History Update of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado and...

1

History Update of the

St. Andrew Society of Colorado

and the Scottish/Celtic Community:

2015 to 2019

Please also refer to

KILTS IN COLORADO – A History of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado: 1963 to 1988 by

Gayle Ray, which can be found on the SASC Web site: www.coloradoscots.com

History of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado: 1989 to 2014, which can be found on the

SASC Web site: www.coloradoscots.com

Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games, which can be found on the

Web site: www.scottishgames.org

http://www.coloradoscots.com/


http://www.scottishgames.org/

2 History Update of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado and the Scottish/Celtic Community: 2015 to 2019

Table of Contents Introduction ................................................................................................................................................ 6

The Robert Burns Statue in Denver City Park .......................................................................................... 7

MacIntosh Plaza Park and Kenneth Mackenzie MacIntosh (“Mr. Denver”) ............................................ 8

George Mackenzie Wallace, The Denver Technological Center, and Centennial Airport ........................ 9

The Colorado State Tartan .................................................................................................................... 10

Congratulatory Letters .............................................................................................................................. 11

Ken Burns – Documentary Filmmaker................................................................................................... 11

Margaret Eliott of Redheugh – 29th Chief of Clan Elliot......................................................................... 12

Senator Ray Scott .................................................................................................................................. 13

Alexander McCall Smith – Author ......................................................................................................... 14

Changes and Challenges ........................................................................................................................... 15

The Councils .......................................................................................................................................... 15

Council Officers from 2015 to 2016 .................................................................................................. 15






Changes to the SASC Constitution and Bylaws during 2015 to 2019 .................................................... 21

Who can become a member of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado? Anyone who wants to have fun!

.............................................................................................................................................................. 21

2015 to 2019 Developments ................................................................................................................. 22

The Membership Directory ................................................................................................................ 22

Declining Membership and an Aging Population .............................................................................. 23

Holding Steady: The Regular Offerings and Events ................................................................................... 23

The Highland Herald ............................................................................................................................. 23

The Web Site: www.coloradoscots.com ............................................................................................... 24

The Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/groups/saintandrewsocietyofcolorado ............................... 27

Annual General Meeting (AGM) – October ........................................................................................... 27

The Gala – November ........................................................................................................................... 28

About St. Andrew’s Day…Avoiding the Actual Date! ......................................................................... 28

Installation of New Officers .............................................................................................................. 29


Awards Presented: Outstanding Piper, Drummer and Dancer .......................................................... 30

The Silent Auction: Raising Much-Needed Funds but Also Passing on the Culture! .......................... 31

Burns Supper – January ........................................................................................................................ 32

Gary Carnes and Carolyn Vittorelli Profiles ....................................................................................... 32

John Shields and the Haggis Ceremony ............................................................................................. 33

Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns ............................................................................................ 34

Awards Presented ............................................................................................................................. 35

The Youth Achievement Award..................................................................................................... 35

The Tartan Award.......................................................................................................................... 35

The Flowers of the Forest Observance .............................................................................................. 36

St. Patrick’s Day Parade Participation – March ..................................................................................... 37

Spring Brunch – May ............................................................................................................................. 38

Kirkin’ of the Tartan Church Service – May ........................................................................................... 39

Happy Hours – Throughout the Summer .............................................................................................. 39

Summer Picnic – June ........................................................................................................................... 39

The Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games – August .................................. 40

The Games Marshals during This Period: .......................................................................................... 41

The Committee Members ................................................................................................................. 42

SCFD Support .................................................................................................................................... 43

About Highland Athletics….................................................................................................................... 44

Dogs of the British Isles ......................................................................................................................... 45

Auxiliary Groups ........................................................................................................................................ 46

Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers (RMHD) ......................................................................................... 46

Scottish Country Dancers of Colorado .................................................................................................. 50

Tartan Day Festival Committee – April.................................................................................................. 51

The New Auxiliary Branch of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado in Grand Junction and the Western

Slope Area of Colorado! ........................................................................................................................ 54

Heritage Fund Endowment Status: Struggling for Stability ....................................................................... 55

Membership Count: Efforts to Increase Membership............................................................................... 56

Colorado Scottish License Plate Effort ...................................................................................................... 57

The License Plate Frame Idea…. ............................................................................................................ 57

The Greater Scottish/Celtic Community in Colorado ................................................................................ 58

The Clans and Families .......................................................................................................................... 58


The Renaissance Scots .......................................................................................................................... 60

The Gaelic Language Community in Colorado ...................................................................................... 61

About the Scots Dialect… .................................................................................................................. 61

The Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England (W.I.S.E.) Family History Society............................................... 62

The Colorado Welsh Society ................................................................................................................. 63

The Pipes and Drums ............................................................................................................................ 64

The Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS) and Color Guard ......................................................... 65

Celtic Connection/Celtic Events by Pat McCullough and Rodger Hara .................................................. 67

Clan Donnachaidh of the Rocky Mountains and Their Robert Burns Night ........................................... 69

Other Scottish/Celtic Festivals and Games around the State ................................................................ 70

Tartan Day Festival ............................................................................................................................ 70

Grand Valley Scottish Games & Celtic Festival .................................................................................. 70

Pike’s Peak Celtic Festival.................................................................................................................. 70

Colorado Irish Festival ....................................................................................................................... 70

Elizabeth Celtic Festival ..................................................................................................................... 70

Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games .................................................... 70

Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival ....................................................................................... 71

Celtic Fest Brigit ................................................................................................................................ 71

Book Clubs and the Reading List Document Posted on the SASC Website ........................................... 72

Book Recommendation… .................................................................................................................. 73

St. Andrew Society of Colorado Curling Team: Scots on the Rocks? ..................................................... 74

The St. Andrew Society of Colorado Kilted Golf Tournament? ............................................................. 74

The Scottish Fiddle Club of Colorado .................................................................................................... 75

The Scottish Fiddle Competition of Colorado and The Colorado Elks Association (CEA) ....................... 80

The Robert Louis Stevenson Competition at The Denver School of the Arts (DSA)............................... 81

The Scottish Borders Clans Group Project ............................................................................................ 82

The Smallpipes Workshop, Document and Concert in 2017 ............................................................. 83

The Robert Burns Competition Idea .................................................................................................. 84

The Tam o’ Shanter: A Tale Project for Colorado College Students ...................................................... 85

The Robert Burns Poetry Reading Competition for Colorado High School Students ............................. 87

2019 January Edition ......................................................................................................................... 88

2019 October Edition ........................................................................................................................ 89

The Plan for the 2020 Edition............................................................................................................ 90


The Required Poems ......................................................................................................................... 90

Mr. Scott Diamond and His Pints Pub in Denver: Largest Scotch Whisky Collection Around! ............... 91

The Hilltop Inn and The Burns Pub & Restaurant in Broomfield ........................................................... 92

Noel and Wendy Hickey and The Celtic on Market in Denver............................................................... 92

What about Charity? ................................................................................................................................. 93

News from Scotland… ............................................................................................................................... 95

The New Robert Burns Musical and Book ............................................................................................. 95

Michael Jackson Also Loved Burns! ....................................................................................................... 96

The National Mythological Animal of Scotland: The Unicorn ................................................................ 97

History Made at St. Andrew’s Golf Course and University: Renee Powell .......................................... 101

Something about Scotland that you might not know: The Scottish Jewish Tartan ............................. 102

Dedication: William “Bill” Lowe (1933-2019) .......................................................................................... 103


Introduction This update to the two previous history documents that were written in 1988 and 2014 is intended to keep present, new, future and potential St. Andrew Society of Colorado members, and the general public, informed of all of the activities and accomplishments that the St. Andrew Society of Colorado has experienced during the period 2015 to 2019. Readers are advised to go on to the St. Andrew Society of Colorado website, www.coloradoscots.com, and read the two previous history documents to gain perspective on the organization’s history. It is a proud and impressive history that spans not only almost sixty years, but also the previous existence of the organization’s predecessors, the Caledonian Clubs which existed since the late 1800s until having to disband because of World War II and the Korean War. We are proud Americans! Celebrating the formidable contributions that the Scots have made to the United States, Canada and the world is part of the purpose of having formed the organization. Another purpose was to simply share the colorful and fun culture of the Scottish people. Even people of a non-Scottish heritage have enjoyed the festivals and various cultural elements that the organization brings to the table. Colorado, and most all of the other states in the United States have official tartans. For a more in-depth look at the culture in general, the St. Andrew Society of Colorado website, www.coloradoscots.com, also holds a recommended reading list consisting of all kinds of writing types including novels, short stories and history accounts. For example, three recommended history accounts are

How the Scots Invented the Modern World: The True Story of How Western Europe’s Poorest Nation Created Our World and Everything in It by Arthur Herman.

The Mark of the Scots: Their Astonishing Contributions to History, Science, Democracy, Literacy and the Arts by Duncan A. Bruce.

Scottish Firsts: A Celebration of Innovation and Achievement by Elspeth Wills.

A favorite inventor is Scotsman John Logie Baird who is credited with inventing television in 1926, and other amazing things. Thank you John!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Logie_Baird



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Logie_Baird


The Robert Burns Statue in Denver City Park There are 67 monuments to the Scots poet Robert Burns in various locations around the world. One of them is right here in Denver, Colorado.

Erected by the Caledonian Club, Number 1, of Denver, on July 4, 1904, with hundreds of people in attendance.

A POET PEASANT BORN WHO MORE OF FAME’S IMMORTAL DOWER

UNTO HIS COUNTRY BRINGS THAN ALL HER KINGS

Up until 1951, Burns was required reading in Denver Public Schools.


MacIntosh Plaza Park and Kenneth Mackenzie MacIntosh (“Mr. Denver”) You have no doubt viewed the monuments in MacIntosh Park Plaza in front of the City and County Building and across from Civic Center at 15th Street and Colfax Avenue. The park was dedicated to Kenneth Mackenzie MacIntosh (1910–1980) in 1982. MacIntosh was eulogized by his colleagues on the City Council as "Mr. Denver.” He served as a Denver City Councilman from 1959 to 1980, and was an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Colorado. There is a bust of MacIntosh, and the monolith located at the opposite end of the park is decorated with the Scottish thistle and the Columbine flower (see below). MacIntosh was a cousin of William Mackintosh, an East Denver minister who founded the St. Andrew Society of Colorado.

You will notice the difference in the spellings of the MacIntosh names, Mac versus Mack. This is the result of talking to different agents at Ellis Island when their fathers came to the United States, which was not an uncommon experience! MacIntosh was an important force in the planned growth and development of the many facilities that are now enjoyed by Denver citizens. He received the SASC’s Chieftain’s Award for Citizen Achievement in 1966.

Thank you Kenneth!


George Mackenzie Wallace, The Denver Technological Center, and Centennial Airport George MacKenzie Wallace (1918─1996) was an engineer and inventor in Denver and ran his own engineering firm for many years. He was also the founder and developer of the Denver Technological Center (DTC) with its distinctive marker (photograph below, left). He started his idea in 1962 with forty acres of land in southeast Denver along I-25. It has grown to a much larger area today of course. He did more to shape the Denver-Metro area's bustling southeast corridor than any other person. The Center is now home to hundreds of businesses of all sizes. He also built the nearby Arapahoe County Airport, aka Centennial Airport. Wallace was outspoken about what he believed needed to be accomplished. He was a visionary. He knew how to use land well and had a sense of beauty. What he accomplished at the Tech Center is reflected in business parks across the country. He was a pioneer. It wouldn’t be an overstatement to say that he was practically the father of the modern office park in the United States. The George Mackenzie Wallace Park is located in the DTC and includes monoliths containing text about his vision (photograph below, right). In 1985 Bruce Cody painted Wallace’s portrait which included pictorial references to the DTC, Centennial Airport, and his Clan Wallace tartan and badge. The painting is displayed in the Vida Ellison Gallery on the 7th floor of the Denver Public Library. The library also owns all of Wallace’s personal and professional papers including many photographs.

Thank you George!


The Colorado State Tartan Many states have their own tartan, but ours is special because it contains the colors that are in our state flag! It is in place at the state capitol.

Learn more…

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_State_Tartan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colorado_State_Tartan


Congratulatory Letters

Ken Burns – Documentary Filmmaker The Ken Burns organization was contacted and they sent us a photograph from Ken that he autographed to the St. Andrew Society of Colorado. Notice his confirmation that he is a relative of Robert (“Bobby”) Burns. This fact had been revealed on several of the ancestry programs.

Thank you Ken!


Margaret Eliott of Redheugh – 29th Chief of Clan Elliot


Senator Ray Scott


Alexander McCall Smith – Author


Changes and Challenges During this period of 2015 to 2019 the St. Andrew Society of Colorado (SASC) persevered to continue celebrating and sharing the Scottish culture and its many contributions to Colorado and American greatness with members, members yet to come, and the general public. The leadership of SASC during this period have not only kept the organization steady but have led us through difficult times. Their names are as follows:

The Councils Council meetings are held monthly in order to plan events and make various decisions. Members move up towards the Chieftain position every two years as a Chieftain steps away.

Council Officers from 2015 to 2016

Chieftain: Don Lowe

Vice Chieftain: Timm Herrod

Treasurer: Heather Cronkhite

Secretary: Jean Hess

Member-at-Large: Janet Carroll

Member-at-Large: Ian Hughes

Member-at-Large: Charlie Sherwood

Immediate Past Chieftain: Bill Lowe

Colorado Tartan Day: Cory Waggoner

Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers: Cristy Jones

Scottish Country Dancers: Kathy and Bob Burnham

Member Secretary: Kathy and Bob Burnham

Web Designer: Timm Herrod

Newsletter Editor: Heather Miller-Nugent

Games Marshal: Heather Miller-Nugent

Heritage Fund Director: Larry Hay

Archivist: vacant



Chieftain: Don Lowe

Vice Chieftain: Timm Herrod

Treasurer: Heather Cronkhite

Secretary: Jean Hess

Member-at-Large: Janet Carroll



Immediate Past Chieftain: Bill Lowe


Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers: Cristy Jones




Newsletter Editor: Heather Miller-Nugent



Archivist: vacant



Chieftain: Timm Herrod

Vice Chieftain: Heather Cronkhite

Treasurer: Jean Hess

Secretary: Janet Carroll



Member-at-Large: Chris Andrist

Immediate Past Chieftain: Don Lowe


Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers: Sarah Neff




Newsletter Editor: Jacqueline Buchanan



Archivist: vacant



Chieftain: Timm Herrod

Vice Chieftain: Heather Cronkhite

Treasurer: Jean Hess

Secretary: Janet Carroll




Immediate Past Chieftain: Don Lowe









Archivist: vacant



Chieftain: Heather Cronkhite

Vice Chieftain: Jean Hess

Treasurer: Janet Carroll

Secretary: Ian Hughes



Member-at-Large: vacant

Immediate Past Chieftain: Timm Herrod









Archivist: Ken McIntosh



Chieftain: Heather Cronkhite

Vice Chieftain: Jean Hess

Treasurer: Janet Carroll

Secretary: Ian Hughes



Member-at-Large: Art Aughey

Immediate Past Chieftain: Timm Herrod









Archivist: Ken McIntosh


Changes to the SASC Constitution and Bylaws during 2015 to 2019 In an effort to stay current with important changes in social perspectives, as well as various organizational changes, our by-laws were updated accordingly during this period. To read the CONSTITUTION and BYLAWS, visit www.coloradoscots.com go to the About menu and click on the Constitution and ByLaws link. You can also download them by clicking on the Download link.

Who can become a member of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado? Anyone who wants

to have fun! Even if people are not of a Scottish ancestry, they are welcome to join the organization to find out more about the Scottish culture, meet new people and have fun. Formally, our Constitution and Bylaws address the issue of membership as follows:

"Membership in the St. Andrew Society of Colorado and all of its auxiliary organizations is open to all people regardless of age, race, sex, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation and disability."

Do people have to live in Colorado in order to join? Not necessarily. Members receive a great newsletter six times a year and many travel from out of state to come to events.



2015 to 2019 Developments The main developments during this period were that the Games and Festival moved from Highlands Ranch in 2015, to Snowmass for two years, 2016 and 2017. It then moved to Edgewater for 2018 to 2019. It was planned for Edgewater again in 2020, although it had to be cancelled because of the COVID-19 Pandemic. The solution was to build a virtual festival! Issues such as expense, logistics, space, parking and workable arrangements have posed challenges and have necessitated the moves. Other groups have faced these challenges as well.

The Membership Directory The Membership Directory was published for the first time since 2014. The reason for this five year absence of a printed Directory was mainly cost. The cost of printing and mailing the document was enough to cause the Council to exercise this cost-saving measure. Another consideration that played into the decision was the perceived concern that member personal information might be used for commercial purposes or abused in other ways. Member mailing addresses, phone numbers and email addresses were included in the 2019 edition, unless email exclusion was specifically requested by individual members. In past years, extensive information about SASC by-laws, officers, etc. had also been included. All of this type of information made the Directory larger of course and the decision was made to include this type of information on the Web site. Extensive information about local related businesses and organizations had also been included in past editions, but the decision was made to not include this type of information in the Directory or on the Web site. It has long been suggested that we publish the Directory on the Web site and make it available only to members by way of a member-only password section. This alternative has never been enacted.


Declining Membership and an Aging Population The Membership Directory that was printed in 2019 listed just under 400 names and addresses. After fifty-eight years of operation and with the population of Colorado increasing dramatically this is not what any organization of our type would like to see. The perspective that an aging population and the decline of the younger generation not favoring joining traditional organizations is often cited as the cause of this condition. Another more critical perspective expressed is that the organization needs to do creative projects such as an annual membership drive through affordable media. The annual Festival and Games is a public offering and does bring in some new members however.

Holding Steady: The Regular Offerings and Events As specified in the Bylaws of the organization, certain events are to be held at certain times of the year and should be executed in a certain way. This is intended to keep a consistency to the way we do business and give those who take the reins good guidelines to follow. It’s a good practice which has kept us organized with a reasonable set of expectations for many years.

The Highland Herald The Highland Herald is published six times a year in order to keep members well-informed of the Society’s events as well as other Scottish and Irish events in Colorado. The Editors of the publication during the 2015 to 2019 period were Heather Miller-Nugent (2013 to 2017, left) and Jacqueline Buchanan (2018 to present, right). It is a big job and these ladies have done a fantastic job of delivering a quality document. Thank you Heather and Jacqueline! The Highland Herald is delivered mainly by email as a PDF file. It has been printed and mailed however to a few members who don’t have email service but this is very expensive.


The Web Site: www.coloradoscots.com The site www.coloradoscots.com (and www.coloradoscots.org) has served as the main public-facing device for promoting the organization for many years. Timm Herrod has been the Webmaster for several years. Thank you Timm!

The top part of the opening home page gives viewers a starting place to see what is on the site:

HOME This link takes the user to the main page of the site.

The links at the bottom of the Home page screen offer additional options

for the user.

The Contact, About, Membership, Donation, Shop, Privacy-Statement, and

Terms of Use links offer more information.



http://www.coloradoscots.org/


EVENTS This menu lists 8 links to further information and a calendar:

St. Andrew Gala

Colorado Scottish Festival

Highland Happy Hour

Burns Supper

Spring Brunch

Kirkin’ of the Tartan

St. Patrick’s Day Parade

Summer Picnic

Calendar

MEMBERSHIP Here people can join the organization and keep their dues paid up as well

as check on their membership status.

DONATION Here people can donate to the Society via a convenient form:

…and no, it’s not true, Scottish people are not cheap! Right?

HERITAGE FUND Here people can learn the specifics of the Fund trust and make a donation

to help get it to its intended goal so that small distributions can be used to

help the organization continue in its mission.

AUXILLARY GROUPS Here people can learn more about the organizations official auxiliary

groups: Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers, Colorado Tartan Day, and

Scottish Country Dancers.


COMMUNITY Offers links to

Our Highland Herald newsletter which is published six times a year and

lists other offerings in the community.

The Scottish Fiddle Club of Colorado website.

A dozen pipe bands in Colorado.

Our Scottish Reading List which can be downloaded.

A list of professional, certified Highland Dance teachers.

A Historical Customs and Dress of Scotland downloadable document,

as well as the official historical documents of the St. Andrew Society of

Colorado.

ABOUT Here people can learn about the organization’s official structure and

leadership including our Constitution and ByLaws. There is also a list of the

Chieftain’s Pipers, Chieftain’s Dancers, Chieftain’s Drummers, Tartan

Awardees, Chieftain’s Youth Achievement Awardees, and Chieftains since

our inception.

CONTACT US Here people can make contact with the leadership and get placed on the

email contact list.

We are grateful to the Walkers Company for their support of donating their delicious, world-famous cookies for many of our events.

We are happy to credit them on our website.

You can also purchase these iconic products almost anywhere in Colorado!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkers_Shortbread

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walkers_Shortbread


The Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/groups/saintandrewsocietyofcolorado The Facebook page is used to further inform and entertain the public about SASC events and Scottish culture in general. The page is maintained by Timm Herrod, Ian Hughes, Larry Hay and Heather Cronkhite.

www.facebook.com/groups/saintandrewsocietyofcolorado

Annual General Meeting (AGM) – October The AGM is required in our ByLaws in order to install new officers, discuss old and new business, and vote on important issues. It is also a potluck dinner gathering that gives members another chance to catch up. All members have voting rights.

The member turnout at the AGM is historically low. This may because of logistics, etc. but members know that they are invited and that their input is welcome. There is also another more public installation ceremony at the November Gala.

http://www.facebook.com/groups/saintandrewsocietyofcolorado

http://www.facebook.com/groups/saintandrewsocietyofcolorado


The Gala – November

About St. Andrew’s Day…Avoiding the Actual Date! Saint Andrew’s Day is November 30th all over the world for Scots and Scottish-hyphenates, but SASC schedules its celebration of the tradition in the middle of November in order to avoid the Thanksgiving Day weekend as well as skiing vacations! No parade observation is done in Colorado as is the St. Patrick’s Day observance. Oh well… In any case, let us not forget that the national flag of Scotland is based on the crucifix that Saint Andrew claimed as his own. Andrew was martyred by crucifixion at Patras in Achaea, on a cross of the form called Crux decussata (an X-shaped cross) and commonly known as St. Andrew’s cross at his own request, as he deemed himself unworthy to be crucified on the same type of cross on which Christ was crucified. A popular legend states that in the late 8th century, during a battle against the Angles (English), King Angus (either Óengus mac Fergusa or Óengus II of the Picts (820–834)) saw a cloud shaped like a saltire cross, and declared Andrew was watching over them, and if they won by his grace, then he would be their patron saint. However, there is evidence that Andrew was venerated in Scotland even before this. In the middle of the 10th century, Andrew officially became the patron saint of Scotland. The Saltire, or the St. Andrew Cross, is the national flag of Scotland, as opposed to the Royal Lion Rampant flag. Many sites in Scotland bear Andrew’s name such as St. Andrew University and St. Andrew golf course, and St. Andrew Scottish Societies are found all over the world!

Crucifixes are vertical, flags are horizontal. The history of the flag often has to be explained to people.


The Gala used to be called the St. Andrew’s Ball, but a name change was determined to be in order because we decided to host the Ball earlier in the month before November 30th which is St. Andrew’s Day around the world. Scheduling at the end of the month for members and the usual hotel accommodations became problematic. Private facilities such as Pinehurst Country Club were arranged.

Installation of New Officers This required function is performed in a public fashion at the Gala for a larger audience after the AGM voting process has been completed officially.


Awards Presented: Outstanding Piper, Drummer and Dancer The Chieftain Awards for Outstanding Piper, Drummer and Dancer are presented at November Gala. The recipients of these awards over the past five years are as follows: 2014 to 2015 Piper: Jamie Cuthill Drummer: Abby White Dancer: Stephanie Ward 2015 to 2016

Piper: Meredith Wirth Drummer: Maggie Bishop Dancer: Kathleen “Kiki” Neff 2016 to 2017 Piper: Ryna Balchuck Drummer: Sam Mangiamele Dancer: Emily Braddock 2017 to 2018

Piper: Neil Gillette Drummer: Neil Crowley Dancer: Kirsten Yinger 2018 to 2019 Piper: Elisabeth Cortese Drummer: Thomas Gay Dancer: Abigail Cronkhite 2019 to 2020

Piper: Thomas Johnson Drummer: Catherine Crisler Dancer: Olivia Dundore


The Silent Auction: Raising Much-Needed Funds but Also Passing on the Culture! The Silent Auction fundraiser was started in 2000 by SASC members Jim Johnston, Gerry Mahoney, and Ken McIntosh as a way to off-set the expense of presenting the Gala and Burns Supper, which can be a burden even with the high prices that hotels charge for sit-down dinners. Items are donated by members and related businesses on which guests can bid.


Burns Supper – January The traditional Burns Supper, or Burns Night, is held at a Marriott Hotel and offers a standard meal selection but also a haggis, neeps and tatties sampling after the Address to a Haggis presentation which Robert Burns crafted so many years ago. A variety of entertainment is also provided including Country and Highland dancing and recitations of selected burns poems.

Shown above is Gary Carnes as Rabbie Burns and Charlie Sherwood performing the Address to a Haggis.

Gary Carnes and Carolyn Vittorelli Profiles The Society has been fortunate since 2004 to have the talents of the very versatile Colorado actor Gary Carnes, who performs as Robert Burns at our Burns Supper. Gary brings an entertaining and amazingly authentic presence to the festivities. He has also delivered the Address to a Haggis at one of the Burns Suppers and the incredibly difficult Tam o’ Shanter: A Tale at another. It was standing ovation time. Gary is a professional actor and also impersonates many other personalities. Take a look at his www.facebook.com/gary.carnes.96.

It gets better though. We are doubly fortunate to have his equally talented wife, Carolyn Vittorelli perform at the Burns Suppers in various roles. Carolyn is a singer and actress who performs with groups such as the Northland Chorale in musical stage shows at the DL Parsons Theatre in Northglenn, Colorado.

We all appreciate you two so much!

http://www.facebook.com/gary.carnes.96


John Shields and the Haggis Ceremony John has been supplying the delicious authentic haggis delicacy including the neeps (turnips) and tatties (potatoes) for many years at various events around Colorado and especially at our Burns Supper. He has also delivered the Address many times (see following page). NOTE: When John became ill for a while we had to order the haggis from various suppliers including Eric McBride.

John outside Scone Palace

John is a native of Scotland. We are so fortunate to have him here with us!

The photo is from an article in the Denver Post

Following is the text of the poem. Try it yourself! You can also click on this link to see an outstanding version of the work performed by Mairi Barclay, from Knightswood Secondary School, giving the Address to a Haggis at the 2009 Lord Provost's Burns Supper on YouTube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsCZnAuph4k.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wsCZnAuph4k


Address to a Haggis by Robert Burns

Fair fa' your honest, sonsie face, Great chieftain o' the puddin-race! Aboon them a' ye tak your place, Painch, tripe, or thairm: Weel are ye wordy o’ a grace As lang's my arm. The groaning trencher there ye fill, Your hurdies like a distant hill, Your pin wad help to mend a mill In time o' need, While thro’ your pores the dews distil Like amber bead. His knife see rustic Labour dight, An' cut ye up wi' ready sleight, Trenching your gushing entrails bright, Like onie ditch; And then, Ach! what a glorious sight, Warm - reekin', rich! Then, horn for horn, they stretch an’ strive; Deil tak the hindmost! on they drive Till a' their weel-swall'd kytes belyve Are bent like drums; Then auld Guidman, maist like to rive, "Bethankit!” hums. Is there that owre his French ragout, Or olio that wad staw a sow, Or fricassee wad made her spew Wi' perfect sconner, Looks down wi' sneering, scornfu' view On sic a dinner? Poor devil! See him owre his trash, As feckless as a wither’d rash, His spindle-shank a guid whip-lash, His nieve a nit; Thro' bluidy flood or field to dash, Ach! how unfit! But mark the Rustic, haggis-fed, The trembling earth resounds his tread, Clap in his walie nieve a blade, He'll mak it whissle; An' legs, an' arms, an’ heads'll sned Like taps o' thrissle. Ye Pow'rs, wha mak mankind your care, And dish them out their bill o' fare, Auld Scotland wants nae skinking ware, That jaups in luggies; But, if ye wish her gratefu’ prayer, Gie her a Haggis!


Awards Presented

The Youth Achievement Award

The Youth Achievement Award is presented to outstanding student members of the SASC after nominations have been requested from the general membership. 2015 Kirsten Yinger 2016 (Not awarded) 2017 Kathleen Neff 2018 Riley Crisler 2019 MacKenzie Jones 2020 Abigail Cronkhite

The Tartan Award

The Tartan Award is presented to outstanding members of the SASC who have made notable contributions to the Society and after nominations have been requested from the general membership. 2015: Kathy and Bob Burnham 2016: Betty and Jim Johnston 2017: Carlene and Sandy Campbell

2018: Heather Miller-Nugent 2019: Larry & Val Hay

2020: Timm Herrod


The Flowers of the Forest Observance The poem, song and pipe tune are used to commemorate those members who have passed away during the previous year. Members’ names are listed in the program and obituaries are often published in the Highland Herald. The poem/song is a reworking of an older poem/song about the non-return of the large number of Scots soldiers after the Battle of Flodden, when 10,000 are said to have perished along with their king and large numbers of the nobility. (NOTE: There are many variations on the ancient tune and the lyrics used.) The Flowers of the Forest I've heard the lilting, at the yowe-milking, Lasses a-lilting before dawn o' day; But now they are moaning on ilka green loaning; "The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away". As buchts, in the morning, nae blythe lads are scorning; The lasses are lonely and dowie and wae. Nae daffin', nae gabbin', but sighing and sobbing, Ilk ane lifts her leglen, and hies her away. In hairst, at the shearing, nae youths now are jeering, The Bandsters are lyart, and runkled and grey. At fair or at preaching, nae wooing, nae fleeching, The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away. At e'en, in the gloaming, nae swankies are roaming, 'Bout stacks wi' the lasses at bogle to play. But ilk ane sits drearie, lamenting her dearie, The Flowers of the Forest are a' wede away. Dule and wae for the order sent our lads to the Border; The English, for ance, by guile wan the day: The Flowers of the Forest, that foucht aye the foremost, The prime o' our land are cauld in the clay. We'll hae nae mair lilting, at the yowe-milking, Women and bairns are dowie and wae. Sighing and moaning, on ilka green loaning, The Flowers of the forest are all wede away. NOTE: For recorded examples of the piece go online and listen to various versions!


St. Patrick’s Day Parade Participation – March The St. Andrew Society of Colorado group, and other related Scottish entries, have marched in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade – the fourth largest in the USA – in the spirit of Celtic brotherhood for many years.

Assistant drum major Tiffany Strouse leads the Colorado Isle of Mull/St. Andrew Pipes and Drums during the 40th Annual Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade. March 16, 2002.

The McTaggart Dancers entertained spectators during the 44th Annual Denver St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Jerry VanDyke marched in the 44th Annual Denver St. Patrick's Day parade with his West Highland White Terriers, Gregor and Mollie.


Spring Brunch – May In past years the Spring Brunch has been held at the Mount Vernon Country Club in Golden thanks to the efforts of members Danny and Marilyn Ramsey.

They felt the need to pass the effort on and Larry and Valerie Hay who took up the effort in 2014. In 2018 it was held it at the Lumber Baron Inn and Gardens Mansion in Denver which included a talk on the history of the building and a tour.

For 2019 it was held at the Sundial House Lodge in the Backcountry Wilderness Area which included musical entertainment.


Kirkin’ of the Tartan Church Service – May The Kirkin’ is presented each year at Saint John’s Cathedral in Denver. A traditional service is performed and music is performed via a pipe band and the choir.

Happy Hours – Throughout the Summer Small social gatherings at Scottish or Irish pubs have been a staple on the SASC calendar and give members an opportunity to gather and talk informally and more affordably.

Summer Picnic – June Although the summer picnic event went by the wayside for a few years, it was resumed in 2019. The picnics are usually held at a private residence or a small public park.


The Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games – August The Festival and Games event is a program of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado and full information can always be found on the separate website: www.scottishgames.org.

There is also a Facebook page: www.facebook.com/scottishgames.

The Festival and Games was started in 1963 shortly after the SASC was founded. It has grown steadily over the years and has had to move a few times to different locations due to this growth and other challenges. Finding the space for a large event such as this has proven to be problematic and expensive. Advertising is also challenging. The event features Highland athletics as well as families/clans, British cars, Highland and Country dancing, piping and drumming competitions, beer tent, food tasting, whisky tasting, British dogs, and more!. Volunteers and a variety of sponsors help to make the event possible as well as modest ticket sales to the public.


http://www.facebook.com/scottishgames


The Games Marshals during This Period: 2015: John Thornton and Carl Andrews (Highland Heritage Regional Park, Highlands Ranch)

Note: John Thornton was also the Games Marshal at Highland Heritage Regional Park, Highlands Ranch

for many years before this period.

2016: John Thornton and Carl Andrews (Snowmass) 2017: John Thornton and Carl Andrews (Snowmass) 2018: Heather Miller-Nugent (Citizens Park in Edgewater)

2019: Heather Miller-Nugent (Citizens Park in Edgewater)

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The Committee Members Grateful thanks go out to all of the volunteers during this period who really make the Festival

and Games happen! Robert Anderson Carl Andrews Chris Andrist Lindsey Baker Mandy Bakulski Dave Barton E.J. Bennett Greg Bradshaw Suzi Bradshaw Jacqueline Buchanan Bob Burnham Kathy Burnham Pam Camelio Carlene Campbell Sandy Campbell Janet Carroll Jean Casson Jim Craig Randi Craig Willard Crary Catherine Crisler Heather Cronkhite Lindsay Cuthill Noel Dickson Garion Evans Apryll (Lowe) Gain Gary Gain David Ginnow Jean Gordon Terry Hardey Karen Hart Sabrina Hattar Larry Hay Val Hay Jennifer Herrod Timm Herrod Jean Hess Richard Hess Judith Holiday Barb Howell Ian Hughes Jim Johnston Traci Jones Sharon Kenney Alvin Kitzmann

Bill Lowe Don Lowe Alan Magnuson Jerry Mahoney Christina Marshall Mary Martin Jaclyn Martinez Paula Martinez Ken McIntosh Don McKee Drew McPheeters Heather Miller Gary Mitchell Janet Mitchell Pam Moisey Rick Munsell Steven Newell Nancy (McIntosh) Pallozzi Sharon Rafferty Dan Ramsey Marilyn Ramsey Sally Reed Bill Remy Mark Riehm Margaret Rothermel Mike Saunders Trish Saunders Charles Sherwood Barbara Sims Harv Sims Jackie Slater Thomas Spiess Wayne Staggs David Stern Meg Stern Jim Stern Bett Thompson Loretta Thompson John Thornton Susan Thornton Brooks Turner Bonnie Warner Annalee White James White Lois Wilson

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SCFD Support The Scientific & Cultural Facilities District is one of the sponsors of the event for which we are very grateful: www.scfd.org.

Their premise is as follows: ‘SCFD is the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District, a tax collected and distributed to nearly 300 cultural organizations in our seven-county Denver metro region providing art, culture and scientific experiences. Beginning with taxpayers and with the expert shepherding of the SCFD, our collective mission is simple: We fund culture.’ The most current Board Members and Staff of SCFD are as follows: BOARD Jack Finlaw, Chairman Kendra Black, Vice-Chair Ann Speer, Treasurer Kathy Nesbitt, Secretary Lynn Jeffers Ray Gonzales Gino Greco Deborah Malden Marcela de la Mar Carlos Martinez Jake Zambrano STAFF

Deborah Jordy, Executive Director Jessica Kato, Deputy Director Dana Manyothane, Program Manager Heather Porter, Program Manager Kendal Zimmermann, Program Manager Joyce Chitechi, Office Manager

http://www.scfd.org/


About Highland Athletics… Rocky Mountain Scottish Athletes (www.rmsa.org/) is an organization of men and women who love these sports. Their Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Company/Rocky-Mountain-Scottish-Athletes-262185674741/ SASC members Wayne Staggs and Greg Bradshaw have been RMSA leaders and have made our Festival and Games so exciting

http://www.rmsa.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Company/Rocky-Mountain-Scottish-Athletes-262185674741/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Company/Rocky-Mountain-Scottish-Athletes-262185674741/


Dogs of the British Isles Always a popular feature!

www.scottishgames.org/events-and-performance-schedule/dogs-of-the-british-isles/

http://www.scottishgames.org/events-and-performance-schedule/dogs-of-the-british-isles/


Auxiliary Groups

Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers (RMHD) Organized over 40 years ago, the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers (RMHD) supports Scottish Highland Dance in Colorado. RMHD works with dancers, starting as young as three years old, to instill cultural heritage, the discipline of dancing, and a love of the arts and live performance. Please spend a few minutes to look through the excellent RMHD website to learn more about Highland dancing and the organization.

www.rmhd.org

The beginnings of Scottish Highland Dance in Colorado started many years before RMHD became an organization. In the late 1960s and early 1970s there existed a small group called the Highland Dancers of the St. Andrew Society. For about ten years, these dancers performed at St. Andrew Society of Colorado (SASC) functions and organized the Highland dancing for the SASC picnic. George and Mickey Barnes were key figures in organizing this group and the area Highland dancers. George and Mickey’s daughter, Liz, and son, Craig, were Highland dancers. Later in the ‘70s, a Canadian judge happened to be in Denver and offered to judge the Highland dance competition at the SASC picnic. Everyone thought the event was wonderful and decided to organize the group even more.

http://www.rmhd.org/


SASC gave the group $150.00 as seed money, and on September 23, 1979, the Rocky Mountain Highland Dancers (RMHD) had their first organizational meeting to establish themselves as an auxiliary group of the SASC. Among those present at the meeting were: Nancy Stevens, the Patrick family, the Barnes family, the Gillette Family, the Center family, Debbie Wygent, and the Batliner family. Some of the subjects discussed at this meeting were, as always, dues and fundraising. Also considered was whether to become affiliated with the St. Andrew Society of Colorado, and how many dance workshops and dance competitions to hold each year. The SASC has continued to provide support to the organization ever since. The purpose of RMHD is to create and encourage the expression of ethnic history and dances of Scotland through performances, workshops and competitions. RMHD’s first board, and all others to date, has always kept in mind the best interests of the dancers and the Highland dance community, and how to best promote Highland dancing in Colorado. The organization is also proud to be one that supports positive youth development and fosters leadership skills in its dancers. There are two dedicated positions on the board for young people known as “Dancers at Large” who provide a youth perspective to the activities of the organization. The current President of RMHD, Sarah Neff, has been a competitive dancer in Colorado for 24 of her 27

years. RMHD performs at festivals and other events throughout Colorado all year long, often accompanied by a local dance piper or pipe band. RMHD is delighted to provide dancers for the St. Andrew’s Gala, Burns Night Supper, Kirkin’ of the Tartan and other functions of the Society. RMHD holds at least two workshops each year bringing in a variety of accredited teachers from around the country and the world. One of the workshops is typically paired with medals testing with a certified examiner from the British Association of Teachers of Dance (BATD). Dancers who excel in their theory exams during the medals testing are invited to participate in the BATD Scholarship weekend that year. CO has had representatives at these scholarship events nearly every year since they began in the early 2000’s. RMHD also runs a local dance competition, the Colorado Celtic Indoor Competition, each year and is also the host of the Southwest Regional Championship every two to three years. Premier dancers placing in the top three in their age group at the Regional Championship are eligible to represent the region and compete at the national level in the United States Inter-Regional Championships (USIR). Over the years, RMHD has had many dancers represent our area at the USIR. Although the Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games are responsible for organizing the Highland dance competition at their annual festival in August, many of the organizational committee members and volunteers are RMHD members. Colorado has also had the honor of being the host state for the U.S. Inter-Regional Championship on three different occasions (1990, 2002 and 2008). RMHD spent much of the last three years preparing and fundraising to host the event once again in 2020. Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, the event had to be cancelled just two months before it was supposed to occur. The event would have brought dancers from Australia, Scotland, and Canada and throughout the United States to downtown Denver the weekend of July 22-26, 2020. While the organization was disappointed to cancel the event, the volunteers worked hard to turn it into a virtual weekend of fun dance classes and engaging live stream events.

One of the most popular events that RMHD holds is its annual Mother’s Day Highland Tea. This event has been held for over 20 years and is one of the organization’s primary fundraising


events. In recent years, tickets have nearly sold out at each of two seatings. Parents, teachers and dancers volunteer to promote the event, prepare the food, solicit items for the silent auction, and entertain the guests with traditional Scottish dances and Celtic music performances. Each year, SASC selects an RMHD dancer to be honored as the Chieftain’s Dancer. Many recipients of this award have remained committed volunteers, including serving in positions on the RMHD Board, volunteering at local festivals, and training to be the next generation of Colorado’s Highland dance teachers and judges. From 2018-2020, RMHD has been delighted to have one of its own dance teachers, Heather Cronkhite, serve as the Chieftain of SASC. Colorado currently has many teachers, three of whom are also judges who are certified by the Scottish Official Board of Highland Dancing: Pamela Patrick Moisey, Amanda “Mandy” McCulloch Bakulski and Jennifer Hastings. Another Colorado dancer, Haley Brogan, is also on the U.S. panel of certified judges, but currently lives out-of-state.

It has been over 40 years since RMHD became an organization and it is still going strong! RMHD still has many dancers and dance teachers who were either part of the founding group or are children or grandchildren of that group. RMHD attributes its success to the foresight of our founding members, as well as the many fine Highland dancers, teachers and parents who provide many hours of volunteer work to keep this a strong group.

2019 marks the 40th Anniversary of the group!


Scottish Country Dancers of Colorado One of the longest-standing traditions in Colorado is Scottish Country Dancing, as opposed to Highland dancing. This group dancing is fun, elegant and really good exercise! Please spend a

few minutes on their website to learn more about this activity: www.scdcolorado.org

Scottish Country Dancing appeared in Scotland in the early 18th Century and embraces the social dancing of Scotland. When the St. Andrew Society was originally formed, the first Chieftain and his lady were Country dancers and they stressed the importance of maintaining that social custom in our Society. Correct technique, combined with the intricate floor patterns, wonderful music, and sociability appeals to many people around the world. There are several qualified teachers in the Society who are eager and willing to teach beginners as well as continuing to teach new dances to more experienced dancers. The group performs at festivals as well as SASC dinners. Weekly classes are held along the Front Range and a yearly Heather and Thistle Ball is held in March. Kathy and Bob Burnham are the SASC Council representatives and the teachers are Bob Burnham, Jeff Davis, and Jamie MacKinnon. This

group has fun and the dancing is really good exercise!

http://www.scdcolorado.org/


Tartan Day Festival Committee – April Even though the Colorado Tartan Day Committee is an associate group of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado, they do their own fundraising and have an additional membership program. As they say on their website, “Colorado Tartan Day Festival is solely funded by events and donations.” We all very much appreciate the great work they do!

www.coloradotartanday.com

www.facebook.com/ColoradoTartanDay

Their April event is held at Boulder County Fairgrounds in Longmont and admission is FREE to the public!!!

They also host a great Highland Harvest Tea in November at St. Brigit Episcopal Church in

Frederick. Serving is done by men in kilts, hoping for tips in their stockings which are added to the fund. They also host a Sweetheart Tea in February. What great efforts! Following are a few photographs of the Tea. It is always very well-done and a lot of fun.

http://www.coloradotartanday.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoTartanDay


Following is a list of the active CTD Council members and officers:


David Arnold

Shelly Arnold

Nancy Bigley, Secretary, Membership, Social Media Co-Coordinator

Edwin Bomgardner, Pipe Band Coordinator

Lee Bonsall

Jerry Ekberg, Co-Treasurer

Stacie Ekberg, Co-Treasurer

Nancy Getzinger

Fiona Gibson

Mary Anne Larson

Raven Lyons

Lorri McDaniel

Paul McDaniel, Music Director/Coordinator

Micah Megargee

Kevin Olsen

Becky Robertson

Jenson Robinson, Field & Logistics Co-Coordinator

Chris Roger

John Root (Keddie Lynn)

Corri Waggoner, President

Monty Waggoner, WebMaster

Annalee White, Vice President & Clan-Vendor Coordinator

Jamey White, Field & Logistics Co-Coordinator

Thank you everyone for all you do!


The New Auxiliary Branch of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado in Grand Junction and

the Western Slope Area of Colorado! At the October 25, 2019 Annual General Meeting (AGM) the Council and membership present voted to make this new branch, the St. Andrew Society of Western Colorado, an auxiliary organization of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado. Current members Sharon and Sean Taylor had travelled from Grand Junction to the AGM to ask for inclusion in the Society. They want to expand on the current Celtic heritage events there by being an auxiliary group of SASC. One of their current events is the Grand Valley Scottish Games & Celtic Festival in Grand Junction, www.scotlandfest.com, which was started in 2019 and is held at the Mesa County Fairgrounds. Sharon (who was born in Glasgow) and Sean operate the local pipe band in Grand Junction, The Glenfinnan Highlanders: www.glenfinnanhighlanders.com. The band is already a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and provides entertainment for the community. The Taylor's also own Taylor’s Croft Scottish and Irish Goods which features imported bagpipes, Highland wares, gifts and Celtic Weddings in Grand Junction: www.taylorscroft.com.

Welcome Sharon and Sean and any new members!

http://www.scotlandfest.com/

http://www.glenfinnanhighlanders.com/

http://www.taylorscroft.com/


Heritage Fund Endowment Status: Struggling for Stability The St. Andrew Society of Colorado Heritage Fund Endowment was established in 2010 to create a perpetual endowment for the Society, ensuring its ability to carry out its mission well into the future. Our goal is to be able to support a significant portion of the SASC's various programs through the proceeds generated by the Endowment. The Heritage Fund is held in a perpetual trust, managed by the Community First Foundation, sponsors of Colorado Gives. The Community First Foundation manages millions of dollars in various non-profit Trusts throughout the Rocky Mountain Region, providing marketing and fundraising support, administrative assistance and matching contributions to its non-profit partners. We have already received approximately $9,500 in matching grants from them to this point. Although the Trust allows a portion of its proceeds to be distributed to the Society each year, our goal foregoes distributions until the Trust reaches a $100,000 threshold. Naturally, members are encouraged to make donations to the Fund so that it can reach the intended goal and become active as soon as possible. In that SASC is a qualified non-profit organization, donations are tax-deductible. Donations can be accepted directly via the SASC website, through Community First and the Colorado Gives Program, PayPal and PayPal Gives, employer matching gifts programs, as cash or check donations, or can be included in a person’s estate and planned giving program. Contributions can also be one-time; annually or monthly. All donations, no matter what the size, are appreciated and contribute to our future sustainability. The Fund was seeded by a small group of Charter Members each of whom donated at least $1,500.00 during the first year to establish the Fund. From its original beginnings of $30,000, it has grown to over $53,000 as of December 2019. The Heritage Fund Director is Larry Hay. The Charter Members of the Heritage Fund were:

Derek and Pam Allen Don and Arlene Burt Sandy and Carlene Campbell Isabelle Clark Ralph and Marilyn Clark Dave and Betty Cottrell Roger and Ann Garner Todd Guller Alex Gury Larry and Val Hay Jim and Betty Johnston Bill and Sue Lowe Stanzi and Robin Lucy Gary and Jan Mitchell Danny and Marilyn Ramsey Rudy and Alice Ramsey Joe Stewart Michael Stewart Chuck and Sally Wilson Betty Winslow Don Winslow


Membership Count: Efforts to Increase Membership The SASC Festival and Games that is held in early August of each year has always been our best opportunity to sign-up new members. This number varies from year to year of course. The other public outreaches are our website and newsletter, the Highland Herald. The website, www.coloradoscots.com, offers a sign-up opportunity by way of the “Membership” menu option:

Several options are available and current members can use the database device on the page to check their status. At a Council meeting in December of 2018, Membership Chairpersons Kathy and Bob Burnham and member Ken McIntosh presented a plan to improve the presentation on the website, and do an annual membership drive in April of each year. The Council members decided not to pursue either of these options at this time.



Colorado Scottish License Plate Effort In April of 2010, in order to promote the Scottish community in Colorado, a group of SASC members appeared before the Colorado legislature to ask for permission to have an official Scottish license plate which anyone could purchase and place on their vehicle. Three Senators sponsored the effort: Ray Scott, Mike Johnston and Andy Kerr.

There were three levels of approval required by different committees and we made it through the first two of them. The third and final committee voted to NOT approve the request for whatever political or social reasons they had. This was a great disappointment of course. The effort was covered in newspapers and included photographs of those who appeared however.

The License Plate Frame Idea…. In June of 2020 Ken McIntosh sent a proposal to the SASC Council to approve a design and have a professionally produced license plate frame which members and the general public could use on their automobile license plates to promote the Society and Scottish community. The graphic was designed by Kelly O’Dea consisting of a light blue frame with white text reading “Scottish!” on the top of the frame and “ColoradoScots.com” on the bottom, as shown below.

Research revealed that the initial cost of the project would be affordable and could serve as good advertising and a fundraiser. The campaign was begun in July 2020.


The Greater Scottish/Celtic Community in Colorado There is a Scottish/Celtic community in Colorado that is not necessarily part of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado as such. Individual members of SASC are, however, involved in all sorts of Scottish/Celtic activities which complement what we are also about. The following pages provide information about these organizations and activities.

The Clans and Families The various Scottish clans representing the many, many names and families of the Scots people have been representing and displaying at the various festivals around Colorado including ours: The Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games is held in early August of each year and for the past 56 years. Ours is the oldest such festival in

Colorado. By the way, the Scots Gaelic (Gàidhlig) word for ‘clan’ is ‘clann’, which means simply ‘children.’ We want to take this opportunity to say “thank you” (“tapadh leat” in Scottish Gaelic) to all

of the clans who make our festival so interesting and fun for the general public, Scottish or not. On the following page there is a long, but probably not complete list, of the clans who have displayed at our festival in the past. To find out more about them and their leaders here in Colorado, please “Google” the names. Most of them have their own websites and Facebook pages, etc. They would be happy to hear from you and answer any of your questions. Most of them belong to national organizations as well. Some of them actually help us sponsor the festival by donating much-needed support. NOTE: Remember that all of the clan groups have many sept (family) names under their umbrella. There are also multiple tartans for clans.

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Anderson Armstrong Bell Blair Brodie The Family of Bruce International Buchanan Cameron Campbell Carmichael Chisholm Cian Cochrane Crawford Cumming/Comyn Currie Donald Donnachaidh (Robertson) Douglas Dunlap/Dunlop Elliot Erskine Forsyth Fraser Gibson Gordon Graham Grant Gregor Gunn Guthrie Hay Society Henderson Hunter Irwin Johnston Keith Kennedy Society of North America Lamont Lindsay MacDuff

MacKay (Festival patron) Mackintosh MacAlisdair/MacAlister MacFarlane MacGregor MacKay MacKenzie MacLachlan MacLaren MacLea (Livingstone) Society MacLeans of Duarte Castle MacLellan MacLeod MacNeil MacNichol MacPherson MacRae Matheson Maxwell McAllister McEldowney Mongomery Morrison Murray Clan Society Pollock Ramsay Robertson (Donnachaidh) Rose Ross Routledge Rutherford Sinclair Scott Society of Scottish Armiger & Heraldry Sutherland Thompson Ulster-Scots of Colorado Urquhart

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The Renaissance Scots The Renaissance Scots Living History Association, a 501 (c) 3 educational nonprofit corporation, has been delighting attendees at Celtic events in the Rocky Mountain West for 22 years. The “Ren Scots” provide a village setting where the public experiences highland Scottish life and crafts from the time of William Wallace (Braveheart) through the Jacobite uprising against the English that ended so disastrously for the Scots on the battlefield of Culloden in 1745. When they display and perform at public festivals in their living history village they provide basket making, blacksmithing, cheese making and other culinary offerings, lace making, leather shop, spinning, tartan weaving, and the ‘Wolves of Dunvegan’ combat demonstrations.

Learn more about these anachronists at www.renscots.org and www.scottishgames.org/renaissance-scots-village.

http://www.renscots.org/

http://www.scottishgames.org/renaissance-scots-village


The Gaelic Language Community in Colorado There is a very active Gaelic language community in Colorado which includes instructors, workshops and retreats. It is part of a national organization: www.acgamerica.org.

SASC member Rudy Ramsey is an active leader in this community. He has performed at SASC dinners and other events. Rudy can be contacted at [email protected] or 303-841-7839. There are plenty of learning resources out there!

Is Irish Gaelic exactly the same as Scottish Gaelic? No. They are similar, but not exactly alike.

About the Scots Dialect… Scots, or Doric, is not the same as Gaelic. They are not alike at all. Both languages have dictionaries and study materials. The Concise Scots Dictionary (shown below) is published by the Edinburgh University Press. The Luath Scots Language Learner (shown below) is published by Luath Press Ltd and includes a CD. Many other resources are available including books and online sites.

http://www.acgamerica.org/

mailto:[email protected]


The Wales, Ireland, Scotland, England (W.I.S.E.) Family History Society The Society meets at the Denver Public Library on the 5th floor which is devoted to genealogy and Western history on a Saturday each month with a one-moth summer break. Special topics are discussed and experts are brought in to teach. Some members make an annual trip to Salt Lake city, Utah to do in-depth genealogy research! The group often hosts a genealogy booth at the various festivals. They also publish a regular newsletter.

www.wise-fhs.org

They also maintain a wonderful Facebook page: www.facebook.com/wisefhs1983

http://www.wise-fhs.org/

http://www.facebook.com/wisefhs1983


The Colorado Welsh Society The Colorado Welsh Society represents and promotes one of the other great Celtic cultures through their language, dance, music, food and proud history. They often perform at the various other Celtic festivals and parades. They are part of regional and national Welsh organizations.

www.coloradowelshsociety.org and www.facebook.com/colowelsh

http://www.coloradowelshsociety.org/

http://www.facebook.com/colowelsh


The Pipes and Drums Colorado residents enjoy the talents of numerous excellent pipe bands. The SASC salutes their hard work and dedication to this iconic element of Scottish (and Irish) culture!

79th Highlanders Pipe Band: https://sites.google.com/site/79thhighlanderspipeband/

Centennial State Pipes and Drums: www.bagpipe.org and

www.facebook.com/bagpipe.org

Ciorcal Cairde Irish Pipes & Drums: www.ciorcalcairdeirishpd.com and

www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/Ciorcal-Cairde-Irish-Pipes-and-Drums-212308510533

Colorado Caledonian Pipes and Drums: www.coloradopipeband.com and

www.facebook.com/ColoradoCaledonianPipeBand

Colorado Emerald Society Pipe Band: www.coemersoc.org/pipe-drum and

www.facebook.com/CESPipesandDrums

Colorado Pipers: http://www.coloradopipers.com/lessons and

www.facebook.com/ColoradoPipers/

Colorado Youth Pipe Band: www.cypb.net and

www.facebook.com/coloradoyouthpipeband

Denver and District Pipe Band: www.ddpb.org and

www.facebook.com/DenverAndDistrictPipeBand

Glenfinnan Highlanders: www.glenfinnanhighlanders.com and

www.facebook.com/HeilanSodger

Michael Collins Pipe Band: www.michaelcollinspb.com and

www.facebook.com/MichaelCollinsPipeBand

Northern Colorado Caledonia Pipe Band: www.facebook.com/NCCPB

Pikes Peak Highlanders Pipes & Drums: www.pikespeakhighlanders.com and www.facebook.com/pphighlanders

Pipe Band of El Jebel: www.facebook.com/ElJebelShrinePipeBand

Queen City Pipe Band: www.queencitypipeband.org and

www.facebook.com/thequeencitypipeband

https://sites.google.com/site/79thhighlanderspipeband/

http://www.bagpipe.org/

http://www.facebook.com/bagpipe.org

http://www.ciorcalcairdeirishpd.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/Ciorcal-Cairde-Irish-Pipes-and-Drums-212308510533

http://www.facebook.com/pages/category/Musician-Band/Ciorcal-Cairde-Irish-Pipes-and-Drums-212308510533

http://www.coloradopipeband.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoCaledonianPipeBand

http://www.coemersoc.org/pipe-drum

http://www.facebook.com/CESPipesandDrums

http://www.coloradopipers.com/lessons

http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoPipers/

http://www.cypb.net/

http://www.facebook.com/coloradoyouthpipeband

http://www.ddpb.org/

http://www.facebook.com/DenverAndDistrictPipeBand

http://www.glenfinnanhighlanders.com/

http://www.facebook.com/HeilanSodger

http://www.michaelcollinspb.com/

http://www.facebook.com/MichaelCollinsPipeBand

http://www.facebook.com/NCCPB

http://www.pikespeakhighlanders.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pphighlanders

http://www.facebook.com/ElJebelShrinePipeBand

http://www.queencitypipeband.org/

http://www.facebook.com/thequeencitypipeband


The Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS) and Color Guard

SASC members and guests have enjoyed the presentation of the flags by the Scottish-American Military Society (SAMS) organization, specifically Posts 100 and 1806 in Colorado,

at the St. Andrew Gala and the Burns Supper events, as well as at the Colorado Scottish Festival, Tartan Day, and other events around the region for many years. Thousands of children have enjoyed and benefited from the SAMS Passport to the Clans booklets at all the festivals wherein the children take a blank booklet and go from clan booth to booth to learn a little something about each clan and gather a stamp. They then turn in the booklet at the SAMS tent for a prize drawing. What a great service! The Scottish-American Military Society (S.A.M.S) was founded as a national veterans’ organization on April 12, 1981, at Grandfather’s Mountain, North Carolina. Post 100 was formed a decade later, on March 21, 1991. It is named in honor of Major General Keith L. Ware. Post 100 was chartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The Post now includes members from Colorado, Wyoming, Nebraska and South Dakota. Post 100 is part of the Rocky Mountain Region, which includes Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, and Wyoming. It also supports other Western Regions. The Post is represented at most of the regional Scottish/Celtic Festivals, including Elizabeth Celtic Festival and Games, Cheyenne Celtic Music Festival, Colorado Scottish Festival in Highlands Ranch and the Long’s Peak Scottish/Irish Festival and Games in Estes Park. The Post provides a hospitality booth and Color Guard for each of these events. Color Guard support is provided for other activities and ceremonies such as Tartan Day, Veteran’s Day, various Kirkin’ of the Tartan ceremonies, state and local parades, memorial services, awards ceremonies, funerals or other patriotic events for Veterans and Active Duty Service Members as deemed appropriate. The current Post Commander is Gary Mitchell. Thank you Gary! Following is their main website and contact information:


http://www.s-a-m-s.org/

The membership of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado and the greater Scottish/Celtic community deeply appreciates the efforts of this great

organization. Thank you for your service!

http://www.s-a-m-s.org/


Celtic Connection/Celtic Events by Pat McCullough and Rodger Hara Pat McCullough started The Celtic Connection (www.celticevents.com) (www.facebook.com/celtic.rockies/) magazine in 1993 and it has since developed into a force to promote all things Irish, Scottish and Welsh in Colorado. His Celtic Events production company

has brought major Celtic entertainment into Colorado.

Pat has been the Marshal of the St. Patrick’s Day Parade and a tribute was held for him in 2013 by the Irish Network and Celtic community: www.irishnetworkco.com/tribute-to-pat-mccullough. Although Pat’s main focus is Irish, he has always included his Scots cousins into the mix. The St. Andrew Society of Colorado is grateful for the promoting that Pat has done for our events over the years.

Thanks Pat!

In 2019, he devoted the May issue cover of the magazine to the Denver School of the Arts students who participated in the Heather Ale: A Galloway Legend Competition at the school which spotlighted one of Robert Louis Stevenson’s story poems and was sponsored by the Scottish community (see following graphic).

http://www.celticevents.com/

http://www.facebook.com/celtic.rockies/

http://www.irishnetworkco.com/tribute-to-pat-mccullough


Rodger Hara is also a main figure in the Celtic community and is Pat’s main writer. Rodger has also been a generous promoter of Scottish events.

Thanks Rodger! Rodger is also involved with KGNU Radio and Boulder Community Radio (www.kgnu.org) which offer Celtic programs such as Seolta Gael and announce local events such as ours.

http://www.kgnu.org/

http://www.afterfm.com/celtic


Clan Donnachaidh of the Rocky Mountains and Their Robert Burns Night The Clan Donnachaidh (“donna-key”) (Robertson) organization is a formidable presence in Colorado and does more than its fair share to represent! Theirs is the only clan that uses their Gaelic name. Glè mhath! (Very good). The branch is located in Colorado but has members throughout Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. They support many efforts including their own Robert Burns Night.

www.rockymountainscots.com

http://www.rockymountainscots.com/


Other Scottish/Celtic Festivals and Games around the State

Tartan Day Festival

2nd weekend in April in Longmont www.coloradotartanday.com, and www.facebook.com/ColoradoTartanDay

Grand Valley Scottish Games & Celtic Festival

2nd weekend in May in Grand Junction www.facebook.com/events/mesa-county-fairgrounds-at-veterans-memorial-park/grand-valley-scottish-games-and-celtic-festival/2132544810345937

Pike’s Peak Celtic Festival

2nd weekend in June in Colorado Springs www.pikespeakcelticfestival.com and www.facebook.com/PikesPeakCelticFestival

Colorado Irish Festival

www.coloradoirishfestival.com and www.facebook.com/ColoradoIrishFestival 2nd weekend in July in Littleton

Elizabeth Celtic Festival

3rd weekend in July in Elizabeth www.elizabethcelticfest.org and www.facebook.com/ElizabethCelticFestival

Colorado Scottish Festival and Rocky Mountain Highland Games

1st weekend in August in Edgewater www.scottishgames.org and www.facebook.com/scottishgames

http://www.coloradotartanday.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoTartanDay

http://www.facebook.com/events/mesa-county-fairgrounds-at-veterans-memorial-park/grand-valley-scottish-games-and-celtic-festival/2132544810345937

http://www.facebook.com/events/mesa-county-fairgrounds-at-veterans-memorial-park/grand-valley-scottish-games-and-celtic-festival/2132544810345937

http://www.pikespeakcelticfestival.com/

http://www.facebook.com/PikesPeakCelticFestival

http://www.coloradoirishfestival.com/

http://www.facebook.com/ColoradoIrishFestival

http://www.elizabethcelticfest.org/

http://www.facebook.com/ElizabethCelticFestival


http://www.facebook.com/scottishgames


Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival

2nd weekend in September in Estes Park www.scotfest.com and www.facebook.com/Scotfest

Celtic Fest Brigit

4th Saturday in September in Frederick www.celticfestbrigit.org and www.facebook.com/events/st-brigit-episcopal-church/celtic-fest-brigit/269538373973456

Celtic Cross near Peebles, Scotland

http://www.scotfest.com/

http://www.facebook.com/Scotfest

http://www.celticfestbrigit.org/

http://www.facebook.com/events/st-brigit-episcopal-church/celtic-fest-brigit/269538373973456

http://www.facebook.com/events/st-brigit-episcopal-church/celtic-fest-brigit/269538373973456


Book Clubs and the Reading List Document Posted on the SASC Website Reading about the Scots, Scottish-Americans, etc. and all of the entertaining and famous creations they have produced is an amazing experience. Many people simply do not realize the many contributions Scots have made to all aspects of civilization. Many of these works have also been made into films. The book club was started in 2014 by SASC members Cindy Murphy and Keith Schrum and meetings were held at their home in Highlands Ranch. Kathy and Bob Burnham, Sanford “Sandy” and Carlene Campbell, Carolyn Elliott, Ken McIntosh, Jean Skinner, Nancy Tengler and Bonnie Warner joined in at that point. They were all responsible for developing and publishing the recommended reading list that has been updated several times and is available to any interested parties anywhere in the world on the SASC website!

Check it out under Community (menu item)>Scottish Reading Club>click on the link at the bottom of the page!


Book Recommendation… Abraham Lincoln and Robert Burns: Connected Lives and Legends by Ferenc Morton Szasz

(2008)

This amazing revelation of how Lincoln was inspired by Scotland’s bard will captivate any reader. Szasz has done excellent research in Scotland and the United States that demonstrates the influence that Burns (1759-1796) had on Lincoln (1809-1865) starting in his boyhood and continuing into his adulthood and presidency. Szasz also covers how Burns filled the gap in early America for a favorite national poet and egalitarian thinker. He also covers how the Scots and Scottish-Americans influenced American society. Mary Todd Lincoln was of Scottish ancestry. Former slave and abolitionist Frederick Douglass also embraced the work and philosophy of Robert Burns. The book is informative and entertaining!


St. Andrew Society of Colorado Curling Team: Scots on the Rocks? What once was could be again! Any volunteers?

The St. Andrew Society of Colorado Kilted Golf Tournament? What once was could be again! Any volunteers?


The Scottish Fiddle Club of Colorado In an effort to fill the gap of not having a strong presence of Scottish fiddle music in Colorado, SASC member Ken McIntosh started the Scottish Fiddle Club of Colorado in 2010 (www.scotsfiddle.org/) (https://www.facebook.com/pg/ScotsfiddleColorado/about/). He had made a presentation to the Council at that time proposing that the Club be made an auxiliary group of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado, but the Council chose not to do this. In any event, he and a few like-minded friends began by offering educational workshops, which evolved into concerts, and several YouTube recordings, and two appearances on 9News. Since then the club has thrived. Some of the key people who have made the club work over the years include the Ross family (Nat and Briana, Soquel, Squire, Sequoia, and Simile), Kelly O’Dea, the Golden family (Jennifer, Jimmy, Jack, Jay and Jillian), Lora Stevens, Laura McDermott, Sarah Delevoryas, Matthew Chichester, Robert Townsend, Scott Sherman, Megan Rayl, Julia and Meredith Wirth, Sharon Rafferty, Keith Schrum (MC), Sandy Campbell (MC), John Thornton (MC) and Steve Rower (audio engineer). Many students from the Fiddle Competition

(next section) have also performed with the group. The Club is open to professionals, amateurs and students. Since then the ensemble and soloists have presented fourteen FREE concerts with attendance levels of from 60 to 130 people. CDs and videotapes were produced and hundreds of pieces of customized music were shared with violinists (fiddlers), cellists, guitarists and vocalists. Some of the performance venues have been the Kirk of Bonnie Brae, St. Philip Lutheran Church, the Scottish Rite Consistory, and the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Performing Arts Complex in the foyer just prior to The Nutcracker performances. Custom musical arrangements were created by professional arrangers Stephen Bailey, Scott Sherman, Soquel Ross, and Jasper Schmich Kinney so that authentic Scottish music could

be captured and transmitted. There are said to be over 12,000 Scottish fiddle compositions in existence. The group has performed many, but still just a fraction of them over the years. Irish and American music have always been included too. Advertising is sent out to the SASC membership as well as the general public via publications such as The Celtic Connection magazine (thank you Pat McCullough and Rodger Hara!), and radio stations such as KGNU Radio and Boulder Community Radio. The Club’s logo was designed by Club member Jennifer Woodruff of 9News.

Since all of the Club’s concerts are FREE, contributions to charities such as the Juvenile

Diabetes Research Foundation and the Scottish Rite’s Speech Therapy Program at Childrens Hospital have been solicited at the door of the concert hall. Door prizes have also awarded to lucky persons.

http://www.scotsfiddle.org/

https://www.facebook.com/pg/ScotsfiddleColorado/about/


Printed programs have always been available at the concerts:

The website www.scotsfiddle.org offers a downloadable educational document about Scottish fiddling styles and is available to anyone.

http://www.scotsfiddle.org/


A Facebook page www.facebook.com/pg/ScotsfiddleColorado/about/ was constructed to offer even more information to the public. Thank you Briana Ross!

http://www.facebook.com/pg/ScotsfiddleColorado/about/


Following are a few photographs of the talented performers in action.


Meredith Wirth piping in the fiddlers Keith Schrum announcing from the pulpit

Scott Sherman and Nat Ross performing Ballad of John Muir Soquel and Nat Ross performing The Hurricane Set

Lora Stevens and Nat Ross performing Bonnie Lass O’ Bon Accord The ensemble performing in St. Philip’s beautiful sanctuary


The Scottish Fiddle Competition of Colorado and The Colorado Elks Association (CEA) In order to further develop the playing of Scottish fiddle music in Colorado and offer more opportunities to kids, SASC member Ken McIntosh started the Scottish Fiddle Competition of Colorado for kids of all ages in 2013. Being a long-time member of the Elks organization, Lodge 1777, he approached the Youth Activities Director, John Collier, and they secured a $1,000 grant from the Colorado Elks Association (CEA) (www.elks.org) to help pay for the Competition prizes. At the same time he approached well-known businessman Mr. Jake Jabs of American Furniture and asked for a matching sum which Jake supplied. This partnership

would endure for two years until Jake had to re-direct his portion to other charities. At that point, the CEA stepped up with another $1,000 to continue the effort. SASC members Bill Elder and Sue McIntosh also contributed money for the cash prizes in the first year. Several people have served as judges over the years including Mathew Chichester, Kelly O’Dea, Soquel Ross, and Bob Townsend. The current CEA Youth Activities Director is Jeannette Rogers who is also very supportive of the event. The CEA and all of the Elks lodges around the state are dedicated to youth projects as well as veterans and other worthy projects. We are very grateful for their help! “Elks Care/Elks Share.”

Since then, approximately 140 student violinists (fiddlers) have benefitted from the program and have learned some of the great Scottish fiddle music that was made available to them.

http://www.elks.org/


The Robert Louis Stevenson Competition at The Denver School of the Arts (DSA) In an effort to fill the gap of any apparent effort of any kind in Colorado to celebrate the world-famous Scots author Robert Louis Stevenson, SASC member Ken McIntosh started the Robert Louis Stevenson Competition at The Denver School of the Arts in 2018. This was done with the help of the Theatre Director at DSA, Ms. Shawn Hann (see photo below). She is amazing and takes the students to the Edinburgh Festival every other summer! The school’s

website is www.dsa.dpsk12.org.

Students were asked to present the story poem by Stevenson entitled Heather Ale: A Galloway Legend using the original lyrics but in their own creative way. The judges were not disappointed with the results! These kids were great in both the 2018 competition and the 2019 competition. The judges were Sanford “Sandy” Campbell, Ken McIntosh and Sharon Rafferty. The 2019 winners were featured on the cover of The Celtic Connection magazine on the May 2019 edition through the generosity of Mr. Pat McCullough. Thank you Pat!

http://www.dsa.dpsk12.org/


The Scottish Borders Clans Group Project Not all of the Scots are Highlanders! Who do you think was protecting the Border of Scotland and England all those years of conflict and conquest? In an effort to make this distinction between the two areas apparent to more people, SASC members Carolyn Elliott, the Clan Elliot representative in Colorado, and Ken McIntosh started organizing the Borders clans and families to this end in 2016. The goal was to not only line up at festivals and distinguish themselves from the Highlanders, but also to contribute meaningful projects to the mix of things in Colorado. Signage and reading materials were produced to display at festivals.

Many thanks to Clan Maxwell for hosting the Scottish Border Clans at the festivals!


The Smallpipes Workshop, Document and Concert in 2017 The Smallpipes workshop idea was developed at one of the Borders group brainstorming meetings while gathered at Pints Pub in Denver in 2017. A couple of the men there were smallpipes players. Not all bagpipes are the great Highland pipe sets you know! SASC members Carolyn Elliott and Ken McIntosh took the lead on the project. A workshop was planned and pipers from the region were invited. Twenty-five pipers were in attendance. An educational document was produced and a concert was held in Englewood by the Piper Jones Band featuring E. J. Jones. The project was done in cooperation with the Spanish Peaks Celtic Music Festival (www.celticmusicfest.com).

http://www.celticmusicfest.com/


The Robert Burns Competition Idea The Robert Burns Competition idea was also developed at the Borders group brainstorming gatherings at Mimi’s Café in Westminster in 2017. The original committee consisted of Carolyn Elliott, Helen Goody, Ken McIntosh, Tom Meiers, Christy Price Meiers, Max and Jeanne Morse, and Todd Morse. The Competition became a reality in 2019 having been held twice to-date with plans for a 2020 presentation. Please see the section about this event in the following pages.


The Tam o’ Shanter: A Tale Project for Colorado College Students In an effort to promote Robert Burns literature to college-age drama students in Colorado, SASC member Ken McIntosh sponsored the Tam o’ Shanter: A Tale Project in 2016 and 2017 which challenged college students to come and perform Burns’ most difficult work. Sharon Rafferty judged the students along with Ken in a small setting.

The 2016 winner was Alec Lang. The 2017 winner was Patrick Tackwell.

Ken decided to discontinue the competition because of limited funds at the time and the fact that not very many students signed up, reportedly because of the difficulty of the material. This

eventuality had been suspected but now it was demonstrated. None the less, college drama departments around the state and many students were made aware of Burns and Tam o’ Shanter: A Tale. It was not wasted effort or expense in Ken’s mind.


A further effort was made but with a professional actor at the helm. Gary Carnes was later approached to learn and perform Tam o’ Shanter: A Tale at Pints Pub in Denver on October 23, 2016 and was paid to provide a small group of thirty guests with a very special night of entertainment. Mr. Carnes is very talented but even he said that it took a lot of work to learn the work and feel confident with it. This first performance prepared Gary for his 2017 performance of the work at the SASC Burns Supper. It was fantastic and a standing-ovation was given. The performance featured Gary in Burns costume and the poem was placed on each table in printed booklet form.


The Robert Burns Poetry Reading Competition for Colorado High School Students In an effort to fill the gap of any apparent effort of any kind in Colorado to celebrate the world-famous Scots author Robert Burns with students, the Borders group developed this idea at brainstorming gatherings. SASC member Ken McIntosh took the lead on this and formally

started The Robert Burns Poetry Reading Competition for Colorado High School Students in 2018 with help from the other interested members including Carl and Lynne Andrews, Bob Bell, Tom Cochrane, Carolyn Elliott, Christine Elliott, David and Pamela Irwin, Caroline McCuan, Alex McIntosh, Tom Meiers and Christy Price, Jeanne, Max and Todd Morse, Kathryn and Steve O’Dea, and John and Susan Thornton. Many thanks to all for the help!

The Competition was offered in January of 2019 in an effort to test for the timeframe. The decision was made to change the offering date to October 2019 and the materials were sent to a select target market in May of 2019 in order to allow students to have the summer to work on the five required poems. Following are the results of these two efforts.


2019 January Edition Only three students signed up for this edition of the Competition. They all did very well and the judges awarded the cash prizes and award certificates to them in short order. The judging team consisted of SASC members Ken McIntosh, Sharon Rafferty and Jacqueline Buchanan. The winners were:

Ella Bruff, a 9th grader from Cherry Creek High School, won First Prize:

Anahi Gandara, a 12th grader from KIPP Denver Collegiate High School, won Second Prize:

Squire Ross, a 12th grader who was home-schooled, won Third Prize:


2019 October Edition Sixteen students signed up for this edition of the Competition. The judging team consisted of SASC members Ken McIntosh, Patricia and Michael Saunders. The winners were:

Marina Leo, a 10th grader at Denver School of the Arts, won First Prize:

Ben Feldman, a 9th grader at Denver School of the Arts, won Second Prize:

Brandon Searle, a 9th grader at Denver School of the Arts, won Third Prize:


Valeria Angulo Circa, a 10th grader at Denver School of the Arts, won Fourth Prize:

The Plan for the 2020 Edition The plan for the 2020 edition is to offer the event to a wider target audience, but with controls in place to produce a manageable number of participants. Popularity of the event has proven not to be a concern! In November of 2019, it was proposed that the SASC include the Burns Competition under its non-profit umbrella in order to ensure its continuance. As of this writing, that measure has not been included because there was a concern that, since the Competition is not an auxiliary group of the Society, the legal aspects needed further consideration.

The Required Poems Of the 716 available, five poems were selected to be required of everyone:

The Selkirk Grace

Address to a Haggis

Green Grow the Rashes, O!

The Rights of Woman

Auld Lang Syne

Electronic, printable versions of the poems are made available to any interested persons upon request and these contain links to recommended YouTube performance examples. A website is planned but the expense of this is not possible as of this writing.


Mr. Scott Diamond and His Pints Pub in Denver: Largest Scotch Whisky Collection

Around! Scott Diamond, the owner of Pints Pub in Denver, has assembled the world’s largest single

malt collection in the world over his 27 years in business. Purveyors of the finest Scotch whisky products come from all over to partake of over 260 single malts in the collection and locals come frequently. This offering, in addition to expertise supplied by Scott and his barmen and great pub food and ales/beers, have made Pints Pub famous. Scott hosts numerous tastings throughout the year which allow people to learn about Scotland’s famous export. The St. Andrew Society of Colorado also appreciates Scott and his business for supporting the Tartan Day Dinner and Whisky Tasting for 14 years! The proceeds originally went to SASC for the first two years, but it was decided to redirect the funds to go to support the Children’s Hospital Speech Therapy Program that is administered by the Scottish Rite Foundation centered at the Scottish Rite Consistory in Denver. Pints has also hosted SASC members many, many times to enjoy what he has created. While there we have been able to partake of food such as crisps, Highlander Chicken, Ploughman’s Platter, Brewer’s Bangers and Mash, and a variety of premium burgers and salads. Then there are the eleven different beer styles including two cask conditioned ales, and the Gael Force Scottish Ale, plus some fine wines!

Thanks for everything Scott!

www.pintspub.com

221 W 13th Ave, Denver, CO 80204 303-534-7543

http://www.pintspub.com/


The Hilltop Inn and The Burns Pub & Restaurant in Broomfield Located in Broomfield, this intimate pub and inn has also served as a warm gathering place for SASC members. The theme is just right for guest celebrating their Scottish heritage.

9009 Metro Airport Avenue, Broomfield, CO 80021

https://hilltop-inn.com/burns-pub-and-restaurant/

Noel and Wendy Hickey and The Celtic on Market in Denver The Celtic on Market at 1400 Market Street in Denver (formerly The Celtic Tavern) has been a staple of the Denver social scene since its inception in 2000. The original location at 1801 Blake Street was the home to many Denver locals and visitors alike for over 16 years. In 2017 Noel and his wife Wendy reopened their doors in a new location and a beautiful renovation using much of the old authentic Celtic décor, a Robert Burns area, and their famous food and libations. The new Celtic is a welcoming and atmospheric space where guests will always feel at home. There is always something going on at the pub, whether it be hundreds of cheering soccer fans any given day or a big horse racing day in their off track betting facility. Guests will never run out of entertainment.

www.celticonmarket.com

https://hilltop-inn.com/burns-pub-and-restaurant/

http://www.celticonmarket.com/


What about Charity? The St. Andrew Society of Colorado is currently a qualified not-for-profit organization recognized by the IRS. To infer that it is a “charity” would be misleading though. It is not. No donations to medical research, needy children and families, etc. have ever been made. Ours is just a social club which celebrates our heritage and all its trappings. The suggestion has been made to the Council several times that we should add a charitable element to the mix. This is not really a new idea. In the 1980s, Gayle Ray reported in her KILTS IN COLORADO – A History of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado: 1963 to 1988 that a ‘Foundation’ had been

created for specific charitable purposes. Following is content from her document, which is posted on our website, in her ‘The Structure of The Society’ section, page 22.

“At this same meeting (1986 AGM), the St. Andrew Foundation was established “for the purpose of providing charitable and educational assistance to any person of Scottish descent, their kin, or anyone with a demonstrated interest in Scotland.” A scholarship fund had been created by the Society in 1982 as a way to stimulate interest in Scottish cultural activities. Funds were awarded to Highland dancers, Country Dance instructors, and the pipe major to allow them to travel to competitions or workshops in other parts of the United States. An award was also made to a SASC member who was studying Scottish history at the University of Edinburgh.

But the St. Andrew Foundation is intended to provide for a broader range of needs, in addition to scholarship in specific areas. Provisions are included to “aid needy persons of Scottish nationality, their widows, or lineal descendants of Scots including but not limited to the elderly, infirm, and/or indigent.” This provision recalls the original intent of early Scottish organizations, especially the colonial Societies, which were discussed in the Introduction. Though no funds have yet been given to individuals by the St. Andrew Society of Colorado on the basis of indigence, the fact that there is a provision for such aid connects this modern organization with its historical forebears.

SASC is able to support a charitable and educational foundation through its financial resources. While the Highland Games is the primary source of fund raising for the Society, income is generated through interest and dividend accounts, Society events, newsletter advertisements, and membership dues. The auxiliary groups maintain separate accounts and support their own activities through their own funds, although the Council has provided support for major expenses, such as equipment for the pipe band and a midwinter Highland dance competition. The major events – St. Andrew’s Ball and Burns Supper – have been self-supporting and have shown a profit on occasion.”

As you can see, this perspective is Scots-specific, and that’s fine. What has been suggested recently is a broader societal and specifically focused idea that would make the SASC viewed as being a part of the greater American society, regardless of lineage, instead of being separate

from it. At the very least, it would be good public relations.

The idea is this: Have the SASC organization donate a set amount, like $200, to one or more real charities annually, and then invite the membership to donate independently

to the specified organization(s). A logical candidate is the Children’s Hospital Speech Therapy Program through the Mason’s Scottish Rite Foundation:

www.scottishritefoundation.org/SRF_Home.html.

http://www.scottishritefoundation.org/SRF_Home.html


This is a national program, but it is managed locally in each state. Our Scottish Rite Foundation Office is located at the Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 1370 Grant Street, Denver, CO 80203.

Surely we could afford to join these brethren in their admirable efforts to help kids with speech problems. The services rendered to families are totally free,

but the medical staff and facilities at the hospital need public support in order to keep serving.


News from Scotland… Most of us have traveled to Scotland at least once and try to be aware of what is happening there. There is the complicated Brexit issue of course, but here are a few fun things to consider.

The New Robert Burns Musical and Book The 2014 A Man’s a Man: The Lives of Robert Burns – A Musical by Martin Franssen and Rod Grant, featuring the poetry of Robert Burns, has become very popular and shows promise of being a standard because of the great storyline and excellent music.

The original cast soundtrack to the acclaimed musical play, A Man's a Man: The Lives of Robert Burns presents the poetry of Robert Burns as you've never heard it before, with 28 tracks of new music and exciting performances by award-winning vocalists. Available from www.store.CDBaby.com/cd/franssen, www.Amazon.com, and other sources by electronic download in whole or in part, ONLY. (Also try YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5No9w6LxZbg&list=PLCNXyC3ppL0RcaQ8lFteS_svAS5p7GomQ) It features BBC award-winning traditional Scots singers Claire Hastings and Robyn Stapleton and a masterful performance by Kieran Bain as Burns. The musical, created by Martin Franssen (original music) and Rod Grant (stage play) in 2014, charts Burns' life in eighteenth century Scotland from his humble beginnings as a farm worker to his tragic, early death as a national icon. A complex character, he experienced poverty, adulation and great temptation, but left a legacy that still ignites the passions of those who experience his work today. Burns' richly autobiographical poetry is set to new music, presenting a refreshingly original perspective on the life of an everyman genius. NOTE: Rod Grant has also published the storyline in paperback form by the same title (see above). It is a perfect foundation for a bio-pic film!

http://www.store.cdbaby.com/cd/franssen

http://www.amazon.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5No9w6LxZbg&list=PLCNXyC3ppL0RcaQ8lFteS_svAS5p7GomQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5No9w6LxZbg&list=PLCNXyC3ppL0RcaQ8lFteS_svAS5p7GomQ


Michael Jackson Also Loved Burns!

Okay, so we all know that the work of Robert Burns has had a huge influence on other writers, cultures, current thought and luminaries such as Abraham Lincoln, J. D. Salinger, John Steinbeck, Frederick Douglass, and others. And we can’t help but to notice that Auld Lang Syne is sung all over the world on New Year’s Eve. But it was an epiphany to learn at the SASC 2017 Burns Supper that “The King of Pop,” Michael Jackson, was also a fan! Tartan Award co-winners Sanford (“Sandy”) and Carlene Campbell delivered “The Immortal Memory” portion of the event and enlightened the audience with several fun facts, including the fact that Jackson revered Rabbie so much that he produced a CD of his poems, and a musical. Jackson worked with his friend, entertainer, comedian, producer, and television personality, David Gest on these projects which have been recently released after twenty years of dormancy. It is reported that Burns’ greatest work, Tam o’ Shanter: A Tale was the inspiration for Jackson’s Thriller song and video. Rather than go into more detail herein, following are several links you can use to learn more about Jackson’s infatuation with Burns and his association with the Scots producer: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/17/michael-jackson-robert-burns-songs http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/burns-night-did-this-robert-burns-poem-inspire-michael-jacksons-iconic-thriller-music-video-a6832321.html https://annemarielatour.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/premiere-of-michael-jackson-musical-about-robert-burns/ http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2631640/Michael-Jackson-records-pop-album-of-Robert-Burns-poems.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9016530/Michael-Jacksons-show-tunes-of-Robert-Burns-poems-to-be-heard-for-first-time.html And, while you’re at it, you will want to enjoy the Brian Cox-narrated 10-minute movie version of Tam o’ Shanter: http://vimeo.com/54874248.

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2012/jan/17/michael-jackson-robert-burns-songs

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/burns-night-did-this-robert-burns-poem-inspire-michael-jacksons-iconic-thriller-music-video-a6832321.html

http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/burns-night-did-this-robert-burns-poem-inspire-michael-jacksons-iconic-thriller-music-video-a6832321.html

https://annemarielatour.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/premiere-of-michael-jackson-musical-about-robert-burns/

https://annemarielatour.wordpress.com/2015/01/24/premiere-of-michael-jackson-musical-about-robert-burns/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2631640/Michael-Jackson-records-pop-album-of-Robert-Burns-poems.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/celebritynews/2631640/Michael-Jackson-records-pop-album-of-Robert-Burns-poems.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9016530/Michael-Jacksons-show-tunes-of-Robert-Burns-poems-to-be-heard-for-first-time.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/music/music-news/9016530/Michael-Jacksons-show-tunes-of-Robert-Burns-poems-to-be-heard-for-first-time.html

http://vimeo.com/54874248


The National Mythological Animal of Scotland: The Unicorn

A unicorn image at the Palace of Holyrood in Edinburgh, Scotland

The unicorn (a horse-like creature with a single large, spiraling, pointed horn projecting from its forehead) has been a Scottish heraldic symbol since the 12th century when it was used on the Scottish Coat of Arms by William I. However, some historians contend that the unicorn’s first traceable use was when James I, King of Scots, adopted it as a royal symbol in the 15th

century. But why is the national animal of Scotland a (mythical) unicorn? Why is there a unicorn on the Scottish Coat of Arms? A fictitious creature may seem an odd choice for any country's national animal, but perhaps not for a country famed for its love of myth and legend. According to legend, a free unicorn was considered to be a very dangerous beast (Aye!). Therefore the heraldic unicorn is chained, as were both supporting unicorns in the Royal Coat of Arms of Scotland.

It should come as no surprise that the equally odd English Lion is often displayed as an

opponent of the Scottish unicorn.


Going even further back in world history, the unicorn appeared in artworks from Mesopotamia, an ancient region in the modern day Middle East, and is part of ancient Indian and Chinese mythology. It was written about by Ancient Greeks, Persians and Celts, and appears in the Old Testament of the Bible. In Celtic mythology, the unicorn of Scotland symbolized innocence and purity, healing powers, joy and even life itself, but was also seen as a symbol of masculinity and power. The unicorn is a popular medieval animal because of its association with the taming of a wild beast. The symbol of Scottish kings harnessing the powerful, mythical animals was important to project at that time. The unicorn, with its feminine energy, also counterbalances the masculinity

of the lion.

The gentle and pensive maiden has the power to tame the unicorn, fresco,

probably by Domenico Zampieri, c. 1602 (Palazzo Farnese, Rome)

During the reign of King James III (1466 to 1488), gold coins were introduced that featured a unicorn.

‘One unicorn’ gold coin of King James III


At the time of King James VI of Scotland’s succession of Elizabeth I of England, and the resulting effective union of the two countries, the Scottish Royal Arms featured two unicorns as shield supporters. In a gesture of unity, King James replaced the one on the left with the English lion. The symbolism was potent, for the lion and the unicorn had long been painted as enemies, vying for the crown of king of beasts, with the unicorn ruling through harmony and the lion by might. Unicorn statues and paintings can be seen all over Scotland.

A unicorn statue looking over the Mercat Cross

in the center of Jedburgh, Scotland.

A unicorn statue outside King’s College, Scotland.


Figure head of the Frigate "unicorn" - a wooden sailing ship of 46 guns

launched in Chatham in 1824, at Victoria Dock, in Dundee, Scotland.

Today, the Royal Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland still has the English lion on the left and the Scottish unicorn on the right. But the Royal Coat of Arms for use in Scotland has them the other way around. In the 21st century, Scotland celebrated National Unicorn Day on April 9, 2017 with a 7-foot sculpture made of willow as one of the centerpieces (see below). VisitScotland (www.visitscotland.com), the nation’s tourism body, invited the public to spot sculptures and paintings of the mono-horned animals at heritage sites. There are hundreds of them to be found!

The next time you visit Scotland, try finding as many as you can!

http://www.visitscotland.com/


History Made at St. Andrew’s Golf Course and University: Renee Powell On the November 17, 2019 edition of the CBS Sunday Morning program the story of African-American female golfer Renee Powell was presented. The report covered her amazing career and the obstacles she had to confront in being a Black golfer. Her complete story can be found all over the Internet. The Scottish connection is as follows.

Powell's contributions have gained her recognition at the birthplace of golf: St. Andrews, Scotland. While discussing the writing of her autobiography she stated that, "The last chapter is going to be about the Kingdom of Fife and all the things that have happened to me here in St. Andrews." In 2015 Powell was among the first class of women to gain membership into the most exclusive club in the world, the 265-year-old Royal and Ancient Golf Club. Aubyn Stewart-Wilson, who sits on the club's membership board, said, "In Renee, the club wanted to recognize her pioneering playing career, her selfless work in pursuit of equality, and also doing so much, particularly for younger generations." In 2008 Powell received an honorary degree from the University of St. Andrews, and in 2018 the school made her the first American in its 600-year history to have a residence hall in her name: Powell Hall. The University's Principal, Sally Mapstone, stated that "Renee was the person who absolutely stood out for me. She represents what is very dear to St. Andrews, which is diversity, inclusivity, and a natural pride in great achievements. She believes in hope, ambition, and thinking about yourself within the context of others." Even on this trip to St. Andrews, Powell was thinking of others. She arranged for her women's veterans group to travel to Scotland. She surprised them when they arrived to stay in Powell

Hall. The group played on the historic old course, and had tea at the university.

Congratulations Renee!

Mary, Queen of Scots would be proud of you Renee. She also played golf!


Something about Scotland that you might not know: The Scottish Jewish Tartan Jews have been in Scotland since at least 1691, and probably well before that. There are several temples in Glasgow and Edinburgh. Jews were never subjected to ‘pogroms’ as they were in England. These people have been contributing members and even leaders of a country that is usually characterized as being mainly Presbyterian and Catholic. This so-called “Celtic” nation also consists of many other ethnic groups such as French, Norman, Scandinavian, Irish, English, Asian, African, etc. and their cultural and religious elements. So, in 2008 the Jewish community in Scotland designed and received official recognition of their Scottish Jewish Tartan.

The official Jewish Tartan is an authentic Scottish tartan created by heritage experts and rabbis. It is the only Scottish Jewish Tartan approved and registered by the Scottish Tartans Authority. Initiated by Rabbi Mendel Jacobs (pictured above), who is the only Scots-born Rabbi living in Scotland, it is 100% Kosher being a non-wool-linen mix, and it incorporates many aspects of Scottish-Jewish cultural and religious history and heritage.

To learn more about Scottish Jews and their tartan visit the following sites:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Scotland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scottish_Jews

https://www.jewishtartan.com/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Jews_in_Scotland

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Scottish_Jews

https://www.jewishtartan.com/


Dedication: William “Bill” Lowe (1933-2019) This document is dedicated to the memory of William “Bill” Lowe who was a member of the St. Andrew Society of Colorado for thirteen years and served as a Council member in several roles including being our Chieftain from 2013 to 2014. He had also served as an officer in the United States Navy.

Respectfully submitted,

Ken McIntosh, Archivist

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