General News & Events

Please let us know if we can be of assistance in learning about Scottish History, Heritage, and Culture, in Oklahoma. Also, contact us if you need help in either beginning your own Scottish Genealogical research or just additional general Scottish research.

If you are not a member of (U.S.C.O.), but your interested in finding out about your possible Scottish or Celtic heritage, we look forward to having you visit us at any of our Clan Gatherings (dinners or events).

Complete 2008 Calendar of Events can be found on the "General News & Events" page. We will have a downloadable copy of the calendar within a short time. Please check back.

Patrick (Pat) Eikner Kelley: Our C.E.O. of U.S.C.O., our Friend and Leader, may be gone, but will never be forgotten: Our prayers or love and sympathy goes to his family, Carmen, Ike and Elizabeth. We will always miss him. Pat passed away on December 28, 2007.

Jerrel Murray: My Friend, may be Gone, but Not Forgotten: Members of U.S.C.O. and the Scottish and Celtic Community, extends our deepest sympathy to the family of Jerrel Murray. Jerrel passed away Feb. 14th, 2006. He was considered to be the "Father of U.S.C.O." He will surely be missed.

Jerrel was the designer of the "Oklahoma Tartan". He organized the current U.S.C.O. organization and had held many offices within the organization, as well as being the Editor of the Quarterly Newsletter, the "Highland Herald".

May 10, 2008 - Clan Gathering - SPECIAL PRESENTATION - TONIGHT! This is our Mother's Day Clan Gathering. Special Presentation By: Debra Campbell Subject: Losing Your Head: The Mother of James the 6th of Scotland and James the 1st of England. This Gathering will be in honor of our mothers, wives, sisters, and all women. The Celtic woman has always held a leading role in Celtic society. Come, show your appreciation.

Festival Time is Here At Last! --- Plan to spend Friday Evening 28th, and all day Saturday 29th at the Festival. You will not want to miss out on seeing the Athletic Games, attending Genealogy research training, eating traditional Celtic food, and visiting the Vendors of Celtic items. We will have non-stop entertainment with Bagpipes, Celtic Bands and Celtic Dancers perform. We will have Clydesdale Horses and lots of other animals, and dog trials. There will be something enjoyable for every member of the family.

A New and Wonderful Location, with plenty of parking and superb festival grounds. Click on: "Iron Thistle Festival Site" for a area map of the festival grounds The Kirkpatrick Historical Park in Yukon, OK., is right off I-40 at Garth Brooks Blvd. & Vandament Ave. Contact U.S.C.O. now, if you request information for setting up your Clan Tent or a vendor tent. We already have several Celtic Bands, Pipers and Pipe Bands, a Celtic Dance Competition, several Food Vendors and Clan tents, signed up to be at this festival. There will be dog trials, Clydesdale horses, and especially the Highland Athletic Games. Click on Festival News : Cost & Festival Hours, and Times for the Event. For the Iron Thistle Dance Competition details and application information. Vendors and Competitors Applications, with Times & Locations. Link to the Festival Area and Events Map, identifying where the various Events will take place. View and download a copy of the Festival Posters which are put up around the city. Find the great offer provided by the Festival Host Hotel in Yukon, OK. Mark your calendar now, we look forward to seeing you soon.

Join with U.S.C.O. in Celebrating the life of Robert Burns. This is the time to dress up in your most formal Scottish / Celtic Attire, and Celebrate with U.S.C.O. Read on, to find out what is in store for this grand evening. Make your reservations now and plan to have one of the best evenings ever.

Location: St. Matthew United Methodist Church, 300 N. Air Depot Blvd., Midwest City. Church is located across the street from Heritage Park Mall (East Side of Air Depot Blvd., just North of Reno). Time: 6:00pm

OKC will celebrated "Burns Night" in a big way with U.S.C.O.!

SUSPICIOUS CONTRA and ON THE DOSS on one great stage!!! They will bring you an evening that meets Robert Burns and the rest of the Scots idea of a Scottish Birthday-- Fine food, song, dance and friendship.

Robert Burns is the poet Laureate of Scotland and his birthday is celebrated all over the world with these fantastic Burns Suppers. Join us as we toast the Haggis, Burns and the Scottish culture. Robert Burns was not only a poet he collected and preserved the Scottish tunes that we cherish today. He also inspired the American Revolution with the belief of equality. We have much to thank this man for.

ON THE DOSS is a collection of some of the finest singers in the state. The immortal memory of Robert Burns will be delivered in his songs featuring ON THE DOSS . That grand band ON THE DOSS is also known for rowdy Irish and sea shanties that have been wowing the Tulsa audiences over the last few months and now they arrive in OKC together for the first time. They will conduct the evening with song to weave the history of Burns and across the water to Ireland and the US.

After a fine meal SUSPICIOUS CONTRA will invite the CONTRA DANCERS and the SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCERS to teach us a few steps of Contra and Scottish dancing. SUSPICIOUS CONTRA is one of the absolutely most fantastic bands in the state and this will be a treat for our Celtic ears and our Celtic feet. Settle back and relax or get up and learn a few steps!!! You will have a hard time keeping still for this band!!! January 26, 2008 - Burns Night - 6:00pm Mark your calendar now and plan to attend this formal evening, celebrating the life of Robert Burns.

Location will be: St. Matthew's United Methodist Church, 300 N. Air Depot Blvd., Midwest City, Time: 6:00pm -- Cost: $20 for each Member of U.S.C.O. -- $25 for each Non-Member. RSVP: Linda Hendricks at uscoclanchief@hotmail.com

The following, are a few photo from the 2007 U.S.C.O. Burns Night. Click on the images for a larger photo, which can be downloaded.

November 10^th- Medieval Thanksgiving Feast - 6:00 pm - We will feast together in celebration of our many blessings. A Family event --- Roast Beast (Ham and Turkey) provided by U.S.C.O. Bring a covered dish and enjoy. Entertainment is pending.

October 13th - Global Oklahoma - campus of Rose State College, Midwest City, OK. - (10am to 5pm) This year, they're honoring all the countries who were involved in the settling of Oklahoma. This being, the Centennial year. U.S.C.O., will have a booth set up for this event. We're providing entertainment by, Robert Bruce (Bag Pipe), Laura Venable (Dancing), Roger Graham ( Guitar & Vocal), and some of his friends, if he can get them to come, and Dustin Cooper (Harp & Dulcimer) playing Middle Eastern music. Also, we need as many as possible to signup to bring baked goods. We'll be having an "unofficial" bake sale out of the U.S.C.O. tent. Please contact Linda Hendricks to signup and for additional details. Contact Linda at: uscoclanchief@hotmail.com . We need all of our members as possible, to help out at this event. Lots of opportunity to meet people and spread Scottish/Celtic culture in Oklahoma, and help out with the bake sale and help our visitors research their Scottish heritage.

NOTE: Global Oklahoma and U.S.C.O. Clan Gathering are on the same day. Global OK during the morning and afternoon and U.S.C.O. in the evening.

October 13^th- Halloween Celebration - U.S.C.O. will host a Celtic-theme Halloween Party. Come dressed as your favorite Scottish/Irish/Celtic character. Don’t have a costume, come anyway and enjoy the fun. Prizes will be given for the most creative costumes. Entertainment pending

September 8^th- Country Celtic - An evening of country western music and a discussion of the evolution of Celtic music into modern country music. Presented by Eddie and Roberta Tyler with comment from Debra Campbell

September 15th & 16th - 28th Annual Oklahoma Scottish Festival, Tula, OK - The 28th Annual Oklahoma Scottish Festival is pleased to announce they are returning to their new home, River Parks West. It is also known as River West Festival Park located at 2105 S. Jackson Ave located on the beautiful Arkansas River with an awesome view of the downtown Tulsa skyline.

Gates open Saturday 10:00am to 11:30pm (most vendors will close at 6pm Saturday)
Saturday Night Celtic Concert 6pm to 11:30pm (Free with festival ticket or $5 without)
Sunday 9:30am to 5pm, Kirking at 10:00am Lawn chairs, umbrellas and dogs on a leash are welcome.

PLEASE NOTE: U.S.C.O. will have our booth setup during the Festival. We will need all the support & help possible, during this Festival. We need as many of our membership working in our booth, as possible.

Please contact Linda Hendricks at uscoclanchief@hotmail.com . Let Linda know how many hours you will be able to help in our booth. We'll need help setting up and closing the booth, as well as help during both days with visitors and helping with their ancestral research.

August 4th - Centennial Ancestor Fair - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N. Laird Ave, Oklahoma City, OK (across from the state capital) Note: the O.H.C. will be opened at 9 a.m.) Sponsored by the Oklahoma Genealogical Society ( O.G.S. ) U.S.C.O. will have a booth set up to help patron with their Celtic-Scottish, Irish, ancestral research. The Oklahoma History Center will be open to the public with free access to the museum complex. Several of the activities planned for the Centennial Ancestor Fair, include: Plenty of Fun Kid's Activities!, Genealogy, Photographs, Brag about your Ancestors & Hear Tall Tales. Hear from the Experts on how to search for you Indian & Pioneer ancestors. There will be several genealogical, historical & lineage societies from around the state to answer questions. There will be: Costume Contests, Genealogy Contests, Photo Contests, and Society Table Contest. Also, you will get a chance to Brag about your Ancestors on stage, for a $1 per minute. Go to the Oklahoma Genealogical Society web site: www.okgensoc.org to find out more about the planned activities, schedule of events, and which groups will be represented.

August 11^th- Mysterious Origins of the Celts - Timeline of the diffusion of the Celts out of the Steppes of Russia and into the Iberian Peninsula and ultimately their movement into Ireland/Scotland Presented by Rev. Jimmie Lee Robins, MS

July 14, 2007 (Saturday) 6pm "U.S.C.O. Clan Gathering", Location: "Church of the Savior". This will be one of the most interesting and informative gatherings, this year. Along with our pot luck dinner and silent auction, we will be having special speakers for a very informative and interesting topic. Make plans now to attend, and bring along your friends, for this very exciting evening. Guest Speakers: Rev. Barney McLaughlin, Pastor of Bethany Christian Church, Tulsa, OK., Dr. Mady Fraser, Chaplin and Professor at Phillips Theological Seminary.

TOPICS: Who were the ancient Picts? What is the meaning of their mysterious Standing Stones? & Other Mysteries of Ancient Scotland.

June 16 & 17, 2007 Go to Oklahoma Celtic Music & Heritage Festival 2007 to find out about all of the clan booths, vendors, bands, dancers, dog show, and much, much more. Get up-to-the-minute information about the Oklahoma Celtic Music & Heritage Festival, which is an official "Oklahoma Centennial Event", to be held in Stillwater, OK, June 16 & 17, 2007. This event will surely be the highlight of 2007 for the state of Oklahoma.

June 9, 2007 (Saturday) 6pm "U.S.C.O. Clan Gathering", at the "Church of the Savior" Our Clan Gathering this month will be a "Celtic Hawaiian Picnic", held next to the gymnasium, in back of the church. Wear your favorite Hawaiian attire and enjoy an evening of outdoor cooking enjoyment. Bring whatever meat product you want to eat and we'll cook it. Bring your lawn chair and a side dish. Come join us for fun, food, entertainment, and games for "ALL THE FAMILY". We look forward to see you.

Mar.2007 - Upcoming Events - Unless otherwise specified, all U.S.C.O. Board Meetings and Clan Gatherings, are held at the "Church of the Savior" 5600 NW 63rd Street, OKC.

Mar. 17, 2007 (Saturday) -- St. Patrick's Day Parade - Through Bricktown, U.S.C.O. will be in the Parade. Please let us know if you can participate with U.S.C.O., either riding on the float or walking. Parade starts at 1:00 pm.

Mar. 24, 2007 (Saturday) – U.S.C.O. Athletics Games and Festival - Athletics Games begin 9:00am. One Day - Mega Festival, held at the: “Washington Park”, within 1 mile, East of “Bricktown”.

Mar. 30, 31, & Apr. 1, 2007 – "31^st Annual Medieval Fair" - Norman, Ok -- Free Admission, (Friday, Saturday, & Sunday) 10am – 6:30pm daily. U.S.C.O. will have a tent set up, and all members are encouraged to support us, spending time helping out in the tent, greeting visitors. For Medieval Fair Information: www.medievalfair.org

Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 3rd Annual Oklahoma Solo Piping Debate 2007 8:00am to 5:00pm, Solo Piping Competition Location, Church of the Savior, 5600 N.W. 63rd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73132, Information: Oklahoma Scottish Pipes & Drums (OSPD) www.okscots.com . More info, Contact Stew Joslin: oklahomascottishpipesdrums@yahoo.com

" Oklahoma Centennial 2007 Event". "Iron Thistle Scottish Games & Heritage Festival", Saturday, March 24, 2007 at the " Washington Park ", 411 N High (East of Lincoln & NE 4^th on NE 4^th), Oklahoma City , OK 73101 (Within 1 mile, East of “Bricktown”) Gate open to the Public: 10am to 6pm . Also, this is the first Scottish Festival in Oklahoma City , in several years.

Mar. 24, 2007 (Saturday) – Iron Thistle Scottish Games & Heritage Festival sponsored by U.S.C.O. Scottish Athletics.

Saturday, March 31, 2007 - 3rd Annual Oklahoma Solo Piping Debate 2007 8:00am to 5:00pm, Solo Piping Competition Location, Church of the Savior 5600 N.W. 63rd, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73132 Information: Oklahoma Scottish Pipes & Drums (OSPD) www.okscots.com Contact Stew Joslin, for more info at: oklahomascottishpipesdrums@yahoo.com

FEB. 10, 2007 – 6:00 pm U.S.C.O. “Burn’s Night” Celebration Location: "Church of the Savior" 5600 NW 63rd, Oklahoma City Cost: $10 for U.S.C.O. members, $15 for Non-Membes. FOR Tickets or Reservations: CONTACT: Linda Hendricks: uscoclanchief@hotmail.com or 405-249-9213 OR any U.S.C.O. Board Member POT LUCK DINNER: U.S.C.O. is providing Haggis, "Tatties & Neeps", Pipe Music, Entertainment, A "wee" Dram for the toast to "Rabbie". We will have a BIG "Silent Auction", THIS EVENT is our Main Fundraiser - Donations accepted for auction and events. ENTERTAINMENT: Dustin Cooper, Ruth Coats & Lee Agnew providing music of Robert Burns, Scotland, Ireland and the Celts. DRESS: Scottish or Church best. Kilts, ancient or modern welcome!

Feb. 17, 2007 (Saturday) – CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER Mardi Gras Parade in Norman, Through the Historic Downtown District. U.S.C.O. will participate in the Norman Marti Graw Parade on February 17, 2007. The parade will begin at Sundown, around 6:30 pm in downtown Norman. The theme of the parade is the Oklahoma Centennial. Come and enjoy the parade and learn about how Scottish People helped in the development of our great state. If you need more information, contact Debra Marlett-Campbell at email: marlett@cox.net

Dec. 30, 2006 - "Hogmanay - Scottish New Year" Celebration - 6:00pm " Church of the Savior" - 5600 N.W. 63rd, Oklahoma City, OK" --- Plan to Celebrate the New Year, with U.S.C.O. ---- Bring a friend and enjoy a great time of friendship and getting to know one another. We welcome all newcomers to our gatherings. You don't have to be Scottish to attend and wearing Scottish attire is optional. As always, bring your favorite pot-luck side dish and / or desert. We plan to have a little entertainment, always some Scottish history, and a silent auction, and most of all, Good Friendship. And with tradition, we will be toasting the Haggis. If you've never attended a "U.S.C.O. Clan Gathering" or just interested in a little "Scottish Culture", we welcome you to visit us and enjoy a good "Scottish Style Clan Gathering."

Dec. 9, 2006 - U.S.C.O. Clan Gathering - “A Celtic Christmas" Special guest performers: Dustin Cooper, instrumentalist and Roger Graham, guitarist & vocalist. Come and enjoy the great musical entertainment, along with enjoying the great food, fun, fellowship, and celebration.

Nov. 11, 2006 "Ancient and Modern Clan System & Timeline for Scottish emigration to the Colonies" Presented by: La Nell Shores Saturday, - La Nell is highly involved as a Board Member in both U.S.C.O. & OGS (Oklahoma Genealogical Society), as Regent for Council Grove DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution), member of OHCE (Oklahoma Home Community & Education), and UDC (United Daughters of the Confederacy), and a facilitator of the "Legacy Family Tree genealogy software" at CCOKC, Computer Club of Oklahoma City - Genealogy Group. La Nell has taught Basic and Intermediate Computer Genealogy for OGS & U.S.C.O. Seminars and has presented the above presentation to both OGS, DAR, & the OHCE organizations. For additional information about La Nell's presentation, please email her at: MLSHORES@COX.NET . We encourage you to visit U.S.C.O. at the next Clan Gathering and enjoy the friendship, pot-luck dinner, and to hear La Nell's Scottish presentation. You will not be disappointed.

Oct. 7, 2006 - Global Fest, On the Campus of Rose State University, Midwest City, OK. Open All Day - Starts at 9pm. Tables & tents setup to help you research your family history.

Saturday, Sept. 9th, 2006 - "FALL KICKOFF & BRING A FRIEND", 6:00 pm at "The Church of the Savior", 5600 N.W. 23rd, OKC.), Meeting kicked off the Fall Season.

Sept. 9, 2006 - "3rd Annual - Woodland Forest Festival, Woodland Park, Shawnee, OK.

Setptember 30, 2006 - U.S.C.O. sponsored Athletics Games, put on by COSHA - Athletics Games, put on by COSHA - "Central Oklahoma Scottish Heavy Athletics", will be held at Earlywine Park, starting at 9am, with lunch served at 12:00pm (Noon).

June Clan Gathering - Picnic -- Scottish Style - June 10, 2006 (4:00pm to 8:00pm) - Yukon, OK - City Park - "South Pavilion" - Park is Located at: 2323 S. Holly Ave. -- (City Park can be seen from I-40, going West) - This picnic will be a POT-LUCK dinner. You're welcome to come in your Scottish attire or anything which might be comfortable and cool. As always, this will be a family event. Bring your kids, grandkids, or friends. Our newest group to be associated with U.S.C.O., the "Central Oklahoma Scottish Heavy Athletics" (COSHA), will be setup to demonstrate the art of Scottish Style Athletics. So please bring your favorite outside dishes for all of us to share. Also, bring along some tasty desserts. The afternoon and evening picnic will prove to be an exciting, fun filled time with your U.S.C.O. friends and family. So, come join us for lots of fun, relaxation, sports, and lots of good food. Click on this small map image and you'll see an enlarged image of the Yukon City Park.

"May Clan Gathering" picnic -- Scottish Style -- May 13, 2006 Earlywine Park, OKC. There was lots of fun, food, and lots of entertainment. Some of the most “Outlandished” Hawaiian Tartan Concoctions, kilts, shirts, shawl or other apparel, were worn and modeled at this picnic.

“Annual Medieval Fair” at Norman, OK, with “Tartan Day” on Saturday, April 1^st”March 31st, April 1st, and April 2nd, 2006 (Friday, Saturday & Sunday). “All Day – FREE - Fair”, On the Oklahoma University Campus in Norman, OK. U.S.C.O. will have a tent setup. Your welcome to come out and spend as much time as you have available in the U.S.C.O. tent and help greet visitors, hand out fliers of upcoming clan gatherings, and assist in locating Scottish or Celtic heritage and/or clan affiliations. Look for the U.S.C.O. tent and other Scottish Clan tents at the Medieval Fair.

“St. Patrick's Day Parade in Bricktown, OKC” ---- March 18^th, 2006 We plan to march, walk, and/or ride in the Bricktown Parade and have an evening meal together in Bricktown. Contact Linda Hendricks at 249-9213, and let us know if you plan to come out and walk with the U.S.C.O. group or would rather ride on our trailer, if room is available.

“March Clan Gathering” -- March 11th, 2006 Potluck Dinner, Silent Auction, Special Entertainment and a great evening of visiting with other friends, family, and members of U.S.C.O.

"Scottish Style Valentine Gathering” February 11^th, 2006 --"Church of the Savior" This is definitely Scottish best attire night, if none available, wear your Sunday best. Bring your Sweetheart, or Special Friend, or attend by yourself. Pot Luck Dinner, Silent Auction, Special Entertainment, Music, and Visiting with Friends. Special entertainment for this special evening, will be Carol Barry and Kevin Barrett, to teach some Scottish country Dancing. Dustin Copper will be with us again to perform some of his songs with " Song of Sophia", and we're looking forward to having Roger Graham to sing a few of his songs. All together, this should be a very exciting and entertaining evening. Through song and dance, you will receive Scottish Culture, at its best.

2nd Annual " Woodland Forest Festival", at Woodland Park, in Shawnee, OK., Sept. 10, 2005 -- Saturday 10am to 6pm, NOTE: U.S.C.O. is one of the primary participants at this festival. U.S.C.O. will have a tent setup at this festival, and will host a "PICNIC" from 1pm to 4pm, for members and guests. For additional information about the Woodland Forest Festival, please click on: http://www.visitshawnee.com/even_deta.htm?id=2708008

"Scottish Tea" - Sponsored by U.S.C.O. -May 14, 2005, 2:00 PM For Reservations Call: 249-9213, Cost was: $5.00 Church of the Savior, 5600 N.W. 63rd, OKC.

"Scottish History/Genealogy Fair", Saturday, April 9th, 2005 U.S.C.O. would like to thank Sharon Burns, Special Correspondent for the Daily Oklahoman for this article which appeared in her column "We The People". It outlines the events, Clans, Lectures, and Entertainment, which was available.

"Hogmanay" dinner on January 1, 2005: Click on the attached thumbnail photos to see an enlargement of the photo.

YOU CAN SEE, WHAT A GRAND TIME WE HAD! -- We hope to see you at next years, U.S.C.O. "Hogmanay".