PO Box 765, Rapid City SD 57709

BlackHillsCelticEvents.org

Volume 9 Issue 9 September 2007

Serving the Celtic Communities of: Wales, Isle of Man, Cornwall (England), Galicia (Spain), Brittany (France), Scotland and Ireland

You may contribute news and photos by email to

C:\Documents and Settings\Gary\My Documents\SIS\NEWSLETTER\Newsletter 2007-07.doc 1

http://www.dakotaclans.com/

For Photos, see separate Newsletter addendums, PHOTOS: Part 1 and 2

Sept 20 / 7:00 p.m. / General membership Meeting, American Legion Post 22, Rapid City
Program: Northern Ireland by Siaryn Duggan
Oct 4 / 7:00 p.m. / Board Meeting
Oct 18 / 7:00 p.m. / General membership Meeting, American Legion Post 22, Rapid City
PROGRAM: Sally Knight on Celtic Halloween (our resident All Hallow’s Eve QUEEN!!)
Oct 27 / TBA / Samhain
Nov 1 / 7:00 p.m. / Board Meeting
Nov 3 / TBA / Heather Payden and Darren Williams’ WEDDING!!!!!
Nov 15 / 7:00 p.m. / General membership Meeting, American Legion Post 22, Rapid City
PROGRAM: The Role of the Irish in the Wars (Bill Knight)
Dec 6 / 7:00 p.m. / Board Meeting
Dec 20 / 7:00 p.m. / General membership Meeting, American Legion Post 22, Rapid City
PROGRAM: TBA
Dec 31 / TBA / Black Hills Symphony’s Celtic New Years @ Civic Center

*American Legion Post 22, 818 East St. Patrick St, Rapid City

For the Love of the Game

How many times have we heard this expression; “For the Love of the Game”? I relate it to old time baseball when the players would often say they played for the love of the game, of course being paid to play the game I am sure was also an incentive. Another Celtic festival has come and gone and its success can be judged by the crowds in attendance, vendor and food sales or simply by the hard and dedicated work in organizing and actually putting on such an event. I like to think that it is all of the above because anyone can put up some tents, sell some food, have a bit of music and some one will show up, if nothing else, to see what’s going on. But if you add to that the group people who are truly dedicated to the preservation of their culture through festivals, dinners, ceilidhs and their attire then it becomes truly a cultural experience. Why else would a small group of folks get together over a years time through countless hours of meetings, phone calls and e-mails on how to have a festival dedicated to The Gathering of the Clans? It was for the “Love of the Game”. For all those who love the game, as this person does, I thank all of for your hard work and dedication and your continuing efforts to keep alive our Celtic culture throughout our community and look forward to our next “game”.

Bill Knight

President/SIS

If you missed getting a Festival T-shirt, there is still time! Mark Roland graciously stepped in at the last minute to provide Festival T-shirts when our first vendor fell through! THANKS MARK & Therese! There are 2 colors. Royal Blue and Black; Limited sizes and quantities. $10.00 S-XL $12.00 for XXL and XXXL. Mark says “I take cash, personal checks, Paypal. If I need to mail it is $3.75 for first shirt and $2.00 for each additional shirt. Or, I can deliver in Rapid City for free or bring to Sept or Oct SIS membership meeting.”
Mark can be contacted at .

Misty Johnson joined our esteemed ranks and resides in Rapid City. She’s a member of Clan Johnson and is interested in genealogy, history, and dancing. Misty, you should enjoy our September program on the history of the bagpipes. There will be an opportunity to learn some Celtic dancing at the Black Hills Symphony’s Celtic New Years event. Hope we all can meet you in person soon! WELCOME!!!

John Savery

There was a nice article in the RC Journal about John Savery being met at the airport by some fellow Celts. Thanks Helen for helping to drum up a crowd at a BUSY time!

We’ll be bringing a portion of our Society’s Library collection (books, videos and CD’s to each meeting). We’ve got tattoos, history books, novels, Celtic folktales. If anyone wants to give a ‘review’ on anything from the collection for the newsletter, just let Pat Hamilton know and she’ll give you some ‘ink’ space!

Our current Newsletter Editor, Pat Hamilton, has served for 2 years and is ready to help train a new person to enjoy this monthly endeavor. Replacement will start by January. Please contact Pat if you are interested,

Your Input Needed

This newsletter would be far more interesting with your input: news, events, culture, history, photos, new Celtic businesses, anything. Submit your articles in MS Word doc and photos in jpg format. E-mail to

Siaryn Duggan, owner of Celtic Connection in downtown Rapid City, is adding new inventory all the time!

The Celtic Connection is in the processing of expanding, which will double its size. Siaryn expects to have an area where you can sit down and enjoy a spot of tea and some good conversation.

Siaryn also advises us that she has women’s clothing and is taking suggestions on more items for her shop.

Let her know you’re a S.I.S. member when you drop by and listen to her sweet Irish accent and her “Siaryn-isms”!

As a reminder, there is free parking at all the leased parking lots on Saturdays and after 6 p.m. on weekdays!

This will be a regular feature of our Newsletter with your help. Please share any of your favorite Celtic Shopping locations with our Newsletter editor, Pat Hamilton. Send any suggestions to .

Dream Shoes (Bald Mountain): http://www.DreamShoes.com/

They have great sandals and shoes for both men and women.

Pyramid Collection: http://www.PyramidCollection.com/

Clothing, jewelry, goblets (mail-order catalog available)

Creative Irish Gifts: www.ShopIrish.com

Clothing, trinkets, jewelry, caps, mugs (mail-order catalog available)

Cashs of Ireland: www.cashs.com

Dishes, glassware, clothing (mail-order catalog available)

Shannon: www.ShopShannon.com

Clothing, trinkets, glasses (mail-order catalog available)

Sofi’s Stitches: http://www.sofisstitches.com/

Medieval and renaissance clothing

Gael Song: http://www.gaelsong.com/

(mail-order catalog available)

Celtic Croft: www.kilts-n-stuff.com

Kilts, clothing, jewelry, etc (mail-order catalog available)

The Celtic Shop: http://CelticShopDunedin.com

This is our old friend Coleen Coble’s web site. Check out her wide assortment.

No meeting was held as only 4 showed up. BUT, we had a nice conversation!

Submitted by Pat Hamilton

Treasurer's Report balance-$2337 plus $450 from festival.

1. Old business

A. We need to check out venues for Burne's dinner.

Various members checking various options.

Heather needs to find out about the Alex Johnson.

B. Flags and banners are being priced.

C. Help from senior citizens – an idea was to perhaps

link up with a Sr. Center for possible activities and

membership

2. New Business

A. Festival board broached the idea of turning the Celtic

festival back to SIS as a subcommittee? We will bring it before the SIS membership.

B.  Celtic festival merger with a Heritage Festival?

Pros and cons need to be discussed and option investigated.

C. SIS storage to Celtic Connection basement?

Siaryn Duggan, Celtic Connection, offered her basement of her store as a storage location for S.I.S. Board voted: Aye. This would be accomplished after our current storage facility contract expires saving us $35/month. THANKS SIARYN!

D. Samhain=Oct 27.

E. The Symphony is doing the Celtic Christmas on New

Years Eve so we can do the big Hogmanay.

3. Standing Business

A. Website-maintaining newsletter.

B. Programs: Bill can’t do the September program;

He’ll do later.

August Program: Bill was unable to prepare his program as he was BUSY with the Festival (and ‘over-committed a bit!) J We’re looking for a replacement for September.

Next board meeting at Jim Byrnes Office; the Clock tower #204, October 4.

Submitted by Heather Payden

President Bill Knight

Vice President John Burke

Secretary Heather Payden (Sally Knight, co-secretary)

Treasurer Carole Conrad

Board Members Aliyah Sanders, Kerry Smith, Jim Byrne, James Marrs, Paul Smith

Past President Gary Hamilton

Membership Sally Knight

Web Site Gary Hamilton

Newsletter Pat Hamilton,

If you would like to contribute an article or story, list an event, submit a photo, etc. to the newsletter, please email the item to me by the 5th of each month.

to our Festival sponsors

For your Support!

Rapid City Journal
Hayman and Associates
Pennington Title
M & K Knifeworks

MAC Construction
The Exchange Club of Rapid City
Elks Theatre
Scull Construction
Telco Federal Credit Union

String Thaw

(Traditional Irish music)

Horizons, Inc.

We appreciate all the

Support of all of our vendors in making this Festival a

SUCCESS!!!

Hope to see you NEXT year too!

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