July 2016 Gathering
RESEARCH YOUR SCOTLAND ROOTS: A BEGINNER"S OVERVIEW
Join us for a presentation by Robert Wilbanks IV - the Society’s Chief Genealogist & Historian.
Bring your Wi-Fi device to actively explore resources on the internet during the presentation
July 14 at the Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central, Phoenix
6:30 pm -------------- Social half hour
7:00 pm --------- Genealogy Presentation
8:30 pm ----------------- 50/50 drawing
and A Special Drawing for a free Two-Hour
Consultation by Mr. Wilbanks (Paid members only eligible)
Members ----------------------- Always Free
Non-members -- $5.00 donation requested
Letter from the Editor, Don Finch
Dear fellow Caledonians:
The hit television program “Roots” from the late 1970’s was made into a new mini-series recently and again attracted thousands of viewers. Other programs such as “Who Do You Think You Are” and “Genealogy Roadshow” have increased interest in what ABC News has proclaimed as “genealogy being the second most popular hobby in the United States after gardening, and is the second most-visited category of websites.”
We are pleased to announce that Robert M. Wilbanks IV has been appointed as the Society’s Chief Genealogist & Historian. He is also President, Arizona Council of Professional Genealogists.Robert will be guest speaker at our July Gathering on Thursday July 14th at the ICC and will present a talk titled: “Research Your Scotland Roots: A Beginner’s Overview”.  It is a basic beginner's overview to genealogy and an introduction to the uniqueness of Scottish research. The presentation will be made on a large screen using PowerPoint with live access to the Internet for an introduction of some of the best online resources. Bring your own wi-fi device to actively explore genealogy resources on the internet yourself along the way.
A new Membership benefit will be a one-hour consultation with Robert to discuss your Family history and a discounted rate for those Members who wish to do more extensive genealogy research.
Thanks to the many Members and friends who attended our June gathering. Sue Wallace, the presumptive (!) Grand Chief Daughter of the Daughters of Scotia talked about the history, both national and local of the Lodges. Their 118th annual convention will be held here in Phoenix September 16-24 with several opportunities for others to join in, including the Men’s Auxiliary Best Ball Golf Outing.
Your new Board was sworn in following the ancient tradition of the Ceremony of the Quaich and the presentation of the great Claymore broad sword. We appreciate the vote of confidence recently given in the election process and commit to carrying out the duties of the various offices for the next two years.
With the summer solstice now behind us, the days will be getting shorter bringing cooler temperatures – not! Oh well, I’ll put that last statement in the tickle file to include in the October newsletter!
Enjoy the summer and circle Thursday July 14th for Robert’s presentation on Genealogy.
Cheers! Don Finch, Editor
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What Does Brexit Mean for Scotland?
From: Our Man in Scotland, John Clinkenbeard
So the normally calm atmosphere of British politics has erupted into consternation and huge uncertainty following the shock result of a win for the Leave campaign (52% vs. 48%). But Scotland did not vote for this (38% vs. 62%), and the context of the Scottish independence question may have materially changed as a result.
As the British Government and main opposition appear in disarray (almost all of Scotland was in shock at the result), Nicola Sturgeon began to fill the political vacuum by expressing confidently that Scotland would absolutely remain a member of the European Union (her leadership has been a welcoming contrast to the stuttering Cameron/Corbyn).
That is quite a compelling argument for most Scots who have always enjoyed a close connection with their European friends (Auld Alliance and all that) and would not appreciate being taken out against their will (worst thing you can do to a Scot!).
I took my own poll in the last few days with friends and family, and in my view there appears no doubt that Brexit would lead to a ‘yes’ vote if indyref2 came along. Of course, without being said the EU wants Britain to change its mind, and noticeably the BBC is now publicising on those with voting ‘regret’ and if we can change our mind. There are so many possible outcomes it feels bewildering, but for Scotland they at least appear to know what they want, to be part of the EU. And it appears clear that if the British Government does decide to leave, then the path for Scottish independence becomes a significant likelihood.
The British government does have the power to block a request for a second Scottish independence, but that act in itself would likely have disastrous consequences. The cards appear to be in the hands of the Conservative party on the next move, but with the EU playing hardball (having access to the single market is not a given), the stakes for the future of the UK could not be higher.
 It’s fair to say, following this and the English departure from Euro 2016 (defeated by lowly Iceland), the Scots are thinking to themselves, we are better than this, and maybe we should do this.
John Clinkenbeard
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The History of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
The Tattoo is presented annually by the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo Society in partnership with the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Canadian Armed Forces, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Halifax and the Corporate Community.
In 17th century Dutch villages, drummers marched through the streets summoning British soldiers to return to their quarters from the taverns and inns. A drumbeat signaling innkeepers to "doe den tap toe" or "turn off the taps" was shortened to "tattoo." The phrase now heralds the amazing entertainment highlighted by marching bands, hundreds of musicians, acrobats, dancers and military competitions. The unique and varied talent of hundreds of Canadian and international military and civilian performers makes the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo the world's largest annual indoor show.
The Nova Scotia Tattoo was first held in 1979 to mark the visit of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother to Nova Scotia for the International Gathering of the Clans. It has been held every year since and was granted Royal Status by Her Majesty the Queen in 2006 on the occasion of her 80th Birthday.
This year’s Tattoo will be held at the Scotiabank Centre in Halifax from July 4-6.
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Scot Invents the Electric Clock
by Jo Ramsdell
Did your electric alarm clock wake you this morning?
If so, then you owe it to Alexander Bain, a Scottish inventor and engineer, who was the first to invent and patent the electric clock. Bain was born in 1811 in Caithness, Scotland, the son of a crofter. He did not excel in school and so was apprenticed to a clockmaker. After learning his craft, he worked in Edinburgh and later in 1837 went to London where he frequented the lectures at the Polytechnic Institution and the Adelaide Gallery and later constructed his own workshop in Hanover Street.
In 1840, desperate for money to develop his inventions, Bain was introduced to Sir Charles Wheatstone. Bain demonstrated his models to Wheatstone, who, when asked for his opinion, said “Oh, I shouldn’t bother to develop these things any further. There’s no future in them.” Three months later Wheatstone demonstrated an electric clock to the Royal Society, claiming it was his own invention. However, Bain had already applied for a patent for it. Wheatstone tried to block Bain’s patents, but failed. When Wheatstone organized an Act of Parliament to set up the Electric Telegraph Company, the House of Lords summoned Bain to give evidence and eventually compelled the company to pay Bain £10.000 and give him a job as manager, causing Wheatstone to resign.
Image:Electric clock, Alexander Bain, London, ca. 1845 (Deutsches Uhrenmuseum, Inv. 2004-162)
From 1843 to 1846 Bain began working on a new project—the facsimile machine. He used an electric clock to synchronize the movement of pendulums for line-by-line scanning of a message. Several years earlier Samuel More had invented the first successful telegraph machine and the fax machine closely evolved from that technology.
Initially Bain made a considerable sum from his inventions but lost his wealth in poor investments. In 1873 he was given a pension from Prime Minister Gladstone of £80 per year. Bain died in 1877 and was buried in the Auld Aisle Cemetery, Kirkitilloch. The main BT building in Glasgow is now named Alexander Bain House. Just this year, February 2016, Bain was awarded the Technology & Engineering Emmy Award for his pioneering work in the transmission of images.
Images from Wikipedia.com
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Michelle Crownhart - Trustee - May 2014 - June 2016-
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Michelle put both feet in the Caledonian Society’s ceremonial Loch Ness when she accepted our invitation in May of 2014 to join the Board and also take over the key position of Athletic Director.
We appreciate her service on the Board for the past two years and look forward to working with her on the Games Committee as she continues as A.D. Thank you Michelle!
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Recipes from Our Cookbook - Flour of Scotland
Sad Recipe |
Author unknown |
I didn't have potatoes, so I substituted rice |
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I didn't have paprika, so I substitued some other spice |
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I didn't have tomato sauce, so I used tomato paste |
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A whole can, not a half can -- I don't believe in waste |
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A friend gave me this recipe. She said you couldn't beat it |
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There must have been something wrong with her, |
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I couldn't even eat it. |
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Bills's Ice Cream Pie |
Bill & Norma Wallace |
French Vanilla ice cream |
Rich Chocolate ice cream |
Chocalate / Nut cookies |
Butter or margarine |
Whipped cream |
Maraschino cherries |
Fudge sauce (commercial or your own) |
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In food processor or blender, grind cookies into crumbs.
Moisten crumbs with melted butter or margarine.
Press moistened crumbs into pie shell to form crust. Set aside.
Soften vanilla ice cream. Place a layer of ice cream in the bottom of the pie shell.
Cover the ice cream with fudge sauce. Freeze.
When solid, add another layer of ice cream and fudge sauce.
Repeat until the pie shell is full to the rim.
Completely cover it all with scoops of rich chocolate ice cream.
Drizzle fudge sauce over the chocolate scoops. Freeze.
Just before serving, garnish with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.
To serve, slice with a warm wet knife. Eat immediately.
Don’t think of the calories, just enjoy!
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Ignition: Festival of Motoring
Motoring fans should definitely not miss Ignition: Festival of Motoring when it comes to Glasgow in August - a specially constructed street track will feature stars like David Coulthard, alongside displays of classic cars, supercars, rally cars, and motorcycles!
The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow will host the three-day event promising thrills on four wheels or two, from August 5-7.
For ticket and program information, visit: www.ignitionfestival.co.uk |
Membership Renewal Reminder
Dues are still only $25 Single and $40 Family. This admits you to all our wonderful monthly events with food and entertainment provided.
It’s easy to pay by credit card or PayPal, just jump to the Membership Page
Society Gatherings
Regular membership gatherings are held the second
Thursday of each month at the Irish Cultural Center,
1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, AZ. beginning at
6:30 pm. Come join us or log on to www.arizonascots.com.
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Caledonian Society Officers
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