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THE THISTLEDOWN
VOLUME 31, ISSUE NUMBER 1SUMMER 2014
Scottish Society of Tidewater, Inc.
Kathleen Hoffman & Edward Brash withsupporting jerseys at last year’s event.
Celtic Cousins Picnic Slated for Saturday, September 13Hosted jointly with SST, St. A’s and TIAS
Wouldn’t be proper Celtic affair without lots of great music. Bring aninstrument if you like!
There will be a rematch of the Scots vs. Irishcorn hole challenge. Start practicing now!
There will lots of good food and merry making, Celtic American style!
And there will be whisky/whiskey raffle.
Don’t miss all the fun!
The Scottish Society of Tidewater exists topromote the preservation and study of Scottish cul-ture, including music, language, art, history, folk-lore, dance, literature, athletics, and all other thingsdistinctively Scottish among interested persons inthe Hampton Roads, Virginia area and to cooperatewith like-minded persons, groups and organizationshere and abroad.
A meeting is held on the first Wednesday of eachmonth at the Church of Ascension Community Cen-ter, 4853 Princess Anne Rd., Virginia Beach, VA23462-4446. Social time begins at 7:00pm, and themeeting starts at 7:30pm. Anyone interested inScottish culture and history is invited to attend.
About the Scottish Societyof Tidewater, Inc.
301 E. Randall Ave., Norfolk, VA 23503www.tidewaterscots.org
SST Executive Board
President:Stacy Apelt [email protected]
Vice President:Manny Willis [email protected]
Secretary:Marcey Hunter [email protected]
Treasurer:Ruth Fraser [email protected]
Board of Directors:
Tom Chenoweth [email protected]
Donna Looney [email protected]
Nancy McKay [email protected]
Cliff Gimbert [email protected]
George Phillips [email protected]
Connie Smith [email protected]
SST Committees
Webmaster:Scott MacGregor [email protected]
Membership:Marcey Hunter [email protected]
Program:The SST Board of Directors
Newsletter Editor:Marcey Hunter [email protected]
PAGE 2 THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014
A Few Words from the President
Dear SST Members andFriends,
I hope this note finds you happyand healthy and enjoying yoursummer. Where did this time go?It’s almost Fall!
It was a difficult spring for theSST, as we lost four of our mem-bers, plus Charlie Austin in Janu-ary. RIP to SST founder Don Fra-ser, and loyal members RobertStokes, Norm Albright and JohnCampbell. You will all be dearlymissed.
Now on to happier things…We’ll soon be gathering for our third annual Celtic Cous-
ins picnic on Saturday, September 13 at the Church of theAscension picnic shelter. This promises to be a wonderfultime, so please plan to attend. And if you are so inclined,please consider playing for Scotland in the CornholeChallenge. The Irish have bested us two years running,and it’s time to stop that malarkey!
October brings us the Central Virginia Celtic Festivaland Highland Games, formerly known as the RichmondGames. Last year we had good Scottish weather for thisevent (aka cold and rainy) so I hope it will be a bit betterthis time. But still a great event that should not be missed.
Mark your calendar now Kirking of the Tartan at KnoxPresbyterian Church in Norfolk on the morning of Novem-ber 9. Nancy McKay and her family and friends really puton a wonderful and meaningful event.
The St. Andrew’s Society will be hosting the Annual St.Andrew’s Night Dinner in Virginia Beach on the night ofSaturday, November 29. We have another wonderfulspeaker this year. Details to follow.
I’d like to welcome Cliff Gimbert as not only a new mem-ber to the SST but as a new member of the Board of Di-rectors. He was appointed to fill the seat of John Miles,who has left the area. We will miss John, but are verypleased to have Cliff bring his experience and enthusiasmto our monthly meetings.
Congratulations to former SST president John McGlynnand long-time Board member Donna Looney on their re-cent nuptials. It was a lovely wedding by all standards.They will be making their home together in Ghent. Best ofluck to you both for a long and happy married life!
Many of us have attended various Scottish Games andClan Gatherings this summer. If you were lucky enough toparticipate in such activities, I hope you were able to refu-el and re-connect with our shared Scottish heritage.
Til we meet again, yours ayeStacy
Stacy ApeltSST President
THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014PAGE 3
This and ThatHave news to share? Contact Marcey Hunter at 480-4217 or
[email protected] Tom Chenoweth suffered a heart attack recently. He’s on the mend, thankfully, and has the
best nurse possible in his wife Colleen. Get well, buddy!
Carolyn & Randy Bruce and their family have had a tough spring & summer. Their daughterDocie is battling a number of health ailments. She is improving, so keep the prayers coming for Docie.
Linda Lucas had surgery on her should earlier this summer. She’s healing nicely, and willsoon be back to her lovely self.
It’s good to have our friend and loyal member JJ Johnson back with us from Wisconsin. Guess thewinter was too much! Glad to have you back in sunny Hampton Roads! Yay!
Ruth Fraser was recently recognized for the amazing work she does as president of the SisterCities Association of Virginia Beach. In addition, the SCAVB was named the “Best Overall Sister Cit-ies Program” by the Sister Cities International. We are proud of you, Ruth. And so lucky to have you
as our Treasurer.
It was good to see Carol Amorosi in Norfolk this Spring, on a temporary stop over on her way backhome to Greece. She is expecting her first grand child ithis summer, and hopes to travel back to the
states to welcome the wee one!
Manny & Robin Willis’ daughter Anne recently got married in a charming wedding in their gar-den. Happy times for the Willis family!
Several folks in the SST have travelled across the pond to the old country this summer, or will do soin the near future. Scott and Sandy MacGregor went to Scotland for the Annual Clan Gregor gather-
ing and had a wonderful time. Scott shared photos and stories of their trip at our August meeting.Lynnette & Edward Brash spent a fun-filled ten days in Co. Kerry, Dublin and Kilkenny, Ireland. It
know it’s hard to come back! Eileen Walker is in Ireland at press time, and Skip & Marcey Hunter willbe making an Ireland trip in early September. What a bunch of jet setters!
Ceud Mile Failte!"One Hundred Thousand Welcomes"
to New SST Members!
Dottie HoltzVirginia Beach, [email protected]
Betsy Hume MaddenVirginia Beach, VA
[email protected] Hume
Ray MoodyNewport News, VA
Brad TuthillPortsmouth, VA
THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014PAGE 4
Flowers of the Forest
Donald McKay Fraser, VIIIVirginia Beach, Virginia
John A. CampbellNorfolk, Virginia
Charles E. “Charlie” AustinVirginia Beach, Virginia
U.S. Navy Veteran
U.S. Navy Veteran
U.S. Army Reserves Veteran
THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014PAGE 5
Nor� an T. “Nor� ” AlbrightVirginia Beach, Virginia
U.S. Army Veteran
Rober� Spencer StokesVirginia Beach, Virginia
U.S. Army Veteran
THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014PAGE 6
SST Out and About
At left and above, a great turnout at the Hogmanay Walk.
Rita Hamilton was named Scot of the Year by theSt. Andrew’s Society of Tidewater at their annual
Burns Night supper. A well-deserved honor!
Having a at the Philly Midwinter Celtic music fest.Front left, Erin Morrissey; front right Cheryl Brown.
Back left, Connie Smith; back right, Lynnette Brash.
Cat & Brad Dunphy and their brood.at theTartan Day Ceilidh
At the Ocean View St. Patrick’s Day Parade.Gerry McDowell at the Tartan Day Ceilidh.
THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014PAGE 7
Nancy & CG Miller at the Kirking of theTartan in Irvington.
John Wallace with his grandchildren at theLoch Norman Highland Games.
Skip Hunter, left, and Jason Wilson pose with “The Struileag,” a small model ship repre-senting the long journey of the "Children of the Smoke," (the Gaelic Diaspora). This littleboat has traveled the Globe visiting various Scottish communities. As members of theScots Gaelic Society of Tidewater, Skip and Jason are proud to be known as "Clann aCheo" (Children of the Smoke)!
Dave & Nancy Montgomery at the helm during a great day of boat-ing. Must’ve felt like old times for Capt. Montgomery.
Tom & Colleen Chenoweth on a sunnyHawaiian get-away. Aloha!
Members of the SST got together for a pub night at Finn McCools.Good times!
PAGE 8 THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014
Another item crossed off Lynnette Brash’s Bucket List! She and Edward suc-cessfully climbed Skellig Michael off the coast of Co. Kerry, Ireland. Yay!
Connie Smith, second from the left, took top honors at the Gaelic Mod atGrandfather Mountain. She won for the best Gaelic singing. The judges were
world-renowned Gaelic singers Christine Primrose & Angus MacLeod, far right.
Scott MacGregor, left, and Sandy MacGregorattended the Clan Gregor International Gatheringin Scotland this summer. Looks like a grand time!
Charles Murla is a happy new grandpa, cuddlingCylas Preston Murla, the first grandchild. Happiness!
During a recent trip to Kilkenny, Ireland, former SST president Edward Brash presenteda jersey from the Hampton Roads Hurling Club to the owner of the Kilkenny HurlingExperience. He was delighted to receive the jersey, and gave Edward many good
pointers to help perfect his game on the hurling pitch.
PAGE 9 THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014
The lovely wedding and joyful reception of Donna Looney and John McGlynnJuly 19, 2014
Wedding bells! Two long-time members of the SST tie the (Celtic) knot!
THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014PAGE 10
In late April, we were treated to a free “mini Tattoo” by the members of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards Pipe &Drums. It was an amazing night! The soldiers were so personable and answered many questions that were eagerlyasked. After the concert, they went out of the town with several of our members. They enjoyed themselves so muchthat they want to come back next year! So stay tuned!
Thanks for St. Andrew’s Society president Bob Felty for setting this up, and including the SST, the Irish Society andAscension church members for such an enjoyable evening.
Members of the 1st Battalion Scots Guards Pipe & Drums gave a stunningperformance at Ascension in April.
St. Andrew’s Society president Bob Felty, far left, and SSTpresident Stacy Apelt with the Pipe Major and the Drum Major.
The Soldiers / Musicians were extremely person-able and answered many questions.
A fun night after the performance!
THISTLEDOWN SUMMER 2014PAGE 11
Calendar of Upcoming EventsNOTE: There will be NO SST monthly meetingfor September in lieu of the picnic on the 13th.
September 13, 20143rd Annual Celtic Cousins Picnic
Church of the AscensionPicnic Shelter
4853 Princess Anne Rd., VBTo RSVP, contact Donna Looney
October 1, 2014SST Monthly Meeting
Church of the AscensionCommunity Center
4853 Princess Anne Rd., VBProgram: TBD
Please bring a tasty snack to share and/or an itemfor the Church food pantry.
October 18—19, 2014Central Virginia Celtic Festival and Highland Games
Richmond Raceway Complexhttp://vacelticfestival.com/
November 5, 2014SST Monthly Meeting
Church of the AscensionCommunity Center
4853 Princess Anne Rd., VBProgram: TBD
Please bring a tasty snack to share and/or an itemfor the Church food pantry.
November 9Kirking of the Tartan
Knox Presbyterian Church, Norfolk11 a.m.
Contact: Nancy McKay [email protected]
December 3, 2014SST Christmas Ceilidh and Silent Auction
Church of the AscensionCommunity Center
4853 Princess Anne Rd., VBPlease bring some tasty for the pot luck, and/or a
Scottish/Christmas item for the silient auction. Pro-ceeds from the auction go toward the Baird Memori-
al Scholarship.
R uth Fraser donated the flag owned by her belovedDonald Fraser, who passed away this summer. This flag meantso much to Donald, as it was a gift from the Commanding Of-ficer of the USS Iowa in appreciation for Don’s hard work ingetting the ship commissioned. The flag was one of his mostprized possessions, and he displayed it in every office and eve-ry command in which he worked. The flag will be on display ateach of our meetings, and a commemorative brass plate will beaffixed to it detailing its significance.
Thank you, Ruth, for this wonderful gift. It will be comforting toknow that “Whisky Don” will continue to be a meaningful part ofthe Scottish Society of Tidewater for years to come.
Scottish Society of Tidewater, Inc.c/o Marcey Hunter301 E. Randall Ave.Norfolk, VA 23503
www.tidewaterscots.org
