February 2013<\/p>\n
It has been busy around The Rooms since the beginning of the new year.\u00a0 The third floor project has been moving forward and will be completed by the time of our March stated meeting.\u00a0 Thanks to Peter McLetchie, Norman Rice, James Sinkins, and Roger Creighton for their help and guidance in choosing paint color and carpet designs.\u00a0 Our Burns\u2019 Night was a great success thanks to the planning and work of Bruce Newell and Pat Foy.\u00a0 We enjoyed a delicious dinner, honored Burns and raised over $900 for the general fund.\u00a0 We enjoyed the usual Scottish conviviality at a Malt Tasting on January 15.\u00a0 Thanks to Nixon McMillan and Charles Marshall the presenters for the evening and to Peter McLetchie who planned the evening.\u00a0 On February 2, along with the National Trust of Scotland (USA) and the Albany Institute of History and Art, we sponsored a presentation at the Institute on \u201cJewels of Scandal and Country Houses\u201d by Curt DiCamillo, former executive director of the National Trust.\u00a0 We thank Pat Foy our liaison to the National Trust for organizing the event.\u00a0 A group attended a performance of the Black Watch Pipe Band at Proctor\u2019s on February 1 and gathered for dinner prior to the performance.\u00a0 Thanks to Jay Higle for putting the evening together.<\/p>\n
The membership voted at the January stated meeting to postpone action on the Constitutional amendments to the May stated meeting.\u00a0 Those amendments will be sent to the membership two week before the May meeting.<\/p>\n
Our treasurer reminds us that our cash flow depends on everyone paying their dues on time.\u00a0 If you have not yet paid yours, it is imperative that you do so immediately.\u00a0 The Constitution provides that members who are six months in arrears are considered not to be in good standing and are prohibited from voting.\u00a0 Our fiscal year begins November 1 so April 30 is the end of the six month period.\u00a0 Reminder notices have been sent out so please send your check to our Treasurer.<\/p>\n
The gift from Roger Creighton has made it possible for us to contract with an architect to evaluate the ground floor (or basement) to determine how the space might be used.\u00a0 The gift was designated for that purpose.\u00a0 We will publish the results of the study when it is completed.<\/p>\n
There has been discussion about the 8 o\u2019clock beginning time of our stated meetings.\u00a0 While the Constitution specifies the dates of the meetings, the time is at the convenience of the membership.\u00a0 I am going to add a discussion of a proposal to change the time of our meetings to the agenda of the May stated meeting.<\/p>\n
For your records and information, these are the committee assignments for 2013<\/p>\n
House Committee: Ed Lass, Chairperson; Members: Eric Benson, Andrew Bigness, Willard Bruce, Richard Hixon, Bruce Newell, John Scott<\/p>\n
Garden Committee: Peter McLetchie, James McPhee, Don Macintyre, Charles Marshall, Jack McEneny
\nFinance\/Audit Committee: Timothy Thornton, Chairperson; Members: Tom Goodfellow, Willard Bruce
\nProgram Committee: Peter McLetchie
\nEndowment Committee: Ed McEwan, Chairperson; Members: David Hasso, Peter McLetchie
\nHouse Stewards: Andrew Bigness, Daniel Graves, John Scott
\nHouse Manager: Peter McLetchie<\/p>\n
The March stated meeting is traditionally Ladies\u2019 Night.\u00a0 We have a very special program lined up for the evening.\u00a0 The recipient of the Tunnicliffe Foundation award, Fiona Beaton, will receive the award and present a program of Scottish Dance.\u00a0 Our Stewards are planning very special refreshments for the evening.\u00a0 So, bring your lady to the meeting on March 14 at 8:00 p.m.\u00a0 The Stewards are asking that you let us know if you will be attending and bringing a guest.\u00a0 Send me a note (revshook@aol.com) or give me a call (518-487-8952).<\/p>\n
Malt Tasting on March 19 at 7:30 p.m.\u00a0 Details will be announced.<\/p>\n
Book Club on April 3 at 7:00.\u00a0 We will discuss the book Killing Lincoln<\/em> by Bill O\u2019Reilly.<\/p>\n Aye yours,<\/p>\n Joe<\/em><\/p>\n Joseph W. Shook, President<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" February 2013 It has been busy around The Rooms since the beginning of the new year.\u00a0 The third floor project has been moving forward and will be completed by the time of our March stated meeting.\u00a0 Thanks to Peter McLetchie, Norman Rice, James Sinkins, and Roger Creighton for their help\u2026<\/p>\n