Note from Dick Shaffer

Kay and I will not be enjoying the warm “Hawaiian” reunion this year in Las Vegas.  The third weekend of October each year is the Stone Mountain Highland Games – this year is the 45th I believe.  While you’all will be in “cool” Hawaiian shorts I will be in a Scottish  MacFarlane Kilt on Saturday and the U.S. Army Kilt on Sunday – some years the wool in the heat  almost kills you and other years it feels so good in the cold!!.  For a full week before, we start building the games and I have been on the Clan Activities committee for over 25 years.  We erect pipe frame tents with a 10X12 foot tarp over the top for each Clan that registers (usually around 110 Clans).  There are also a lot of Scottish Societies that register also.  On the parade field Saturday at noon for the opening ceremonies there has been up to 650 Pipers and Drummers in their fancy uniforms or animal skins.  The games has between 4-8 thousand or more over the weekend.  It is enjoyable to see so many folks who come each year (just like going to a RAFINO reunion and seeing long-time friends.)

I have to admit I have had enough Bag Pipe music by Sunday night!!

Sorry we cannot be with you and see so many friends that we miss over the years.

Dick and Kay Shaffer