The President Message

To all you Lads and Lassies,

 What a wonderful 250th anniversary of the Bard’s birth!  Our annual Burns’ Nicht Dinner will long be remembered by the more than one hundred members and guests who attended.  President Howard led us into the procession to the dinner with the Williamsburg Pipes and Drums followed by the Colors and the assembled members of the Society.  After a heartfelt Invocation by Kent Brinkley, Sir MacHaggis (aka Byron Adams) inspected the beast for any signs of life and proceeded to give the “Ode” with a flair that Burns himself would have approved.

 Congratulations to Lynn Newcomer for being awarded our “Scot of the Year” for 2008.  He couldn’t be with us this year because he and Margie were somewhere in the Caribbean on a cruise chasing Jimmy Buffet.  Congratulations, as well, to Jim Anthony for all his hard work through the years as one of only three founding members still active in the Society and now a “Distinguished Life Member”. 

 Thanks to:

ô  The Williamsburg Pipes and Drums, and Pipe Major Kevin MacIntosh for their presentation. 

ô  Jim White and Doug Burns for the commemorative slide show; Wayne Craigmiles for his help with the invitations, Dave Lowery with the nametags and Marshall Thomas for our web site, communications and “The Spectator.”  What a great added benefit to have members with this level of expertise contributing their services to the success of the 2009 Burns Nicht. 

ô  Bob Maccubbin for putting the evening into a special context with his excellent Immortal Memory tribute to the greatness of Robert Burns and the relevance of his works today.

ô   The presentation by our friend from across the water, Rob Lockwood, and his wonderful rendition of “Tam o’shanter”.

ô  Everyone who gave a toast, Heather, Sherri, Jamie, Dr. Sale and of course Claudette and her “caddie.”  If you weren’t there you’ll never understand that last comment. 

ô  The able assistance of MacHaggis for an outstanding and successful raffle.

ô  Stacy Apelt for his donation of the handmade kilt pin for the raffle, as well as all the others who donated items.

ô  Jim Anthony and Bob Flinn for their musical contributions to the evening.

 Last, but not least, two other gentlemen that need to be recognized: Wil Phillips and Howard Topp.  Wil is praised for organizing one of the best Burns’ Nicht ever and Howard for being our Captain for the past two years.  Thanks so much from me and the Society, job well done to you both.

 I would also like to recognize the achievements of another member. Jamie Griffin was the first women to join the Society, the first women to be elected to the Board and now the first women to be elected an officer of the Society, serving as Vice President.  We all extend out sincerest appreciation to her for her contributions, and I certainly look forward to working with her this coming year.

 We have tentatively scheduled some exciting and interesting events for 2009 and your participation will be greatly encouraged.  Look for the details concerning each of these events in the coming months.  During the past two years we have been encouraged by the number of rank and file members who have become involved in the society planning and decision making process for our activities. I wish to encourage you to share your suggestions for future society activities with the board and to become actively involved in our events.  The officers and members of the board members endeavor to put on programs that allow our Society to grow in a way that raises awareness of our Scottish heritage and culture among the general population of the Williamsburg area, we are always appreciative of innovative suggestions.

 All the best for the New Year,  

 Yours Aye,  

 

Bob Davis

Clan Donnachaidh

Clan Kennedy

Clan MacFarlane