Selected items from the St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa Newsbulletin - Winter 2003 - ISSN1492-4439 (Online)
- updated 05 February 2003  Goto Hugh Reekie's Home Page   other news bulletins

The Societies' Burns Supper will be on Saturday 25th January 2003 at Britannia Yacht Club, Cassels Ave; tickets are $35, 6 for 6.30 pm - 10.30 pm. The three-course meal includes a roast beef buffet and a dessert table selection. Stuart Jardine will recite The Ode to the Haggis, which will be piped in, of course. The Master of Ceremonies will be David Martin.

Douglas Smith, a Glasgow native living in Kingston, Ontario - an excellent speaker - will give the Immortal Memory speech and toast, which will be followed by further short speeches - Toast to the Lassies and a reply. Ian Fraser, from Kilmarnock, fresh back from a Hogmanay party in Aberdeen, will recite Tam o' Shanter. Britannia Yacht Club has a fine bar, and table wine service is available. The evening will conclude with a few Scottish Country and Ceilidh Dances, to suit a range of interests. Tickets are available from members of the Executive, or by mail from the Society Treasurer,

Instead of a Spring Lecture, a Scots cookery course will be held on Sunday afternoon, 9th March; it will be held in the demonstration kitchen, Loblaws store, Merivale at Baseline, 1.30 for 2pm - 4.30 pm. Registration, open to men as well as women, is $15 for members, $20 for non-members, and is limited to 18 persons; priority to members until 28 February. Three cooks will demonstrate their specialities. Jean Hamilton, who is chief cook for the Knox Church, Ottawa, Burns Supper, will show us how to make haggis, in her own special style. Anna Foster will show us her method of making shortbread; there are so many ways, and a few tricks, to make shortbread melt in your mouth. By special request, Frances Reekie will pass on some of her philosophies for soup making; she may pick Hotch- Potch, Lorraine or cock-a-leekie this time.

The demonstration kitchen is equipped with professional appliances and a large display bench - and a large mirror - so attendees can see what is going on. All will have an opportunity to sample some of the cooked and baked items; also, if time and space permits, there will be opportunities for close-in inspection of some of the preparation activities - how crumbly to make to your shortbread ingredients, for example. Registration is by mailing a cheque, payable to the St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa, to Frances Reekie, It is expected that this event will be oversubscribed, so you can book ahead.

Details are falling into place for a Saturday tour of the Arnprior area. Likely dates 3 or 10 May 2003. We'll meet for coffee and donuts at the McNab/Waba Museum, White Lake, and then find out a little about the strange ways of "The Last Laird of McNab"; a luncheon at a good restaurant in Calabogie follows. The afternoon will be spent at the Arnprior Museum, where there are McNab and MacLauchlin lumber displays and artifacts. After a light tea, just across the road, the formal tour finishes. As usual an optional dinner, in a hostelry to be selected, will follow. Travel is by private car. Full details in the next newsletter, due out in April. A flier can be mailed to non-members on request; Hugh Reekie,

There are plans for a Tartan Day informal dinner on Sunday 6th April - Britannia Yacht Club is a likely venue - dinner about $25. Full details in the next Newsletter. The AGM is coming up soon; if you wish to serve on the Executive, please let an Executive member know.

There are plans for a group from the St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa to attend the annual all-scottish curling event on St Helen's Island, Montreal. The Montreal St Andrew's Society always has a team; the event is run by the 78th Fraser Highlanders of Montreal and Lt. Bill Campbell provided the following information.

The only aspect of the bonspiel that is definite as yet is that it will be held on Feb. 16, 2003, starting around 13.00 hours on the parade square of the Fort on St. Helen's Island. A good turn out is expected this year with participation from several of our police forces as well as Scottish organizations in the city. A dinner is planned at the museum at the fort. All men are encouraged to wear their kilts - in fact there is an award for the best dressed team.

We will provide our own entertainment with pipers singers, etc. The fee for registration is likely $15.00 per player. For that you get to play and all the hot grog you are able to drink. A potent mixture of vodka and beef broth (The late Queen Mum's favourite we're told) and mulled wine will be available. Further information, and arrangements for car pools - Hugh Reekie

On Friday, January 10, 2003, The Clan Donald Society will be holding its fourth annual Sir John A Macdonald Dinner. The dinner will be held in the Headquarters Warrant Officers & Sergeants Mess in Cartier Square, doors open at 6:30 pm. The Guest speaker is Senator Lowell Murray who has the great honour of being married to a Macdonald. Senator Murray will help us celebrate the memory of Sir John. Guests will be entertained by our very talented Macdonald Dancers, by pipers, and the world renowned Gaelic singer Cathy Ann MacPhee, who also has the honour of being married to a Macdonald. Tickets are $40 each, and are available from Bruce McDonald at 228-8212. Proceeds will be used to support the activities of the Macdonald Dancers.. Dress is Highland day dress or business suit.

It is not often that Canada Post produces a stamp showing a former member of the St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa; on 31st October 2002, Canada Post issued a se-tenant pair of stamps, commemorating two significant events in Canadian communications technology. On the same date in 1902 the Pacific Telegraph undersea cable was commissioned, and on Dec 15th in the same year Guglielmo Marconi sent the first radio message across the Atlantic Ocean - from Glace Bay Nova Scotia to Poldhu, Cornwall, England. The Pacific Cable was first used by Lord Minto, the Governor General of Canada, who sent a "world circulating telegraph message" on 1st November 1902.

Pacific Cable Board

Sir Sandford Fleming (1827-1915) immigrated to Canada in 1845 and became one of our greatest railway surveyors and engineers. His 1879 proposal for an 'all-British' expanded telegraph route was agreed upon eventually and construction began on the line, which ran from the west coast of Vancouver Island across the ocean floor to the first relay station on Fanning Island, and then on to Fiji, Norfolk Island, Southport (Australia) and Auckland (New Zealand). This enterprise operated under the name Pacific Cable Board. Bamfield (on the west side of Vancouver Island) was chosen as the ideal location for the cable station. The station was officially opened on October 31, 1902.

One hundred years ago - from Our Society Archives

The following is an extract from the book The St Andrew's Society of Ottawa - History of the First Century by John Thorburn and A.E. Cameron, 1946.

Nov 6th 1902: It was moved by Dr. Thorburn seconded by Mr. Hogg that an address be presented to Sir Sandford Fleming congratulating him on the completion of his great Cable Scheme and that the mover, seconder and Secretary be a committee to draft the address. Carried. The address was as follows:

The members of St. Andrew's Society of Ottawa, at their annual preparatory meeting, have much pleasure in tendering to Sir Sandford Fleming, one of their members, and an ex-President of the Society, their most cordial congratulations on the completion of that great and important undertaking, which he projected, and in which he had taken so active an interest - the laying of the Pacific Cable.

It is not given to everyone, who initiates great enterprises, to live to see their completion. Sir Sandford has been fortunate in this respect. To him we are largely indebted for the construction of the Intercolonial and Canadian Pacific Railways - two of the most important highways. Another of his triumphs has been the all but universal adoption of what is known as Standard Time: of this he was the originator, and now, as a crowning service to the Empire, the Pacific Cable has been successfully completed thus forming a direct electric communication between Great Britain and her more important colonies.

This great undertaking, we know, was not accomplished without strenuous opposition, and what was at first looked upon as visionary and impracticable, became, by his continued and persistent advocacy, a reality destined to be one of the most effectual means of binding together the many separated British Colonies into one Grand Imperial Empire, in whose welfare and advancement, we, the sons and daughtersof Auld Scotia, are deeply interested.

We trust that Sir Sandford may be long spared to enjoy the fruits of his manifold labours, which it must be a source of gratification to know, have been so generally recognized in all parts of the British Empire.

James B. McKay wrote an article in the mid nineties for the Dispatch, the Journal of the Scottish Military History Society. This was reprinted, as an edited version, in the St Andrew's Society of Toronto Newsletter, January 1999 - our source for this information. The original article is at: http://www.btinternet.com/~james.mckay/disp_002.htm

An interest has been expressed in more informal get-togethers. As an experi- ment there will be informal pub suppers on the second Monday of the winter months - at different locations. 6.30 for a 7 pm supper (select from the menu) with informal discussions afterwards. This will include a "swap shop" of Scots magazines and videos. Monday Jan 13 - The Glen Scottish Restaurant, Hazeldean Rd.,Kanata; Monday Feb 10 in the "Library" at the Oxhead Pub, Laurier Ave near Chapel (formerly the Dunvegan); Monday 10 March - location to be determined. Reservations appreciated - Hugh Reekie

The Society's Annual Dinner and Gala, held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, on Saturday 9th November 2002 was an event to remember! Few patrons had any problems with the underground parking arrangements, and the valet parking worked well, too. The opening cash bar was a bit of a scrum, with a few misunder- standings regarding seating for dinner. There was lots of space in the International Ballroom and Master of Ceremonies, David Martin, had us settled down with a few introductory remarks. The meal was excellent, and was served quietly. Guest of Honour, Hon Mitchell Sharp, reviewed aspects of his career. After Bruce Mcdonald had given the Sir John A MacDonald Award, Rod Bryden made some interesting comments about his childhood in New Brunswick: after explaining that his mother often played old Scots 78 records, he had us all joining in his renditions of I belong tae Glasgow and Jist a Wee Deoch an' Dorus, to the delight of all; too bad that the press corps had already moved on to other events - the reports in the Citizen and Sun newspapers missed that part of the evening.

The 78th Frasers Pipe Band, led by Pipe Major Ermis Durofil, were in fine form; the Fiona Champagne Highland Dancers put on an excellent display. The ballroom dancing had a Scots flavour - Strip the Willow was requested. Ross Macdonald handled the Scottish dancing in Section C next door; many went home early - exhausted from all the dancing; thanks to all who made it happen;this year the event will probably be on November 15th.

From time to time, interesting specialist books and documents arrive - sent to selected St. Andrew's Societies. One arrived before Christmas - from Columbia, South Carolina.

It was a surprise to receive a new book written by the President of the St. Andrew's Society of Columbia, South Carolina, Charles S. Bryan. It is entitled Celts, Picts and Scots. The 130-page hardback book lives up to its name with an excellent index. It covers the subject material well, with excellent black and white photographs. A three-page treatise on the life of Julius Caesar is, perhaps, a little off the point, but many important historical Scots discoveries are mentioned with detailed descriptions of their original discovery. Too bad the book is published privately - by the R.L. Bryan Company, Columbia, SC. Reach the author c/o H. Bronson Smith, Secretary, PO Box 11685, Columbia SC, USA 29211.

Celebrating the bi-centennial of its founding in 1803, the Presbyterian Church of St Andrew & St Paul, Montreal is publishing a book entitled Saints, Sinners and Scots by Dr. J.S.S. Armour, Minister Emeritus of the church. This vividly written and lavishly illustrated book is a window on Scottish Montreal through the 19th Century, and into the present. Subtitled Three Ministers and a Third Century. Available at $39.99 from the church - 3415 Redpath St, Montreal QC H3G 2G2, 514-842-3431. Cheques payable to the church. - Information from the St Andrew's Society of Montreal.

The Sunday afternoon ceilidh tea-dances have now become monthly, by request. The dates are the 4th Sunday in the month - 23rd Feb., 23rd March, 27th April. They will be held at the Pinecrest Community Complex, Torquay Ave off Cobden (which runs from Baseline to Iris, east of Pinecrest) 1.30 - 5 pm. All welcome. Dances will include Gay Gordons, Waltz Country Dance, St Bernard's Waltz, Canadian Barn Dance, Dashing White Sergeant etc. A light home-baked tea will be served. Details - Hugh Reekie 728-5343 or Sheila Taylor 726-7333.

There was a pleasant gathering of some thirty members and friends at the informal St Andrew's Day Ceilidh at Maki House on Saturday 30th November. Piper Jeff Card was on hand to play his pipes, and member Mary Shaw sang a number of Scots songs. There were a number of join-in dances. Iain Phillips, who came along with his Celtic harp or clarsach, was so popular that he was asked to play some more - while others were tidying up and putting away the chairs!