a while. All and all a spectacular day. Also we picked up another new member with a few others as possibilities. I am already look- ing forward to next year's games and events. And events you ask? Yes we visited with a gentleman who lives and works here in Rapid City that worked very closely in Sioux Falls with the folks who put on the Renaissance Fair. The possibility was discussed about expanding the games a bit by adding maybe a tent or two with maybe a food vendor and a merchandise vendor along with a renaissance flair or theme and getting the public involved for the day. Of course with a distinct accent on the Celts. There were a ton of (Continued on page 5) Meeting locations unless advised otherwise: General Meetings held at Wells Fargo Financial Advisors, 625 Main St., Rapid City Board meetings held at Byrne Dental, 3825 Canyon Lake Drive, Rapid City Inside this issue: Scottish Games 2 Scattery Island 3 Kerry Smith Leaving 3 September 17th Program: Renaissance Festival by Sally Knight Bitterroot Festival 4 During the HIghland Games Darwin had an opportunity to make an a acquaintance with a gentleman who put on renaissance festivals in Sioux Falls. His name is Dr. Richard Bleil. He wanted to come to our board meeting to give us tips on how to put on a successful festival which would be included with the Highland Games. He is thinking small right now; but apparently a renaissance festival generates more people than a Celtic one. Bill asked if he could come to the general meeting which is September 17 at Wells Fargo Advisors (7:00 pm). So this will be our program for the month. It should be interesting! Picnic AND Ceilidh 5 Board Mtg Minutes 6 A Bit About the Irish 7 Saint Fiacre 7 Word in Gaelic 8
Page 2 Black Hills Celtic Society Newsletter Scottish Games were a FUN Success!! NBC News Center 1 did a marvelous job promoting the games and our own Mark Renken is our Celtic STAR! Ask for his autograph! Check this out: http:// www.newscenter1.tv/ news/nc1-today/black- Hills-Scottish-Highland- Games- 273187001.html? skipthumb=y KEVN provided TV coverage of the event itself. In this video, Bill Knight was an excellent voice for the events along with Kirk Spell. Check out their coverage: http:// www.blackhillsfox.com/home/ headlines/rapid-city-embracedits-scottish-heritage-today-at-the -Black-Hills-Scottish-Highland- Games-273333381.html The Rapid City Journal also picked up on the games and took some AMAZING photos. View their photo slide show at the following link (their photos are for sale): http:// rapidcityjournal.com/photos/ scottish-highland-games-keeptradition-alive-in-the-black-hills/ collection_3ae3643a-6ed1-5167- badb-d9952473dc3a.html#0 KUDOS to everyone involved in putting on this enjoyable event and ordering up such a miweather. Photos in this newsletter are courtesy of the BH Scottish Games Facebook page https:// www.facebook.com/4289163704 80982/photos/ pb.428916370480982.- 2207520000.1409892572./61720 3351652282/?type=1&theater
Page 3 Volume 17, Issue 9 Scattery Island by Heidi Hartnett Inis Cathaigh, also known as Scattery Island, is in the Shannon Estuary, off the coast of Kilrush, County Claire, Ireland. The island is home to a ruined monastery, a lighthouse, an Irish round -tower and the remains of an artillery battery. St Senan, born ca.488, founded several churches, finally settling at Inis Cathaigh. He was visited by Saint Ciaran and Brendan, among other holy men, who had Kerry & Pat Smith have been members and good friends to the Society for years. It is with mixed feelings that we wish them the very best as they relocate to Pensacola, FL on September 15. Those of you at the Mid- heard of his sanctity and miracles. Inis Cathaigh became a famous abbey with St Senan as it's first bishop, somewhere between 535 and 540. No woman was allowed to enter Inis Cathaigh, yet St Senan founded two convents for nuns, and died while visiting one. He was buried at Inis Cathaigh on March 8th, on which day his feast is observed. summer s Eve festivities saw the gift that the Society gave the Smiths. Kerry wrote the following as a thank you note: Dear Bill, Sally & Celtic gang, Thank you so much for the lovely time at the summer picnic. It was fun & great to see everyone! Also, thank you all The artillery battery was built during the Napoleonic Wars is is well preserved. The Shannon Estuary was one of 3 places considered for invasion by the French, and Scattery Island is one of 6 batteries. The battery forms a semi circular D shape, with 6 guns that could fire out over the (Continued on page 4) Our good friends, Kerry & Pat Smith are moving to Pensacola, FL for the beautiful wall map/plaque. We will love it in our new home and think of all of you. Much Love, Kerry & Pat Smith Thank our sponsors: Generations Professional Coatings Heidi Hartnett Byrne Dental Black Hills Medical Billing Celtic Connection Colonial House Storage Unit Cleaning Date: 10:00, Oct 11 Volunteers needed With the recent decision to move out of Celts Hall, our storage unit is overflowing with items we used to keep there. We need help to clean out and organize the unit. More information will come closer to the date via email from Sally or Bill. The rain date for this will be October 18th. (605) 716-5880
Page 4 Black Hills Celtic Society Newsletter Scattery Island. Con d (Continued from page 3) Estuary. While these were not powerful enough to stop an invasion, they would have caused great damage to an invading fleet. Scattery Islands inhabitants seemed to have escaped the famine period and no deaths are recorded on gravestones from 1845 to 1850. This may be due to fishing and additional shipping, providing employment to the pilots during this time, helping them survive. 3 Generations of Hamiltons Visit the Hamilton, MT, Scottish games! By Gary Hamilton What would the Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival in Hamilton, Montana be without a few Hamiltons? Well, this year there were six Hamiltons in Hamilton for the festival on August 23rd. Our son, Ryan, and his family moved to Lolo, Mt, a couple of years ago. The town of Hamilton is about forty miles away from Lolo. This year we decided that we should try their annual highland festival. Pat and I brought our Celtic attire of course. Pat made a deer skin sporran for our son & a red sporran for our grandson. We purchased a kilt (little skirt). He was thrilled to have a kilt like his dad and grandpa. As it turned out the weather was quite Scottish. Maybe it was a little too Scottish. On the day of the festival it rained all day. However, the festival grounds had many tents (with beer and mead). We were able to watch the most of it from under the tents. It was a rather small festival but they had all of the right stuff. We watched highland games, saw the pipers march, listened to Irish bands, watched Irish step dancers, saw the clan parade and visited vendors. It may not be worth the 700 mile drive from Rapid City but the Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival was a nice event. It was enough fun that Pat and I will plan one of our trips to see our son and his family during the festival next year. On another note, it occurred to me that if we had been able to keep our own Rapid City Celtic festival going through the recession it would be about the same size as the Bitterroot festival. A nice event for a small community. See: Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival (http:// www.bitterrootscottishirishfe stival.org/home.html)
Page 5 Volume 17, Issue 9 Prez s letter cont d (Continued from page 1) great ideas tossed about and the gentleman was kind enough to agree to come to our general meeting this month and offer some of these ideas and suggestions to the group. Should be very interesting. And as usual the fall season looks to be a busy one and a fun one. Make sure to check out the minutes and the upcoming events section in the newsletter for the dates and times of the events. Also please watch your emails for any additional information or reminders about any of these events. The fall events look to be a great time so I hope to see you all there. Thank You Bill Knight President BHCS A Ceilidh Completed the Perfect Picnic Evening! Nancy & John Burke have kept their perfect record of a perfectly wonderful Society picnic! We had a good sized group and lots of tasty food. Our group knows how to cook and have a great time! We had a couple of prospective members, Mark & Marsha, who were checking out the BH Celtic Society and Mark brought out his drum and joined Jeff, Kathy & Brigid to treat us to some lovely music to end the evening. Photos courtesy of Winnie Balster
Page 6 Black Hills Celtic Society Newsletter Board Meeting Minutes Sept 3, 2014 The Scholarship Fund Committee met last Thursday and they have come up with a few ideas. We will now refer to it as the Grant Fund. Meeting was called to order at 6:30 pm. Last month's minutes were read without correction. Treasurer's Report: $3590.14 in checking. Old Business: The food truck was sold for $1,800.00. The title was not located, so Mike sent off the paperwork to obtain a new title which will take about 3 weeks. The Scholarship Fund Committee met last Thursday and they have come up with a few ideas. We will now refer to it as the Grant Fund. One idea would be to contact the local colleges and see who would be interested in BHCS paying for a course in Celtic history, etc. They would also be required to do a presentation for our member program. Another idea would be that the grant could be used for Celtic dance lessons, or Celtic instrument lessons. Criteria to be determined by members. Carole asked if we could use the proceeds of the food truck sale toward the grant, leading to further discussion. A motion was made by Mike Nau to put the money from the truck sale aside into a CD to be potentially used for the grant. Motion seconded by Jim Byrne. All in favor. Mike Nau suggested to have a raffle for the Whiskey Tasting as a fund raiser. Whiskeys of different parts of Scotland/ Ireland will be the theme. Gary suggested 6 different whiskeys in ½ oz glasses. Ticket prices between $30-$35. Darwin inquired about liability insurance or offer a service that can drive tasters home. Date is set for November 9 from 4-6 pm at the Colonial House. The Highland Games were thought by the athletes to be successful. There were a larger number of spectators present than last year. The British Car Show will be September 7 from 1-6 at the Wobbly Bobby. BHCS will be presenting a plaque for Best Car. Volunteers are to be Celtic Attire. New Business: Since St. Patrick's Day will be the dinner to celebrate this year, planning has already started. Mike suggested that we may sell more tickets if we offer a complimentary drink with the dinner. BHCS has been asked by Pam with the Fairgrounds to cook for the Hunts Horse Sale on September 6. Members agreed to help clean, cook and sell for the event as it is a money maker for the club. Volunteers can meet at the old Celts Hall building from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm. Halloween will be celebrated at the Hamiltons on Oct. 31 with a potluck and a haunting. The Hamiltons have about 1,500 children trick or treat so members will help with that or help haunt the house/ neighborhood. Details to follow. Sally made a motion to donate $50.00 toward candy. Seconded by Mike. 6 in favor; one nay. The date for the shed cleaning will be Oct. 11 at 10:00 am. In case of bad weather, Oct. 18 will be the alternate date. Programs: September 17 = Dr. Richard Beil will talk to members on how to have a Renassiance Fair. October 31 - Halloween Share and Scare at the Hamiltons. November 9 = Whiskey Tasting Sally Knight, secretary
Page 7 Volume 1, Issue 1 Fun Facts About Ireland by Heidi Hartnett Rural Irelands most popular radio show is the weekly broadcast of local obituaries. A bit about the Irish Flag by Heidy Hartnett Ireland's flag was created in 1848, and represents the realities of the Irish political situation. The orange strip represents the Protestants, the green is for the Catholics, and the white stripe is the hope that peace will one day be reached between them. Source: www.ireland-fun -facts.com Saint Fiacre The Saint of Gardeners by Heidi Hartnett Fiacre, an ancient pre- Christian name, has various meanings. One is "battle king", another states it may be a derivative of Fiach or "raven", and still another refers it to meaning "Predator". Saint Fiacre, born in Ireland at the end of the 6th century, was an herbalist in County Kilkenny. His unwanted fame caused many to seek him, and he left Ireland for rance, settling in Meaux. There Bishop of Meaux, St. Faro, gave him a spot called Prodilus, where he built a hospice, a cell for himself, and an oratory to honor the Virgin Mary. Legend has it that he was told he could have as much land as he could clear in a day. He cleared the earth with the tip of his staff, uprooting briars and weeds and toppling trees. A woman reported to Faro that St. Fiacre was bewitched, but Faro recognized this as the work of God. From then on, on pain of severe bodily infirmity, St Fiacre barred women from his monastery. St. Fiacre is most known as the patron saint of gardeners. He is called upon to heal people suffering from a variety of ills, due to his herbalist abilities. Given his aversion to women, he is also known as the patron saint of those suffering from venereal disease. He also was known for healing hemorrhoids, which in the Middle Ages was known as "Saint Fiacre's Illness". His connection to taxis was due to rented carriages used to travel from Hotel de Saint Fiacre in Paris, France, to his hospice. These small cabs were referred to as Fiacre cabs, shortened to "fiacres". Viennese horse drawn buggies are referred to as Fiakers as are open horse drawn cabs in Egypt. Saint Fiacre lived a life of great mortification, in prayer, vigil, fast and the manual labor of his garden. He died on August 18, 670. Source: Wikipedia
We re on the Web! www.blackhillscelticevents.org Black Hills Celtic Society PO Box 765, Rapid City SD 57709 www.blackhillsceltic Events.org Officers Email: Info@BlackHillsCeltic Events.org President Bill Knight Vice President John Burke Business Card Sponsors Our SPONSORS business cards are scattered throughout this issue. Please consider supporting their business! For ONLY $25/year, you can also become a business card sponsor. Think about it. That translates to a bit over $2/month WHAT A DEAL!!!! Secretary Sally Knight Treasurer Carole Conrad Board Members Mickey Hartnett, Heidi Hartnett, Mike Nau, Jim Byrne, and Mark Renken/Darwin Behnke (shared position) Newsletter Editor Pat Hamilton Webmaster Gary Hamilton A Word in Gaelic (Focal as Gaelge) by Brigid Flatley The variety of Gaelic that will be presented to you in this Newsletter will be Irish Gaelic, because the writer is an Irish Celt, who spoke Gaelic in Ireland. So, here s today s word in Gaelic: Focal as Gaelge ( a word in Gaelic) I m fine, thank you In Gaelic: Ta me go maith, go raibh maith agat, Pron: Thaw may guh maw, guh ruh maw aguth. Literal Trans.: I m good, may you receive good things.