HASA Winter Banquet
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