The Clishmaclaver - Clan Donnachaidhclandonnachaidh.org/Clish/January2017.pdf · the Illinois River at Peoria. Since its founding, CDSUM has continued to grow. We have active members

The Clishmaclaver Newsletter of the Clan Donnachaidh Society Upper Midwest

January 2017 Issue

Inside this issue: Burns Hist. 1 CDSUM Ann. Rpt. 2 Chicago Burns 3 Milwaukee Burns 4 Tilted Kilt 5 Struan in Florida 5 Chief Honored ‘18 6 Edinburgh Tattoo 7

By James Robertson Ward, Editor, The Clishmaclaver

Every beginning of the year edition of

our newsletter is dedicated to Robert Burns,

the beloved Scottish poet, and this year the

reports are rolling in of celebrations which

will be described on the following pages.

Those of you who would like to know

more about Burns have more opportunities

than ever to get acquainted with him; your lo-

cal library has been supplemented by a giant

website that advertises “everything you wanted to know and a lot

more besides.” It is: www.robertburns.org. Our own website has a

brief history of Burns in our “About the Clan” section of:

www.clandonnachaidh.org.

So curl up with a book of Burns’ poems and pick up on

some of your favorites. And be sure to know the words to “Auld

Lang Syne” so you’ll be prepared to sing it when you go to a

Burns Night event. Depending on where you live there is usually

one available, either on his birth date (January 25th) or a nearby

weekend.

Around the World It Is Time to Remember the

Scottish Bard Robert Burns on his Birthday

Page 2 January 2017 Clishmaclaver

CDSUM Annual Report Editor’s Note: This is the report for 2016 of Activities of our Branch of Clan Donnachaidh which will be included in the Clan’s Annual Magazine.

Thanks to volunteer leadership by Vice-Presidents and members in our various states, another

excellent year has passed into history with our Highland Games clan tents giving us a wonderful

chance to meet new friends, as well as reconnect with old friends. We added new members, too,

with one of our best growth years.

The highlight of the year came with the celebration of our 30th Anniversary as a Branch at our

Annual General Meeting. Our planning committee chose the historic Pere Marquette Hotel in Pe-

oria, IL as the site. The hotel’s Grand Ballroom was made available and provided room for dis-

play of photos and souvenir programs of our 30year history.

The weekend event also included a Friday night pub crawl, with a cruise the next day on the

“Spirit of Peoria”; the group was piped aboard by our Clan Piper, Michael Flemming. A hearty

lunch was served aboard and we were serenaded by both our piper and a Dixieland Band.

Back to the dock, we returned to the hotel for a formal business meeting giving a report on the

past year, and setting plans for 2017. After adjournment, and a short period of rest and refreshing,

our group moved on to Alexander’s Steakhouse on the riverfront for our Anniversary dinner.

That’s the story of our exciting year here in the Upper Midwest. We’re looking forward to a

bright 2017!

William Reid

Bill Reid, President, Upper Midwest Branch.

Chicago Scots invite you to the Robert

Burns Supper on Feb. 4th

Each year the CHICAGO SCOTS gather together to celebrate the birthday

(January 25th), life and work of the Scottish poet, Robert Burns.

Join us for an evening of cocktails, dinner, toasts, music and dancing.

6 P. M. Cocktail Reception and Whisky Tasting

7 P. M. Main Reception (Cathedral Hall), University Club, 76 E. Monroe, Chica-

go. RSVP: [email protected]

About Robert Burns:

Whether his subject was a man or a mouse (or even a louse), Scotland’s National

Bard had a rare talent for putting himself into other’s shoes and expressing life’s

universal emotions.

From traditional ballads and romantic songs to

humorous satires and thought provoking poem,

Robert Burns composed some of the world’s

instantly recognizable lines of poetry and song

lyrics.

His words have been cherished and passionate-

ly recited for the past two centuries. Indeed,

it’s because of this great man that we promise,

every Hogmanay, to ‘tak a cup o’ kindness’

with our neighbors and go forward into the

new year with a sense of belonging and hope

for the future.

University Club of Chicago


Burns Club of Milwaukee Picks Klemmer’s for Annual Supper

The Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee requests the pleasure of your presence at the traditional

Robert Burns Supper on Sunday, February 12, 2017. The popular Klemmer’s Williamburg

Inn, 10401 W. Oklahoma Ave., Milwaukee, WI. 53227, is the location. (See photo above).

5:00 – Fou and Unco Happy Hour (Reception and Cocktails)

7:00 – Supper (meal choices to be made with your reservation)

Whiskey Marinated Sirloin or Cod Almandine

PLUS – ENTERTAINMENT, HAGGIS, RAFFLE, A PIPER AND MORE!

Reminder: Wearing the kilt is optional but welcome!

…………………………………………………………………………………………

Reservation Form I am enclosing a check/money order to “Robert Burns Club of Milwaukee” for $_____

for ____ reservations for the Feb. 12th,2017 Burns Supper at $25 per dinner. Dinner

Choice: ___Whiskey Marinated Sirloin ___Cod Almandine.

Name______________________________________

Address____________________________________

City____________________State_____Zip_______

Phone__________________E-Mail______________ Reservations with dinner choice MUST be received not later than Feb. 1, 2017. Cancellations MUST

be received by Feb. 5th, 2017. Call 262-792-1405 for more information. Send check and reservation

form to: Robert Burns Club Ian Day, 650 B McHenry Cir., Brookfield, WI. 53045-3636.


Is there a “bit of Instant Scotland” Near You?

Yes, if you live in Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis, and certain parts of Illinois (Rockford and

Quincy). No, if you’re in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Iowa.

The Tilted Kilt Pub and Eatery Franchise wants you to visit them and join their

“Clan”.

The executives who are cutting the ribbon for the franchise opening (above) have

convinced the new operators that they are “selling fun” with the help of the attractive wait

staff shown in their “tilted kilt” outfits.

There is no haggis in sight, but plenty of Burgers and Shepherd’s Pie, as well as oth-

er Celtic offerings. The walls are lined with big screen televisions tuned to sporting events

and Scottish and English memorabilia are on display.

Don’t expect any Robert Burns events, but you can purchase their “Tilted Kilt Girl”

calendar for 2017 as a souvenir of your visit. Their website will guide you to eight suburban

locations in Chicago, two in Detroit and two in Indianapolis.


Alexander Gilbert Haldane Robertson of Struan and

his wife Bridget visited the Central Florida Highland Games

during a winter trip. According to Clan President, Christy

Duncan, “Everyone had a wonderful time. It was a beautiful

weekend, perfect weather, but exhausting. We took in over

20 members so lots of work ahead.”

Struan Visits Florida Branch

(Right) Alexander Struan and his wife Bridget

The Chief to be Honored in ‘18

Pictured above is Alexander Gilbert Haldane Robertson of Struan, 23rd

Chief of Clan Donnachaidh. He was born in 1936, the youngest of four children,

and the only son of Langton George Duncan Robertson of Struan, and his wife,

Laurie. He succeeded his father as chief of Clan Donnachaidh in 1983.

Struan studied electrical engineering at Edinburgh University and then,

having become interested in the application of mathematical models to manage-

ment, took a postgraduate course in Operational Research at the London School

of Economics. After a career in the Civil Service (with an Operational Group in

the Department of Health and Social Security), he opted for a modern version of

the traditional activity of his family, farming. He bought a small fruit farm in the

southeast of England in 1980 and has been growing apples and grading fruit for

himself and neighboring farmers ever since.

A unique Clan Gathering in 2018 to honor Struan on his 35th year as Clan

Donnachaidh Chief and this 80th birthday. It is scheduled for August 10 to 19,

2018. The committee is working to plan 10 days of activities and tours which

should be of interest to everyone. This gives plenty of time for planning and sav-

ing funds for the trip.

Webmaster Brian Robertson is preparing an informational flyer which will

be e-mailed to the membership and will give more details.

(Thanks to Faith Elliot for the above information from our Clan website)


Edinburgh Tattoo to Feature

Clan Donnachaidh Marchers

In a “first time” event on the program, the Executive Committee has asked our Struan

and members of Clan Donnachaidh to march in the 2017 Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The date

for our Clan is August 12th and as this is a “world class” event, attended by thousands each

year, it is a distinct honor.

The Tattoo (see photo below) is performed in the Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. Visi-

tors from all over the world will be in the audience at 7:30 p.m. for the Saturday night perfor-

mance. The entertainment consists of musical performances by choral groups, bands, and drill

teams.

So if you are planning to visit Scotland this summer, get your tickets ordered now and

your travel plans in order. Due to the short run of the Tattoo, tickets are in demand at the

height of the vacation season.

You’ll also be able to visit the 2017 Glan Gathering and International AGM, which

will be held the same week. Information is available at the Clan website, which is: http://

donnachaidh.com. If you would like to receive the newsletter from Scotland, add /

maillist.html following the .com. Brian Robertson is the Clan’s Webmaster.

This is not to be confused with the Upper Midwest Branch website which is: www://

clandonnachaidh.org. Ben Kuhl is our Webmaster.


Clan Donnachaidh Society

Upper Midwest

Clan Donnachaidh Society Upper Midwest History

Clan Donnachaidh Society Upper Midwest (CDSUM) was established in

1986 by Gordon and Patricia Wilber along with Joanne Reid and Phillis

Anderson. They initially gathered about 12 people the Wilber’s town

house in Hoffman Estates to begin the task creating Clan Donnachaidh

Upper Midwest.

The first thing they did was man a table at the Scottish Fair in the Irish

American Center in Chicago. There more people signed up. By the end

of 1986 the by-laws were written and Clan Donnachaidh Society Upper

Midwest was officially established!

Clan Donnachaidh Society, Pacific Northwest donated 3 dirks, which

were raffled to raise funds for the newly established society. Since that

time, the clan created the Clishmaclaver for all Clan members to keep up

to date with Clan activities. Gordon and Patricia also began the "Taste of

Scotland" at their home. This gave everyone a reason to get together,

sample authentic Scottish foods, and of course, a dram or two of single

malt scotch.

In February 1990, Gordon and Patricia along with Marge Hale and the

rest of the CDSUM members hosted the North American Conference of

Clan Donnachaidh Presidents in Chicago. Alexander Gilbert Haldane

Robertson of Struan (Chief of Clan Donnachaidh) found out about the

event and wished to participate, which he did. Struan also returned in

February 1993 for a 5 branch tour to kick off the centenary year. Our

members represented CDSUM well during the Celebration in Pitlochry

Scotland.

CDSUM turned twenty five in 2011 with a celebration dinner on the

Milwaukee River. The event was arranged by Russ and Jessie Read. This

year we celebrated our Thirtieth anniversary with a luncheon cruise on

the Illinois River at Peoria.

Since its founding, CDSUM has continued to grow. We have active

members in the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota,

and Wisconsin. We currently man CDSUM tents at nine games across

our territory.

WWW.CLANDONNACHAIDH.ORG

Clan Donnachaidh Society Upper Midwest James Robertson Ward, Clishmaclaver editor

893 Saddlewood Drive

Glen Ellyn IL 60137

CLAN OFFICERS

BILL REID, PRESIDENT

JOHN REID, TREASURER , V.P.-ILLINOIS

PATRICIA WILBER, MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN LYNN WOOD, SECRETARY

BOB ROBERTSON, V.P.-ILLINOIS

KATHY HART, V.P.- INDIANA BOB DUNCAN, V.P.– IOWA

RUSS READ, V.P.– WISCONSIN

LUKE ROBERTSON, V.P.– MICHIGAN JON CARLSON, V.P.- MINNESOTA

GORDON WILBER, PRES. EMERITUS

BEN KUHL, PUBLICISIT & WEBMASTER JAMES ROBERTSON WARD , NEWSLETTER EDITOR

CLAN TRUSTEES

JESSIE READ

TIFFANY KUHL

PATRICIA WILBER

CLAN COUNCIL

CLAN OFFICERS & TRUSTEES, PLUS

DICK & BRENDA ROBERTSON

MARY JANE ROBERTSON

LIZ REID


Documents

The Clishmaclaver - Clan Donnachaidhclandonnachaidh.org/Clish/January2017.pdf · the Illinois River at Peoria. Since its founding, CDSUM has continued to grow. We have active members