You may contribute news and photos by email to Info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

 

 

Don’t miss this party!!!  It is a signature SIS event.  If the house is not crammed elbow to elbow with Hogmanay revelers it is merely a visit.  So call your friends, Celt up in your finest attire and come to the Hogmanay. 

This is a Pitch-in (Celtic potluck) and BYOB.  Pull that Celtic cookbook down from the shelf (or surf the net) and cook-up something that you will be proud to serve for dinner.

We are not sure how it could happen but there are rumors that a spontaneous “______ tasting” may break out in the laundry room.

Please bring your musical instruments, favorite poems, jokes or dance shoes.  A Ceilidh may just “happen”.  AND we close the evening with First Footing and all the verses to Auld Lang’s Syne!

 

 

 

 

 

For centuries Christmas was not observed as a joyous celebration in Scotland.  Hogmanay took center stage.  What is a Hogmanay???

 

Hogmanay is celebrated on New Year's Eve, every year, usually in a most exuberant fashion in Scotland as hundreds of thousands of revelers take to the streets to see in the New Year. In the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh it has become a huge ticketed festival. Celebrations start in the early evening and reach a crescendo by midnight. Minutes before the start of New Year, a lone piper plays, then the bells of Big Ben chime at the turn of midnight, lots of kissing, and everyone sings Auld Lang Syne. And then there is more kissing. Elsewhere in Scotland, particularly in more remote

 

 

 

parts, customary first footing and Scottish dances, or ceilidhs (pronounced "kayli"), take place. For centuries, fire ceremonies –

torch light processions, fireball swinging and lighting of New Year fires -- played an important part in the Hogmanay celebrations. And they still do.

 

What is First Footing?
Traditionally, it has been held that your new year will be a prosperous one if, at the strike of midnight, a "tall, dark stranger" appears at your door with a lump of coal for the fire, or a cake or coin. In exchange, you offered him food, wine or a wee dram of whisky, or the traditional Het Pint, which is a combination of ale, nutmeg and whisky. It's been suggested that the fear associated with blond strangers arose from the memory of blond-haired Viking’s raping and pillaging Scotland circa 4th to 12th centuries. What's more likely to happen these days is that groups of friends or family get together and do a tour of each others' houses. Each year, a household takes it in turn to provide a meal for the group. In many parts of Scotland gifts or "Hogmanay’s" are exchanged after the turn of midnight.

 

What are the words to Auld Lang's Syne?
The words that many of us join hands and sing at the strike of midnight are written in old Scots, the language commonly spoken in Scotland until 1707 when Scotland's Parliament dissolved itself and was merged with England. The words were adapted by Rabbie Burns, Scotland's National poet, from a traditional poem. Want more? Go to the Auld Lang Syne words and meanings: http://www.hogmanay.net/history/auldlangsyne .

(Source:  http://www.hogmanay.net/history/faq )

 

 

 

 

YES, 2007 is coming fast and it is time to renew your membership.  $20 single, $30 family.  Write checks to SIS and mail to PO Box 765, Rapid City, SD. 57709.  If you have paid dues during or since the festival (Sep 1, 2006) you are current.  Contact Carole Conrad if you are unsure. info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to Hogmanay we are invited to the Celts of America Christmas Party.  It will be at 6:30, December 22, at Mary and Mark Garry’s home1141 Creekside View Lane (address update).  It is potluck and BYOB.  This will be a Grand Gathering.  Please plan on it!

 

           

 

 

Dec 14	7:00 p.m.	General membership Meeting, American Legion Post 22, 818 East St Patrick, Rapid City PROGRAM:  Celtic Christmas & Officer Nominations
Dec 22	6:30 p.m.	Celts of America Christmas Party at the Garry’s:1141 Creekside View Lane (address update) Rapid City
Dec 29	6:30 p.m.	Hogmanay Party:  1011 West Bou levard (Pat & Gary Hamilton’s), Rapid City
Jan 2		Tickets go on sale at Dahl Arts Center for Burns dinner
Jan 4	7:00 p.m.	Board Meeting
Jan – TBA	7:00 p.m.	General membership Meeting, PROGRAM:  TBA
Jan 17	6:30 p.m.	Celts of America Annual meeting and Awards Program; American Legion Post 22, 818 East St Patrick Rapid City
Jan 27	6:00 p.m.	Scottish and Irish Society Annual Robert Burns Birthday Celebration; First Emmanuel Episcopal Church
Mar 17	6:00 p.m.	St. Patrick’s Day Dinner / Celebration; First Emmanuel Episcopal Church

 *American Legion Post 22, 818 East St. Patrick St, Rapid City

 

 

 

December meeting is at a NEW location:

American Legion Post 22,

 818 East St Patrick Rapid City

 

We’re looking for a new permanent location

 for our meetings.  Please give any suggestions to Gary Hamilton (info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org) or bring them to the Dec 14^th meeting where options will be discussed.

 

 

 

President’s Message

As we draw the year 2006 to a close I thought that I would give the SIS year a  review.   Cliché, perhaps, but this really has been a good year for SIS.

Why?  We started off the year with a much needed financial boost from the Black Hills Symphony Hogmanay.  That was followed in January with a profitable Robert Burns Birthday Celebration.  More income came from our St. Patrick’s Day Dinner and Ceilidh.  By April we were able to announce that we were back in the black.

Also, and perhaps more importantly, we conducted our first organizational meeting for the annual 2006 Dakota Celtic Festival.  We went into that meeting unsure that we would have a festival at all.  We left the meeting bolstered by the knowledge that several friends outside of SIS were behind us.  They offered to help organize, raise funds and manage the festival.  As a result the Dakota Celtic Festival Gathering of the Clans was the first profitable Celtic festival in the history of the event.

 Of course our Mid-Summer’s Eve celebration and Samhain were classic good times.  Hogmanay promises to be grand.

Money and good times aside, we have something more important going for us.  Over this past year we have cemented relationships all over the Black Hills and surrounding area.  These individuals and organizations are all fine friends to have.  They ensure that our events will be a success and that our future as an organization will be sound.

Thank you, SIS members, for your interest, your support and your goodwill.  You made it all possible.

 

Gary Hamilton

 

 

 

           

            The nominating committee of one person, Bill Knight, is making progress toward filling out a slate of officers and board members.  At this time we have no contested slots.  We still need a candidate for secretary.

                The nominating committee will present its slate to the membership at our December membership meeting.  Our by-laws require that the election be held at the January membership meeting.  The floor will be open for more nominations at the December and January meetings.

                Please consider participating.  As you have been reminded before, the festival is no longer the direct responsibility of the sitting SIS board.  The job of being an SIS board member takes an extra meeting each month.  It is fun and rewarding.

 

 

 

            Our statement of intent to support the formation of a separate not for profit corporation to manage the annual Dakota Celtic Festival was presented to the ad hoc festival board on November 21.  The statement was well received and the group adapted several motions concerning the pursuit of corporate standing.

                They reviewed and approved an application for incorporation in the state of South Dakota with a board of ten members. 

                President – Mike Lemay

                Vice President – Matt Murraine

                Secretary – Sabrina Shull

                Treasurer – Carole Conrad

Board Members – Bill Knight, Kirk Spell, Paul McKye, Janice Murraine, Holly Lemay and Gary Hamilton.  

                There are plans in the works for a new, separately managed festival website.  We will link to that website instead of maintaining the extra ten or so festival pages on the SIS website.

                The current festival planning revolves around creation of clan, vendor and sponsor solicitation documents.  The 2007 budget plan is in the works.

 

 

 

 

 

A sister organization, the Celts of America, is inviting S.I.S. members to their annual banquette.  The annual COA Banquette is a time in which we reflect upon the past year and the accomplishments of not COA, but the people within the society, and above all our community.  This is why many of the awards we have elected to give, are to people that may not be COA members.  They are to people that furthered the community, and have performed in a manner commensurate with furthering the Celtic Community.

 

A portion of the awards we are going to give out will be joint SIS and COA sponsored. We are each providing the funding to honor the Folks that planned, coordinated, implemented and cleaned up after the Gathering of The Clans.  This overall task took over 6 months in total time.  For many it was extremely difficult to do, and effected all aspects of their lives.

 These people worked very hard, and for the first time in 9 years gave the Black Hills community a successful festival that will grow and blossom in the future. 

 

We are honored to be able to invite SIS to this occasion.  Above all, we consider it our privilege to honor these people regardless of what society they belong to.  Regardless if they are SIS or COA, Dakota Celts, or no affiliation, they have brought credit upon themselves. They gave of themselves and have further our community. 

 

Matt Murraine

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Harp Recital by Morgan Black

and Extraordinarily Talented Friends
WHEN:  Saturday, December 30, 4:00 p.m.
WHERE:   Sanctuary of the First United Methodist Church.
629 Kansas City Street, Rapid City

The first part of this concert will feature Morgan playing classical
solo harp.  Then some of her most excellently talented friends will join her for a variety of musical entertainment..

Live from Ohio are:  Christine Black (Morgan's grandmother) and
Alexandra and Antoinette Vargo (Sisters of the Strings).  Local are:  Abby Drabek, Alex Groeneweg, Alana MacLachlan, Kameron
Nelson, Lorena Reichert, The Space Hepsters, Lisa Vogl, Emily Weber, and SIS favorites, Mike and Holly Lemay and Peter Roth.

Please join us as we listen to Morgan and her friends.  This is Morgan's "farewell" concert, which she is giving as a thank you to her church and the lovely people of Rapid City who have welcomed her so warmly in the two+ years she's been here.  In January Morgan leaves for the University of Colorado, in Boulder, where she will be studying harp and voice.

 

 

 

It is with a sad heart that I report to you all that despite modern technology, my fathers' struggle with cancer has ended. To those of you that I couldn't get in contact with prior or during my trip home, I apologize.
I know i didn't get to let everyone know where I was, simply because I only had 12 hours to get ready to leave Korea. And I still didn't make it home in time.
For those that couldn't make the remembrance, I hope to have the slide show up on the server real soon. I will inform you when it is available.

Robert Millican

 

 

 

 

Your Input Needed

            This newsletter would be far more interesting with your input:  news, events, culture, history, photos, new Celtic businesses, anything.  Submit your articles in MS Word doc and photos in jpg format.  E-mail to info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org .

 

 

 

 

                At our November membership meeting we heard a presentation by a young lady from Douglas High School.  She has been selected to participate in the People to People Student Ambassador program (www.studentambassadors.org)   She will be touring the British Isles this coming summer.  Her special interest is in Ireland. 

Bridget is a straight A student and is very active in extra curricular activities.  This trip is a rare opportunity for gifted and high performing students.  It is an honor for her to have been selected.

                We have the honor of helping her raise the money that it will take to fund her trip.  The members at the meeting approved a motion to grant her $100 and help her with one or more fundraisers.  Carole Conrad offered to be Bridget’s SIS sponsor for this effort.

                One suggested fund raiser is a raffle of Celtic items at Burn’s and St Patrick’s dinners.  Personal donations through SIS are welcomed.  If you have any fund raising ideas, please contact Carole Conrad. info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org

 

 

 

Banshee – a Celtic Superstition

Courtesy of Bill Knight

 

We have all heard of the word Banshee and while reading a book on superstitions I came across Banshee which states in Celtic Lore as being Perpetrator of unearthly wailing that is much feared in Ireland and western Scotland as an omen of approaching death. The banshee is usually heard at night and its supernatural ululations (or howling) are generally associated with a particularly family or clan, who can also detail a history of such warnings from spectral (usually female) guardians. Examples of famous Banshees include one linked to the aristocratic Rossmore family of County Monaghan in Ireland, which was first heard in 1801 and has heralded the death of each successive heir to the baronetcy.

 

Some claim that the banshee wail is made by Fairies, who sense the coming of death and want to warn the family (bean si in Gaelic means “fairy woman”). Alternatively the banshee is held to be a dead ancestor or perhaps the vengeful spirit of a woman who has suffered some wrong at the family’s hands. In some parts of Scotland the banshee is known as the “washer by the ford” because her figure is seen washing the bloodstained clothes of the person fated to die. Sometimes the banshee is not in the form of a voice ,but is heard as a beating Drum. 

 

We welcome any Scottish or Irish trivia from any member.  Please submit your thoughts to Info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org

or contact Pat Hamilton, newsletter editor.

 

 

 

 

Exchange Club Christmas Gift Wrap

 

The sponsor of our Celtic festival Children’s

Activities is conducting their annual Christmas Gift Wrap Fundraiser at Rushmore Mall.  First, if the Christmas rush has you stressed, relax and have them wrap your gifts.  Second, if you enjoy gift wrapping, volunteer to help.  There are 2 and 3 hour shifts going anytime that the mall is open right through the afternoon of Christmas Eve.  They NEED volunteer help.  If you can assist, please call John Burke, 342-4226, or Gary Hamilton, 716-7186.

The gift wrap is located in a storefront at the Sears end of the mall.  It is near the Verizon Wireless kiosk.

 

Geneaology

 The genealogy association meets every 3^rd Friday of each month at the Canyon Lake Senior Citizen’s Club.  Contact Nila Boone if you have any questions.

 

 

 

 

 

The Sons of Norway host dancing lessons at the Canyon Lake Senior Citizens’ Center each Monday evening at 6:30.  We’re learning some Norwegian dances and are preparing to learn some Celtic dances.  Call John or Nancy Burke if you’re interested in attending as their summer schedule may vary a bit.

 

 

 

 

Sally Knight gave her program on the history of Halloween. Meeting was then called to order by president, Gary Hamilton at 7:30 pm. No treasurer’s report.

 

Old Business:

 

No minutes for September which was held at Kerry’s house. Not enough members were present to hold the meeting.

 

Gathering of the clans festival has a remaining budget of $1,300. This will enable the festival board to begin plans for next year’s festival within the next month. Gary also proposed an idea to members that the SIS festival could be a separate organization

for the celtic community. A motion was made by Matt that would allow the Gathering of the Clans festival to be a separate organization which would include a separate website, separate checking account, and specific bi-laws. The focus would emphasize a gathering of clans for the Celtic community as one group working toward the same goal. Should this idea dissolve, the festival would return to the control of SIS. Jan seconded the motion.

 

The 2006 festival showed a profit this year with sales being highest in T-shirts and food concessions.

 

Midge Schmidt will soon be receiving her plaque for the many years of dedicated service to SIS.

 

John Savory received a MP3 for his many years of piping and entertaining as a thank you before leaving for Afghanastan.

 

New Business:

 

Halloween social at Dublin Square Pub on October 28 at 7:00 pm. Sally agreed to try and give a talk on Halloween.

 

Upcoming events include: Hogmanay on December 29.  January 27 for the Burn’s dinner at the Episcople Church and March 17 for the St. Pat’s dinner at the Episcopal Church.

 

 Bill will chair officer nominations for 2007.

 

 Bill will chair cultural event at SDSMT. He is looking for volunteers.

 

Next month’s program will be done by Jim Byrnes on his trip to Ireland.

 

Pat brought in Celtic catalogs for members to view.

 

Meeting ended at 8:40 pm.

 

Sally Knight, secretary.

 

 

 

Treasurer’s report:  Approximately $4,330 in SIS account; however, $1,000 has been pledged to next year’s festival committee.

 

Program: Jim Byrnes gave his presentation on his trip to Ireland.

 

Old Business:

---- Midge Schmidt’s plaque has been completed by Mark Rowland and soon to be delivered.

---- Hogmanay at the Hamilton’s house on Dec. 29. Potluck style. Celtic dishes are encouraged.

---- Burne’s Dinner on January 27 at the Episcopal Church. Social hour at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm. Gary and Bill will be the chefs.

----St. Patricks’s Dinner on March 17. Celts of America will have a celebration at the Dublin Square on March 17 as well. Each has invited each other to the events.

----Officer nominations: Bill reported that he received a possibility for vice president. Bill Knight has decided to run for president.

----Statement of Intent: Separate Festival Organization. See attached handout presented by Gary.

 

New Business:

---- Next general membership meeting to be held on December 14

versus the 21^st due to Christmas. This will also be when officers nominations will be held.

----Motion made & seconded to begin rent on a storage unit for SIS’s supplies. The motion included a budget of approximately $420.00 per year for rent and roughly $150.00 for shelves.

----Motion made & seconded to continue a membership with the Dahl. Cost is $50.00 yearly.

----Bridget Medbery presented SIS members a request to help with her trip to Scotland, Ireland and Wales. Carole has accepted the commitment to Bridget to help her with fund raisers through SIS events.

 

Next program for will be on Dec 14^th on Celtic Christmas by Gary Hamilton

 

Statement of Intent: Separate Festival Organization

To: Festival Board of Directors

Dakota Celtic Festival Gathering of the Clans

Rapid City, South Dakota

 

RE: Establishment of an Independent Festival Organization

 

Statement by the Membership of the Scottish and Irish Society of the Black Hills

 

We, the members of the Scottish and Irish Society are committed to fellowship and the continued growth within the Black Hills Celtic Community.  In keeping with that commitment we are generally in favor of formation of a separate organization to administer the annual Dakota Celtic Festival if the following conditions are met in the bylaws of incorporation or operating policies for the new organization:

1)       A commitment to keep the spirit and theme of the festival Celtic.

2)       A statement of intent to continue efforts to involve the entire Black Hills community in the organization, planning and management of the festival.

3)       Membership in the charter the organization to allow the willing participation of Celts of America, The Scottish and Irish Society, the Black Hills Scottish Athletes and the individuals at large who served on the festival board for the Gathering of the Clans 2006.

4)       Make adequate provisions to ensure that persons and organizations with the vision, proper qualifications and suitable objectives are seated on the corporate board and festival committee.

5)       Member organizations and individuals should be given special considerations and/or discounts for vendor sites in exchange for their time and continued support.

6)       Upon dissolution of the organization the rights to ownership and management of the Dakota Celtic Festival, or aliases, shall return to the Scottish and Irish Society should the Society wish to accept.

Should these conditions be adequately met, the Board of Directors of the Scottish and Irish Society has the authority to convey all rights to the name, name aliases, calendar dates, planning files, vendor lists, clan lists, sponsor lists, grants records, logos, trademarks and copyrighted property to the new festival organization.

As approved by a majority of the members present at the meeting on November 16, 2006.

 

 

 

 

Old Business:

---- Discussed officer nominations.  Bill Knight will present slate to members at meeting on Dec 14.  Elections will be held at January membership meeting.

---- Hogmanay at the Hamilton’s house on Dec. 29. John Burke is seeking musicians to play a few pieces.  Darren Williams has offered to pipe.  Gary Hamilton will arrange a First Footing.

---- Burne’s Dinner on January 27 at the Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Social hour at 6:00 pm, dinner at 7:00 pm. Tickets will be $15 member and $17 non-member. They will go on sale at member meeting on Dec 14.  Celts of America are invited for member price.

---- Membership meeting location was discussed.  The next meeting will be at Post 22.  Wt the meeting we will discuss relocating and possibly changing the time of month for meeting.

---- Reviewed progress on festival planning and incorporation.

 

New Business:

---- Celts of Amaerica have invited us to attend their Christmas Party on Dec 22.

---- Celts of America are holding awards ceremony for the 2006 festival on Jan 17.  Motion passed to contribute $150 for awards.

---- SIS will advertise Exchange Club Gift Wrap Fundraiser in newsletter.

---- Gary Hamilton will register SIS with the Highlander Magazine Directory. 

 

 

 

President                 Gary Hamilton, info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org  

Vice President         Bill Knight

Secretary                 Sally Knight

Treasurer                 Carole Conrad

Board Members      Aliyah Sanders, Kerry Smith, Jim Byrne, James Marrs, John Burke

Membership           Sally Knight

Web Site                  Gary Hamilton

Newsletter              Pat Hamilton, info@BlackHillsCelticEvents.org  

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.

to our Festival sponsors

for your            support!

 

Scottish & Irish Society

Of the Black Hills

 

Allied Arts Fund

 

Dublin Square Irish Pub

(Located in the Radisson Hotel)

 

Haggerty’s Music Works

(Main & St Joe locations)

 

String Thaw

(Traditional Irish music)

 

M & K Knifeworks

(Rushmore Mall)

 

Irish Fest Foundation

Black Watch Security

Celts of America

Wells Fargo

Black Hills Neurology

Smith Liquor, Rapid City

The Exchange Club of Rapid City

Horizons, Inc.

McKie Ford Lincoln Mercury

Pioneer Bank & Trust

Black Hills Neurology

Elks Theatre

Scull Construction

Telco FCU

 

These Sponsors helped make the Festival a success.