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.

Next Weekend: Savannah Scottish Games!

The Savannah Scottish Games will be held Mother's Day Weekend at Bethesda Home for Boys.


This is where both sides of my family have lived since the 1801 land lottery for NC Revolutionary War veterans except for when my Mom's Dad wanderlusted his way into Texas and married the daughter of Margaret Alice Bell, but that's another story. Please come if you can!

...To Absent Friends

Michael Davidson at the 2002 Grandfather Mountain Highland Games Parade Of Tartans:

Michael Davidson, US president of Clan Davidson for nine years, died February 13, 2009. He was only 55. Michael had been president for 9 years. Most of us in the Southeastern Scottish community have known Michael and Elaine for a lot longer than that and were greatly saddened by his passing.
One of the reasons I wanted to make the unplanned trip to Rural Hill was Clan Davidson has their annual meeting there. A young piper from the Loch Norman Pipe Band played the Davidson March at the meeting.
Clan members listening to the piper. Eleanor on the right, who I met just by chance in the campground Saturday morning, works at the games. She gave me a helpful lift in her golf cart to the Colquhoun tent that morning.
After the meeting Richard Halliley, past president of Clan Davidson and interim president now, pours a salute to Michael in a large quaich which was offered to the clan members present.
The quaich used was actually mine, with a Colquhoun crest stamped in the center. This was originally Harry Avery's quaich which I bought from his estate after Harry passed.
Clan Davidson's crest is similar to ours:

A resolution was passed at the meeting that Clan Davidson would purchase a similar quaich and silver tray to be displayed at festivals and meeting. The tray will be engraved with past president's names and other Davidson notables.