Burns Night

Saturday, January 26th the Scottish Society of Fredericksburg hosted their 14th Annual Burns Night at the Country Club. It was a poignant evening as one who had made it so instrumental in celebrating the Bard of Scotland’s past birthdays was no longer with us – Chief Don Mcleay.

Although Don was not present his presence was. An opening rememberance given by master of ceremonies Preston Simms on Don's contribution to the Society to Trip Wiggins tribute to our past Chief by intertwining The Immortal Memory of Robert Burns with Don’s impressive life. We were touched with the presence of Don’s wife Astrid.

We were entertained royally. With evening’s festivities start a rousing show by the Mary Washington College Eagle Pipe Band lead by Ray Scott. After dinner we enjoyed the Celtic harps of Sara Lindley and Re MacArthur. They were followed by Syllabub who delighted us with traditional Celtic music.

The Toasts to the Lads and Lassies was given cleverly by Andy and Kim Fraser. Have I not said the food was excellent? It was! Yet, what impressed me most of all the outstanding moments that evening was the excellent rendition in Burns' own Lowland Scots dialect the ‘Ode to a Haggis’ done by young Preston W. Simms. Well done Preston!

In fact all of them I know made our past Chief proud.
Well done lads and lassies!

Burns Night

The Fredericksburg Scottish Society will be hosting on Saturday, January 26, 2008, Burns' Night to commemorate the 207th Birthday of Robert Burns. It starts at 6 PM at the Fredericksburg Country Club. The cost is $25 before 1/11 and $35 afterwards. The cutoff is 1/21. Checks should be made to the Fredericksburg Scottish Society and mailed to Myra Wiggins 70 Briarwood Drive Fredericksburg, VA 22405. For more information contact Myra at myrawig@cox.net.

Fredericksburg Christmas Parade on Saturday, 12/1

Arvil sent the following email to the Celtic Societies of Fredericksburg:

I'm sending this info on the Christmas Parade to as many members of the Scottish Society, past and present, who might be interested and free to walk in the parade on Saturday, December 1. We are walking under the umbrella name of the "Celtic Societies" which is to say that some members of the Welsh and Hibernian societies will be joining us.

We are in Division 1, and number 12 in the lineup, which means we are near the beginning of the parade. Division 1 assembles on Charlotte St. between Caroline St. and Princess Anne St. (near the Visitor Center). We are behind Spirit Keepers Therapy Dogs and in front of Boy Scout Pack 330.

The Parade starts at 5:30pm so it would be good to aim for being in place at 5pm. It will be very busy with people, and parking is something you'll have to work out well ahead of time.

Happy Holidays!

Kilt Night 11/10 at Colonial Tavern

Just learned this evening that the Celtic band Seven Nations will be in Fredericksburg next Saturday night at the Colonial Tavern. I’ve ‘summoned’ a kilt night. Check this post on X Marks.

Richmond Highland Games Report

Last weekend was the Richmond Highland Games and Celtic Festival. I managed to get there Saturday afternoon. I had an enjoyable time. Click this link to see my posts on X Marks the Scot.

Below Jerry Hamilton of the Fredericksburg Scottish Society warms the Haggis at the Stewart Clan tent.

Goodbye, Friend!

In a post below is Don Mcleay’s obituary that was published today in the Free Lance Star. Don was chief of the Fredericksburg Scottish Society. I had gotten to know Don this year. I knew his daughter Cynthia from my time affiliated with the Episcopal Church for a several years before. She would tell me about her Dad every time she saw me in a kilt or when I was talking about Scotland.

Don was a quiet and unassuming type of guy. He went about getting things done in sure and thoughtful way. At a meeting of the Scottish Society this week I learned how Don had given much to that group. He will be sorely missed by them.

Don shared his spiritual walk with me. I have many similarities to what Don had experienced. Both affiliated with religion in our cases Episcopalian. In dramatic ways both becoming ‘born again’ and developing a personal relationship with Jesus. Both would be part of the charismatic movement in the Episcopal Church. Both would be the senior warden (lay leader) of the same church (same priest) just different times.

I said goodbye to Don two weeks this upcoming Sunday. I knew the next time would I see him would be the other side of eternity. Till I get home, Don. See you, friend.

Goodbye, friend

Donald Lachlan Macleay, 72, of Fredericksburg, died Monday, Oct. 15, 2007, at his home from pancreatic cancer. He valued being a Christian, a husband, a father and grandfather, and a friend.
Born in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 27, 1934, Don was raised in Falls Church. He attained the rank of Eagle Scout and graduated at the top of the first class of St. Stephen's School in 1952. In 1956, he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Virginia Military Institute.
After serving as a U.S. Marine Corps officer, Don spent many years in the business world before becoming a parole officer for the Department of Juvenile Justice in Stafford County. In 1992 he was a candidate for the U.S. Congress as an Independent.
Don had a love for Scotland and its history. He made several trips to Scotland to connect with his family heritage and enjoyed meeting his long-lost cousins. For the last few years, he had been working on a novel about 13th century Scotland.
Along with history, Donald cared for the community. He was active in many organizations including serving as vice president of the Clan Stewart Society of America; coordinator of the Burns Night Dinners for the Fredericksburg Scottish Society; longtime member of Tough Love; and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles, the Moose Lodge, and the Brotherhood of St. Andrew.
Don served on the Fredericksburg Mayor's Early Intervention Task Force. Most recently he was recognized by the Chaplin Youth Center for his speaking and service.
Don Macleay is survived by his wife of 34 years, Astrid; his children, Don Macleay of Oakland, Ca., Malcolm Macleay and his wife, Tina, of Fredericksburg, Cynthia Macleay Campbell and her husband, Jeff, of Columbia, Md., Anita Mesimer of Fredericksburg, Swantje Crane and her husband, Craig, of Vienna, Mo., and Alexander Macleay of Fredericksburg; 11 grandchildren, his brother, Murdo Macleay; his sister, Linda Dewell and a cousin, Archie Macleay, in Scotland.
A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, at Tower of Deliverance Church, 1808 Princess Anne St., Fredericksburg. Scottish attire is encouraged.
Memorial contributions may be made to Chaplin Youth Center, Box 8208, Fredericksburg, Va. 22404.
Date published: 10/19/2007