Six Degrees of Kilted Separation

[sydnie7]

I'm just back from taking my mother and myself to Northern Calif for a visit with my brother-in-law James (his wife, my sister Lorie, sadly has passed on). Among James' friends are a couple named Steven and Gail whom we have enjoyed meeting on many prior occasions.

This trip, S&G joined us for a BBQ at James' place in Cohasset, a mountain community above Chico. I showed pix of my recently completed "MacWerner Watch" only to find that, in a previous life, Steven was quite the kiltie. He apprenticed at the San Francisco Highland Games and was later Chieftain of the Sacramento Games for several years running. His first wife taught (teaches?) Highland dancing, and their daughter danced in competitions. Both of them have kilts made by. . . wait for it. . .

Elsie Stuehmeyer! Yes, the same ES who co-authored our bible of kiltmaking with Barb T.

Steve's kilt seems to have shrunk in the closet and it may show up here for sale (that's still very much in the future). But I have promised both Steve and James their own RK-version X-Kilts in camo, suitable for wearing at BBQs and during the desert trips they all enjoy.

Just thought I would share how gobsmacked I was to hear him casually throw ES's name into conversation, the first time in 5 years or so of acquaintanceship that I even knew he owned a kilt! You meet the nicest people. . . and vice versa.

[Morgan of Seattle]

That wouldn't possibly be Steven and Gail Cramer who live in Susanville, would it?

[Highlander31]

It really is a small world.

[sydnie7]

That wouldn't possibly be Steven and Gail Cramer who live in Susanville, would it?

No, this pair lives in Oroville and use a hyphenated last name -- he would have been Steven Smith at the time he was involved with Sacto Games.

[Alan H]

Elsie made dancers kilts as well as "regular" kilts, and she is a very well-known local Highland Dance teacher in Nor Cal. She taught our clan star, Kari, who recently placed 2nd in the world in the open adult division.

You can catch her at most of the big dance competitions...Woodland and Pleasanton, here in Northern California.