1. President’s Report Scottish Society of Tidewater July 5 th, 2006

2. Flowers of the Forest Asheville, NC - James Ben Ballew, 69, formerly of Sweeten Creek Road, died Monday, June 26, 2006, at his. He was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, a member of the VFW Post #3040, the DAV Post #14 and a retired employee of Progress Energy. Ben is survived by his wife of 46 years, Glenna Boone Ballew; two daughters, Genene Butler, and her husband Mark, of Virginia Beach, Va. and Denese Ballew of Waynesville; two grandchildren, James Adrian Butler of Skyland and Charles Dean Butler of Virginia Beach; two great grandchildren, Mark Riley Butler and John Devon Butler. Also surviving is a sister, Mary Elizabeth Waycaster of Marion, a brother, Archie H. Ballew of Burnsville and a very special friend, Paula Adams of Waynesville.

3. Update on Book Order Sons of the Mountains: The Highland Regiments First order was placed a couple of weeks ago Just shipped this morning! I will get them to you ASAP! Contact me if you are interested in getting in on a second order

4. Recent Events 3rd Annual Newport News Police Pipes & Drums Independence Day Picnic Sat. July 1, 2006 Thanks to NNPPD for good food, and good music! Recent fundraising allowed them to send four members to the National Piping Centre’s Shenandoah Summer School

5. Recent Events

6. Recent/Upcoming Events World Cup Football Many SST members came out to see the debaucle that was the USA vs. Italy match at Conklin’s on Saturday, June 17 th Nevertheless, a good time was had by all! The only team remaining with any semblance of Celtic blood in them is France!

7. Recent/Upcoming Events Scottish Ceilidh Dancing Lynnette Fitch Brash has given two successful “all Scottish” ceilidh dance workshops recently for the Southside Ceili(dh) Dance class (directed by Lisa Hunt) More to come in the future … Check the website for dates/times

8. Outreach Efforts Personal genealogical research led me to the Island of Tiree. Made contact there with the archivist at “An Iodhlann” – a project to “gather the cultural harvest of the island” They are interested in any genealogical information that you may have on anyone who emigrated from the island … in return, they can help you with access to records, etc. An interesting idea for other islands/districts/regions in Scotland http://www.smo.uhi.ac.uk/~iodhlann/

9. Outreach Efforts Prince Michael of Albany He does NOT want to be “King of Scotland”!

10. Outreach Efforts Worked in the Scottish tourist industry for 11 year, seeking to improve the image of Scotland Set up a network of Royal House of Stewart Embassies worldwide Purpose to give a FACTUAL image of Scotland, either cultural, political, or industrial Former local piper, Jim Gee, is the Prince’s Ambassador in America to the Royal House of Stewart. SST Members Rob Lockwood, Lynnette Fitch Brash, and Edward Brash have recently been commissioned in the Ecossaie Royale support of this effort

11. Outreach Efforts On the weekend of July 15/16, Lynnette and I have been invited to hold a workshop for the St. Andrew’s Society of the Adirondacks (in Lake Placid, NY) Sessions on Highland dancing, Scottish step dancing, ceilidh dancing, Gaelic language and Gaelic song Participating in the processional for a Scottish- themed production of the symphony

12. Upcoming Events Grandfather Mountain Highland Games 50 th Anniversary Year If you are attending, check in with Edward/Lynnette before you leave, to exchange contact information

13. Upcoming Events Conklin’s is organizing a once-a-month “Pipers Night” featuring local pipers/bands. Drink specials, food spread More information to come … watch the website!

14. Upcoming Events TIAS Irish Breakfast – Sun. August 20 th, at Murphy’s - $12.00 – All are welcome! Dougie MacLean – Sept. 15 th – sponsored by TFFM - $24/$20 in advance, $28/$24 at the door – Kaufman Theatre at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk Annual Half-Way-to-Paddy-Day Pub Crawl – Sept. 16 th. See Tom or Lynette Crouch for more details …

15. Upcoming Events Alexandria Christmas Walk & Bus Trip Saturday, December 2 nd See Scott MacGregor for more details $35.00 per person Deadline of November 2 nd – please don’t wait until the last minute!

16. Upcoming Events SST Picnic Saturday, September 23 rd, 2006 Picnic Area at Church of the Ascension on Princess Anne Road 1:00pm-5:00pm Local Scottish Traditional Trio – “Fyvie” - be playing! Got grill? We need several …