BlackHillsCelticEvents.org
605-343-2884
Volume 8 Issue 1 January 2006
Robert Burns Dinner January
28, 2006
This
always sells out so get those
tickets NOW! Tickets are
available
at the Dahl Fine Arts, via the S.I.S. Web site:
www.BlackHillsCelticEvents.org . Tickets will also be
available
at the January 19th Society membership meeting.
Menu
will be: pork and chicken Scottish
style, tatties and neeps, minted peas, shortbread, bread pudding, scones and
cullen skink soup. The dinner will be at
Emmanuel Episcopal Church,
717
Visit
the web site to learn more about Robert Burns.
January 19th Membership Program
Learn
about Robert Burns and why he is so important to the Scots!
Scottish Movie: “Rivers & Tides” at the Elks, 6:30 p.m.,
January 30
There is a wonderful opportunity to see a film about a
Scottish artist on the big screen at the Elks.
In a nutshell, the film is a gorgeous documentary based on the work of
Scottish nature artist Andy Goldsworthy. He explains and demonstrates his
(mainly) ephemeral art works, often composed of such transient materials as
icicles, or chains of leaves in a stream.
It may sounds a little crazy, but as he talks about his philosophy of
life, a person can begin to wonder if he isn't onto something important we may
have missed.
Perhaps
some would like to migrate over to the pub across the street in the Alex
Johnson
after
the film! Our thanks to Mary Garry for bringing this to our attention.
EVENT
SAFETY GUIDELINES
The
board approved safety guidelines to be posted at appropriate
Society
events. It covers responsible drinking
and safe handling
of
ceremonial weapons.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS ARE DUE
Check
it off your list of things TO DO and send in your renewal today!
Renewals
can be made online via our website or mail to
per
individual or $30 per family. Members
get discounts at
Society
events. Invite your friends to join the
Society.
We
don’t want anyone missing out on any of the exciting
activities
coming up!
MEGGA THANKS TO ROBERT MILLILCAN!!!
Robert
has single handedly done a tremendous job enhancing
our
website over the past several months. He
has kept it fresh by
routinely
adding new information and fun and attractive graphics.
Robert
will be going on temporary duty to
|
January 19 |
7:00 p.m. |
General membership Meeting, TREA* Building, Rapid
City Program:
Importance of Robert Burns in Celtic history |
|
January 28 |
6:00 p.m. |
Robert Burns Dinner, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, |
|
January
30 |
6:30 p.m. |
“Rivers
& Tides” - Movie about a Scottish
artist at the Elks |
|
January 31 |
7:00 p.m. + |
Celtic music will be played
starting at 7:00. Musicians and
Listeners wanted! Musicians eat free! |
|
February
2 |
7:00 p.m. |
Board
Meeting |
|
February 16 |
7:00 p.m. |
General membership Meeting, TREA* Building, Rapid
City |
|
March
18 |
6:00 p.m. |
St
Patrick’s Day Dinner, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, |
|
To
be announced |
|
Rummage
Sale |
*TREA = The Retired Enlisted Association
building, 1981 East Centre Street,
The
Gathering of the Clans
The New Year brings a new focus for the SIS:
“The Gathering of the Clans”. To me this means more than getting together for a
festival or highland games etc. It’s a chance for us to bring together our
thoughts our ideas our histories as a society and as individuals to promote our
great Celtic heritage. The Gathering of the Clans brings alive our ancient
truths and myths through written documents and countless stories. It brings
forward our Celtic heritage’s greatest victories and most devastating defeats
as if they occurred yesterday. It allows us to feel today what they might have
felt ages ago. Each time we wear our Tartans or sing our songs or attempt our
cultural dances, it’s as if our Celtic ancestors are there with us guiding us,
and telling us to get the word out that the Celtic history is meaningful and to
never let it die. Yes the “Gathering of the Clans” is so very much more than an
event--- it is the pride we feel!
2006 was
ushered in with a spectacular Celtic concert by the Black Hills Symphony
Orchestra followed by a Ceilidh/Hogmanay which was nothing short of fantastic.
Those of us who attended this wonderful event will be talking about this one
for years to come. It was one of the most fun and successful events I feel the
SIS has ever had and I express my many thanks to all who attended and all who
helped with the event. I continue to hear from many folks throughout the
community who attended the event what a wonderful time it was, the food was
excellent, the music great and the Hogmanay was truly a Celtic experience. Many
asked if we were going to do it again next year.
January
brings a couple of major items to the SIS, first being the general elections,
which will be held at our general business meeting. I encourage all members to
attend and to vote as the elections of the officers and Board appointments
represents what you the members want for the SIS. Remember this is your SIS and
your vote counts. Just as a reminder your membership dues must be current in
order to vote. So please make sure your dues are up to date so that you can
vote! The dues help us put on so many
fun events.
January
28 marks the Robert Burns Dinner which promises to be as much fun as ever, with
good Celtic food, fun and music and as always anyone wishing to assist with the
dinner please let us know. Hope to see you there. Additional information on the
dinner will follow in the newsletter.
In
closing I am happy to announce that the SIS has gained three new members: Joe and Vicki Wallace, Janice Law Murraine,
Christine and Matthew Murraine. Welcome to SIS! We look forward to meeting
you!
Bill Knight,
President interim
Events like the Robert burns dinner require publication in a
variety of media. The Society would like
a member to serve as a publicist. You do
not need to do it all, but can work with others to publicize our events through
flyers, posters, news releases, etc. If
you are interested please contact a board member.
If you have an interest in how Scots have influenced the
world, take a look at the book entitled “How the Scots Invented the Modern
World” by Arthur Herman. The title
borders on boasting but the author presents a worthy narrative of how Scottish
warriors, political leaders, scientists and common laborers have contributed to
the world that we live in today.
·
A Scottish physician by the name of
James Lind is responsible for British sailors being called “limey”. His work to prove that citrus fruits cured
scurvy may be the first ever “controlled experiment” in medical history. Of course it took the Brits a few years to catch
on but when the Admiralty finally implemented Lind’s new treatment they used
lime juice.
·
James Hutton conceived the process of
geological upheaval and erosion which formed the earth as he saw it in the 18th
century. He suggested that such
geological action would have taken much longer than Biblical accounts. In addition Hutton claimed that geological
layering and fossils could tell much about the earth’s ancient history.
·
Another physician named John Pringle
reasoned that the spread of disease through epidemics could be controlled by
improving sanitation, ventilation of buildings and clean toilet
facilities. As Physician-General of
British forces he developed the concept of medical personnel as non-combatants. He located field hospitals away from battle
and clearly marked them. This custom quickly
spread throughout
If any of these factoids interested you, Arthur Herman has
many more. I may share a few next
month.
Gary Hamilton
Unfinished
business:
The
decision was made to ask the
Elections: Nila Boone with the nominating committee
presented a list of people who will run for election: Gary Hamilton and Bill
Knight are running as president. Jim Byrne, Kerry Smith, Jim Marrs, Midge
Schmidt, and possibly Aliyah Sanders for Board members. Carole Conrad as
treasurer, Sally Knight as secretary. Nila Boone will bring in ballots. Membership renewals are due January 1. New
prices are $20 for single and $30 for family.
Burns
dinner:
Ticket
prices are $15 for members and $17 for non-members. Tickets will be sold on
line through the SIS website or through the Dahl, and also at the
Hogmanay. The Dahl will pass posters
throughout the city which will cost SIS about 17 cents a piece. Menu is still being discussed. Food will be
purchased according to ticket sales.
Safety
Guidelines:
Revised
version was reviewed. Carole Conrad made a motion to approve the
safety
guidelines. Gary Hamilton seconded. Guidelines will be posted at events.
Website:
With the
loss of member Robert Millican who will leave for overseas duty in
February, Pat Hamilton agreed to attempt
to learn the operations of the website.
New
Business:
St.
Patrick’s Parade:
members agreed they would like to participate in the parade, but has requested
a Piper. Also discussed was a menu for the St. Patrick’s dinner more of an
Irish cuisine.
Sally
Knight, secretary.
Old Business:
Hogmanay.
Net for entire
evening was approximately $700.
We gained 3 new
members.
We have 2 interested
in SIS.
We sold 7 Burns
tickets.
New Business:
Discussed menu for
Burn’s dinner. SIS members had agreed in the past to a change
in menu to be more
Scottish for the Burn’s dinner and more Irish for the St. Patrick’s
dinner. Menu for Burn’s dinner will be: pork and
chicken Scottish style, tatties and neeps, minted peas, shortbread, bread
pudding, scones and cullen skink soup.
Entertainment will be
String Thaw, and pipers. Carole Conrad
and Robert Millican will be in charge of programs.
posters in the
downtown area, and do press releases. Gary Hamilton plans to arrange an
appointment with Bobby Marcaso for radio
advertisement. He will also contact Weekly News for a news ad. Robert Millican
will place an ad in Quick Quarter. Kerry
Smith will pursue contacts in
Gary Hamilton suggested
we advertise through the SIS newsletter that a publicity manager is needed.
Sally Knight, acting
secretary.
President Vacant
Vice President Bill Knight (Interim President)
Secretary Sally
Knight
Treasurer Carole
Conrad
Board Members Gary Hamilton, Midge Schmidt, Aliyah
Sanders, Kerry Smith, Jim Byrne
Membership Open
Web Site Robert
Millican & Pat Hamilton
Newsletter Pat
Hamilton, path@rushmore.com
If you would
like to contribute an article or story, list an event, submit a photo, etc. to
the newsletter, please email the item to me by the 5th of each month.