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| island - eilean lake - loch Scotland - Alba town - baile village - clachan city - baile mor small, little - beag big - mor mountain - beinn (ben) fort - dun woods - foidh, coille ocean, sea - muir, or fairge, or cuan harbor - cala black - dubh red - derg, dearg river - abhainn field - machair, achadh | rock - creag stone - clach heather - fraoch blue - gorm white - geal fair - ban green - uaine grey - glas stream - sruth river - abhainn bank - brauch kyle (narrows)-Caol cave - uamh clann, cloin - children Gaidhlig - Gaelic piob-mhor - bagpipe fidheall - fiddle Gaidheal - Highlander |
You can find some of the above as placenames on a Scottish map!
Examples include:
Ben Derg
Dubh Eilean
Our 10th Anniversary Burns Supper
was held January 22, 2000 at Third Street Live in Cedar Rapids. A BIG thank you to Third Street for donating their facilities for our use. We also appreciate Wylde Nept’s willingness to participate in our festivities and for playing up a storm. We always enjoy you!We missed Gael Funk, who was unable to perform due to illness. The toasts were hilarious, Morgan danced wonderfully, the pipers thrilled us, we loved Agnes’ singing and laughter, and as always, we wished we had more time for dancing. The children (of all ages) loved Jae-Jae the clown and Heidi’s bagpipe pinata. The raffle was the best ever, thanks to the Jenkins and helpers.
Special kudos to the organizers whose jobs ranged from peeling turnips to decorating, to finding roasters, making haggis, tatties, & soda bread, many hours on the telephone and email, and adjusting for all the last minute changes. BIG THANKS to Anne Burns (the food was GREAT, Annie), Angela Swallom, Barb Horak, Ann Gerdts, Lynne McDole; to Brenda McDole for the program, to Bob Burns, Angela and Ann Gerts for MC duties, to all the people who donated items to the raffle, to the Gunthers for the delicious meat pies and to the Ballantynes for baking them. Ernie & his small grandsons were a real treat in the Haggis procession; thanks to the Hunter family, the servers and to Mitch for the idea of forming HAGGIS way back when.
The list goes on and on. You know who you are, so give yourself a big pat on the back!
What a wonderful club we have to be able to have an event like this, where even tiny children can join in, where we all have fun and feel like a big family! (RON! Your kilt looked great!) - Barb
A Band Called Haggis!
Mitch Malcolm found a band in Phoenix, AZ, named “Haggis”. It is a 4 man “alternative rock” band and is very popular in that area. Some of their credentials include: Voted Best “Pop Band” of 2000 - Phoenix New Times, Critics choice for SXSW 1999; Voted Best “Modern Rock Band ” of 1999 - Phoenix New Times, and "Cream of the Crop 2000" - Get Out Magazine.The Haggis sound may be hard to label, but the effect it has on their audience is not. In 1999 they traveled to Austin, Texas to perform in the South By Southwest music festival, and released their second recording titled "Piper Down". The press has been unanimous in supporting their material as well as their live set.
The band’s website can be located at http://www.gothaggis.com/
SHINTY, A UNIQUE HIGHLAND GAME
Edited by B. Horak from http://www.shinty.freeserve.co.uk/welcome.htm
Shinty is an ancient and traditional Highland sport which is one of those highland games that has not been exported to other countries and therefore remains unique to the Highlands of Scotland. It's Gaelic name is Camanachd, initially called Stratherrick.Shinty is a game of skill, endurance and determination, played on a field a little larger than a soccer field, between two teams of twelve players and is certainly not recommended for the faint of heart! A ball and stick game, the object is to score as many goals, or Hails, within the stipulated 90 minutes of a shinty match.
The rules governing the game are comprehensive, although those new to the game would not necessarily agree, given their first taste of a shinty match! Its main appeal is the level of skill involved to control a ball which is a mere 7.5 inches in circumference with a curved stick, or Caman, at speed.
The Camanachd Association is the governing body and custodians of the shinty national game. The Camamanachd Cup is the 'Jewel in the Crown' of Shinty and is followed by thousands of people, throughout the globe.
An E-mail to HAGGIS from HAGGIS
Found your web site via search engine on “H.A.G.G.I.S.” It would seem that some years after your group formed, a small group of model railroaders were ‘run off’ from a www news group due to their [our] weird sense of humor, and formed their own mail list known as the Haggis, after the Scottish delicacy, as few people wanted anything to do with either. We sometimes refer to ourselves as the Honorable Association of Good Guys and Irreverent Souls. We mean no reflection on your group, as we are scattered from Glasgow, Scotland to Christchurch, New Zealand, and are a sort of no-dues fraternal support group. - from: Jack Priller , Honorable Association of Good Guys and Irreverent SoulsBarb’s Reply
That is a great story and no offense taken! Our founders chose Hawkeye Area Grand Gaelic Isles Society specifically so the acromyn would be HAGGIS. I think some of us could fit in your Socitey very well! I used to enjoy haggis, but after being one of the main providers of haggis for 100 (an Americanized recipe made in the stomach of a huge electric roaster rather than that of a huge sheep) for our annual Burns Supper for about 8 years, I am beginning to dislike the mere mention of it! However, tradition dictates that, “we mon hae oor haggis, tatties ‘n’ neeps, ye ken!” (Please excuse the faulty Scottish dialect.). Cheers to you and your honorable irreverancy! - Barb HorakLEARN GAELIC!
FAILTE ! ( Fal chuh ) Welcome!
SLAINTE MHATH ( Slan juh va ) Good health!
USGE BEATHA ( oosh ga bay uh ) Water of life (whisky)
MADUINN MHATH ( Matin va ) Good Morning
FEASGAR MHATH( face gar va ) Good Evening
TAPAGH LEIBH ( Tapur leave ) Thank You
CIAMAR A THA THU ? ( kim er a ha hu ) How are you?
THA MI GU MATH ! ( Ha mi gu ma ) I am well!Angus the Painter!
A Scottish painter named Angus was interested in making a pound where he could, so he would thin his paint to make it go a wee bit further. The Presbyterians decided to restore the roof of one their biggest churches.Angus put in a bid and got the job. And so he set to, with a right good will, erecting the trestles and setting up the planks, and buying the paint and, yes, I am sorry to say, thinning it with the turpentine.
Angus was on the scaffolding, painting away with the job nearly done, when suddenly there was a horrendous clap of thunder. The sky opened, the rain poured, and washed the thin paint from all over the church. Angus was knocked off the scaffold and landed on the lawn among the gravestones, surrounded by telltale puddles of the thinned and useless paint.
Angus knew this was a judgment from the Almighty, so he got on his knees and cried “Oh, God! Forgive me! What should I do?”
From the thunder, a mighty voice spoke “Repaint! Repaint! And thin no more!”
**British Utensils**
Ashet = Meat dish
Baking tray = Cookie sheet
Case = pie shell
Girdle = Griddle
Greaseproof paper = Vegetable parchment
Jelly bag = Layers of cheesecloth
Pudding cloth = Cheesecloth
Tartlet tin = Muffin pan
**A Gaelic Blessing**
May there always be work, for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your window pane;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.
****A Toast****
Here’s tae us. Wha’s like us?
Gae few an they’re a’ died!
**** A Joke ****
It is rumored that the entire population of Aberdeen took to the streets with an empty
glass in their hands when the weather forecaster said there would be a nip in the air.
THE YORKSHIRE ROSE
Pat and Mike Cross, HAGGIS members and owners of The Yorkshire Rose, have been supporters of our club since it’s beginning. Many of our British members rely upon them to obtain all those “homesick” foods and items they miss so much. Yorkshire Rose has unfailingly supported our organization with donations of raffle items and door prizes, and has brought their goods to most of our events where they are always a big hit. Thanks so much Pat and Mike! What follows is a little history and some information about Pat and Mike and the Yorkshire Rose.Pat says……I came to the U.S. in 1973 after meeting my husband Michael (from Mason City) in Spain. We were married in England in September of that year and I moved here in November. I had always wanted to open a British import shop but we had not lived in an area where we thought one would be accepted. In 1990 we moved to Dubuque. A neighbor took me down to Historic Cable Car Square, an area of about 30 shops and boutiques in old refurbished houses. It was a great area and I thought that maybe my British Shop idea would fit right in. We started looking for a place to rent or buy and as it happened, there was a place available. From then on my idea started to happen!
The name came from the idea of The War of the Roses (not the movie). With me being from Yorkshire, the obvious name was The Yorkshire Rose. This all took place in 1991. This September will be our 10th year in business. We carry food (teas, biscuits, frozen bangers and pies, sweets, pickles), china (tea pots, cups and saucers, plates etc.), St. Andrews golfing items, Pendelfin Rabbits, Harmony Kingdom collectables, Celtic jewelry (gold and silver), Royal Doulton crystal, Aynsley china giftware and dinnerware, Celtic tapes and C.Ds., coats, capes, hats and scarves, sweaters, cardigans in both men and women styles, t-shirts and sweat shirts, Paddington Bear and Beatrix Potter children's items, books, flags and novelty items. We also carry Christmas items (crackers, cakes, puddings and selection boxes, etc.)
Most of our items are imported from Great Britain. We go to the U.K. every January to two gift shows and buy merchandise for the year. We also buy from a few distributors in the US that carry British items. Our food is bought from distributors in the US as the FDA gets involved with food items and that can be a little tricky to import. We take orders by phone, fax or e-mail. We mostly use the Post Office to ship out orders, which will arrive in Cedar Rapids the next day. We also can deliver to Cedar Rapids, if you don't need it right away. People also call in orders for a group and someone comes to pick it up. We only ship frozen food items in the winter. Contact us for our order form if you are interested!
We have 2 special days a year, the first one in June, when we celebrate the Queen’s Official Birth day. We serve tea, scones with clotted cream and jam, and trifle. We have a grand time with lots of Brits and Anglophiles all visiting. The 2nd special day is in November, when we celebrate Christmas the British way. That day we serve tea, Christmas cake, and Christmas pud ding with rum/brandy sauce. People love it and it gets everybody in the Christmas spirit. Please come and join us! 352 Bluff St., Dubuque, IA 52001, (319) 556-8384, yorkrose@mwci.
BITS ABOUT HEATHER
Heather (calluna vulgaris) can be found right across northern Europe but the acid, peat soils of eastern and central Highlands of Scotland make it particularly abundant there. The heather shoots are a favorite food of the red grouse - hence the game birds which are reared on the heather moors.The abundant purple flowers can color an entire hillside and is an important source of nectar for bees. Heather was introduced by Scottish settlers into North America in the 18th century and now grows wild in some areas there.
There are hundreds of varieties of heather. Purple is the most common color. White is the rarest kind and is considered to give you luck. We've all heard of purple heather but plant nurseries in Scotland have now created an unusual heather which is totally blue!
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond is the largest expanse of fresh water in Britain but at 22.6 miles long it is only the third longest loch in Scotland (Lochs Awe and Ness are longer). It is 5 miles wide at its broadest point. There are 30 islands, three of them inhabited. The song "The Bonnie Banks o' Loch Lomond" was written in 1746 by a homesick Jacobite incarcerated in Carlisle jail. Ben Lomond, on the shores of the loch, is 3,192 feet (973 meters) high.Red-Headed Research Scientists at Edinburgh University are to investigate why there are so many red-heads in Scotland, Ireland and Wales and whether natural selection confers any benefits on those with a russet hair color. There are theories that the paler skin of red-haired people meant that they fared better in areas where sunlight was in short supply. An estimated 6% to 10% of Scots and Irish have some degree of red hair, a level not seen anywhere else in the world from http://www.rampantscotland.com
Scholarships Awarded at the Annual Meeting!
HAGGIS’ Annual Meeting was held March 10, 2001 at Beems Auditorium at the Cedar Rapids Public Library. Changes to the By-Laws were approved as presented in the last newsletter.. The "Advisory Board" name was changed to “Haggis Council” Ernie Rimrodt was appointed as Seneschal for the Council. We welcomed our new Board Members, Jennifer Kemp and Peter Dunbar.The highlight of the meeting was the awarding of our very first scholarships, an action that has long been planned and has finally seen its fruition. Scholarship Chair, George Ross, and President, Anne Burns presented the awards to Morgan Hazelbaker, James Horak, and Sheila Urquhart. Congratulations to you all and best of luck in your studies!
Jennifer Davis, 17, daughter of Ray and Anne Davis of Fairfax, competed in the Scottish Highland Dance Competition held at Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois, Saturday March 3, 2001. Jennifer danced to a 5th place finish in the Category for the Highland Fling. Jennifer started dancing Highland dance last October, and this was her very first competition! In the following story Jennifer tells us how it feels to be in competition. As her dad said, "She made us so proud!" Congratulations, Jennifer!
The Green Ribbon
We eventually got to the Indian Lakes Resort in Bloomingdale, Illinois and only had a few minutes to get ready. As I sat on the floor stretching, I felt my muscles tense up and pulling on one another. Ouch, I pulled too hard! My mind was working so fast. I have a passion about dancing in front of people, but my obstacle this time was the judge. It’s something I really enjoy. I told myself, “Smile, keep your head up, and stay with the piper.” Our time came, our number was called, and I ended up having to wait even longer as this was only the call to get prepared. The tension was rising; I felt the sweat start permeating my pores, and I had to wipe it off on my itchy, red wool kilt. I tucked in my blouse that was dangling out of my kilt and I prayed, “Please, let me win the place I deserve.” I only had time to tuck my thumbs into my palms and make a tight fist. (Everyone, who dances, knows a person does this before putting your hands on your hips.)
I smiled wide, showing my pearly whites and listened for my beat. I bowed and rose on all my toes. I was off, dancing all the steps just perfectly. It was over in what seemed like an instant and my heart was beating; it sounded like a drum beating in my chest. Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! On and on. I was shaking all over, and I wanted to scream.
I had accomplished one of my most difficult goals--to participate in a competition and win some kind of award. I won a fifth place ribbon and then I saw the cameras flashing and people clapping. I had won, and I was Happy! I had danced for myself and my family.—Jennifer Davis
CELTIC RADIO ON THE INTERNET— www.live365.com/stations/240319
The internet station “ScotRadiot” is the voice of the Celtic community on the net, a voice that has been silent too long. They play Celtic music from around the world. You can listen and learn Gaelic, how to play the pipes, cook Celtic foods, Celtic jokes and fun, learn about our history, culture, genealogy and many other topics of interest. Musicians can submit their music as they play music from any artists who have a Celtic content. The audience decides what is played not some corporate bean counter. Poets, authors, story tellers can submit their work for broadcast. They also present news and upcoming events of Clan societies, Shamrock societies and Scottish clubs. Tune in and celebrate your heritage while you surf the net!
INTERNET SITES OF INTEREST!
*On line Celtic Coloring book for kids: www.harp-thistle.com/color/coloring.shtml
*Live “Haggiscam” cameras which show views of Loch Lomond, Loch Ness, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Isle of Skye,etc. It also has a Haggis hunt game, starting in November! http://www.haggishunt.com/
*How to wear the belted plaid! www.reconstructinghistory.com/kilts/wear.htm
RICK STANLEY TO PERFORM AT CELTICFEST’ 2001
Rick Stanley is a singer /songwriter /guitarist /folk harpist and harp maker. These days he designs and builds custom folk harps and performs the Celtic ballads that he started singing in the coffee houses of Boston. He later signed with Columbia and Epic records in L.A. Producer, Terry Melcher who made the magic of the “Byrds” hit albums took on the role of manager and producer to Rick and Pam Polland , “The Gentle Soul.”“The Gentle Soul” made the charts with two singles, “Tell Me Love,” written by Rick and “She’s a Flying Thing that Sings” by one-time member of “The Gentle Soul,” Jackson Browne. The album, on the Epic label, was called “Most beautiful…album of the year” by Billboard, the top trade magazine for the music industry. Rick has written for, worked with and recorded with some of the most talented musicians in the business: Linda Ronstandt & Kenny Edwards, the Beach Boys, Glen Campbell, Al Kooper, Ry Cooder, Jackson Browne, Steven Stills and many, many others.
When Ravi Shankar was in L.A. in the late sixties, Rick studied under the master sitarist in private sessions that only music professionals such as George Harrison were allowed to attend. (Rick said, “ George wasn’t as tall as I thought he’d be”) Rick, who had seen first hand what “The Music Biz” and “Making It” was about, wanted something more. He was on the very next course with Maharishi and ended up writing three albums worth of music as well as traveling all over the world with the famous “Guru,” performing for heads of state, kings, famous scientists and educators. Rick asked a very talented keyboard /vocalist, Paul Fauerso of “The Loading Zone” from San Francisco, to join him, and together they traveled all over Europe and the USA performing the songs from “Something Good is Happening,” a joint creative effort that sold many thousands of copies and filled the concert halls with fans.
The story doesn’t end there. A decade before the recent Celtic renaissance, Rick recorded an album of some of his favorite Scots, Irish and English ballads and a few of his originals called “On English Hills.” In his consistently creative lifestyle he became fascinated, No! Obsessed, with the Irish/Scottish Harp and not only studied with some of the best harpers (the Ratigan sisters, Moire Ni Chathasag, William Jackson and others) but in consummate Stanley style he studied how to design and build his newfound objects of love.
Rick’s formative years were spent apprenticing a master cabinetmaker who was one of the last hand tool builders. The last decade has been dedicated to creating masterpieces out of wood, glue and consciousness and, of course, an equal amount of his time has been given to mastering the accompaniment of his beloved ballads with his hand built harps.
Of course he still loves to pick up the guitar on the ballads and tunes that make you dance but it’s amazing how quiet a noisy Renaissance Faire or Pub becomes when Rick and his harp start to sing. He is presently recording a CD of what he considers the most beautiful Scottish & Irish songs in the Celtic tradition, accompanying his heart piercing voice with his beautiful Celtic harps and guitar. This CD will also feature some of his best original songs, written in the Celtic traditional style. His Masters in English Literature and creative writing have made it easier for him to create songs that are historically accurate as well as beautiful. The CD will also feature Brenda Knox, an Irish flute & whistle player who sings with the magic of the Fairy in her voice and Master Cellist Daniel Sperry.
In the unpopulated hills of Van Buren county Rick lives with his wife Claudine, two ponies (Duke & Charlie) and three cats (Midnite, Cleo & Little). He works in his studio making beautiful harps for and plays his wife to sleep almost every night.
Rick will have CD’s available for us to purchase the day of the CelticFest. We can’t wait to hear him perform!
OMAHA PIPES AND DRUMS TO PERFORM AT CELTICFEST 2001
The Omaha Pipes and Drums was founded in 1970 by Tony Smith, a former drummer with the Cameron Highlanders, which later became the Queen's Own Highlanders. They are a registered non-profit teaching organization. They wear the Cameron of Erracht tartan because of Tony's connection with the Camerons. They compete regularly in Kansas City, Estes Park, and McPherson, Kansas. This year they also competed in Arkansas, where the drum corps took home the gold, and they are planning to compete at Quad Cities in August. Pipe major is Kevin Arnold, who played with a Grade II pipe band in Kansas City, and drum major is Ted Goldy, who played for Lyons College. Visit their website at www.radiks.net/~ljwalker/opd.htmlROYAL SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCE SOCIETY OF CENTRAL IOWA AT CELTICFEST 2001
We are delighted to announce that the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Central Iowa will be with us at the CelticFest this year. It is an organization whose members share an interest in Scottish Country dance and music. Their performances feature demonstration of the style, steps, and formations used in traditional dances of Scotland and they invite audience participation. The Society gives classes weekly at both Ames and Des Moines and at monthly social events where members and newcomers have fun getting to know each other on and off the dance floor. Presentations to various groups demonstrate the pleasure of Scottish Country dancing and increase awareness of Scottish culture in Central Iowa. The high point of their year is a spring ball, where dancers of all skill levels as well as observers come together to enjoy friendship, dancing, live music and pageantry. Iowa State University students have formed an affiliated group, Scottish Country Dancers of ISU. We are truly looking forward to seeing the group perform! Visit them at www.public.iastate.edu/~fuchs/scd.html