Tartan Day Triumph
By Laurie McConnell

On the weekend of April 8th and 9th the display boards were set up at Lakeside Mall and the people kept coming! I extend my heartfelt gratitude to all members who helped set up and talk with people, who participated, and those who came by to visit and show their support. Please know you are appreciated (I’m always afraid I’ll leave someone’s name out and their feelings will be hurt).

Helping set up were Christyn Wise and Cameron, Michael Elliott, Hank and Cynthia Parham, Alison Wallis and Wayne Alligood and hubby Rick. Thanks to T Diemer and Beverly Zeller for new displays this year and to Louis Greer who supplied the material for a replacement display board. The mall didn’t have the display case ready on set-up Sunday so Rick, Cynthia, and Hank returned the next day and worked 4 hours designing and setting it up. It looked wonderful!

Thank you to the Scottish Country Dancers for having class at the mall Friday night and performing on both Saturday and Sunday. It wouldn’t be a Tartan Day celebration without you. A very special thank you goes to Toni Calandria for stepping in for Wendy!It was great having Marta Vincent playing bagpipes. As I heard one of our members mention, Marta’s not a fan of slow marches. The audience and our members loved hearing her play.

Thanks to the New Orleans Strathspey and Reel Society. Jim, Toni, Rick McEwen and Marta kept the audience’s feet a-tappin’ and introduced them to Scottish fiddle music.Thank you Wayne, for your great computer video of Caledonian events. We are so lucky that you share your technological skill with the Society.

Sunday brought the Pelican Squares, a local Square dancing group who skillfully showed the American evolution of Scottish Country dancing with enthusiasm and flash! The tempo slowed down as Patrice Fisher and the New Orleans Celtic Harp Ensemble played a set of Scottish tunes - such a haunting, Celtic sound.

Many members showed up to see if they could help or just visit. Some brought their family and friends. This event was a success because of YOU. Thank you for being such an important part of our Society!