STONE MOUNTAIN, GEORGIA SEPT. 2001

The Chief of Clan Sinclair, The Earl of Caithness, Malcolm Sinclair
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The Grand Processions were very touching at the banquet.  Bradley's wife spoke for Brad and did a wonderful job.  She also spoke for him for the most part at the AGM.  Everyone was very understanding and supportive.  Brad was in a wheel chair most of the time.  He did walk some with the aid of crutches.  I would say no use of his right hand to speak of.  He did say a few words.  At the banquet--"Thankyou, Thankyou, Thankyou." He has recovered more after his stroke that they ever thought he would.  He did call for a vote during the AGM.  The AGM was standing room only.  Many of the younger ones stood out side the tent.  The tent was of fair size.       

      Chief Malcolm invested the new President with the President's medallion.  He also presented the Chief's honor medal to Bradley.  All were very pleased.

      Mary Susan Sinclair, a young cousin from Nashville, Tenn. danced for us.  She danced the Village Maid and Blue Bonnet.  Rory played the pipes for her.  She was the Dancer of the Day at the Stone Mt. Games and is a national champion.

      Roy brought greetings from Canada.   Chief Malcolm gave interesting remarks.  He updated us on the Sinclair Trust and the new distinction for the Castles.  This was mentioned, I believe in the last newsletter.

      The food was very good.  An elegant meal, a four course meal.  Well, with the Haggis, I guess we would say five.  It was the best I have had. Chief Malcolm and Sec'ty Rory took plates of Haggis and served all at the tables.

      The evening closed with the video on the Castles.  I feared that this would not work well, but it did.  All were very interested and the sound, color, etc. was great.  After this Rory and Steven Snoddy of Nashville Tenn. played for dancing.  Rory taught some of the younger members one of the highland dances.

            It was great to meet several that I know of through the Sinclair List and to have several say, "Oh, you are Ivan of Trafalgar".

      I had communicated with a Sindy about information about Stone Mt. Park, not realizing she was the President's wife, so she surprised me by saying, "Oh, you are Ivan of Tragalgar (Indiana)".

      The Sinclairs had a large tent right next to the reviewing stand and next to the field of events.  Mary Selver had made name badges for all, so it was easy to identify family members, even though they might not have on the Sinclair Tartans.  Many were beautifully dressed in our families tartans.  I think that the Red Sinclair Tartan is becoming my favorite.  It is more distinctive than the Hunting, which to me resembles some of the other clan's tartans. The raffle must have gone well, because Mary S. was almost out of tickets when I purchased mine during the reception.

      I have ordered the replica of the new Jarl Henry sculpture and also donated to the Save our Knight project.  I saw one of the framed Prints that they are mailing to donors.  It was very nice.  One was presented to Chief Malcolm.  There were also some great pictures from the last visit to Scotland which were presented to the Chief and to Bradley.  I believe Rory, who presented them, said Wanda had taken them.     

      Your Grateful Cousin,   Ivan of Trafalgar   (Ivan Dean Lancaster)

     I have posted photos of the Stone Mt. Highland Games and Scottish Festival.  The photos are also for immediate family and friends to view, so please excuse the number of "Mel Sinclair Clan" photos.  I reduced the size of the photos so that they will load more quickly.

     Go to the site below and view the thumbnails.  Click on the first photo to see a larger image, then click on the "right arrow" to move through the photos.  The album includes our Chief, cousins, events, and tents.  Captions are written for the photos.

     If anyone has other photos of the Games to post, I'll be glad to add them to the site.  If anyone wants one of the photos, let me know and I'll e-mail a better quality photo. There are 50 photos in total.



Mel Sinclair

North and South Carolina Commissioner Clan Sinclair, USA, Inc.