MEMBER NEWS

HOGMANAY A SUCCESS, Thanks to Many Helping Hands! 

The Branch held its Hogmanay party on December 28th at Kildonan Hall, with about 40 people in attendance to enjoy the dancing and the potluck supper. (See the photo album.) As usual, our members were enthusiastic in their preparations, and the meal was a wonderful treat. There was enough food left over to make a welcome gift package for Peter Sabourin, the church's custodian, who had certainly earned our appreciation with his good-natured attention to our needs. Many people helped out with the preparations and with keeping the evening running smoothly, and we would like to thank them: Eunice Tees prepared the dance programme, which was ably presented by Betty Speirs and Margaret Gomersall. Betty also arranged all the music for the dancing, and thanks are due to Peter White for making sure all the Branch equipment was on hand before he left for his holiday and to Tom Speirs for setting up and tuning up the sound. Sylvia Deschenes, Sue Reid & Dick Wilbur, and Charlie & Eileen Stevens helped to decorate the hall in the afternoon. Sylvia contributed the lovely tapestries from the Stewart Museum again this year, and what a lovely graceful and celebratory air they added to the hall! Charlie & Eileen also found themselves custodians of most of the Branch supplies before the event, so we thank them for that. Albert Longtain took the money at the door (assisted by Richard South). Lesley Alpert, Sue Reid, Margaret Gomersall and Nancy Grayson helped in the kitchen, sorting and preparing the food and making sure it got to the table for everyone to enjoy, and doing the final cleanup. And then there were the many helpers who just appeared in the kitchen at the right time, and who helped to set up tables and to put things away. Finally, Margaret W. deserves a HUGE thank you. Although I (Norah) had signed up as coordinator, it was really so that Margaret would feel she had some backup. The truth is that she knew everything that needed to be done, and she made sure in her quiet way that it happened, from booking the hall, to stipulating what supplies were needed, helping with decorations and general setup, working in the kitchen and paying the custodian and the church. She also made the punch that we all enjoyed during the evening. And I think that somewhere in there she found some time to dance and enjoy herself. So thank you Margaret!
   -- Norah L. & Margaret W. / January 2002

2001/2002 SEASON OPENING SOCIAL 

The Opening Social at Victoria Hall on September 29 was a very enjoyable affair. Fifty one dancers attended, including several teachers whom we were very happy to see. The program, with no really difficult dances but with enough new ones to sustain interest, was well suited to this early part of the season when we are just getting into stride. Norah Link, Betty Speirs, and Dale Birdsall presented the dances beautifully. The evening ended with varied and tasty finger food in copious quantities. Many thanks to all those who helped make this such a pleasant evening.
   -- Ted Stansbury / October 2001

LIVE MUSIC BY LAURA RISK! 

The TMR class had its first evening with live music on October 12th, thanks to the fiddling of Laura Risk. Laura is from Boston, and is well known as a fiddler in Scottish, English, Irish, American and Baroque styles. She has played with such notable musicians as Alasdair Fraser and Chris Norman (as a guest with his ensemble Helicon). Laura teaches Scottish fiddling at Wellesley College in Boston, and she is here in Montreal on sabbatical for this year. She is already well known here in the Quebecois and Contra dancing circles, and we hope that she will help us get to know other local musicians and introduce them to playing for SCD!
   -- Norah Link / October 2001

LAGGAN CLASS CHRISTMAS SOCIAL -

It was a dark and stormy night, but that didn't stop 60 or 70 people from coming out to enjoy each other's company and the fabulous music of Bobby Brown, Kathy Fraser & Fred Collins. A little more than half took part in a programme of dances selected from the class's fall syllabus, including both "country" and "ceilidh" dances. Among the guests were 4 dancers from Montreal, 8 from Ottawa and 2 from Toronto. The members of the Laggan class really enjoyed and appreciated having some more experienced dancers there to dance with them, and everyone had a great time! The dancing was followed by a spread of goodies, including a cake decorated with a Christmas tree and snowman! Thanks to Kathy & Fred for organizing the event, and to the Laggan Class for being such great hosts.
   -- Norah Link / December 2000

NEW CLASS IN ONTARIO! 

A big welcome to Kathy Fraser and Fred Collins of Bobby Brown's The Scottish Accent, who have moved to the family farm at Ste-Anne-de-Prescott. They have started a new Scottish Country Dance class in Laggan, ON. Norah Link is organizing teachers from Montreal and Ottawa are to support the class - we hope to find a permanent teacher for them by the end of the season. Interest in the region is high, they had four sets of dancers on the first two evenings! Kathy and Fred plan to train local musicians to play for Scottish Country Dancing. What exciting news!
   -- Norah Link / September 2000

TATTOO 2000 in CORNWALL A GREAT SUCCESS!

Thanks to a lot of hard work by almost 30 people, the Montreal Branch put on a great show at the Tattoo in Cornwall on May 6. (Okay, so I'm biased, but you didn't hear the applause!) Three sets of dancers, including one from Cornwall and two from Montreal, presented 2 sets of medleys at the show, which also included several pipe bands, two brass bands, the Cornwall Centennial Choir, the MacCulluch Highland Dancers, Native American Dancers, and the Fort Wellington Guards. Many thanks to Betty Speirs for organizing and helping to coach the Montreal dancers. Thanks to the Cornwall Group for a delicious supper and welcome break from rehearsals on the day. And congratulations to everyone who participated!
   -- Norah Link / May 2000

BOB GAIRNS MEMORIAL FUND BURSARY -

A bursary is now available for a new dancer (dancing less than two years as of June 2000) to defray the cost of attending the Montreal June Weekend, thanks to the Bob Gairns Memorial Fund. Applications from eligible dancers should be submitted to the Committee of Management, c/o the Branch Secretary, by March 31. More experienced dancers who are looking for instruction farther afield, see below.  

BOB BLACKIE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP -  

The Bob Blackie Memorial Scholarship was initiated by TAC to honour beloved teacher and friend Bob Blackie. The scholarship was awarded for the first time in 1999. In keeping with Bob's unforgettable enthusiasm for the dance, and his inclusiveness, the scholarship is intended to help a dancer attend the annual TAC Summer School. As long as the fund will sustain it, this is a full scholarship (tuition plus room & board). The main requirement is enthusiasm and love of dance! To apply, you must send a letter of application to the Teacher's Association (Canada) before April 28. The letter must address the following five criteria: (1) participation in SCD for at least two years; (2) demonstrate your love of and interest in SCD; (3) your desire to improve your dancing skills; (4) your committment to maintain the best in SCD (and what that means to you); (5) financial need. You must also arrange for your teacher to send a letter addressing the same criteria. If you love to dance, this is an opportunity worth pursuing! The letters should be sent to the Corresponding Secretary, Nadine Gingrich, 67 Euclid Ave., Waterloo, ON N2L 1Z2 (e-mail Secretary@tac-rscds.org).