Savannah Games 2009

Finally set up and ready for business!


This is Clann Nan Con, a reenactment group. Clann Chief Britt Brinson is a Calhoun on his mom's side. Often he wears an Ancient Colquhoun kilt in honor of her, but today Britt's son is wearing our tartan.






My dad served in the Georgia Hussars, a descendant of this group. When it's not too late Britt will form up a few of the Darien Highlanders to help present our athletic award. We ran real late Saturday, so no group picture this year!









Mike Derrick of Columbia, SC was the winner of the 2009 Georgia Hussar award for Athlete of the Day.

Border collie gets a well deserved drip (and dip) in the water bucket.

Whitfield Chapel where Paula Deen among others have been married.








Stephanie Fox working the Clan MacMedic tent.

This is the 100th anniversary of native Savannian's Johnny Mercer's birth. His niece spoke at the opening ceremonies. The Savannah Scottish games took advantage of the occasion celebrate Mercer's Scottish roots.








Mercer's Minstrels played a set in honor of Johnny.







General Oglethorpe was also in attendance!


Riley Lanier, descended from a Cowan on his mom's side, took time out to play at our tent.

Riley and his parents Steve and Elaine (Lainey) drove down from the Charleston area for the day so Riley could play and compete with the Charleston Police Pipes and Drums.

Lainey (Cowan) Lanier had a beautiful Colquhoun scarf that had been embroidered with her monogram.

Lainey makes hand crafted items, some quite unusual.



Riley won first in solo pibroch, 2/4 march, and overall piper for his class that day! Also the Charleston band came in first.









On the right is Ellen Cowan with her daughter. Ellen, originally from South Africa, is a local artist and can be found at Sweet Art By The Sea.







We were also delighted to see Ron and Toni Calhoun...
and Bill and Joan Earnhart! Joan has been busy searching for the ever elusive Calhoun ancestor. We had a chat about the John C. Calhoun reunion at Clemson held several years ago. It was organized by Canadian Orval Calhoun. Orval passed away just before the event was held, so many of us didn't get to meet him.




Sunday was spent relaxing on Tybee Island where we like to stay each year.

Some Pictures From The Savannah Games

Surprise! Chuck and Anne Stoodley from FL came up to see me! They set up a tent at the Jacksonville FL games in January. I'll scan their pictures and post them next. The day of the games was Chuck's 75th birthday!







Congratulations to Chris Rollison who won the Sgt Rufus Calhoun Hodges Georgia Hussar Award for Athlete Of The Day, an award for sportsmanship. A picture of this years award and description is here.
With Chris are members of Clann Nan Con, "...founded in 1998 by a group of Civil War Reenactors looking for a new challenge..."who..."accurately portray the Scottish Highlanders of the 1730's & 1740's, an era of great turmoil, both in Scotland & the colony of Georgia." The military unit these reenactors represent evolved into the National Guard unit Georgia Hussars.

Chief Britt Brinson of Clann Nan Con. Britt's mother is a Calhoun and he often wears an ancient Colquhoun kilt.












Colquhoun Clan Tent. This may be the last games in our nation that require you to bring your own tent. They do supply tables and chairs. The Savannah Games have a hardcore base of loyalists that have supported this festival through good times and hard.




T Shirts for sale. I can mail these out if you like them.
Pin collection.


Shortbread tin I've been advised to not turn my back on for too long.



Hamish Mowat was a friend of mine who passed a few years ago. A native Scot, he used to tell me he'd smuggle "lights" back from Scotland in his golf bag to make haggis for his own use. His concession is thankfully run by his daughter and son-in-law now. I'm happy to see it each year at various festivals and know his memory lives on.










Colquhoun's own Stephanie Fox was on hand as nurse at the MacMedic tent again for here (and Stone Mountain in October). That's poison ivy and a yellow jacket (bee) on their banner. Also in Georgia they treat a lot of heat exhaustion.