UPCOMING DATES IN 2008
May 19 - HAGGIS Council Meeting - time/location TBA
June 22 - Member Event - Annual HAGGIS Picnic
1- 4 p.m., Christ Episcopal Church, Cedar Rapids
September 20 - Public Event - All Things Scottish Celticfest
held at Ushers Ferry Historic Village, Cedar Rapids
All HAGGIS Council Meetings are open to all members.
We welcome you to join in, learn about the workings of our club, and help plan for our 2008 activities and events.
New ideas and volunteers are always needed and appreciated.
See contact info on the HAGGIS link above if you are interested in joining in!
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HAVE YOU PAID YOUR HAGGIS MEMBERSHIP DUES?
If not paid by June you will be removed from the membership list.
Due date was April 6th
$13.00 Single Membership
$17.00 Family Membership
Please print out and mail in the
MEMBERSHIP FORM
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FLOWERS OF THE FOREST
Lorene Elliot
Our sympathy goes out to Bob Elliott and his family upon the death of his wife, Lorene. Lorene and Bob are long-time HAGGIS members who have faithfully attended meetings and willingly volunteered their time for many events through the years.
Lorene Ellen Goodwin Elliott was born December 21, 1938 in rural Dawson, Iowa and died March 8, 2008 at her home in Waterloo, Iowa at the age of 69 years. She married Robert Elliott on August 17, 1957. Lorene is survived by her husband, a son, two daughters, and 5 grandchildren.
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Our friend, ISPD piper, THOMAS MULVELHILL
Pipers in the Midwest are in shock and mourning. Our good friend and fellow piper, Tom Mulvehill, passed away on Saturday, April 12th, 2008 from a brain aneurysm. Tom has been to many of our functions as a member of Iowa Scottish Pipes and Drums, was a new and valued member of Strathdon Caledonia Pipes Band (SCPB), and helped with every rehearsal of the new Turlach Ur Pipes & Drums in Grinnell. Piping was indeed his huge single passion in life.
- Craig Hazelbaker, HAGGIS Society Piper
Read Tom's OBITUARY at Des Moines Register
The 2008 BURNS DINNER
Was held Saturday, January 26, 2008
at the Legion Hall, 216 Main St Fairfax, IA
The 18th Annual Burns Supper tuned out to be a great night in a "new" brightly-lit venue that had plenty of room for the 70 to 80 people that attended. Perhaps the recent miserably-cold weather kept some of our regulars away. Nevertheless, it was a lively crowd ready for fun!
Our Society Piper, Craig Hazelbaker, was under the weather, so Willy Robison piped in the HAGGIS Officers, as well as the Haggis Procession who all wore kilts. Haggis Bearer was Dennis Hunter; Water of Life Bearer was Westan James; The Address to the Haggis was given ably by Ray Davis, and the Selkirk Grace was given by Agnes Williams, (who was so pleased to have both her sons in attendance with her!).
Dinner followed with a menu of Haggis, Tatties and Neeps, (haggis by Dennis Hunter), Chicken, Ham, peas, and more desserts than we had seen in years! Judging of the desserts had taken place before dinner started. Winners were Bonnie Ekse (from Ankeny) whose Dundee Cake won "Most Authentic"; Melinda Hunter won "Best Presentation with her raspberry tart; and Janet Bailey won the "Most Delicious" category as well as the "Queen of Tarts" crown and thistle bouquet for her dessert (can someone tell me what it was?)
Melinda Hunter - Best Presentation - with Morgan Southard temporarily wearing the "Tart" crown.
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Bonnie Ekse - Most Authentic. Bonnie got her Dundee Cake recipe from her Scottish father. The secret ingredient is basting with brandy over time!
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THE 2008 QUEEN OF TARTS
Janet Bailey - Most Delicious
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Toasts were given - "To the United States" by Duff McFadden of S.A.M.S.; "To Scotland" by Craig Hazelbaker; and "To the Queen" by Kurt Gunther. Joel and Morgan (Hazelbaker) Southard cracked the audience up with their "To the Lasses" and "The Lasses Reply". Barb Horak gave the "Robert Burns Immortal Memory", complete with singing a few bars of some of his songs. Barb also read a letter from George Ross who wanted us to know that he and bonny Jean would have been with us if it were not for them attending his 85th birthday party the same night. A toast was given for our "Auld mon".
We had piping throughout the evening. Besides Willy, Jim Jenkins performed, and we had a real treat when Alex Stewart gave us a performance. Her fingers were flying and everyone cheered!
After dinner the tables were pushed back for Scottish ceilidh dancing led by Scott and Heidi Haney interspersed with drawings for the raffle prizes. As the crowd wore down from all the dancing, the final raffle prizes were given out and we all joined hands in a circle for the singing of "Auld Lang Syne".
Thanks to all who worked so hard to make it a wonderful night!
A Bit about Alex Stewart
From the Iowa Scottish Pipes and Drums website, www.iowascottish.com
Alex is the Music Director for ISPD. She designs the ISPD's competition sets, and, after moving out of state several years ago, has continued to join the band for competitions and workshops. Alex is an open level piper and has played with several of Canada's top Grade I bands, including Clan McFarlane, McNish Distillery and, most recently, the Toronto Police.
Our own Ann Gerdts is one of KCRG's "9 Who Care" awardees
"Ann Gerdts, Walker – Ann has chalked up nearly 4000 volunteer hours serving in many capacities for The American Red Cross. Her focus has been on aid to military families." Read more Ann also does a LOT for HAGGIS! Way to go, Ann! We're proud of you. (Ann wasn't able to be at the Burns Dinner because she was accepting her award at that time!
