The ThistletireNOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2018

Caledonian Club of Florida West, Inc.

Your Board2018-2019

BOARD:

PresidentFrank MacIntire

Vice PresidentSue Eltonhead

SecretaryElizabeth Marshall

TreasurerDiane Kemp

DIRECTORS:

Manning Edmonds

Alice Flint

Caryn Johnson

Allan McIlraith

Peg Tonn

William Wallace

SPECIAL CHAIRPERSONS

MembershipBill Wallace

Thistle EditorDr. Michael Wolfe

WebmasterPaul Johnson

Sunshine LadyJennifer Meinert

Public Relations & Marketing( open position )

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Dear members,

For all of you who missed the Sock Hop, you missed a great time. Manythanks to Mary Ellen McMahon and the committee for all the hard work thatmade it such a success. The pictures Michael took speak for themselves.

Going along again with something different and fun we will be hosting thesecond Kilt Night on December 5 at Capt. Curt’s on Siesta Key from 6pm to10pm. Detailed information is included in this newsletter.

With all the functions that are ahead of us in the coming months, my hope isthat I will see you there. Your participation is important to the committeemembers of these events and the strength of our club.

On a further note, we recently met with a Sarasota-Bradenton Airportadvertising official to see if we could get a display/banner informing visitorsthat we are a Scottish Community. This is still a work in progress. We alsomet with the Asolo Reperatory Theatre to see if our display, outside theCook Theatre could be better presented. Thank you, Bobbie Hamilton, forthe work you did to make this meeting happen.

I am very concerned about the declining visibility of Scottish heritage in theSarasota area. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Hope to see you all soon.

Regards,

Frank MacIntire, President

Caledonian Club of Florida WestAnnual Heritage Luncheon

Venice Yacht ClubSunday, October 14, 11:30am

Picture-Perfect Sunday For Heritage LuncheonStunning views from the second-floor dining room of the Venice Yacht Club greeted members of the CaledonianClub as they kicked off their ultra-active 2018-19 calendar of events Sunday, October 14.

Members were piped in at the door by the purple-clad Blue Skye Pipes and Drums which, after piping in the boardmembers to open the event, gave an exceptional, harmonious rendition of the “Flower of Scotland” to the warmapplause of attendees.

Following lunch, Chair Alice Flint asked member Bob Antrim to introduce special speaker Mark Bruce, noted localmember of the PGA, an authority of golfing history, who enlightened the crowd with the exceptional history of golffrom the fairways of St. Andrews, where golf was invented, to the greens of Sarasota, which claims having thefirst golf course in America!

Assisting Alice at the initial event of the 2018-19 season were committee members Bob Antrim, Derek Brashier,Sylvia Hollister, Sioux and Jim Hurley, Mary Ellen McMahon, Phyllis and Al McIlraith, Barbara Shaffer, Dr. MaryThompson, Patricia and Don Wilson, and Bill Wallace.

Caledonian Club of Florida WestOctober 14, 2018

VeniceYacht Club

Mark Bruce

Bob Antrim

HeritageLuncheon

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October 26-27, 2018

Under the creative genius of Elizabeth Thompson and Phyllis McIlraith, the joint St. Andrew Society-Caledonian Club Christmas luncheon, Saturday, December 1, promises to be a highlight of the Holidayseason.

Members of both groups received their invitations in mid-October to be sure the date got on busyChristmas/Hanukkah calendars before the extreme busy-ness of the traditional holiday festivities took over.

In addition to a delectable menu designed especially for the occasion, highlights will include an “usheringin of the Season” by the delightful Meadows Chorus, and, Santa has asked, yes again, if he could stop byto have his picture taken with all of the Scottish lassies!

Co-Elves Elizabeth Thompson (St. Andrew Society) and Phyllis MacIlraith Caledonian Club) are still takingreservations, and will through November 20—so make haste— times- a-flyin’! If you’ve lost your invitationor have questions, please contact them at 941-351-4025 or brass2ring@aol.com.

Holiday Delights Abound at a“Meadows Christmas”

The Selby Public Library has invited the Caledonian Club to present a musical tour of Scotland infour parts during the upcoming “Season” beginning January 30th giving all of our members andarea Scots, as well as those interested in Scottish history, culture and contributions to mankind,to learn more about this unusual Celtic nation.

Alex Beaton, Scotland’s most famous troubadour, will take us throughout Scotland by song,highlighting historic Scottish heroes, sights and sites, battles, castles and the angst of trying tomaintain its individuality as a nation over the centuries.

The schedule will include the following:

January 30, 2019 Be magically and musically transported to Glencoe, Culloden, Loch Lomond, Stirling Castle, Bannockburn, and the Isle of Skye

February 27, 2019 Be taken on an enchanted stroll through his beloved birthplace of Glasgow–- its humor, songs, and story of building the famed British Royal Navy through its exceptional shipyards and industry.

March 27, 2019 Be whisked back in time to the mysterious exploration of Scotland’s rich history via its famous castles including those of Eileen Donan and Glamis, home of the recently deceased Queen Mother.

April 24, 2019 Be intrigued as you visit Rosslyn Chapel, with it world-famed architectural interior and the mystery of the visit of the Knights Templar., Is the Holy Grail buried somewhere on the grounds?

Mark you calendars now, and be welcomed as the guest of the Selby Public Library,in this exceptional exploration of Scottish history!

Tablet from the Library ofAshurbanipal containing

part of the Epic of Gilgamesh.

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The History ofSCOTLAND

Part 2 of 2

1542Mary Queen of Scots

Mary, newly born at Linlithgow Palace, was just six days old when her father, James V, died and she was crowned Queen of Scots.Her reign was marked by Catholic-Protestant conflict and civil unrest in a period known as the ‘rough wooing’. In England, worried

about the possibility of a Catholic plot against her, Elizabeth I imprisoned Mary and later, after almost 19 years of captivity,had her executed at Fotheringhay Castle in Northamptonshire in 1567 at the age of 44.

|1603

The Union of the CrownsJames VI succeeded the throne at just 13 months old after Mary was forced to abdicate. When Elizabeth I died with no children,

James VI succeeded to the English throne and became James VI & I — a historic move that’s now known as the Union of the Crowns.|

1707The Act of Union

In 1707 The Act of Union brought Scotland even closer to Britain by creating a single Parliament of the United Kingdomof Great Britain at the Palace of Westminster.

|1746

Battle of CullodenThe Battle of Culloden in 1746 was the final Jacobite rising and the last battle fought on British soil. The Jacobites were no

match for the Hanoverian army – the battle lasted just an hour and the army was brutally crushed.|

1746Highland Clearances

Shortly after the defeat of the Jacobites at Culloden, a period known as the Highland Clearances began. A number of laws wereintroduced in an attempt to assimilate the Highlanders; speaking Gaelic and wearing traditional tartan attire was banned, and

clan chiefs had their rights to jurisdiction removed.

1750 ONWARDSThe Age of Enlightenment

The ideas from philosophers living in Scotland during The Age of Enlightenment shaped the modern world. The intellectual movementsought to understand the natural world and the human mind and ranged across philosophy, chemistry, geology, engineering, technology,

poetry, medicine, economics, and history. Figures like Thomas Hobbes, David Hume, Adam Smith, Robert Burns, and Sir WalterScott are still celebrated for their achievements.

2014The Referendum Question

On the 18 September 2014, the people of Scotland voted. In response to the question,

“Should Scotland be an independent country”

1,617,989 (45%) voted Yes and 2,001,926 (55%) voted No.

THE 20TH CENTURY AND BEYOND1914

First World WarScottish soldiers played a significant role in the First World War and Glasgow’s Clyde side was an important centre during the war

as well — products from the shipyards, steel works and iron foundaries were vital to the war effort.|

1967North Sea Oil

The drilling of the first North Sea oil well was considered a major industrial achievement of the time, creating a hugesupporting industry in Scotland and giving the UK access to oil made at home for the first time.

|1990s

Scottish culture worldwideFilms like Braveheart and Trainspotting helped to establish Scotland as a cultural powerhouse; authors, artists and musicians from

Scotland were enjoying renewed success. J.K. Rowling wrote the global phenomenon Harry Potter in Edinburgh, and in 1997scientists from the Roslin Institute successfully cloned the first mammal from an adult cell, Dolly the Sheep.

|1999

Scottish Parliament reconvenesThe calls for more devolved powers had been growing for decades and resulted in a referendum in 1979. The second referendumwas held in September 1997, with the vote delivering greater powers. In 1999 the Scottish Parliament reconvened for the first time

in nearly 300 years, ushering in a new era for the Scottish people. The Scottish Parliament building at the foot of theRoyal Mile officially opened on October 9, 2004.

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2014Road to Referendum

In 2012, the Edinburgh Agreement was signed by Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond and UK Prime Minister David Cameron.It paved the way for a once in a generation referendum on Scottish independence in 2014 by confirming the Scottish Parliament’s

power to hold a vote that will be respected by both governments.

|1800

Urban and Industrial ScotlandIndustrial advances and wealth accumulated from the trade of tobacco, sugar and cotton bring about the dawn of urban Scotland

at the turn of the 19th century. The country shifted from rural to urban, and huge towns, massive factories and heavy industrytook hold. Mining, shipbuilding and textiles were very important to Scotland’s development during this time.

SOURCE: SCOTLANDISNOWhttps://www.scotland.org/about-scotland/history-timeline

Piper in the Park“Sundays before Sundown”

Season 3 Starts January 20, 2019Each Sunday evening from January through April of 2019, thesun will shine (but just barely) as the Caledonian Club, with theextraordinary talents of pipers from seven area pipe bands,presents “Piper in the Park” for the third consecutive year.

As in years past, just one/half hour before sundown, startingfrom O’Leary’s Restaurant, leaders from the Caledonian Clubwill direct pipers the length of Bayfront Park, piping along theway, to the dolphins statue at park’s end, to close the weekwith “Amazing Grace”.

Stopping along the way at the Sister Cities Walk, Caledonianleaders will remind those attending that they “live in a Scottishcity,” first settled and developed by 65 hearty souls from theGlasgow area, who ventured to Sarasota from Glasgow in

search of “paradise” (in Scotland, that’s anywhere the temperature rises above 32 degreesFahrenheit)! There too, followers will learn briefly of the fascinating Scottish history of thisarea and the Caledonian Club’s 33-year contribution to that ongoing story.

Chairing PIP again this year will be Joel and Jeanne Davies, assisted by Dick and Liz Thompson,Dr. Michael and Anne Wolfe, and Bill and Jean Wallace.

Outstanding pipers performing again this coming year include the Blue Skye Pipes and Drums,The Lion Rampant, Zachary Fitzpatrick, Jack States and the student pipers from both RiverviewHigh School and the Sarasota Military Academy, as well as “Louise” the grand dog of the Davies,seen here as a “Piper for Hire” and walking away with 1st prize for most original costume!

Grand Dog“Piper For Hire”

CCFW Kilt NightWednesday, December 5th, 6:00pm

Contact for Additonal Information:Bill Dalgarno | 941-794-3679

ronbill39@verizon.net

DATE EVENT PLACE SPONSOR

SAT, DEC 1, 11:30AM Christmas Luncheon Meadows Country Club CCFW-SASS

FRI, JAN 25, 7:00PM Sarasota Highland GamesCeilidh

Sarasota CountyFairgrounds Heritage Society

SAT, JAN 26, 9:00AM Sarasota Highland Games& Celtic Festival

Sarasota CountyFairgrounds Heritage Society

MON, FEB 11, 6:00PM Frugal Night Senior Friendship Center CCFW

SAT, MAR 30, TBD Thistle Ball TBD CCFW

SUN, APR 28, ALL DAY Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan Church of the Palms CCFW-SASS

Caledonian ClubCALENDAR OF EVENTS

November 2018 - April 2019https://floridascots.org

DATE EVENT PLACE SPONSOR

NO EVENTS POSTEDON WEBSITE

Gulf Coast Welsh SocietyCALENDAR OF EVENTS

November - December 2018www.sarasotawelsh.com

DATE EVENT PLACE SPONSOR

SAT, DEC 1, 11:30AM Christmas Luncheon Meadows Country Club CCFW-SASS

FRI, JAN 11, 10:05AM SASS Board Meeting Fruitville Library SASS

SAT, JAN 19, 7:00PM Robert Burns Supper Palm Aire Country Club SASS

FRI, JAN 25, 7:00PM Sarasota Highland GamesCeilidh

Sarasota CountyFairgrounds Heritage Society

SAT, JAN 26, 9:00AM Sarasota Highland Games& Celtic Festival

Sarasota CountyFairgrounds Heritage Society

SUN, APR 7, TBD Scholarship Luncheon Palm Aire Country Club SASS

SUN, APR 28, ALL DAY Kirkin’ O’ the Tartan Church of the Palms CCFW-SASS

St. Andrew SocietyCALENDAR OF EVENTS

September - December 2018https://floridascots.org

The 30th of November is theNational Day of Scotland– the

St. Andrew’s Day.

DATE EVENT PLACE SPONSOR

SAT, NOV 17, 6:00PM SBC AGM 6051 Wilshire BlvdSarasota FL 34238 SBC

SAT, DEC 8, 6:00PM SBC Christmas Party Heritage Oaks Golf &Country Club SBC

Sarasota British ClubCALENDAR OF EVENTS

November - December 2018www.sarasotabritishclub.com

DATE EVENT PLACE SPONSOR

NO EVENTS POSTEDON WEBSITE NWC

New World CeltsCALENDAR OF EVENTS

November - December 2018https://www.NewWorldCeltsSarasota.com

KEEP CALMAND PLAYBAGPIPES

and wear kilts

DATE EVENT PLACE SPONSOR

SAT, NOV 10, 10:00AM SICC vs. MERRIMACKVALLEY CC (MASS.)

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SUN, NOV 11, 10:00AM SICC vs. MERRIMACKVALLEY CC (MASS.)

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SAT, NOV 17, 10:00AM SICC vs. HOBOKEN CC Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SUN, NOV 18, 10:00AM SICC vs. HOBOKEN CC Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

FRI, NOV 23, 10:00AM Cricket: 2018 Six-A-SideFestival

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SAT, NOV 24, 10:00AM Cricket: 2018 Six-A-SideFestival

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SUN, NOV 25, 10:00AM Cricket: 2018 Six-A-SideFestival

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SAT, DEC 1, 10:00AM SICC vs. ST. COLUMBA CC(RI)

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SUN, DEC 2, 10:00AM SICC vs. ST. COLUMBA CC(RI)

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SAT, DEC 8, 10:00AM SICC vs. UNITED CCBOSTON

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SUN, DEC 9, 10:00AM SICC vs. UNITED CCBOSTON

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SAT, DEC 15, 10:00AM SICC vs. COLUMBIAUNIVERSITY CC

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

SUN, DEC 16, 10:00AM SICC vs. COLUMBIAUNIVERSITY CC

Sarasota Cricket ClubSarasota FL SICC

CALENDAR OF EVENTSNovember - December 2018https://www.sarasotacricket.org/

Sarasota InternationalCricket Club

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November 30, 1934 - September 22, 2018

Nicholas was born November 30, 1934 in Athens, Greeceto the late Vasileios N. Katsakis and Hrysoula A. Kitsikopoulou.He was the youngest of four children, his sisters Helen Katsakis,Athena l\tlilton and LiBa Catsakis. He was predeceased by hissister Athena Milton, of Athens Greece. He is survived by hisbeloved wife Jean Maxwell Catsakis, married 58 years, daughtersChristine A. McCartney, of Blacksburg Va., Cathy J. Darby of Purcellville, Va. and son AndrewW. Catsakis, of Lovettsville, Va., along with six grandsons.

His early childhood studles began at the prestigious "Athens College," in Athens, Greece. Atthe age of 15, as a foreign student, he studied at Hackley School, a private, boys' preparatory,in Tarrytown, NY and then studied international relations and economic development at theSchool of Foreign Service and later at the Graduate School, both of Georgetown University inWashington, DC.

ln 1960, Nicholas married Jean Maxwell Barker, of Newport, Rl. Nicholas grew up as GreekOrthodox. Since marrying, he has been an active member of Episcopalian Churches in DCand Florida, the current one being The Church of the Redeemer in Sarasota, FL. Whilevisiting Virginia during the past decade Nicholas and Jean attended St. Peter's EpiscopalChurch in Purcellville, VA.

Nicholas worked for seven years as a Latin American specialist of the lnternational MonetaryFund (IMF), a specialized agency of the U.N., headquartered in Washington, DC. Whenapplying for U.S. immigration status, he had to resign his diplomatic visa and switch toworking for the Organization of American States (OAS), again as a Latin American Specialist,also headquartered in Washington, but with extensive assignments in the field for over aperiod of 25 years. His work has been mostly economic, social, political and culturalconstraints to development, writing volumes of reports over the years, in several languages,on practically all countries of Latin America except two.

Nicholas and Jean enjoyed many years of sailing on their Catalina on the Gulf of Mexico,traveling to Europe and visiting with their children and their families in Virginia. He was atrue patriot who loved our great country dearly. Nicholas was honored a "Associate Memberof the Saramana Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution."