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Home Page, Meetings · Recent Happenings |
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Recent Happenings 2008–2009Scottish Society Meetings & Special Events Last year’s Happenings 2007–2008 May: The MacCrimmons and the Highland Piping traditionJim told us about the MacCrimmons, the hereditary pipers to clan MacLeod who are strongly associated with the theme-and-variation form known as ceol mor, the “great music” of the Highland pipes, also known as pibroch (and sometimes spelled piobaireachd). Jim played the ground, or main theme, of several pibroch pieces and some of the variations, and also told stories of the circumstances that inspired the pieces. For the curious, Electric Scotland has an Introduction to the Gaelic Music Tradition and its connection with the language, and Dave McKenzie has a short article on Piobaireachd with interesting history and traditions.
April: Kirkin’ o’ the TartanOn the last Sunday in April, the Scottish Society again hosted the annual Kirkin’ o’ the Tartan and Blessing of the Wee Beasties at Trinity Episcopal Church, Santa Barbara. We didn’t bring the camera this time, but see last year’s photos and description to see what it was like. We had tea and cookies on the lawn afterward, and then dinner at The Sizzler in Goleta.  Frank Ibbott (far left) and his Scottish Country Dance students March 21st: St. Patrick’s Day CelebrationWe celebrated St. Patrick’s Day (a few days late) with Kathleen’s delicious Irish stew, a variety of breads and other treats, Bob’s piping on the small pipes, and some Scottish Country Dancing with dance teacher Frank Ibbott and his students. 
The Mackinnon Highland Dancers with piper Mike Reynolds January 24th: Rabbie Burns Birthday Celebration!This year is the 250th anniversary of the birth of Scotland’s most famous poet, Robet Burns, whose birthday has for many years been a time of celebration for Scots around the world. This year about 100 people joined us for our Robert Burns celebration at the Holiday Inn, Goleta, for dinner (beef with Burgundy sauce, salmon Florentine, or vegetarian Portobello mushroom), haggis and neeps, a Toast to the Immortal Memory, poems by Robert Burns, his famous Address to a Haggis, and entertainment including the Sheriff’s Dept. Pipes and Drums, Scottish songs and music, and the Mackinnon Highland Dancers. 
Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Pipes and Drums prepares to start another tune
December: Happy Holidays!There are so many things happening every month in Santa Barbara, it’s no wonder that we were spread too thin this December to hold a meeting during this season of holiday happenings! Instead, we decided to save our energies for next month’s Robert Burns dinner. November 15th: St. Andrew Pies & Peas DinnerWe met at the Church of St. Andrew this month to honor St. Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, with feasting and songs, the music of the Santa Barbara Sheriff’s Pipes and Drums, and performances by Celtic music group Innes Emrys and singer Barbara Smith-Sherrill.
November 2nd: Whisk(e)y tasting at the Natural History MuseumWe were pleased to be invited to participate in the “Natural History of Whiskey” event at the Museum of Natural History. Our own Professor Henryk Minc was one of the presenters in the auditorium, talking about the connections between Scotch whisky* and poet Robert Burns. There was also a presentation on the development of the different kinds of whiskey in different lands. After the presentations, Jim Gilmore piped the audience out to the Museum’s lovely natural outdoor setting, where a number of vendors set up tables and booths to provide guests with tastes of different whiskeys and delicious food to go with it. We were there too, telling people about the Scottish Society of Santa Barbara and our Robert Burns dinner in January. *Scotch whisky is traditionally spelled without an “e”. October: Seaside Highland Games, and our Autumn CelebrationWe had our booth again at the Seaside Highland Games, Ventura, October 11 & 12. At this month’s meeting on October 18, Jim gave us a presentation about Scottish classical music, the “clan of the month” was Clan Scott, Kathleen told us about Scotch eggs and brought a tray-full for us to feast on, and of course we enjoyed plenty of good company!  We were sad to hear of the passing of Scottish Society member Charlie Begg early in October. A memorial service for Charlie was held Saturday November 1st, at Community Covenant Church in Goleta.
September 20th: Super Salad SupperWe began our year, as we did last year, with Kathleen’s delicious cock-a-leekie soup — our recipe of the month. The clan of the month was Clan Cummings, and musical entertainment included Robert Guthrie playing parlor pipes and Chieftain Robert Winokur playing a couple of strathspeys on tin whistle. We ended the evening with everyone joining hands and singing “Auld Lang Syne”. Left: Cock-a-leekie soup was the recipe of the month.  It is with great sadness that we learned, during our summer break, of the passing of our long-time member and former chieftain, Norm White. He was a great asset to our society, and will be greatly missed but fondly remembered. |
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Correspondence: Scottish Society of Santa Barbara |
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