What about the 2009 McCullough Scottish Games?
The Scottish poet Robert Burns penned in his poem "Winter: A Dirge" these lines:
"The sweeping blast, the sky o'ercast,"
The joyless winter day
Let others fear, to me more dear
Than all the pride of May:
The tempest's howl, it soothes my soul,
My griefs it seems to join;"
The cold rainy days came to Harford County on the afternoon of October 14th and continued for the next three days to make our third annual Games on the 17th a bit soggy, but we were warmed by the competition, sounds of the pipes, fellowship of friends and family, and good food and drink. It was a magical day.
Our opening ceremony began with a tribute to our athletes of the day, as Michael read "A
poem to the honor of Highland Men (and those they love)" and Paul brought to our memories his departed friend Michael Hodges who passed May of this year.
Though all plans were made with three competitors in mind, we gathered on the 17th as four with the addition of David Ross McCullough, who matched his youth and daring with the older crowd and did very well in his first Highland Games.
First time visitors to the Games were Jackie Freebery from New Castle, DE, Tina Hanley of Jacksonville, MD, Shawn Giacobbe, Dan Trader, Boomer (Abby's beau), and four grandkids of David and Margaret Young including Emma, our youngest guest of the day.
Our four competitors endured nine strength events commencing with throwing of stones and weight, thence proceding to the bar for stone, weight and sheaf, and finishing with the triad of hammer, wall and caber back out on the field.
From Chapter 38 of his novel, "Ivanhoe", Sir Walter Scott wrote of Bois-Guilbert and the jewess, Rebecca, "It is our charge to thee, brother,'' he continued, addressing himself to Bois-Guilbert, ``that thou do thy battle manfully, nothing doubting that the good cause shall triumph. ---And do thou, Rebecca, attend, that we assign thee the third day from the present to find a champion.''
Rebecca faired well, as her champion, Ivanhoe, proved victorious and she was spared a cruel fate. As in Scott's Ivanhoe, we too found our champion, none other than Chuckie McHaggis, aka Chuch Trader of Towson, MD. That was the cruel fate for the rest of us; however, we must add that his victory was fairly won and a just reward for all his training in '09. Congratulations, Chuck. Look out for Mikey in 2010.
Many thanks to all who provided a part in the day's festivities; we couldn't have done it without you:
Franklin McQuay for his Scottish flair and pipes,
Josh Schmid for amazing us with magic after supper,
Rich Taylor for grilling tasty animal parts,
Sarah Pickeral for cooking and set-up the morning of the Games,
Eric McCulough for score-keeping,
Robin McCullough for endless preparations on a week when she was feeling rotten,
Food contributions by Jeannie, Harry and Dorothy McCullough, Kathy and Rich Taylor, Franklin McQuay, Laurie Snyder, Miriam and Chuck Trader, David McCullough, Jackie Freebery, Tina Hanley, Robin McCullough, Josh Schmid, and Paul McCullough,
Tables and Tents from the Ashton family,
Field prep by Chuck Trader,
Free parking from David and Margaret Young, and
prayers by my sister-in-law Marion and her friend, Rebecca.
Thanks to Krista McCullough, Stefan Kozlowski, Max McCullough, Dan McCullough,
Abby Trader, and Lisa Giacobbe, our faithful supporters.
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