| About Us: |
The Scottish American Society of the Southern Tier is a group of people who are of Scottish descent or who have an interest in Scottish culture. The purpose of the Society, founded in 1976, is to preserve and encourage interest in the cultural heritage of Scottish-American peoples and to perpetuate the cordial relationship existing between Scotland and the United States. In promoting Scottish heritage, the Society offers regular events such as a St. Andrews Dinner, a Burns Night Ceilidh (big party, this one honoring the birthday of Robert Burns), a summer picnic with good food and fellowship, and other gatherings which showcase Scottish food and culture. (Most containing wonderful pipe music provided by the Caledonian Highlanders Pipe Band.) The Society also offers annual scholarships to students who have demonstrated an interest in Scottish cultural activities such as music, art, dancing or history.
THE FOUNDING OF THE SCOTTISH AMERICAN SOCIETY OF THE SOUTHERN TIER Recollections by Barbara J. Cunningham George Cunningham felt there was a need for a society. He emigrated to the US in 1953 at the invitation of Dresser Industries. He retired in 1987 as a senior engineering research associate holding 13 patents with Corning, Inc. He was a Scot through and through and a charismatic individual. George was a piper, singer, dramatic enactor of the Toast to the Haggis and a superb organizer. He was also an international track star: his silver medal from Scotland gives his time for the mile as 4 minutes, 17 seconds. He ran for Penn State University and the prestigious New York Athletic Club, competing against Olympians Horace Ashenfelter and Curtis Stone, four time Olympian. George gave generously of his time serving as track coach during Corning Community College’s first few years and as vice president of the Horseheads Art Guild. He was an artist in oils and watercolors. In 1975, George began tirelessly putting together a group of people with Scots heritage. They met frequently in our basement rec room in Horseheads. Earl H. Robertson, former Methodist minister, gave George valuable assistance in drawing up a constitution and by-laws. At that time, Earl was employed at Westinghouse in Horseheads. George and Earl contacted anyone in the area with a Scottish surname. Stuart D. Brown, along with his wife Alice and Peg Carlin were early members who sang at the dinners. Dan Lipp and first wife, Rosa and Alan and Barbara Hutchinson were active in the Scottish Folk Dance group, which, I believe, was started by the Lipps. Other members were Ethel Spotts, dance soloist, and husband Chucksie, a piper. Melanie Robertson Cole Beardslee and son T. Robertson, D. Harlieyl, Paul and Clara Mae Campbell were early members. The SAS was incorporated in 1976. George Cunningham was the first chief and carried that mantle for 11 years. He served as a trustee until 2003. He spend countless hours keeping the SAS going after his initial efforts. He managed to get Tartan Day recognized in New York State. Efforts to claim a St. Andrews Day on the calendar were unsuccessful. Piper Burt Schoonover made the first velvet pulpit banner and its replacement when someone took the original. We must not forget the huge contribution of the Caledonian Highlanders under the direction of Lee Adelsburg. The first Burns dinner in the area was held in 1970 at the Lake Street Presbyterian Church in Elmira, with the band participating. The following year, George was the master of ceremonies at the Burns dinner held at the Lodge on the Green, Painted Post. The Caledonian Highlanders band performed and they are among the first SAS members. I remember singing solos at that dinner. I sang at the dinners 15 times until 2004. A dinner another year was at Elmira’s Mark Twain Hotel with over 200 attending. George was determined that the Scottish heritage be perpetuated in the USA. Scots contributed much to its formative years. He would be so proud of what has been accomplished; the SAS is his legacy.
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