By Bill and Claudia Trimble
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| Left to right: Katheryn Dollar, Sharon Naughton, Bill Trimble, Mason Bazala, Dorothy Trimble, Russell Trimble |
How important is sponsoring a clan tent at your area Scottish Highland Games? As we found out at the 43rd annual Mesa Arizona Scottish Gathering & Highland Games, it can be very important! This was the second year that we sponsored a Turnbull Clan Tent. On Saturday afternoon, Feb. 24, we met Donna Sullivan and her family. She told us about her deceased sister, Dolores (Dee) Springer, who had been active in the New Hampshire Highland Games and Clan Turnbull. Dolores was well known for artistic cake making, including a Turnbull Clan Crest cake she made for the AGM in 2002. Claudia and I remembered visiting with Dee at the NH games in 2002. Dee shared with Claudia (a nurse) about her illness.
As we were exchanging stories of Dee with Donna, we were able to find a Bullseye, Feb. 2003, from the archive files that included Dee's obituary. Donna was touched by the fact that we knew her sister and had the copy of her sister's obituary. We feel like our presence at the games impacted Donna and her family by knowing that her extended Turnbull family can be found wherever there is a gathering of the clan.
We met several other Clan members and added H. Lee and Ruth J. Hadley to the family. Bill's parents, Russ and Dorothy Trimble, were a big help, as well as our grandson, Mason Bazala.
Athena,
Oregon GamesAthena, OR games were hosted once again by Dale and Mary Kay Hilding. “Our clans today bring rich tradition to Athena in the love of the gathering, good music, dancing, friends, food and stories. In ancient times, clans sought to establish land rights, ownership, protection and to build strength in feuds. Clans always had music and enjoyed a ceilidh with good food, family, music and stories. Identity with a clan today means to share a surname, associate with a particular territory, wear a particular tartan, and acknowledge a clan chief, coat of arms and clan society” from www.athenacaledoniangames.org
By Bill and Pat Trimble
Once again Scotland came to the Pacific Northwest, when the Seattle Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering took place at the Enumclaw Expo Center (formerly the King County Fairgrounds) the weekend of July 27-29, 2007. The Rising of the Clans, Flaming Saltire, and Ceilidh were held Friday evening.
and the items we purchased in Scotland while on the 2007 AGM trip—especially the bottle of Turnbull Scotch!
We visited the Clan and vendor tents, the Scottish farm animals and the dogs, then joined the other clans gathered on the parade field to watch the Massing of the Bands and take part in the Parade of the Clans. There were Seventy Clans represented this year! We also recruited a new member to TCA and want to welcome Alfred Turnbull from Monroe, WA into the family!
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| Lynn Lenz and Pat Trimble await visitors under our new banner with the newly granted TCA coat of arms. | Our most popular display | Kathy Chase, Bill Trimble, Emma Lenz, Kim Trimble & Lynn Lenz |
When we awoke Sunday morning, we thought we were back in Scotland again because the weather had turned cold with a heavy mist falling. By mid-morning, the mist turned to rain, and when it didn’t dissipate it was announced that the Massing of the Bands would still take place on the parade field; however, the Parade of Clans would march through the Expo Halls—not out on the field.
The clans gathered on the sidewalk then paraded down the middle of each hall then outside, where they dispersed.
Overall, it was an interesting and fun-filled weekend, and we look forward to going again next year!
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Turnbulls turn out once again for the New Hampshire Highland Games. For the whole story, see page three. Above, Mark Turnbull with Amy, Amanda, Emily Jessica, Jim and Brenda Putney. |
The New Hampshire Highland Games once again have been named one of the top 100 events in North America, and Turnbull Clan Association was well represented at the 32nd Anniversary of the games. This year TCAers Mark Turnbull and Lee Turnbull co-hosted the Turnbull tent at the games which took place in Loon Mountain, NH.
The games were accompanied by perfect New England autumn weather of blue skies, cool temperatures, and even a crisp breeze to keep our Flags and Banners flying high. Permission was granted by Alice Hattenbrun, Chief of the Clan Committee, to carry three flags, instead of one, in the Clan Parade. The TCA Tartan banner with its many ribbons was carried proudly by Glenn Turnbull of Milford, NH; the new TCA flag with Coat of Arms that was flown in Bedrule was carried by new member Jessica Putney; and in honor of our 30th Anniversary of the founding of TCA, Dorothy Turnbull Berk's original Turnbull tartan banner was carried by Emily Putney. It is interesting to note that the original banner was flown at venues in three continents, including Antartica, and at almost every Highland Game in North America. Dorothy carried it with her almost everywhere on her travels.
Mark’s official TCA Coat of Arms flag was flown all three days from the top corner of the tent, and underneath was displayed an enlarged version of our new TCA Coat of Arms, with an attached print of the writ from the Lord Lyon’s office. (Mark says, “Yeah, we bragged a little.”)
Over fifty Clans & Scottish Societies were represented in the parade, and the names were called in alphabetical order.
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| Mark Turnbull in front of Turnbull tent. | Lee Turnbull is ready for the games to begin! | Mark helps visitors discover their Scottish heritage. | Cameron Torrey and Mark. | Edith, Lee and Lois Turnbull |
As the Urqueharts, Clan Wallace, and the Youngs were not present, we were the last to be called. “Fortune Favors the Bold” rang out loud and clear. Emily Putney honored us by carrying our banner at the “Kirkin of the Tartans” and the worship service on Sunday. Mark wants to thank all the Clan members who helped out this year by manning the tent. “I'd like to give special thanks to Cameron Torrey for volunteering to man the tent during the parade, and congratulate him on his purchase of his new Highlander Claymore.”