February 2013
It has been busy around The Rooms since the beginning of the new year. The third floor project has been moving forward and will be completed by the time of our March stated meeting. Thanks to Peter McLetchie, Norman Rice, James Sinkins, and Roger Creighton for their help and guidance in choosing paint color and carpet designs. Our Burns’ Night was a great success thanks to the planning and work of Bruce Newell and Pat Foy. We enjoyed a delicious dinner, honored Burns and raised over $900 for the general fund. We enjoyed the usual Scottish conviviality at a Malt Tasting on January 15. Thanks to Nixon McMillan and Charles Marshall the presenters for the evening and to Peter McLetchie who planned the evening. On February 2, along with the National Trust of Scotland (USA) and the Albany Institute of History and Art, we sponsored a presentation at the Institute on “Jewels of Scandal and Country Houses” by Curt DiCamillo, former executive director of the National Trust. We thank Pat Foy our liaison to the National Trust for organizing the event. A group attended a performance of the Black Watch Pipe Band at Proctor’s on February 1 and gathered for dinner prior to the performance. Thanks to Jay Higle for putting the evening together.
The membership voted at the January stated meeting to postpone action on the Constitutional amendments to the May stated meeting. Those amendments will be sent to the membership two week before the May meeting.
Our treasurer reminds us that our cash flow depends on everyone paying their dues on time. If you have not yet paid yours, it is imperative that you do so immediately. The Constitution provides that members who are six months in arrears are considered not to be in good standing and are prohibited from voting. Our fiscal year begins November 1 so April 30 is the end of the six month period. Reminder notices have been sent out so please send your check to our Treasurer.
The gift from Roger Creighton has made it possible for us to contract with an architect to evaluate the ground floor (or basement) to determine how the space might be used. The gift was designated for that purpose. We will publish the results of the study when it is completed.
There has been discussion about the 8 o’clock beginning time of our stated meetings. While the Constitution specifies the dates of the meetings, the time is at the convenience of the membership. I am going to add a discussion of a proposal to change the time of our meetings to the agenda of the May stated meeting.
For your records and information, these are the committee assignments for 2013
House Committee: Ed Lass, Chairperson; Members: Eric Benson, Andrew Bigness, Willard Bruce, Richard Hixon, Bruce Newell, John Scott
Garden Committee: Peter McLetchie, James McPhee, Don Macintyre, Charles Marshall, Jack McEneny
Finance/Audit Committee: Timothy Thornton, Chairperson; Members: Tom Goodfellow, Willard Bruce
Program Committee: Peter McLetchie
Endowment Committee: Ed McEwan, Chairperson; Members: David Hasso, Peter McLetchie
House Stewards: Andrew Bigness, Daniel Graves, John Scott
House Manager: Peter McLetchie
The March stated meeting is traditionally Ladies’ Night. We have a very special program lined up for the evening. The recipient of the Tunnicliffe Foundation award, Fiona Beaton, will receive the award and present a program of Scottish Dance. Our Stewards are planning very special refreshments for the evening. So, bring your lady to the meeting on March 14 at 8:00 p.m. The Stewards are asking that you let us know if you will be attending and bringing a guest. Send me a note (revshook@aol.com) or give me a call (518-487-8952).
UPCOMING EVENTS
Malt Tasting on March 19 at 7:30 p.m. Details will be announced.
Book Club on April 3 at 7:00. We will discuss the book Killing Lincoln by Bill O’Reilly.
Aye yours,
Joe
Joseph W. Shook, President