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Old News

2016

President's updates

                   The ETHNIC ENRICHMENT FESTIVAL is coming up! (event details and link to even website is on the events page) 

There will be a Scottish booth all three days and volunteers are needed.  The K.C. St. Andrew Pipes and Drums and the Highland Dancers will perform in the pavilion at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday.

                    Did you know that a member of the K.C. St. Andrew Society, John Duncan, was a founder of the festival?  There is a plaque which honors him in Swope Park, near the entrance to the festival.  Also honored is John’s wife, Carol, who has worked tirelessly to promote the festival, as the Scottish Diplomat on the Ethnic Enrichment Commission. We are proud of her and grateful that she represents us so well.  We are also grateful to Mark Milliken, who works hard every year to help organize and set up the booths at the festival.

                   VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED ON SATURDAY, AUGUST 13 TO HELP BUILD AND SET UP THE ETHNIC FESTIVAL.  MEET MARK AT THE FESTIVAL SITE AT 8 AM WITH A HAMMER!  THE SOCIETY IS PAID FOR VOLUNTEER HOURS, WHICH HELPS DEFRAY THE COST OF OUR BOOTH. 

VOLUNTEERS ARE ALSO NEEDED AT THE SCOTTISH BOOTH DURING THE FESTIVAL, AND TO HELP WITH THE BEER CONCESSION.  PLEASE CONTACT MARK OR CAROL TO VOLUNTEER.

                  KANSAS CITY SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES: Thank you to all the member who supported the games, and especially to the games board, chairs & other volunteers, for another successful event!   We are proud that this great event is hosted in Kansas City.

                 

                  JULY 4 PICNIC:  We are also grateful to the social committee for continuing to hold this yearly, informal get-together.  It is a fun, relaxing way to get to know other members.  This year we had some interesting games that helped us learn more about Scottish heritage, while getting better acquainted.  Approximately 20 people attended.  We look forward to an even larger gathering next year.

                 KC PIPES & DRUMS:  Congratulations to the Grade 5 band for again taking 1st place in Chicago in a large field of excellent competition on June 18.  The Grade 3 and the Grade 5 bands were well-prepared and eager to win in Springfield, Illinois on July 23.  Sadly, at the last minute, the games were cancelled, due to adverse weather.  Now thee bands are focused on the Long’s Peak games in Estes Park, Sep. 8-11.

 

                THIRD SOCIETY GENERAL MEETING:  Sunday, Oct. 2, 2:30 p.m., at 5144 Oak, K.C., Mo.  Please add your contribution to the vitality of the society by attending this meeting.  We owe the success of our society to the hard work of volunteers, who also love the society with a passion.  They would love to share their passion with more volunteers.  There is room for all of you, and you are needed to help our society thrive.

                ST. ANDREW’S DAY:  Lidia’s Restaurant in the Historic Freight House District, 101 W 22nd St, Kansas City, MO 64108,has been reserved for luncheon on Sunday, November 20, following the Kirkin’ of the Tartan at Grace and Holy Trinity Cathedral.

                BURNS NIGHT, Jan. 21, 2017:  The event committee visited several sites and chose the main ballroom in the Plaza Marriott Hotel at 46th and Main, K.C., Missouri.  They are very excited about this newly renovated space, and the increased menu selections that the chef will provide. Chef Sherri Grant will collaborate with the Marriott Chef to add Balmoral Chicken to the menu (chicken stuffed with haggis, and wrapped in rashers, yum!).    Parking is free and valet service will be discounted.  Some members are already reserving hotel rooms for the night, so they can make it a special weekend on the Plaza.

Please mark your calendars for these additional upcoming events. 

  • Last Sunday of each month at 2 p.m., Scots Readers at the Larkins, 15513 W 94Th Ter., Lenexa, KS. The July meeting will discuss famous Americans of Scottish descent.

  • Gaelic language group meets every Saturday at the Johnson County Central Resource Library, 87th and Farley, Overland Park. 

 

If you have news you would like to share with the society, please forward it to me at rabbymc@kc.rr.com  and don’t forget to like and contribute to our facebook page.  Check it often for interesting updates.  Let's grow our society by recruiting new members.  Recently, I have met with members of the local Gordon Clan, some of whom are planning to join.  If each of us brought in one more member, we could double our size in one year.  We especially need young adults with fresh ideas to insure our future!

 

Robert McAtee, President, KCSAS

2015

Centennial Monument update

The membership voted more than 2 to 1 to use up to $75,000 from the Investment Fund in order to complete the standing stone monument with the bronze details of a piper, dancer, harpist, and historical people and icons. The monument is progressing with the bronze details being cast at Eligius Foundry in Kansas City, Missouri. We believe we have a source for the standing stone (which will be Missouri red granite) on which the bronze will be mounted.  

 

 

At the time the membership voted the committee noted that we were working to find an appropriate venue. The committee thought we just needed to finalize details with Union Station and it would be located inside the Station. When we met with the Station to finalize the details we learned that they only accept permanent displays that relate to the station or railroading and so our monument would not be acceptable.

 

Therefore, the committee is working to find an appropriate venue for the monument somewhere in the Kansas City metropolitan area. We are searching for a place that has optimal safety from vandalism, theft, or damage while still being visible and accessible to the public. We are currently investigating locations in Kansas City, Missouri and Lenexa, Kansas and will provide more details as we have them. We expect to complete the installation in the first half of 2015 once the monument is complete, the venue has been secured, and the weather permits. Details of a dedication celebration will be sent to the membership when a date has been finalized.

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