Actors are advised never to work with children or animals as they tend to steal the limelight, but our guest speakers on Tuesday, Richard and Rose Shacklett had no such reservations and we were the wiser and better informed for it.

The program started with a visual presentation which gave a very comprehensive history of the Scottish Terrier up to the present day.

Like me, you were probably surprised by the fact that it is primarily used as a hunting dog to ferret out and kill badgers, moles, lizards etc .and apparently, in this regard, has no equal.

The fact that the Dumbarton regiment of the Scottish Highlanders were known by the soubriquet ‘The Terriers’ and while perhaps not sharing the same physical attributes of the dog certainly shared their tenacity and single-mindedness when it came to confronting the enemy.

In sharing the history, Richard provided examples of the famous terriers that were domiciled in the British royal palaces and the White House.

As a grand finale Rose showed off two of her family, ‘Goldie and Hoss’ who apart from being magnificent specimens were happy to be the center of attraction and it is easy to see why the Shackletts who not only breed and show Scottish Terriers, do so well with their dogs in the competitions. Their love for their animals and the affection and high regard in which they hold them was all too obvious from their presentation.

Following the voting, the following members were elected to serve on the Board for a term of two years:

• Regional Celtic Commissioner:       Judy Keown
• Programs & Education Commissioner:    Brennan Callan
• Members at Large: Karen Berenberg and Hardin Gregg

I thank all who volunteered their services and both I and the other Board members look forward to working with you in the months ahead.

The position of Member Services Commissioner has yet to be filled and if you wish to volunteer for this post, please contact me or any member of the Board.

These newly elected Board members will be sworn in at our April meeting.

I take this opportunity to acknowledge the hard work ,often in the background, that both Irene Stuart and Randy Scogin did in their years of service as Member Services and Program Commissioners. They brought to their respective positions a fresh insight and experience for which I thank them.

The first of the annual events where we are sponsors is the Kentucky Scottish Weekend at Carrollton on May 10 and 11 and I urge you to support this endeavor with your attendance and if you feel so inclined, help at the Society stall.

The Glasgow Highland Games has chosen The Scottish Society of Louisville as The Honored Society for 2009 and I congratulate the members on achieving this recognition for which you can be justifiably proud.

Til next month,

Jim