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Clan Carmichael USA
Gathering and Annual Meeting
Glasgow, Kentucky – June 2001
[Article by Jeanette Simpson]
 Clan
Carmichael USA gathered in Glasgow, Kentucky, for the annual meeting
while enjoying the International Highland Games and Gathering of
Scottish Clans. The annual meeting was held on Friday, June 1, at the
Days Inn in Glasgow. Members were honored with a tea given by Kathy
Gambill, Grover Brinson, and Jeanette Simpson. Following the tea,
reports from committee chairmen were heard and old and new business
discussed. It was announced that our Clan USA newsletter, The Eagle
Gate, edited by Grover Brinson, had won first place in the Scottish
Clans, large format category, in the Odum Genealogical Library contest
for the second year in a row. An award was presented to Jeanette Simpson
for work and dedication to Clan Carmichael. Our honored guest was our
Clan Chief Richard Carmichael of Carmichael.
Some of the members were camping at
Barren River Lake State Resort while others enjoyed the luxury of hotel
rooms in the area. Several of the group arrived early at the games field
on Saturday morning, June 2, to set up the tables and chairs, get clan
goods laid out on the tables, and attach our banner and flags to the
tent. Six members attended the Governor’s Breakfast at the large tent
set up near the Barren  River Lake State Resort Lodge. Our Chief was an
Honored Guest at the games so spoke at the Opening Ceremonies at noon.
He was escorted by the Carmichael Honor Guard composed of Arthur C.
Carmichael, Jr., Captain and Standard Bearer, D. Helton Carmichael,
William Carmichael Bolger, and Don E. Carmichael. Through a day of
sunshine and rain, drizzle and torrents, mud and chill, and wind that
blew items from our tables and sent us scurrying to catch them, laughter
and comradeship was shared in our tent. Food left from the tea the
previous day was set out on the table for all day grazing.
The sunshine of Sunday morning saw many
of our members in attendance at the church service. Our Chief and his
standard bearer, Don Carmichael, followed behind the piper, the Bishop,
and the 78th Fraser escort in the processional. Our tartan
was carried by Billy Mac Carmichael to be blessed. Later that morning
several of our clan members participated in various activities. Our
Chief won the 35 and over Men’s Kilted Mile with Mark Nigro finishing
third. Claudia Lemone  finished first in the 35 and over Ladies’ Kilted
Mile. Carlie Carmichael Nigro won first place in the children’s kilted
mile. Alana Carmichael Nigro won first place in the haggis toss. Mark
Nigro was first place in the Bonniest Knees contest with our Chief
finishing second. The Chief won first place in the Bonniest Knees
contest on a previous visit to Glasgow but claimed age gets us all. He
later was asked to inspect the 78th Frasers before their
re-enactment. With standard bearer John "Jack" Carmichael
behind him, he did so.
 Our Chief marched with us in the Parade
of Tartans, in which we were lead Clan, then left us at the reviewing
stand so he could review the clans following. It was raining as we
marched. After the closing ceremony in which Don Carmichael, President
of Clan USA, carried our tartan flag for the final review, members
helped take down our display at the tent then disbursed to various
places including Scotland, California, Oregon, Texas, Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, Ohio, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Utah, after hugs and goodbyes.
Our Chief said, "Clan Carmichael had a very enjoyable and
successful International Gathering at Glasgow, Kentucky, and, as a Clan,
demonstrated kinship and a level of participation that is gratifying to
the 30th Chief."
Enjoy
some of the recipes from this afternoon tea
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