June 2014

In this Issue:

 What's in a Name?  Coming Events
 Meet Our Members  June Celebrations
 CSA Board Meeting Minutes 5/8/2014  Society Officers
 St. Giles Cathedral - Part 2  


Pub Crawl - Our May 8, 2014 Event


Jason's swordThe May meeting was a special night for 3 reasons.  First, the results of the Board Election and By-Law change were announced (see separate article).  Second, retiring Games Chairman Jason Temple was presented with a specially engraved Claymore sword, thanking him for his service to the Society over the past 5 years. The attendees then clambered aboard a real London Double Decker bus for the 1st Annual Caledonian Pub Crawl.

George & DragonFirst stop was George & Dragon Pub, a favorite for Highland Games organizers and participants alike due to its proximity to the Park.  Then off to the Cornish Pasty Company in Tempe for either "The Ogggie"- traditional pasty with steak, potatoes, onions and rutabaga; or "The Cheese and Onion"-a signature vegetarian pasty with potatoes, rutabaga, cheddar and onions.

Rula BulaThe red bus was outside the door ready to take us to Mill Avenue's Rula Bula Irish Pub.

Ask the bartender and he'll tell you that it’s a cozy, historic pub and restaurant filled with time-honored relics, great food, perfect pints, a fine selection of whiskeys, live music, and jovial conversation.

London Bus Pearl Finch is now an honorary citizen of Scotland as she had the most correct answers to John Clinkenbeard's "naturalization test."  And it was hard to concentrate with the Beatles, Stones, Herman's Hermits and Freddie & the Dreamers blaring over the bus's p.a. system. Thanks to the pubs which put up with us, the Real London Bus Company, and the 40 or so pub crawlers for making it a great evening!    

A SPECIAL THANK YOU

Paul Bell, our new Games Chair, asked for volunteers to help "clean house" at our storage unit.  On May 3 the unit was cleaned and organized to make things easily accessible.  Sincere thanks to those who helped:  Teresa Potts, Sandra Collins, Michelle Crownhart, Mark Pellietier, Jean Latimer and Paul Bell.



What's in a Name? - Surnames in Scotland
By Ron Dempsey FSA Scot

In Scotland, surnames didn't come into general use until the 15th century.  Nobility by this time had surnames that were either their land names, or their titles at court.  Common folk of Lowland Scotland started to realize that there were too many people in a hamlet named Alexander or Meg and so surnames became attached to people to describe one Alexander from another Alexander. 

These names were fluid (changeable) at first.  For example:  A certain Alexander was raised in the village of Allardyce.  His father was named Simon.  When Alexander, or Sandy, as his friends called him grew to manhood he became a butcher by trade.  Sandy was also a good looking fellow with red hair.

When Sandy was young, people knew him as Sandy Sims or Simpkins or Simpson.  Because his father's name was Simon, this was a name that his parent's contemporaries knew him as.  To Sandy's peers he was known as Sandy Reid because of his red hair.  When he became an accomplished butcher, he was known in the village as Sandy Butcher or Flesher.  After he became a journeyman in his trade, he moved to Edinburgh, where there were already others known as Sandy Sims, Sandy Reid and Sandy Butcher, so he was known as Sandy Allardyce.

This little exercise shows all four types of surnames.  Toponyms or place names which denote a place of origin or land ownership; patronyms, names that originate from the parents such as Simpson or Sandison;  descriptive names, to indicate a person's look such as Reid for red hair, Lang for a tall person; offices or occupations fill the last niche for surnames.

This is an example of how surnames evolved for the majority of the common people.  These examples are simplistic since within each group of surnames are subgroups with many surnames.
   



Meet Our Members - Our Trustees

Winthrop von Hapsburg

Winthrop von HapsburgI joined the Caledonian Society about four years ago to connect with other Scottish people in the Phoenix area.  I have been on the Board of Directors for the past two years as Board Secretary

My mother's family is from Edinburgh, Scotland, where I was born.  My family clans are Wallace, Steward and Carmichael.

I currently live in Phoenix and I am president of Auto Shopping Service.Com.  I participate with my business association as well as nonprofit organizations.



Mark Pelletier

My mother was a Campbell, born in Clydebank, who came to the U.S. with her parents and six older siblings at age 5 in the 1920s.  My aunts and uncles spoke like Scots, but not my mom. My grandparents died when I was very young.  But the ties are there for sure, and I feel very much to be a Scot – confident and outspoken -  that is to say.

I joined the CSA in 2006 upon moving to Arizona from Illinois, where I had been State Commissioner for Clan Campbell.  My wife Sue and I convened for the Clan across the Midwest, where Highland Games take place only from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but nonetheless managing nine events one year!  Now as the Arizona Campbell Commissioner, I represent the Clan at all the state events here.

We live in Goodyear—the boonies—and I am active in our "adult" community out here.  You can see me on the Community TV station channel22.info, reporting on what we "old folks" do.  I'm retired from IT work but still maintain a number of web sites, including for our Society.  My son, Tim, is one of the organizers of the Chicago area Games chicagoscots.org so we share ideas and stories. 

Why did I join?  To get as many opportunities to wear the kilt as possible, of course.


Michelle Crownhart

I started throwing in February 1994 in Phoenix.  I was talked into it over several months by my youngest daughter's teacher, Genie Smith (Games Athletic Director at the time) and finally showed up at the games to see what it was all about.  I went through the day being told this is what we are throwing, this is how you do it, and now it is your turn.  Needless to say I was very surprised when they walked up the caber!

Fast forward 20 years and I still love the sport and have a dream of having three generations competing on the field at the same time.

I have competed from Kansas City to California, finished first and last, and still count the days until the next competition.  I am checking two items off my bucket list this year by competing in Hawaii in April and at the Master's World Championships in Scotland this September.

Michelle Crownhart

I want to be sure to thank everyone who is helping me to cut my travel costs by their generous donations through the Caledonian Society's web page.  I am honored to represent our society and Arizona at this world meet.

.


CSA Board Meeting Minutes - May 8, 2014

The following Board Members met on May 8, 2014 at the Irish Cultural Center:  Mark Clark, President; Jean Latimer, Past-President; Don Finch, Vice President; David McBee, Treasurer; John Clinkenbeard, Secretary;  Mark Pelletier, Michelle Crownhart, Trustees; Paul Bell, Games Chair.

Topics Discussed:
  l.  New Board Members    New board members Michelle Crownhart, Paul Bell, and John Clinkenbeard were welcomed.
  2. 2014 Highland Games  -  Financial Summary     Mark and David presented the summary financial performance of the 2014 Games.  Overall the Games made an estimated net profit of $42,678.  This is subject to no other significant bills being presented for payment relating to the 2014 Games.  Assuming this number does not change too much it does present some good opportunities for investing in the Games and the Society in general for future improvement.  This is regarded as a big improvement in general to the financial performance and management of the Highland Games.  The Board reviewed particular areas of the games that made either significant profit or loss to consider how these could be amended in the future.  The Board is also considering if it would be worthwhile to invest any spare cash in a money market instrument or similar.  In terms of the Caledonian Society budget for the year ahead, around $30k has been allocated to various key activities such as Marketing, Burns events, Society meetings, Scholarships etc.
  3.  2014/15 General Planning      There is general desire to increase the attractiveness and quality of our events in the year ahead, with an objective of increasing the membership base and attendance at these regular events.  The London Bus and Pub Crawl will be followed by a Curling event in June.

The meeting adjourned at approximately 5:45 pm.


St. Giles Cathedral - Part 2

Sixty-one years after the death of John Knox, Charles I arrived in Edinburgh to be crowned king of Scotland.  The year was 1633; his plan was to Anglicize the Scottish form of worship.  To further this plan, he created a new diocese with St. Giles as its cathedral.  But it soon became clear, however, that the king's attempts to introduce the English form of worship was doomed.  One measure—introducing the English prayer book into the Scottish kirk—would clearly not be tolerated.  According to legend, Jenny Geddes, a herbwoman, attended the new service at St. Giles in 1637 and hurled her stool at the unfortunate Dean of Edinburgh, driving him from the pulpit.  "Daur ye say mass in my lug," she screamed. 

Demonstrations against the Anglicization of the Scottish church continued.  A document, called the National Covenant, was drawn up to protest against the actions of the king.  It underlined the "Covenaters" hostility to Roman Catholicism and bound the signatories to the defense of God and King.  The most important proviso; the interests of the law and church were to take precedence over the interest of the king.  A copy of this document remains in St. Giles today.

One of the first to sign the Covenant was James Graham, the Marquis of Montrose, who later changed sides and became the king's general in Scotland.  After a string of victories against Covenanting forces, he was finally defeated at Philliphaugh near Selkirk.  He was executed and his head put on a spike outside the cathedral. 

On January 16, 1707, after protracted negotiations, the Treaty of Union between Scotland and England was ratified.  On May 1 of that year, the treaty came into effect and Scotland ceased to be an independent county.  The cathedral bells rang out the tune "Why Should I be so Sad on my Wedding Day." 

By the beginning of the next century, it was clear that the structure was badly in need of repair.  In 1829, the government made a grant to the city authorities for the restoration of the church.  The architect was a now-notorious Mr. Burn.  What followed was said to be "deplorable and can scarcely be conceived."  Three inner chapels disappeared.  The picturesque roof was swept away.  It was wanton and needless destruction.

William Chambers, Lord Provost of Edinburgh from 1865-1869 loved the city.  As Lord Provost he had been responsible for modernizing great swathes of the overcrowded and unsanitary Old Town.  It was this civic pride that persuaded him to try to undo the dreadful work of Mr. Burn.  A new restoration was begun.  Chambers was not in attendance at the public service held for the restoration completion on May 23, 1883.  He had died three days previously.   In his sermon that day, the minister reminded the congregation that "So long as these stones remain one upon another, will men remember the deed which William Chambers hat done and tell of it to their children."

St. Giles interior

 


Coming Events

June 7 Modesto CA Games
June 9 Curling Event - replaces monthly meeting
June 12 NO Membership Meeting
June 28-29 San Diego Games
July 10 Membership Meeting
August 2-3 Monterey CA Games
August 9-10 Pleasanton CA Games (San Francisco area)

SOCIETY MEETING Regular membership meetings are held the second Thursday of each month at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ. Beginning at 6:30 pm. Come join us or log on to www.arizonascots.com.


June Celebrations
If you would like your special date recognized in our monthly newsletter, we need to hear from you. Please let us know your correct birthday and anniversary information by email to anjrams@cox.net and it will be included in our Celebration list.

June 5 Gordon & Dee McClimans - Anniversary
June 6 Genie Smith - Birthday
June 10 Alan & Mary Jo Ramsdell - Anniverary
June 12 Don & Bobby Heck - Anniversary
BEST WISHES ON YOUR SPECIAL DAY!


Caledonian Society Officers - Reflects electins of May 8, 2014
President: Mark Clark
480-659-2740
Past President: (2010 – 2012) Jean Latimer
602-867-6507
Vice President, & Membership Chair Don Finch
480-252-0152
Secretary: John Clinkenbeard
480-273-7873
Treasurer: David McBee
602-617-5694
Games Chair
Paul Bell
602-882-0840
Trustee 1: Mark Pelletier
623-455-8076
Trustee 2: Michelle Crownhart
602-410-7833
Trustee 3: Thom von Hapsburg
602-882-6490

Newsletter Editor:

Jo Ramsdell
480-969-8400
Statutory Agent: Dan Miller