Volume 27 #2 |
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September/October 2010 |
Articles in This Issue
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The Manager's Report, a.k.a. 'The
Brief'
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Didn't I say September would be here before we knew it? And here it is! All in all, despite the weirdness of the weather, we had a really fun summer. Lots of dancing opportunities, and lots of dancers participating - it was great. We started things off dancing at the Fort Vancouver July 4th celebration. Then there was the picnic - a delight playing bocce ball all over the Shaw's well-mowed "lawn", and chatting with friends new and old over a delightful lunch. We danced at the Eastridge Community Fair, where we had a booth, and then danced again at the Portland Highland Games. (In late July, I sneaked over to Bend to their monthly social, where it was far too humid for a dessert, but the dancing and camaraderie was great fun.) We did a demonstration at Beacon Rock - more on that later, and another one at the Vancouver Mall Library for a group of very well behaved and interested children. And we danced at the Clark County Fair, where Liza had us put on an excellent "Scottish Show" for the biggest audience we've ever had there. We then headed back to the Halpenny's house for what turned out to be another lovely meal and a delightful evening of music, songs, and improv. Somewhere in there, the Shaw's hosted another picnic for those who couldn't make it to the first one. We did a little fund-raising by eating Mexican food at Chevy's (hopefully I'll have a $$ amount on that before long), and instead of dancing, we went for a lovely walk under the tall trees at the Royal Oaks Country Club. Next week we'll have a presence at the Clark County Home Educators Resource Fair, and do some demonstration dancing. And the very next week, classes start up again! In spite of all the activities, I think I got a reasonable rest over the summer, and I hope everyone else did, too. On the other hand, I walked up the hill to the grocery store yesterday and realized that I'm going to have to do a LOT more walking to get my legs and lungs back in shape for the upcoming dancing season. I think we're off to a pretty good start this year on our goals. We've already made some money, and have involved a lot of dancers in both demonstrations, recruitment opportunities, and various tasks involved with the running of the branch. I guess we'll find out in the coming weeks if our recruitment efforts will bring in new dancers. In any case, I just want to thank everyone for all their hard work, focus, and dedication over the summer. It's really wonderful working with all of you. See you on the dance floor, Linda Mae | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The RSCDS Southwest Washington State Branch
is now on Facebook!
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The cool thing about the Facebook Page is that reminders about upcoming activities will go to all the friends who like us. The Facebook page will help promote social friendships of our SCD dance group, and we (anyone) can post photos and videos of our SCD activities. If you're already on Facebook, you can "like" the SwWaS page and receive News Feeds. If you're not already on Facebook, it's easy to create a free account. You can visit https://www.facebook.com/RscdsSwws | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
It's Fall, and Change is in the
Air
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You may have noticed (and if you didn't, that's good news, too) that this issue of the Scottish Country Dancer marks a transition that has been in the works for several months. After serving as newsletter editor almost continuously since May of 1998, I have passed that mantle to fellow dancer, Martin MacKenzie. With his eye for things Scottish and his enthusiasm for SCD, I know he will do well. One of my goals has been to make the "work" part of the office as easy as possible. Martin and I are still working out a few kinks there, but a lot of progress has been made. And with the "work" part well in hand, I hope Martin has as much fun putting out the newsletter as I have had. Thanks to all you "alert readers" for sending in articles, clippings, musings, and photos through the years. "Keep those cards and letters coming!" And I'll see you all on the dance floor! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Branch Tent at Highland Games
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Dancing, visiting, passing out class info, all were part of a great day at the Portland Highland Games, July 17th! The weather was fantastic!! Plus, we had our first ever special place in the Clan Tent area!!! Many thanks to the Stuarts for their tent, table, music, and dedication to SCD throughout the entire day. Many thanks to the dancers who took turns manning the tent, dancing for (and with) the audience; to Linda Mae for the new sandwich board; and especially to Lanette for staying to help take down, and carry the "equipment" out to the van. All considered, it was a very successful day. In grateful appreciation, Marge. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A Demonstration with a lot of Harts
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On the very last day of July, a group of dancers met and carpooled to the Beacon Rock Boat Ramp for a demonstration. We were to meet the McMulligans Pipes and Drums, and perform for the anniversary of Mr. and Mrs. Hart. The Performance Team had danced at an anniversary celebration for them about five years ago, and all remembered it fondly, as they really threw a good party and we all had a lot of fun. Between now and then, sadly, Mrs. Hart has developed dementia. The whole performance was pretty on again / off again, as the daughter and party planner waffled about whether or not it was even a reasonable thing to do. At the last minute though, they changed the location from Lewisville Park, but decided to go for it. It was a bit disconcerting to see the vacant eyes of Mrs. Hart, who was so vibrant and vivacious such a short time ago. The pipers remember her patting their backsides to determine what was "worn beneath their kilts". And Mr. Hart had had his appendix out two days earlier, but in spite of that, he was very cheerful and as nice as ever. Once the family was assembled, the pipers played for awhile, then the dancers danced for awhile. The only level spot to dance was on the edge of the road near the picnic area. The Park Ranger came by to see what we were doing and warned us that we needed to be cautious about vehicles towing boats, and he was right! We had to move the set a couple of times (continuing to dance the whole time, of course) to avoid getting run over by boaters intent on getting to the boat ramp. I had never been to the Boat Ramp before, but the view of Beacon Rock from there is spectacular. The weather was just beautiful. It was sunny, but not too warm and the air was so clear everything just sparkled with color. A pretty magical day, all in all. And right near the end of the performance, after most of the dancers had been dismissed and started home, the pipers and drummers playing with Beacon Rock as their backdrop, and Mr. and Mrs. Hart positioned together in front of them, Mrs. Hart's eyes lit up!
What a wonderful conclusion to a beautiful day. The family was very pleased - the daughter told me it was just what she had hoped for. And I may have talked the Park Ranger into joining the Stevenson class, to boot! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
D-Day Piper Dies at 87
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William 'Bill' Millin, a.k.a. "Piper Bill" William 'Bill' Millin (14 July 1922 - 17 August 2010), commonly known as Piper Bill, was personal piper to Simon Fraser, 15th Lord Lovat, commander of the First Special Service Brigade at D-Day. As piper to a British army unit, Bill Millin was ordered to play "Blue Bonnets Over the Border" on his bagpipes as his brigade waded ashore on Sword Beach immediately behind the 3rd Division on the morning of D-Day, June 6, 1944, and thereafter battled its way inland. Mr. Millin, who died Wednesday at age 87, continued to play Highland tunes as the brigade advanced inland under intense German infantry and sniper fire through the villages of Ouistreham and then Benouville en route to their objective. He was born on 14 July 1922. Millin is best remembered for playing the pipes whilst under fire during the D-Day landing in Normandy. Pipers had traditionally been used in battle by Scottish and Irish soldiers however the use of bagpipes was restricted to rear areas by the time of the Second World War by the British Army. Lovat, however, ignored these orders and ordered Millin, aged 21, to play. When Private Millin demurred, citing the regulations, he recalled later, Lord Lovat replied: "Ah, but that's the English War Office. You and I are both Scottish, and that doesn't apply." He played "Hielan' Laddie" and "The Road to the Isles" as his comrades fell around him on Sword Beach. Millin states that he talked to German gunners who claimed they didn't shoot him because they thought he was crazy. This action was portrayed in the 1962 film "The Longest Day." Millin was portrayed by Pipe Major Leslie de Laspee, the official piper to the Queen Mother in 1961. Millin's original bagpipe is exhibited at the Memorial Museum of Pegasus Bridge in Ranville, France. French fundraisers have been trying to raise £80,000 to erect a statue of Piper Millin at Colleville-Montgomery, a town on Sword Beach, but have been disappointed by only six of the eighty seven donations having come from the UK. Bill Millin died on 17 August 2010, aged 88 in Devon, England. The bagpipes he played on Sword beach are now displayed at Dawlish museum.
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Celtic Tap and Scottish Country Dance Class
Information
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You can always visit www.VancouverUSA-SCD.org for the latest SCD activities.
Vancouver, Marshall Center, 1009 E. McLoughlin
Blvd Scottish Country Dance for Everyone, Wednesday
7:45-9:00pm, Elm Room, Sep 8, 8 wk session Beginning Celtic Tap, Tuesday 5:30-6:30pm, Oak
Room, Sep 14, 8 wk session Intermediate Celtic Tap, Tuesday 6:30-7:30pm, Oak
Room, Sep 14, 8 wk session Vancouver, Firstenburg Community Center, 700 NE
136th Ave Family Scottish Country Dance, Friday
7:30-8:55pm, Aerobics/Dance Studio, Sep 10, 8 wks, $39 Camas Family Basic Scottish Country Dance, TBD
Battle Ground, Chief Umtuch Middle School, 700 NW
9th St Scottish Country Dance, Thursday 7pm, on the
stage, Sep 9, 8 wks, $39 Vancouver, Columbia Dance Center, 1700
Broadway Level 3 Scottish Country Dance, 2nd
and 4th Tuesdays, 7:30-8:30pm Longview, Senior Center, 1111 Commerce Ave,
Longview Family Scottish Country Dance, 1st and
3rd Sundays 7:00-9:00pm Stevenson, Deborah Messinger Dance Studio, next
to the Exhibit Hall at the Skamania County Fairgrounds Basic Scottish Country Dance, Friday 7:00-9:00
pm, starts 9/17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Generated Tuesday August 31, 2010 |