I debated on what to write about for my last newsletter. I was recently having lunch with a colleague from Ireland who asked me why Andrew was the patron saint of Scotland. I really didn’t have an answer for him so I went to the books. He of course was the brother of St. Peter and was Christ’s first apostle. He is claimed as the patron saint of many countries. I found two separate answers, one historic and one more fanciful but possibly a better story. St. Andrew taught the gospel through what we know today as the Ukraine and Russia. He was eventually crucified on what we now know as St. Andrew’s cross. Relics relating to him were carried throughout the ancient world. His remains were eventually taken to Constantinople however in 357 A.D. the Angels came to St. Regulus (re. St. Rule) in a dream and told him to take the bones of St. Andrews somewhere for safekeeping. He went to the sarcophagus in the city of Patras removing a number of his bones and sailed off through the Mediterranean and around the coast to the north. The ship was wrecked on rocks during a storm off the coast of Fife. The story goes that he was told by God to build a foundation of the church to house the relics; three fingers, an arm bone, a tooth, and part of a skull. This became the foundation of the Cathedral at St. Andrews, the largest cathedral in Scotland at that time.
This now takes us to 832. At this time Oengus II was a pictish king leading an army of the Picts and Scots in battle against the Angles. Again after visitation in his dreams he vowed that if he won that battle he would make St. Andrews the patron saint of Scotland. When he awoke the morning of the battle white clouds formed to make an ‘X’ in the sky and this was felt to be a sign of victory. His army went on to win that battle and now you know the rest of the story. Interestingly one of the largest of the pictish tribes were the Caledoni and thus we have the name oft used for Scotland, Caledonia.
It has been very busy since my last letter. Those of you attending the last stated meeting know that the neighborhood where we reside has been designated a historic district. Since that time the state has decided that our rooms deserve to specifically be listed on the states Registry of Historic Places. From my review this certainly would have some impact upon changes we might want to make to the front of the building but otherwise there are minimal restrictions and multiple opportunities for grants for improvements. Furthermore the state has sent the information they used on to Washington D.C. and have requested that the rooms be placed on the National Registry of Historic Places. I spoke to the head of the historic commission at our recent event and it would appear that a plaque for the door is in our near future.
This past Saturday, October 19th we had a joint program with the Albany Institute of History and Art. There was a panel discussion held at the Institute with an in-depth history of Alexander Hamilton. This was an excellent review and was well received. Following this the majority of those in attendance were piped across the street to the rooms for a catered meal and extensive events. Robert Mack kindly supplied fine bourbon for toasts that included a toast to Hamilton, a toast to the Coast Guard, and our traditional address to the haggis. Along with several fine trays of food we had multiple Scottish treats including the haggis, three different Scottish soups, the famous Graves meatballs, and shortbread. So many people took an active role in participating in the event and preparing for it, I’m reluctant to name names because I’m sure I will forget some. The actual activities at the Institute were arranged by Mr. Higle with a huge investment of effort and time. Mr. Graves, the non-steward, again organized the food while Mr. McLetchie tended bar and Mr. Thornton ran the front door. There was a successful auction and the event was self-supporting with leftover funds being donated to the Schuyler Mansion. Obviously multiple other members helped as well. Several weeks prior to the event we had a cleanup day with Mr. Peters directing improvements in the backyard and Mr. Hixon running repairs and cleanup of the rooms. Again many other members participated in these activities.
The next stated meeting of the society will be held on Thursday, November 14th. This will be a very important meeting because the slate of officers will be presented and voted on for next year. If accepted those officers will be installed at St. Andrews Nicht on Monday Dec. 2nd. The slate will be presented by Rev. Shook. It is as follows:
President – William Burke Board of Managers
first VP – Patrick Foy John Fenimore
second VP– Christopher Thornton Peter McLetchie
Sec. – Frank Alguire Gordon Peters
Treas. – Richard Beach Joseph Shook
Librarian/Historian – Willard Bruce Timothy Thornton
Physician – Richard MacDowell The president and treasurer of the society
Chaplain – Nixon McMillan are ex-officio voting members of the BOM
Over the next several months we have multiple scheduled activities. Our next participatory event is the Kirkin of the Tartan this coming Sunday (the 27th) at 9:45 a.m. at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Albany. A number of our members are involved in the Kirkin. Our next event is Remembrance Day. This will occur at 3 p.m. on Sunday November 10. This is at our society’s site at the Albany Rural Cemetery. This is an important function honoring our past members. Last year we had three people in attendance and I do believe that those who went before us deserve a little bit better turnout this year so please consider this. The next stated meeting of the Society will be on Thursday, November 14th. As I have stated this is an important meeting that will require a quorum to vote on the slate of officers and board of managers. To round out November we are hoping to have a malt tasting later in the month.
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday St. Andrews Nicht has been moved from November 30th to Monday, December 2nd. Mr. Burke has a fine program plan. Again the evening will begin with cocktails at the rooms followed by a parade to the Fort Orange club. The invitation should be going out in the next week and we are all hoping for a fine participation of our members and friends. We again plan a Christmas party with caroling. At this point the decoration party will occur on 12/8 when the children and grandchildren of the society are also invited to help with the decorations. The non-steward and his helpers put a lot into this event and it’s growing a little bit each year so I hope to see a lot of you their. I’m sure the cookies will be excellent. The actual Christmas start party will occur the following Sunday on December 15. Further details on both of these activities will be forthcoming however I am comfortable in stating that there will be plenty to eat and drink.
Finally Burns night will be held again this year at the Century House in Latham. This will be on Friday night, January 24th. Please place this on your calendar. We will have a new second VP and although we will help him greatly with the set up, if the invitations go out a little late I don’t want to hear any excuses that people didn’t know about the event. Questions have been raised about moving the event and possibly trying to have it back in the rooms again next year. We already had a commitment and it was just too late to do that this year. Also there are members who have requested that the events be held closer to their location in the North Country. If there are any strong feelings about a change in venue please raise this with the new president and second vice president.
I believe that we have seen real progress in the society over the past six years that I have spent as an officer. We still have a ways to go in membership and participation. There are members that have invested an extraordinary amount of time in working with and for the society. The number of active members does have to increase and that includes participation on committees but also just coming to the meetings the events and the other activities such as the tastings, picnics, and the book club. The society is way too valuable not to support. As for me it has been an honor, a privilege, and a pleasure to serve as president of the society. I look forward to many more years of strong growth. Thank you all for this opportunity and your support.
Let’s be serious, where else are we going to wear our kilts?