![[Demonstration Team]](fogo99.jpg)
We were sorry to say goodbye to Sheila Virgo, Don & Rebecca MacIntosh, Jason Churchill and Robin Tremblay who have all left the Province.
Workshop. Our workshop in June was very successful and Sheila Virgo was kind enough to write the following report on it. We really appreciate this, particularly since she was busy getting ready to move, selling her house etc. We thank her for the hard work she did, making the workshop so successful.
Our Soiree '99 Workshop was a great success. I had been unnecessarily worried since I was going to be away for ten days just before the Workshop. Everyone knew their own job and did it with great flair. We had 56 total registrants and 40 people attended the full workshop. This included 2 from New Brunswick (Dr. Burnell had been to 2 previous workshops), 2 from Montreal, 2 from the Ottawa area, 4 from Toronto, David Stevenson drove from Winnipeg and Martha Phillips came from Madison Wisconsin. The visitors all seemed to enjoy themselves and we upheld our reputation for Newfoundland Hospitality!
The English Country Dance Class on Sunday morning was a very successful innovation suggested by Noreen. The visitors, including Mary Murray, were very intrigued and enjoyed it. In addition it enabled 5 ECDancers to take part and join in the Brunch afterwards. It was great fun to talk with former SCDancers like Evelyn Davidson.
We were able to take advantage of it being Soiree 99 Year and obtained $1673 from the Festival of the Arts. This enabled us to bring Mary Murray from Vancouver. Mary is one of the most experienced teachers in Canada as was detailed in the brochure. We all agreed she was a beautiful dancer and an inspiring teacher. The Teachers Association of Canada (TAC) contributed $250 from their outreach program and NewTel Communications generously mailed the Workshop brochures to 156 branches and affiliated groups in North America.
The Advanced Step Technique Class on the Wednesday before the Workshop was attended by 22 dancers including Jean Hamilton & Margaret Anne Hunter from Ontario. They all received a thorough workout and found it wonderful to have a teacher who has tutored so many candidates and knows exactly what the RSCDS examiners look for. Although tired, by Saturday the dancers were all raring to go again.
After our pizza lunch eaten outside on Saturday (weren't we lucky in our weather), was the McNab Dances class which was another innovation for this workshop . Many dancers attended and were rewarded by doing quite different and intriguing dances. Hopefully Noreen will teach us some more McNab dances.
The Social was a grand success from the Grand March with Michael Heald on the pipes to Auld Lang Sang. The program designed by Sue Scott had many dances that were new to us and the "Canadian Dances" that were new to the visitors and Thursday night dancers. However, everyone danced them very well. Some of these "new" dances will undoubtably become Branch favourites. One visitor said it was the best venue for a dance that he had ever been to. That, even though someone broke through a board in the morning and Bill Scott had to use duct tape to patch it up. The visitors were very moved by the presentation done to inform Noreen MacLennan that she had won the Scroll (described elsewhere). Unfortunately we ran out of time and Montgomeries' Rant had to be deleted from the program - but it was danced at the Crowsnest, Sunday night.
The Social events were enjoyed by everyone especially the visitors. Thank you to Brenda Burness for offering her house on Friday night and everyone who brought delicious food. The Brunch at Bill & Sue's was also a great success. Thank you to Sue & Bill Scott and also to Brenda Burness, Michael Heald, Ingrid Pardoe and all the others who helped organize the food etc. The raffle of the Festival of the Arts t-shirts was won by Evelyn Davidson and Dick Wilbur from Montreal. The raffle raised $130 which goes into the fund to send Noreen to the RSCDS AGM to receive the Scroll.
Noreen suggested we end the Workshop in great style by meeting at the Crowsnest on Sunday night. It gave us a chance to talk and rehash the weekend events. Martha Phillips, David Stevenson, Dick Wilbur and Suzanne Reid came down and enjoyed themselves. Suzanne has sent Noreen some pictures from that night. The finale was Stewart Gillies, Phil Graham and Andy Fisher coming down and playing for us. Everyone got a chance to dance Montgomeries' Rant between the chairs and posts - a bit chaotic but lots of fun.
Vanier Gym was beautifully decorated with Soiree 99, Festival of the Arts, and Branch banners, tartans, boughs, and lots of flowers. My hat goes off to the decorating committee including Denise Sharpe, Karen Oakley, Jason Churchill and all the others who helped. My thanks to Elizabeth Green who designed and printed the name tags. There were many compliments for the uniquely Newfoundland button. We know where to go for art work from now on!! I would also like to thank Bridgette Hamilton for taking over the refreshments duties for Saturday evening and Robin Tremblay for bringing the Saturday night refreshments that Ingrid Pardoe had ordered from Manna'a & Michelle's. Penny Gillies and Donna Butler made up registration packages for the visitors and several people contributed items. Kathy MacKay organized the sweat shirt and golf shirt orders. It would have been hard to hold the Workshop without Margaret Connors producing and printing the brochures, the dance booklets, as well as the Dance and Music programs that were displayed around the gym. The visitors were impressed with the booklet, "lovely artwork," and the programs. We tend to take these for granted and it takes visitors to remind us how lucky we are. This of course applies to Corryvreckan as well! We challenged Bruce Shawyer by coming up with little known "Canadian Dances", especially the Red River Welcome, but he rose to the occasion and came up with appropriate music.
I would like to thank the executive (especially Derek and Ingrid who handled the registration) and all the people in the Branch who helped to organize this Soiree 99 Workshop. It is always a group effort. We may not have a grand banquet and ball, but everyone who came enjoyed themselves thoroughly and raved about our hospitality and weather - not a wisp of fog or icebergs in sight. So, what is happening for the Viking 2000 Celebration?
Lastly I would like to say I enjoyed being your Chairman for the last year and dancing with the group for the last few years. You are a special group of people that I will miss and never forget. So please, if you are coming to Alberta, come and stay with us. Our new address is Site 12 Box 1, RR 1, Millarville, AB T0L 1K0 (60 km southwest of Calgary). Sheila Virgo
"Recommendation for the Scroll is made by the local branch to the Society. The "Scroll" is considered a most prestigious award and all recommendations receive the most stringent consideration. The number of Scrolls being presented is limited. The following are some of the criteria in the awarding of the Scroll.
Of course, Noreen excelled in all of the above categories and we are so proud that the Society has recognized her outstanding qualities and achievements. In the Society's 75th Anniversary publication there is a published list of past recipients whose membership includes Anna Holden, Bob Blackie and other celebrated members of the Society. This November as she travels to Scotland to receive the award, she will be in some very good company, with Betty and David Grant, Ian Hall and John Drewry.
Congratulations Noreen from all of the St. John's Scottish Country Dancers and your many friends of the Scottish community here in Newfoundland."
Thank you Penny.
To The St. John's Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
Members of The Executive, fellow teachers, fellow dancers, musicians of the band Corryvreckan
I wish to express my appreciation for the wonderful tribute paid to me by the group on June 12. It was one of the most significant moments of my life when Sheila announced the awarding of the Society's Scroll of Honour. My surprise and consternation was replaced by the realization of the efforts and dedication of friends and fellow dancers which made this award possible. As events unfolded, it was incredible that everyone had conspired to keep this a secret, thereby enhancing the ceremony.
The celebration became even more special when a group of dancers came forward to perform "The Bervie Braes," a dance devised by Martin to commemorate the occasion. The incomparable music of Corryvreckan provided the accompaniment. At the conclusion, Bruce presented a framed copy of the tune "Noreen MacLennan of Stonehaven" which he composed as the lead tune for the dance. As Kathy and Penny brought out the icing and the cake, I was quite overwhelmed by the goodwill of the group.
Over the years I have always experienced a deep sense of co-operation, enthusiasm and camaraderie, which I feel is unique to this group. Any demonstrations or projects undertaken always received excellent support from the dancers and musicians, with my expectations being fulfilled. During the past years it was my pleasure to be part of the group, watching the growth in numbers, development of expertise and the enjoyment members derived from the dancing. I feel that the atmosphere in this group epitomizes all that Miss Milligan envisioned as the Society had its beginnings in 1923.
This award would not have been possible without each and every one of you. I plan to be at the AGM in Edinburgh for the presentation, proud that you proposed my name to receive the coveted Scroll of Honour.
Thank you.
We were also asked to dance at a wedding at Murray's Pond Country Club, more to get the guests involved in the dances. This was highly successful and the guests were keen to dance. Maybe we'll get new members from this event.
Frankie Hanley wrote the following about the Fogo demonstration.
Singing in the rain is one thing - dancing in the rain quite another, as the Demonstration Team discovered recently at the Fogo Island Folk Festival. Truthfully, it wasn't just rain - it was a torrential downpour, blown directly onto the stage (and the dancers) by strong winds. Not only the dancers, but also the stage and the sound equipment got dangerously wet, so the Saturday evening dance performance and other Folk Festival events, came to an abrupt halt.
Sunday was warm and sunny, and when the Folk Festival resumed, the Royal Scottish Country Dancers presented reels, jigs and strathspeys to a very responsive and appreciative audience. Martin Mulligan, Bridget Hamilton and Kathy McKay danced their first public performance of the trio dance, The Shepherd's Crook, and informative and interesting commentary on the various dances was provided by Noreen MacLennan.
The Demonstration Team of dancers was accompanied by their own cheering squad, and all enjoyed the beautiful ferry trip to Fogo, and the hiking and sightseeing excursions. Accommodation was provided by the Fogo Island Hotel (where an impromptu fun-filled party took place on the rainy Saturday evening), and by Bruce and Dawn Payne at the old Earle House in the town of Fogo.
Thank you Frankie.
Martin and I would like to thank the dancers who participated in demonstrations this year. We were very pleased with the dedication to practicing and the compliments from audiences reflected the quality of the performances.
Some Thursday classes were devoted to demo. practice and we would like to continue this because various commitments of members make it difficult to schedule practices at another time. October 14 and November 18 have been designated for this purpose. All Thursday dancers are invited to attend, bearing in mind that techniques promoted at demo. practice are the same as those presented at regular Thursday classes. On the above evenings the dances will be those we plan to include in demos. Practice for specific demos. will be held separately when required.
We look forward to sharing another pleasant year with the demonstration group. New members welcome.
Martin & Noreen
Parking is available by coin ($2 or 2x$1 we're not sure) at area #3 which is opposite the aquarena on Westerland Road or area #17 at the side of the Thomson Student Centre between it and the new building under construction. You can also park on Newtown Road.
Talkers. Susan Locke and Bridgette Hamilton have offered to organize the talkers for the second half of Monday night classes. They will have a list and if you are willing to talk some dances through, please put your name on it. When anyone is talking through dances, please tell the teachers in advance what you plan to do, so they don't include them in their programme.
Name Tags. In order to help new members, would everyone please wear name tags each week. If you don't have one from the workshop, Margaret Connors will give you one.
Children's class. Penny Gillies is willing to start a Scottish Country Dance class for children if there is enough interest. It would be in St. David's, early evening, (yet to be decided) and would start mid-October. If anyone is interested please talk to Penny on Monday nights or 'phone her at 726-1008.
FEES are $56 for the fall session which is the combined annual subscription fee and branch dues of $16 and $5 respectively and the $35 class fee for the fall, until December. We have to pay our 6 pounds annual subscription fee to Scotland in pounds sterling, which works out to approx. $16. However, with the dollar fluctuating so much it may well increase, so be smart and pay your fees early! Fees are due now but potential new members have 4 weeks, giving them time to decide if they want to join. The treasurer is Bob Bishop and cheques should be made out to R.S.C.D.S St. John's (Nfld) Branch.
If anyone has a problem with the fee structure, please see Bob or your teacher since we do not want to exclude anyone from dancing due to financial difficulties.
Thursday techniques class is still $3 per night and is on a pay-as-you-go basis.
If anyone cannot regularly attend the Monday class and wishes to come occasionally, they can pay a drop-in fee of $3.
Bagpipe Gags
Q. What's the difference between a bagpipe & an onion?
A. No one cries when you chop up a bagpipe.