To all Society Members,
In this the first newsletter of my presidency, may I wish everyone
the compliments of the season and in particular a happy, healthy and
prosperous New Year.
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Traditionally
in Scotland, New Year has always been a larger day of celebration
than Christmas and usually the celebrations start with Hogmanay – a
custom of goodwill and good cheer – starting at midnight prior to
New Years day itself. This was the time of “first footing“ when one
would visit ones near neighbors and friends, and hopefully be the
first to cross their doorstep - which was always seen to be sign of
good luck for the ensuing New Year.
Part of this tradition was to also carry a bottle of whisky and some
gifts, like a small lump of coal, a pinch of salt, small cakes and
perhaps a coin or two.
Of course the exchange of a “wee dram“ one
from your bottle and one from theirs was always the highlight of the
visit and after visiting with most of your neighbors and having
several of these exchanges then the effects of Hogmanay could often
be experienced for several days thereafter.
The first half of our 2009/2010 season got off to a great start with
a very successful Kirkin at the First Presbyterian Church in Naples,
which was chaired by David Wallace the society’s new Vice-President.
This was followed with our annual St. Andrews Ball which was again
held at the Club at Pelican Bay and which was again beautifully
chaired and organized by David Smith.
Earlier this month a smaller group representative of the Society as
a whole and comprising of Don McGee, Carol Stuart, John Green,
myself and representing the general membership Mr. Joe McMackin III,
met to interview Miss Kristine Cosgrove, the student identified by
FGCU as the most meritorious and deserving of our annual Study in
Scotland Scholarship Award.
This interview proved to be most successful and the group had no
hesitation in recommending to the Board that Miss Cosgrove be
awarded the full scholarship amount of $5,000 in order to complete a
full spring semester of education at St. Andrews University. This
recommendation was accepted by the Board, and we anticipate seeing
and hearing from Kristine when she returns later in the year.
Once again this year volunteers from the Society manned two
collection kettles on behalf of the Salvation Army, outside of the
Super Walmart at Immokalee and I75. This event was chaired by one of
our newest Directors - Ian Wright
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The
last event of 2009 was our annual Golf and Croquet Tournament
jointly chaired by the writer and Carol Stuart. Sadly the Croquet
part of the event was not as well supported as it had been in the
past and had to be cancelled. The Golf was very well supported with
fourteen players attending on the day at Foxfire Country Club, and
later at the Webster’s for nibbles and drinks. The afternoon turned
out to be a beautiful day for golf and all had a wonderful time.
The
golf tournament was won by the team comprising David Webster, David
Smith, Bunny Brooks and Nina Hopkins and the runners up were the
team comprising Nancy Bruce, John Brooks and John Green. Magnificent
prizes were awarded to all of the winners.
Looking forward to 2010, we again begin the year with our annual
Burns Supper on Sunday January 24th at the Naples Sailing and Yacht
Club and chaired by Carol Stuart. This supper is one of the
highlights of our season and I sincerely trust that all members of
the Society will strive to attend and that I will see and meet with
most of you that evening.
The next Kirkin will be held at Naples United Church of Christ on
February 14th with two services – at 9:00am and 11:00 am
respectively – chaired by Ken Bruce. Kirkin’s are a joyful and
relaxing way of celebrating the wearing of the tartan and I would
urge all Society members to attend as many such services as they
can.
The following Kirkin will be held at the Moorings Presbyterian
Church on February 28th – again two services – at 9:00am and 11:00
am. The chair for this Kirkin is George Metcalf.
Should you wish to email the above Chairmen to confirm your
attendance, you can contact Ken Bruce
and George Metcalf respectively.
If you wish to attend and listen to the band of the Irish Guards and
the Royal Regiment of Scotland at the Naples Philharmonic on March
19th, please contact the event Chairman – Ian Wright at 436-1992, or
1302 Noble Heron Way, Naples, FL 34105 to reserve seats ($44.00 per
person). We have also arranged for the Palms Restaurant (Neapolitan
Way) to host a “dutch dinner “ between 5:00 and 7:15 pm that same
evening. Please contact Don McGee
for further particulars and to reserve your places or call Don at 659 -5312 by
March 15th.
Lastly, I would like to confirm that we will have a Tartan Day
celebration this year and final details of place, time, and
particulars will be announced in my next newsletter.
“Lang may yer lum reek
Wi ither folks coal”
Your President
David J. Webster
