Agenda:

2:00 - 2:30: Gathering, informal conversation;
2:30: Reading of the Tartan Day Declaration – Sandy McKeen;
2:40 - 3:00: Bagpipe entertainment. Cultural discussion by participants;
3:00 - 4:15: Lecture: Scottish contributions to international financial economics – Professor Marsh;
{Note: this is the first hour of a Finance 444 course with, of course, regular students. All participants in the Tartan Day celebration are invited to attend, but must understand that the course resumes its normal meeting at about 4:15 - 4:30.}
4:15 - 4:30: Break after economics lecture and end of Tartan Day celebration activities at UH.

TARTAN DAY SING-ALONG - Sandy McKeen, Vice Chieftain and Tartan Day Coordinator

There will be a "Happy Hour Sing-Along" this coming Tartan Day, Wednesday, April 6 at O'Toole's Pub, 902 Nuuanu Avenue, Honolulu commencing at 5 pm and continuing until...... Expect an excellent time to be had by all. Scottish and Irish songs will be sung by James McCarthy, noted Celtic musician and seanachie and you will be expected to sing-along with James. The sing-along will be preceded by a wee bit of piping. The first 5 members to attend who bring along a friend who signs up for a new membership in the Caledonian Society at the sing-along will receive a free drink. So will the new member. Please RSVP by calling Sandy McKeen at 668-8810 or 285-3681.

“GO ARMY, BEAT NAVY!” BY Bob Brill

Military officers learn to be combative long before they earn their gold bars from the United States’ Military Academies. In the case of Grace’s son, Derek Kenmotsu, finishing his Third Year as a Cadet at West Point, he, like his classmates, learns the competitive and combative spirit in such "sport" as the annual Army versus Navy football game.

This annual confrontation between our most ancient and venerated military schools takes place every year at the Philadelphia Eagles’ own stadium in the very birthplace of American democracy. However, the Army-Navy game is so much more than that. First, it is between members of schools who become the generals and the admirals of the greatest military apparatus history has ever known. There is tremendous traditional pride in the balance of the outcome of the "game." Also, alma mater of the schools regard attendance as a personal obligation. Tailgating friends, family, and acquaintances obtain tickets to this event nearly a year ahead of the game, and it is always sold out!

Navy won, Army lost! After the game Grace, her oldest son, Curtis, and I took a cab to the Edgar Allan Poe House in that city, now operated by the National Park Service. After our research into Poe’s Scottish Connections, I would not have thought that anywhere in the Eastern U. S. where Poe had lived and worked would match our experiences in Ayrshire. However, both Grace and I actually could sense that we were in a place where, indeed, the greatest literary critic, thinker, and writer in America had accomplished some of his most profound and prolific work. The Raven and Eureka were written there.

I am grateful to know Grace’s son, Derek Kenmotsu. I admire his attendance at the Military Academy at West Point. I now have some of my research materials and published articles in the Poe File in the Archive Department of their Library. As some know, Poe was a superior cadet at West Point until his adoptive mother passed away and his adopted father married again.

FLOWERS OF THE FOREST – IN MEMORIAM
(picture of Jim, far left)

Jim Thain's Good-bye Celebration Submitted by Helen Wynn

Long-time member Jim Thain passed away, prophetically on Robert Burns' birthday, January 25, 2005 after a long illness. His lovely wife Susan reports that Jim loved Burns's poetry and often recited his favorites. So, when it came time to celebrate Jim's life at a memorial service on February 5, she asked Terence Knapp to begin the celebration with words from Burns. Knapp says, "After To a Mousie, threw in a little of Wilt Thou be my Dearie for her from Jim and it seemed to resonate throughout the assembly." And Susie Thain agrees. Piper Larry Coleman concluded the service with a bagpipe serenade. Susie says she wanted to honor Jim's love of things Scottish.

JEAN BARKER’S STORY – IN MEMORIAM Submitted by Barbara Coons

Many of our members have asked about Jean Barker, her life, and what happened to her. She was living in Heather MacGregor’s care home and dealing with cancer at the end of her life. Jean passed away on July 31, 2004. However, it was just last year in January 2004, at the Burns Supper that she and I sat at the same table. We took snapshots of various people enjoying the dinner and entertainment, and Jean seemed to be very well at that time. We have received a short biography of Jean from her brother, Philip. I will use that in this article about her.

Jean Barker was born on August 28, 1920, in Logan, Ohio, and she graduated from high school there in 1938. In 2002, she received a Bachelors Degree from the University of Hawaii, but before that she had attended Ohio University & Ohio State University.

During WW II, she was employed at the Columbus, Ohio, U.S. Army Depot as a Secretary and Supervisor. Afterwards, she taught for 3 years at Wren High School near Van Wert, Ohio, until moving to New York City, where for 13 years, she was Secretary to the presidents of two prominent advertising agencies. Afterwards, she took an assignment in Jakarta, Indonesia with the Foreign Service of the U.S. State Department. Three years later, she returned to Washington, D.C., and worked at the Peace Corps Headquarters, and then at the White House before joining the staff of Senator John Stennis of Mississippi. In 1972, she moved to Honolulu, Hawaii and worked at CINCPAC of the U.S. Department of Defense until she retired in 1992.

Jean had a passion for traveling, meeting new people, enjoying foreign cultures, and for the arts. Her collection of paintings and sculptures from many places she had visited covered the walls and shelves of her residence.

During her years in Honolulu, she participated in numerous educational and civic organizations, including the Caledonian Society, Daughters of the American Revolution, Eastern Star and Mensa. Jean had lived in Honolulu for 33 years and was a very visible Caledonian Society member, especially noted for being the photographer at some of our events. It’s so hard to believe that this vivacious lady will no longer be with us.

RODERICK FULTON McPHEE –IN MEMORIAM

Roderick Fulton McPhee, a Lifetime Caledonian Member & our 1991-Scot of the Year, passed away, on Friday, February 25, 2004, due to pancreatic cancer. We will greatly miss him, and send our sincere condolences to his family. Prior to Rod’s retirement, he served as President at Punahou for 25+ years.

“OPOHO UKA NUI ‘O KEKOKIA” – Author: Hardy Spoehr

A recommended read Helen Wynn wanted to share is Hardy Spoehr's Book, `Upoho Uka Nui`O Kekokia (Scotland's Great Highland Bagpipe). Hardy Spoehr wrote this book about The Story of Bagpipes, Bagpipers, And Bagpipe Bands in Hawai`i with Accounts of King Kalakaua's visit to Scotland. It's a great read and has wonderful pictures of early bagpipers in Hawai’i, most notably Aggie Wallace. Members can buy a copy by calling Hardy, a life member of the Society, at 944-8601.

MEMBERS KEEPING IN TOUCH:

Pat McLachlan's Scottish News from Washington State

"Our Scottish Hogmanay New Year's party went off well. I made Haggis and my nephew Chris came with his bagpipes. We had over 20 relatives plus many more friends who enjoyed the afternoon. Some were "cousins" meeting for the first time. Stories and fun added to the afternoon," reports Pat, who lived in Hawaii for 12 years and took part in many of our local Scottish activities.

"Two big items of news. My daughter Deb, who teaches in Hawaii, is taking me to Great Britain with her. We leave in June, will have three months touring Ireland, a school year in Edinburgh while she takes a Master's degree

Happy Birthday..and well wishes to long time native Scots member, Ruby Shiell, who celebrated her 97th birthday on March 9, 2005, and is recovering from a fall earlier in the month.

Upcoming Scottish Events:

March 31 – Princess Ka’iulani’s Annual Tribute – Royal Mausoleum in Nu’uanu – 6 PM.
April 2-3 24th Annual Hawaiian Scottish Festival & Games – Kapiolani Park – 9 AM to 5 PM.
April 2 - Hawaiian Scottish Association & St.Andrew Society CEILIDH & Dinner after the Highland Games at – Elks Club – contact Cesci Wang at 808-381-7216 or e-mail saintandrewsociety@hawaii.rr.com for ticket information & RSVP – see article for detail.
April 6 – Tartan Day – Ceremony at UH-Manoa 2 PM & Tartan Day Sing-Along - 5 PM at O’Toole’s Pub – see article for detail