by Margaret Terrell and Arthur Hays
The ancient Maya, Nostradamus, and other assorted ancient cultures, seers and prophets have predicted that the world will come to an end on December 21, 2012, so come to the AGM to end all AGMs!
The Clan Hay Society – American Branch 2012 Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held at the 31st Smoky Mountain Highland Games at Maryville College in Maryville, Tennessee the third weekend in May. Clan Hay is the Honored Clan for the games. The actual games will be on Saturday and Sunday, May 19 and 20, but there are activities also on Friday, May 18. Here is what you need to know:
American Hays at a previous Clan Hay gathering in the United States
Games Website.
www.smokymountaingames.org (Disregard references to Gatlinburg, the former site of the games in years past.)
Brief Schedule. Friday Afternoon and Evening: At 1:00 P.M., meeting of the Council of the American Branch (open to all members), Whisky Tasting, Games Parade and Games Gala. Saturday: Gates open at 8 a.m. for the first day of the games, with the American Branch membership meeting at the Clan Hay games tent that afternoon and with the American Branch Banquet Saturday evening. Sunday: Second day of the games and Parade of Tartans.
Suggestions Of What To Bring. (1) Hard and soft drinks, snacks and other food and cups, napkins, plates, and plastic utensils you would like to donate for use in the Hospitality Room (let the AGM Treasurer know what you are bringing ahead of time so those things will not be purchased by her), (2) soft drinks and water, ice, food, snacks and paper products you would like to share at the Clan Hay games tent Saturday and Sunday, (3) plaques, ribbons or other awards or items of recognition received by Clan Hay, these to be displayed at the at the Saturday Banquet, (4) Items to be given as door prizes or auctioned off at the Saturday Banquet, and (5) Hay banners and tartan flags for the Parade of Tartans Sunday. All of this is voluntary, of course. The most important thing to bring is yourself.
How To Get There. Maryville is south of Knoxville in eastern Tennessee.
If flying, you would fly into the Knoxville Airport (TYS) at Alcoa, TN. It is a 300 foot walk under a covered walkway from the airport terminal to the lobby of the AGM hotel, the Hilton Knoxville Airport. Or you can call the hotel for a shuttle from its courtesy phone in the terminal baggage area. Maryville College, site of the games, is about five miles south of the hotel. If driving from the north or south, you might come by way of Interstate 75, and if driving from the east or west, by way of Interstate 40. Alcoa and Maryville are each about 15 miles from both Interstates.
AGM Chairman. Margaret Terrell, Convener for Tennessee is the Chairman of the AGM and is working hard to make your stay enjoyable. If you need to contact her, here is her information: Address: 103 Tracy Lane, Oak Ridge, TN 37830. Work phone: 865-574-1590. Cell phone: 865-591-4851. E-mail address: terrellmw@y12.doe.gov
AGM Treasurer. Margaret-Elizabeth Williams, Assistant Convener for Tennessee, is the Treasurer of the AGM. Reservations and payment for games tickets, banquet meals and polo-shirts should be made through her no later than May 1. Checks sent to her should be made payable to the “Clan Hay Society – AB”. Here is her information: Address: 2513 Somerset Drive, Nashville, TN 37217-3915. Phone: 615-268-3197. E-mail address: Maggie2149@comcast.net
Hotel. The AGM Hotel is the Hilton Knoxville Airport right next to the Knoxville
Clan Hay of America with the late Countess of Erroll's pinsel at one of their gatherings
Airport and right off of U.S. Highway 129 at 2001 Alcoa Highway, Alcoa, TN. 37701. Room reservations should be made directly with the hotel. The Clan Hay special rate is $75.00 per night plus tax. The cut-off date for that rate is May 1. It is important for attendees to make their reservations as soon as possible, as rooms will be at a premium due to the games and the Maryville College graduation that weekend. If you are not 100% sure you can attend the AGM, go ahead and make your reservation as the cancellation policy allows for cancellation up to 24 hours prior to check-in. Contact information is: Phone: 865-970-4300 (be sure to ask for Clan Hay rate), Website:http://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/K/KNXAHHF-HAY-20120517/index.jhtml?WT_id=POG Group Name: Clan Hay. Group Code: Hay. Check-in: 17-May-2012. Check-out: 20-May-2012. Hotel Name: Hilton Knoxville Airport.
Hospitality Suite. In the past, the President’s hotel room has often substituted as the hospitality suite where clan members gather to socialize, but Rod and Cathy will be glad to know that they can have their privacy if they wish, and go to bed at a decent hour
There will be a separate Clan Hay hospitality suite in the Townsend Suite on the 5th Floor of the Hilton Knoxville Airport. This is also where the Council will meet Friday at 1:00 P.M. Please let the AGM Chairman know if you can host the Hospitality Room for a period of time during the weekend.
Games Tickets. The price of tickets at the gate is $18.00 for Saturday and $13.00 for Sunday. However, it is very important that everyone order their tickets ahead of time through the AGM Treasurer as the games are letting Clan Hay keep $3.00 per ticket to help defray the cost of the AGM. The price is the same as at the gate. You do not receive a discount. But you will be helping pay for the AGM by ordering your tickets through the AGM Treasurer. The tickets you order will be at the main gate to the games under your name on a “Will Call” basis..
Banquet. The highlight of the weekend will be the Clan Hay Society-American Branch Banquet Saturday night at the AGM Hotel. There will be a Haggis Ceremony with Jean Hayes, Piper of the Scottish Tartans Museum, piping in the haggis for Arthur Hays to deliver the Address to the Haggis by Robert Burns. It will be a time of fine dining, displays, fellowship, toasting, entertainment, laughter, door prizes and auction, awards and recognitions. You have a choice of two entrees with tip included. Entrée # 1 for $50 per plate: roast prime rib of beef with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. Entrée # 2 for $40 per plate: baked chicken with apple pecan dressing, gravy and cranberry sauce. Both entrees come with choice of scotch or apple juice for toasting, cock-a-leekie soup, vegetable bouquetiere, hot bakery rolls and butter, cream brulee for dessert, and a choice of iced tea with lemon or freshly brewed regular or decaf coffee. Wine and other alcoholic drinks can be purchased at the cash bar. Reservations for the Banquet and choice of entrée must be made and paid for ahead of time by May 1 through the AGM Treasurer.
Polo-Shirts. There will be a polo shirt for the AGM that must be purchased ahead of time by May 1 through the AGM Treasurer. The shirt will be white, imprinted in red with the Clan Hay crest badge and “Clan Hay AGM 2012”. Price is $22.00 per shirt. Sizes available will be small, medium, large and extra large. You will pick up your shirt at the Hospitality Room.
Other Activities. Maryville is in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park, and close to the resort towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. There is plenty to do and plenty to see in the area. So you may want to plan a vacation and stay longer.
Finally, as we say here in these parts, “The latch string is always on the outside of the door. Y’all come!”