THE SALTIRE THE SALTIRE
The Official Publication of The St Andrew-Caledonian Society of Calgary
Vol. IX No. 4 September 2005
Meetings for the coming year will be held at the Rotary Park Recreation Centre, 617 - 1st Street NE at 7:30pm. The schedule is as follows:
14 September - meet and greet social & Scottish Country dancingSt Andrew's Ball
The Society's Annual Dinner and Ball to honour St Andrew will be held on Saturday, 19 November 2005 in the Valhalla Room of the Danish Canadian Club, 727 - 11th Avenue SW, 6:00pm for 7:00pm dinner. The dinner will feature: Isle of Mull Salad, AAA Alberta Sirloin with Rosemary infused potatoes, red wine au jus vegetables and horse radish, and, Pears Helene with berries and chocolate. Allergies and vegetarian meals can be accommodated by contacting Robert Henderson. In keeping with the Society's objectives, every effort has been made to feature local talent with soloist Heather Henderson and fiddler Sean Softley. Additional entertainment will be provided by the Society's pipers, highland dancers and Gaelic Choir. The dance program will feature live music by the Bobby Brown Band for: The dashing White Sergeant, Shiftin' Bobbins, Jessie's Hornpipe, Silver Tassie, Reel of the Royal Scots, Wild Geese, Mrs. Milne of Kinneff, St. Bernard's Waltz, H! ighland Schottische, Saltire Society Reel, Sugar Candie, Mairi's Wedding, Tribute to the Borders, Bonnie Stronshiray, Jubilee Jig, Lomond Waltz with Marine Two-Step, Hooper's Jig and Reel of the 51st Highland Division as extras. Scottish Country Dance lessons are offered at no charge on Tuesday evenings on 25 October, 1, 8 & 15 November at Rotary Park Recreation Centre, 617 - 1st Street NE at 7:15pm (parking on site). The Best Western Suites, 1330 - 8th Street SW, is offering a special room rate for the Ball of $89 per room (plus taxes) which includes a continental breakfast; free parking (1 car), internet and local calls. Please contact the hotel at 1-800-981-2555 and mention our function to receive the special rate. Tickets are $35. Members requiring more information or who wish to assist, please contact Robert Henderson at roberthenderson@yahoo.com or 245-5514.
Annual General Meeting
TThe Society's Annual General Meeting was held at the Rotary Park Recreation Centre, 617 - 1st Street NE on Wednesday, 11 May 2005 and included the approval of the following amendments to the Constitution: Society Objectives now include: "6. To facilitate the recording and preservation of the Scottish origin, contribution and character of Calgary and area." Full details can be found on the Society's website. A wine and cheese social followed the meeting.
Family Picnic
The Society's Annual Family Picnic was held at Fish Creek Provincial Park in the Glennfield Picnic Area on Sunday, 3 July 2005 with a good turnout of members. The weather was wonderful, the creek was down and the food was terrific. About thirty members enjoyed the entertainment offered by the Pipers' Special Group and then participated in the team sack race, the egg and spoon relay race and some Scottish Country dancing. The area has proven to be quite popular and unless there are suggestions to go elsewhere, we'll probably be back there next year.
Royal Visit
The Province was honoured by a Royal Visit this year to celebrate the Alberta Centennial. Calgary's contribution to the Queen's short visit was focused on a cultural presentation at the Saddledome just prior to her departure on 25 May 2005. The Society was honoured with two tickets in the societies' section, two select tickets in the Royal Box and four seats in the area adjoining the Royal Box. The assembled crowd was treated to an interesting performance by many of Calgary's cultural groups and an inspection of the City's military establishments. The day's events went by too quickly and what was probably the Queen's last visit to Calgary was over too soon.
Golf Tournament
The 7th Annual Golf Tournament was held at Cochrane Golf Club, 240 Riverview Drive, Cochrane on Saturday, 13 August 2005 under ideal conditions. Twenty players participated in a Texas Scamble format with the choice of one or two nine hole rounds. The tournament was followed by a wonderful dinner served by the Club and the awarding of prizes. The winning team was made up of Jean Carnie, Catherine Doherty, Yvonne Haliburton and Jack Haston. The Ladies' Longest Drive winner was Barbara O'Gorman, the Men's longest drive winner was Scott McKenzie and the Longest Putt winner was Jack Haston. The Society sincerely thanks the Golf Tournament Committee of James Donaldson, Maisie Henderson, John O'Gorman and Jean Scott for their most successful efforts and we look forward to next year's tournament.
Casino Dates
The Society's Casino date is Wednesday, 22 February and Thursday, 23 February 2006 and will be held at the Stampede Casino which is on the upper level of the Big Four Building on the Stampede Grounds. There is a Volunteers' Lounge with free refreshments, videos, and games but you should bring your own reading. The gaming area is clean, carpeted and well furnished and although they allow cigarette smoking, the high ceiling and ventilation system absorbs and exhausts a great deal of the odour. Only Society members can work the Casino. The sort of tasks involved include: 1) General Manager who is: responsible for the total operation of the casino including the Gaming Floor, Security, Cashier's Cage and Count Room, ensures a sufficient number of volunteers for each day, be present at the Casino at all times (shared with the alternate), ensured signed cheques are available at the end of the second day, controls drop box keys, substitutes in volunteer positions where required, and be familiar with the terms and conditions booklet. 2) Banker, assisted by the Cashier cage Advisor, who: controls the cashier's cage floats of chips and cash, makes up vouchers for cash/chip transfers and keeps the ledger for chips and cash transactions. 3) Cashier who: cashes in chips for players and makes change. Cashier has their own float and does not share this with anyone. 4) Courier who: delivers chip orders as requested. 5) Count Room Supervisor who: works with the Count Room Advisor in recording cash counts, game wins and losses. 6) Count Room Staff who: sort, count, verify and amalgamate cash from the drop boxes. It is hoped that members will make themselves available for eight or four hours one time to assist their own activities and those of others in the community.
Summer Scottish Country Dancing
Over the summer, members of the Society tried out their skills at Rotary Park learning several Scottish Country Dances under the instruction of John Crorken. The group has decided to continue at least until the St. Andrew's Ball and members are invited to take classes on Wednesday evenings at Rotary Park Recreation Centre, 617 - 1st Street NE at 7:30pm.
Calgary Tartan Report
The Calgary tartan is available at the Highland Scottish Gift Shoppe, 286-1932 with a special rate for Society members and the Scottish Shoppe, 264-6383. The Society's heavy weight Calgary tartan arrived on 8 March. The material is available to members who can purchase the material from the Society at $95.00/yard. David Hongisto, kilt maker, is keeping the bolt at his residence. The Society is looking for members who would like to manage the tartan and see it used by various non-profit groups in the City. The new Special Group would follow the Guidelines for Special Groups and meet twice a year, firstly, to establish a budget, and secondly to consider requests.