Oliver Hamilton is a tough act to follow, but it is made easier by our society being headed in the right direction. We are looking forward to another great year.

Our St. Andrew’s Night dinner was a great success last year, and your Board is planning another one for this November. More information will be promulgated shortly.

The 2005 Burns Nicht Supper will be on January 29th at the Princess Anne Country Club, so plan now to attend.

We have an interesting series of programs planned for the upcoming months. At the April meeting at the Old Country Buffet on Laskin Road, Professor Robert MacCubbin from William and Mary will speak on “Who Are the Celts?” At the May meeting, tentatively scheduled for Murphy’s Irish Pub at 30th and Pacific, Ham Hamilton will discuss how James IV of Scotland became James I of England. In June Randy Bruce and his wife Carolyn will talk about their latest book, Rebel King, the Haríships.

     Joe Hood

This year’s annual Burns’ Nicht Supper was hosted on Saturday, January 24, 2004 by the officers and members of the Saint Andrew’s Society of Tidewater, Virginia, at the Shifting Sands Catering Center aboard the Fleet Combat Training Center Dam Neck. Society President Oliver W. Hamilton presided over the evening’s activities.

In attendance were 113 persons from the local Scottish community, assembled to honor the birthday of Scotland’s Immortal Poet Robert Burns. This event commemorates the 21st year of this celebration here in Tidewater. The event included traditional ceremony, wonderful food, toasts, the recitation of selected Burn’s poetry, bagpipes and haggis plus dancing and entertainment provided by “The Doorway Singers.”

The raffle, used to generate funds for the society’s annual scholarship program, was generously supported with prize donations from many members and friends. This year’s raffle netted over $500 for the program. Society member and local businessman Stacy Apelt donated the grand prize, a pair of handmade kitchen knives. For his longtime support of the Scholarship Program, Stacy was awarded a Society Certificate of Appreciation.

The Society’s coveted Scot of the Year Award for 2003 was presented to Robert F. MacGregor Jr. for his continued and outstanding contributions to the Scottish community of Tidewater.

Everyone who attend this wonderful function enjoyed an evening of excellent food, wonderful entertainment, and traditional ceremony.

Welcome new member: Sandra Stephenson Long and Madeline Anderson Finney.

Scotland has a rich heritage of literature, music, art and dance. It is essential that the many forms of our Scottish culture be encouraged and preserved for the ultimate enjoyment and sense of history of those who come after us. To assist in this effort, the Saint Andrew’s Society of Tidewater has established a scholarship fund and periodically awards grants to worthy individuals.

Scholarship applications are sought from candidates living in the Hampton Roads area of Virginia who are interested in pursuing studies in Scottish history, culture and/or traditions. As examples, a grant may be used for instruction in piping, drumming, Highland dance, Gaelic language instruction, or other authentic Scottish related study taught by a qualified teacher.

Applicants must complete this form and attach an essay of about 500 words stating how the knowledge they gain will help perpetuate Scottish culture and customs in the greater Hampton.

Download Scholarship Application here.