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The Rose & Thistle award is given each year to the individual who has made outstanding contributions to the Scottish American Community in our area. The rose represents the "Red, red rose" of love. Although in Robert Burns poetry, it was a specific lover, in our tribute it represents the love of the country of our birth and our ancestry. The thistle has long been a symbol of Scotland.

Nominations for this honor come from our membership. Voting takes place in November and the award is presented at our St. Andrews celebration.

BETTY & GENE MARCUS

2011 Rose & Thistle Award Winners

Presented at the St. Andrews Dinner, Dec. 2, 2011

For the first time we have dual award winners. Gene and Betty Marcus have been stalwart supporters of our group from the very beginning. They've helped immeasurably. From providing refreshments for our meetings to overseeing many operations in our various events, we simply don't know what we would do without them. Our congratulations to these two wonderful people. And a very sincere "Thank You" for all they have done.

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Donne at Christie Walshes "Taste of Scotland" event.

2010 Award Winner

Our 2010 Award Winner was announced at the

St. Andrew's Dinner on December 4th.

It is Donne Shepperly.

Donne is the Great Lakes Regional Commissioner of the Clan Donald Society USA. She is on the Board of the Ohio Scottish Games and active in the Scottish Heritage Association of Northeast Ohio. She is also active in Sas'y and helps with many events including the Beltane, the St. Andrews Dinner, and the recent Water Aid benefit.

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*Brian and Agnes

Our Rose and Thistle award for 2009 went to our Scottish American Society piper, Brian McElhiney. Brian and his wife, Julie, (not to mention the lovely Miss Meghan) brighten our lives in so many ways.

He is always willing to help out whenever we ask - for sad occasions and glad ones. He is also the Pipe Sergeant of the Akron & District Pipe Band and represents the Scottish American community in many venues. He has spoken to our group on more than one occasion, and performed for us at the St. Andrews. Congratulations to our Brian, a very deserving winner.

*Photo by Lew Stamp

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(L-R) Frances Acar with Julie Kennedy

This year the Rose and Thistle Award was won by Frances Acar. Frances heads our Beltane Celebration and is on the Board of the Scottish American Cultural Society of Ohio. She supports many area Scottish efforts, teaches Scottish Gaelic and song, presents participants in Gaelic mods, and teaches Scottish Country Dancing. Her students have won many prizes in competitions over the years. She now teaches Gaelic via the Internet (don't know how she does that) and thus reaches far outside our community. We are very proud of our Frances and pleased to present her with the 2008 Rose and Thistle Award for service to the Scottish American community.

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Christy Urquhart Walsh

Performing at Sas'y Beltane Festival in 2007

Christie Urquhart Walsh was our Rose & Thistle Award winner for 2007. Christie instructs and manages the Tigh na Creige Highland Dance Group and has for many years. A top award winning dancer herself, she and her dancers perform in many venues, including a recent performance in conjunction with the Akron Symphony Orchestra. She uses such opportunities to convey information about the Scottish Culture to those who are not familiar with it. Christie is a Certified B.A.T.D. Dance Instructor in Highland and National levels. Christie's father is the Chief of Clan Urquhart and she is the head of that clan in this area. Christie and husband Tim have three daughters and a son, all involved with the art of Highland Dance.

Rick Neidert was our Rose and Thistle Award winner, which was presented at the Sas'y Solstice Celebration. Rick was Convener of Clan Gordon in Ohio and a very active participant in SACSO and the Ohio Scottish Games. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly in October of 2006. Lori Neidert accepted the posthumous award for her husband at our Solstice celebration. Along with Rick, the following were awarded Certificates of Merit for their wonderful contributions to Scottish Heritage and Culture: Frances Acar, Don Mellen, and Christie Walsh. Congratulations to all. We are fortunate to have so many candidates who work so hard for the Scottish American community.

Rose & Thistle Award Winner

Agnes Bagley & Gene Marcus

Our Rose & Thistle Award winner for 2005 was Agnes Bagley. Agnes continues to be active in the Scottish American community despite the fact that she turned an amazing 96 years young on September 27th of 2005. Agnes volunteers throughout the area, not just for Scottish events, but at Summa Hospital, hospice, and alzheimer's care. She once was the mainstay of the Akron & District Pipe Band, has held several offices in the Daughters of Scotia, and even holds her own in Scottish Country Dancing. Agnes' Scottish Shortbread is legendary. She wins every contest hands down. Born in Scotland, she is happy to tell you that her father worked on the Titanic and that she walked on the decks of the Titanic - fortunately before it made the disastrous journey for which it is well known.