The Society has been chosen by the Glasgow Highland Games to be their honored Clan for 2009 (May 28 - May 31). For many years, the Society has sponsored the William Wallace Drummer of the Day competition in recognition and memory of one of our original founding members. We are delighted to have been given this prestigious award and look forward to supporting all future Games.

Kentucky Scottish Weekend - Carrollton - May, 9,10 & 11, 2008

The Al Smith Award which the Society sponsors and is awarded to the best Grade 1V Junior Piper , was won this year by sixteen year old Sean Poyntz of the Steel Thistle Band from Pittsburg.

Our congratulations and best wishes to Sean for future successes.

The presentation was made by Jim Hughes on the Society’s behalf.

I may be mistaken, but I believe that Audrey is the first award-winning author that we have had address us and what a delightful experience it was. As a former librarian, writing is in her blood and thankfully, with her unique style of wit and humor she shared with us the stories of her Scottish Island Novels and gave a thoughtful insight into her style and how her love for Scotland and all things Scottish (she is a dedicated Scottish country dancer amongst her many other attributes) inspired her stories.

She was at pains to point out that she makes every endeavor to maintain a sense of realism in her works and although Eilean Dubh is an imaginary island the absence of midgies was a deliberate ploy to ensure that the storyline flowed smoothly.

Audrey read an extract from her 2006 novel The Devil and the Dark Island and her assured and natural delivery left us wanting more.

I sincerely hope that both she and her husband Mike will do us the honor of a repeat visit in the not too distant future.

Regional events are now upon us and if Carrollton is any guide, then we will be seeing an unprecedented number of visitors at our booths – make sure you’re one of them!

I hope you all enjoy your summer vacation.

Past President John Dickson presided over the swearing in of new Board Members Brennan Callan, Eugene Hammer, and Karen Berenberg. Returning board members Judy Keown and new board member Hardin Gregg were unable to attend. Karen Brumley piped in the board and new committee members.

The minutes of the March meeting were accepted as printed.

Vice President Gary Collins, Chair of the Heritage Fund Committee, announced that we are currently taking applications for scholarships. He also mentioned that the Networking table will be back starting in May. Bring your business cards to the May meeting, and contact Gary if you have any questions. Kilt Raffle tickets will be going on sale next month as well.

Secretary Sandy Berenberg announced a project to take SSL documents and make electronic versions of them.

Jack Stuart, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s Report, which was accepted as read.

Eugene Hammer, Commissioner of Member Services, introduced himself and advised that he and Hardin Gregg are working on a proposal for collecting the annual membership fee at the same time for all members. When the proposal is completed, it will be presented to the board and the membership.

Judy Keown, Regional Celtic Commissioner, was unable to attend the meeting.

Jim spoke about the Kentucky Scottish Weekend in Carrolton and asked for volunteers to help out at the SSL booth. He also mentioned that the World on the Square event in Corydon (August 9) has invited the Scottish Society to participate again this year. Jim also requested volunteers to help out at the SSL booth at the Glasgow Highland Games.

Brennan Callan, Commissioner of Programs and Education, introduced himself, and thanked Randy for all of his work for the Society. Brennan advised that he will be working with the Webmasters to put up more information. Brennan invited all members to introduce themselves to him, so he can get to know him.

Jim announced that the Kirking at Ascension Lutheran on April 13 was a success with 16 SSL members attending. The Pastor sent his thanks for our participation.

To celebrate National Poetry Month, SSL member Mark Johnson read some poetry for the membership.

After refreshments, Jim introduced our speaker Karen Brumley, who presented a program about Piobaireachd, the classical music of the bagpipes.

Following the program, Mark Johnson shared some more poetry with the group.

June 14 — Indiana Highland Games, Ft Wayne IN

June 20-21 — Louisville Feis

June 24 — SSL Meeting

June 28 — Ohio Scottish Games, Wellington OH

The music theme was continued in our April meeting when we had the pleasure of an extremely interesting and informative talk on the piobaireachd which was given by well known piper Karen Brumley. Perhaps the most surprising thing that we learned was that the tunes were handed down from piper to piper on a one to one basis either by the bagpipes or by singing and this practice dates back to the 1500s or earlier. Karen’s playing was, as always, a joy and readily brought home to us the difference between the types of tunes.

To help celebrate April as Poetry month our member Mark Johnson, best known for his rendition of the Ode to the Haggis at our Burns Suppers, recited poems from Shakespeare, Yeats, and Burns.

Having Karen as our guest speaker proved fortuitous as she kindly piped in the current and new Board Members for their swearing-in and the ceremony, which was conducted by our immediate past president John Dickson, again reminded us just how much we are indebted to those who serve the Society in these positions.

I hope to see you at our booth at Carrollton.

Enjoy the sun!

Jim

Judy Keown - Regional Celtic Commissioner
Brennan Callan - Commissioner of Programs and Education
Karen Berenberg - Commisioner at Large
Hardin Gregg - Commissioner at Large

There were no nominees for the position of Commissioner of Member Services. If you are interested in fulfilling the duties of this position, please contact any member of the board.

Jim reminded everyone about the SSL election for commissioner and at-large positions and had John Dixon speak about the ballot. John advised there are no nominees for Commissioner of Member Services and Commissioner of Programs and Education. The other positions had nominees. John advised that the vote would be at the end of the business meeting and asked people to consider running for one of the two open positions. John then gave a brief description of what both positions do.

Vice President Gary Collins, Chair of the Heritage Fund Committee was unable to attend the meeting. In his absence, Jim announced that the Committee would be meeting soon to decide on the January disbursements from the Heritage Fund. Jim also mentioned that Gary would be selling kilt raffle tickets at all of the SSL meetings.

Secretary Sandy Berenberg had no report.

The minutes of the February meeting were accepted as printed.

Jack Stuart, Treasurer, presented the Treasurer’s report which was accepted as read.

Judy Kowen, Regional Celtic Commisioner was unable to attend the meeting.

Jim spoke about the International Festival at Indiana University Southeast. The event was well attended and he thanked Hardin Gregg and John Dickson for all of their work.

Irene Stuart, Commissioner of Member Services, reminded everyone to initial the membership log to get their ballot to vote. Irene advised that memberships are up to date and t hat April membership renewal reminders are ready to go out. Irene was thanked for her hard work on Membership Services.

Randy Scogin, Commissioner of Programs and Education, announced that the April meeting will feature Karen Brumley speaking about Piobairechd. He thanked everyone for the ability to serve as Programs and Education.

Webmasters Jyll Heiden and John Stuart announced that the Heritage Fund application is now available on ths SSL website.

Jim reminded everyone about the kirking at Ascension Lutheran Church on April 13, 2008.

Laura Doll spoke about the upcoming Louisville Pipe Band Concert.

The Iroquois Library has asked the SSL for help with a Scottish event on August 16, 2008. The board will discuss this and decide if the club is interested.

The Glasgow Highland Games has named the Scottish Society of Louisville the Honored Society for 2009.

Jim advised that the Society will participate in Louisville National Poetry month. Members are asked to read some of their favorite Scottish poets at the April meeting.

Jim took another moment to thank the retiring members from the board: Irene Stuart and Randy Scogin. They have been a tower of strength for Jim and he is very happy to have worked with them.

Pat Schweitzer announced that the month of April has been dedicated by the State of Kentucky and Governor Beshear as Scots and Scots-Irish Month. There is a move to get this approved nationally as well. Pat also reminded everyone that April 6th is Tartan Day.

John Dickson asked if anyone had decided to run for the open positions. Brennan Callan volunteered to run for Commissioner of Programs and Education. There were no nominees for Commissioner of Member Services. The meeting ended with members completing their ballots and voting.

After refreshments, Jim introduced our speakers Jack and Rose Shacklett from the Scottish Terrier Club of Greater Louisville.

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