Report from the Coffers
The 2007 games are over, but we had a lot of fun last year. We
started with the Gatlinburg games in May and had great weather this time with
lots of sunshine and warm weather. For those members who are new to the games
circuit, Gatlinburg is the annual meeting place for Clan Smith. The
games for 2008 will be May 17th and 18th with a parade and dinner on Friday
night in Gatlinburg.
Our next game last year was Grandfather Mt. in July. Always a special
place to be with the big rocky mountain behind us a field full of tents in
MacRea Meadows. If you want crowds of people and lots of everything,
come to Grandfather.
We next did Charleston, S. C. games in Sept. It was Clan Smith's first
time there as a Clan, but not my first visit there. We actually didn't
make any new members there or sell too much merchandise, but we at least made
our presence known. There's something about that historical site that
seems to bring the past alive to you as your mind wanders back to the 1860s
and you imagine what things were like then. We haven't decided if we'll
return as yet to to those games, but it's a real possibility.
October brings us the Stone Mt. Games. Another unique place as the tents are
in the pine forest in a circular pattern, unlike any of the other games. We
always do well there with members and merchandise and the great people we see
each year there that makes us feel most welcome. I'm sure we'll be back there
in 2008.
I want to thank the people who helped me out at our clan tents at the various
locales: Clan Smith president, Newman Smith; Peggy Smith, secretary of Clan
Smith; My wife, Marti Smith, who worked the t-shirt tent at Gatlinburg and
also convened with me at Charleston; Fran Lawson, who assisted me at
Stone Mt. and is a big help to us at whatever games we do. I want to
thank Valerie Smith of the Stone Mt. Games who is a great support for the clan
and works for the Stone Mt. Games.
We invite all members to come out this year and make 2008 the best year ever
for our clan and spread the word that there is a real Scottish Clan Smith that
is representing our name and making people aware of our importance to Scottish
history. We would love to grow this clan to one of the biggest out there
so please come to as many games as you can. Most people think that we're very
big with a name like Smith, but it just isn't true. It should be, many are
just unaware or don't care about their heritage these days. I so appreciate
those of you who stand by us just as our ancestors did in old Scotland when
defending their causes over there. Stand and be counted; raise your
swords and declare: CLAN SMITH IS HERE!!!!
Your truly,
Dan MakGow Smith, FSA Scot
Treasurer Clan Smith
Dan, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all you do for Clan Smith
Society and for representing us so well as convener at the highland
games. Thank you!!