Highlander Meets Cub Scouts
Earlier this month, Michigan Highlander, Martin Portko, visited with a Cub Scout day camp in St. Johns, Michigan. They’re from the Water and Woods Field Service Counsel and the Chief Okemos District.
While he was there, he provided a cultural demonstration of Highland Games events for the kids. And they got a chance to pick up the weights.
At the end of each day, the camp counsellor always asks the boys about their favorite part of the day. BB guns and archery are usually the most popular answers. But that day, the Highland Games demo got a lot of votes.
Who knows…maybe we’ve got some future Highlanders in the making.
The Alma Highland Games
On Sunday, May 27th, the Alma Highland Festival held the Amateur Division of its Highland Games…in blistering 96 degree heat. Here are a few snaps from the games.
Dale Gehman won the Masters Division
In the Amateur Division, Brendon Crawford took 1st place, Eric Spence took 2nd place, and Martin Portko took third place, and he also won the Caber Champion award.

Eric Spence and Martin Portko

Martin Portko – Caber Toss

Eric Spence – Caber Toss

Martin Portko – Sheaf Toss (25 pounds : 22 feet)
And just in case you ever wondered how a Highlander keeps cool on a brutal summer day, here’s your answer.
Want to practice with the Michigan Highlanders?
Wanna throw trees and rocks and other heavy stuff? Now you can!
You can get details on our practice page. Better yet? You can sign up to receive our handy dandy newsletter. Just go to our contact page, fill out the form, and let us know you’d like to receive the practice newsletter.
Feats of Strength II
Come one, come all, to the Feats of Strength competition!
Ever wanted to throw a huge rock? A telephone pole? How about a hammer? Want to lift heavy weights and impress your friends and neighbors?
This is your chance!
Imagine a ton of Strongman events and all of the Highland Games events in one place! For just $25 you can not only watch the pros, you can try your hand at any event you fancy. Volunteers will be available to help you learn the ins and outs so you can experience your own feats of strength. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even pick up a new hobby!
In addition with providing you with an afternoon of fun and learning, Feats of Strength will be raising money for two great organizations: The Michigan Highlanders and Relentless Detroit.
Kids, dogs, friends, and family are all welcome! Bring the gang! And if you’re interested in volunteering, please contact: Becky Wilson, Sarah Kosmicki, John Tracy, or Shauna Champion. You can also use this contact form.
Great things can happen when good people partner together. This event is being brought to you by the Michigan Highlanders, Strength Depot and Ferndale Parks and Rec.
Save the date!
May 20th, 2018 – Save the date!
(Nope…it’s not a wedding–it’s Wings and Kilts!)
Come join the Michigan Highlanders for good food, good friends, and a good time! And if you’ve got one, feel free to wear your kilt!
Join us at Buffalo Wild Wings in Wyoming (2720 44th St.) for lunch, dinner, or a snack, present the below certificate, and 20% of your bill will be donated to the Michigan Highlanders. Those donations help keep the Highland Games at the Sparta Celtic Festival free for the public!
The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 5
In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial.

Kate Boeve – Caber Toss

Kate Boeve – Caber Toss

Craig Tommola – Caber Toss

Emily Shaw – Caber Toss

Emily Shaw – Caber Toss

Emily Shaw – Caber Toss

Josh McAlpine – Caber Toss

Josh McAlpine – Caber Toss

Greysen Tomlinson – Caber Toss

Ian Shaw – Caber Toss

Sarah Kosmicki – Caber Toss

Taylor Kroll – Caber Toss

Taylor Kroll – Caber Toss

Taylor Kroll – Caber Toss

Becky Hyma – Caber Toss

Becky Hyma – Caber Toss

Jeff Patten

Jeff Patten – Caber Toss

Ryan Robert Wood – Caber Toss
If you missed the previous weeks’ posts, click on Weight for Distance, Scottish Hammer, and Sheaf Toss, and Open Stone.
Athletes, if you’d like copies of your photos without the watermark, please contact Toddflyingframes @ att.net (remove the spaces around the @ symbol) for details. And honestly, I think you’re going to want them. They’re all fantastic! Plus, there are even more at the Flying Frames site!
Also, Todd is available for hire for other photoshoots, so be sure to check out his entire portfolio while you’re there!
The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 4
In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial.

Joe McGregor – Open Stone

Jeremy McBain – Open Stone

Jeremy McBain – Open Stone

Ken Green – Open Stone

Ken Green – Open Stone
If you missed the previous weeks’ posts, click on Weight for Distance, Scottish Hammer, and Sheaf Toss.
Athletes, if you’d like copies of your photos without the watermark, please contact Toddflyingframes @ att.net (remove the spaces around the @ symbol) for details. And honestly, I think you’re going to want them. They’re all fantastic! Plus, there are even more at the Flying Frames site!
Also, Todd is available for hire for other photoshoots, so be sure to check out his entire portfolio while you’re there!
The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 3
In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial.

Bud Welton – Sheaf Toss

Shane Schuitema – Sheaf Toss

Ian Shaw – Sheaf Toss

Craig Tommola – Sheaf Toss

Jeff Patten – Sheaf Toss

Doug Eldridge – Sheaf Toss

Brendaen Dinwoody – Sheaf Toss

Jay Holloway – Sheaf Toss

Lincoln Miller – Sheaf Toss

Lincoln Miller – Sheaf Toss
If you missed the previous weeks’ posts, click on Weight for Distance and Scottish Hammer.
Athletes, if you’d like copies of your photos without the watermark, please contact Toddflyingframes @ att.net (remove the spaces around the @ symbol) for details. And honestly, I think you’re going to want them. They’re all fantastic! Plus, there are even more at the Flying Frames site!
Also, Todd is available for hire for other photoshoots, so be sure to check out his entire portfolio while you’re there!
The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 2
In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial.

Martin Portko – Scottish Hammer

Martin Potko – Scottish Hammer

Josh McAlpine – Scottish Hammer

Ryan McCabe – Scottish Hammer

Jeff Patten – Scottish Hammer

Robert “Beau” Peters – Scottish Hammer

Robert “Beau” Peters – Scottish Hammer

Robert “Beau” Peters – Scottish Hammer

Travis Tibbetts – Scottish Hammer

Jay Holloway – Scottish Hammer
If you missed the previous week’s post, click Weight for Distance.
Athletes, if you’d like copies of your photos without the watermark, please contact Toddflyingframes @ att.net (remove the spaces around the @ symbol) for details. And honestly, I think you’re going to want them. They’re all fantastic! Plus, there are even more at the Flying Frames site!
Also, Todd is available for hire for other photoshoots, so be sure to check out his entire portfolio while you’re there!
The Highland Games Through the Eyes of Flying Frames: Part 1
In August, the Michigan Highlanders and the rest of the athletes at the Sparta Celtic Fest were lucky enough to have the amazing photography skills of Todd Nagel of Flying Frames. Todd has very graciously allowed us to share his work here in a multi-post pictorial.

Craig Tommola – Weight for Distance

Bed Welton – Weight for Distance

Brendaen Dinwoody – Weight for Distance

Josh McAlpine – Weight for Distance

Kendall Thomas – Weight for Distance

Kendall Thomas – Weight for Distance

Martin Portko – Weight for Distance

Martin Portko – Weight for Distance

Shane Schuitema – Weight for Distance

Ian Shaw – Weight for Distance
Athletes, if you’d like copies of your photos without the watermark, please contact Toddflyingframes @ att.net (remove the spaces around the @ symbol) for details. And honestly, I think you’re going to want them. They’re all fantastic! Plus, there are even more at the Flying Frames site!
Also, Todd is available for hire for other photoshoots, so be sure to check out his entire portfolio while you’re there!