by Al Myers
ANNOUNCEMENT
There has been a time change for TEAM NATIONALS this weekend on Saturday, 27th. Weighins will begin at 12:00, and the meet will start immediately following this. Note that this is two hours later than announced earlier. I have not received very many entries, and the attendance looks to be small so meet time won’t be an issue and we should still be done by 4 PM. I just want to give everyone plenty of time for travel Saturday morning.
by Thom Van Vleck
If you have read these newsletters for awhile you have heard me give my buddy Mitch Ridout no end of trouble because he has always been gifted as an athlete, but rarely seriously trains. He has jokingly told me he is in a “recuperation” phase and has been for several years. Every time I call, inevitably I ask Mitch if he is working out or still in his recuperation phase. Well, recently, when I called I found out the Ol’ Mitch-meister has added a whole new dimension to his routine. He is now in the “Visualization” Phase of his workout. He told me he is visualizing how he will soon be working out and until he has a clear mental picture he doesn’t want to push himself beyond what he is capable. Well……I’ve know Mitch for a loooonnnng time, and if he’s waiting for a “clear” mental picture…..we might be in for a wait for his next “phase”. And by then, he may need to recuperate some more.
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #7, Issue #1
(Webmasters notes: Well, I guess the vacation is over. I hope everyone enjoyed these past exerpts from the Braemar Stone Tablet. I promise that tomorrow I will get back to business as usual with the USAWA Daily News. But I gotta tell ya – there’s a lot more good stuff in the series of the Braemar Stone Tablet that I could rerun if I need a vacation again! )
by Al Myers
People often ask Thom where his fascination with anvils began. It all started with a blow to the head…..
"All right Thom, you just go right ahead! I've warned you enough times about playing under the anvil tree!"
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #4 Issue #2
by Thom Van Vleck
(Webmasters note: Every year HASA, Heart of America Scottish Athletes, would host a winter banquet where impromptu competitions and awards are given out to the members. I always enjoy these banquets, and the camaraderie shared between friends. The best part of the banquet is the “gag gifts”. We each take turns making fun of each other. Sorta like a roast. Today I’m going to share the report from one of the best banquets HASA ever had, the 2002 Winter HASA Banquet, which was covered in the Braemar Stone Tablet by Thom Van Vleck)
This year we had the HASA awards banquet at the community center. Steve and Becky were in charge and everyone was asked to bring a carry in dish. It was more laid back than in the past and I personally enjoyed it. People could hang out, do whatever they wanted (which for us included pulling out a caber and trying to throw it in a tree).
We again had the “Stone Cold Heavies” contest with a WOB contest. I had some mugs made up for awards, everyone that entered could get one. Eleven gus and two gals entered for fun and bragging rights. The final winners were as follows:
Men: Al Myers first (14 ft), Chad Ullom and Thom Van Vleck second (tie) (12 ft).
Women: Lori Myers and Leslie Kress first (tie) (12 ft)
I would like to point out that Kevin McAllister beat out his brother Shawn for 10th place when he touched the bar at 10ft with the handle after both cleared 9ft. Shawn failed to “touch” the bar and in a little known rule, Kevin declared himself the winner by virtue of “touching” the bar.
We had a little impromptu contest where the guys threw the 28 for height. Pretty fun stuff.
As for the awards winners for the year:
Al Myers: Angus Award (top athlete)
Dave Glasgow: Sportsmanship Award
Mike McGhee: Most Improved Award (and most injured, too)
Scott Campbell: Best Newcomer
We then handed out “gag” awards and had a blast. Some notable awards included Dave Henderson’s propeller driven hammer for Steve Scott, who immediately vowed he would throw it “down hill” to pick up extra distance. Below is a report on another gag award (luckily, the editor of this newsletter has a tremendous sense of humor and is a wonderful person…..Paybacks, Al, Paybacks….)
From Al Myers:
Thom Van Vleck accepting the insulated jockstrap award at the 2002 HASA Banquet, given to him by Al Myers. This gag award was given to Thom because he would always host his fall Highland Games on one of the coldest days of the winter.
I had a great time at the HASA Baquet last weekend. I finally got my pictures developed and had a good one of Thom accepting his insulated jockstrap award. I can only guess what he is mumbling to himself as he looks down —
1. “Hey buddies, we are going to get a warm winter!”
2. “This jockstrap is furrier than I am!”
3. “Hey everyone – do you think it could cover this bald spot!”
4. “I wonder how I am going to get this over my kilt!”
5. “If I wore this thing backwards, it would be a thong!”
That Al, He’s a funny man…….Paybacks, you hear me Al, Paybacks…..
(Webmasters comment: So now you know, Thom and my rivalry goes back LOTS of years and he is STILL trying to get the upper hand on me! Since then I have to add Thom’s comment number 6. )
6. ” I better wear this when I visit the Dino Gym so I can have some padding for protection for when I run into the Enforcer!”
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #4, Issue #4
by Thom Van Vleck
This issue we spotlight a relatively new athlete to HASA: Scotty “Caber Killer” Campbell. (Scotty elicited these comments recently)
Scotty "The Caber Killer" getting ready to slay another caber. That's me standing there with my hand on the caber and head bowed. I'm PRAYING that the Caber Killer won't turn this nice innocent caber into firewood! (photo credit Al Myers)
I first met Scotty at the Heathen Games (AKA Wakenny Games, Festival of Beltane, and Seamus’s Follies). It was there I first detected his disdain for the big stick. In particular when the rest of us were turning their biggest stick with our eyes closed and one hand tied behind our back, I noticed that the Caber Killer first showed his face, much like Bruce Banner turning into the Hulk. Scotty couldn’t get a turn and he slammed the stick down (at the time I thought it was an accident), and snapped the end. But now, I know it was the ……CABER KILLER!!!!!!
Liam had these comments in regards to the Backyard Games:
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly. Fine games. Except for the weather. Try to order better weather next time. And maybe you could use a rubber tree for your next caber. Then maybe Scott “the Caber Slayer” Campbell can be thwarted in his attemp to rid the universe of evil timber. The rain forest must shudder at the mere mention of his name.
Then “Big Shot” Al Myers weighed in (pun intended) with this comment:
As for a good solution to keep Scotty from breaking cabers, just put a price sticker on them!!!
AD’s beware. The Caber Killer is lurking near your meet this summer. Unless, of course, he becomes too whipped after his wedding and we never see him again. (Sorry, Scott, couldn’t resist, I guess you’ll show her who wears the pants in your family…..uhhhh….poor choice of words.)
CREDIT: The Braemar Stone Tablet, Volume #5, Issue #1