President’s Message

 
 

January 2023

bliadhna Mhath Ùr

We are excited about all the activities this year that will bring us all together to appreciate Scottish celebrations and kinship.

I just returned from a vacation in Hawaii. I met Dr. Nancy Smiley, president of the St. Andrew's Society of Hawaii and some of their board members on my way back. It was an enjoyable evening and wonderful to exchange ideas. They loved our Pop-up Piper activities and our swag. I brought back some of their ideas to share with the Board of Managers and possibly implement them here. They are an organization of about 140 members and collaborate very well with the other Celtic groups to keep their participation in their activities strong.

The SASOW Trust sponsored the Strathcona Cup, the oldest international men's curling bonspiel. Canada is hosting the 120th version this year. The teams will be in Manitoba to play games at the Fort Rouge, Granite, Pembina, and Deer Lodge Curling Clubs. On Saturday, January 28, go to the Fort Rouge Curling Club at 9:30 am to watch the morning event or the Granite Curling Club at 3:30 pm for the afternoon event.

Don your skates and tartan or kilts if you are brave; bring your family and friends and join us for The Great Canadian Kilt Skate at Assiniboine Park. It's happening at the Riley Duck Pond from 1 to 3 pm on Sunday, February 26. The Queen's Own Cameron Highlanders of Canada will join us for the event. There be hot chocolate to warm you and a piper to add spirit to the event.

Our Tartan Day Ceilidh on April 14, 6 pm, promises to be a very affordable, engaging family event (think Manitoba social with a Celtic flare and Scottish fare). A local country dance group will give Scottish county dancing lessons and, of course, the Address to the Haggis.

Membership is due by the end of January, so please renew if you still need to. While you are at it, invite some Scottish and non-Scottish friends to join the Society. We have both individual and family rates.

Until next month,

Pam Simmons, APR, CFRE

President, St. Andrew's Society of Winnipeg. 204.230.6002

Idea exchange with the some of the board members of The St. Andrew’s Society of Hawaii

2022-2023 Board of Managers

Pamela Simmons, President

Peter Heavysege, First Vice President

Dwight MacAulay CVO, Second Vice President

Catherine Aastrom, Secretary

Evelyn Mitchell, Immediate Past-President

William J Christie

Jae Eadie

Andrew Flook CD

Colin Harris

Dougie McLeod

Jim Oborne UE

Richard Rosin

James Skinner

We acknowledge that we live, work and gather on the traditional land of the First Nations, Treaty 1 territory and the homeland of the Métis.  The St. Andrew’s Society of Winnipeg recognizes the injustices of the past and we will support and work alongside the First Nations and Métis in the spirit of reconciliation.