2004 News Archives

Scotland's Heraldic... Celebration of the Immortal Memory Annual Burns Supper St. Andrew's Day Message 2004 Hogmanay Pub Crawl St. Andrew's Day Ceilidh Semi Annual General Members Meeting NYCC Halloween Party Message from the Chief

Biennial Report of the 74th Chief McConnell and Hoon at war ... The new officers and directors 2004 Annual General Meeting National Tartan week 2005 National Tartan Day 2004, Success! The Scottish Parliament Capital District Scottish Games Report Save the Scottish Regiments

2004/2005 Hogmanay Pub Crawl Pictures

The pictures from Hogmanay are up in the Photo Gallery. You can email us with your address if you want a printed copy of any of the pictures or you can download them directly from the gallery. Don't forget to leave us a comment on our members forum.

From the Board:-Burns Rescheduled-

Burns Supper has been rescheduled to Sunday, February 6, 2005, at 6pm
Tickets are still available for the new date and all current tickets will be honored

“Scotland’s Heraldic and Clan Heritage in the 21st Century”

An illustrated presentation by Robin Blair, LVO, WS Lord Lyon King of Arms
and
to meet The Lord Lyon following the presentation at a Reception held in his Honor.

Proceeds of the event are to benefit The National Tartan Day New York Committee, Inc., sponsor of the New York City Tartan Day Parade

DATE: Tuesday, February 15, 2005

TIME: 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

COST: $10 per person (members in advance)
$15 (non-members and at-the-door)

LOCATION: The British Consulate-General
845 Third Avenue, at 51st-52nd Streets, 9th Floor
New York, N.Y. 10022

DRESS: Business Attire

SECURITY: I.D. and registration on the guest list will be required

REGISTRATION: Please return the form by mail, or telephone (212) 605-0338 for orders by phone.

Greetings to you and yours at this time of celebration of the Immortal Memory,

All around the world today, January 25th, those who love the poet, ours and the world’s, celebrate Robert Burns. The man's life work is a reflection of the spirit burning in us all for a better future. It is more than that he is the famous Scottish poet that we read Burns today. He is loved because his words are classic humanity. Our hearts are touched, the good and bad in the world is made clearer, and we are made stronger in our efforts to create more good than bad by the ideals to which he calls us.

“Envy, if thy jaundiced eye

Through this window chance to spy,

To thy sorrow thou shalt find,

All that’s generous, all that’s kind.

Friendship, virtue, every grace,

Dwelling in this happy place.”
- Robert Burns -

In these days filled with both great challenge, loss and opportunity, it is especially important for us all to remember that free people are supposed to have and be thankful for a dynamic yearning for a better future, and the liberty with which to create it. Scots have long known this feeling. Robert Burns knew this feeling.

Seeing, creating, building nations and ships, medicine and industry have been simply the way of being for Scots. Today a new Scotland is building as both a home for us all, and a new force in the global marketplace. Individual action is a fundamental to freedom and liberty as water, soil and sunshine are to farming. In celebration of a poet's life, and of our freedom, let us share with each other, and with the world all that it means to be Scottish, our history and our future, all that Scotland means today.

Thus bold, independent, unconquer'd, and free,
Her bright course of glory for ever shall run:
For brave Caledonia immortal must be;
I'll prove it from Euclid as clear as the sun:
Rectangle-triangle, the figure we'll chuse:
The upright is Chance, and old Time is the base;
But brave Caledonia's the hypothenuse;
Then, ergo, she'll match them, and match them always.- Robert Burns -

And as we charge our glasses let us raise a cheer in Immortal Memory of a life too short,

"Farewell to the Highlands, farewell to the North
The birth place of Valour, the country of Worth;
Wherever I wander, wherever I rove,
The hills of the Highlands for ever I love.
Farewell to the mountains high cover'd with snow;
Farewell to the straths and green valleys below;
Farewell to the forrests and wild-hanging woods;
Farewell to the torrents and loud-pouring floods.

My heart's in the Highlands, my heart is not here,
My heart's in the Highlands a-chasing the deer
Chasing the wild deer, and following the roe;
My heart's in the Highlands, whereever I go." -Robert Burns-

and a life's work alive today,

Like brethren in a common cause
We'd on each other smile man
And equal rights and equal laws
Wad gladden ev'ry Isle, man. -Robert Burns-

"Then let us pray that come it may,
(As come it will for a' that,)
That Sense and Worth, o'er a' the earth,
Shall bear the gree, an' a' that,
For a' that, an' a' that,
It's coming yet for a' that,
That man to man, the world o'er,
Shall brithers be for a' that"!-Robert Burns-

I wish you all a Burns celebration rich with both the past and the future of Scotland!

Dr. Christopher Pratt

Join us for our annual Burns Supper
Saturday, January 22, 2005 7 PM
This year’s Burns Supper will be held in the Social Hall of Union Theological Seminary, located near Columbia University.
It will be a night to be remembered .
Tickets are available by mail or by phone 212-662-1083

Toast to the Queen---Dennis Hagerty, St. Andrew's Society of the State of New York, National Tartan Day Committee

Toast to the President of the United States--Susan Stewart, First Secretary for Scottish Affairs for the British Embassy, Washington, DC

Toast to the Lassies---Alan Bain, President of the American Scottish Foundation, President of the National Tartan Day Committee

Response to the Laddies--Faye Buccleuch, Chieftain New York Caledonian Club

Selkirk Blessing---Jim Campbell, 73rd Chief of the New York Caledonian Club, National Tartan Day Committee

Immortal Memory---Tom Laurensen, member of the Board of Directors of the New York Caledonian Club

To a Haggis--Andrew Macmillan, 75th Chief of the New York Caledonian Club, National Tartan Day Committee

Piper---Jerry Dixon, Caledonian Piper

Whisky Bearer--George Campbell, 72nd Chief New York Caledonian Club

Sword Bearer--Thomas Ciccone--member of the Board of Directors of the New York Caledonian Club

WINTER TRIATHALON-Scots American Athletic Club of Kearny, New Jersey

Jan. 14, 2005 7:30 PM

Two person teams will compete in darts, shuffleboard and dominoes. Entry fee is $10 per person.

St. Andrew's Day Message 2004 (Video of Message)

Scottish Executive,St Andrew’s House, Regent Road, Edinburgh EH1 3DG

30 November 2004

St Andrews Day is a day to celebrate everything that is good about Scotland. It gives us a chance to reflect on our heritage and the way in which Scots have shaped the modern world – but it also gives us the chance to look forward, to say loud and clear that Scotland is the best small country in the world.

This year we moved into our stunning new Scottish Parliament and the eyes of the world were on us again. Millions of people saw a confident country that has much to be proud of. A country where Scottish scientists and engineers are inventing and creating the 21st century world. A country whose artists, musicians and entrepreneurs stretch our imagination and expand our potential. And a country where our young people have a sense of confidence and ambition that has seldom been seen in generations.

Earlier this year we agreed to step up our efforts to promote Scotland to the world. We already have a reputation that is the envy of many small countries but we can and will do more to update our image and improve our profile. We will make sure that the world knows about our vibrant cities, our leading companies and the innovation of our people. That Scotland is not just a great place to visit but that it is also a great place in which to work, to study and to live.

The people of Scotland value your support as a Scot abroad and the friendship that you show for our country. Wherever you may be in the world, I am pleased you are celebrating St Andrews Day and I wish you all well for the future.

JACK MCCONNELL

Burns Dinner - January 22, 2005

This years Burns Supper will be held in the refectory of Union Theological Seminary, located near Columbia University. It will be a night to be remembered with live entertainment and a host of great speakers. More info can be found here and on our Events Page

Hogmanay Pub Crawl - December 31, 2005

All Friends and Members are invited to attend this event. Follow the NYCC’s Piper Jerry Dixon on a Pub Crawl to remember.
Ring in the New Year with all your friends from the NYCC in Traditional Scottish style.

8pm The evening starts with Piping and drinks at Finnegan's Wake (1361 First Ave @ 73rd St)

10—10:45 O’Flanagan’s Ale House
2nd Ave between 82nd & 83rd

11—11:45 Hunter’s Bar & Grill
3rd Ave. between 78th & &79th

12-? Luke’s Bar & Grill
3rd Ave. between 79th & 80th

If we are not at one place we have gone to the next place early, don’t give up!

What is Hogmanay? The answer is here.

St. Andrew's Day Ceilidh - December 4th, 2004

West Park Presbyterian Church, 165 W 86th Street. For more info or to order tickets online please visit our events page.

Semi Annual General Members Meeting

Thursday, Dec. 2nd, 2004 7PM-9PM

The Seventh Regiment Armory, 643 Park Avenue (at 67th Street), New York, NY

Bag piping, Refreshments, Slide Show, A Guest Speaker and New Business.

NYCC Halloween Party - Friday October 29th 7:00 PM – 11:00 PM

The New York Caledonian Club
Cordially Invites You To Our Halloween Party At Connolly’s 14 East 47th Street (between 5th and Madison)

Check our Event Calendar for more information or the Photo Gallery for Pic's

Message from the Chief
Dear Caledonians,

Shortly you will be receiving, if you haven't already, our invitation to
renew your Club membership for the coming year. Due to a mix up in the Membership
Department, a few names and addresses have been misplaced. If you know of
anyone who hasn't received a newsletter or membership form, won't you please
send us a card with any names and addresses we might have missed? It would be
greatly appreciated and help us in the drive to "return to the glory".

Of course, asking for membership dues at the beginning of the season is
inviting you to take us on faith. Games Chairman, Jerry Dixon, and new Board member
and webmaster, Tommy Ciccone are winding up a great summer of Scottish Games.
Our Scottish Studies Program featuring weekly classes in piping, Gaelic, and
traditional dances are underway. The Ceilidh calendar begins with a Scottish
Halloween Party on October 29th, a Saint Andrew's Day Ceilidh on December 4th,
and the return of a Caledonian Hogmanay. The web site has all the details at
www.nycaledonian.org. Soon after the New Year, the storied Burns Supper,
always a high point of the year, takes place with a beautiful new location, a great
new caterer and Haggis maker, and the promise of a few surprises too!

The Spring will continue with our grand Ceilidh the night before the Tartan Day Parade. Also woven into that week, the Caledonians take on the Declaration of Arbroath and we'll participate in both the parade and the Kirkin 'O' The Tartans.

All of which we mention by way of demonstrating that while we do ask you to take us on faith by renewing your membership promptly, we are working hard to earn your approval by bringing back some of the social events so popular in years past.

As we head toward our 150th birthday in November of 2006, we want to make
sure the Caledonians are a club for everyone with an interest in things Scottish.
Haste ye back and bring a friend!

Ever in your service, aye,
Andrew Macmillan, 75th Chief

Biennial Report of the 74th Chief, Dr. Christopher Pratt for 2002 – 2004

Continuing the work initiated by previous Chiefs, and especially Jim Campbell, the goal of the Officers and Board of Directors during this biennial was to lead the New York Caledonian Club, 1856, “Open to the World”, to its rightful place as the organization of choice for Scots, Scottish Americans, and those who love Scotland today. The New York Caledonian Club remained a member of An Comunn Gaidhealach America (The Gaelic Society of America), the Conference of Patriotic and Historical Societies, the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations and the 100 Year Association of New York. Our long-standing Scottish Studies program was the only one of its kind in the New York area, offering classes in Gàidhlig (Gaelic), Highland bagpipe and Highland and national dance. We published a quarterly newsletter, An t-Albannach, featuring articles by our members and reviews of our events. We hosted frequent ceilidhs (parties), a Hogmanay party, Tartan Day activities and our signature event, New York’s premier Burns Supper. During the summer, we hosted hospitality tents at various Highland Games in the tri-state area. <Full Report can be found here>

McConnell and Hoon at war over merger of regiments

* Jack McConnell speaks out against proposals to scrap historic regiments
* Criticism increases from former generals and colonels of the plan to cut the UK's total infantry strength from 40 to 36 battalions
* Will the Royal Scots still be able to survive?

"We can all play word games. We need to hear him stand up in parliament and say 'I oppose these changes and I'm going to campaign alongside the regiments and campaign groups and I'm going to defy my own party" - Jeff Duncan of the Save the Scottish Regiments Campaign <Full Story Here>

NYCC Hospitality Tent Tour 2004

The NYCC tent is on the road again, see where it has been in our Photo Gallery. Members and guests who stopped at the tent where treated to shady seating, good conversation and light refreshments.

The all new NYCC Photo Gallery

All the 2004 and 2003 Events are up. Come remind your self of the good times you had with the NYCC in the last few years.

Please welcome the new officers and directors for the term 2004-2005
Chief Andrew Macmillan
Chieftain Faye Buckalew
Secretary Steve Klugman
Treasurer Donald Ross

Directors:
James Campbell
Thomas Ciccone
Tom Laurenson
Christy MacPhedran
Elizabeth Maysilles
Heather Quist
Jaime Sperling
Jerry Dixon
Angus John MacDonald
Kitty Lunn Macmillan
Joanne McLaren
Harlan Whatley

2004 Annual General Meeting of the New York Caledonian Club,1856

The National Tartan Day - New York 2005 parade will be on Saturday, April 2nd

For your reference, National Tartan Day is always April 6th in commemoration of the signing on that date of the Declaration of Abroath in 1320. The parade is on a Saturday. In 2005 Easter is March 27th and Passover is April 24th, and April 6th is a Wednesday.

As you know the mission of National Tartan Day is to celebrate and educate about the historic and current contributions of Scots and those of Scottish descent to the world and in particular to America recognizing the longstanding ties between Scotland and the United States. As in the past the National Tartan Day parade in New York City is the anchor of the national day in the US to celebrate our heritage.

National Tartan Day in New York is lead by the Scottish-American community through the National Tartan Day - New York Committee with the assistance of three Scottish-American organizations in the City, The Saint Andrews Society of the State of New York, 1756, The New York Caledonian Club, 1856, and the American Scottish Foundation, 1956. As you can imagine this is a significant initiative each year and we welcome you to join us.

Details about the 2005 celebration will be posted throughout the year on the website at: For your reference, National Tartan Day is always April 6th in commemoration of the signing on that date of the Declaration of Abroath in 1320. The parade is on a Saturday. In 2005 Easter is March 27th and Passover is April 24th, and April 6th is a Wednesday.

As you know the mission of National Tartan Day is to celebrate and educate about the historic and current contributions of Scots and those of Scottish descent to the world and in particular to America recognizing the longstanding ties between Scotland and the United States. As in the past the National Tartan Day parade in New York City is the anchor of the national day in the US to celebrate our heritage.

National Tartan Day in New York is lead by the Scottish-American community through the National Tartan Day - New York Committee with the assistance of three Scottish-American organizations in the City, The Saint Andrews Society of the State of New York, 1756, The New York Caledonian Club, 1856, and the American Scottish Foundation, 1956. As you can imagine this is a significant initiative each year and we welcome you to join us.

Details about the 2005 celebration will be posted throughout the year on the Tartan Day website at: http://www.tartanweek.com

NYCC at the Celebration of the Celts

Congratulations to Jerry Dixon on your 3rd place at the "Best and Most Creative Clan Tent Award" at the Celebration of the Celts in New York 2004. Thank you for all your hard work on the NYCC Clan Tent!

National Tartan Day/Week 2004 was an amazing success, thank you!

Friends,
National Tartan Day 2004 was an amazing success, thank you!
So many of you enjoyed National Tartan Day 2004, that we have decided to do it again, in 2005. And we hope you will participate. In the meantime there are really two things to say. First, thank you for your participation in 2004. This year the celebrations grew from a day to a "fortnight"! There are so many people, bands, clans and societies who contributed to each event. We loved having so many people from so many walks of life take part in the National Tartan Day celebrations.
Secondly, we would like to invite you to join us!
We would like you to become a member of the organization you have seen engaged so well in all the National Tartan Day events and celebrations. The New York Caledonian Club, 1856 is a one hundred and fifty year old organization with the spirit of 2006 center most in its mind. You have seen us, you have celebrated with us, you have enjoyed our events and the diversity of our organization. The New York Caledonian Club is women and men, young and old, families and singles, Scots, Scottish Americans, and people from all over the world who love Scotland. Our members are alumni of Scottish universities, people in Scottish organizations working here, people working in American organizations doing business in Scotland, and working in every line of endeavor in NYC, people who like to have fun, who like music, who like to learn and have in common that they want to know more about Scotland, people like you.
Membership in the New York Caledonian Club has many benefits including first hand information and opportunities to attend and participate in all the events and celebrations. Members receive the NYCC newsletter, An t-Albannach, and have the opportunity to know that you are contributing to support of the perpetuity of National Tartan Day. New York Caledonian Club members know they are part of something greater than themselves, a part of Scottish American history and Scottish American future.
Be a part of the future of great events like National Tartan Day, help it grow, join the New York Caledonian Club, 1856, online today!
We hope to see your family's name on the list of members of the New York Caledonian Club.
If you are already a member thank you, please consider visiting our website to volunteer to serve on a committee, and to make a tax deductible donation to further your interests in our mission.

"Cuimhnich air na daoine o'n d'thaining thu." Remember those from whom you are descended.
"Weave the tartan of tomorrow, contemporary Scotland, learn it, love it, invest in it"

"Moran taing," Many thanks,
Dr. Christopher Pratt
74th Chief

This week saw the Scottish Parliament re-convene after its summer recess and meet for the first in the new Parliament building at Holyrood in Edinburgh. The main parliamentary business of the week was a statement by the First Minister, Rt Hon Jack McConnell, on the Executive's Legislative programme for the coming 12 months.

This term's Programme includes the Family Law Bill which will give unmarried fathers automatic parental rights and responsibilities for children they jointly register; the Further and Higher Education (Scotland Bill) which will establish one strategic organisation to provide a more integrated view of Lifelong Learning; a Gaelic Language Bill to underpin the Executive's objective of securing the Gaelic language in Scotland, a Licensing Bill to overhaul existing licensing laws and help break the link between alcohol and crime and a Protection of Children and Prevention of Sexual Offences Bill.

In speaking about the programme the First Minister said "It is a programme to modernise Scotland's laws, to make modern laws for a modern Scotland. It is legislation to protect children and family life, to strengthen communities and to support enterprise".

"The greatest thing that devolution has created for Scotland is a sense of national ambition. We can't create a law that instills aspiration in the hearts and minds of Scotland's teenagers. We can't create a fund to pay them to have ambition. But every one of us can help create the conditions for confidence and ambition".

"We can celebrate the success of Scots, champion achievement and promote this wonderful nation and use these next 12 months to make further progress towards an enterprising, healthier, tolerant and fairer Scotland.

A full copy of the First Minister's statement to Parliament can be found at the link below;

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/News-Extras/FMlegprog

On Saturday 9 October Her Majesty The Queen will officially open the Scottish Parliament Building. Further details on the opening ceremony (which will be broadcast live on the Scottish Parliament web-site) are available by clicking on the link below. The Scottish Affairs Office will continue to inform you of details for the opening as and when these are known.

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/

THIS IS THE TIME AND THIS IS THE PLACE
During the summer the First Minister announced details of the Government's plans to transform the way that Scotland is promoted overseas following a extensive research which showed that, whilst Scotland and its people were viewed with great affection across the world, the country was not seen as a place to do business, nor to live and work. The first phase of the campaign to address this will include;

· A summer offensive to target international media and foreign visitors who are in Scotland for the Edinburgh Festival and Fringe,

· New promotional materials which will include striking new images of Scotland and the development of the site www.scotlandistheplace.com

· A programme of familiarisation visits for the international media,

· Developing Scotland's existing international networks, working with the Foreign and commonwealth Office and British Council and

· Promote Scotland's Calendar, by providing material to overseas partners to help them celebrate St Andrews Day, Hogmanay and Burns Night.

For further details on Scotland's International Image or a copy of the press pack contact the Scottish Affairs Office. A copy of the news release on this can be found at;

http://www.scotland.gov.uk/News/Releases/2004/07/5752

Many of you will already be aware that the Scottish Parliament's European and External Relations Committee are holding their own enquiry into how Scotland is promoted abroad. A delegation of Committee members will be visiting the US (New York, Washington and Boston) in early November.

Details of this inquiry, including copies of all evidence received (including much from the US) can be viewed by clicking

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/europe/currentInquiries.htm

Capital District Scottish Games Report

The Capital District Games are impressed by the NYCC display. It is easily the most elaborate and informative display there, and the only clan tent I could see to include more than passing information about modern Scotland. Jerry Dixon has assembled an impressive package of information complete with folder, and color printed pages and business cards, all aimed at inviting participation in NY Tartan Day 2005. Tom Ciccone and Christy MacPhedran maintained a presence while Jerry prowled. Congratulations are entirely in order and well deserved.

On another note, the attendance on Saturday seems to have broken all records. Partly because of a change in their media campaign, but mainly because of the publicity attendant on Susan Stewart’s visit to Albany on the Friday, they had at one point a three mile line of cars trying to get in, and the stewards had difficulty in squeezing them into the parking pace available. As I left I could still see cars on verges and overflowing into adjacent fields. Some vendors had to close down early because they ran out of water, soft drinks, and food. Others read the signs and had emergency supplies brought in. Even the extremities and fringes of the ground were busy.

The Power of the Press in action. A report in the field from Tom Laurenson

Long Island Scottish Games 08/28
Old Westbury Gardens, Old Westbury, NY

Visit the Events Page for a full listing of where you can find the NYCC Hospitality Tent this Fall.

Please e-mail us if you have an extra seat in your car, or if you are in need of transportation, the Club is trying to get enough people for a bus.

Save the Scottish Regiments is a broad based collective of ordinary people who believe passionately in Scotlands Armed Forces and their long and proud history.

Some of our volunteers have family members in Basra, Iraq, right now, some are ex-members of Regiments, some are just rightly proud of their Regiments and want to fight Geoff Hoon's decision to scrap one or more battalions, or the formation of a so-called 'super-unit'.

We need all the support we can get to reverse this decision and to stop it from ever happening. For more information visit Save the Scottish Regiments

Speak Gaelic, Learn the Bagpipes, Become a Highland Dancer...

Visit our Scottish Studies Program page. Classes begin in October.

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