THE THISTLEDOWN

VOLUME 28, ISSUE NUMBER 5 CHRISTMAS 2011

Scottish Society of Tidewater, Inc.

Continued on page 6

Christmas Ceilidh & Silent Auction 2011

Norm Albright and Terri Woodward. Jack Kennedy and Connie Smith.

John McGlynn and wee Colin on fiddle. John Miles, left, and Tony Goodwin.

T he Scottish Society of Tidewater exists to promote the preservation and study of Scottish cul-ture, including music, language, art, history, folk-lore, dance, literature, athletics, and all other things distinctively Scottish among interested persons in the Hampton Roads, Virginia area and to cooperate with like-minded persons, groups and organizations here and abroad.

A meeting is held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Church of Ascension Community Cen-ter, 4853 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, VA 23462-4446. Social time begins at 7:00pm, and the meeting starts at 7:30pm. Anyone interested in Scottish culture and history is invited to attend.

About the Scottish Society of Tidewater, Inc.

P.O. Box 3733, Norfolk, VA 23514-3733 www.tidewaterscots.org

SST Executive Board President: John McGlynn johnmcglynn@cox.net

Vice President: Skip Hunter jwhunter2@cox.net

Secretary: Marcey Hunter marcey9@cox.net

Treasurer: Ruth Fraser RHFraser@vbgov.com

Board of Directors: Stacy Apelt sapelt@cox.net Donna Looney loontoon@msn.com John Maxwell a_ny_scotsman@hotmail.com George Phillips Gpphish@aol.com Bob Rider bobrider@verizon.net Terri Woodward crittercrazyone@verizon.net

SST Committees Webmaster: Scott MacGregor mcgregr@exis.net Membership: Marcey Hunter marcey9@cox.net Program:

The SST Board of Directors Sunshine: June Lockwood j2dfl@verizon.net Newsletter Editor: Marcey Hunter marcey9@cox.net

PAGE 2 THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011

A Few Words from the President Dear SST Members, It is hard to believe that it is Christmas

time once again and almost a New Year! I hope this finds everyone enjoying this lovely season and taking the time spend it with family and friends. And I hope all are enjoying this beautiful weather! This time last year we had snow!

SST has enjoyed a great Fall. Most nota-bly, the Kirking of the Tartan held at Knox Presbyterian Church. Nancy McKay did a wonderful job organizing the event and it was great to see so many SST members participating and supporting. The church leadership has decided to make this an annual event so mark your calendars for next year! We had a scare with our Don Fraser falling going into Church but he is doing fine and we were happy to see he and Ruth at the recent Leahy concert (which was an incredi-ble show).

At our December meeting we had our annual Christmas Ceilidh and Silent Auction. Marcey, Donna, Tom and Colleen did a great job making the hall festive and the food was excel-lent as usual. Thanks to Manny for his tasty turkey which is a much-anticipated tradition. A good time was had by all and we raised $340 for the Baird Scholarship, including a most generous donation from Dave and Nancy Montgomery. Thank you all for supporting this very important project of the Society which does so much to promote Scottish culture.

December 31 is New Year’s Eve or Hogmanay as we call it, and we’re looking forward to the annual Scottish walk in Olde Towne Portsmouth. The assembly starts about 4 pm at the corner of Queen and Washington Streets, and step-off is about 4:30 pm. Proceeded by bagpipers and drums, the walk is through Olde Towne and down to the stage on the Eliza-beth River at the bottom of High Street. Then after a couple of short patriotic speeches everyone joins in with Old Lang Syne. Then its off to one of the local establishments to enjoy some sustenance and music. At that point also, I also have an open house for all who what to stop by and have a wee dram. You are all most welcome at 364 Middle St,

In January, we are looking forward to a presentation by one of our newest members, John Miles. His father collects an-tique Scottish swords and he will bring them and give a talk on them and how they were used in battle.

It’s not too early to be thinking about our annual Tartan Day Ceilidh. At the January Meeting we will put more information out and will be soliciting for volunteers to support this event.

I want to take this opportunity to wish each and every one of you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a bright and happy New Year. Thank you for all you have done to support your Scottish Society throughout this past year and I look forward to seeing you all 2012!

Slainte Mhath, John McGlynn

Ceud Mile Failte! "One Hundred Thousand Welcomes"

to New SST Members!

Adele "Dell" Whittaker 13014 Doles Rd. Zuni, VA 23898 757-620-9037

dell.whittaker@dbhds.virginia.gov

Chris, Jackie & Samantha Campbell 4600 Freedom Ct., Apt. 301 Virginia Beach, VA 23455

757-705-9862 gatorgal78@cox.net

Clan Campbell

THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011 PAGE 3

This and That Best wishes for a speedy recover to Brenda Phillips, who recently had hip replacement surgery. She’s

doing well, thankfully, and it won’t be long before she’s running a marathon, no doubt. Rob Lockwood had the honor of piping at the memorial service for slain Virginia Tech police officer

Deriek Crouse in early December. Hundreds of people attended the Blacksburg ceremony. While not an easy task, we are proud of Rob for being there and helping to honor the officer.

Scott MacGregor has purchased a new home in Norfolk. He’s spending this pre-Christmas season building a new 20x24 garage! Is there a pub in it?!

After twenty years of dedicated service as an English Teacher to thousands of students in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools, Lynnette Fitch Brash has resigned her job at Tallwood High School in or-der to accept a full-time position with Tidewater Community College! Lynnette is looking forward to new

challenges and new opportunities in this post-secondary position. She begins this new phase of her career in January 2012. Congratulations and best wishes, Magistra!

Need last minute holiday gifts? Don’t forget Pixie Treasures in MacArthur Center. Proprietors Jeanne and Bob Rider sell Celtic-themed items, and SST members get a discount!

Have news to share? Contact me Marcey Hunter at 480-4217 or marcey9@cox.net

Call for Applications:

I t's that time again! The deadline to apply for the Scottish Society of Tidewater’s Richard & Olive Baird Memorial Scholarship is fast approaching. All scholarship applications must be postmarked by March 1.

The purpose of the Baird Scholarship is to provide financial support toward the study of Scottish culture. This includes, but is not limited to, Scottish music, dance, language, literature, history, genealogy, politics and religion. Only applications relevant to Scottish culture will be considered.

Applicants must be at least 12 years of age; there is no upper age limit. Preference will be given to resi-dents of Hampton Roads, however all interested students are encouraged to apply.

If you would like to submit an application, please visit the SST website at www.tidewaterscots.org

or contact Connie Smith at 757-546-0986 or caus10smith@hotmail.com

Editors Note: One of last year’s scholarship recipients wrote a fantastic article about her experi-ence at the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming. Check it out on page 7!

THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011 PAGE 4

Kirking o’ the Tartan 2011 Knox Presbyterian Church

Skip Hunter offers a prayer in the Gaelic Manny Willis & Linda Lucas. Nancy McKay thanks Jeff Christman for piping.

Young dancers, led by Eleanor Unger, prepare to perform the Scottish Sword Dance.

Nancy McKay, center, worked hard to bring the Kirking to fruition. She is blessed to have the help and support of her family.

CG & Nancy Miller. Knox Presbyterian was adorned with beautiful tartan.

THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011 PAGE 5

Start your new year off right!

Don’t miss the Olde Towne Scottish Walk and Hogmanay Celebration! The 14th Annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk and Hogmanay Cele-bration will take place on Saturday, December 31 in downtown Portsmouth.

All events Free! Parking Free! All are welcome to participate in the Scottish Walk. Hear tales of colonial history. HONOR Our Nautical and Military History. Thank our merchants for service in the Holiday Season, and Wish all good luck For Auld Lang Syne. Special participants this year are:

Pipers and dancers Revolutionary War Re-enactors

Lighted Boat Display (weather permitting) Singing of “Auld Lang Syne” following the walk.

4 PM Gathering Corner of Queen and Washington Streets.

4:30 PM Step off Behind the St. Paul’s Catholic and Monumental United Methodist Churches. 5:30 PM Pipe Music at Barons Pub, Fiddle Music at Montgomery Grill, Highland Dancing at Roger Browns,

Open House at president John McGlynn’s house, 364 Middle St.

For more information e-mail Susan Cooke, Christmas Walk Coordinator, at susancocke@cox.net

Don’t Miss the 28th Annual Burns Nicht Supper!

Saturday, January 21, 2012 Princess Anne Country Club, 3800 Pacific Avenue, Virginia Beach

Cash Bar and Social 5:30 pm - Supper 6:30 pm $50 per person includes a full course meal, including Skip Hunter’s world-famous Haggis!

Interested? Please contact Stacy E. Apelt, 757-583-5872 sapelt@cox.net

Reservations must be received no later than Monday, January 16, 2012

Presentation of the Haggis

PAGE 6 THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011

Continued from page 1, Christmas Ceilidh & Silent Auction

From left, Andrea McGlynn, Holly Quaglia Wells, wee Saoirse Anne Wells, and Laurie MacPherson.

Donna Looney and Skip Hunter in a fierce bidding war.

Charles Murla on fiddle.

Good food and good spirits made for a most enjoyable evening.

From left, Robin and Manny Willis, and Tina Gutshall.

PAGE 7 THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011

A Magical Week of Piping in the Beautiful Mountains of North Carolina by Elise Miller, 2011 Baird Memorial Scholarship Recipient

A s a recipient of a Baird Scholarship awarded by the Scottish Society of Tidewater, I am most grate-ful to the SST for supporting me in a most memorable week of bagpipe magic this past summer in the scenic mountains of Valle Crucis, NC.

I was a student of the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming, which offers several weeks of instruction annually at the historic Valle Crucis Conference Center near Grandfather Mountain. The pip-ing and drumming school is directed by Sandy Jones, an expert piper who served as the Pipe Major with the U.S. Air Force Pipe Band for eight years and taught bagpipes at The Citadel for another twenty-five. He is also the author of 'Beginning the Bagpipe.'

My instructor, Arthur Korff, had encouraged me to attend NAAPD, telling me that the instruction was top-notch, and the overall experience would be great. He was certainly right!

The Academy has an impressive staff of more than a dozen highly-skilled pipers and drummers, and I was fortunate to be able to receive instruction not only from Sandy Jones, but also from Gordon Warbur-ton and Bill Logan.

Each of my instructors taught me something new and valuable, and each had unique ways of inspiring and encouraging his students. I was taught techniques and exercises that helped me improve signifi-cantly during my week of instruction. But I was also given skills and tools to help me improve my piping throughout the year.

While the piping instruction was the highlight of my experience, it was made even more enjoyable by the scenic NC mountains, comfortably rustic accommodations and fantastic food of the Valle Crucis Confer-ence Center, and the camaraderie of the students and faculty of the NAAPD. Most evenings were spent rocking on the large front porch, listening to the sounds of bagpipes all around (or participating in those sounds), and talking about all things Scottish! The late afternoon concerts by faculty members were phe-nomenal, and the Ceilidh was tremendous (and hilarious) fun! Especially memorable for me was our trip to Grandfather Mountain. We all gathered ‘round and played and played several songs, including Scot-land the Brave and Amazing Grace. I will never forget that experience!

As I continue to study and practice my bagpipes this year, I am already making plans to attend the North American Academy of Piping and Drumming in the coming summer. Thank you to the Scottish Society of Tidewater and the Baird Memorial Scholarship for helping me get my start with the piping school at Valle Crucis!

Learning the fine elements of piping in the North Carolina mountains.

THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011 PAGE 8

At Your Service MUSIC

Newport News Police Pipe & Drum Corps

Tom Crouch waylon23703@aol.com http://newportnewspolicepipe.homestead.com

Pipers For Hire Rob Lockwood piobmor@juno.com

http://www.roblockwood.com

Scottish Gaelic Song Performances Edward Brash brash99@hotmail.com

CELTIC DANCE

Scottish Highland Dancing Scottish Dance Theatre of Virginia

Eleanor Unger SDTOFVA@aol.com

Scottish Highland Dancing Scottish Ceilidh (Social) Dancing, &

Scottish Step Dancing Lynnette Fitch Brash l.fitch.brash@gmail.com

Southside Ceili(dh) Class & Irish Ceili Dancing

Lisa Hunt lhunt23@cox.net

MISC.

Kilts, Alterations Christine Lawler vakilter@juno.com

Photography - British Isles Manny Willis mannyandrobin@gmail.com

Photography - Scotland

Linda Lucas ljlucas@cox.net

Scottish Gaelic Lessons Scots Gaelic Society of Tidewater

Marcey Hunter marcey9@cox.net

Travel in Scotland Highland Ways

Arthur & Anne Korff 757-596-6063

Scotch Whisky Tasting Mike Lawler william.lawler@verizon.net

M any members of the SST

attended the Julie Fowlis concert in Hampton recently. Julie, fourth from the right, is known as Scot-land’s Gaelic Am-bassador. The per-formance was amazing. She was joined by Duncan Chisholm on fid-dle and bodhrán champion Martin O'Neill. She gave a “shout out” to the Gaelic learners in the audience, i.e., the Scots Gaelic Society of Tidewa-ter. Tapadh leat, Julie!

THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011 PAGE 9

REMINDER: Membership Dues 2012 Annual membership dues for the Scottish Society of Tidewater need to be paid NOW. If you choose

to receive the Thistledown Newsletter electronically, family membership is $25, and individual member-ship is $15. If you choose to receive a hard copy of the newsletter via US Mail, family membership is $30, and individual membership is $20.

You will soon receive a renewal application in the mail. You can also download a form from the web-site www.tidewaterscots.org.

You may mail your application and payment directly to Marcey Hunter, membership chair, or just bring it with you to the next meeting.

Marcey Hunter 301 E. Randall Ave. Norfolk, VA 23503

marcey9@cox.net 757-480-4217

NEW SCOTTISH BOOKS AND AUDIOVISUALS At the Virginia Beach Public Library

ADULT FICTION:

The Highlander’s Heart by Amanda Forester. Naperville, Illinois: Sourcebooks Casablanca, 2011.

The Scottish Prisoner by Diana Gabaldon. New York: Delacorte Press, 2011.

Submitted by Nancy Miller, MSLS, Virginia Beach Public Library

A Very Foula Christmas...or is it?

T he island of Foula, off the western shores of the Shetland Isles, has always refused to

recognize the festive days designated by the “new” calendar, preferring instead to remain under the old Julian system, last used in 1752. On Foula, tradition decrees that Christmas Day falls on January 6th. Foula’s New Year’s Day thus falls on January 13th, when the islesmen set out on their traditional new year trek to shoot shags, a type of game bird, for the meal of the day. Though the fact that bottles of whisky accompanying the party often means that the day’s bag can be rather paltry. In the evening, the islanders (the population is around 30 and lives chiefly from sheep and lobster fish-ing) visit each other’s houses to offer suitable greetings and good wishes before settling down to a big feasting.

The island of Foula, in the Shetland Islands of Scotland, is one of Great Britain’s most remote permanently inhabited islands.

Sources: Wikipedia The Scottish Yules by Francis Thompson, 1994

THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011 PAGE 10

December 31 14th Annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk

Downtown Portsmouth, VA For information see the SST website

www.tidewaterscots.org Or page 5 of the Thistledown

January 4, 2012

SST Monthly Meeting Church of Ascension Community Center

4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach 7 pm social time, 7:30 pm meeting. Please bring a tasty treat to share.

Program: John Miles will give an exciting presenta-tion on antique Scottish weaponry.

January 6

12th Night of Christmas Celebrate!

January 21, 2012

St. Andrew’s Society of Tidewater Burns Night Supper

Princess Anne Country Club Tickets must be purchased in advance Contact Stacy Apelt at sapelt@cox.net

See page 5 of the Thistledown for more informa-tion.

January 25, 2012

The Birthday of Robert Burns

February 1, 2012 SST Monthly Meeting

Church of Ascension Community Center 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach

7 pm social time, 7:30 pm meeting. Please bring a tasty treat to share.

Program TBA

February 10 & 11, 2012 Coyote Run

7:30pm - 10:00pm Williamsburg Regional Library

515 Scotland St., Williamsburg VA Phone: 757.259.4040

$16 adults • $8 under 16

March 7, 2012 SST Monthly Meeting

Church of Ascension Community Center 4853 Princess Anne Road, Virginia Beach

7 pm social time, 7:30 pm meeting. Please bring a tasty treat to share.

Program TBA

March 17, 2012 Ocean View St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Stay tuned for more details!

April 14, 2012 SST Tartan Day Ceilidh

Stay tuned for more details!

Calendar of Upcoming Events

T his is a reminder that the SST membership voted to amend the existing bylaws and change the Annual Meeting/Elections to May.

The reason for the proposed change was to help ease the organizational proc-esses for such events as the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in mid March, and more im-portantly the Tartan Day Ceilidh in April. These two big annual events so close after the Annual Meeting/Elections were oftentimes challenging, and the new date will hopefully make these two important events on the SST calendar run more smoothly.

As the SST elections will now take place in May, you have time to decide if you would like to run for office or if you would like to nominate someone. The offices of the President, the Vice President, the Treasurer and the Secretary will be up for re-election, as are three (3) Board positions. President John McGlynn has appointed Manny Willis, past SST president, to head up the Nominations Committee. Contact Manny for more infor-mation at mannyandrobin@gmail.com.

For your perusal, the bylaws are available on the SST website, www.tidewaterscots.org

Reminder...Annual Meeting, Election Moved to May

THISTLEDOWN CHRISTMAS 2011 PAGE 11

1. Aberlour 12yr Scotch, $41.95—This Speyside whisky has a hint of sherry and honey. A very pleasant malt. Editor’s Note: this is one of my favorite whiskies!

2. Highland Park 12yr, $45.90—From the Isle of Orkney, this sin-

gle malt tastes of heather, sherry, and vanilla. This is an excel-lent whisky.

3. Glenfiddich Single Malt, $39.90—This popular Speyside whisky

tastes fruity with just a hint of peat. 4. Ardbeg 10yr Single Malt, $49.95—This Islay whisky is pretty

smoky, but not as smoky as Laphroaig. Just a hint of tobacco, and finish is slightly salty.

5. Bowmore Single Malt 12 yr, $46.95—Peat and smoke can defi-

nitely be detected in this Islay whisky. This is a smooth sipping whisky.

6. Glenmorangie The Original 10 Yr, $49.95—This Highland

Whisky is rich and a little spicy, with a strong hint of heather. 7. Isle of Jura, $39.90—While technically an Islay whisky, this single malt is not nearly as smoky as its

cousins. You can almost detect cut hay, and also heather. The finish is bitter-sweet. 8. Dalmore 12 YO, $49.95—This Highland whisky tastes of sherry and orange. The finish is nice and

long. A very good malt. 9. Famous Grouse, $45.90—For a blended Scotch, this is a pleasant surprise. It combines many higher

end single malts into a well balanced and drinkable whisky. 10. Glenlivet Single Malt 12YR, $38.95—flowers and fruit characterize this Speyside malt. This is a light

single malt and very drinkable. 11. Macallan Fine Oak 10yr, $46.95—This is another Speyside whisky, and it’s taste is woody and nutty. 12. Sheep Dip Scotch, $46.30—It’s an odd name, but an enjoyable blended sipping whisky. You’ll surely

get a laugh with this one!

Slainte!

A Taste of Whisky Enjoying the Uisege Beatha, the “Water of Life”

The 12 Scotch Whiskies of Christmas

Need some last minute Christmas gifts for the whisky lovers on your list? Here are twelve Scotch whiskies under $50.

Scottish Society of Tidewater, Inc. c/o Marcey Hunter 301 E. Randall Ave. Norfolk, VA 23503 www.tidewaterscots.org

“What can I do for you, Mr. McNuggets?”