By Judy Carmack Bross
For 44 years, the award-winning Thistle and Heather Highland Dancers have performed at the Chicago Scots signature events keeping the Scottish tradition of highland dance alive.
“In 1845, a group of Scots gathered in a small frontier town called Chicago, population just 12,000. They committed to a simple but powerful purpose: to care for one another. They built a network of support for immigrants, families and this in need. From these humble beginnings, Chicago Scots grew into a beacon of Scottish kindness and humanitarian service.”—Chicago Scots President Gus Noble at the recent St. Andrew’s Day Gala, The Feast of the Haggis.
Guests included Chicago Scots Artist-in-residence David Lee Csicsko and husband, David Syrek, who caught up with President Gus Noble OBE at the gala.
The Chicago Scots, the oldest charity in Illinois and one of the most enduring Scottish organizations in North America, celebrated their 180th anniversary at the Palmer House recently with family tartans in proud display, the music of bagpipes, a rousing “Auld Lang Syne”, and haggis washed down with single malt scotch. As the group is proud to say: The Saint Andrew’s Day Gala is Chicago’s longest running black tie event held every year since 1845 despite two World Wars, the Chicago Fire, the great depression, the great recession, and two pandemics. Charlie Gonzalez serves as Board Chair.
On November 30th, 1845 a group of Scots living in Chicago gathered at the Lake House to celebrate their culture and identity. They decided to form a Saint Andrews Society similar to those on the East Coast.
Over 250 guests enjoyed an evening of Scottish celebration at the Palmer House Hilton on Dec 6 for the 180th Annual Saint Andrew’s Day Gala, the Feast of the Haggis, Chicago’s longest running black tie event.
The award-winning Midlothian Pipe Band opened the Dinner with a command performance of pipe and drums.
Gus Noble, OBE, Chicago Scots Chair President, told the 250 guests that night:
“Consider this: most 501c3 non-profits never see their 50th anniversary. A small fraction of one percent survive to 100 years. To reach 180 years is almost unheard of. It speaks to the strength of our mission, the resilience of our community, and the enduring relevance of what we stand for.
“So why have we prevailed? I believe it’s because Chicago Scots have always embraced the spirit of constant innovation and critical thinking which is a legacy of the Scottish Enlightenment. That movement championed reason, progress and the belief that ideas can change lives. Those principles shaped our founders and continue to guide us today. We have adapted, evolved and reimagined our work for every generation, while staying true to our core values of care and culture and community.
As Adam Smith, the great Scottish philosopher, wrote: ‘The real tragedy is the poverty of aspiration.’ Our founders understood this truth. They believed in lifting people up, not just with charity, but with opportunity and hope. That belief still drives us. For 180 years, thr0ugh wars, fires, depressions and pandemics, we Chicago Scots have endured, adapted and thrived. So if I may borrow from another famous philosopher named Jeffery Lebowski: ‘The Dude abides’.”
Chicago Scots Governor Stuart Miller gave a dramatic rendition of Robert Burns “Address to the Haggis” a beloved tradition at every Feast.
Since 1964, Chicago Scots has honored the outstanding achievements of Scots and Scottish Americans with the Distinguished Citizen Award. President Gus Noble OBE (right) is joined by 2019 Distinguished Citizen co-recipients Dan Casey (left) and Bethany McLean who were involved in honoring 2025 recipient, The Right Honourable Henry McLeish, former First Minister of Scotland.
2025 Kinsman and Kinswoman of the Year awards went to Fred and Kris Veenbaas (Center) who have been dedicated volunteers of the Highland Games for more than 20 years. Bestowing honors were Heather Queen Samantha Grace Johnston, Emme Veenbaas and Chicago Scots Chair Charlie Gonzalez.
In addition to programs and events directed to keeping Scottish culture alive, Chicago Scots has the Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care Center as its principal charity. Noble told the guests that night:
“What is given by our team there is instinctive, intentional and inspirational, care that honors the dignity of every individual and reflects the very best of who we are. This is Scottish kindness in action—rooted in heritage yet profoundly relevant in the way we support one another. We exist to relieve the distressed. Over the last 180 years, when this Society has recognized distress, we have positioned and repositioned ourselves to provide relief. Today seven million Americans live with dementia. That’s eleven percent of the population and the number will double by 2060. We must innovate boldly again, as we look to our third century, building on the transformational $14 million gift we are honored to have received from the Negaunee Foundation. This gift gives us the opportunity, and the responsibility to dream big. Let us dream of transforming Caledonia into a world-healing center of excellence in memory care.”
With the last word to Robert Burns who certainly could have been writing about the Chicago Scots:
“…Man to Man, the world o’er shall brothers be..” from “A Man’s A Man for A’ That.”
The Society joined with other Chicago Scottish organizations to honor the poet Robert Burns with a statue in Garfield Park, set among the flowers and trees that Burns loved.
For More information about the Chicago Scots visit: chicagoscots.org
