Membership Update
Don Finch, VP Membership

Dear Members and Friends of the Caledonian Society of Arizona:

The purpose of this communique is three-fold:
1. A reminder to renew your membership for the period April 1, 2020- March 31, 2021.
2. To thank you if you've recently joined, or renewed your dues.
3. To update you on our planned activities for the next year.

WHO WE ARE:
We are a 501[c]3 Non-Profit Organization registered with the AZ Corporation Commission and the IRS.
Our purpose is to promote fellowship with all those interested in Scottish culture and heritage through the sponsorship of regular social activities, plus an annual highland games, and celebrations such as a Robert Burns Dinner, Tartan Day, and St. Andrew's Day.
Your annual dues are used to cover Administrative costs such as audits; fees; insurance; software; printing; etc. - and - Social expenses such as hall rentals; food and snacks; name tags; plus performance fees for speakers and musicians.

WHAT WE DO:
At the time of this writing, we've just completed our 56th annual Phoenix Scottish Games and are thankful that a) we avoided the rains that began immediately afterward, and b) the restrictions since placed on large events and mass gatherings. Because of that, we do not have any specific events planned at this moment. However, the Social Planning committee has the following events on the agenda:
- a pub crawl in central Phoenix
- a cruise on the Desert Belle on Saguaro Lake
- our annual Genealogy workshop
- a Scottish-themed quiz at the ICC
- a Scottish 'foodie' evening at the Irish Cultural Center with members asked to prepare dishes
- continuation of the Neil Oliver DVD series A History of Scotland
- pub nights at Four Peaks, Lochiel Brewery, and CaskWerks Distillery
- a ceilidh night with Scottish country dancing

HOW YOU CAN SUPPORT US:
Your annual dues of $30 Single or $50 Family gets you that kind of fun and fellowship; plus the monthly Desert Highlander newsletter; and a free annual consultation session with our Genealogist; a free name/clan badge mailed to new members; and volunteer opportunities galore!

THERE ARE TWO WAYS TO PAY
1) online at:
app.gopassage.com/events/membership-caledonian-society-of-arizona
2) mail your check to: Caledonian Society of AZ, PO Box 50092, Phoenix, AZ 85076. Include your name, address, email, phone, and whether you're a New Member (also include name/clan badge details); or a Renewing Member.

ONE MORE THING:
The current Board of Directors' term is expiring on June 30th. Several of the current officers will not be running again, so this is a great opportunity to join a new Board and contribute your ideas and energy. There are 3-4 meetings a year, plus the regular Phoenix Scottish Games sessions which many of you already attend. Interested? Contact current President David McBee at: president@arizonascots.com

Genealogy at the Phoenix Scottish Games

by Robert M. Wilbanks IV, B.A.
Chief Genealogist & Historian, C.S.A.
genealogy@arizonascots.com

The Official C.S.A. Genealogy & Family History Tent was again a big hit at this year’s 56th Annual Phoenix Scottish Games.

Most people merely passed through to view our maps and books, many leaving more interested than when they came in and very much impressed.

Additionally, I and my team of about ten expert volunteer genealogists, in personal one-on-one interactions, helped a great number of people begin to discover their Scottish roots and many left absolutely thrilled and excited by our finds.

Fan Favorites and Fiddlers – Entertaining Emcees. Pardon my alliteration, but that’s what our attendees wanted and that’s what they got on the weekend of March 7th and 8th at Steele Indian School Park. The Wicked Tinkers, and Scott Jeffers & Traveler returned to the ‘Ghillie Dhu Pub Stage’ where the good times were kept rolling by local funny man Patrick Halloran.

In the ‘Learners Arms Folklore & Music Tent’, our favorite Celtic woman, Sarah Noble hosted the returning Mountain View Fiddlers, who specialize in Scottish tunes and Cape Breton style reels. On Sunday, the Gilbert Town Fiddlers, high school students who play folk music like old-time Bluegrass, Irish, and Scottish fiddling debuted at the Games. These new acts were blended in with the tent’s originator Iain Walinck and his group Stoneybank; Peter ‘Doc’ Rolland’s Crossbow bluegrass trio; lectures, swordsmanship demos, the Coast Guard brass band, plus Sarah Noble & Friends.

And now for something completely different! The founder of Beard Schmeare Grooming Products – the Stubborn Scotsman Aaron Graham set up his sales tent next door and then MC’d the ‘Kilt Lifter Tap Room’. Between Best Scottish Accent and Best Beard contests, Aaron hosted Valley favorite entertainers de Mairt Ceol and the Open Beta Band, plus Chris Yates and his alter ego Rusty Bawls. And returning for their third year, Len Woods’ disciples – The Cambridge Avenue Pipers and their dancing sisters, the Highland Flings!

Athletics & Pipe Bands at the 2020 Games

Athletics Chair Tim Timm, was one of those delighted with how the weekend turned out. He said, "We had a record number of athletes registrations. A total of seven cabers were sponsored, and House of Gordon commissioned a tartan painted caber and displayed it at their clan tent all weekend.

"Field records were broken by all classes this year. Among the highlights were 72-year-old Sarah Stephenson tieing her Weight over Bar record, and the Men's master 40-49 group breaking all the records but one."

Look for full Athletics results, and photos in the May Newsletter.

Pipe Band photos, results and awards will also appear in the May newsletter.

COMING EVENTS and Highland Games in Arizona and Nearby