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July 18th, 2020
Dear ASF Members and Friends of the Foundation,
This week as we continue to navigate this challenging time, adjusting to the "new formal", Team ASF, working remotely, look to help our Scottish community feel closer together, sharing our love of Scotland through our new roots of communication.
Below we share news of virtual Highland Games that are planned, and learn of some Games now postponed to late Fall; of emerging plans around a Virtual Edinburgh Festival this August.
ASF this coming week brings you: 
- ASF #ScotsInUS Podcast - Mid Summer Burns, our next installment of the
In Conversation with Kenneth Donnelly, Burns Society of New York, President and
Alistair McCulloch, renowned fiddle player as in Word, Music and Verse we learn of their love of Robert Burns.
- Our monthly "Sounds from Scotland" - launching on July 19:2 - 4pm, following our first Facebook streaming last month for the Solstice that we so enjoyed bringing to you, and was so well received. LINK TO ASF FACEBOOK
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Our E News sharing our collaborations and news from fellow organizations and societies.
- AND Zoom events we have been partnering on .. plus plus ...
As the "mighty" lions in front of the NY Public Library remind us - to masking up and staying safe.
Camilla G Hellman
President
ASF COMMUNITY NEWS UPDATES
HIGHLAND GAMES:
We know from recent messages from ASF Members and friends how important Highland Games are to our constituents, and are delighted that on
August 1st Chicago Scots
are among those in the Scottish-American community who are leading the way in providing a safe, meaningful alternative to live games in this era of COVID-19 with some form of streaming event. As the Chicago Scots so aptly put it,
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We have also heard that
NHScot are bringing the
NH Highland Games to us virtually over the weekend of September 19-20
Michael Reid, ASF Board Director shares updates and news of late Summer/Fall Highland Games that are scheduled
Visit our ASF Highland Games Magazine Report for
Last week, the organizers of
Grandfather Mountain
also had a streaming concert in lieu of games.
Later in October this year, the Celtic Colors event in Nova Scotia will be a streaming festival. While a virtual event is not the same experience as a games with caber toss, sheaf toss, IrnBru, ginger beer, Scotch eggs, fish & chips and ice cream, it nonetheless provides an opportunity for the community to gather and celebrate Scottish and Celtic culture and maintain an active event for annual continuity.
We at the American Scottish Foundation know how much work these online events entail and applaud this innovative option.
In addition, we are providing the following update on Highland Games and related events through the end of August (we'll report on September, October and November in later editions as so much in flux):
August Games
-Cold Spring Village Celtic Festival, NJ - August 8-9 - still on
-Amherst Scottish Festival & Highland Games - August 15-16 not confirmed
-Douglas County, OR Highland Games & Gathering - August 22 - not confirmed
August Games Cancellations:
- Monterrey Scottish Games & Celtic Festival - Cancelled
- Montreal Highland Games - Cancelled
- Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games - Cancelled
- Central New York Scottish Games & Celtic Festival - Cancelled
- -Loch Norman Highland Games -Cancelled
- Maine Highland Games - Cancelled
| - Bitterroot Scottish Irish Festival (MT) - Cancelled |
- Long Island Scottish Festival and Highland Games - Cancelled
With so much in flux we ask that you stay in touch with the organizing committee of the games you normally attend and check status as with the ongoing challenges of Covid-19 all is subject to change.
ASF will share updates as we learn more.
Keep up to date with ASF News on our website and Facebook pages.
NEWS HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK from SCOTLAND
This week we learnt that as of August 1st
Historic Environment Scotland
will partially reopening of
Edinburgh Castle
and
Stirling Castle
. Please visit HES website for full details HERE
National Trust for Scotland will be announcing their phased reopening of properties over the coming months, not all are set to open this year, some will follow in Spring 2021. Please visit NTS website for details HERE
The 2020 Edinburgh Fringe Festival is going Virtual. Plans are hastily being put in place for a virtual Edinburgh Festival this August. A schedule of events will be announced by the end of July. Visit the Edinburgh Fringe Festival site for updates
HERE
AS PAUSE CONTINUES - A LOOK BACK:
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Amazing Grace -
Glasgow Philharmonic Orchestra
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The American-Scottish Foundation®
Is grateful to Iain Sutherland for sharing with us this past moment, as he conducted the City of Glasgow Philharmonic Orchestra with the City of Glasgow Chorus and Pipes and Drums in a wonderful performance of Amazing Grace. As he explains:
..... "I was commissioned by the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall to write a suitable Finale for the Last Night of the Glasgow International Gala Season. I arranged "Amazing Grace" for the Pipe Band and Orchestra"
Amazing Grace, The Scottish Classics-
Available on Amazon -
Link HERE
Come join the Dance : Scottish Country Dancing
Summer Class Updates:
Save the Date - ASF Burns Night Celebrations
Friday January 15, 2021.
In preparation for ASF Burns Night Celebration and our guests "enthusiastic" reeling, we highlight the opportunity to take part in "At Home" Scottish Country Dancing to help increase your knowledge of the reels.
In New York, the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
has two groups active in Manhattan.
July Zoom Classes move to Tuesdays at 7pm
(teachers from NJ are alternating with the NY
teachers over the Summer)
This weeks link is
Meeting ID: 875 0428 9021
Password: 893679
August NY Classes will be Thursdays at 7pm
SCOTIA Monday classes are suspended for the Summer.
Join in the dance for 45 minutes or so, with a short virtual tea time to socialize with other Scottish Dancers in the area.
EMAIL [email protected]
ASF SUMMER COCKTAIL OF THE WEEK SPOTLIGHT
Arbikie Greyhound
Ingredients 
- 40ml Arbikie AK'S Gin
- 100ml grapefruit juice.
Method
Pour gin into a tall glass filled with ice. Pour over grapefruit juice. Garnish with a sprig of thyme
SCOTTISH BANNER share their July issue with
American Scottish Foundation members & friends
The issue is packed with news and updates from
around the global Scottish American Community
The issue spotlights the Highland Games.
As Editor Sean Cairney notes:
... " Sadly, due to Covid-19 large scale events cannot take place just now and this has been devastating to the Highland Games communities across the globe.
For some going to a Highland Games each year was their only time to connect to their ancestry or was part of their family's tradition. To not have Highland Games taking place certainly leaves a void for so many facets of the Scottish community."
SOUNDS From SCOTLAND - MONTHLY CONCERT
LIVE STREAMED ON FACEBOOK
Following ASF's initial
Sounds From Scotland Livestream concert in celebration of the Summer Solstice, we are now launching a monthly livestream concert
ASF Sounds from Scotland
Monthly two hour concert
3rd Sunday of the month 3-
5pm EST
Please join us on
Sunday July 19th - 3pn - Live Streaming on Facebook.
Hosted by Jamie McGeechan
With performances from:
Lisa Kowalski, Nicola Cassells,
Kieran Robinson and Reely Jiggered
Music is a key component to our youth bursary programs and to our community programming - we love helping young emerging talent in Scotland have opportunities here in the US.
If you would like to listen to the June 21st performances click the links below as the performances are still available
Watch fantastic performances from June 22nd Sounds from Scotland on Facebook Live
Jamie McGeechan aka
Little Fire
LINK HERE
Laura McGhee
LINK HERE
ASF #ScotsInUS FORTNIGHTLY PODCASTS
Every Second and Fourth Monday ...
 JULY 20 MIDSUMMER BURNS
"In converstation" with Kenneth Donnelly, President, Burns Society of New York
and Alistair McCulloch, renowned Fiddle player and teacher at the Royal Conservatoire, Scotland
With music and verse from
Alistair McCulloch and Jamie McGeechan - Little Fire and Kenneth Donnelly.
Pod and Zoom Library
..Take a listen if you missed
on - our library of Pods in on:
APRIL 27 A LOOK BACK AT APRIL 2020
"In Conversation" - With all events cancelled due to Covid-19, a pivot was made around the leading April events -
virtual recognition of National Tartan Day,
The Declaration of Arbroath Anniversary and other important
April events that we looked to not overlook.
With music from Alan Frew, Hannah Read and Colin Hunter
MAY 11 CLANS, THE LORD LYON AND HIGHLAND GAMES 2020
"In Conversation" with
John King Bellassai,
Council of Scottish Clans and Associations. discussing the
state of the US Scottish Clans and roles played by the Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs and of
Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms
With music from Whisky Kiss, Fellswater, Tullamore and Ed Miller
"In Conversation" Greg King, Brand Ambassador of GlenDronnach
JUNE 22, ScotsInUS PODCAST Spring Roundup
Presenter Jamie McGeechan
takes a look back at the ASF Pods
during this time of Pause.
An hour of Music and Conversation
JULY 7 EXPLORING SCOTTISH ROOTS
"In converstation" with
Dr Bruce Durie,
Genealogist and Heraldist,
and Bart Forbes, President of the Clan Forbes Society, USA
With music from Lisa Kowalski, Anna MacDonald and Jamie McGeechan aka Little Fire
ASF SHARE SOME UNIQUE GIFT IDEAS FROM SCOTLAND
SCOTLAND SHAP
ASF MEMBERS ENJOY 10% Scotland Shop
DISCOUNT CODE ASF2019 on all purchases or custom orders
From Made to Measure services, to gift items.
Tartan Face Masks are now being offered by the Scotland Shop who WILL DONATE 20% from all mask sales to the NHS
. As Scotland Shop explain, in purchasing one you are supporting self-employed seamstresses who have lost a huge amount of their income due to Coronavirus.
HC Apron, HC Tea Towel and Wooly Ewe Apron & Tea Towel:
As owner Hilary Creighton explains -
"We Scots do love our Highland Coos and Sheep and these delightful Aprons and Tea towels come with their own gorgeous Highland Cow or Sheep Pin. Designed in Scotland and all made in the UK". 
Scottish Creations work with small independent artists and designers across Scotland, allowing them to bring you the very best in contemporary and traditional Scottish designs.- A great source for unique gifts and a favorite of the ASF Team
Enjoy a Taste of Scotland:
ASF are delighted to announce our new ASF Member Benefit with our partners - and offering during this period our discounts to our Friends as well as Members:
(free freight on orders over $90- exclusive of frozen goods)
HARNEY & COMPANY ASF Scottish Teas: Support us as you enjoy our wonderful Scottish Morn or Scottish Afternoon Teas from Harney & Company, a portion of all sales goes to support ASF programs.
Walkers Shortbread who have a large selection of wonderful Scottish shortbread and biscuits
Ways to Support the American Scottish Foundation
Membership:
A corner stone of organizations is Membership. If not yet a Member of ASF we invite you to
join and take advantage of all of the Foundations benefits
and ways to be involved. 
Your only qualification for Membership is to have
Donations: At this time please consider a donation to the ASF. Click here
to help support of our Heritage, Arts, Culture and
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