Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to our SST family!

I am happy to say that the Society had two exciting events this past month. The first was the bus trip for the Alexandria, VA Scottish Christmas walk, which was almost full and paid for itself again. The SST had good representation in the parade even though a swelled knee kept me from marching. It did not snow or rain and the temperature at parade time was about 38 degrees. The social time after the parade was exceptional at Murphy’s Pub. There was great music and a warm fire. The second event was our Christmas party and silent auction with the proceeds going to the Baird scholarship fund. There were about 65 people at the event and lots of great food.

I encourage anyone who is interested in serving on the Board or as an Officer in the SST to contact Genene Butler. She is our Elections Committee Chair this year, and is working hard to put together a strong slate of candidates for our March elections.

I would like to express my sincere condolences to the family of John Ferguson, long-time member of the SST, who passed away in November. Everyone in the Hampton Roads Scottish-American community will certainly miss John. It was indeed an honor to know him.

At this time I want to personally wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.  Do not forget to continue checking the web site as well as reading the newsletter for SST events and programs.

Yours Aye,
Manny

Back

Traditionally, the Scots were superstitious throughout the year, and for an event as significant as the New Year, customs, rituals and traditions inevitably arose around the country. Many of these have now disappeared but others have become deep-seated components of today's celebrations.

Cleaning the House
The last day of the year was traditionally regarded as a time of preparation: all business was concluded to let the new year start afresh, and houses were thoroughly cleaned (known as "redding"). Fireplaces in particular had to be swept out and in a variation on reading tea-leaves, the ashes of the last fire of the old year were believed to show what lay ahead in the new year.

First Footing
One of the major Hogmanay customs was "first footing". Shortly after "the bells" - the stroke of midnight when public clocks would chime to signal the start of the new year - neighbors would visit one another's houses to wish each other a good new year. This visiting was known as "first footing," and the luckiest first-foot into any house was a tall, dark and handsome man (perhaps as a reward to the woman who traditionally had spent the previous day scrubbing her house!). Women or red heads, however, were always considered bad luck as first-foots.

First-foots brought symbolic gifts to "handsel" the house: coal for the fire, to ensure that the house would be warm and safe, and shortbread or black bun (a type of fruit cake) to symbolize that the household would never go hungry that year.

First-footing has faded in recent years, particularly with the growth of the major street celebrations in Edinburgh and Glasgow. But Scots do love a good party, so there is lots of celebrating throughout the country, no matter which city, town, coast or island.

Regional Variations
Each area of Scotland often developed its own particular Hogmanay ritual. In the east coast fishing communities and Dundee, first-footers carried a decorated herring. In Falkland in Fife, local men would go in torchlight procession to the top of the Lomond Hills as midnight approached. Bakers in St. Andrews would bake special cakes for their Hogmanay celebration (known as Cake Day) and distribute them to local children.

Other Scottish towns and cities had their own celebrations, as did institutions. For example, amongst the Scottish regiments, the officers had to wait on the men at special dinners. At "bells," the Old Year is piped out of barrack gates. The sentry then challenges the new escort outside the gates: "Who goes there?" The answer is "The New Year, all's well."

Fire Festivals
Fire festivals and traditions have had a long history in Scotland, with many claiming pagan origins. The idea of using fire as a purifying force to drive out or frighten away evil is very old and it commonly manifested itself in ceremonies such as the mid-winter bonfires. It would be logical to light a enormous fire to help frighten away evil spirits, and banish them from the New Year. Some of the more famous Fire Festivals still going on in Scotland are the the Stonehaven Fireball Procession, the Flambeaux Procession in Perthsire, and the Biggar's Bonfire in Lanarkshire.

Origins of the name "Hogmanay"
Nobody is exactly sure where the name Hogmanay actually originated. Some believe it may be from the words Haleg Monath, meaning Holy Month in the Anglo-Saxon language, and other's contend it may have been derived from the Gaelic words oge maidne, which means New Morning. Still others believe it may also have been a variant of the Scandanavian words Hoggo-nott and others contend the word came from the Auld Alliance (French) and the phrase Homme est ne' (meaning "man is born"). Again some believe the festival may have been brought south by the invading Norsemen (North men) and others contend it has it's origins in Celtic religion. Still others believe it dates back to the Picts. What is known is that it is a New Year's celebration which has remained an integral part of Scotland's culture for centuries upon centuries.

Auld Lang Syne
"Auld Lang Syne" is the anthem of New Year the world over. The words in fact are ideal for the closing of one year and the start of the next. Burns' themes of good times and remembered friendship will strike a chord for many people at this time of year when it's customary to look both back at the year that's just been and forward to the one to come.

Start your new year off right!

Don’t miss the 8th Annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk and Hogmanay Celebration!

The 8th Annual Olde Towne Scottish Walk and Hogmanay Celebration will take place on Sunday, December 31 in downtown Portsmouth.

All events Free! Parking Free!

All are welcome to participate in the Scottish Walk. Handicapped participants are invited to ride in Land Rovers (first come, first serve).
Special participants this year are:

• The Boy and Girl Scouts of America
• Ancient weaponry
• Story tellers
• Re-enactors
• Church groups
• Whisky Tastings
• Lighted Boat Display
• Carriage Rides
• Chesapeake Sheriff’s Pipe Band
• Tidewater Pipes and Drums

11:00 AM Kirking of the Tartans Monumental United Methodist Church. Line up at 10:45 to process.

3:30 PM Gathering Corner of Queen and Washington Streets.

4:00 PM Step off Behind the St. Paul’s Catholic and Monumental United Methodist Churches. Singing of "Auld Lang Syne" following the walk.

5:00 PM Whisky Tastings at Brutti’s.

5:30 PM Pipe Music Barons Pub & Bier Garten

For more information e-mail Susan Cooke, Christmas Walk Coordinator, at susancocke@cox.net

Victor & Pamela Camaya - Clan: Buchanan
Bob & Caryl Felty - Clan: Campbell, Robertson
Steven, Stacey, & Racheal Hood - Clan: Stewart of Appin, Lindsay
John & Elizabeth Kennedy - Clan: Kennedy, McDermott (Campbell)
Daniel Robinson II - Clan: Gunn

Back

Al Cowan has been hospitalized recently with kidney failure. He is home now, following surgery to install a heart stint. Please keep Al and Joyce in your thoughts this holiday season.

John Wallace continues to recuperate from a heart bypass procedure. He is home now, and has been given a "clean bill of health" from his doctor. He felt good enough to join us at the December SST Christmas Ceilidh and Silent Auction. It was good to see him up and about!

Says John: "I have appreciated your cards, calls, visits, support, and prayers. It kept me going."

Rita Hamilton recently underwent an artificial knee implanted in her left leg. She spent some time in Sentara Nursing Center in Virginia Beach for a little rehab, but is now resting comfortably at home.

Best wishes for a speedy recovery, Rita!

TP&D piper Wilson Cocke is facing another back surgery, and his wife Susan, also with the TP&D, had major surgery on stomach/diaphram/esopogus this past summer. She was on a liquid diet until Oct. (Single Malt was OK.) No pipe playing for a while, though. Hang in there, guys!

Rob Lockwood is healing from recent cataract surgery. His driving will be somewhat limited, so he may be relying on Jan for his transportation needs. Here’s looking at you, Rob!

Before he left on deployment aboard the USS Carr, Skip Hunter purchased a new kilt, in the Edzel tartan, the official tartan of the U.S. Navy. In addition, he recently bought a beautiful antique silver and jade kilt pin in the shape of an anchor. Take it from me, he looks smashing in the new ensemble!

Do you have interesting news to share with the SST membership?
For example, are you planning a trip to Scotland? Is your Clan holding a gathering soon?
Do you have a new addition in your family?
Are you or someone you know in the SST recovering from surgery or illness?
Have you recently moved to a new home?
WE WANT TO SHARE YOU NEWS!

If so, please send it to Marcey at marcey9@cox.net.

Back

O’Sullivan’s Wharf Restaurant on Colley Avenue in Ghent was the location for a fundraiser held Thursday, November 3, 2005, to benefit the families of two recently murdered Tidewater Police Officers. Officer Michael Saffran, of the Chesapeake P.D., and Officer Stanley Reaves of the Norfolk P.D. were murdered in separate incidents, less than one month apart. As the Tidewater area mourns the loss of these two family men, our local Celtic community answered the call for assistance.

The Police Emerald Society of Tidewater put on the impromptu event to raise funds for the immediate use of the Officers’ families. After a line-of-duty death, benefits sometimes are delayed and families are left to struggle to make ends meet until their compensation kicks in. The Police Emerald Society’s membership is mainly composed of active duty and retired police officers of Celtic heritage. Their members turned out in force to rally for the cause.

A.C. "Andy" Black, a retired Chesapeake officer and Police Emerald Society Board Member, had this to say of the organization;

"Two of the main reasons we exist, besides celebrating our Irish roots in law enforcement, is to honor the fallen by providing an honor guard to help carry them to their final rest with dignity, and to provide some immediate financial assistance to their families, via fundraisers. Since the majority of this country's first municipal police departments were made-up of Irishmen, it is only fitting that the Emerald Society be one of the last earthly contacts and support groups for a street cop when he/she is killed in the line of duty. It is this duty and honor that unites us and keeps us strong."

Members of all area Celtic organizations were present at the event, in a strong show of support for our Celtic brothers in the law enforcement community. Many of the past T.I.A.S. Adult Princesses (Mary Fien - '98, Lynnette Fitch Brash -2000, her husband, Dr. Edward Brash, Tamara Cervi- '03, Lynette Gilmour - '04) as well as our current 2005 Princess, Carrie McCabe, attended wearing their sashes to represent the Society. Rose of Tralee Princess '05, Katie Morse, sang "Danny Boy" for the crowd of officers and loved ones, with nary a dry eye in the house!

Manny Willis, President of the Scottish Society of Tidewater, was in attendance, as well as S.S.T. Secretary, Marcey Hunter and her husband Skip, of the Scots-Gaelic Society of Tidewater. Sandy MacGregor of the S.S.T. was also there with several other members of the S.S.T.

Tom Crouch, President of The Newport News Police Pipes and Drums and his band mates piped in members of the Police Emerald Society along with Chris Scallon, Police Emerald Society member and Tidewater Pipes & Drums drummer.

The event would not have been such a success without the generous donation of raffle items from area Celtic business owners, such as CeltiCottage.com, Conklin’s Irish Rover Pub & Restaurant, Murphy’s Grand Irish Pub, Celtic Papers, as well as the Tidewater Ceili Group, to name a few. Joe Flanagan, T.I.A.S. member and WVEC-13 newscaster publicized the event in his 5 & 6 a.m. broadcasts on the morning of the event.

Also, Joe Bambery, owner of O’Sullivan’s should be thanked for his incredible generosity in supplying food and beverages for free all evening, plus donating 10% of all food sales to the families. In all, over $6,000 was raised and will be split between the two families.

Andy Black also sent his thanks to the T.I.A.S, saying: "The knowledge that T.I.A.S. and other area Gaelic groups stand ready to assist us in this endeavor warms our hearts, and charges our spirit. Please know how much your support means to us. May the Good Lord keep smiling on you, and may He and Saint Michael watch over our brave brothers and sisters as they go about protecting us all."

Well said, indeed!

The SST will be electing a new slate of officers at the Annual Meeting in March. Now is your chance to be part of the SST leadership. We are looking for enthusiastic candidates who are willing to bring forward some new ideas and new energy for the coming year.

Up for election this year will be the one-year terms of the president, the vice president, the secretary, the treasurer and the two-year terms of three (3) positions on the Board of Directors. There is also a one-year term available on the Board at this time.

Any member who is in good standing is eligible to run for office and vote at the Annual Meeting. A member in good standing is one whose membership is current and dues are paid to date.

Interested? Contact Genene Butler at 497-3240, or email sunshinenthemorning@cox.net.

Every so often, we in the Hampton Roads community hear about a “kirking of the tartan” at a local church. There are, in fact, several of these events scheduled throughout the year. But what is a "kirking," and why is it significant in Scottish and Scottish-American culture?

A "kirk" is a Scottish word for "church." The "Kirking of the Tartan" is a ceremonial blessing of the traditional garb of Scotland.

The conventional explanation of the origins of the "Kirking of the Tartan" is that the custom arose following the failure of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745, and specifically after the defeat of the Scots by the English at the Battle of Culloden in 1746. It is widely believed that the wearing of the tartan and the keeping of any Highland ways or culture was strictly forbidden. The story goes that the English had hoped that by outlawing the wearing of tartan, this would help to subdue the rebellious Scottish spirit.

Determined to hold on to their heritage, shrewd Highlanders took their ancient traditions "underground." The legend goes that one Sunday a year, the Scots went to church wearing a concealed piece of the tartan and, at a certain moment set aside in the service, the tartan was touched while the minister pronounced a blessing on all tartans, and by extension all clans and families. The Highlanders once more pledged their loyalty and respect for their old traditions.

That is the romanticized explanation of the "Kirking of the Tartan." However, there are those who contend that this explanation is quite false, that such practices never existed in Scotland. They argue that the formalization of tartan is fairly recent, and that we know little of what the Highlanders wore at the time of the Jacobite uprising. The idea of a specific clan wearing a specific tartan was not introduced until the 19^th century, when tartan became standardized.

How, then, did the "Kirking of the Tartan" come about?

What has become known as "Kirking of the Tartans" was introduced in the United States by the Rev. Peter Marshall on April 27, 1941 at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C. Dr. Marshall, a native of Coatbridge, Scotland, emigrated to the U.S. in 1927.

At the beginning of WWII, before the Americans joined the war, there was concern that Americans were not rallying their support for our British allies. In an attempt to instill ancestral pride among Scots living in the United States, as well as Scottish Americans, Marshall established the kirking custom. By welcoming kilt- and tartan- wearing Scots to church, he hoped to “stir the blood” of the Scottish expatriates and impassion them to help their kinsman in Britain. Specifically, he used the kirkings as an opportunity to “pass the plate,” and raise funds for British children displaced by German bombing, and to help rebuild churches that were damaged or destroyed.

Since the establishment of the Presbyterian Church in America was due in large part to the migration of the Scots and Irish, the kirkings initially took place in a Presbyterian Church. The custom quickly took hold and within a few years was being held in Presbyterian churches throughout North America. Today, kirkings are held in all churches, not just Presbyterian.

Today’s ceremony usually includes a procession of flag bearers or banner carriers, and may include bagpipes, drums, fiddles, dances and songs. Swatches of individual clan tartans are offered, rededicating to God's service the family members identified by the particular tartan. The term "Kirking of the Tartans" literally means "taking the family to church," as the tartan is the symbol of family in Scottish culture.

Whatever it’s origin, the Kirking of the Tartan has come to symbolize our commitment to tradition, our dedication to family, and our celebration of and thanksgiving for our Scottish-American heritage.

1 c. sugar
1 cup water
4 lg. Eggs
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt
Lemon juice
2 c. dried fruit
1 c. dried nuts
1 bottle single malt Scotch

Sample the whisky to check quality.
Take a large bowl, check the whisky again.
To be sure it is the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink. Repeat.
Turn on the electric mixer.
Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.
Add one teaspoon of sugar. Beat again.
Make sure the whisky is still OK. Try another cup.
Turn off the mixerer. Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.
Mix on the turner. If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaterers pry it loose with a drewscriver.
Sample the whisky to check for tonsisticity.
Next, sift two cups of salt. Or something.
Check the whisky.
Now sift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table.
Add a spoon of sugar, or something. Whatever you can find.
Greash the oven and put in the fridge. Turn the cake tin 350 defrees.
Don't forget to beat off the turner. Throw the bowl through the window.
Check the whisky again and go to bed.

Merry Christmas!

Tidewater Pipes & Drums hosted its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Nov. 16 at Jack Quinn’s Irish Pub in Norfolk. The following members were elected to serve as board officers in 2006: Tim Swanson, president; Brendan Konouck, vice president; Loretta Morrison, secretary; and Don Gregory, treasurer. Jeff Christman is the past president.

Pipe Major Jim Roberts recognized three members at the meeting for their outstanding contributions in 2005: Kyle Melendez, Grade 5 pipe corps; Chris Benton, Grade 4 pipe corps; and Chet Strait, drum corps.

The band elected to participate in the 2006 Virginia International Tattoo and is already working on new music. The band is also scheduled to do several promotional performances before the Black Watch concert at the Ted Constant Convocation Center on Jan. 17, 2006.

For more information about the band, contact Jim Roberts (623-4262 or jim.roberts@cavtel.net) or visit the band’s web site: tpandd.exis.net. For booking inquiries, contact Susan Cocke at: susancocke@cox.net.

On a recent November night, about a dozen hardy Whisky lovers gathered at the home of Marcey & Skip Hunter, in their "A Bhrog Ruadh" or "The Red Shoe" pub. Many whiskies were sampled, with a heavy emphasis on the Islays. Everyone enjoyed smoked salmon, scotch eggs, Irish cheese, and other goodies. Cold beer was also on tap for those rare moments when whisky would not suffice. There were also pipe tunes, courtesy of Rob Lockwood and Tom Crouch. It was great fun, and a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season.
Enjoy the pictures!

Slainte Mhath!