March 2018

In this Issue:

  March 2018 Gathering   Coming Events - Valley & Nearby
  Letter From the Editor   A Word from our Advertisers
  The 2018 Phoenix Scottish Games  



March 15 Gathering

The Caledonian Society of Arizona
Invites You to Join Us to Celebrate CELTIC MONTH


March 15 Gathering

Rosie McCaffrey's Pub & Restaurant
906 E. Camelback Rd., Phoenix
Thursday March 15 - 6 PM to 8 PM
All are welcome - no cover charge
Order on your own from the menu
There is no formal program, but comments and feedback
on the March 3-4 Scottish Games are welcome


Letter from the Editor, Don Finch

Don at the 2018 Games Dear fellow Caledonians:

The 54th annual Phoenix Scottish Games are in the book. Congratulations to Games V.P. Paul Bell and his organizing committee for a wonderful weekend.

We tried a couple of new things that still need improvement: parking signage: more detailed start times for events in the program; and the delay in getting the clans on to the field in the Opening Ceremonies. But most things went well.

We have dedicated this entire issue of the Newsletter to bring you the following photos and brief area reports.

Everyone is invited to our next Gathering on Thursday March 15th when we’ll celebrate Celtic Month at Rosie McCaffrey’s Pub & Restaurant, 906 E Camelback Rd. in Phoenix.

Slainte! DON


Phoenix Scottish Games 2018

Pipe Band Competition - Alasdair Martin


Grade 3
The John L. Ferrell Memorial Trophy (Grade 3) is awarded to the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band
Grade 4
The Wheaton McClanathan Sr. Memorial Trophy (Grade 4) is awarded to Tucson & District Pipe Band

Grade 5
The Capt. N. L. Finch, SD&G Highlanders Memorial Trophy (Grade 5) is awarded to Cameron Highlanders (San Diego)
Color Guard
Drum Major, Color Guard and Bands
at the Closing Ceremony


Kilt Lifter Tap RoomSarah Noble

Brews and tunes- what more can ye ask fer??!! The patrons of the Games curiously entered the small brew tent they heard mysterious sounds coming from. Nay, it was not the Wicked Tinkers on the didgeridoo but the sounds of Scott Jeffers, our one-man musical showcase wailing on violin as he incorporated Mongolian throat singing with a Highland violin tune!

The crowd was fascinated by Scott's "pirate" act and original compositions. Ar Turas kept the crowd clapping with songs like Barrett's Privateers by Stan Rogers, Bully Boys by Alan Doyle and tune sets on the penny whistle and bodhran. What a rowdy time that was! Chris Yates played his role well as Rusty Bawls, performing his Rock BASSics Trivia show and gave the crowd quite a chuckle!

This year the tap room welcomed newcomers, Open Beta "a nerdy folk group". They entertained the crowd with Celtic songs and humor and the crowd loved them! We also had a very special appearance by the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band on Sunday morning too! They proudly marched in at 11:45am, parted the crowds as they formed into a circle and entertained us all with a few tunes. What a spectacular sight and sound it was!

Ar Turas
Ar Turas
Open Beta
Open Beta
Rusty Bawls
Rusty Bawls
Scott Jeffers
Scott Jeffers

Let's not forget the other reason why patrons came into the tent. BEER!!! Shannon and Derrick worked very hard to take care of mile long lines of thirsty patrons, serving up four different flavors of Four Peaks brews all weekend long! The Kilt Lifter Tap Room tent rocked the house this year and our performers and bar tending staff are anxious to return for the 55th Annual Phoenix Scottish Games! Slainte!


Genealogy - Robert Wilbanks IV

Genealogy

The Official C.S.A. Genealogy & Family History Tent was again a big hit at this year’s Phoenix Scottish Games. Most people merely passed through to view our maps and books, many leaving more interested than when they came in and very much impressed.

Additionally, I and my team of about a dozen expert volunteer genealogists, in personal one-on-one interactions, helped a great number of people begin to discover their Scottish roots and many left absolutely thrilled and excited by our finds.


Kid's Zone - Kitty MacRae, Paul Baron

Mini golfer
Mini Golfer
Ducks in a row
Ducks in a Row
Caber Toss
Caber Toss
Nessie finds a friend
Nessie finds a friend

British Cars - Shirley and Phil Blahak

Chairman's Choice
Chairman's Choice
President's Choice
President's Choice Trophy to Richard Glass for his 1958 MGA Coupe

We had a last minute influx of car entries for both the Saturday Display and the Sunday Show. The steady stream of visitors all day Saturday resulted in an excellent sale of voting tickets to our visitors raising $185.00. A trophy was awarded to the car which collected the most donations, won by Mark Cottini’s 2018 Jaguar SUV which was the newest car on the field. By soliciting votes from his fellow pipe band members he raised $79.00.

Sunday the cars were arranged in 13 separate classes. First Place was awarded if the class had at least 2 entries, Second Place with 4 or more, and Third Place with 6 or more. Voting was by the entrants popular vote. Also awarded were plaques for the President’s Choice, selected by Don Finch; the Chairman’s Choice, selected by Paul Bell and his Grandson. Best of Show was selected by a committee of car owners, and there was a Peoples Choice Award. The Peoples Choice voting raised $215.00 giving us a total of $400.00 to be donated to the CSA Scholarship Fund.


Sights around the Games

Food area
The Food Court is always a busy place.

Athletics
And there is continuous activity on the Athletic Field

Don with SCA
CSA President Don Finch shares Turkish coffee with Alan Shaw of the Society for Creative Anachronism
Terriers
Letitia Abbott of Clan McNabb with Terriers in Tartan
Chief McBain And Kevin Conquest
Chief McBain (right) presented by Drum Major Kevin Conquest

Genealogy Tent
A wealth of information was available in the Genealogy tent
Malt and Chocolate
Whisky and Chocolate Tasting Combination




Clans - Mark Pelletier

Clan Tents

Fifty-one Clans and Scottish Societies set up displays in the Clan Village.

Neil Morrison
Clan Morrison receives the
Best Clan Tent Award
Clan Colquhoun and Clan Scott
Clan Colquhoun and Clan Scott
Clan Currie
Clan Currie
Clan Anderson
Clan Anderson
DOS and Clan Wallace
Daughters of Scotia and Clan Wallace
Clan Campbell
Clan Campbell


Photo Booth - Alexandra MacPherson-Munro

Here are some respresentative photos of Games visitors wearing Scottish attire for their free photo.

Fatgher and Sons
Father and Sons
Brothers
Brothers
Swordsman
Swordsman
Three Lassies
Three Lassies


COMING EVENTS and Highland Games in Arizona and Nearby
Games Calendar compiled by Clan Campbell Society NA


March 15 Our Gathering to celebrate CELTIC MONTH
March 17 St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 24-25 Kern County Highland Games & Festival (Bakersfield CA)
April 6 Tartan Day (watch for news)

Caledonian Society Officers
President: Don Finch
480-252-0152
Past President: (2010 – 2012) Jean Latimer
602-867-6507
Vice President Administration: Mark Pelletier
623-455-8076
Vice President Games: Paul Bell
602-882-0840
Vice President Membership : David McBee
602-617-5694
Secretary Ginni Caldwell
 
Treasurer: Vicki Phegley
602-526-2313
Trustee 1: Ian Warrander
602-391-0223
Trustee 2: Thom von Hapsburg
602-882-6490
Trustee 3: Dan Miller
 
------------------------
Newsletter Editor:

Don Finch
480-252-0152
Statutory Agent: Dan Miller
 
Chief Genealogist & Historian: Robert Wilbanks
602-990-7914


Membership Renewal Reminder

Membership Special for New Members joining for 2018:
- - $25.00 single and $40.00 Family (at the same address)

It's easy - just jump to the Membership Page for the form.
And you can pay by Credit Card at our On-Line Store descibed at the left.


Society Gatherings
Regular membership gatherings are usually held the second Thursday of each month, many at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix - others around the Valley - usually beginning at 6:30 pm. Please check our website for further details.

A Word from our Advertisers


Kilt Rental USA

Len Wood
Bagpiper USB

Lois Wallace

Wilbanks

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