Volume 36, No. 3 May 2015
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Greetings Gentlemen of the Society:
The Roof Garden of the Manhattan Club – Ken Kuck, Bill Burke, James McCann, James McPhee, Frank Alguire, Jay Higle, Patrick Foy and Rich Hixon.
Ed McEwan held our creed “Faire Sans Dire” to the highest level throughout his life. He was very dedicated to his family as well as to helping others. Ed was our treasurer for over 35 years, as well as his father and grandfather before him. My last time with Ed was at the St. Andrews Nicht in November at the Fort Orange Club. During our conversation Ed was concerned more about his wife, Nancy than himself. As Lesley Craigie sang standing next to Ed, he had his eyes closed and wonderful smile on his face. We will miss Ed. He was the epitome of a gentleman.
On April 16, members Frank Alquire, Rich Hixon, Bill Burke. Jay Higle, James McPhee, James McCann and Patrick Foy were honored to represent the Society at the Tartan Day parade in New York City. We carried our banner with the Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York in the front of a mile-long parade consisting of many pipe bands, Celtic dancers, and other Scottish societies, as well as members of the Scottish Parliament, Scotty dogs and much more. Preceding the parade, we met at the St. Andrew’s Scottish Restaurant and Bar for some Belhaven beers and food. After the parade we were invited to the Manhattan Club Resort where we were entertained on the elegant roof garden by James McPhee and Mary. It was a wonderful day. Thanks to Jim and Mary for their hospitality. Oh, and yes, Jay walked the entire parade.
Those members who did not attend the Ladies Night on March 12th missed a wonderful speaker. Helen Sayles, Chairman of the Board, National Trust for Scotland Foundation showed us her beautiful CBE presented to her by Princess Anne. She talked about the economic difficulties facing Scotland and how we as members can help by mentoring and sponsoring future Scottish business students here in the USA.
2015 Dues. It has come to our attention that 27 percent of our members have not paid their 2015 dues. Statements were sent out early in November 2014. It is time consuming and a cost burden on the Society to keep sending out repeated notices to the members who are delinquent. Please be responsible members. Please keep in mind that members who don’t pay their dues are not in good standing. Sadly, you relinquish certain right’s to include a voice and vote at meetings of the Society. Please send your dues promptly to:
Charles Brown, CFA
Hugh Johnson Advisors
80 State Street, 4th Floor
Albany, NY 12207
A fine Tasting. Thanks to Peter McLetchie who presented a Jura Malt Prophecy and Gordon Peters who presented an Islay Malt Ardbeg Uigeadail on April 14th. Both gentlemen are a library of knowledge about Malts. Gordon was tested and given an “A” by Charles Brown. Gordon presented his malt with a fine food pairing. Both malts were slightly different but very tasty! We had a large turnout of members and guests.
Aye yours,
Pat
UPCOMING EVENTS
Stated Meeting, Thursday, May 14 at 7:00 p.m. at the Rooms. An amendment to the Constitution that will allow the admission of women as members of the Society will be discussed. The amendment and a survey of other societies were emailed/mailed to the membership on April 28th. This is a very important meeting for all members to attend.
Combination Work Day, Saturday May 16 at 9:30 a.m. at the Rooms. Garden Committee volunteers will perform spring cleanup. Those members are encouraged to bring rakes, leaf bags, garden utensils, gloves, some fertilizer and mulch etc. House Committee volunteers will work in the basement boiler room. Those volunteers should bring gloves, masks, brawn and misc. tools, etc. Contact Dick Powell for the boiler project. There are some smaller items in the Rooms that will be addressed as well.
Past Presidents Dinner, Friday May 29. You and your guests are most cordially invited to attend the Annual Dinner of the St. Andrew’s Society of the City of Albany, New York, to honor the Society’s Past Presidents. This Annual Dinner will be held at the Albany Country Club, 300 Wormer’s Road, Voorheesville, New York. There will be a social hour with cash bar starting at 6:00 p.m. Traditional toasts and presentation of the haggis will begin at 7:00 p.m., with dinner to follow. Maeghan Bielski, the 2014 Robert Tunnicliffe Heritage Foundation award recipient, will perform for us. The cost is $60.00 per person. The invitation accompanies this newsletter. Download the invitation here (PDF).
Albany House and Garden Tour, Thursday, June 25 at the Rooms. The Society will be a host for the annual Albany House and Garden Tour from 5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. The Rooms will be opened to the public upon admission by ticket. Plan to be a host by conducting tours, being a greeter, and standing as sentry. Highland dress is encouraged. Those members and their wives are invited to stay after for some wine and appetizers. Please bring something to share. It’s a lot of fun. In 2007 we had over 475 people visit the Rooms. If you and your spouse would like to volunteer, please contact President Foy.
ROSTER CHANGES
Ian Brasure – New Email Address
ian_brasure@yahoo.com
Maurice Drown – New Email Address
Pathways2thefuture@gmail.com
James McCann – New Email Address
jim.mccann267@gmail.com
Ed McEwan – Remove from the Roster
James McPhee – New Address
643 Meadows Lane
Newberry Estates
Dallas, PA 18612
Matt Waschull – New Email Address
matt0170@gmail.com