The last two days have been beautiful, maybe not basking on the beach but far better than many in the rest of the continent or in the UK where there have been a series of storms.   Today was about 7 C and very little wind and lots of sunshine.

new year countdown

The next Ceilidh Dance is This Friday – i.e. Friday, January 10, 2014 – in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver.   Why not make a New Year resolution to come along, tell at least 2 friends to join you, forward this e-mail to more friends and encourage them to sign up for the newsletter and to come to the Ceilidh Dance.  What a great way to start off the New Year with a fun, inexpensive night out and think of the great exercise you get as well which we all will need after these yummy goodies we have indulged in.

If you have not already done so you should be ordering your tickets for one or both of the Burns Suppers listed under “Coming Events” below.   There are many Burns Suppers of course but two are put on by Scottish Country Dance groups.   The first one is the 20th edition of the Tam O’Shanter’s Burns Supper which will be held on Saturday, January 25 in the Star of the Sea Hall in White Rock.   Tickets are $55 and can be ordered by contacting Duncan at duncanmackenzie@telus.net.   The second one is one week later on Saturday, February 1 and is hosted by the Vancouver Branch and held in the Scottish Cultural Centre.   Tickets are $55   via PayPal at www.rscdsvancouver.org or from club rep or even patcavers@shaw.ca .   I can recommend both these events.

Winter - Lake of Menteith
Lake of Menteith (the only lake in Scotland)
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The SFU Centre for Scottish Studies will be holding its 3rd Annual Robbie Burns Day Marathon Reading on Saturday, January 25th, 2014. They are attempting to set another World Record for the “Longest Continual Recitation of Burns’s Poetry and Song,” and you are invited.

Last year they logged in a time of 5 hours, 41 minutes and 57 seconds, and this year they plan to beat that record! Tricia Barker from the Centre for Scottish Studies commented, “So many people came along last year to join in the fun.  We also had a full audience watching the proceedings.  There were the recitations, but also songs and the occasional Skypes from all over! Last year included a singer from the UK singing “Auld Lang Syne” to a man sitting in his car on the side of the highway in Langley!  For 2014 we are adding a Burns Symposium alongside the Marathon and are encouraging people to bring their Robbie Burns treasures to show off.  It will be a place to learn more about Burns with some interesting talks by the local experts. And of course we will be serving some haggis and shortbread.”

Part of the charm of this event is the wide range of people taking part. Yes, there are the well-known faces that will add their voices, but there are also many people who are speaking for the first time in public. The audience appreciates of all the entrants, and it’s heartwarming to see the wide range of people share their love of Scotland’s national bard.

The event starts at 9am on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Teck Gallery,  SFU Harbour Centre Campus, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver.

To see what happened last year visit: https://www.scottish.sfu.ca/sfus_robert_burns_marathon

For more information or to register contact: Tricia Barker, tbarker@sfu.ca

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Here are link another three Canadian regiments which were part of the decorations at the Lady Aberdeen Tea Dance on November 11, 2013.

  Lady Aberdeen 15   Lady Aberdeen 16   Lady Aberdeen 17      

Alison commented “The information was gathered off websites etc. It is only the basics of the wealth of historical and current information available. I included only the older ‘regiments’ – there are many other corps and units, plus naval ships and Air Force squadrons – and Engagement or Battle Honour information up to World War II. There is much more about each regiment’s more recent activities in Korea, Afghanistan, Bosnia, and many Peace-keeping duties.”

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 LADIES!!! 

Remember … a layer of dust protects the Wood beneath  it.

‘A house   becomes a home when you can write ‘I love you’ on the furniture .’

I used to spend at least 8 hours every weekend making sure things were just perfect – ‘in case someone came over’.  Finally I realized one day that no-one came over; they were all out living life and having fun!

NOW, when people visit, I don’t have to explain the ‘condition’ of my home.
They
are more interested in hearing about the things I’ve been doing while I was
away living life and having fun.

If you  haven’t figured this out yet, please heed this advice.

Life is short. Enjoy it!

Dust if you must  …….. 

but wouldn’t it be better to paint a picture or write a letter, bake cookies or a cake and
lick the spoon or plant a  seed,  ponder the difference between want and need?

Dust if you must,   but there’s not much time . . . …

with wine to drink, rivers to swim and mountains to climb,  music to hear and books to read, friends to  cherish and life to lead.

Dust if you must,

but the world’s out there with the sun in your  eyes,  the wind in your hair, a flutter of snow, a shower of rain.   This day will not come around, again.

And when you go – and go you must – you, yourself will make more
dust!  

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Winter - Letir Fura with Knoydart in background

Letir Fura looking to Knoydart


An article in a recent edition of the National Post is applicable to the Ball and to Scottish Country Dancing in general. Check out https://life.nationalpost.com/2013/11/02/jane-macdougall-it-battle-of-fun-vs-the-gym-scottish-dancing-wins-every-time/ Thanks Gill for the tip.

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New year banner

The dance competition has now closed and a group of dancers will meet to try out the dances that have been submitted.  If you are interested in being part of the decision making please contact Jean – jeedwag@shaw.ca or Fran – caruth@telus.net note that those who devised a dance will not be included in this group.   Good luck to all the devisors.

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Winter - Linlithgow

Linlithgow

BRAINS OF  BRITAIN (these are  real) UNIVERSITY  CHALLENGE (BBC2)

LATE SHOW  (BBC MIDLANDS  )

Alex  Trelinski:       What is the capital of  Italy ?

Contestant:               France.

Trelinski:          France is another country. Try  again.

Contestant:        Oh, um,  Benidorm.

Trelinski:         Wrong, sorry, let’s try  another question. In which country is the  Parthenon?

Contestant:        Sorry, I don’t  know.

Trelinski:       Just guess a country  then.

Contestant:      Paris.
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The Highland Games Committee still needs volunteers for next year. They need to fill these positions: Children’s Events Co-ordinator – organizing the line-up of events which is pretty easy to do, and day of just making sure everything runs smoothly Programs – this job takes more work in the last couple of months prior to the games, making sure all copy is submitted, having it put into a program and submitted to a printer. Sponsorship/Advertising and promotion – Cher is going to do the social media aspect, Mary Jane may be around to help out again for sponsorship and advertising, but we need extra help. Someone to develop an advertising plan, to find new advertisers and sponsorships, and to be responsible for writing requests for grants and sponsorships from a list that the City of Coquitlam has provided.

Any volunteers can contact Jim – james.e.bain@gmail.com Joan – jdrabyk@shaw.ca or myself. Glenna Urbshadt – gurbshadt@shaw.ca

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 new year champagne

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Winter - Loch Carron

Loch Carron


Well it was a nice rest but the feet are itching to get back to dancing.   We had our first class last Thursday and danced last night for the Taiwanese Canadian Cultural Society and then another class this afternoon.   This coming week will really get things going again as most classes will be restarting.   This would be a great time to come along to a class and see what we are all about.   I am sure you would be made very welcome and, in most cases, I think you will find the first night would be free!!   I know that, that is the case in our class in the West End Community Centre on Tuesday at 7:30.   So come along it is lots of fun and good exercise and the people are nice!!!

It will soon be “Burns Season” so check out the events listing below and get your tickets soon.   There will be many other events as well some local ones may be advertised in your local paper and many arrange private ones in their homes.   Many churches, Legions, Social Clubs, etc. run Burns Suppers so make sure you support them in your area.

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WHERE IS IT?

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Yet another of these pictures of Scotland that I have been sent without any note as to where they are.  Send your guesses to ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org  You can look back at prior newsletters and see previous mystery pictures etc.by going to our website www.vancouverceilidh.org.

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New Year door open

The next Ceilidh Dance is the on this Friday January 10th, 2014.   Right at the end of the festive season.   A great way to work off all those goodies you have eaten as well as to have a great evening of fun, exercise and laughter.  Please call all your friends and arrange to bring them along to the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver to the class from 7 – 8 p.m. and the dance following from 8 – 11 p.m. with the live music of Calanais.  Admission at the door is only $10 (students etc. $8).  No partner or experience necessary – just bring your smiles and I would suggest flat, comfy shoes.

Michelle has very kindly made up a Facebook event page for the Ceilidh which you can forward to your friends.   The link is:  https://www.facebook.com/events/597360563665264/597360566998597/

Ceilidh Dances are great ways to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries etc.   Invite all your friends to come and join you at the Ceilidh.   You are welcome to bring your own cake and we’ll even sing for you!!

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There were some very good pictures taken at the January 4, 2013 Ceilidh Dance which have been posted on the RSCDS Vancouver Branch Facebook page. If you do not want your picture on that page please contact web@rscdsvancouver.org. The link for the pictures is: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.316825198419573.56421.149674745134620&type=3

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SFU’s Tartan Day celebrations featured the launch of the long-awaited “Scots in BC” website with information on how you can add your family history to the site. The website can be accessed at: https://www.scottish.sfu.ca/scots_in_bc_project It is well worth a visit.

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Winter - Loch Duich

Loch Duich

Some fun and interesting sites:  – note if you have a link to something you think others would enjoy please forward them to me.

The Highs and Lows of the Tide – Beautiful!  click on the pictures to see the change

https://www.ba-bamail.com/Content.aspx?emailid=5732&memberid=747728#.Usos_9JDt8E

A little late, but I think you will agree that it is worth the wait!

https://www.ashmolean.org/christmas/

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It doesn’t hurt to have a little Biblical humor to start the day….

Q… Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?

A.. Samson. He brought the house down.

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Auld Country Tours are a big supporter of our Ceilidh Dances James Johnson [auldcountrytours@gmail.com]

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Winter - Loch Katrine

Loch Katrine

The next Ceilidh Dance will be held on Friday, January 10, 2014. Same time, same place, same price, same amount of fun and entertainment. Now it is up to you all to help by planning on coming along and bringing loads of friends, family, acquaintances, etc. We need to improve the attendance to make the dances financially viable. Please do your best to spread the word. Let me know if you would like a poster to put up.

Winter - Loch Linnhe winter

Loch Linnhe


CLEVER IDEAS WORTH KNOWING

 Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. 
If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster..
 I didn’t know that! …so separate a few, so they slowly ripen

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A new website for kilts and accessories. Prices seem excellent, no idea of quality or trustworthiness though: www.aglowmusichouse.com

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Now, after the purge, subscriptions are back under the 400 mark. This newsletter will go out to 372 people in many cities, provinces & countries. Now my goal is still to get to 500!! Please pass along the website to your friends and maybe they will subscribe – www.vancouverceilidh.org

I thought that at least the % of people opening the newsletter should be higher after removing over 50 “subscribers” who were inactive but despite that only 205 people (55.1%) opened last weeks newsletter!!   That is a lot lower than some previous weeks.   I know some of you prefer to go to the website and open the newsletter from there but I can’t believe about 45% of you do that.   Would you all make a resolution to at least open the newsletter even if you don’t have time to read it all you could maybe enjoy one of the jokes!


 You couldn’t make this up if you tried  — this is from the Brush Colorado News Tribune .
Off the Clock by       Rebecca Dudley, News Tribune Editor/Publisher My ex-husband had this annoying  habit of bringing greasy old carburetors and things into the house to work on.   So, last week, when my friend called to tell me this story, my first response was, “Where did this guy live?”
Now, reassured that I was never related to him by marriage, this is really too hilarious not to share.
The way my friend told it, this guy pushed his motorcycle from the patio into his living room, where he began to clean the engine with some rags and a bowl of gasoline.   When finished, he sat on the motorcycle and decided to start it to make sure everything was still OK.   Unfortunately, the bike started in gear, and crashed through the glass patio door with him still clinging to the handlebars.
His wife had been working in the kitchen.   She came running at the noise, and found him crumpled on the patio, badly cut from the shards of broken glass.  She called 911, and the paramedics transported the guy to the emergency room.
So far, the story is humorous — in a “that is what you get for being a    big enough lout to bring your motorcycle into the house: kind of way.
But here is where I really spilt a gut.
Later that afternoon, after many stitches had pulled her husband back together, the wife brought him home and put him to bed.   She cleaned up the mess in the living room, and dumped the bowl of gasoline in the toilet.
Shortly thereafter, her husband woke up, lit a cigarette, and went into the bathroom.   He sat down and tossed the cigarette into the toilet, which promptly exploded because the wife had not flushed the gasoline away.    The explosion blew the man through the bathroom door.
The wife heard the explosion and her husband’s screams.   She ran into the hall and found him lying on the floor with his trousers blown away and burs on his buttocks.   The wife again ran for the phone and called the ambulance.
The same two paramedics were dispatched to the scene.   They loaded the husband on the stretcher and began carrying him to the street.  One of them asked the wife how the injury had occurred.   When she told them, they began laughing so hard that they dropped the stretcher and broke the guy’s collarbone.Talk about instant karma.

 

 

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An online contact for dance and marching shoes (ghillies, pumps, brogues, etc.) is Bruce Griffith at www.avriel.com

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NewYear2

 

Events happening in the immediate future include the Ceilidh Dance on January 10, classes recommencing . – see website www.rscdsvancouver.org for date, time and location. Please see “Coming Events” below for all information – and Burns Suppers .

Note:  Please order your tickets for both the Tam O’Shanter’s and the Branch Burns Suppers soon – all information is shown below.

Winter - Loch Lomond

Loch Lomond

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If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter, please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org Please do not complain to your server that this is junk mail. There is a link on the e-mail should you wish to unsubscribe.

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COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS:
Note: Please check list of classes for all start times and locations.

2014  
Jan   9 A talk by Niall   MacKenzie & Jenny Shutek in room 7100, WAC Bennett Library SFU from 12:30   — 1:30 — “Lynn Coady: Her Significance as a Canadian Writer.”   https://www.lib.sfu.ca/sites/default/files/12252/LynnCoadyFlyer.pdf
Jan 10 Monthly Ceilidh Dance of the season at the Scottish Cultural   Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver.     Class at 7 p.m. and dance following from 8 — 11 p.m. and all for the   fantastic price of $10 (students $8) — info 604-536-9481
Jan 16 Alasdair   Fraser & Natalie Haas in concert at the Rogue Folk Clu, St. James Hall.   3214 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver at 8 p.m.   Tickets $32 ($28 members).  https://www.roguefolk.bc.ca/concerts/   Note that the Vancouver   Branch Demonstration Team will perform at the strat of the concert.
Jan 25 The SFU Centre for Scottish Studies will   be holding its 3rd Annual Robbie Burns Day Marathon Reading.    The event starts at 9am at the Teck   Gallery,  SFU Harbour Centre Campus, 515 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
Jan 25 20th Annual Tam O’Shanter Dancers Burns Supper in   Star of the Sea Hall.  Tickets $55 —   contact duncanmackenzie@telus.net to order yours.   Note tickets will sell out fast!!
Feb  1 Vancouver Branch Burns Supper — Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886   Hudson Street, Vancouver.   Tickets $55   via PayPal at www.rscdsvancouver.org or from club rep or even patcavers@shaw.ca
Bar 6 p.m. Dinner at 7 p.m.    A great   evening of entertainment and dance.
Feb  7 Monthly Ceilidh Dance of the season at the Scottish Cultural   Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver.     Class at 7 p.m. and dance following from 8 — 11 p.m. and all for the   fantastic price of $10 (students $8) — info 604-536-9481
Feb  7 San Francisco Branch – 8:00   pm Dance Party at Christ Church, 2138 Cedar St., Berkeley, CA, Music by   Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith Info: Dwayne McQuilliams 510-374-6124
Feb  8 Note:   This workshop is already Sold Out!!  I only received the info on Tuesday.   A waiting list is being started.
Ladies Step Dance mini workshop “The Basics & Beyond” with Mary Murray   and musicians Janet Wright & Alma MacDonald.   1 — 4 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural   centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver.    Cost $15 includes tea! 
More soft shoe Ladies Step open to dancers   interested in an energetic afternoon with a focus on different steps and   different musical tempo. Previous Step Dance experience NOT required but must   have some proficiency in another dance form.     RSVP Fran 604-922-6842 or   Kay kay_sutherland@hotmail.com
Feb  8 Bellingham monthly Dance
Feb  8  Hold the Date for the   San Francisco Branch RSCDS Annual Valentine’s Ball.   We are looking forward to this year’s Musicians:  Muriel Johnstone and Keith Smith.  The Oakland Scottish Rite Center.   Registration Forms are available.  Info: Dwayne McQuilliams   510-374-6124.  https://www.rscds-sf.org/valentine/pdf/ValentinesBallFlyer.11.pdf
 We anticipate a large turn out so sign up early this year to avoid   disappointment!
Feb  9 2:30 pm CLASSIC CONCERT of SCOTTISH MUSIC by Muriel Johnstone and   Keith Smith, Arlington Community Church, 52 Arlington Ave, Kensington, CA,   Info: Dwayne McQuilliams 510-374-6124
Feb 15 Love to Dance Scottish Workshop and Tea Dance.   Teachers Mary Murray and Simon Scott with   music by the Tartan Players.     Registration forms are now on website — www.rscdsvancouver.org .     Info 604-922-6842

The calendar of events is always being updated so you should check it out from time to time on our website at www.vancouverceilidh.org


 

CAKE OR  BED

A HUSBAND IS AT HOME WATCHING A FOOTBALL GAME  WHEN HIS
WIFE INTERRUPTS,

HONEY, COULD YOU FIX  THE LIGHT IN THE  HALLWAY?  IT’S BEEN  FLICKERING FOR WEEKS NOW.

HE LOOKS AT HER AND SAYS ANGRILY, FIX THE LIGHTS  NOW?
DOES IT LOOK LIKE I HAVE GE WRITTEN ON MY FOREHEAD?

I DON’T THINK SO.

FINE,

THEN THE WIFE ASKS, WELL THEN, COULD YOU FIX THE FRIDGE DOOR?
IT WON’T CLOSE RIGHT

TO WHICH HE REPLIED, FIX THE FRIDGE DOOR?   DOES IT LOOK LIKE I HAVE  WESTINGHOUSE WRITTEN ON MY FOREHEAD?

I DON’T THINK SO

FINE, SHE SAYS THEN YOU COULD AT LEAST FIX THE STEPS TO THE FRONT DOOR?   THEY ARE ABOUT TO  BREAK

I’M  NOT A CARPENTER AND I DON’T WANT TO FIX STEPS HE SAYS, DOES
IT  LOOK LIKE I HAVE HOME DEPOT WRITTEN  ON MY FOREHEAD?
I DON’T THINK SO.   I’VE HAD ENOUGH OF YOU.    I’M GOING TO THE PUB!!!!

SO HE GOES TO THE  PUB AND DRINKS FOR A COUPLE OF HOURS …….
HE  STARTS TO FEEL  GUILTY ABOUT HOW HE TREATED HIS WIFE, AND DECIDES TO GO HOME

AS HE WALKS INTO THE HOUSE HE  NOTICES THAT THE STEPS  ARE
ALREADY  FIXED.   AS HE ENTERS THE HOUSE , HE  SEES THE HALL LIGHT IS  WORKING.   AS HE GOES TO GET A BEER, HE NOTICES THE  FRIDGE  DOOR IS FIXED.
HONEY, HE ASKS, HOW’D ALL THIS GET FIXED?

SHE SAID, WELL, WHEN YOU LEFT I SAT OUTSIDE  AND  CRIED.   JUST THEN A NICE YOUNG MAN ASKED ME WHAT WAS WRONG, AND I TOLD HIM.

HE OFFERED TO DO ALL THE REPAIRS, AND ALL I HAD TO DO WAS  EITHER GO TO BED WITH HIM OR BAKE A CAKE.

HE SAID, SO WHAT KIND OF CAKE DID YOU BAKE?

SHE REPLIED, HELLOOOOO.. DO YOU SEE BETTY CROCKER
WRITTEN ON MY FOREHEAD?   I DON’T THINK SO!
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  Winter - Loch Maree & Slioch

Loch Maree

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Come Scottish Country Dancing – it is lots of fun. Just ask anyone who came along to the Dancing in the Park. We had great audience participation so I hope you will all come along and join one of our great classes or at least come to one of the Ceilidh Dances.

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Winter - Loch Tay to Ben Lawers

Loch Tay & Ben Lawers

The next Ceilidh Dance is on Friday, January 10, 2104 with live music by Calanaish. You still have time to spread the word about all the Ceilidh Dances as that is the best (and cheapest) form of advertising. It is great exercise and fun, for all ages, too. Here is a link where you can watch a short video of a Ceilidh Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MvUwZnY9Ms
and here is a link to the Facebook advert:   https://www.facebook.com/events/597360563665264/597360566998597/

The format for all of the regular monthly Ceilidh Dances will be the same with the class from 7 — 8 p.m. and the dance from 8 — 11 p.m. and all dances will be walked and talked through. The price is only – $10 or $8 for students which, for what you get is a super bargain — everyone is welcome. No partner is required and you should wear FLAT, comfy shoes and loose clothing. Children are also welcome but should be prepared to dance with other people as some of the dances require a change of partner. Don’t forget to bring a few extra $$$$ to help defray the cost of the refreshments which are otherwise free.

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For those who enjoy listening to Scottish music, song, banter etc. try www.andysceilidh.co.uk/ this is a radio programme that you can get sent to you and listen any time you want. Andy is asking everyone to send in their requests so if you have a favourite Scottish tune, song, recitation, band, performer, choir or whatever send an e-mail to andyrossbw@aol.com

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The Branch has opened a Facebook Page at “RSCDS-Vancouver” – check it out there are some good pictures etc. www.facebook.com/rscdsvancouver. There is a link on both our website www.vancouverceilidh.org and the Branch website www.rscdsvancouver.org

It really is never too late to come along and join in one of many Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes and well any time is a great time to do it. You will be made very welcome. Many classes have a policy that the first night is FREE! Plan to come along to try out a class next week. There are classes all around and on different nights so GIVE IT A GO! Go to either www.rscdsvancouver.org or www,vancouverceilidh.org for a list of class locations and times.

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For those who don’t know SCD is a fabulous pastime which is super exercise for body and mind. SCD is, naturally, rooted in Scotland but there are groups in almost every country so you can learn here and then dance with other groups when you vacation or travel. SCD is not to be confused with Highland Dancing which is more solo dancing. SCD is usually done with a partner in groups or sets however you do not need to come with a partner. It is more akin to Square Dancing. It takes a year or two of classes, workshops, etc. to learn the basics then you can hone your skills in advanced classes. You start by learning the steps and formations. Dances (of which there are over 13,000) are made up of these formations so a good grounding will give you the ability to learn a new dance fairly quickly. SCD has its HQ in Scotland and is known as the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society (RSCDS) and there is a Vancouver Branch of the RSCDS under which there are many clubs throughout the Province (there is also a Branch in Seattle). There are a great many classes and the ones in the Vancouver area are listed below. Come along — check us out — the first night is usually free and thereafter it will average about $6 a night and that’s for a 2 hour class! You will find many friendly people who will be eager to help you and welcome you to their club. You never know you actually might like it!! Check the list of classes at either at www.vancouverceilidh.org or www.rscdsvancouver.org. Note that the latter website has the latest updates to temporary changes to times and locations as well there are classes all up and down Vancouver Island, a number of the Gulf Islands, the Cariboo, Okanagan, etc. etc. and there are various groups all over this great Province, Country, World and who knows where else! Check the Branch website for all these details – www.rscdsvancouver.org

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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For upcoming events see www.vancouverceilidh.org and www.rscdsvancouver.org.

Winter - Loch Tulla055

Loch Tulla

Other announcements etc: Seattle Branch – info at www.rscds-seattle.org A monthly Challenge Class is held on the 2nd Friday each month in the upper building, Room 7, Phinney Neighbourhood Association, 4532 Phinney Avenue, North Seattle at 7:30 p.m. Info at www.rscds-seattle.org   Next class:  January 10, 2014

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The next regular monthly Ceilidh Dance will be held this Friday – that is on Friday, January 10, 2014 in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, (73rd & Hudson which is between Oak & Granville), Vancouver, We need everyone to help us get as many new comers (as well as former Ceilidh Dancers) as possible to come and join us. The Ceilidh Dances are a great way to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, etc. Invite all your friends along. Contact me if you will have a group of 12 or more and we can give them a discount!!! This will be the third regular Ceilidh Dance of the 2013/14 season and it would be great if we could double the attendance of the dance last month.

We Really NEED YOUR HELP to advertise the Ceilidh Dances!!!! It only costs $10 ($8 for students) – it is worth so much more in fun, exercise and camaraderie. Use any access to free adverts etc. You can also use things like the YouTube link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bh2HV3OPBgw or the Face-book page https://www.facebook.com/p.php?i=116203315&k=Z5C5Y4TZPT6G6BD1PKZZTWQQQ6BAW26L34AV&oid=164741310207760

https://www.facebook.com/events/597360563665264/597360566998597/

Suggestions to improve our advertising are always welcome. Don’t forget to tell them about the website www.vancouverceilidh.org and get them to “subscribe” to the newsletter.

New year blow

Thanks to good attendances last year the finances for the 2012/13 season will still allow the cost to be the amazingly low price of $10 or $8 for students and we provide refreshments although we do ask for your donations towards their cost.  We always need your support both by coming along and by helping us to advertise these dances by whatever means you use to communicate with your friends be it e-mail, Face-Book, Twitter, Text or even telephone! Most of you have been to at least one Ceilidh Dance so you know how it goes. You don’t need a partner; you don’t need any experience; you should wear FLAT soft soled shoes; we walk, talk, and call every dance and you should come to have fun and have a good evening of exercise and entertainment and maybe even to learn! There is a FREE class from 7 — 8 p.m. and the dance from 8 — 11 p.m. with music by Calanais. Remember to bring some extra cash so you can make a donation towards the cost of the refreshments. Without these donations we will have to increase the price of admission again!!

The schedule for the 2013/14 season shapes up as follows: All on Fridays of course —
2014
January 10
February 7
February 28
March 28
April 25

Come along and get some great exercise while also having lots of fun. We are still working on improving the strength of the smile muscles as well as the bows and curtsies! Please do your best to assist us in letting as many people know as possible. Use Face-book, e-mail, telephone or even word of mouth and tell everyone you know what a fun night it is. We need to attract students from UBC, SFU and all the other colleges and universities. Somehow we have to get word out to these students. Please do all you can to help us.

Come one, come all to the same place (Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver) and the same time (7 p.m. for the class and 8 – 11 p.m. for the dance) and the same amazing price ($10 or $8 for students.) You should check the website – www.vancouverceilidh.org – from time to time as you can find various pages listing “Ceilidhs and Events;” Classes:” Duncan’s List;” etc. On these pages you can check all the upcoming events, where all the classes are located, times, etc. and some places to find Scottish things or some local trades, etc. I will continue to highlight the more current events in each week’s newsletter but, as stated, the calendar of all events will be available on the website. You should also have a look at the Vancouver Branch website from time to time – www.rscdsvancouver.org – as there is always useful information on it and it is a very good-looking site. If you have any questions regarding the Ceilidh Dances send them to me at ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org Please check the website – www.rscdsvancouver.org for updates, pictures and news. Dance — it is good for your health.

new year snowglobe

Keep sending jokes, pictures and info you wish to have included. Don’t forget to look at our web pages at www.vancouverceilidh.org If you know of anyone who would like to be on the mailing list please send them the web address – www.vancouverceilidh.org and ask them to subscribe.

If anyone has good pictures from the Ceilidh Dances please send them to me so I can put them on the web page.

If you have any announcements please send them to me preferably in Word; Times New Roman 12pt format with a layout similar to the one used in this newsletter. I occasionally hear of an event somewhere in our beautiful Province, on the Island or in the Interior, but don’t know all the details. This newsletter reaches out to some 372 subscribers (at long last we are over the 400 mark!) from all over the Province, Country and to many other countries as well, so please send me the details of your event and I will only be too happy to include them.

DIVORCE  versus MURDER

A nice, calm and respectable lady went into the pharmacy, walked up to the pharmacist,  and said,  “I’d like to buy some cyanide.”

The pharmacist asked, “Why in the world do you need cyanide?”

The lady replied, “I need it to poison my husband.”

The pharmacist’s eyes got big and he explained, “Lord have mercy! I can’t give you cyanide to kill your husband, that’s against the law!
I’ll lose my licence! They’ll throw both of us in jail! All kinds of bad things will happen. Absolutely not! You CANNOT have any cyanide!”

The lady reached into her purse and pulled out a picture of her husband in bed with the pharmacist’s wife.

The pharmacist looked at the picture and said, “You didn’t tell me you had a prescription.”

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Enjoy yourselves – come Scottish Country Dancing – for it is good for your health and you never know you just might …..! See Coming Events on the website for info – www.vancouverceilidh.org

Winter - loch venachar

Loch Venachar

new year snowman

new year 2014

new year fireworks

May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door.

th_ToyTrainUnderTreeAlphabyiRiS-DUNCAN

ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org