Officers and board members for the Scotch Fair Highland Games Foundation, the governing body behind the Scotland County Highland Games event, were chosen in a meeting this week at the Scottish Heritage Center at St. Andrews College in Laurinburg. Seven persons were elected to serve on the foundation's board of directors; those nominated were Lillian Boger of Laurinburg to a three year term, Theresa Lamson of Laurinburg to a five year term, Dr. James McQueen of Laurinburg to a three year term, the Hon. William C. McIlwain, III of Wagram to a five year term, Sara Stewart of Laurinburg to a five year term, Maurice Robertson of Fayetteville to a four year term, and Gerald Daniel of Fayetteville, also to a four year term. Alternates, in case one of the previous nominees cannot serve, are Emily M. Womble of Laurinburg and Dorothy Cross of Maxton.

Newly elected board member McIlwain is optimistic that the combination of dedicated planners, interest from the citizens of Scotland County and beyond, and the area's Scottish heritage will make the event a lasting success.

"I believe this will be a good thing for the county," McIlwain said. "We have a really good group of people involved in the process, and I'm both excited, and a bit apprehensive, about doing it right. I am hopeful that things will proceed as we have planned, and that the games will become a long and successful tradition in Scotland County."

To officially appoint officers, board member Lamson moved that Bill Caudill be elected chair, Beacham McDougald be elected vice-chair, John Lentz be elected secretary and Chandler Stewart be elected treasurer. Sara Stewart seconded and the motion carried upon a vote of the board.

"We are happy to get the legal protocols accomplished to this point, and are now organized to focus on the games," Vice Chairman McDougald said.

The original directors who applied for the articles of incorporation issued by the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State on Jan. 30, 2009 were present at the meeting. They included Lamson, Caudill, McDougald, J. R. McCook, Jr., and David McLamb.

Copies of the approved by-laws and proof copies of the games brochure were passed out to those in attendance.

"An initial printing of 10,000 brochures is being done by Allegra Print and Imaging in Fayetteville," McDougald said. "We should have these materials available to the public sometime next week."

The brochures are expected to be completed by April 15.

Chieftain sponsors to be published in the brochure include St. Andrews Presbyterian College, Comfort Inn, the Scotland County Tourism Development Authority, WLNC Radio, The Laurinburg Exchange, Cypress Bend Vineyards, Allegra Print and Imaging, Cape Fear Valley Scottish Clans, Inc., the Clan MacDougall Society of North America, the Clan MacLaren Society of North America, and Howard and Dorothy Cross.

The group's next meeting will be at 7 p.m. on April 21 at the Scottish Heritage Center.

For more information on the Scotland County Highland Games, contact Bill Caudill at 277-5236.