THE GREEN BANNER. NEWSLETTER Clan Macpherson Association Canadian Branch ANNUAL GATHERING ISSUE

Vol. 9 Number 4 NEWS OF OUR MEMBERS By Chanal McPherson, Regisrar THE GREEN BANNER NEWSLETTER Clan Macpherson Associaion Canadian Branch November2015 o our newes member, Fran Gomersall, we say welcome o he CMA. Fran s moher s faher s family came from Scoland in 1884 and seled in he Wapella disric of Saskachewan. Fran decided o join us following he McPherson family reunion in Saskachewan. You will recall Elaine McPherson s Scoland on he Prairies aricle in he Augus ediion of The Green Banner A warm welcome-back o Judih MacPherson-Adams of Monreal. Judih and her faher were members many years ago and were reminded of he Associaion when visiing he CMA websie.+ In closing I would like o encourage you o offer family members a gif of membership his Chrismas! And o all Annual members you will find your 2016 Membership renewal form wih his issue or online a hp://www.clanmacpherson.org/canada/membership.hml. The 2016 ediion of Creag Dhubh will be sen ou early his year so we ask ha annual memberships be received by he end of December. MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN g reeings from Mississauga! I rus everyone enjoyed some family ime over he Thanksgiving weekend. Irene and I were pleased wih he quieer pace afer our enjoyable and busy schedule a he Iasca Join Gahering wih our cousins from he US. A remarkable 31 members and guess represened he Canadian Branch. We should be very proud of he conribuion made in making he weekend a grea success. Join conveners Donna and Jacqueline ensured a marvellous program of evens wih somehing for everyone. My personal hanks o all of he Pas Chairmen and Officers ha suppored he council meeing and members presen a he AGM. ANNUAL GATHERING ISSUE I am pleased o repor adminisraion of Branch affairs remains in good hands as all curren officers agreed o accep re-elecion. Honorary Secreary Bob Archibald has indicaed he would like o reire and hand over his responsibiliies as soon as a replacemen can be appoined. Our hanks go o Bob for his pas and curren service performing hese imporan duies. Anyone ineresed in aking on he ask of recording he minues of our council meeings and AGMs should conac eiher Bob or me o discuss deails. Before our A.G.M. was adjourned a moion was raised and unanimously acceped ha we send a message declaring fealy, allegiance and affecion o our Chief from all of he members of he Canadian Branch. I passed on hese senimens and good wishes and Cluny responded ha he was deeply ouched and sends his warm bes wishes our way. I am looking forward very much o our nex Gahering and he opporuniy o cach up wih good friends and cousins from near and far. Vice Chairman Jacqueline has been scouing ou a venue for our 2016 Branch Gahering and we hope o send ou deails soon. Mindful ha many members may be planning o aend nex year s Plainum Dhubh (Associaion Gahering) in Badenoch, Jacqueline plans o make cos a main prioriy in he selecion process. Phoo by June Macpherson Members of he 2016 Council a presen a he AGM Back : M ark Macpherson Edior, Rober J Archibald,Former Chair, Myles Macpherson Councillor Quebec, John Gillies Pas Chairman, Ed Smih Councillor Onario, Don Pearson Councillor Albera, Fron : Chanal McPherson Regisrar, Bill Macpherson Branch Chair,, Jacqueline Murdoch Vice- Chair, Ken Gillis Hon, Treasurer, Rober W Archibald Hon. Secreary Aciviies slow down as we prepare for winer hibernaion bu I am sure everyone will enjoy reading his, anoher excellen ediion of our Branch Newsleer. Coninued hanks go o Edior Mark and all conribuors. Yours Aye, Bill Macpherson, 2015 November Page 1

TREASURER S CORNER By Ken Gillis Honorary Treasurer he Branch is in good shape financially as of he end of Sepember. We have $7,490 in our curren accoun and $11,131 in our Life Membership Fund. We are showing a profi of $122 year o dae a he end of Sepember. I plan o add he balance of our life membership fees o Life Membership Fund when he GIC becomes open in February of nex year. Wha his means is ha our small profi really is a small loss on he year. I do no believe here will be any large expenses for he balance of his year. A our AGM an increase o $35 for he annual membership fees was approved. The need for he increase was driven by four facors: he major increase in posage raes, he weakened Canadian dollar and he low rae of reurn on our invesmens. Council has direced me o se up for he possibiliy of receiving dues paymens via Paypal, he coss of which mus be covered. w WE REMEMBER e regre he passing of Marlene McPherson of Scarborough ON on Ocober 14. Marlene was a long-ime member of CMA who served wih disincion on he Branch Council as Hon. Treasurer from 1994-1998. She was acive in her communiy as a dedicaed supporer o organized soccer for 46 years. Our deepes sympahy o husband Jim and family. THE GREEN BANNER Published hree o four imes each year o bring informaion of ineres o he members of he Canadian Branch of he Clan Macpherson Associaion. Honorary Chairman: RGM Macpherson CM, KSJ, Officers: William Macpherson PEng, Chairman Jacqueline Murdoch, Vice Chairman Ken Gillis, Honorary Treasurer Rober W Archibald PhD, Honorary Secreary Chanal McPherson, Regisrar Immediae Pas Chairman: John C Gillies Provincial Councillors: John C House MOM, Newfoundland and Labrador Bruce Gillis QC, Nova Scoia Major Myles G Macpherson CD, Quebec Ed Smih CD, Onario Donald Pearson, Albera Helen Macpherson-Pos Briish Columbia Edior: Mark F Macpherson Associae Edior: John C House Inquiries and aricles may be sen by email o Canada.Edior@clanmacpherson.org or by pos o PO Box 1005,Hemminngford QC, J0L 1H0 COUNCIL FOR 2016 he Branch Council for he coming year was eleced by acclamaion a he Annual General Meeing held on Ocober 3, 2015. Our Honorary Secreary Rober W Archibald announced his decision o reire as soon as a suiable replacemen is idenified bu no laer han he Annual General Meeing of 2016. The Nominaing Commiee represened by LCol Mark Macpherson ook due noe of his inenion and will search for a replacemen. The Council for 2016 is as follows: Chairman Vice Chairman Hon Treasurer Hon Secreary * Regisrar Councillor, Newfoundland and Labrador Councillor, Nova Scoia Councillor, Quebec Councillor, Onario Councillor, Albera Councillor, Briish Columbia Annual Appoinmens: William Macpherson PEng. Jacqueline Murdoch Ken Gillis Rober W Archibald PhD. Chanal McPherson John C House MOM. Bruce Gillis QC. Major Myles G Macpherson CD. Ed Smih CD. Donald E Pearson Helen Macpherson Pos There are hree vacancies on Council: Councillors for New Brunswick/PEI, Manioba, and Saskachewan. *The Honorary Secreary has announced his decision o reire from Council. 2015 November Page 2 Edior Web Maser LCol Mark F Macpherson CD Ewan A Macpherson PhD Ex-Officio: Honorary Chairman RGM Macpherson CM, KSJ. Immediae Pas Chairman John C Gillies Former Chairmen Ex Officio: LCol Mark F Macpherson CD. Rober J Archibald Douglas MacPherson Suar G MacPherson Neil F McPherson DEADLINE FOR MARCH ISSUE a ricles, sories and phoos for he March issue are due on he Ediors desk on February 15. We look forward o inpu o he Green Banner from all members. Send your drafs or oulines as soon as possible o Canada.Edior@clan-macpherson.org

DR. CLUNY MACPHERSON CMG By John C. House MOM he second Chairman of he Canadian Branch 1954 1957, was Dr. Cluny Macpherson of S. John s, Newfoundland. A fourh generaion Newfoundlander, he was born in 1879. His grea-grandfaher, Peer Macpherson, arrived in Newfoundland from Greenock, Scoland in 1804. The Macphersons wen on o become prominen members of he S. John s business communiy, and operaed he former Royal Sores on Waer Sree. For he mos par, Cluny followed a differen career pah, sudying medicine a McGill Universiy. Cluny ook grea pride in boh his Newfoundland and Scoish roos, and ook paricular pride in his Macpherson heriage. A supporer of he Clan Macpherson Associaion from is incepion, he wen on o serve as is honorary vice-presiden and as Chairman of he Canadian Branch. Alhough he was a remarkable man who made significan miliary and professional conribuions during his lifeime (see November, 2010 issue of he Green Banner for a comprehensive accoun of his numerous accomplishmens), his aricle will focus primarily on his legacy o he Clan Macpherson Associaion. In 1915 he Germans began o employ chlorine gas agains allied roops wih devasaing consequences. In response, he Briish War Office esablished a commiee of expers asked o idenify a soluion o he problem. Cluny was appoined o his group and i was he who came up wih a design for a gas mask ha ulimaely led o he device ha was uilized by allied roops, saving counless lives. In recogniion of his enormous conribuion, he was made a Companion of he Order of S. Michael and S. George (CMG) in 1918. Cluny acceped his appoinmen as Chairman of he Canadian Branch in 1954, which he held unil 1957. Early in his erm (on Sepember 1s, 1954) he led a delegaion o Edinburgh Casle o presen a plaque o is Governor o commemorae he disincion of he Royal Newfoundland Regimen being he firs non- Scoish regimen enrused wih he guardianship of he casle for a shor ime in 1915. A he ceremony he casle s Governor, Lieuenan General Sir Colin Barber, inroduced Cluny as he oldes surviving officer (Lieuenan Colonel) of he Royal Newfoundland Regimen (see he 1955 issue of Creag Dhubh for a deailed accoun of his). 1. Cluny ook advanage of any opporuniy o promoe he CMA. Shorly afer he Canadian Broadcasing Corporaion (CBC) commenced elevision operaions in 1952, Colonel Rivers Macpherson (he Founder of he Branch) and Cluny were given he opporuniy o ell Canadian viewers abou he Clan Macpherson Associaion. To increase CMA membership, Cluny suggesed o associaion members ha a good goal would be ha each member aemp o recrui a leas one member o he Associaion. In a repor o members of 2. he Canadian Branch a he conclusion of his erm as presiden, Cluny mused ha his own longeviy could be aribued o his involvemen wih CMA. He said: I consider i a good invesmen o become a Life Member even hough I did i afer 70 wih lile expecaion of being alive a 78 bu, le me ell you I aribue my sill being alive in no small degree o he ineres his Associaion has given me. Financially, I suppose i would seem ridiculous for a Sco o ake ou Life Membership afer 70, bu I fear my acion of making my greagranddaugher a Life Member was more in keeping wih he Scos characer. 3. Cluny also believed in collecing and recording folklore and family hisories. In he 1963 issue of Creag Dhubh, he recouned his own personal journey o Greenock o race his roos. As he poined ou, much 4. hisory is los and he urged he Dr Cluny Macpherson by Helen Parsons Shepherd References: membership o ake he iniiaive in gahering narraives. In 1957 Cluny, our Chief, appoined him o an honorary role as Leincochreas, or Clan Privy Councillor, wih he approval of he Lord Lyon. 5. Dr. Cluny Macpherson was a remarkable man who lef a lasing legacy in his home province of Newfoundland and Labrador and wih he Clan Macpherson Associaion. He passed away a his home in S. John s on November 16 h, 1966 a he age of 87. Dr Cluny was graned armorial bearings in 1954 by Lyon Cour in Scoland As a ribue o Dr. Cluny, he Clan Museum in Newonmore flew he old flag of he Dominion of Newfoundland a halfsaff. The same flag had been las flown during he Grea War vicory celebraions a S. John s in 1919. 6. 1. Newfoundland Ceremony a Edinburgh Casle. (1955) Creag Dhubh, 7: 17-19 2. Macpherson C. (1955) Dr. Cluny Macpherson (1879-1966) Reflecions of a Newfoundlander. (Noebook 1: Address o annual gahering, page 148). hp://www.med.mun.ca/ macpherson/pages/bio.hm 3. Macpherson, C. (1957) Dr. Cluny Macpherson (1879-1966) Reflecions of a Newfoundlander. (Noebook 1: Address o annual gahering, Sepember 14, page 153). hp:// www.med.mun.ca/macpherson/pages/bio.hm 4. Macpherson, C. (1963) Tracing our ancesors. Creag Dhubh, 15: 41-44 5. 6. The Macphersons of Newfoundland: A generaion passes. (1967) Creag Dhubh, 19: 212 Lennox, D. (2009) Now You Know Canada's Heroes Torono: Dundurn Press, 92 2015 November Page 3

CMA CHAIR REPORT By Jean Macpherson Duffy he join Canadian/US Gahering is now bu a swee memory bu as i was my firs ime o such an even, I have some impressions o share wih you! Norh Americans are a friendly group who know how o enjoy a grea pary! Canadians know how o organize concise, relevan annual general meeings. I give kudos o Bill Macpherson and his Council for being on arge heir enire meeing of abou 40 minues!! Well done. Bill Macpherson is a maser a reciing Rober Burns as he recied boh Tam O Shaner and Address o he Haggis flawlessly. Tam O Shaner was execued wih a series of props knives, hache, skeleon and he paricipaion of he audience in he form of owl screeches, hunder and scary winds. Now I urn my aenion o he 2016 Plainum Dhubh o celebrae he 70 h anniversary of he Clan Macpherson Associaion. In Augus when I became chairman, I pu ogeher a commiee, each wih a differen ask, and a leader, my vice chairman, Bill Macpherson, Glenfarg. To dae we have he general ouline of he very busy program ha begins on Wednesday, Augus 3 and concludes on Tuesday, Augus 9 h. The program will be prined in full for he nex Green Banner, bu o dae i looks like his: Wednesday: Edinburgh locaion: walk of he Royal Mile led by Sandy Macpherson UNOFFCIAL OPENING By Ewen SL MacPherson Ewen poining ou he new sign for he Heraldry Room a he museum here was quick and very happy "unofficial imprompu unveiling" of he new sign for he Gordon Macpherson Room in Augus aended by wo groups of ladies who jus happened o be in he museum as I was puing i up. I expec he Museum Advisory Commiee will agree o i being "officially unveiled" a he Plainum Dhubh nex year. Thursday: drive up he A-9 o he ineresing own of Pilochry where we have been invied o he Taran Shop, Claire Charles Designs. From 11:-1, Jane Washingon, he owner will display he Macpherson rews (aran pans), for he genlemen, skirs and blouses for ladies. She will demonsrae he correc and several mehods of wearing a sash. All will be for sale wih an enicing 10% off for purchases ha day. On o Kingussie and a walk around his own wih many Macpherson cousins. led by John Baron our very own legal exper who has jus compleed a book abou he Badenoch area. The walk begins a 3pm. Friday here will be a golf ournamen led by Cluny s son, Jamie Macpherson a he Newonmore Golf Course. You can hire clubs so you need no bring your own. Afernoon here will be a dance pracice from 2-4 followed by a recepion for firs ime aendees o learn of he hisory of he Clan. Friday s highligh, as always, will be he ball preceded by a recepion for Cluny and family followed by a able service banque in he huge marquee in he back of he Duke of Gordon. Before emping you furher, I remind you o sop reading now and book your room a he Duke of Gordon. We have a special rae of 42 per person, bed and breakfas. The Duke will be our own if we can fully book he rooms. We are close o ha now, so please hurry so as no o be disappoined. Drinking and driving is no oleraed in Scoland and i is mos responsible o say where he acion is and no worry abou ending up in he local jail!! I am going o save he remainder of he nine-day even for he nex Green Banner. Bu o give you some hins: Highland Games, wo ceilidhs in differen venues, whisky asing, hisory hike, museum lecure, and finally a visi o wo privae disilleries. Say uned for he exciing Plainum Dhubh. Blessings o you all. The official opening of he "Sir Tommy Exhibiion" is he main even planned for he museum during he museum A Home. Due o he numbers likely o aend he Gahering in 2016, i may be difficul o unveil Gordon's sign a he same ime as he wo exhibiions are locaed a eiher end of he museum. One hough I have in mind if i is considered no pracical o unveil i during he A Home is o do i immediaely afer he AGM. Perhaps invie Elizabeh Roads, he Lyon Clerk who is a friend of Gordon, o perform he opening and Canadians who are a he Gahering could also be in aendance. 2015 November Page 4

PROVINCE OF ONTARIO REPORT By Edward (Ed) Smih CD., Provincial Councillor a s he Councillor represening he Province of Onario, I have many duies one of which is finding new members for he Associaion. Because new members do no grow on rees I have been rying differen approaches. I have made i a poin o coninue o work wih Rober J.(Bob) Archibald and, Marlene in as many highland games held in Onario as I can manage. I have aken membership in he Scoish Sudies Foundaion and associaed Scoish Sudies program a Guelph Universiy. I also am involved in oher Scoish funcions and evens all of which provide our Clan Associaion wih a presence. In addiion o he above I voluneered o head up he Projec Canada 150, along wih Jaqueline Murdoch. I expeced assisance from all of he 200 plus Branch members o make i a success. In 2017 Canada will be celebraing 150 years since confederaion. I was decided a he 2014 Annual General Meeing held in Oawa ha he Canadian Branch should provide a display in he museum of Clan and Associaed Families conribuions o Canadian sociey and Canada as a whole over he pas 150 years. A Leer was sen ou o every one of he 200 members of he Canadian Branch requesing inpu. The aim was ge as much informaion abou Macphersons who in some way have made conribuions for he beermen of heir fellow Canadians. These would include, hose who served heir counry in imes of need a any level, be i depression, disaser, or war, hose who rose o be leaders wihin heir communiy, or in he realm of Governmen, Finance, Indusry, Educaion or Research and Developmen, or hose who have made a significan conribuion o heir communiy. The sories could be abou you or a member of your family if you feel here has been a conribuion from his quarer. A shor wrie up or ouline on each person of noe, along wih a phoo, if available, would be much appreciaed and can be sen as soon as possible o, Canada.ON.Exec@clan-macpherson.org A his poin I had hoped o be wading hrough a pile of maerial ha would be sored ino liss of ypes of conribuions. I am disappoined o repor I have received only six o dae. I am asking all of you as CMA Members o pick up he ball and pich in o ge his projec back on is fee. Jaqueline Murdoch and I expec his o be a oal Canadian Branch effor. If you have any quesions conac me and I will be pleased o clarify any issues wih you I look forward o seeing your Macpherson sories a he email address above PROJECT CANADA 150 A Clan Macpherson Museum Display Projec Celebraing Clan Macpherson and Associaed Families Conribuion To Canada in he pas 150 years If you or a member of your family has conribued service o your communiy or o Canada your sory could be posed in he Clan Museum in 2016. If your ancesors were prominen in advancing life in Canada heir hisory is also be of ineres.. If you know of a Macpherson or Macpherson relaed family individual who has conribued o Canada since Confederaion le us know who. If you can conribue a sory, ouline,or idea, conac Ed a Canada.ON.Exec@clan-macpherson.org Wihou delay! WANTED DEFINITELY ALIVE! HONORARY SECRETARY TO START IN 2016 REQUIRED TO TAKE MINUTES OF BRANCH MEETINGS USUALLY TWO EACH YEAR AT ANNUAL GATHERING KEEPS AND MAINTAINS BRANCH ARCHIVES Conac Bill as soon as possible a Canada.Chair@clan-macpherson.org 2015 November Page 5

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR By John C. House MOM, Provincial Councillor NOVA SCOTIA REPORT c here has no been anyhing of significance o repor from Newfoundland and Labrador since Sepember. I have been conducing hisorical research of Macpherson (and general Scoish) hisory in Newfoundland and Labrador. Some of his will be presened in fuure ediions of he Green Banner. We are making preparaions o aend he 2016 Plainum Dhubh in Scoland. We have no ye aended a Clan Gahering, so his milesone even should be a grea inroducion. PROVINCE OF QUEBEC REPORT By Myles G Macpherson CD., Provincial Councillor s ince Sepember aciviies in he Quebec region have been a a lull. This is normally a back o work and back o school for mos and so naurally my effors have likewise been occupied in his area as well. I aended he join Canada- US Gahering in Ocober and was quie impressed wih all ha i had o offer (see my impressions elsewhere in his ediion). The end of November will see he annual S Andrew s Ball here in Monreal, which is usually very well aended by much of Monreal sociey including he Canadian Black Wach Regimen which is saioned in downown Monreal. As we move pas November and hrough December he nex major even will be he annual Robbie Burns Day dinner a he end of January. I will send repors of hese evens in our nex issue of he Green Banner. My bes wishes o everyone a his busy ime of year and hope o see you all of you as you have an opporuniy o pass hrough he Monreal area. By Bruce Gillis QC., Provincial Councilor MA aciviy in Nova Scoia since Sepember has been fairly quie. Tim Gillis, my broher was induced ino he Middleon Spors Heriage Hall of fame on Sepember 26 as he Assisan Coach of he only Middleon high school hockey eam ever o win he provincial high school championship. Tim has been assising he coach ever since he was in school, so he award is well deserved. I'm sill expecing o ge a copy of he book lising all he Macpherson's in he counry from Sharlene Gillis, who is on course wih he RCAF. I haven' seen her a band pracice for several weeks, so she has no been available. FROM THE DESK OF THE EDITOR By Mark F Macpherson i repored o he Branch Annual General Meeing in Ocober on he aciviies of he Edior for he pas year. The Ediorial saff is responsible for publishing he Green Banner and ensuring ha he Canadian pages on he Clan websie are updaed wih new iems from ime o ime. In fac each ime he Green Banner is published i is posed o he websie and he News ab here is updaed along wih revisions and correcions o he oher abs. For hose ha don know, a ab is a separae page on he websie carrying a differen opic. One change we made in 2015 was o add a ab covering he subjec of Branch Heraldry. If you are no a regular visior o he websie I recommend, when you have ime, you could visi and see wha is going on here. Wih he adven of he Official Clan Macpherson Facebook page, adminisered by a separae eam under CMA, where individuals carry on conversaions and pos heir own news, phoos, and videos o share wih heir friends, he Canadian web pages are carrying more informaion of a longer-erm sor on opics designed o inform members of he Branch on various subjecs such as Branch hisory, or conac informaion for our Council. I should add here ha any suggesions regarding he conen on he websie are welcome In he Sepember issue of his newsleer, we inauguraed our long-erm projec o provide in each ediion a biographical skech of our former chairmen. As promised he sory of our second Chairman Dr Cluny, appears in his issue. We have been approaching family members of oher former chairmen o see if hey could wrie he hisory or a leas provide daa. We have had some success wih his approach and some ineresing aricles will appear in he fuure. Presenly we have enough researched maerial o cover his projec in he four issues o be published in he coming year, and he research on our former chairmen coninues. The join Canada-US Gahering in Iasca was a success. You will noice his year in our Gahering issue for he Green Banner, we oped no have a single repor bu o have hose Canadian Branch paricipans who were ineresed, o provide heir impressions or an anecdoe, on wha sruck hem he mos abou he Gahering. Each conribuor has a separae subaricle in heir own words wih humbnail phoo and byline. There is quie a variaion in he views of he differen auhors covering he same even. We are searching for more innovaions such as his o make he newsleer ineresing for you he reader. Your suggesions are appreciaed so le s have hem. 2015 November Page 6

ALL THE VERY BEST by Donna Dee McPherson Rucks c lan Macpherson came o own! We sang, we danced, we lisened o grea music, we ae grea food, we had a Pig Roas, we wen o a Ceilidh, we wen o a Kirkin, we oured around, we drank whisky, we old sories, we ook picures, we saw old friends, we made new friends, and we had a splendid ime ogeher! One hundred members and guess celebraed wih us a he Eaglewood Resor and Spa in Iasca, Illinois, jus a shor ime ago, Ocober 2-4. The occasion was he 2015 Join US/ Canadian Gahering. This join meeing happens every five years, and his was our year o hos he Canadians. We enerained 58 US members and guess, 33 Canadians, 7 Scos, and 2 Ausralians. We were eagerly welcomed and served by 75 named Eaglewood managers and saff, and by he unnamed and invisible housekeeping and accouning saff. We wached 21 Ceilidh performers plus one Ceilidh Maser, sing, dance, recie, and play heir hears ou for us! We had a alened and experienced Whisky Maser! We had 5 pipers who played now and again for us hrough our ime ogeher. We enjoyed 5 more performers on Saurday nigh, plus our MC who kep ha nigh rolling along. There were oass! And we had a Haggis procession never o be forgoen! We danced o he unes of our Celic band, Characer Fleadh, five alened musicians who never sopped playing once we sared dancing! We enjoyed he alens of an ar direcor, a graphics guy, and a professional phoographer, who creaed and pulled ogeher a mos vivid visual background for us. And we have dance videos! The professional phoos aken a he Gahering can be viewed on Flickr a he following link: Clan Macpherson If you have problems viewing he phoos, conac me for more informaion a donnarucks@a.ne. Our heme was The Warmh of Your Welcome, and our goal was o creae memorable and magical momens for you o savor and enjoy and ake home wih you. We accomplished ha goal wih an ousanding Gahering! So, hank you o hose who helped me, o hose who aended, o hose who brough a raffle or silen aucion or Macpherson Markeplace gif, o hose who came ino he beauiful and welcoming Hospialiy Room o enjoy a wee dram and have a look around, and o he enire Eaglewood Hoel and Spa family who served us. I was inense, we did somehing amazing, and we made a difference! Donna was he convener for he 2015 Join Gahering and is a member of boh he US and Canadian Branch. These are her reflecions on he even. Bis, All The Bisey Bis by Donna Dee McPherson Rucks some of he iny lile deails ha made his even more special did you noice? haggis presened in a sho glass, adorned wih a lile Scoish flag Celic insrumenal music playing in he background of our Hospialiy Room and Pig Roas a firs-ime fiddle and piano due a he Ceilidh a Scosman came o he Gahering, brough his guiar and played he blues in Chicago a lifelong dream and he go an encore every phoo, every iem placed in he Hospialiy Room carefully wih meaning he energy and alen of our Celic band our newes junior member who played her firs piano solo for us siing on Mom s lap signs poining o each locaion for each meeing an apple breakfas wih hree choices of apple dishes on he buffe and sparkling apples on he able! he immediae aenion of he Eaglewood saff if we needed anyhing a all a whisky asing seup in he lobby beyond our expecaions wih he pipers making los of music he US Naional Anhem and he Canadian Naional Anhem, sung by he alened Chrisy Ogilvie McCreary who invied us o sing along wih her! a soulful Amazing Grace prelude on he piano a he Kirkin 2015 November Page 7

JOINT GATHERING 2015 a he compleion of he Gahering his year he members of he Canadian Branch who were here, were asked for heir impressions or an anecdoe on wha hey experienced during he weekend. Donna Rucks who was he convener provided a summary repor found elsewhere in his issue on page 7. These are he impressions of Branch members a large and no jus a repor by one individual. HATS OFF! By June Macpherson Has Off o he Organizing Commiee led by Donna Rucks for he wonderful week-end a he Eaglewood Resor! Afer a harrowing drive on he Chicago Thruway, Mark and I arrived a he resor o be me by a super recepionis who immediaely made us feel welcome and ook care of all our needs. Our room overlooked he firs ee of he golf course and a wonderful maple which was jus urning red. We hen proceeded o he Prairie River Lounge and a drink which revived our spiris and a delicious dinner which was much enjoyed. And ha was only he beginning! Very indulgen was he Spa reamen enjoyed by many as was he pool and he bowling. Of course he Ceillidh, he dinner dance and he meeings were all par and parcel of he fesiviies. Bu mos imporan of all was renewing acquainance wih so many cousins from Norh America, Europe and Ausralia. I can menion names for fear of leaving someone ou bu I hope o see everyone a he Plainum Dhubh will I see you here??? A PLEASURE By Ed Smih Wha a Happening!! The venue was firs rae and he organizaion was op noch, There was a cadre of voluneers made up of CMA members from various regions of he US who, wih Donna Rucks guidance, made he even flow seamlessly. To say nohing abou he planned off sie evens consising of wine ours, Cahedral ours and sigh seeing or shopping in Chicago. Inernal evens were well aended especially he Whiskey asing hosed by our good friend Sandy Macpherson, and he pipe off by hree US branch pipers. There was many a happy winner when he raffle draws were made. I came away wih a cozy red aran flannel shir, jus wha I needed for he upcoming winer season. The Canadian Branch Council and AGM wen well. There were wo iems ha were of paricular ineres o me; he proposed exhibi US Branch pipers a work nex year in he Clan Museum of Clan and associaed Family conribuions o Canada during he pas 150 years, and a proposal o Council for he Branch o be associaed Clans and Scoish Socieies of Canada, an umbrella organizaion. In all, his Gahering was a pleasure and worhwhile invesmen of ime and money and I encourage all members o ake advanage of annual Gaherings in he fuure A BEAUTIFUL VENUE By Ken Gillis The join clan Gahering was a grea success. There were over 100 paricipans and Canada was well represened. Donna Rucks he US convenor and her eam did an amazing job of organizing and execuing he even. Everyhing wen off wihou a hich. Some very alened Macphersons performed a he ceilidh. The younges being 5 year old Sarah, who performed on he piano. Canada was represened by Ed Smih who rendered a version of he Norhern Lighs of Old Aberdeen wihou accompanimen and our chairman, Bill Macpherson, who did an encore presenaion of Tam O Shaner. Bill, as usual, gave an absoluely magnificen performance. The ceilidh was followed by a whiskey asing, which Kirkin on he golf course I enjoyed very much. I is hard o bea a good Scoch. The Gahering ook place in a beauiful, if somewha confusing, hoel wih golf course aached. During he Kirking of he Taran one could gaze ou he windows and wach as golfers eed off. Of course I would no do ha, as I paid close aenion o he service. All in all a very enjoyable weekend. Coninued on page 9 2015 November Page 8

JOINT GATHERING 2015 Coninued from Page 8 THERE IS NO FEAR IN MACPHERSON by Donna Dee McPherson Rucks The newes US Branch junior member, Sarah Dirksen, played her firs piano solo a our Ceilidh, siing on Mom s lap. Sarah jus urned 5 years old, and she is he daugher of Dave and Lisa Dirksen of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The name of her piece was Beehoven s Ode o Joy. Phoo by Emil Schiavo Sarah was fearless, she was flawless, she was smiling hrough he enire performance. Her exciemen and confidence was overflowing as she sa back down a her able o wach oher Macphersons perform. In fac, no oo long afer, her grandmoher go up o play a piece on he concerina. As I announced her grandma s name, Sarah jumped up and down and shoued, You can do i, Grandma! Even he child knows here is no fear in Macpherson! A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY By Rober J Archibald The Join 2015 American and Canadian Branch Gahering held in Iasca Illinois was a wonderful opporuniy o enjoy each oher s company wihou having o ravel across he pond. Members from boh Norh American branches and several members of he Scoish Branch go ogeher for a weekend of fun and enerainmen wih a side order of yearly business hrown in. On Friday evening afer regisraion, we gahered in one of he large halls for a meal of barbequed pig wih all he rimmings. We were enerained a he ceilidh by some very young ladies aged 6 o 12 from he local Thisle Highland Dance Group. Some of our alened members also performed in he usual ceilidh fashion, each of hem demonsraing heir paricular skills and alens. One budding young aris who was 5 years old played he piano for our appreciaion and pleasure. Laer here was a whisky asing in he lobby of he resor for everyone who enjoys a wee dram. Saurday afernoon provided some ime o ake in some sighs or do some shopping. Several members visied he Masonic Scoish Rie Cahedral, locaed only a few blocks away. On Saurday evening following our formal dinner, here was a display of highland dancing by wo young women from he same local dance group who performed superbly, followed by he US Branch pipers who plied heir craf. LIFE IS GOOD! By Bill Macpherson We planned o allow ime for a visi o Chicago, which we made on Wednesday, marveling a he Ciy's archiecure from he comfor of a river boa cruise. The sun shone and weaher remained calm whils aboard bu we found ou on dry land why i is known as he 'Windy Ciy'. Glad I was no wearing he kil! All planned aciviies wen very well. Generous porions a he various banques and everyone had fun a he Ceilidh and Ball. Mike Miller of he US Branch did an admirable job presiding over he worship and 'Kirkin of he Taran' ceremony. Donna had arranged a few side excursions - somehing for everyone, allowing an ideal mixure of large and small group aciviies. There were 31 in he Canadian coningen and everyone seemed o be having a fun weekend. I was very pleased ha all of he Canadian Branch Officers made he rip including hree of our Provincial Councillors; Don Pearson, Albera; Ed Smih Onario and Myles Macpherson Quebec. Our meeings were brief and consrucive allowing us o apporion maximum ime aferward for drams & nourishmen. Life is good! The Address o he Haggis R T Macpherson, Piper US Branch, David MacPherson Ausralia, Sword Bearer, Bill Macpherson, Chair Canadian Branch, he Resor Chef, Sandy Macpherson Scoland, Whiskey Bearer Coninued on Page 10 2015 November Page 9

JOINT GATHERING 2015 Coninued from Page 9 CONNECTING By Jacqueline Murdoch The Gahering, no maer where i is held, is abou connecing. Connecing wih family, wih friends we see regularly or infrequenly, and wih people we have never me. The 2015 Gahering in Chicago was special because no only was I was able o spend ime no only wih my wo favourie women in he world, Rebekkah and Jamie, bu I was able o spend ime wih friends I ve made over he years, and o be inroduced o new friends from around he world. Phoo by Jacqueline Jacqueline wih daughers Rebekkah lef and Jamie righ The Gahering allows for a connecion on anoher level: a connecion o my culural pas. When I was younger, his connecion o my ancesral roos was no paricularly imporan. Bu over he years I ve learned ha hese roos are deep and srong and conribue significanly o who I am oday as a woman, a Canadian, and a ciizen of he world. Waching he riuals of The Gahering each year fills me wih a sense of belonging. So like Thanksgiving, Canada Day, and various religious holidays, The Gahering has become a regular celebraion wih family and friends who share a culural pas. A culural pas ha connecs us deep in our hears and for many, many more years o come. GREAT MACPHERSON CELEBRATION Bv Mary Margare Gillies The celebraion of all hings Macpherson was eviden from beginning o end. As Cluny reminds us, we are cousins. I always look forward o connecing wih friends only seen a our Gaherings. I really liked he choice of venue. I`s public areas enabled us o mee and visi wih ohers. Seaing arrangemens a he Saurday nigh dinner faciliaed meeing new friends. I loved all he music and he dinner music was a grea idea. So many iems o see on he walls of he hospialiy room, a gallery in iself, demonsraing.a lo of planning and arisry. I won he Bodhran in he silen aucion. If I learn o play i by 2016, I`ll bring i along o our Branch Gahering nex fall. Who else among us plays a musical insrumen? Band anyone? From beginning o end an amosphere of energy, comradery, and fun. A new place, new friends, new experiences. A MEMORABLE WEEKEND By Chanal McPherson I had he pleasure of aending our join US / Canada gahering in Chicago. Many hanks o all he wonderful voluneers for puing on a memorable weekend. I was reminded of how hear-warming i is o see my cousins and share whisky, laugher, dancing while bagpipes sir our emoions! I mus say he Celic Band ha kep us enerained a he Ball was fanasic. You can find a video on Youube of he Eighsome Reel-2015 Clan Macpherson a he following link: hp://youu.be/3jqumun9vna MY RETURN TO CHICAGO By Rober W Archibald The Iasca Gahering was a firs for us in a couple of ways: while we have me many of our American cousins previously, boh in Scoland and a Canadian Gaherings, his was our firs visi o an even in he U.S.; also i was he firs ime we have brough all of our children (and one grand) o a Gahering anywhere. I was a grand ime and hey all enjoyed i has off o he organizers! Then Sondra and I capped he weekend on Monday wih our anniversary (58 h ). We also ook he opporuniy o see some highlighs in he Chicago area. I spen some monhs in Chicago many years ago (around 1965) and his was my firs reurn o he area since. Needless o say here have been many changes bu he hear of he ciy reains is impressive heriage. The Archiecural Boa Tour was fanasic, also he Ar Insiue, and we made a visi o some of he Frank Lloyd Wrigh houses in Oak Park. All in all, a wonderful week SOMETHING WONDERFULLY CHERISHED By Arielle Macpherson Friday nigh he ceilidh was very diverse and full of smiles. The performers provided a wide variey of presenaions from a culure of which we are all a par. On Saurday evening, all presened hemselves wih heir bes dress for he formal dinner. We had good music and good food. The dance floor was filled wih dancers. The highligh of his Gahering for me was definiely how many people came from near and far o preserve and celebrae heir common ancesry and culure. I will always be a pleasure o be par of somehing wonderfully cherished. Coninued on page 11 2015 November Page 10

JOINT GATHERING 2015 Coninued from Page 10 FUN AND MIRTH By Myles Macpherson Our family ravelled from Monreal o Chicago on Friday Ocober 2 by air. When we arrived, he Ciy of Chicago was living up o is name as he windy ciy. Alhough he weaher was somewha bleak and dreary, he welcoming a he resor in Iasca norheas of Chicago was warm and friendly. All was well organized and we were hearily greeed by happy clans-people. Once in he hoel all began o run smoohly. We were old wha was happening when and where i would ake place. I was immediaely obvious ha his was going o be an easy going weekend wih our clan cousins. Donna had aken ime o look afer all of he small deails which mean ha everyhing ran wihou a hich so ha o hose of us who jus had o enjoy ourselves experienced nohing bu fun and mirh. Each of he evens was well-handled from he Ceilidh on Friday nigh, o he final gahering up of our raffle booy. The gala dinner on Saurday evening was resplenden wih everyone donning heir fines highland regalia. There was a fine band playing and some of he clan also provided some musical enerainmen during he evening. Of course hose ha were able, began o dance owards he laer par of he nigh once our bellies were full of fine fare. For my par I found ha all was beyond enjoyable and look forward o boh our nex Canadian Branch gahering in 2016 as well as our nex join Norh American ge ogeher in 2020. See you all here. YOUR BRANCH NEEDS YOU I f you reside in New Brunswick, Manioba, or Saskachewan,, he Branch needs you as a Provincial Councillor. In order o grow our Branch and make Clan Macpherson Associaion a ruly naional organizaion, we need a presence in each province where we have members, The Provincial Councillor advises he Chairman on means o increase our membership and presence in he province in which he or she resides. The amoun of work required will depend on he ime available o he individual Councillor and he assisance hey can obain from local members. This is an imporan execuive level posiion, open o all members old or brand new. Please seriously consider joining he Branch Council. Conac Bill Macpherson a Canada.Chair@clan-macpherson.org ROD SMITH, GRANDFATHER MEETING NEW FRIENDS By Linda Zema Macpherson Myles and I were lucky enough o be able o aend he Clan Macpherson Join US-Canadian Gahering 2015. The bes hing abou hese ge ogeher s, is ha I is always nice o be able o see old friends ha we ve me a he differen rallies ha we ve aended over he years. Of course you make new friends each ime as here is always someone new o mee and a new place o visi which is one of he purposes of he Gaherings. The exra bonus is ha you ge o visi a new par of he couny, wheher i s in Canada, he US or Scoland. So needless o say I am looking forward o he nex one ha I ll be able o aend. Phoo by Rod Smih Rod s daugher Erin delivered a bouncing baby boy in Augus, who will henceforh be known as Ronin. In he phoo from lef o righ proud grandfaher Rod, greagrandfaher Rod wih Ronin, and moher Erin. Four generaions in he same picure! ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS We wish o hank all of our conribuors o his issue. Wihou heir suppor he November ediion would no have been possible. Rober J Archibald, Rober W Archibald, Jean Duffy (USA), Mary Margare Gillies, Ken Gillis, John House, Arielle Macpherson, Bill Macpherson, Ewen S L MacPherson (Scoland), June Macpherson, Linda Macpherson, Myles Macpherson, Chanal McPherson, Dee McPherson, Jacqueline Murdoch, Ed Smih and Rod Smih. MacDonald was in poor healh. He asked his friend Macpherson if he would pour a bole of scoch over his grave if he should die one of hese days. Macpherson said, I ll be glad o, laddie, bu would you mind if I passed i hrough my kidneys firs? 2015 November Page 11

Phoo by Dee GATHERING PHOTO ALBUM I T A S C A 2 0 1 5 Chef wih roased pig, ready for he swine - ou o begin Kirkin in he aran. A US Branch special even. A serling performance of Tam O Shaner Rius Alcorn, Clan Museum Curaor cum rocker Slàine Mbah! The radiional oas o he haggis following he address. The hoel chefs always enjoy his par of he ceremony Phoo by June Checking ou he vinages a he Linfred Winery nearby Your Council deliberaing a he meeing. Noe, golf course beckoning in he background 2015 November Page 12