News from the House 1

Balboa Park, San Diego, California 92101 May 2008 www.houseofscotland.org

News From The House 1

Highlights from the April Meeting (continued):

Old Business: Graham moderated

Hosting: Gwenda needs a valid phone number for Paul Grant to tell him about hosting changes. Gwenda needs people to host May 11 and the first Sunday in June.

Upcoming events:

The HPR Food Fair is May 25, 2008. Please sign up for that event. There is a two-page sign-up sheet for the Food Fair. Please sign up to work and to donate desserts and salads. Anyone not at the meeting can call Dianne Schultz at 760-717-5108 to sign up for the food fair. John McColly volunteered to pick up the meat pies for the food fair at a time to be arranged with Bit 'o Britain.

San Diego Highland Games are June 28-29, 2008 at Brengle Terrace Part in Vista. A sign-up sheet is available today. Volunteers are needed for both Saturday and Sunday. There will be an opportunity to sign up at the June meeting or you can call Dianne. Shifts have been divided into three hour increments from 8:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, and 2:00PM to 5:00 PM each day. John McColly is ordering the table and chairs from the games. The members of the house voted to close our cottage on June 29 for the games. A letter will go to HPR detailing this closing. That letter will also include the information about the House of Scotland picnic in August.

Our next movie night is Saturday, June 21. Pot luck dinner is at 6:00 PM with the movie to follow. Nancy reports that Archie McAllister is bringing his moving equipment again and the movie for the evening will be “Wee Geordie”.

Ceilidh Band: John McColly reports that the Ceilidh band is practicing today. The band might be playing at the Food Fair if there is live music. They also have need of a drummer.

Housekeeping: Mike reports that there isn’t much to report. He and David McSwain will be checking on supplies for the Food Fair.

Other Old Business: John McColly reports that he and Joan will probably be representing House of Scotland at the Saint George’s Day celebration at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cathedral on April 27 at 5:00 PM

New Business: Graham moderated

New Members: There were no new members at this month’s meeting.

Other New Business: Virginia Anderson passed along the information that the summer International Organ Festival at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion will begin Monday, June 16, 2008. The concert will feature the Cameron Highlanders playing with the Spreckels Organ. There is a dinner at 5:30 PM with the concert at 7:00 PM. Contact Virginia if you would like to RSVP.

Graham reports that he was contacted by the British Officers Mess of San Diego. This group is comprised of former officers in the British military and associated members and the group is celebrating their 75th anniversary.

Tomorrow, April 14, is the 100th anniversary of President Theodore Roosevelt’s Great White Fleet’s visit to San Diego.

The meeting was adjourned at 12:25 P.M.

Respectfully submitted

Dianne Schultz, Secretary

News From The House 4

Hearth of the Kitchen

Oatmeal Pecan Cookie

Ingredients:
1 cup all-purpose flour

½ cup sugar

½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp baking powder

½ cup packed brown sugar

¾ cup old-fashioned oats

½ cup chopped pecans

1 cup crisp rice cereal

½ cup butter, softened

1 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:
In a large mixing bowl, cream butter until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Mix remaining ingredients in large bowl. Add to egg and vanilla mixture. Drop by rounded teaspoons two inches apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for two minutes before removing from pans to wire racks.

Yield: about 3 dozen.

From Taste of Home, November/December 2007

Hosting

May 4 Mike Stewart & Virginia

Anderson

May 11 Open

May 18 Paul Grant & Virginia Anderson

May 25 Food Fair

June 1 Open

June 8 Gwenda Measel & Joni Brainard

Please call Gwenda if you can host.

The Tartan Day Steering Committee would like to thank all the volunteers who helped to make this another successful event. This includes all the entertainers, clan participants, and HOS members.

British Officers’ Mess

Of San Diego

The British Officers’ Mess of San Diego is preparing to celebrate 75 years of existence since its establishment on July 26, 1933. This is a memorable occasion for the Mess which has continuously operated in San Diego since that date.

The Mess was established by former British Officers who desired to perpetuate the traditions, memories, and comradeship of their service. The Procedures of the Mess and its Rules follow as closely as possible “The Queen’s regulations.”

The Mess has been active throughout the past three quarters of a century, providing support to visiting British and Commonwealth military personnel, former military members, and friends; acting as a repository of military history and traditions; and cementing friendly relationships between the British, Commonwealth, and American people.

The Mess has been host to numerous British and Commonwealth visitors, military and civilian, including Prince Charles.

All officers and former officers (whether commissioned or non-commissioned) of HM Forces (including all Commonwealth countries) are eligible for Regular membership.

In addition all officers of the United States Services (whether commissioned or non-commissioned) and other persons who have a present or past particular interest or involvement with British or Commonwealth Forces and past or present British or Commonwealth subjects are eligible to join as Associate members.

The Mess members with their wives or significant others or guests meet every two months for dinner and conviviality at the Officers Club at MCAS Miramar. Base access is provided for those who do not have regular access to the base.

CDR Arnie Fieser, Secretary/Treasurer at (619) 479-5644, can provide additional information to interested parties.

Upcoming Events

NOTE: No May HOS Meeting

May 25 Food Fair & HOS meeting (time TBD)

May 24/25 Costa Mesa Games

June 8 HOS Meeting, 11:30 am

June 21 HOS Movie Night & Potluck, 6 pm

June 28/29 San Diego Scottish Highland Games

July 13 HOS Meeting, 11:30 am

July 18/19 Flagstaff Highland Games

Aug.10 HOS Meeting, 11:30 am

Aug. 16 HOS Picnic with Movie Night

Nov. 2 HOS Lawn Program

Nov. 15 Queen’s Coronation Dinner/Dance

Dec. 20 HOS Christmas Party

“Wee Geordie”

Movie Synopsis

Genres: Comedy, Drama

Release: 1955

Director: Frank Launder

Starring: Alastair Sim, Bill Travers, Norah Gorson, Molly Urquhart

Also known as Geordie, the British comedy Wee Geordie was immensely popular worldwide. A slight of frame and puny gamekeeper’s son named Geordie (Paul Young), who is coming of age in the Scottish highlands, grows sick and tired of being picked on. He thus decides to answer a Charles Atlas-style bodybuilding ad. Flash forward several years: the little runt is now a strapping, muscle-bound, disgustingly healthy Olympic champ (portrayed by Bill Travers, who actually did “pump up” and slim down to play this role). Evidently his muscles have spread to his head, for Geordie sees no need for emotional fulfillment, and alienates his longtime girlfriend (Norah Gorsen). But in the process, he becomes the top-ranked hammer thrower at the Highland Games and is chosen to represent the UK in the Olympics at Melbourne, Australia. When Geordie finally falls in love again, it is with towering shot-putter Helga Doris Goddard – the first woman ever able to best him on the athletic field. Director Frank Launder co-wrote the screenplay for Wee Geordie with his longtime collaborator Sidney Gilliat; the film is based on a novel by David Walker. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide (http://movies.msn.com/movies/movie.aspx?m=95852&mp=syn)

Curling Clinics in San Diego

Curl San Diego is holding a learn to curl event on May 3. This is a great chance to try the challenging but fun and social sport of curling! They will also be hosting pick-up curling games over the summer before the next league starts in the Fall.

Come learn how to curl! We will be teaching the game of curling with two hours of on-ice instruction. Learn how to throw a 42 lb stone down a 140 ft sheet of ice, the importance and proper technique of sweeping and cool words to impress your friends with the next time you’re watching curling together.

Saturday, May 3, 10:45 am, Iceoplex in Escondido

The clinic will focus on beginners, but if you are a curler and want some practice, we will have room for an advanced group as well.

Cost for each event is $10 per person ($5 for Curl SD members). Cash or check only, please.

For more information, please check out our website, www.curlsandiego.org or send an e-mail to .

House Officers

President: Graham McGruer (619) 425-3454

1st VP: Nancy Ross (760) 757-4653

2nd VP: Gwenda Measel (619) 465-9306

Secretary: Dianne Schultz (760) 717-5108

Treasurer: John McColly (619) 435-8500

Trustees: Mike Stewart (619) 287-7812

Holly Stewart (619) 287-7812

David McSwain (619) 528-1940

News From The House 4