SPECIAL TREAT SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

On Thursday, September 15, author Minnette Meador will visit The Celtic Rose as part of a blog tour for her new release, The Gladiator Prince.  If you love the history of Roman Britain as I do, you truly do not want to miss her article or the excerpt from her new book, which is the sequel to two smashing books, The Centurion and the Queen and The Edge of Honor.  Minnette is a friend, a multi-talented author and the purveyor of great treats!  I know she will be offering something wonderful during her stay, so please visit back.  

FAERIES AND OTHERS WORKSHOP

Below you will see a posting for Sharron Gunn's amazing workshop.  Now, as "mother" of The Celtic Rose, I don't usually go out on a limb recommending classes or workshops, but in this case I'll gladly make an exception.  Sharron is a goldmine of information.  Her class is an incredible value.  If you are at all inclined to want to read and/or write about the Fae, this workshop is for you.  So don't hesitate to sign up.  Every one of her workshops I have ever taken was "the bomb."

Miriam

Faeries and Other Magic Folk Workshop

Faeries and Other Magic Folk 

Instructor: Sharron Gunn w/a Sheila Currie 

Dates: September 7, 2011--October 5, 2011

Registration Deadline: September 6, 2011 

Fee: $10/HHRW members, $20/others 

Click HERE for Registration Form 

FMI: HHRW Campus Coordinator: classes@heartsthroughhistory.com 

Class Description:

Walt Disney would have you believe that fairies are sweet little creatures with wings and wands, helpful entities like Tinkerbell and the Tooth Fairy. Walt was wrong. In Celtic lands people believe it's not wise to go about your business in a manner which offends them--they are very touchy. Dead scary in fact.

Some say the idea of fairies was just too useful to be abandoned. Some say they still around because they are the old gods, the gods of the ancient Celts. They can do what they want. But what changes they have undergone; Lugh, the sky god good at doing many things, became the Luprachan (leprechaun), the little fairy good at only one thing -- making shoes. And guarding a pot of gold.

Fionn MacCumhaill is a giant in fairy tales, responsible for creating the Giant's Causeway in the north of Ireland. And did you know that Highlanders don't believe that ghosts, the spirits of the dead, inhabit the houses (and castles) of the living? Nope. Their homes are 'haunted' by other, equally frightening beings. The definition of fairies is broad, you will learn something about kelpies, selkies, the washer woman of the ford and many other supernatural entities.

The course includes self-quizzes and simple research projects to generate story ideas. Discussion and questions are encouraged, but lurkers also welcome.

Lectures:

What is a fairy?

Dinnsenchus (Hill Traditions) & The Otherworld

Folk & Creatures of the House, Water & Forest

Afterlife & Rebirth

Bio:

Sharron Gunn lives in British Columbia and teaches Irish and Scottish history at the University of Victoria part-time. Of Scottish, French and Irish origin, she was born on the east coast of Canada--some knowledge of the Gaelic and French languages and cultures was inevitable.

While living over eight years in Europe, she studied the languages and history of Great Britain and France. She has a diplôme from the Université de Nancy, France, a B.A. in French and a Masters degree (2nd first degree) in Scottish History and Celtic Studies from the University of Glasgow. She is hard at work on a paranormal set in World War II.

Format: Course is conducted via Yahoo Groups email with lessons and Q&A

For additional information, contact the Campus Coordinator.

Click http://www.heartsthroughhistory.com/faeries.html to register for this class.

HISTORICAL ANTHOLOGY BY VICTORY TALES PRESS

Just about the time Rebecca Vickery asked me to write a short story for her  Historical Anthology, I had been thinking of the poetry I wrote for forty years before I ever published a romance.  Some of that poetry was very romantic and much of it was based on the Irish Bardic poetry of my childhood.  The echo of that style can be heard in the works of Gerard Manley Hopkins, W. B. Yeats and Dylan Thomas, but the earliest written Bardic poetry dates back to about the 6^th century, and the oral traditions of bards greatly pre-date that.  The “Tain Bo Cuailnge”—the Cattle Raid of Cooley—falls into that category and is mentioned in my story, “Deirdre.”  Much of the Bardic writing would hardly be recognizable to modern readers as poetry, comprised as it was of long genealogical records and nearly journalistic accounts of deeds of lords and ancestors.  The ancient tale of Deirdre of the Sorrows, with which I was raised, falls roughly into that category and I had begun to wonder if I would like to undertake my own rendering of the ancient tale in a style reminiscent of Bardic poetry yet written as prose.  Rebecca’s email came right at that time and a new project was born. 

Along with my contribution to the anthology, there is a wonderful Highland romance and two pieces of Americana--one set against the backdrop of the Civil War, the other about the early coal mining days of our new country.  

The anthology is available as an ebook or in print and can be purchased at:

http://victorytalespress.yolasite.com/online-store.php 

 

 

THANKS TO OUR READERS AND CONTRIBUTORS!

The Celtic Rose has now officially been in existence for just over one year, and in that time numerous wonderful friends have posted and readers have responded with more than 4,000 views of the blog.  I am truly touched and grateful and sincerely hope we're bringing a little sunshine to readers interested in all things Celtic.

In celebration, I would like to send an autographed copy of the Historical Anthology collection by Victory Tales Press, in which my short story Deirdre is included, to the first commenter who leaves an email address.  I will use this to contact you for your snail mail addy.

Scroll down a bit and you will see the picture of Deirdre and be able to read a bit about this wonderful anthology.

Like so many authors, I am busy right now preparing to go to the RWA Nationals conference in New York, but I will do all mailings first, and hopefully return refreshed and recharged for another great year at The Celtic Rose.  Oh, and I am presently working on an Irish tale of my own devising, The Legend of M'Rith.  Look for that one later this year.

Fond best wishes to all of you.

Interview with The 42nd Royal Highland Regiment

Today is a special day here at The Celtic Rose and I am excited to share with you my interview with The 42^nd Royal Highland Regiment.

I have had the pleasure of watching these men perform on many occasions and I can honestly tell you that it is a wonderful experience each time.

http://www.sarahwellmeierphotography.com/

I hope you will sit back and read along as I introduce to you The 42^nd Royal Highland Regiment and their fierce leader, Preston Smith.

*Preston, thank you very much for joining me here today. I would like to start off with an explanation of who The 42^nd are.

PRESTON-

The 42^nd Royal Highlanders is America’s Premier band of pipes, fifes, and drums. We portray the 42^nd Royal Highlanders (aka today as The Black Watch), of the American Revolution era (~1777).

The 42^nd Regiment was the most senior of all the Highland Regiments – first coming to North America in 1756 for the French and Indian War. The regiment fought in a famous but ill-fated attack on Fort Ticonderoga in 1758, and was given the title of “Royal Highlanders”. The 42^nd traveled to western PA in the early 1760s, and down the Ohio in 1765 to the Mississipipi River to take possession of Fort de Chartres at the end of the war.

During the War for Independence, the 42^nd fought throughout New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

The 42^nd band of music portrays the 42^nd of the Revolution – and fields the highland pipes, 6-hole fifes, and the rope-tension drums that would have been on the field during the revolution – the only such band in the US.

*Why were they called ‘The Black Watch’?

PRESTON-

Before becoming a Regiment of the line, the 42^nd served as Independent Companies of the Highland Watch in Scotland – essentially law enforcement.

The origin of the name “The Black Watch” is murky – some say it’s a reference to the distinctive dark tartan worn by the regiment; some say it’s a reference to the Watch’s “black hearts” policing their own people; and others believe it’s a reference to their watch of the “black trade” – cattle rustling.

The Black Watch became the official name of the regiment in the late 1800s, and today the 3^rd Battallion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland carries on the lineage of the 42^nd.

*How did this group come to be formed in Lafayette, IN?

PRESTON-

In the early 1970s, Thomas Griffin was a director of the Tippecanoe Ancient Fife and Drum Corps, also from Lafayette. Around 1975, the bicentennial brought out a resurgence of 18^th century music, particularly corps of fifes and drums.

Being of Scottish descent, and a piper, Tom set out in 1975 to create a unit that would carry on the history of the regiment, and bring Scottish field music to the world of 18^th century music.

*What is the goal of this group?

PRESTON-

     ·        To present an authentic-looking portrayal of the men and music of the 1777 42^nd Royal Highlanders

·        To present a unique program of 18^th century Scottish field music, with elements of the state of the art in piping, fifing, and drumming

·        And to be the group that everybody else wants to be!

*How many participate in the group and what are the instruments involved?

PRESTON-

We field around 25 men at full strength, in several different sections:

·        8 bagpipers

·        4-5 fifers

·        6 drummers

·        6 color guard – uniformed as private soldiers of the regiment

During band performances, in addition to the music of the pipes, fifes, and drums,  a show by the 42^nd will feature demonstrations of the arms drill used by British soldiers during the revolution, and Highland Dancing. The 42^nd’s regimental dancers will perform either the Highland Fling or the Sword Dance.

*What kind of events does The 42^nd perform at?

PRESTON-

Being such a unique group, the 42^nd can fit in just about anywhere – many of our regular performances are at historical festivals like the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon, Mississinewa 1812, or the Fort DeChartres Rendezvous. The band will also perform at civic events around central Indiana, parades, and pub performances.

On occasion, the 42^nd will appear at large fife and drum gatherings (a “muster”), or will appear at a Highland Games, which are always interesting. We’re not quite a fife and drum corps, and not quite a regular pipe band, so for either of these audiences, the 42^nd is something new and unique.

*How does a person become a member of The 42^nd?

PRESTON-

There’s a number of different ways to be involved with the 42^nd – men interested in 18^th century music or military life can participate in the band of music; anybody interested in Scottish Country Dancing can take classes with our partner group “The Whole 9 Yards”. In recent years, our camp life at festivals has even begun to incorporate civilians in support of the band and military.

If volunteering is more your speed, the Forfar Bridie booth at the Feast of the Hunter’s Moon is one of our major fundraisers – volunteering for a shift is an excellent way to contribute.

Or if you just like to be involved in things Scottish, you can sign up for the 42^nd’s mailing list or Facebook page, and participate in cultural events – we’ve hosted a Robert Burns Supper every January for nearly 30 years, we hold events like Whisky tastings, golf outings, hold concerts, or arrange trips to see Scottish performers. All of these things can’t happen without volunteers!

*Can you tell us a little bit about the CD’s you have out and where we can find them? 

PRESTON-

In 2010, we released our 2^nd recording – “No Matter What the Season”, featuring 22 tracks of music of the pipes, fifes, and drums. It’s available for purchase via mail, iTunes, or Amazon MP3, and features many of our newest arrangements that you can hear today when we perform live. If you visit our web site, you can preview all of the tracks on the CD.

Here is a link to our performance of “Highland Cathedral” at Freezer Jam 2011 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDZMF3930vs

We also have our first (1996 – self-titled) CD available on iTunes or Amazon MP3.

*To learn more information about The 42^nd Royal Highland regiment, where can you be found? 

PRESTON-

You can find us on the web at http://www.42ndRHR.org, or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/42ndRHR

Preston, I want to thank you again for taking the time to talk with us today. I look forward to watching The 42^nd perform soon and wish you all luck in the future.

PRESTON-

You’re very welcome – I hope to meet some of your readers as we perform around the Midwest this season!

Tis the Season for HIGHLAND GAMES

Spring is upon us and the season is already underway...for Scottish Highland Games, that is. Many American and Canadian citizens can trace their roots back to Scotland. Some of these people celebrate these relationships by organizing, volunteering at, and attending Highland games. Doing so helped me come up with the idea for several books. To be surrounded by people dressed in Highland attire, ancient plaids, and weaponry gave me fodder for my historical paranormal, DRAGONS CURSE, and for several other books in the works.


When I first met the man I was destined to marry, his grandfather and father had already researched their Scottish ancestry. Both a grandfather and grandmother hailed from Scottish clans, in this case Gunn and MacBean. We have attended the New Hampshire Highland Games from the time they started back in 1975. In the early 1980s, my husband began his long stint volunteering. I stayed home with the boys until the youngest showed an interest in his Scottish lineage, then also volunteered. Marching bands, odd looking food, and colorful kilts amid the spectacular fall foliage of the New Hampshire’s White Mountains made for memorable days.


The New Hampshire games has turned into an annual three day event, now visited by over 40,000 people! We volunteer as a family and, even though my husband and I moved to the south, we still travel to New England to offer our service under the information tent. Our sons join us to help us sell official programs, hand out maps and schedules of events, and sell raffle tickets, the proceeds of which fund scholarships for area students interested in pursuing the Scottish arts such as dancing, bagpipes, harp, and more.

This annual celebration has turned into a major undertaking and the Board of Directors and office staff work tirelessly to coordinate the many entertainment venues, clan representatives, venders of food and goods, vocal groups, and hundreds of volunteers in order to bring the sights, sounds, and flavors of Scotland to New England.

Volunteering every hour of the three days is too much to ask of anyone, since there is so much to do and see, so my husband and I gather several hardy individuals to share the load. This affords everyone with time to either go watch the sheep dog trials, taste the shortbread, scones, bridies and meat pies, shop the venders, or listen to rock bands. No one wants to miss the athletes as they toss the caber, a tree length wooden pole.

Many states, communities, and organizations host their own Highland games and these games welcome everyone…a Scottish lineage or kilt are not required! If you enjoy harps, bagpipes, Highland dance, wonderful food and a sea of brightly colored wool (and is there anything more sexy than a man in a kilt?) please visit a Highland games or Scottish festival soon.

Here are a few links to scheduled games that will help you on your way:

May 20-22 Smokey Mountain Highland Games
June 10-11 Kansas City Scottish Highland Games
June 25-26 San Diego Scottish Highland Games
July 7-10 The Grandfather Mountain Games in NC
July 30-31 Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games in WA
August 5-7 Celtic Roots Festival in Ontario
August 20 The Maine Highland Games in ME
August 28 The Vermont Highland Games in VT
Sept. 16-18 The New Hampshire Highland Games in NH
October 14-16 Stone Mountain Highland Games

These are only a few of the 2011 festivals available in the United States and Canada. For a complete list, visit the website of The Association of Scottish Games & Festivals
For a little more on the historical aspect of the games, read my article
HIGHLAND GAMES: THEN AND NOW:

Nancy Lee Badger writes fulltime and lives with her husband in Raleigh, NC. She loves everything Scottish. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, Fantasy-Futuristic & Paranormal Romance Writers, and Celtic Heart Romance Writers. Visit her website www.nancyleebadger.com, and her blog


DRAGON’S CURSE is available from Whispers Publishing, Amazon for Kindle, Barnes & Nobel for Nook.