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Welcome to the House of Gordon
The Maine House of Gordon Convener, Merle Gordon, speaking with Marion (Gordon) Otis who is the Author of Alexander Gordon and his descendants. This photo was taken at the Gordon Family reunion held July 14th.
The Maine House of Gordon Vice-Convener Michael Davis and his two daughters, Raeney and Michaela, at the Highland Games in Brunswick.
The formation of the Maine chapter of the House of Gordon is underway. We are currently seeking new members with the surname of Gordon, a surname of a Sept of the Clan Gordon, or their descendants. We are also looking for members that have an interest in the House of Gordon, the Gordon Highlanders or all things Scottish in general. The growth of our branch will take time but if we are willing to put forth a wee-bit of effort, we, along with our children and grandchildren, will have something to be proud of. We look forward to working with and getting to know you all. Together we can build a mighty house.
Exciting changes are in the works for the House of Gordon. John Lowry, the newly elected president, has a vision for the future of our clan that will make us all proud. The entire structure is being reworked. A new House of Gordon USA web site is also being created which will be loaded with valuable information including links to all of the separate chapters around the country.
News...
Scottish Haggis in America
John McLay of McKean foods in Glasgow Scotland and Ronald Grant Thurston of McKean North America in Falmouth Maine are pleased to announce the formation of an American company to bring the real taste of Scottish Haggis to America. Completing a journey that began many years ago in Mingary on the Ardnamurchan Peninsula on the west coast of Scotland where the remains of the Mingary Castle still look southward over the Sound of Mull to Tobermary, McKean's haggis made in the authentic Scottish way has finally reached the US. The family name of McKean came from one of the Glencoe McDonalds who fled westward to Ardnamurchan. He was an Ian McDonald and hence his son was known as McIan, which in time became McKean. More than hundred and forty years ago the McKeans opened a butcher shop in Glasgow where they began the making of haggis and other traditional Scottish foods.
Now under license to WA Bean and Sons in Bangor, Maine (a company that began in 1860 - the same year the first McKean started plying his trade in Glasgow!) and a company that was founded by descendents of John McBain who came to America from Inverness Scotland in 1612 as an indentured servant, authentic Scottish Haggis is being made in Maine.
In November of 2003 Gordon Wallace of McKean Foods came to the States with a suitcase full of Scottish oatmeal, barley, and spices and a test batch of haggis was made in Bangor using US Lamb. That test batch was then offered as samples all over the US and among those to test our product was the Robert Burn’s Night supper in Greenville South Carolina. Here is what Thomas Mitchell who was in charge of the event said afterward: "How I wish that you could have been present during our Burn’s Night. You would have been proud for all those people involved in bringing your product to fruition. In my years as a member of the St. Andrews Society I have never heard such positive comments about haggis." Other comments from different groups around the country were equally positive. One of our favorite responses was from someone who said he "Went back for seconds five times!"
Obviously encouraged by the feedback the new alliance continued developing the product packaging, labeling etc and began trial sales throughout the US with awe-inspiring response. Fuelled with newfound enthusiasm WA Bean's CEO, David Bean visited McKean's plant in Scotland to learn first hand the art of Scottish haggis making. Following the successful visit, Gordon sent his first secret recipe consignment of Haggis Spices and Scottish Oatmeal to Bangor with a supply of specially stitched casings that is unique to McKeans - in preparation for the craftsmanship of David Bean and his skilled team in Bangor creating this most unique of Scottish dishes.
McKeans North America can now exclusively offer to Clan Societies and individuals all across the United States the opportunity to enjoy authentic McKean's Scottish Haggis made to McKean’s secret and carefully guarded recipe. We offer at this time the one-pound Clansman Haggis, two-pound Sma’Chief Haggis and the five-pound Chieftain Haggis. All are shipped frozen from the WA Bean plant in Bangor in Styrofoam containers with ice packs, and may be shipped one day or two day express. These authentic Scottish Haggis in skins are offered at $8.00 per pound plus shipping and handling. To order contact Mckeans at www.scottishhaggis.com or direct from the manufacturer at www.beansmeats.com. If you are in the Bangor area Haggis can also be purchased at the Bean Plant at 229 Bomarc Road in Bangor. We wish you great success in the Games and hope you have a chance to taste our Haggis sometime soon. Questions or comments can be directed to Ron Thurston at scottishhaggis@maine.rr.com or by telephone at 207 781 7712
This is a great find for us here in Maine. The prices on the website are much higher due to the factoring in of next day air shipping. I have been speaking with Ron and he tells me that in September his Scottish partner will be here at which time they will discuss adding more traditional Scottish foods to the product line to include Black Pudding and Clootie Dumplings. I will be purchasing some of this fine fare, which comes pre-cooked and just needs to be heated, and will be having fine Scottish meal this weekend. I will let you know what I think...
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The New Brunswick Highland Games
From the New Brunswick Highland Games website... What's new in 2007
- Biggest Pipe Band Competition ever!
We are thrilled to have 16 Pipe Bands registered to compete this year making 2007 the largest competition in our 26 year history. We also have an additional 2-3 performance bands joining in to make a truly thunderous Massed Bands! Where will you be when the Massed Bands take the field?!
- Heavy Events - New Womens and Youth Competitions and Workshop for Beginners - For the first time, we're thrilled to be hosting Heavy Events competitions for both Women and Youth on Sunday morning. We're also offering a Heavy Events workshop on Saturday morning for those interested in learning this traditional sport. Click here for Competition and Workshop Registration Forms.
- Photo Contest - We want your best photo of the 2007 NB Highland Games & Scottish Festival. The winning photo will be featured on our 208 poster. Watch for more details...
- Don't miss the exciting new Fiddle Showcase on Sunday afternoon or the Songwriter's Circle on Saturday the theme will be "Celebrating our History in Song". We're adding a new Music Tent this year to accommodate all of the great celtic music!
- Parlez-vous français? We're proud to welcome our Acadian cousins into our music and workshop schedules for 2007. Our Celtic and Acadian roots are intertwined in true New Brunswick fashion!
- Excellence in Competitions - Once again, the New Brunswick Highland Games attract the best of the best. We hope to be hosting three Grade 1 Pipe Bands - the highest level of pipe band competition, and we're attracting international highland dancers who will be in Saint John in early July for ScotDance Canada, the national highland dancing competition. And last but not least, we're excited to possibly be expanding the crowd favourite Heavy Events to include Women's and Masters categories.
- Workshops - in addition to the ever-popular Whisky Tasting workshop, we're adding a Beer Tasting workshop featuring New Brunswick's own Picaroons beer plus some Scottish beers. And CBC's Dr. Terrence Punch returns for the Genealogy Workshops on Saturday. Other workshops include piping, drumming, dancing, Gaelic language, haggis, etc. Tickets are limited for the Whisky, Beer and Genealogy workshops.
- The Tattoo returns on Friday night - fun for the whole family!
- The Kids Corner returns with mini golf, the Beaverbrook Art Gallery's Craft Tent and the Children's Light Events.
- Clan Donald is our 2007 Host Clan headlining the Avenue of the Clans.
Be a Scot for a Weekend!
The Maine Highland Games
We (The St Andrews Society) are very busy planning for the 29th Maine Highland Games to be held Saturday, August 18th, 2007 at Thomas Point Beach. They are coming right up so it is not too early to volunteer! We can always use help with set-up and tear down - the more the merrier with that job! There are also a variety of jobs that can be done the day of the Games. If interested, contact the Games Chair Bruce Cole at colewine@suscom-maine.net or the volunteer coordinator Sue Redwine, also at colewine@suscom-maine.net
More info will be added soon...
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From the Maine St. Andrew's Society events page:
July
July 14 - 6:30 - 8:30 PM, Scottish Tattoo, Fort Knox, Prospect, Maine.
This popular annual event, not conducted in 2006 is back, featuring traditional Scottish bagpipers, precision marching bands and a patriotic salute to America. Tickets for the event are $10 per person or $25 per family and may be purchased in advance at the Friends of Fort Knox gift shop or by calling 469-6553.
July 15 - Thomas Point Beach's 51st Birthday Celebration. 1956-2007, Join us for music, swimming, old-fashioned water dunk, kayak instruction in Meadow Bay, and much more! Free ice cream cones for the first 51 children! Admission fee is 50 cents per person for the whole day!!! Let's Celebrate like it's 1956!
July 15 - 3:00 PM, Castlebay concert, St. Margaret's Chapel, 100 Court Street, Belfast, ME
July 19, 20, 21, 22 - Maine Celtic Celebration, Belfast, Maine. Go here or see the 'Links' page for more information.
July 19 - 6:00 - 9:00 PM, Gala Opening Dinner, Maine Celtic Celebration, Stone Crest Center, Waldo. Featured speaker - Alister McReynolds: Scots-Irish in Maine and USA
July 20 - 9:00 - 10:00 AM, Hutchinson Center, Route 3, Belfast. Alister McReynolds: Scots-Irish emigration to Maine
July 20 - 3:00 - 4:30 PM, Hutchinson Center, Route 3, Belfast. John T. Mann: Maine Ulster-Scots history
July 21 - 1:00 - 2:30 PM, Hutchinson Center, Route 3, Belfast. John T. Mann: Maine Ulster-Scots
July 25 - 7:30 PM, Castlebay concert with Frank Taylor, "The Flying Scotsman", Little Brown Church, King-Ro (Route 32), Round Pond, ME 207-529-5438
July 26 - 7:00 PM, Castlebay concert, Brick Church for the Performing Arts, Lovell, ME
July 30 - 7:00 PM, Castlebay concert, All Souls Chapel, Poland Spring Resort, Poland Spring, ME 207-998-4351 |
August
August 9-14 - "The Grand Design - A Scots-Irish Journey" will be on tour way Downeast. Probable venues include Campobello, Machias, Eastport, St. Andrews, and Grand Manan. Check here for more details.
August 18, 2007 - 29th Maine Highland Games!!! Thomas Point Beach, Brunswick, ME. Gates open at 8:00 AM. See the Highland Games page for more information.
August 22 - 7:00 PM, Castlebay concert, Little Brown Church, King-Ro (Route 32), Round Pond, ME 207-529-5438 |
September
September 1 - 6:30 PM - Castlebay concert, 60th Annual Harmony Free Fair, 177 Chadbourne Road, Harmony, ME. Free admission.
September 2 - 1:00 PM & 3:00 - Colonial Concert, Fort William Henry, Historic Pemaquid, New Harbor, ME. Free admission. (Rain date is September 3)
September 6 - 7:00 PM - Castlebay concert, General Henry Knox Mansion, Thomaston, ME 207-354-8062. This concert will be in the Oval Room. |
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