SIXTH ANNUAL NORTH CENTRAL WEST VIRGINIA SCOTTISH HERITAGE FESTIVAL, MAY 4, 5, AND 6, 2007
by John Gall, CMA Member and Heavy Athlete

Can’t believe we have been going for six years now.  This is due to the hard work of a group of dedicated volunteers.  We do our best to earn our title as one of the top 20 events on the eastern seaboard.  All members of the CMA should plan on attending next year, as the MacIntyre tent will be always be there, as long as there is a festival.     

 On Friday night before the festival, Mom and I assist in the hosting of the Heavy Athletes picnic.  This is a short clinic of instruction, hosted by Ryan Viera, the world champion.  A good time was had by all, and we were pleased to have Stanley MacIntire and his lovely wife Gloria attend the picnic.  Stanley is mom’s cousin, and he and his wife had been interested in our Scottish heritage for some time.  Stanly wound up manning the grill, and had a great time. 

 The forecast had been for nice weather, but as the weekend approached, it appeared that the weather was not going to cooperate.  It was a little cool in the morning, with heavy dew, but dried nicely by noon for the opening ceremonies.  Stanley and Gloria decided to attend the festival, and came with mom, CMA member Lillian Begunich.  Stanley and Gloria assisted mom in staffing the tent throughout the day, and were thrilled by the festival.  My girlfriend Ellie Stevenson also showed up at the last minute, and provided much needed encouragement to me on the athletic field. 

 Throughout the day, Stanley and Ellie would come over and visit the athletic field, and Stanley got some great pictures and videos of me on the athletic field.  I wish I could have put on a better show for him, but this is the first festival of the year for me, and my technique is a little rusty.  I didn’t set any personal records for the day, but got a good warm-up for the rest of the season. 

 By the opening ceremonies at noon, the sky was partly cloudy and glorious.  I was in the process of throwing the hammer, but near enough to the parade field to see CMA Member Kim Sabo and her son Dakota marching towards me with the MacIntyre banner.   Mom and Ellie brought up the rear.   Dakota Sabo looked great in his kilt, carrying a sword.  It has been a joy to watch Dakota gradually take up his heritage. Since mom’s back surgery, she has been much more mobile, and it was great to see her march.  I ran over and joined our proud group, and the festival certainly knew the Macintyre’s were on the field that day.

 Mom brought plenty of food, and by the end of the day, we had over forty people sign our guest register.  I was also happy to see Eric Winans, a local MacIntyre, who had visited the clan tent year before last.  I could see him in his MacIntyre shirt standing watching me on the athletic field.  I ran over and told him to visit my mom at the clan tent.  Eric is a big boy, and I hope to get him to join CMA and take up the Heavy Athletics with me. 

 Eric went back to the tent, and eventually entered the Bonnie Knees contest.  Eric wowed the judges and took home a third place ribbon for Clan Macintyre.  We will have this framed and displayed at our next festival. 

 As the day wore on, the weather became more and more ominous.  By 3:00 it was gently drizzling, and people started packing up.  The athletes remained on the field until around 5:00, and then I had to help take the field down and pack up all the materials.  By then the skies had opened up and we all got soaked.  I got home around 8:30 after a long but great day. 

 We ended the festival with a new set of friends, and had about 13,000 people visit our festival.   The weather hurt a little with the attendance; since it was raining hard all around the festival, but the die hards will always show up. 

 On Sunday, during the kirkin’ of the tartans, the entire Sabo family (CMA members all) assisted John in carrying in the clan banner and showing our colors proudly.   When it came time to bless the tartan, the entire row of CMA members held our MacIntyre banner up and let the whole church know that we were there.  At the reception following, the minister, who hailed from Scotland, said that he was very impressed by our Highland Festival, and said that it was as good as any in Scotland.  High praise indeed. 

 Kim and Jim Sabo run the volunteers at our festival, and they work hard, like all of our clan.  Mom was appalled by the conditions and food at the Sponsor tent this year, and had decided to run and cater the Sponsor tent next year.  I just need to make sure we have someone at the Clan tent, but Stanley and Gloria stated what a great time they had, and they will attend next year.  They haven’t joined CMA yet, but they did join the NCWV Scottish Heritage Society, and are raring to go for next year.  I can’t wait fo the Reunion in August!

 The Macintyre’s have a strong presence at our festival, and we hope to see you all here next year.  In 2008, the North Central West Virginia Scottish Heritage Festival will host the Scottish Heavy Athletic World Championship.  This is going to be a great event, and will bring many more people to our festival.  We hope to see you there. 

 Next weekend, I think I will travel to Frederick, Maryland.  It’s only about 90 minutes from Ellies house, and an easy trip down the interstate. I’m sure Dorothy MacIntyre could use some help running the clan tent, and it will be a pleasure to meet some other MacIntyres in the clan.  

 Thanks to all Clan MacIntyre members who visited our tent and who keep this organization running.  Let’s set up tents and get the word out people.  See you next year. 

 Yours Aye:

 John Gall   CMA Member

POTOMAC CELTIC FESTIVAL, LEESBURG, VIRGINIA, JUNE 9, 2007
by John Gall, CMA Member and Heavy Athlete

 As all you gentle readers know, I had to train a “boot” Trooper in 2006, and had to work weekends.  This limited the number of clan tents I could set up.  So I missed this festival last year, and it was good to come back.  After attending the Frederick Celtic Festival and having such a great visit at Dorothy’s tent, I was looking forward to seeing her family again.  Dorothy’s daughter, Patty Hayes is very active at this festival, and assists with the organization of this festival.  

 True to form, she was waiting as I pulled into the festival grounds, and directed me to the MacIntyre Tent space.  This festival has had some financial difficulty, and although this has caused some problems, this was the thirtieth year of this festival.  I was disappointed to hear that they were not holding an athletic competition due to financial constraints, but maybe next year.  We have a vocal group of local athletes, who were very interested in having an athletic competition here next year, and I hope they can succeed. 

 The Festival was held at a different part of the Morven Equestrian Park, nearer to the mansion.  In past years, this Festival was held in a field surrounded by trees, and the heat and humidity was very unpleasant.  This part of the park had rows and stands of trees, and was nicely divided into levels of differing heights.  The weather was also nicer, being cooler than I can ever remember it, and the crowds were very heavy. 

 After setting the tent up, and assisting several local clans with theirs, I settled down for the day.  Patty’s family was all there, including her husband and her children, and later in the morning, Dorothy stopped by the tent.  It was good to see her again. 

 We had a number of visitors to the tent, and I think that people in this area are ripe for our Clan to expand into.  This region of Virginia is filled with Scottish people, and many of our Clan.  People are always glad to see “their” family name on the banner.  I had a MacIntyre family from Kansas visit, and the young man Cody, was not happy until he had bought a kilt, a MacIntyre Shirt and one of our Association Pins.  Cody’s family was wearing their own MacIntyre shirts, from a family member who was a well known dance choreographer.  I hope they come to the Potomac Festival next year, we had a great visit. 

 As I stated, the weather was glorious, by far the best weather I have ever seen at the Potomac Festival.  It was sunny buy not too hot.  A breeze blew all day, and the rows of trees gave shade to the Festival attendees.  I think the numbers for the festival were way up, as a steady stream of people came through the gate and past the Clan MacIntyre tent.  I kept a cooler full of extra Gatorade, Tea and Ice water for anyone needing a cold drink.  This is a good idea if you host a clan tent, as someone is always thirsty and the drinks you buy beforehand are much cheaper than anything sold at the festival.  Visitors and clan members at your tent will appreciate it. 

 The Hayes family (MacIntyre) camped at the tent for most of the day, leaving to get food or to buy an occasional trinket.  They all helped me run the tent, and gave me some breathing space to march in the parade of clans.   At around 1130, Dorothy carried our banner, and Cody and I armed ourselves as honor guards for the parade of clans.  Dorothy gets around pretty good after years of service to the Clan, and I thank her for her support.  We marched and were announced on the parade field, and the Festival certainly knew the MacIntyre’s were there!!

 I provided several T-Shirts to some interested clan members, and we said many fond farewells at the end of the day.  The selection of vendors at this festival has suffered somewhat from their financial constraints, but there were several interesting merchants on the field.  This festival is always worth a walking/shopping tour. 

 A nearby vendor was selling cotton Celtic throws; essentially bed throws or wall hangings.  He had several designs, but the one that caught my eye was a tan/brown throw with horses and Celtic knots.  It reminds of something you may see hanging in King Theoden’s Golden Hall. 

 Those of you, who have visited the Clan Tents, know that often it is only a tent with a roof and no sides.  They have begun to sell sides for some of the models of tents, but as I looked at the Celtic throw in the breeze, I thought it would make an excellent sun screen for one side of the tent.  Tents are great for the heat of the day, but in the morning and evening, the chairs move like chess pieces, as people try to get out of the sun.  A sun screen seems like a good idea. 

 I walked to the vendor (thanks to Dorothy for watching my tent) and priced the throws.  I thought they might be available in Ohio at their festival, but the vendor was taking that weekend off.  Needless to say, I bought the throw, and used it at the Ohio Scottish Festival.   Read about that in my next clan tent report. 

 I had a great day, and although no one joined the clan association, I handed out lots of literature, and sold several t-shirts.  I cannot stress enough that we need to get out and set up the Clan Tents.  There is nothing to compare to the look on the face of a person looking for their clan tent, and finding the MacIntyre tent.  To keep out Clan Association growing, we need to set up tents and get out there in front of people looking for our Clan.  Hopefully I can throw for the Clan at this Festival next year, because it seems they had a good day and hopefully made some money.   

 This was the second clan tent of the year for me.  On June 23, I’ll be at the Ohio Scottish Festival with my brother Randy.  I’m looking forward to my yearly visit with family.   Let’s set up tents and get the word out people. 

 Yours Aye:
John Gall   CMA Member

OHIO SCOTTISH GAMES, LORAIN COUNTY FAIR GROUNDS, WELLINGTON, OHIO, JUNE 22 - 23, 2007
by John Gall, CMA Member and Heavy Athlete

I always look forward to traveling to these games.  Primarily because I get to visit with my family.  My brother and fellow CMA member Randy Lake lives within an hour and a half from these games, and I always plan a week to visit and enjoy Ohio.  I arrived a week early, and spent a good visit with the Lake Family, as I always enjoy the good food and company with them.  I have two other Aunts and Uncles in the area too, and my Dad had me take some onion sets to his brother Frank in Akron.  A good time was had before I even saw the Games Field. 

 As usual, I requested that they set up the Clan Field so the McIntire Tent was next to our friends Kevin and Deb Anderson from Bridgeport, WV.  We always have a good time together when we attend festivals.    

 Once again, I contacted the Athletics Judge, and competed in the masters competition on Friday.  Randy and I got there in plenty of time on Friday, and we were planning for camping for the weekend.  This would save us a two and a half hour round trip back and forth.  Randy had bought a tent, and my mother provided two modern army cots for our comfort.  We were all set for the weekend. 

 I had a machine shop in Romney make me a pair of boot spikes for the hammer throw.  (See the MacIntyre Web Page for Photos), and I was eager to use them in competition.  Randy got a big kick out of them, and I managed to place in the competition.  In the course of the day, I too two third place medals and one second place medal.  I was happy to compete for the honor of the Clan!

 After competing, Randy and I ate at the Games buffet.  There is an all you can eat buffet at the end of the day, and I was certainly hungry.   Kevin and Deb Anderson had arrived, and we enjoyed a nice visit as we ate together. 

 For a nice change of pace, the weather for this weekend was absolutely gorgeous.  The temperature was cool and temperate, and there was a nice breeze.  Of course I got hot competing, but that is only to be accepted.  After we ate at the buffet, Randy and I went over to the campground, and I set up our campsite.  We had plenty of firewood and food supplied by mom, and we were all set,.  I went over to the Torch light ceremony at dusk, which is a new feature they have been having at the Ohio Games.  The crowd gathers in the grandstand, and they separate the clans into two groups.  Each Clan representative marches in one at a time, alternating sides and stops at the corner of the grandstand.  The representative then raises his torch, and announces his clan.  I had lots of practice at this with my attendance at the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, where it is  my high honor to carry the clan torch into the ceremony.  Most Clan representative give a war cry, or a motto.  Some clans make up poems or other sayings..  Clan Kennedy always gives  a long loud speech announcing his Clan.  I felt that we should Match him, and as I stepped up to the grandstand, I bellowed (and believe me, I can bellow!):  From the Shores of Loch Etive, at the base of the Mighty Ben Cruachan we come, and CLAN MACINTYRE is PROUD to answer the call! Cruachan Cruachan, CRUACHAN!  This was received with a round of rousing applause from the assembled crowd.  I took my place with the other Clan representatives, and when all the clans were finished, we lit the way to the Ceiladgh that they were holding on the fairground. 

 I would have stayed, but since I had been up since around 0530 hours, and competed all day, and had a full stomach from the buffet, I was more than ready to hit the hay.  Randy was already snoring when I got to the tent, and even with all the trains going by the fairgrounds I slept like the dead. 

 I woke at dawn, 0520 hours, and got the camp fire going.  I put a pot of coffee on, and got out the cinnamon rolls that mom had sent us.  I had purchased a loaf of pepperoni cheese bread at Johnnies Bakery in Canton (very famous place), and tore chunks of it off and put them on the grill near the fire.  The break had ground bits of pepperoni and grated cheese throughout and was delicious after it had warmed by the fire.  Randy got up a little later, and we enjoyed mom’s good cooking, a hot cup of coffee, and watched the dawn coming up.  What a glorious way to spend the morning. 

 We thought this was preferable to driving home, and getting up the next day just to drive back.  I think the camping plan will be a regular event from now on.  I also enjoyed the opportunity to carry the torch in for the Clan, and I think if we are represented at the festival, we should be at the calling of the Clans. 

 I had already set the clan tent up the day before, so all we really had to do was to raise it to an acceptable height.  We had the tent set up in no time.  Randy loved the throw that I bought at the Potomac Celtic Festival, and we set it up on one side of the clan tent as a sun screen.  We got lots of compliments about the design, celtic knots with horses, and I was glad I bought it for a sun screen.  

 We had lots of visitors on this day, and our usual friends Carl Fryman and Kim Goldsberry showed up to support the Clan.  Tom MacIntyre and his daughter, who was in the piping competition visited the tent too.  Tom’s daughter didn’t place as well as she would like, but I appreciated that she represented the Clan with pride.  We had many guests who visit every year, and handed out Gatorade and pepperoni rolls to our Clan members and visitors.  Thanks Mom for feeding our hungry Clan tent!

 At 1100, I took charge of organizing a parade group, and drafted Tom, Carl, and Kim to march in and represent the clan.  Randy manned the clan tent, and we proudly announced the Clan Macintyre again to the assembled crowd in the grandstand.  As we marched in armed with my swords and our banner, we were announced by the moderator, and after we had been announced, we gave a rousing battle cry:  Cruachan, Cruachan, CRUACHAN!  This was very well received by the crowd.  If you can’t march in with 30 members, at least you can be louder than the group of thirty.   Later this day, the Clan Kennedy representative visited the tent, and told me that he had a deserved reputation for being loud, and he was happy that now that Clan MacIntyre was in the torch light ceremony and the parade, he wasn’t the only loud one at the festival.   

 I missed Anne and Tom Chapman, from last year.  Gentle Readers from last year will remember that the Chapman’s hail from the homeland.  Anne and Tom were on a trip to Scotland, and couldn’t attend the festival.   They sent me a picture of the Police Station in Taynuilt, and I sent it to web page.  See the MacIntyre Web Site for the picture.  The Chapman’s have been invaluable to me in planning for my trip to Scotland next year. 

 We had a great day, although the visitor were a little thin.  This is the way it goes sometimes.  I did sell  several of my T-shirts, and I have recently heard that the Clan Association is planning on stocking the T-shirts in our supply store.  As long as I am able, I will plan on setting up a clan tent at this festival.  I will definitely be here next year, with the clan tent and competing in the heavy athletics as a master.    

 This was the third clan tent of the year for me.  The next tent will be at the BIG ONE, the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in July.  Thanks to Martie for keeping the clan boxes moving and stocked.  Thanks also to all CMA members who visit my tents.  Thanks for the support, and lets get out and set up those tents.    . 

 Yours Aye:
John Gall   CMA Member