NBSCA President's Blog

2011-12-16T09:20:00.000-04:00

This will be my last Blog for this year. As everyone knows this has been a very busy year for the New Brunswick Scottish-Cultural Association, and I want to thank everyone for their help and contributions this year, it was very much appreciated.

Many thanks go out to the Board, and Executive members for their tireless efforts in making 2011 the successful year that it has been, and I look forward to working with you again in 2012.

Don’t forget that the offices of the New Brunswick Scottish-Cultural Association are closed from December 12, 2011 to January 8, 2012 inclusive to give everyone a much needed break for the Christmas Season and enjoy some time with friends, and family.

It is my pleasure to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas, and a Prosperous and Happy New Year. May God Bless each and every one of us.

Enjoy everything Scottish,

Llewellyn Smith

President and CEO

New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

November 2011 Up-date

2011-11-21T12:49:00.001-04:00

I am pleased to report that all Committee Chairs have been appointed for the next year, and have been approved by the Board at our last meeting. Information on appointments will be on our website in a few day’s.

St. Andrew’s Day is fast approaching. Check out the event calendar at your local Association, for St. Andrew’s Day Celebrations, and be sure to attend. It is our opportunity to practice our Scottish Culture, dine on Scottish Fare, listen to Scottish Music and catch up on the news with old friends, and make new friends. Many St. Andrew’s day Celebrations are listed on the NBSCA website, find one close to you.

Christmas Season: Please take note that the offices of the NBSCA will be closed from December 11, 2011 to January 8, 2012.

It’s Fun to be Scottish,

Llewellyn Smith ~ President & CEO

New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

October 2011 Up-date

2011-10-23T10:16:00.000-03:00

It has been some time since my last blog, and a lot has happened in that time period with the New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association.

Mass Bands on September 10th 2011

We had a re-unveiling of the Robbie Burns Statue on the Green in Fredericton on September 10, 2011, immediately prior to the re-unveiling ceremony, there was as parade in downtown Fredericton to commemorate the event, with several pipe bands from many areas of New Brunswick.

Jean and JK Irving at the re-unveiling ceremony

On hand for the re-unveiling ceremony were J.K. and Jean Irving, Mrs Irving did the re-unveiling of the Robbie Burns Statue. The Irving’s were very generous to our cause by donating $81,000.00 for the completion of the work on the base of the Statue. At the re-unveiling Ceremony, greetings were brought from the Mayor of Fredericton, his worship Brad Woodside, provincial, and federal politicians, the President’s of the Society of St. Andrews in Saint John, the Society of St. Andrews in Fredericton, the Caledonian Society of Restigouche, and the Highland Society of New Brunswick at Miramichi. All of these Associations were instrumental in commissioning, and installing the Statue over 100 years ago.

Kevin Love presenting Jean and JK Irving a thank you present.

The re-unveiling ceremony was followed by an evening of fellowship, and fine dining at the Fredericton Convention Center, a wonderful evening was enjoyed by all in attendance, it made you proud to be Scottish.

Anual General Meeting

The AGM of the New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association was held at the Highland Theater in the Miramichi Regional Hospital in Miramichi on October 1, 2011. At this meeting a new slate of Officers were elected for the ensuing year. I thank you for electing me as your President for another year. The complete slate of Officers for the coming year can be found on our web site. www.nbscots.com

The statue is uveiled and everyone is join in singing Auld Lang Syne

Scottish Portal Project

This is a very important project for the NBSCA, and people of Scottish descent. It will be our story told our way, and will be posted on the web for all to see. Meetings have already started, the first meeting was held in Miramichi, the next meeting will be a Brain Storming Session to be held in Fredericton on Saturday, October 29,2011 at the N.B. Provincial Archives, Richard Bennett Hatfield Archives Complex, 22 Dineen Drive, UNB Campus, Fredericton, N.B. We ask for your help in making this session a success. Your executive is working hard on your behalf to make the Scottish Portal a reality, if you have a story to tell, or have records, or information on Scottish settlers arriving in New Brunswick, and the contributions they made in building New Brunswick, please let us know. If you would like to attend this meeting please register by following this link http://events.constantcontact.com/register/event?llr=r8kczxdab&oeidk=a07e4xxh2sua3c80ff5

Let’s make our story the biggest, and the best.

It’s great to be Scottish,

Llewellyn Smith ~ President

New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

Fall 2011

2011-09-29T08:31:00.000-03:00

31^st Annual General Meeting and Election of Officers

Robert Burn's Statue Celebration Committee

With only six days to go before the 31^st Annual General Meeting of our Association, I thought that now would be a great time to update everyone on what has been happening as of late. As 1^st VP I wanted let you the members know that Llewellyn will not be able to attend the meeting as a result of an accident he had on September 9^th. Regrettably, he will be off my feet for a number of months.

Robert Burns Statue Re-Unveiling Celebrations

Snap shot of the crows at Unveiling

On September 10^th the Scottish community came together to help celebrate the re-unveiling of the Robert Burns Statue on the Green in Fredericton. As many of you realise, this statue is so much more than just a monument to Scotland’s most famous poet. This statue represents all the people of Scottish descent in New Brunswick. It is a tangible symbol of an active and living culture. It is truly the only provincial moment that came about as a result of people from different areas of the province pulling together to raise money to have a statue commissioned. So it was only fitting that the celebrations on September 10^th drew more than 1000 people from around New Brunswick. The dinner that followed the ceremony was sold out, with a waiting list.

Scottish Web Portal

Mass Bands at Parade

Very soon, the NBSCA will be taking on one the most important projects in its history, which, once completed, will leave a legacy for future generations. The project is called the Scottish Web Portal and is only in its infancy. However, that will be changing in the coming weeks. The Portal will be a online interface featuring a collection of data, records and information on the history of the Scottish community in New Brunswick that will be stored on the world wide web and will be available to schools, the general public and government agencies. Using the latest technology, the Portal will tell the story of the Scots who came to New Brunswick and the impacts those immigrants had on this province. This will be a multi-year project that will require the cooperation of volunteers and paid research specialists from around the province. It will be drawing on volunteers from all Scottish groups from one end of the province to the other.

Special Guest at the Re-Unveiling

To help increase awareness and understanding, the Association has been travelling around the province giving presentations to the different Scottish groups on the Scottish Web Portal project. If you or your group are interested in learning more, or would like to get involved, please let me know.

Last, but not least, as I mentioned Llewellyn will be off his feet for the next few months. In his absence, Dan Taylor, Past-President and I will be looking after the day-to-day business of the Association and will be keeping Llewellyn up to date. I our thoughts and prayers are with Llewellyn while he recovers and we look forward to his return.

John Watson

1^st Vic-president

July 2011 Up-date

2011-07-20T21:18:00.002-03:00

NEW BRUNSWICK'S PROVINCIAL HIGHLAND GAMES READY TO CELEBRATE ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY

The grounds of Government House on Woodstock Road in Fredericton will come alive again with great enthusiasm with the sounds of Scotland this Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. July 22nd, 23rd, and 24th. With over 10,000 people expected to attend the event over three days, this years event should be the best yet. I hope to see many members, and followers out to support Scottish Culture this weekend. For more information please visit http://www.highlandgames.ca/

MIRAMICHI CELEBRATION OF SCOTS

I invite all members of the public to attend the Miramichi Celebration of Scots August 26th to 28th. The event is the final Scottish event of the season in New Brunswick, and will have lots of entertainment, dancing, scottishfare, and enjoyment for all. The Highland Society of New Brunswick at Miramichi organizes this event, and people from all over eastern Canada come to enjoy the Celebration. The Highland Society was granted its Charter in 1842, and was incorporated in 1846. Current membership is in excess of 400 people, and is one of the largest Scottish groups in the province of New Brunswick. In the early years membership was restricted to men only, this was changed several years ago to include Ladies. The Ladies contribute greatly to the success of the Highland Society of New Brunswick at Miramichi. The Miramichi Celebration of Scots began in 1990 and is enjoyed every summer with people of Scottish decent coming from many places to celebrate Scottish culture. I hope to see many members out to support this wonderful event.

RE-UNVEILING CELEBRATION OF THE ROBBIE BURNS STATUE

As you are aware the Robert Burns statue was removed from its site in Fredericton in 2008 for repairs to the base. It has been a real challenge to have the statue returned. Due to a very generous donation by J.K. and Jean Irving it has now been returned to its place on the Green in Fredericton. The Statue was first unveiled in 1906 from the Scottish people of New Brunswick, and is the only commissioned Scottish monument paid for by the Scots of New Brunswick.

The New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Asociation in conjunction with the Restigouche Caledonian Society,the Highland Society of New Brunswick at Miramichi, the Fredericton Society of Saint Andrew, and the Saint Andrew's Society of Saint John has plannned a Grand Celebration for September 10th, 2011. The Celebrations will kick off with a Mass Band parade (2:30 PM) from City Hall to the Statue on the Green where the re-unveiling ceremony will commence at 3:00 PM. Then at 6:00 PM there will be a reception, and dinner at the Fredericton Convention Centre. Tickets are $45.00 per person, and can be purchased by contacting the NBSCA at 1-877-623-2234 or by e-mailing membership@nbscots.com

Please be advised that tickets are limited and must be purchased in advance. We have also made arrangements for a special rate at the Crowne Plaza Lord Beaverbrook Hotel for $124.00 per room with two Queen sized beds.When calling Crowne Plaza please refer

to N.B. Scottish Cultural Association Robert Burns Event to obtain the rate. Rooms must be booked by August15, to secure the rate, and rooms are limited. This is a ONCE IN A LIFE TIME EVENT!

SCOTTISH WEB PORTAL PROJECT

The scottish web portal project is a multi-year project that will cost over a million dollars to complete. It is one of the largest projects the Association has taken on in it's 31 year history. Some people may ask what the Scottish Web Portal is. The Portal will be an online web interface which will tell the complete history of the Scots of New Brunswick, and will be hosted by the website of the Provincial Archives. It will be a database of records about Scots who settled in New Brunswick, including land grants,marriage records,death certificates, and much more.

It will be a narrative/story of the people who came from Scotland and settled in New Brunswick. It will be a story told in pictures and graphics, and will be assessible in schools across New Brunswick. It will be a digital display of our story that will be visited by millions of people around the world, it will be our story told "once and for all" With this project we will be catching up to groups such as the Acadians, and the Irish who have told their story about how their people impacted the history of New Brunswick in areas such as the education system, banking system, and the economy. It will be our story, told for the world to see. Please consider volunteering your time to make this dream a reality.

Proud to be Scotish,

Llewellyn Smith ~ President

New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

June 2011 Up-Date

2011-06-17T21:01:00.000-03:00

It is time for an update to the President’s Blog

Things are moving along very well on the preparations for the Robbie Burns unveiling celebrations scheduled for September 10, 2011. We will keep you informed as more information becomes available.

Several representatives from the New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association attended the spring meeting of the United Council of Scots in Atlantic Canada in Charlottetown, P.E.I. on Saturday, June 11, 2011. A meeting which I chaired, and found to be very enjoyable, and informative. Many motions were passed, all concerning ways to improve our relationship with the several associations in Atlantic Canada, and to make our Scottish heritage and culture more visible in Atlantic Canada.

On May 28, 2011, I attended the Gathering of the Scots in Perth-Andover, and had a fantastic, and very enjoyable time. It was their 10^th Anniversary. There were five Pipes Bands present, and the quality of their performances were wonderful, and a delight to any Scot. They have come a long way since their 1^st gathering 10 years ago when they had one Pipe Band with six members in the Band. There were Heavy evnets, and several vendors in attendance, with hundreds of people on the grounds, all having fun. I met many old friends, and found some new friends as well. It was a great weekend to be a Scot. I applaud the organizers, and workers for a job well done. It takes a lot of hard work by a lot of dedicated people to make at event such as this to be successful. I thank the Administration for their kind invitation to attend, and wish them continued success in the future.

During the summer season there are several other Scottish events scheduled on the calendar.

Moncton Highland Games and Scottish Festival ~ June 17^th and 18^th. Moncton.
New Brunswick Highland Games and Scottish Festival ~ July 22^nd to 24^th , Fredericton.
Miramichi Celebration of Scots ~ August 26^th to 28^th, Miramichi

I urge you to come out and enjoy one of these events in your area, and others around the province, you will be pleased that you did.

Enjoy everything Scottish,

Llewellyn Smith

President, New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

May 2011

2011-05-21T21:26:00.000-03:00

It is blog time and I am late with my report. We have been very busy as of late with meeting’s to hold a celebration of the re-unveiling of the Robbie Burns Statue.

With summer almost upon us we have several Scottish event’s scheduled for the season.

1) Gathering of the Scot’s, May26 to 29 in Perth-Andover

2) New Brunswick Highland Games, July 22 to 24 in Fredericton

3) Miramichi Celebration of Scot’s August 26 to 28 in Miramichi

Let’s get out and support these events, and others around the province, make ourselves visible, and take pride in our heritage.

We are working hard on a Celebration of the re-unveiling of the Robbie Burns Statue in Fredericton. It is scheduled for September 10, 2011. There will be a parade, a dinner, etc.

Watch our web site for details.

Enjoy everything Scottish!

Llewellyn Smith

President ~ New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

2011 NBSCA President's Tartan Day Message

2011-04-04T21:21:00.000-03:00

April 6th, 2011, is the first time that Tartan Day will be celebrated as a national holiday in Canada. First proclaimed in New Brunswick in the early 1990s, Tartan Day has been observed annually on April 6th ever since, the inspiration for the project having come from Nova Scotia. Over the years, other Canadian provinces followed suit, and the day is also observed in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.

However, for Canadians of Scottish descent it was always only a provincial celebration - until now. After many years of lobbying the federal government, the NBSCA was thrilled in fall of 2010 when Hon. James Moore, Minister of Canadian Heritage, announced that henceforth Tartan Day will be added to the pantheon of significant dates on the Canadian calendar. The New Brunswick Scottish-Cultural Association is proud of the part it played in this movement.

Tartan Day is a significant celebration for New Brunswickers of Scottish descent. Of the three Scottish "holidays" on the calendar (the other two being the Feast of St. Andrew and Robbie Burns Day), it is Tartan Day which celebrates the Scottish-New Brunswick identity - it is a New World event celebration an Old World connection.

Tartan Day acknowledges all that was endured by the Scots who settled and tamed this province, all that they accomplished, and all that they and their descendants contributed (and continue to contribute) to the development and prosperity of New Brunswick.

Tartan Day 2011 is special for another reason as well. Through the efforts of the NBSCA, the United Council of Scots of Atlantic Canada, and several other Scottish organizations, parliament adopted the Maple Leaf Tartan, a commonly accepted symbol since the 1960s, as an official symbol of Canada just weeks ago.

It's a great year to be a Canadian of Scottish descent! It is my wish that all New Brunswickers of Scottish descent observe and enjoy Tartan Day, wherever they are.

Be proud of your heritage.

Llewellyn Smith,

President

New Brunswick Scottish-Cultural Association Inc.

President's March Up-Date

2011-03-09T20:11:00.000-04:00

It is time to update my Blog, I have been busy traveling and working as of late, and as a result the President’s Blog has not been updated for some time.

With the Robbie Burns statue issue resolved, it is time to move forward. We are in the planning stages for a celebration, and re-unveiling of the statue, when the statue is once again erected on it’s familiar place on the Green in Fredericton.

This past Saturday ( March 5th) the NBSCA organized a meeting with the 4 Scottish groups responsible for the statue back in 1906 to plan for the 2011 re-unveiling celebration. We will also be coordinating our efforts with the City of Fredericton, as we want this celebration to be a rousing success. I will keep you informed as to the progress of our efforts in planning of the Robbie Burns Statue celebrations as the plans develop.

Maple Leaf Tartan

I would like to remind everyone April 6, is Tartan Day, and this year it becomes Tartan Day across Canada for the first time. We can also celebrate the fact that the Maple Tartan has been made one of Canada's official symbols. To learn more about this announcement today please visit this link http://www.pch.gc.ca/pc-ch/infoCntr/cdm-mc/index-eng.cfm?action=doc&DocIDCd=CJM102196

I will keep you informed as to the progress of our efforts in planning of the Robbie Burns Statue celebrations as the plans develop.

Llewellyn Smith ~ President
New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

Happy New Year - Robert Burns Statue To Be Returned

2011-01-11T17:42:00.002-04:00

I wrote my blog on Friday January 7, 2011, and before I got it up on our web site things changed, and I had to rewrite it.

Things changed, and changed fast. For the past three weeks we were facing the possibility that our beloved Robbie Burns Statue might not be put back up on the Green in Fredericton, where it had stood for more than 100 years.

Provincal Robert Burns statue in Fredericton

There have been many letters of discontent with the Fredericton City Council, written in newspapaers, media interviews, all negative towards the Fredericton City Council’s decision not to fully fund the restoration work on the Robbie Burns Statue.

This evening everything changed. Mayor Brad Woodside announced at the Council meeting that the work would start as soon as possible in the spring, and continue without delay until completion.

A private benefactor has donated the remaining funds to finish the job. “The Irving’s.” The NBSCA applauds the efforts of Mayor Brad Woodside, and the Irving’s.

A very good ending to this story.

Until the next time ~ Enjoy Everything Scottish

Llewellyn Smith

President ~ New Brunswick Scottish Cultural Association

P.S. Below you will find few links of the many stories that were covered in papers around New Brunswick.

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/1369414

http://timestranscript.canadaeast.com/news/article/1369300

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/cityregion/article/1368635

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/1368625

http://dailygleaner.canadaeast.com/opinion/article/1368203

http://telegraphjournal.canadaeast.com/front/article/1369221

Robert Burns Statue in Fredericton not returning

2010-12-18T16:13:00.000-04:00

Robert Burns Statue before it was removed in 2008

It is that time of year when families come together to enjoy each others company, enjoy good food, exchange gifts, and have lots of fun.

We are working very hard to get the Robbie Burns Statue back in it’s place on the green in Fredericton. However we are having some difficulty with the Fredericton City Council, with adverse comments from one member of the City Council, and an Editorial from the Daily Gleaner, we hope to overcome these obstacles in early January 2011.

We attended St. Andrews Day Celebrations in Bathurst, and Miramichi, and had a wonderful reception in both cities, fantastic food, good music, and a very enjoyable evening in both locations.

Robert Burns Statue in Fredericton January 2006

Robbie Burns celebrations will soon be upon us, and I urge you to attend a Celebration near you, many are listed on our web site.

As President of the NBSCA I am pleased to wish all folk of Scottish decent a very Merry Christmas, and a Happy and Prosperous New Year, and our opportunity to sing Auld Lang Syne.

Llewellyn Smith
President ~ NBSCA

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2010 President's first message since elected.

2010-12-05T17:30:00.003-04:00

This will be my first message as your President, so please bear with me, hopefully they will get better as time goes on.

I want to thank the NBSCA membership for electing me as your president for the coming year, and trust that I will meet your expectations, I will do my best. I also wish to congratulate the new executive and Directors that were elected at the AGM in October, and look forward to working with them.

Most of you now know that the Federal Government has declared April 6 every year as National Tartan Day, commencing on April 6, 2011, good news indeed.

Saint Andrew’s Day is upon us, and several Chapters, and Scottish groups are holding celebrations throughout New Brunswick. If you can, please attend one of these functions to support the work that these groups put into the festivities provided for us, and celebrate our Scottish Heritage. We must remember that Saint Andrew’s Day is one of the most important day’s on the Scottish Calendar.

Until the next time enjoy life, enjoy your family, have fun, and take part in everything Scottish