Shasta Celtic Society PO Box 993595 Redding, CA 96099

1

THE PREZ SEZ Christmas is over and as I was taking down the

decorations, I pondered over all that we as a Society have accomplished this year.

Our first event of the year was our annual Burns Night Supper that we put on each January in honor of the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns. It is coming up again on January 22, and promises to be an exceptional night of Celtic entertainment. Be sure to get your reservations in by January 10th.

March brought our first annual St. Paddy’s celebration featuring Irish music by Darby O’Gill and a yummy corn beef and cabbage dinner prepared by our own kilted cook, Herb Manoli.

Seamus Kennedy performed for us at Caldwell Recreation Center on April 30. He combined humor and music from his Northern Ireland heritage to keep us thoroughly entertained.

On August 21, several SCS members escaped the heat of Redding and met fellow members from Mt. Shasta at Shastice Park for a good old-fashioned ceilidh. Thanks to several talented members and their friends, we were treated to an afternoon of interactive entertainment. It was my personal favorite of the year.

By far the most ambitious project taken on by the SCS was the Natalie MacMaster concert at the newly refurbished Cascade Theatre on September 13. Thanks to the tireless efforts of our Entertainment Chairman, Chris Alexander, fiddle virtuoso Natalie played to a full house of nearly 1,000. The concert was a great success both from the level of entertainment our members received and from the large sum of money we were able to raise for the Red Cross in the process.

In November we managed to squeeze in two events. On November 6, thanks to the combined efforts of several of our members, the SCS put on a booth at the

Sheriff’s Cultural Heritage Awareness Festival at the Mt. Shasta Mall. We had the largest representation of members there and provided performances by our pipers, Scottish Country Dancers, Nuria’s Dance Acandemy, Gerry Smida and harpist Francis Mangels. Our second event in November was Celts & Coffee at the Turtle Bay gift shop on November 12. Between performances by The Blarney Pilgrims, Gerry Smida and Nuria’s Dance Academy, we were able to mingle with fellow Celtic enthusiasts and enjoy coffee and pastries provided by our members. Thanks, by the way, to all of you who provided those goodies. The left-over cookies were taken to Point Man, a Veterans organization. (See letter, page 2.)

The year was topped off with a festive Christmas dinner at The Keep in Palo Cedro on December 4. While dining on Cornish game hen or prime rib, we were treated to a display of unusual talent involving spoons by several of our members. (See photos, page 4.)

As the New Year begins, our goal is to continue to provide activities of a Celtic nature to our membership. Chris is already busy lining up musical groups and

coordinating our annual events. (See article, page 3.) If you have a special group you would like to see in concert, join us at our monthly meeting on the third Monday of the month or e-mail me at lgsimple@yahoo.com. My New Year’s

resolution is to meet as many members as possible, so I hope you’ll all try to attend a Society function soon!

Best wishes for the coming New Year!

----Linda Simpson,Linda Simpson,Linda Simpson,Linda Simpson, PresidentPresidentPresidentPresident

The Newsletter of the Shasta Celtic Society January-February 2005, Vol . 9, No. 1 NEWSNEWSNEWSNEWS

LETTER TO SCS Surplus cookies from Celts & Coffee were donated to Point Man of North-

ern California. The following letter was received from them shortly thereafter.

Linda Simpson and the Shasta Celtic Society,

Thank you for your donation of cookies to Point Man of Northern California. As a 501 c (3) non-profit organization, we depend solely on contributions such as yours to meet our needs in serving veterans. We thank you for your gener-ous consideration and support of our outreach to veterans. We could not have assisted the hundreds of individuals coming into our center without your help. Thank you for caring, remembering and supporting our veterans.

In service to others, Lee Craig Director

The

Bla

rney

Pilg

rims (

l to

r):

Cal

eb C

ox,

Wen

dy W

endt

, Bob

Cas

tner

&

Jim

Roh

rbac

h.

THE KOOKIE KORNER

We the young and even-younger-at-heart gals,

All together, as if for years we have been pals;

Weather outside ranged from wet, cloudy and grey,

Yet off we go to look, purchase and for many, we play.

Flour, eggs, butter, toppings;

one, two and three, Pans, cutters; round, square

and submarines. On the ground everywhere you

go, is not this year’s snow, But flour and dough from head

to toe, and then again, more flour and dough.

Mix it, stir it, lump it in a ball, Roll it, cut it, don’t eat it all! Now into the oven by dozens

one to forty-three, Till out they come, one by one,

hot, tasty, sweet, The gooey ones best of all.

Hands to yourself now,

Got to save them for the eve of Celts & Coffee

For you and for me.

Many, many thanks to each and every one of you who volunteered time and effort to bake, purchase, deliver, set up, hand out, and assist with clean up. You know who you are; there are too many names to list here! Without your help the night would not have been such a success. Your willingness to come forward and help on short notice is deeply appreciated. Mark those calendars for the same time next year – I’ll be calling again! ----The Kookie Korner's Keltic KatThe Kookie Korner's Keltic KatThe Kookie Korner's Keltic KatThe Kookie Korner's Keltic Kat

(Kitty Seiler)(Kitty Seiler)(Kitty Seiler)(Kitty Seiler) Too... many… cookies...

Ger

ry S

mid

a an

d g

ue

st fid

dle

r, Rud

i Mid

dlet

on, 1

1.

Co

oki

e-a

nd

-co

ffe

e-f

ille

d lo

vers

of C

elti

c m

usi

c.

The Kilted Cook, Herb Manoli, making yet another vat of coffee.

Gerry’s best friend, Spot.

Celts Celts Celts Celts & CoffeeCoffeeCoffeeCoffee PhotosPhotosPhotosPhotos

2

3

Shasta Scottish Country Dancers

(l to r): Lindsay Williams,

Allegra Weaver, Linda Simpson &

Tyler Williams

Harpist Francis Mangles & fiddler

Olive Donaldson

ENTCOM FORECAST The Entertainment

Committee has finally recovered from the Natalie MacMaster concert and is looking at 2005 with renewed enthusiasm, with an eye toward more fun. Things in progress:

• The return of Dervish — maybe on March 11 to kick off the week of the Irish. They took Redding by storm a year ago and the feedback was so very positive.

• Scottish High Tea this spring if possible. We need a place to hold it so if you know of a recreation room, church or other suitable venue, please let us know. The Millville Grange or Old City Hall would be nice. This time we have our own insurance so we can consider more places. Let me know.

• Then it’s summer and picnic time. Mt. Shasta was fun, but other parks here or there would be nice also.

• September concert. • Kirkin’ of the Tartan in

the fall. • Celts & Coffee. • Christmas Dinner.

And there you have it — the year is over!

Oh! But of course we’ll see you at our Burns Night Supper coming up in a few short weeks. Looking forward to sharing a wee dram or two with you!

----Chris Alexander,Chris Alexander,Chris Alexander,Chris Alexander, Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment Entertainment

Committee ChairpersonCommittee ChairpersonCommittee ChairpersonCommittee Chairperson

Photos from the Sheriff’s Cultural Heritage Awareness Festival

Bob Elrick

Nor

m B

irket

t & S

hirle

y P

ritch

ett

Th

e m

ost

co

lorf

ul a

nd

bu

sy b

oo

th a

t th

e fe

stiv

al

Shasta Scottish Country Dancers (l to r): Jacquie Whittingham, Tyler Williams, Lindsay Williams, Allegra Weaver, Margaret Schlobohm & Linda Simpson

HAGGIS: THE WAY MUM ALWAYS MADE IT It seems like every year about this time people

are looking for a recipe for haggis and can’t find one. I’ve come upon a book written by John “Scotty” Murray titled Traditional Scottish Cook Book that contains a bevy of recipes including one for haggis. I will share with you Scotty’s haggis recipe for your… enjoyment?

~Bob Skinner~Bob Skinner~Bob Skinner~Bob Skinner

HAGGIS

The preparation: Toast the oatmeal until brown. Clean the bag

thoroughly. Wash it in cold water and turn inside out and scrape it with a knife. Soak overnight in cold salted water. Wash the pluck well. Put in a saucepan, cover with cold water and bring to a boil. Leave the windpipe hang over the side of the saucepan to let out any impurities. Change the water after 5 minutes. Boil for 1.5 hours. Remove from the saucepan and cut away any pipes and gristle. Mince the heart, lights and beef suet together. Grate half the liver and add to the mixture. Skin and finely chop the onions and add with the oatmeal. Season with salt and pepper and the pinch of cayenne (if liked). When cold, add enough of the liquid that the pluck was boiled in (beef stock) to make a mixture with a soft dropping consistency. Fill the stomach so that it is just over half full, leaving plenty of room for the mixture to swell. Sew the bag securely and boil slowly for 3 hours in the remaining stock from the pluck. Top with water as necessary to keep the haggis covered. As soon as the bag begins to swell, prick it all over with a large needle to prevent it from bursting. Serve very hot with mashed potatoes and turnips. *The heart, liver and lungs of an animal or fowl. **The hard fat that accumulates around the kidney

& loins of sheep, beef cattle and hogs from which tallow or leaf lard is rendered.

Ingredients: The large stomach bag

of a sheep 3 medium sized onions The pluck* including

the heart, liver and lights

Pinch of cayenne 8 oz of beef suet** 4 oz coarse oatmeal Salt Pepper

4

PHOTOS OF CHRISTMAS DINNER AT THE KEEP

A

NIGHT

OF

FUN

AND...

SPOONS

!

On

e e

nd

of th

e ta

ble

Th

e o

the

r si

de

of th

e ta

ble

Helen Allasia, triumphant, and Ken Cooney

Laurie Burk… needs to stick to editing

Jordan Burk, 11, shows ‘em how it’s done

Chris Alexander, spoon-incident instigator (who else?)

It’s a meditative experience

for Kelly Brauning

5

MUSIC REVIEW: LAND OF LIGHT By William Jackson, Mills Music Publishing

On one of my travels this last year, I visited Asheville, North Carolina. At a Scottish store there I bought a CD called Land of Light by William Jackson.

Now, how many of you knew that Scotland had a new national anthem? Not me; I guess I need to get out more.

Land of Light was the winning entry in the popular Song for Scotland Competition. William Jackson, or Billy as the store owner called him, wrote both the lyrics and the music to Land of Light.

O Land of Light

Ancient and Strong Land of Justice, and Hope of the Young

Land of the Glen, and shining River

Scotland my Homeland forever Scotland my Homeland forever

Freedom and Truth

Music and Verse Carried aflame to the Ends of the Earth Dear to my Heart, where e’er I wander

Scotland my Homeland forever Scotland my Homeland forever

Now dawns the Age Now comes the Call

Carry Science and Learning to All God, be our Guide and leave Us never

Scotland my Homeland forever Scotland my Homeland forever

To be honest I was expecting, you know… drums

and bagpipes. Heart-lifting music. Marching music. A song that makes you stand up and take your hat off! Or maybe visions of a lone piper at the side of the road, overlooking Aberfoyle and its brown autumn ferns, heather and thistle on winter-grey stones, a cold wind at his back, each note crying of Culloden as the city below serves English lunches to tourists.

Maybe some of you will have this sort of experience. I did not. For me it was more like a politically correct Christmas (oops, “holiday”) story. Like lite beer; like scotch and soda without the scotch.

Mairi MacInnes, who sings the song, has a beautiful voice. And the band is comprised of outstanding musicians: William Jackson (wire harp, whistle, flute),

Scottish-music critic, SCS News writer and expert “spooner” Mike Bunten and his better half, Helen Allasia

Keith Easdale (pipes), Tony McManus (guitar), Ronnie Goodman (percussion) and Ewen Vernal (bass). Maybe, like so many other Celtic things (scotch for example), appreciation is dependant upon the moment in which it is served.

Certainly there are other songs on the CD (I usually say “album,” but that dates me) worth taking the time to listen to. But they are overshadowed by the four cuts of the anthem, one of which is in Gaelic.

Nonetheless, if you have a chance to pick up Land of Light, it is worth having in your collection. I am glad I purchased mine. I put it on for the dogs when I go to the store. After all, they are Scotties.

----Mike BuntenMike BuntenMike BuntenMike Bunten of the Grahams of Menteithof the Grahams of Menteithof the Grahams of Menteithof the Grahams of Menteith

SHASTA CELTIC SOCIETY DIRECTORY ADDRESS: PO Box 993595, Redding, CA 96099

WEB SITE: http://www.c-zone.net/scelt/

OFFICERS PRESIDENT – Linda Simpson (223-2651) TREASURER – Peggy Randolph (347-0825) SECRETARY – Helen Allasia (221685)

DIRECTORS AT LARGE Laurie Burk Herb Manoli Shirley Pritchett

ENT.COM CHAIR – Chris Alexander (547-5517) MEMBERSHIP CHAIR – Linda Simpson (223-2651) NEWSLETTER EDITOR – Laurie Burk (347-0849) ASST. EDITOR – Chris Newton (cjnewton45@hotmail.com) PUBLIC CONTACT – Bob Elrick (941-2238) WEBGUY – Carl Skinner (celtguy@sbcglobal.net)

CELTIC DOINGS, JUST O’ER THE BRAE Tuesdays: Music & Mead Night

Blarney Pilgrims & Lorraine Dechter The Keep, Palo Cedro, CA 530/241-5246

Thursdays: Scottish Country Dance Classes at 6:30 PM Millville Grange Hall, Palo Cedro, CA 530/472-1154

SCS News was printed by Minuteman Press 1619 A Hilltop Drive, Redding, CA, 96002, 530/221-0400

Thank you, Minuteman Press!

6

CELTIC CALENDAR January 17 Monday

SCS Monthly Meeting, 6:30 PM at Holiday Inn, 1900 Hilltop Drive, Redding. Meet in the café area between the restaurant and conference rooms. Burns Night Committee meeting directly following. For more Society information, please contact Bob Elrick at 941-2238.

January 22 Saturday

Eighth Annual Burns Night Supper, a gala event honoring the life and works of poet Robert Burns, at the Holiday Inn on Hilltop Drive, Redding. Gathering begins at 4:30 PM, dinner seating at 5:30 PM and ceremonies commence at 6 PM. Tickets are $35 each. Paid reservations must be made before January 10. For donations to the raffle, please call Diane Elrick at 246-3603. For more information, please call Linda at 223-2651.

CELTIC DOINGS, FAR AND AWA’

1/8 North Coast Scottish Society’s 12th Night Dinner Ferndale, CA 707/822-1065

1/9 Golden Bough’s 25th Anniversary Reunion Concert 8 PM; Winters Opera House Winters, CA 530/795-1825 www.palmsplayhouse.com

1/13 Golden Bough 7:30 PM; Red Bluff High School PAC Red Bluff, CA www.tehamacommunityconcerts.org

1/22 Tempest and Wicked Tinkers 8 PM; Veterans Memorial Theater Davis, CA 209/293-7421

1/28 Natalie MacMaster 7:30 PM; Laxson Auditorium, CSU, Chico Chico, CA 530/898-6333

1/29 North Coast Scottish Society’s Burns Night Supper RSVP by January 19 Fortuna, CA 707/443-9637

3/12 Trinity Irish Dance 7:30 PM; Laxson Auditorium, CSU, Chico Chico, CA 530/898-6333

3/12-13 Calaveras Celtic Faire Angel’s Camp, CA 209/532-8375 www.calaverascelticfaire.com

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

Barnaby Barrett, Burnt Ranch Catherine Riley, Redding

Larry & Doreen Waugh, Redding Peggi & Ben Rodgers, Redding

Molly Navarro, Redding

Céad míle fàilte! (A hundred thousand welcomes!)