Activities Galore! Well, the fun is about to begin for the 15th annual Arizona Highland Celtic Festival. We start with the 4th of July parade and it's not too late to join the fun and help with our last big push to get the word out about our festival. If you would like to join the parade please call Jude at 928.556.3161. Following the parade we will have a barbeque for our parade participants so we need to know you will be there to organize the food. Also, see our list of fantastic activities for the week before the festival. There are many free events and events with a very low cost considering what you will see and hear. Because of the Grand Canyon Celtic Arts Academy and the Jim Thomson School of Piping & Drumming we have exceptional talent winging their way towards Flagstaff. Moran Taing Many thanks to all of you who have done jobs to make the festival and schools happen! Without passionate and dedicated volunteers we would not have this richness in our community. My hat is off to YOU! Diana IS Coming! Diana Gabaldon will be joining us on festival Saturday! Don't miss her reading and book signing starting at 1. Volunteer jobs!!! There are still many volunteer jobs we need filled. If you have time you would like to volunteer during ANY of the events we have happening PLEASE call Jude at 928.556.3161 to discuss the possibilities. You'll be glad you did!

Spreading the wordA big NACHS pat on the back to Jacquie McGregor for spreading Celtic culture in the schools. Last month, wiht the help of NACHS, Jacquie lead a three day Celtic culture class at BASIS school. Her students participated in music, crafts and the language of Ireland and Scotland. With the help of some friends (the Knockabouts) the students learned to play the penny whistle, bodhran and Irish step dancing. The project culminated with a special appearance by the Knockabouts where the students played along with them for the parents.

July 2nd Gaelic Class, Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6.30July 3rd NACHS meeting, Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6:00July 16th Gaelic Class,Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6:30July 21-22 AZ Highland Celtic FestivalJuly 23rd Gaelic clas, Thorpe Park Adult Center, 6:30July 30th Gaelic Class, Thorpe Park Adult Center,6:30

Learn Gaelic! Richard Ferguson continues to teach a weekly conversational Scottish Gaelic class for beginning and intermediate speakers, using the Teach Yourself Gaelic materials. In the classes, students can also pick up Scottish cultural and historical information! Best of all, the classes are FREE! Join Richard Mondays, 6:30-8:00pm at the Flagstaff Adult Center, 245 Thorpe Rd.

Knockabouts release 5th CD!The Knockabouts will be releasing thier 5th CD at the Celtic Festival. Entitled

"Sheep for Sale" this CD is collections of traditional Celtic tunes such as Lannigan's Ball and Galway Girl. The band is very pleased with the CD and hope

you will add it to your collection.

Robin Gibb

BornDecember 22, 1949On The Isle of Man

DiedMay 20, 2012

Buried on The Isle of Man

Ellan VanninGaelic Translation: Isle of Man

Written by Eliza Craven Green, 1854Sung by Robin Gibb

When the summer day is overIts busy cares have flownI will sit beneath the starlightWith a weary heart alone

Then it rises like a vision,Sparkling bright it shines for meMy own dear Ellan Vannin,With its green hills by the sea

Let me hear the ocean murmur,Let me watch your stormy skyThen, above the emerald watersSings the seagull as she flies

Then it rises like a visionSparkling bright it shines for meMy own dear Ellan Vannin,With its green hills by the sea

And in all my times of sorrow,And on some lonely shore,I’ll go back to Ellan VanninTo my childhood days once more

Sun July 15…7pm – Raul H Castro (SBS) building on the NAU south campus room 110 - Aaron Shaw - Marching in a pipe band, Highland Dress, etiquette when playing at weddings and funerals and engagements. FREEMon July 16… 7pm - Raul H Castro (SBS) building on the NAU south campus room 110 - Robert Watt - Playing expression in light pipe music. FREETues July 177pm - Raul H Castro (SBS) building on the NAU south campus room 110 - Dixie Ingram/Andrew Hoinacki - Bagpipe set up, sound, and tuning. FREE7pm – Zane Grey Bar (23 N. Leroux) – A History of Irish Folk Music in Chicago with Bua. $1

Wed July 18… 5:30 to 7:30pm – Wheeler Park - Concerts in the Park. FREE 7 to ??? – Zane Grey Ballroom (23 N. Leroux) – Irish Session. FREE 7:30 to ??? – Charly’s (23 N. Leroux) – Piping School Pub Night. FREEThurs July 197pm - Raul H Castro (SBS) building on the NAU south campus room 110 - Instructors Concert. FREE7pm – Riordan Mansion State Park - Irish music and history from the Lumber Camps with Brian Miller (of Bua) & Randy Gosa. $15

Fri July 20 6pm – Heritage Sq. – Celtic Music Jam. FREE7:30pm – Uptown Billiards – Whisky Tasting. Fee Charged8pm – Pioneer Museum Barn – Bua in Concert. $15Sat July 21…7pm – Weatherford Hotel (23 N. Leroux) – Whisky Tasting limited seating, call Jude for tickets 928-556-3161. $258pm – Charly’s (23 N. Leroux) – Ceilidh. (informal Celtic music ) $5

NOTE - Special pricing on the Bua events all three for $30 – tickets available at Cedar Music, Riordan Mansion and the Pioneer Museum

Arizona Highland Celtic Festival

~ Flagstaff ~ July 21 & 22, 2012

Entertainment ~ The Wicked Tinkers ~ The Knockabouts ~ Bua ~ Scatter the Dust Displays & Education ~ Plants of Celtic Regions ~ Spirits of Celtic Regions ~ Scottish Clans ~ Celtic Societies ~ Celtic Education Tent ~ Celtic Geology Exhibit ~ NEW Genealogy Research Tent

Celtic Kids Corner ~ Oatmeal Toss…oopy goopy fun! ~ Explore the world of Celtic wee folk fun! Workshops ~ On Celtic music, whisky tasting, and, something special…

Celtic Labyrinths… A magical journey!

Competitions & Demos ~ Highland Dance ~ Scottish Athletics ~ Bagpipe Solo & Band ~ Tug o’ War Historical Reenactments ~ The Highland Rogues

Special Feature~ On SUNDAY ONLY join us for the CELTIC MILE…a fun run or walk exploring the urban trail. For details check our website or call our information number.

THANK YOU to the City of Flagstaff, Flagstaff Cultural Partners, Arizona Commission on the Arts and the

National Endowment for the Arts for your support!

July 21 & 22, 2012Foxglenn Park

4200 East Butler Avenue / Flagstaff, AZ

Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PMSunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Adults:1-day: $15; 2-days: $22

Children 3-12 years:1-day: $4; 2-days: $6

Presale Tickets available after 4/1 until July 1 at:www.nachs.info

Arizona Music Pro - FlagstaffAnimas Trading Co. - Flagstaff

Friday Night - FREE Concert, Heritage Square at 6pm - Single Malt Whisky Tasting…7:30ish (fee charged; must be over 21) Uptown Billiards, 114 North LerouxSaturday Night - Single Malt Whisky Tasting at 7pm (must be over 21) - Celtic Ceilidh at 8pm…cover charge $5 Both events will happen at the Weatherford Hotel, 23 N. Leroux St., Flagstaff HOST HOTELS

Be sure to ask for SPECIAL CELTIC FESTIVAL rates

Rate/Night Property Details

$83.00

Days Hotel – formerly Travelodge2200 East Butler AvenueFlagstaff, AZ 86004Telephone: 928.779.6944

Newly redecoratedSleeps up to four peoplePets OK at additional charge,Reserve before July 1

$99.00

Fairfield Inn by Marriott2005 S. Milton Rd.Flagstaff, AZ 86001Telephone: 928.773.1300

Sleeps up to four peopleContinental breakfastReserve before July 1

$110.00

Holiday Inn Express2320 East Lucky LaneFlagstaff, AZ 86004Telephone 928.714.1000

Sleeps up to four peopleContinental breakfastReserve before July 1

$129.00

Little America Hotel2515 E. Butler Ave.Flagstaff, AZ 86004Telephone 928-779-7900

Sleeps up to 4 peopleReserve before June 21

NO PETS are allowed at Foxglenn Park during the festival. Assistance dogs, of course, are welcome.

Come to the cool Arizona Highlands,

Please visitwww.nachs.info

Or call928.556.3161

Tossing the caber is easily the most recognizable trademark of Scottish Highland games and is one of the most spectacular of the heavy events.

The origins of caber tossing are unknown although it has been suggested that it was developed by foresters for throwing tree trunks into the river. It would be difficult to devise a more physically demanding method of moving felled timber and the more likely explanation is that it was a sport amongst foresters that became part of the traditional Highland Gathering events.

The dimensions of a caber - or cabar in Gaelic - can vary enormously but the norm weighs about 150lbs (68kgs), is 18 feet (5.5m) long and about 9 inches (23cms) thick at one end, tapering to about 5 inches (l3cms) at the other.

The caber used at some Highland games weighs over 150lbs (70kgs) and is 17ft 4ins (5.3m) long. The Braemar caber is only 132lIbs (59.9kgs) in weight but is 19ft 9ins (6m) in length. The largest caber recorded in the Guinness Book of records is 25ft (7.62m) and 280lbs (127kg).

Games organizers strive for consistency in the weight of their caber and because timber dries out and becomes lighter, they will often soak the caber in a convenient loch for some days before their annual games or, bore holes in it and fill them with molten lead!

Contrary to popular belief, the caber is not thrown for distance but for style. The games officials will set the caber on its end with the thickest portion in the air. The athlete rests the caber against his shoulder and, clasping his arms around it, performs the difficult task of lifting it up off the ground whilst keeping it perfectly balanced. When he's achieved that, he will give it a quick flick up and move his hands under the narrow end. He's now ready to throw it.

The competition is judged with the aid of an imaginary clock-face on the ground spread out flat in front of the thrower with him facing the 12 o'clock position. That invisible clock-face keeps pace with him as he runs and when he has reached the desired speed he will stop abruptly at what becomes the 6 o' clock position and heave the caber up so that its heavy end lands in the middle of the clock and the whole caber turns right over, ending up with the narrow end pointing exactly towards the 12 o'clock position.

Quite frequently none of the competitors will achieve the exact 12 o'clock position and the prizes will be given for the throw that is nearest to the ideal. In some games, if the caber was not thrown, an old-fashioned two-handed, crosscut saw would be brought on and the heavies would saw an inch off the caber until one of them threw it.

Probably the oldest of the heavyweight sports and the easiest for young lads to take-up - all they needed was a smooth stone from the river bed.

Each different Gathering had its own such stone which might vary in weight between 13lbs (5.9kgs) as at Tomintoul, and 28lbs (12.7kgs) as at Glen Isla and Braemar.

This made comparison of distance records between the various Highland games, very difficult indeed.

Nowadays the old stones tend to have been replaced at most gatherings by a standardized iron sphere weighing either 16lbs (7.26kgs) or 22lbs (10kgs).

The weight or shot is thrown with one hand only from in front of the shoulders. A run not exceeding 7ft 6ins (2.3m) is allowed up to the trig which is a length of wood 4ft 6ins (1.37m) long and six inches ( 15cms) high.

Sergeant Major Robert Starkey was one of the best known heavyweight athletes during the 1920s and 30s and in 1924 was coach to the British team for the Paris Olympics. That team included such famous figures as Harald Abrahams and Eric Liddell of Chariots of Fire fame and the American team included swimmer Johnny Weissmuller - Tarzan.

"PUTTING THE SHOT"

THrowing the HammerThe origins of throwing the hammer have never been in doubt. Wherever hammers were used - blacksmiths, quarries or farms - a diversionary pastime would be throwing the utilitarian wooden-shafted sledgehammer. The sport's long history can be judged by the following extract quoted by author David Webster from an 1826 games poster:

Throwers used to gain great momentum - and distance - by turning the body rapidly to build up speed before releasing the hammer. Instances were very common of throwers losing their grip on the shaft or of releasing it a little too late with the hammer flying over or, even worse into the crowds. This soon brought about a ban on that method!

The old hammer has been replaced by an iron sphere on a rotan or male bamboo shaft, measuring 4ft 2ins (1.27m) and weighting either 16lbs (7.3kgs) or 22lbs ( 10kgs).

The thrower stands with his back to the trig (the throwing mark), swings the hammer round his head to gather momentum and then releases it over his shoulder.

The event certainly needs excellent timing and whilst the conventional image of a hammer thrower is of a Herculean figure, some past record breakers have been short and slight which proves that knack is very much a secret of success.

SCOTTISH HEAVY ATHLETIC EVENTS

Directory of Celtic Arts

For Lessons:

Bodhran

Ron Barton: 928.774.7261

Fiddle & Irish Dance

Kari Barton: 928.600.1365

Irish Whistle

John McGregor 928.814.2480

Flute

Jacquie McGregor 928.814.2480

For Performance:

Bagpipers

Jude McKenzie 928.556.3161

The Knockabouts

John McGregor 928.814.2480