Volume 38, Issue 3 ~ March 2019 - nvssc.org

1 Volume 39, Issue 1 ~ First Quarter 2020 Date: Thursday, February 13th Time: 7:00 pm Where: Pine Middle School Multipurpose Room 4800 Neil Road, Reno As part of the implementation of the Nevada Society of Scottish Clans Strategic Plan, our monthly Gatherings will be held in various locations. Our February Gathering will be held at Pine Middle School s Multipur-pose Room and will feature the group Fiddlers2. The following is excerpted from : A Blend of Classical & Scottish Traditional Music Music touches people s souls. It creates a bridge that reaches across space and time, through generations and memory, and between the hearts of those who listen. Though they come from very different backgrounds, Vanessa and Holly have joined as Fiddlers2 to create a unique interweaving of Scottish and Cape Breton music.

2 With a nod to tradition and the added flair of their own con-temporary arrangements, they harmoniously blend their Classical and Celtic styles, breathing life into music that touches every range of human emotion, from the most pro-found sorrow to the most inspiring joy. We hope to see you all at Pine Middle School on February 13th!! Reservation Deadline For Our Robert Burns Celebration is January 18th! Also Remember to Indicate if You d Like to be Seated with a Group. February Gathering - Fiddlers2 Date: Saturday, January 25th Time: 4:00 pm Where: Grand Sierra Resort & Casino 2500 East 2nd Street, Reno The Robert Burns Celebration Dinner is an evening of Scottish-themed fun and entertainment.

3 The reservation form is included later in this newsletter. Don t wait, the deadline for reservations is January 18th!! Doors at the Reno Grand Ballroom in the Grand Sierra Resort & Casino open at 4:00 pm. In the foyer, you may check in and head to the heather table to get your fresh corsage. Visit the local Celtic group tables, grab a refreshment, and catch up with old friends. The recep-tion fun continues in the whisky tasting room. Enjoy a dram or two of fine Scotch whiskies generously donated and hosted by Southern Glaz-er s Wine and Spirits, and supplier Pernod Ricard USA, along with Rick Edwards (a third generation Scottish-American), Master of Scotch and National Ambassador for Pernod Ricard USA.

4 Visit the Whisky Raffle table to buy your tickets for your chance at winning five bottles of yes, FIVE! Be sure you have picked up your tickets at the door by 5:50 PM as the program begins promptly at 6:00 pm and you will want to be seated by then. Shortly before 6:00 pm, the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band will lead you into the dining room for the remainder of the evening s festivi-ties emceed by Past Chief, Lowell Patton. Sit back and enjoy the presentation of the Scot of the Year and haggis ceremony. The even-ing will culminate with a performance by the Sierra Highlanders Pipe Band. At the end of the evening, grab your neighbor s hand in friend-ship, and belt out your best version of Auld Lang Syne.

5 Robert Burns Celebration Dinner Chief s Corner Welcome to a new year and a new decade from your new chief! To introduce My name is Ann McAlpine - or Ann Marie, depending on how long you have known me. My parents are Doug (former chieftain, chief, and longtime NSSC board mem-ber and membership chair) and Janet (everything to everyone in NSSC) McAlpine. Through their participation in and dedication to Scottish Clans, I have been involved with the Society in one way, or another for over half my life. I started out like most, going to an occasional gathering, helping in the tent at the Celtic Celebra-tion, and attending Burns Celebration. About ten years ago, Liz Howe and Sue Buchanan asked if I would help sell raffle tickets at which led to helping set up the raffle which led to taking the Burns raffle chair then on to the chairperson for the entire Burns Cele-bration.

6 Next thing you know, I m Chieftain, and now Chief. It has been a long and unexpected trip I have some big shoes to fill, and I look forward to getting started! NSSC kicks off the roaring 20s with some exciting events, and important First, the Burns Celebration Committee s year of work will soon come to the big day is Saturday, January 25. I hope you have made your reservations to attend NSSC s 39th annual celebration of Scotland s beloved bard. In addition to enjoying music, dancing, whisky, raffle items, and HAGGIS, you get the chance to celebrate (or share) your heritage all while supporting the goals of Nevada Society of Scottish Clans. As if Burns Celebration in January were not enough, our new chieftain, Larry Handy, has ar-ranged an outstanding February gathering.

7 We will be treated to a wonderful mini concert by Fiddlers2 (see info in the newsletter). This fall, I had the pleasure of seeing these two women perform as part of the Celtic Music Series at the Brewery Arts Center in Carson City. They were don t miss out! The February gathering leads me to one of this new year s important changes. Board members spent several days in long-term planning meetings over the past year. After much discussion, we decided to try out some alternate locations for the monthly gatherings. While we have been very fortunate to use the room at the Premiere Residence, we heard from quite a few people that parking has been an Issue .

8 We are hopeful the new locations will be accessible and will draw more people to the monthly gatherings we d love to see you! February s gathering will be held at Pine Middle School. The other important change the Board has decided to pursue is moving our membership man-agement to an online platform. This move will require a bit of time and effort to start but should make the process much easier going forward. The program is called MemberPlanet - hopefully you have already seen the email we sent in December. There is an article in this newsletter about MemberPlanet. With all the usual and new goings-on at NSSC, there is no better time to step up and get involved.

9 Do you have a program idea for one of the monthly gatherings, or even a short pro-gram you could present? Would you like to help plan an event, take on a committee, or volun-teer at Burns, Celtic Celebration, or the Christmas party? Do you have a special skill or exper-tise, or know someone who do you own a business, or have contact with locals who might be interested in supporting NSSC s goals? There are so many ways to be more you don t need to take the 25-year route that I have! T oraidh (who knew it was spelled like this!), Ann Page 2 2020 Committee Chairs Burns Celebration: Ann McAlpine . 828-2364 Celtic Celebration Liaison: Sam Hatley.

10 815-3612 Tent: Sam Hatley .. 815-3612 Chaplain: Robert Bledsaw .. 720-1156 Christmas Party: Sam Hatley .. 815-3612 Email: Janet McAlpine .. 826-4204 Fund Raising: Lowell Patton .. 686-0521 Genealogist: Richard Dalton .. 745-5986 Grants: Anne Macko .. 827-2330 Hearts & Flowers: Pat Puchert .. 360-5424 Historian: Lowell Patton .. 686-0521 Kirkin Liaison: Gary Oswald .. 544-8117 Logistics: Sam Hatley .. 815-3612 Media: Steve Frady .. 813-6911 Membership: Anne Macko .. 827-2330 MemberPlanet Larry Handy .. 786-5294 Jim McLane .. 853-2827 Ann McAlpine .. 843-2208 Janet McAlpine .. 826-4204 Memorials: Doug McAlpine .. 826-4204 Newsletter Editor: Lowell Patton.