Wow, what a day in the "Bruce". Those on the "Tiree Bus to the Bruce" on Sunday, July 25 are in for a real experience thanks to the hard work of many in the "Bruce" as listed below. As follows are the highlights of today, following a busy early morning from my branch in the lumber business. Underwood Community Centre - Tuesday, June 22, 2004 10:00 a.m. - Underwood, Ontario (Hwy 21, just south of Port Elgin, Ontario) Focus - "No Stone Unturned in Promoting This Event" . . . Aye, great title Don, in reference to someone in the "Bruce" finding the Isle of Tiree Descendants Gathering "posters" I had left under a large stone at the gates to the Lovat Cemetery on Saturday, May 29, 2004! Twp. of Kincardine Historical Society: Lois Craig, Effie Davey, Dianne MacArthur Twp. of Bruce Historical Society: Gordon Brown, Eleanor Thompson, Don Ribey, Karen Ribey Regrets: Anne Judd, Marion Grant Knox Presbyterian Church: Alberta Smith Local Archivist: Betty MacKinnon Bruce County Museum: David Sharron Tiree Gathering "Activist": Scott Cameron . . .regrets arriving early afternoon! Great itinerary developed by David and Don starting from Guelph at 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 25, 2004! Thanks David and Don! Thanks to Karen for the great coffee and blueberry crisp at the meeting! David and Don have a jam packed informative trip lined up for us! Guest speakers include Eleanor Thompson, Allan Thompson, Effie Davey, Alberta Smith, Betty MacKinnon, Donald MacKinnon, Don Ribey, David Sharron. Gordon Brown and Lois Craig will have books for sale. The itinerary includes tours of historical interest, cemeteries, churches, homesteads, piper, industry, scenic tour along the coast of Lake Huron (home to Chantry Island and one of the "top three" sunset locations in the world!), Bruce County Museum, etc., etc. including great hospitality on the bus and more! Handouts will include Bruce County Museum and Kincardine Municipality folders complete with literature and maps and a listing of books available for sale. Karen Ribey has a wonderful lunch lined up for us . . . "Bruce" Roast beef, ham, rolls, lettuce, tomatoe, onion, coffee, tea, juice. Karen commented to me that 50+ people for lunch will be too busy to make pies . . . however Karen will provide tarts, squares and cookies! Amazing! Thank you Karen! What about dinner you ponder? Not to worry. Come dinner time, with Don's guidance, we . . . "those on the bus" and our "Friends from the Bruce" are making arrangements to dine in Kincardine at the Governor's Inn for a wonderful cold / hot smorgasbord ( estimated $ 20.00 CDN ) before heading back to Guelph in time for estimated arrival of 9:00 p.m. Had enough? No? Great! Where the bus drops us off very local to Guelph's Ramada Inn, Days Inn and UoG, etc. is Shakespeare Arms. Aye, for a parting social ambiance! As per above was only the early afternoon portion of my day! Thereafter, off to see "cousin" Bob Maas in Port Elgin, Ontario to get an antique clock repaired. Bob will be at the Gathering too. Following my visit with Bob, I went past the Malcolm and Sarah Cameron homestead on the 10th of Bruce en route to the Lovat Cemetery to spruce up four Cameron tombstones, one of which was covered with day lilies, three, one of which is my gr. gr. gr. grandmother's (Euphemia Cameron), which had tipped over a long, long time ago and were 75 % to 90% covered with overgrown dirt, grass, weeds. I think Euphemia's tombstone is the only one at Lovat that references "Tyree". Others do reference "Argylshire". I landscaped these three stones by digging out the grasses, etc. and spreading stone, laying the tombstones on top. All had died 1867 to 1885, including a one tombstone beside Euphemia's that I found almost 100 % covered, a grandson of my gr. gr. gr. grandmother, buried a few years! before Euphemia had died, Walter - son of Donald and Janet Cameron. Donald - brother of my gr. gr. grandfather Malcolm Cameron. Whew, it was hot and tiring. I almost lied down for a rest, but thought it might turn into a permanent one! Aye, you wonder who else is buried at Lovat? Not to worry, you guessed it, thanks again to Don Ribey via Mary and Sharon Teeple I have a large Lovat Cemetery Plan, complete with names and dates, including many surnames familiar to those of Tiree / Tyree! Yes, I will bring this plan to the Gathering! Thereafter, off to check out the Governor's Inn . . .thank you Don and Karen for this suggestion, but not before a quick visit to the Tiverton Cemetery. Right you are, more Tirisdeachs rest here . . part of the tour! Good thing it was the longest day of the year today . . . lots of sunlight! One last stop to see my sister Heather Durnin in Huron County for a late dinner and to pick up my portion of beef to freeze before heading back home to Guelph. Thanks Heather! Aye, Huron Beef it is. Some will argue there is a difference between Huron Beef and Bruce Beef. One thing for certain noticeable difference that I can comment on, with confidence, pertaining to the difference is the county line! I will leave other characteristics of the Huron / Bruce Beef legacy to the experts to decide upon for many years to follow! Aye, likewise I will leave the federal election issues in Canada alone too! Such can be reviewed after the election at the Gathering if need be. In closing, if you have not done so, please respond to my email request for your "box lunch" for Saturday, July 24 ASAP. Thank you. As of writing I have orders for 29 boxed lunches. Archie and Gene are looking forward to ordering 100 boxed lunches. www.tireegathering.com <<< 75 families + 11 yet to be posted = 86 families have registered. Where is # 100 ? No doubt more have yet to register or will show up the day(s) of putting us close to 200 people in attendance. Personally, I would not be surprised to see at least 300 in attendance over the course of the three day Gathering. Has anyone heard if the Duke of Argyll and the Right Honourable Joe Clark are attending? I have yet to hear from either despite sending several emails. Aye, and lastly for those who don't know Leanne, Leanne really is a very nice person. Afterall, how could she not be as per her wonderful website she has done for the Gathering and additional appreciated Gathering efforts, but more so importantly as a result of a recent email sent to Archie, Ross and I . . . . "I would agree (God forbid) with a Cameron on this." 30 days to go ! We sure have come a long way in less than 18 months since February, 2003 when I said to Leanne . . . "We should have a Gathering" ! Thank you everyone for your enthusiasm and participation! 'nite . . . Scott Cameron nb > if anyone wants to come to Guelph early to help me with domestic shores around the croft . . . much appreciated . . . . . tomorrow morning would be nice! www.tireegathering.com www.isleoftiree.net