Hope this note finds you all well, cheerful and most likely longing for spring after a long winters repast. This note serves as a reminder that its but a few days more than two weeks till our annual “Whisky Tasting Workshop” will take place and since more than a few of you folks expressed an interest in attending quite some time ago I thought it prudent to contact you at this time to ensure you’re interest is secure and to suggest you mark your calendars that you might not forget this highlight of the year.

            Many of you have attended our workshops in the past but there are always a few new faces each year and this year is no different, therefore if you will bear with me for the benefit of the new folks joining us this year, I’ll explain and pass along some information on what you may expect when attending our tasting …

Frank Scott and his wife Jackie are our hosts each year and will take us so skillfully through all the facets of whisky from its earliest beginnings to how best to enjoy the “Nectar of the Gods” we hold in a glass today  … Frank Scott is considered and recognized as an expert in malt whiskey, his and Jackie’s bar  “The Lunar Rogue” in Fredericton is rated by Whisky Magazine as one of the world’s best whisky bars. Frank has a wonderfully smooth and clear way of expressing himself with regard to whisky and I would wager there would be very few questions that could be asked of him that he could not answer completely and in a manner so clearly understandable, you will be pleasantly surprised with his knowledge of whisky, he’s a great teacher and you should learn a lot from Frank …

Our workshop this year will feature “Classic Distillers Editions” all can be purchased in New Brunswick (if not sold out) and I’ve noted the cost of each … The lineup is noted below:

•        Coal Ila Distillers Edition …            $99.99

•        Lagavulin …                                    $119.99

•        Cragganmore …                               $79.99

•        Dalwhinnie …                                 $89.99

•        Oban …                                           $109.99

•        Talisker Isle of Skye …                   $82.98

 Our tastings are held each year in a wonderful venue, St. Andrew’s lounge of the St. John & St. Stephen Nursing home on University Avenue, this year’s date is Friday March 30th at 7:00PM … Cost is $50.00 per person … We limit the number of guests attending our workshops to (35) max. if possible … A couple of free gift draws and “heel” auction is held after the tasting  … We also provide a nice light lunch of sandwiches, cheese, tea and coffee before you go on your way at the close of the evening … And of course a “Wee Dram” or two of another nice malt is offered as we gather together for fellowship after the tasting …

It’s our belief we put on a class tasting and feel very confident you’ll not be disappointed … Hoping to see you all there on the 30th . Also I’ve heard from some of you already and appreciate your continued interest, those I’ve not heard from for quite some time I ask that you please contact me as soon as possible of your interest, we do have a waiting list and if you are unable to make it I could offer your seat to another. Also some of you have provided names of friends etc. that this note will not reach, if that is the case please consider this and either pass the note along or otherwise contact each of them to ensure they are aware of our upcoming tasting that they might not miss out on this great event.

 Yours Aye

John Watson

Society treasurer

657-3760

333-7684

sjwatson@nbnet.nb.ca

Many of you may not know that this is the first Big Fundraising event for the Humanities Program at our new Dalhousie Medical School here in Saint John.

We are hoping people may make up tables – Call or Sue King for tickets 847-1758.

Robert Burns night celebration! Come and have fun! Pull out your kilts and tartans for a truly Scottish event !!!

A fun-filled evening of entertainment, interactive activities, Scottish Country dancing and a silent auction!

All proceeds to the Dalhousie Medicine NB Humanities program.

This program provides students in all health disciplines the opportunity to experience the arts and music as part of their training.

Featuring: The Sounds of THE C- The choir led by Director JANET KIDD

THE C Band- The Ceilidh band under direction of Doctor Wendy Stewart The AussieScots Duo-Dr. Wendy Stewart and Sue King Saturday January 28th, 2012 At 7pm,

Simonds Lions Club, Loch Lomond Road, Saint John Tickets: $25 Available from DMNB at 636-6000, choir and band members. Includes traditional Scottish morsels /snacks Wear Scottish attire if you choose! Great Silent Auction items ! Only a limited number are available – get yours now!!!

Slainte mhor agus a h-uile beannachd duibh!

(Good health and every good blessing to you!)

 THE SAINT ANDREW’S SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN

Events

2012

Burns Supper

Friday, 20 January 2012

Our Annual Burns Supper to be held at Riverside Country Club. Refreshment 6:30 PM, supper served 7:30PM, More details soon.

Quarterly Meeting

Thursday, 2 February 2012

Our first Quarterly meeting of the year.

Meetings are held at St. Andrew’s lounge of the St. John & St. Stephen Nursing home on University Avenue, 7:00PM.

Great fellowship, lunch and fine Whisky following meeting.

Please make every effort to attend…..and Wear your KILT!

Annual Whisky Tasting

Friday, 30 March 2012

Annual Whisky Tasting to be held at St. Andrew’s lounge of the St. John & St. Stephen Nursing home on University Avenue, 7:00PM.

Celebrated Whisky expert Mr. Frank Scott of Fredericton explains and teaches the finer points of (5) of the finest single malt Whiskies. A wonderful and most successful event in our Society’s calendar….Limited Seating available, book early.

Tartan Day

Friday, 6 April 2012

Tartan Day Celebrations….Kilted Scotsmen in vast numbers gather on the steps of City hall on King Street at 11:00AM with the Mayor and other dignitaries for a short ceremony to hoist The Saltire up the flag pole to have it fly for all to see it fly over the city. And what Tartan day would be complete without the “Gathering” at “Pete’s Pub” located in the shops of City hall.

Quartely Meeting

Thursday, 3 May 2012

Quarterly meeting to be held in the St. Andrew’s Lounge of the Church of St. John and St. Stephen Nursing Home on University Avenue.Please make every effort to attend and whenever possible WEAR YOUR KILT!

Loyal Company Ball

Saturday, 5 May 2012

Loyal Company Ball, Held at the Delta Hotel. More details to come.

Annual Fredericton Highland Games

July 27-29, 2012

Fredericton Highland games..Held on the grounds of Old Government House in Fredericton, a great venue and most wonderful Scottish festival we can all be proud of…Our Society is a large contributor of funds to the games and is the supplier of the Wallace P. MacMurray Trophy presented to the best amateur piper of the games.

Quarterly Meeting

Thursday, 2 August 2012

Our third Quarterly meeting of the year. Held at the St. Andrew’s Lounge of the St. John & St. Stephen nursing home on university Avenue. 7:00PM… Lunch, great gathering of members and friends, and of course a sampling of fine whisky follow each meeting…...WEAR YOUR KILT!

Annual Meeting

Thursday, 1 November 2012

Annual Meeting and election of 2011 Officers. Held at the St. Andrew’s Lounge of the St. John & St. Stephen nursing home on university Avenue. 7:00PM… Lunch, great gathering of members and friends, and of course a sampling of fine Whisky follow each meeting…...WEAR YOUR KILT!

For more information about any of these events please call 657-3760.

SOCIETY OF SAINT JOHN

Founded 1798

www.sassj.ca

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 25, 2011 – Fredericton
NEW BRUNSWICK SCOTTISH-CULTURAL ASSOCIATION (NBSCA)

 Tickets for Burns Statue Re-Unveiling Dinner On Sale Now

On 10 September 2011, the last chapter in the restoration story of the statue of Robbie Burns, which has stood on the Fredericton Green since 1906, will finally be closed, when the refurbished statue will be re-unveiled in a special ceremony featuring a keynote address by the Hon. Graydon Nicholas, Lieutenant-Governor of NB. Starting off the ceremony will be a parade of pipers and drummers along Queen Street from City Hall to the Beaverbrook Art Gallery. The parade will kick off at 2:30pm, and the official ceremony will begin at 3:00pm.

The organizing committee is chaired by Llewellyn Smith, President and CEO of the New Brunswick Scottish-Cultural Association, and contains representatives from the same four Scottish Societies which funded the casting and erection of the statue more than a century ago: the Fredericton Society of St. Andrew, the Highland Society of NB at Miramichi, the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, and the Caledonian Society of Restigouche.

This poignant ceremony, made possible by a dedicated push to have the statue returned to its former glory by New Brunswickers from across the province, and by the generosity of J.K. and Jean Irving (who will unveil the statue), will be followed by a formal dinner at 6:00pm celebrating the re-unveiling at the Fredericton Convention Centre.

The organizers are inviting the public to make plans to attend this very special dinner, which will feature a three-course meal, including haggis and all the trimmings. Participants will be treated to traditional Scottish entertainment, including Highland Dancing, a Gaelic Choir, “SONAS,” and performances by Pipe and Drum bands from across New Brunswick. A special keynote address will be offered by Rev. Ivan Gregan, a charming and humourous United Church clergyman with Miramichi roots. Other features will include the piping in of the haggis.

The weekend will be rounded off on Sunday morning at 11:00am with a special church service at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 512 Charlotte Street.

This series of events will constitute the premiere Scottish cultural event of 2011 in New Brunswick. Supporters of the Celtic culture will be attending from all parts of the province to take part in this exciting celebration.

Tickets are available at outlets in Miramichi (Scotts Pharmasave and Dickison’s Pharmasave); Saint John (Pete’s Pub – Shoppes of City Hall); and Fredericton (Lunar Rogue). If you don’t live close to one of these cities, tickets may also be purchased by contacting the NBSCA at membership@nbscots.com.

BACKGROUND

The New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association (www.nbscots.com) was founded in 1980, and represents the provinces Scottish cultural communities and organizations, acting as both an information resource and promoter/defender of the Scots and their descendants who have contributed to New Brunswick’s economic, social, political, and cultural development. The Fredericton Society of St. Andrew, the Highland Society of NB at Miramichi, the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, and the Caledonian Society of Restigouche, all have rich histories of promoting the Scottish culture, as well as helping fellow New Brunswickers in need through, collectively,  centuries worth of community projects and charitable works.

–
Barry R. MacKenzie

Media Contact: Barry R. MacKenzie

Communications

New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

communications@nbscots.com

1-506-454-9589(h) or 1-506-238-1039(c)

Or

David Nickerson, President, Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John

506-8479343 or 506-647-9343

Nickersons.wehe@bellaliant.net

On June 16, 2010 Mayor Court received a letter from Mrs. Nan Hagan Gorman, wife of the long serving mayor of Hazard, Kentucky. Mrs. Gorman advised that her great, great grandfather, Lauchlan Donaldson, was twice Mayor of Saint John, 1829-1833 and 1843-1847. He was born in Elgin Scotland in 1786, came to Saint John at an early age, became a successful merchant and took an active part in community affairs .He died in 1873.

He introduced the water supply in Saint John while in office as Mayor. Mrs. Gorman and her husband visited Saint John and Sam Davis showed them around and gave them a tour of City Hall.

At Fern Hill they found the tombstone of Laughlan’s wife, Alexandrina Sophia Gilbert Donaldson. Lauchlan’s stone had been destroyed by a fallen tree during a storm in the 1950s. In a letter of last year she sought a local organization to assist in getting the stone replaced. She mentioned that her ancestor had been very active in the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, hence the letter was passed on to the Society, who happily agreed to look after this project for Mrs. Gorman. This has now been accomplished. Mrs. Gorman’s husband passed away last fall after serving as Mayor of Hazard for 32 years. She was elected mayor as a write in candidate. Mayor Nan Gorman will be arriving in Saint John with her daughter and ten year old grandson; her brother, his wife and their daughter on July 20th.

The City of Saint John and the Saint Andrew’s Society have organized a DEDICATION SERVICE jointly sponsored by the two organizations. We trust that there will be a good turnout to recognize Mayor Gorman and her family and the Mayor who initiated the City’s water system.

We expect a good turnout of members of the Saint Andrew’s Society.

This advance notice was prepared by Jim McKenzie, immediate past president of the Saint Andrew’s Society.

For more information please contact:

Jim McKenzie Past President Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, 832-5334

Laurie Hossack VP Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, 847-4420

David Nickerson Current President Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John, 847-9343

At 11:00 AM on April 6th, 2011, in front of Saint John City Hall the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John along with Councilor Chris Titus will raise the flag of Scotland to celebrate this date in history and to celebrate the Government of Canada’s recognition of this important date for Scots and their descendants in Canada.

Since being declared Tartan Day by the Province of New Brunswick on April 6th 1993 and now the Government of Canada, Mayor Ivan Court has proclaimed Tartan Day in the City of Saint John on April 6^th.

Last year ScotDance NB presented the City of Saint John with its own Tartan as a legacy gift to the City for hosting the 2007 Canadian Championship Series. In turn, Mayor Ivan Court presented the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John with a length of the new city Tartan on Saint Andrew’s Day on November 30^th 2010 and it has been proudly displayed at Burns Night and other Saint Andrew’s Society functions since.

“By officially recognizing this day, we encourage Canadians all across the country to celebrate the contributions that over four million Canadians of Scottish heritage continue to make to the foundation of our country” says Senator John Wallace.

Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John President David Nickerson invites all Scots and their descendants to help celebrate Tartan Day by wearing some Tartan and joining the kilted gentleman of the Saint Andrew’s Society of Saint John as we raise the Saltire in front of City Hall.

Below is the proclamation from Minister James Moore.

For more information please call 847-9343

Founded 1798

www.sassj.ca

January 10 2011,

Open Letter to Mayor Brad Woodside and Council

Fredericton, N.B.

Your Worship

Let me be one of the first to congratulate you and council on your very positive announcement to finalize the work needed to re-install the W.G. Stevensen statue of Scotland’s favorite poet Robert Burns.  The Scots of New Brunswick are indeed most fortunate to have had Jean and J.K. Irving step up to donate the needed funds to complete the work.

We all look forward to seeing Burns return this summer to the Green.  As you said in the council chamber tonight it was a wonderful gesture on their part.  We join you in your excitement at the prospect of celebrating the completion of this work this summer in fine style.  The fact that J.K. Irving said to “ get it done and send him the bill” is further proof that we have a province full of proud and generous Scots who are proud of their heritage.

From “John Barleycorn: A Ballad”:

“Then let us toast John Barleycorn,

Each man a glass in hand;

An may his great posterity

Ne’er fail in old Scotland

Thank you for reconsidering the completion of the restoration of Burns and on your plans to return him to public display as soon as it is advisable to do this summer.  I’m sure Scots around Fredericton, New Brunswick and the world will be proud to see him  standing again in our provincial capital as Fredericton’s first public art erected in 1906.

We look forward to celebrating with you this summer after the completion of this very important project.  And parading from City Hall to the statue site for another unveiling ceremony.

From “Auld Lang Syne”:

And here’s a hand my trusty fiere,

And Gie’s a hand o’ thine;

And we’ll tak’ a right gude-willy waught,

For auld lang syne.

Thank You, your council and the Jean and J.K. Irving again for giving the Scots back their national poet.

“Lang may yer lum reek

Wi’ ither folks coal”