As posted to the Sinclair-Discussion list.
For photos of the Sinclairs at the 2004 Grandfather Mountain Highland
Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans, visit Mel Sinclair’s family website.
Date: Sat, 12 Jun 2004 20:28:57 -0400
From: "Mel Sinclair"
Subject: Grandfather Mt. Games Gathering Info and Important Deadline
Greetings from the Carolinas (USA) to Friends and members of Clan
Sinclair!
Our most noble Clan Sinclair is to be recognized once again!
Clan members and friends, it is nearly time for the Grandfather Mountain
Highland Games (July 8-11 - http://www.gmhg.org),
however as you may well know, this year is significantly different.
The hereditary Chief of Clan Sinclair, Lord Caithness, the Right
Honorable The Earl of Caithness, will be the Honored Guest, with
Clan Sinclair being the honored Clan. I know that you will not want
to miss this opportunity to spend time with Malcolm and to get caught
up on the news surrounding our Clan activities and the
Trust.
The atmosphere, the setting, and the fellowship, will all
come together with Clan Sinclair being the honored Clan, to make this
a most memorable occasion. In addition to Malcolm’s visit, we will
have "cousins" attending from Canada to Florida and New Hampshire
to Texas to California. Among the Clan Sinclair USA officers
attending are: Donald Sinclair (President), Mary Selver
Secretary/Treasurer), and Gary Sinclair, Western Vice President.
We are also pleased that our special friends Brad Sinclair Barker
(Past President of Clan Sinclair USA) and Rory Sinclair (President
of Clan Sinclair Canada) will be joining us. Noted international
performer Isla St Clair, http://www.islastclair.tv/,
will also be visiting from across the pond, performing at the Games
and hopefully at our Clan Gathering on Saturday evening! Our very own
Ron Sinclair (North Carolina) will open the Games each day by singing
the National Anthem.
In addition to the Games, festivities include the Torchlight
ceremony on Thursday evening, the Sponsor’s Reception on Friday
evening, and an "Elegant (but Informal) Buffet Reception for The
Honorable Malcolm Sinclair, Earl of Caithness" on Saturday evening
(see my website, http://www.clansinclairsc.org for detailed
and time urgent information)....
Let’s give the Chief a warm and enthusiastic welcome
and show our appreciation for all of the work that he does on behalf
of the Clan. Best regards and I hope to see you at the Grandfather
Mountain Highland Games!
Aye,
Mel Sinclair
Clan Sinclair Association (USA), Inc.
Commissioner, North-South Carolina
http://www.clansinclairsc.org
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Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 11:54:28 +0100
From: "Malcolm Caithness"
Subject: The Clan at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
Dear all
The weather is perfect and the Clan is gathering. From California, New
Hampshire, Florida and the local States the Sinclairs are taking over
this Games. Reinforcements from Canada and other States arrive today.
Our President in the USA, Donald carried the torch in the procession
last night and announced to the gathered Clans that "The Sinclairs are
here". Mel has done a great job in organising everything and we have
two great tents.
We will raise a glass tomorrow at our Clan dinner to our absent friends.
Best wishes to you all
Malcolm
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Date: Fri, 9 Jul 2004 13:24:29 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Mel Sinclair"
Subject: Re: The Clan at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina
Hello to all:
The Chief is right (of course!). We had a great time last night
at the Torch Light Ceremony and today as well (Friday). Friday is
normally a very low energy day with a very light turnout. This year
is different. Our tent was busy all day with visitors and hopefully
a new member or two. A reporter for the Winston-Salem Tribune (or
Winston-Salem something) visited with us for quite some time as
she talked with Malcolm, Donald, Mary and I. We'll see how the
article turns out.
We learned that Chris St Clair will be competing in the heavy
athletics. That's quite an accomplishment as the competition is pretty
stiff. Ron Sinclair did an exceptional job opening the games by singing
the USA National Anthem.
We were able to meet Isla St Clair and she will visit our Reception
on Saturday evening honoring the Chief.
Malcolm opened the Games today and what a hit he was. He did an excellent
job and had everyone in the palm of his hands. His remarks were graceful,
generous, humorous, and informative ... in other words, he was a hit with
everyone and people really enjoyed meeting him.
Well, gotta run. We're heading to the Sponsor's Reception, a black tie
affair and we are expecting over 20 Sinclairs in attendance. The Chief will
again give brief remarks. This time he will speak after the scotch as
compared with after the coffee.
Stay tuned.
Mel of South Carolina
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Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 11:58:15 +0100
From: "Malcolm Caithness"
Subject: The Clan at Grandfather Mountain, North Carolina (Day Two)
Yesterday the reinforcements duly arrived and the take over is complete
and bloodless - The Sinclairs are back in charge. As you will have
guessed there has been a tune or two on the pipes from Rory. Yesterday
the sun shone all day and the tent looked really good. Isla was again in
fine voice enthralling the crowds with her music. As honoured clan we
are in pole position opposite the reviewing stand and we signed up some
new members. Today is the ’big’ day of the three here and
the rising sun is set in a cloudless sky so more sun block for me. We
have the Clan meeting followed by the photograph at the cairn of the clans. Tonight is our ceilidh which is being held at the house where Brad and
Sindy are staying.
Malcolm
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Date: Sat, 10 Jul 2004 04:20:18 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Mel Sinclair"
Subject: GMHG Newspaper article
Cousins all:
For an ’interesting’ write-up regarding the Games on Friday,
I'll refer you to the following website, The Winston-Salem Journal, where
you will find quotes from the Chief and others.
http://JournalNow.com/
We're off to the Games!
Mel of South Carolina
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Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2004 12:22:52 +0100
From: "Malcolm Caithness"
Subject: Grandfather Mountain Games (Day 3)
Yesterday was amazing with the tent always full and a steady stream
of visitors. It started with a bonus for us as there had been confusion
over the timing of the march onto the field by the senior members of the
organising committee and their party including me. On Friday there was
a pipe band to lead us but yesterday they were not there. No problem -
send for Rory. Mel, who was in the group and carrying my banner, rushed
down to the tent and soon we were on our way led by the pipes. Chris
St Clair is doing well in the heavy events and Isla is in fine voice.
Last night we had a great outdoors ceilidh hosted by Brad and Sindy.
The food was delicious, the music (Isla, her piper Pipe Major John Spoore
and Rory) were great and
the company was the best - all Sinclairs.
Just off back up the mountain for day three.
Malcolm
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Date: Sun, 11 Jul 2004 21:08:12 +0100
From: "Malcolm Caithness"
Subject: Grandfather Mountain Games - Finale
We have just come off the Mountain for the last time and as we did the
heavens opened. What a memorable Games it has been and an excellent one
for the Clan with a number of new members and the tent always full. Old
friendships were renewed and new ones made. Rory played the odd tune
when there was a quiet moment on the field and this was much appreciated
by all. Mel did a great job in organising everything - there were no
hiccups whilst Brad and Sindy were always there to chat to and encourage
those who came to the tent. At the Parade of Tartans around the field
they were in the front row of a strong Sinclair contingent. The Stone
Mountain Games have the reputation as the "friendly" Games
but this comes close. We all had a great time.
Malcolm
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Date: Mon, 12 Jul 2004 05:07:59 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Stan St Clair"
Subject: Re: Grandfather Mountain Games - Finale
Having attended both, Malcolm, you are right! So sorry I could not
be with you, and I am looking forward to Stone Mountain in October where
I will be hosting the tent along with Dan Sinclair of Hawaii. Hope many
who were at the Grandfather can be present!
Stan
[ The 32nd Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival
are 16-17 October 2004 in Stone Mountain Park
near
Atlanta, Georgia. Website: SMHG.org ]
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Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 13:12:10 EDT
From: "Ivan D. Lancaster"
Subject: A message form Cousin Ivan D. Lancaster of Trafalgar
....
The Grandfather Mountain Games was/were a great experience this year.
Especially for those of Clan Sinclair. Our Chief was a great STAR and there
were many members in attendance. The weather was perfect. Cousin Donna
Stogsdill and I always had front row seats in the Patron’s Tent for
all of the ceremonies. We were proud of our Clan's representation in The
Calling of the Clans on Thurs. evening. Our National President, the Hon.
Donald Sinclair, answered the call. We cheered loudly from the Patron's
Tent and the large delegation did the same from the Clan Sinclair Tent that
was directly across the field. We could see the Sinclair Banner plainly
from the Reviewing Stand and Patron's Tent.
We were most impressed with the Singing of our own Ron Sinclair.
He sang our national anthem at the opening ceremonies. He has a
tremendous voice. We were certainly proud of him. I regret that we
did not get to hear Isla Sinclair sing. From what I understand, the
Clan enjoyed her voice/talent at the gathering on Sat. evening. We
regretted that we were unable to attend that function. We were thankful
to be with the family on Fri. evening for the Sponsor and Patron's
Reception. The Clan had reserved tables directly across the dance
floor from the orchestra and speaker's podium. The fellowship, music,
dancing, presentations, and food were all outstanding.
I remember, so very well, just how wonderful the Clan Sinclair Banquet
was a few years ago, when we were the honored Clan at Stone Mountain.
I especially remember the Grand Processions, led by our Pipers and our
Chief and Rory, who was then the Sect’y. of Canada served the very
delicious Haggis.
Rory Sinclair is now the President of Canada. We were so pleased
to have him with us again. It is great to have an accomplished Bag Piper
in our family and in attendance on such important occasions.
I remember, Queen Margrata (sp) of Denmark remarking about her husband,
Prince Henric, "It is so nice to have a musician in the family."
(He is an accomplished organist)
....
Ivan D. Lancaster of Trafalgar
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Date: Wed, 14 Jul 2004 22:44:43 -0400
From: "Mel Sinclair"
Subject: New Grandfather Mt. Photos on Website
Hello to all:
Forgive me for my tardiness, but it’s been rather hectic since
returning from the Grandfather Mt. Games. Gee, it was hectic *at* the
Games, but delightfully so. I've edited/resized/etc., over 120 photos,
divided into 6 "albums" so that they will load more quickly.
You can access them through my family website: http://www.clansinclairsc.org
Click on any of the "thumbnails" for a larger photo.
If you’ve visited the website lately, you may need to
"refresh" your browser when you get to my home page. I've
changed the links and created an index page for the albums.
I also have posted Ivan’s photos, with his permission and
my own photos of the Clan Group photo and the Kilted Sinclairs. Feel
free to download any of them. If anyone wants the original photos,
let me know which ones. I've reduced the size of most photos to
600 x 400 pixels so that they will load more quickly. The larger
photos are better for printing....
Best to you all and I really want to thank those who attended
and helped so very much, with a special thank you to Malcolm, Sindy
Barker, and my wife, Lynne. Every one pitched in and it was great
team work. For those who couldn’t make it to the Games, we missed
you and wished that you could have been there, particularly several
of my friends whom I've seen at previous Games. Stan and Bud, we
missed you. Niven, we hope that you can make it another time....
Aye,
Mel of South Carolina
Commissioner, North-South Carolina
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