Our first actual, non-Zoom, face-to-face event Took place at Rúla Búla, a traditional Irish Pub at 401 S. Mill Avenue, Tempe, on Saturday 21 November.

The bar owners were delighted to host us. We sat at tables on the back patio, restricted to 10 people per table. Food and drink was available from the patio menu.

Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band members entertained the group, including Paul Barron and Kitty MacRae.

We hope this will be the first of many similar events – not just in pubs but at other outdoor venues. We appreciate that not everyone will be comfortable meeting other people in public.

October Zoom Gathering Report

Our second Zoom meeting took place on 22 October and essentially took the form of a pub quiz without the pub. The theme of the questioning was Scottish/American links and congratulations to Lorna Proper for finishing first. She, along with all those in the top five, got their choice of a book or t-shirt.

Watch for information on an upcoming December Zoom Gathering

It has been good to see those of you that have joined our Zoom meetings. It breaks up the social distancing side effects. Keep an eye out for the next meeting and join if you can. If you haven’t Zoomed before, don’t be intimidated as we are just figuring out this new platform as well. There is lots of help and understanding available. We have a board meeting this week to work on some more content too.

Don Finch and I along with our better halves attended the Anam Cara Gala at the ICC to represent the Scots and show support for the Celtic community. Putting together a Covid Compliant Dinner event that was live online as well was quite a feat. There were bumps in the road but the heart was there and the support was very much felt. The Black Donellys were very good musicians and probably even better Irish drinkers.

We had hoped to have some insight into the Games possibilities by now but the City Council decided to punt for another month at least before deciding if Spring events can be sanctioned. It is not just events like ours that are in the lurch but even Spring Training Baseball may lose out as well. The pressure is immense all around. To quote one of our vendors and the head of a Celtic vendor coalition of 150 people, vendors wound give their right arm to have an event. We remain hopeful but it could be quite chaotic for sure. Stay tuned.

On a more positive note, I hope you had enough tricksters last night to keep you from having to eat leftover candy. You need to save room for turkey and leftovers. I bet a drive-by progressive Thanksgiving Dinner would be insane!!c

Stay safe and sterilize with your sanitizer of choice. Scoth recommended.

SLAINTE, DAVID

In support of our vendors in these difficult times, we recommend that you continue to shop with them online if you can since they cannot attend any events for who knows how long. Tell them that you are a member of the Caledonian Society of Arizona and see what special treatment they may have in store for you.

Kilt Rental USA - high-quality authentic formal kilt rental services

Four Peaks Brewing - Order from the takeout/delivery menu.

Celtic Jackalope - Celtic Art, Shirts, Badges, Jewelry, Banners, custom work
   15% coupon with code "JACKALOPESTRONG15"

Ring Weaver Chains - Chains, bracelets, purses

Sweet Earth Art - Jewelry, Paintings, Clothing
   Call 602-460-0710 for $5 off shirts/hats; sarong & jewelry offers

Copper and Fire Jewelry - Copper Wire, Sterling Silver and Designer Jewelry
   10% discount to CSA members