Serving as President of this austere group of Scots has been my sincere pleasure. Our solid bedrock of respect, admiration, and passion for things Scottish permeates our lives and affects our daily values. One way or another you have to admit that life is hard and it is so comforting to know that there exist family and friends who accept that "raggedy you" for what you are. Faith, family, and friends carry the day every day.

One of my goals this last year was to gather every month for a regular meeting. This we accomplished. We even met twice in two months if you count banquets. Another goal was to contribute over $1,000 to our scholarship fund. This goal we were able to achieve by raising $150 for the fund at our monthly meeting raffles, and clearing over $500 at our St. Andrew’s Day Dinner and over $1,000, in combination with a very lucrative raffle, at our 2006 Burns Night Supper at the Holiday Inn Chesapeake. Well done, volunteers and contributors!

Our speakers at our St. Andrew’s Day Dinner and Burns Nicht Supper were superb, noteworthy, and significant in the tradition of our life-changing ancestors. Author and former Secretary of the Navy James Ebb has just this week announced that he is running for the U. S. Senate from Virginia; former U. S. Representative G. William Whitehurst is our most esteemed local politician. That Dr. Whitehurst returned to teaching after his congressional service, and continues to teach at the August age of 81, is indicative of his commitment and leadership.

I should end by praising all of us for our courage to try to live every day to the fullest and the moral conviction to work through that which is beyond our control. The bottom line is that this is a good life. Our ancestors came to this fine country for a variety of reasons and we are grateful for their efforts. Our comforts today are a result of their continued labor, intelligence, creativity, and faith. So it is our charge to uphold the standard they have set. Thank you for listening, contributing, and sharing your lives this last year.

YOURS aye,
     Robert B. Felty

Wishes for continued recovery to long-time St. Andrew’s Society member, George McRae.

  4 February — Sir Walter Scott supervises the rediscovery of the Honours of Scotland in 1808.
  8 February — Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots in 1587.
13 February — Massacre of Glencoe in 1692.
21 February — James I assassinated at Perth in 1437.
12 March — Reconvening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.

I will be retiring as of July 1, and Bo and I are looking forward to our move to a new house at Wintergreen, Virginia, in September. The Tidalaire will need a new editor. If you have writing and/or desk top design skills, please consider taking on this job. The May/June issue will be my last one. Give me a call if you are interested.
Carolyn