Mountain Maryland pays homage to its Scottish heritage with its third annual Burns Supper, slated for Saturday, January 24^th at the Four Seasons Restaurant at Will O' the Wisp from 6pm to 10pm.  One day shy of the 250^th Anniversary of the Scottish bard and poet's birth, the event will serve as the official introduction of Scottish fiddler Bonnie Rideout as the Honorary Clan Chieftain of this year's McHenry Highland Festival.

An internationally acclaimed musician, Rideout has been a regular featured performer during the Festival's twenty year history.  On stages from Scotland's Edinburgh International Festival to America's Kennedy Center, her unique style of Scottish fiddling has charmed audiences with a vast array of traditional Scottish dance tunes, Highlands bagpipe music and ancient Gaelic melodies, each reflecting the rich musical tradition of her heritage.  "She has brought much recognition and artistry to the McHenry Highland Festival," said Chairman Jerry McGee.  "For this reason and for her devotion to the audience of the greater Garrett County and tri-state area, the Board of Directors unanimously agreed that she should be granted this honor."

Traditionally, Burns Suppers are a time to honor the poetic and musical contributions of Scotsman Robert Burns.  In celebrating Burns' life , work, and cultural contributions, Burn's Suppers have become a strong icon of Scottish identity.

On Friday, December 5^th, twelve Frostburg State University students presented their research to a packed room of more than 125 people at the annual Washington, DC gathering of the Appalachian Teaching Project, sponsored by the Appalachian Regional Commission. The students represented the project's FSU contingent - one of more than a dozen regionally based institutions currently participating in the program.

An outgrowth of cooperative meetings between the Consortium of Appalachian Centers with the Appalachian Regional Commission staff, the project was launched in 2001 with a handful of participants.  Administered through the Center for Appalachian Studies and Services at East Tennessee State University, the partnership has grown steadily over the years, today including 14 colleges, universities, and community colleges from the Appalachian region.  Students involved in the project range from those seeking Associates Degrees to Ph.D. Candidates.

All participants are committed to a high level of service intended to improve the quality of life for regional residents.  Over the course of the recent gathering students from Mississippi to Pennsylvania gathered for two days to share their research and exchange ideas for assisting the mountain region.

The task can be daunting.  Each team is allotted 15 minutes to present and participant guidelines require all students in attendance to take an active role in presenting. Cheering from the sidelines is not an option.  Even the shyest students are expected to overcome their anxiety and address the audience.  Moreover, presentations must be student led endeavors and it is uncommon for professors and instructors to take an active role in presenting.

The projects presented this year were as diverse as the institutions participating.  All focused on the theme, "Strengthening Community Assets to Shape a Positive Future for Appalachia," but the application of that theme yielded a strong mix of results.