St Andrews flagSt. Andrew’s Day

St Andrew’s Day, the 30th of November, is marked by celebrations around the globe. Many cities hold celebrations of St. Andrew’s feast day, and his status as patron saint of fishermen is observed with a feast of St. Andrew in fishing villages as well.

Germany and Austria have their own traditions and folklore surrounding St Andrews Day, or Andreasnacht as it is known to locals. St. Andrews feast day is near to, and some years coincides with, the start of Advent (the first Sunday following the 26th of November) Among his many responsibilities, St Andrew is patron saint of unmarried women, so Andreasnacht is regarded as a particularly auspicious occasion for girls and young women to perform the various folkloric rituals designed to reveal the identity of future husbands. Austrian Girls would traditionally perform the ritual, which might be anything from divining by pouring molten lead into water, to kicking a straw bed in the nude, while reciting the Andreasgebet or St. Andrew’s Prayer. All the while looking for a lucky sign of love at their feast of St. Andrew.

St Andrew’s Day, however, is best known as a celebration of Scottish culture. Since 2006, it has been officially recognized as a national holiday in Scotland, with events such as celebratory St. Andrew Feast dinners happening around the nation, and is marked around the world by the many St Andrew’s Societies from the Americas to the Far East composed of Scottish expatriates, descendents of the Scots diaspora, and others who simply have an interest in all things Scottish. The town of St. Andrews celebrates its patron in style with the weeklong St. Andrews Festival, incorporating music, arts, dance and drama.

You and your family can celebrate your own Saint Andrew feast. Let the main course be fish and perhaps include some Scottish traditions. Giving your guests St. Andrew’s medals or jewelry is a special way to honor St. Andrew and your guests
on this day. Recite the prayers of St. Andrew, reflecting on how he lived his life, the first-called apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ.

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

Lady Aberdeen 4  Lady Aberdeen 5

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.”

Note that the proceeds from the Lady Aberdeen Tea Dance were $2,608.00 and this was donated equally to the BC Poppy Fund and the BC Cancer Agency (for brain cancer research.)

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Stag at Loch Quoich


The St. Andrew’s Ball 2013 was held last night in  the Hellenic Community Centre,  Vancouver  with the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra, Joe MacDonald, Rob Stuart, the Vancouver Branch Demonstration Team and 136 happy people.   It was a great success and kudos are to be given to Phil Beaty, Jeanette Langmann and all the other committee members who worked hard to resurrect this Ball.   After a year where there was no Ball it was nice to see many familiar faces returning but better still to see many more new and younger folk enjoying a tasty meal, some fun, though at times challenging, dancing, good scotch and other liquid refreshment, song, music and much laughter.   The VFO were bigger than ever which gave Jim Buckshon a few headaches but he got them all to sound just super.

It is great that the St. Andrew’s Ball is back on the calendar just unfortunate that it conflicted with Delta’s Dance.   Hopefully that can be avoided in future years as quite a few would have liked to attend both functions.

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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Local news — New Dance Competition for Book 49.   Have you written a dance? Do you fancy trying your hand at writing a dance? The Vancouver Branch has been invited to submit one (1) dance into the world-wide competition for dances to be published by the RSCDS in Book 49. If you wish to submit a dance into the competition it must be emailed to book49@rscdsvancouver.org not later than December 10, 2013. To enter the competition you must be a member of the Vancouver Branch. A Vancouver Branch jury will review the submissions and submit the winning dance to headquarters in Scotland. Submissions must never previously have been published in electronic or paper form or submitted for Books 47/48. They should follow RSCDS terminology as closely as possible. Divisors may make only one submission. Full instructions and guidelines can be found at www.rscdsvancouver.org We hope to have a lovely lot of dances from which to choose THE Vancouver Branch Submission. If you have any concerns or questions do not hesitate to contact Fran Caruth at dancing@rscdsvancouver.org Good luck — We could get some great dances out of this! Fran Caruth, On behalf of the Branch

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The Branch Demonstration Team will be dancing at the Christmas Market on the QE Theatre Plaza on December 7. Normally admission to the market is $6 but we have been able to get free vouchers for that day only. Download the vouchers at:
GB Invitation – Nation Day at VCM 2013        Voucher – GB Nation Day at VCM 2013
The Team will be dancing at noon and again at 2 p.m. Come along and give them your support and enjoy the Market as well.

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At our recent meeting of the Highland Games Committee we identified some areas that we need volunteers for next year. Overall, the Games went very smoothly last year with a large number of new recruits to help us run the show. So going forward, we have identified a few areas that we really need help with – can you please ask your contacts and organizing committees and members as we 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. So could you please circulate and 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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The Vancouver Branch RSCDS are looking for a webmaster.

We are looking for an administrator for our new website.  The site has been developed using WordPress and is designed to be easily maintained.   Our web designer will set you up and get you started.

  • Do you have a PC or Apple with Internet access and browser?
  • Are you able to use a web browser, E-mail and word processor (such as Word)?

Then YOU have all that’s needed to help RSCDS Vancouver Branch continue to improve its online presence.

Please E-mail  –  chair@rscdsvancouver.org  for more details or to express an interest.

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Women often receive warnings about protecting themselves at the mall and in dark parking lots, etc. This is the first warning I have seen for men. I wanted to pass it on in case you haven’t heard about it.   A ‘heads up’ for those men who may be regular customers at Lowe’s, Home Depot, Costco, or even Wal-Mart. This one caught me totally by surprise.
 
Over the last month I became a victim of a clever scam while out shopping.    Simply going out to get supplies has turned out to be quite traumatic. Don’t be naive enough to think it couldn’t happen to you or your friends.     
  
Here’s how the scam works:
 
Two nice-looking, college-aged girls will come over to your car or truck as you are packing your purchases into your vehicle. They both start wiping your windshield with a rag and Windex, with their breasts almost falling out of their skimpy T-shirts. (It’s impossible not to look).    When you thank them and offer them a tip, they say ‘No’ but instead ask for a ride to McDonald’s.
 
You agree and they climb into the vehicle. On the way, they start undressing. Then one of them starts crawling all over you, while the other one steals your wallet.
 
I had my wallet stolen Jan. 4th, 9th, 10th, twice on the 15th, 17th, 20th, 24th, & 25th. Also Feb. 1st & 4th, twice on the 8th, 16th, 23rd, 24th & 25th, and very likely again this coming weekend.
 
So tell your friends to be careful. What a horrible way to take advantage of us older men. Warn your friends to be vigilant.
 
Wal-Mart has wallets on sale for $2.99 each. I found even cheaper ones for $.99 at the dollar store and bought them out in three of their stores.    Also, you never get to eat at McDonald’s. I’ve already lost 11 pounds just running back and forth from Lowe’s, to Home Depot, to Costco, Etc.
 
So please, send this on to all the older men that you know and warn them to be on the lookout for this scam. (The best times are just before lunch and around 4:30 in the afternoon.)

 

Fall - Newtonmore

Newtonmore


Thank you to all who came to the Ceilidh Dance last Friday night especially those who came to celebrate Hannah and Lorri’s birthdays.   There were 99 in attendance and we had a super time with everyone.   We went through a lot of beer but that was OK as you donated more than enough to cover the cost.  It was a nice response to my plea for a better attendance and while we have not quite made up for the losses on the first two nights this season it has certainly helped.   Now you need to keep coming and bringing even more friends.

I set off from Crescent Beach at 4:15 planning on getting to the Scottish Cultural Centre by 5:30.   Well traffic was so bad that I did not arrive until nearly 6:30.   Fortunately Francis had been in and had set all the food and drink out for me for which I ma very grateful.   Thanks also to Bonnie & Richard who control the door and, of course, to the members of Calanais – Cathy, Kate, Carole, Duncan and Louise.

 

Why we like the British:

NEWSPAPERS

Mrs. Irene Graham of Thorpe Avenue , Boscombe, delighted the audience with her reminiscence of the German prisoner of war who was sent each week to do her garden. He was repatriated at the end of 1945, she recalled –
‘He’d always seemed a nice friendly chap, but when the crocuses came up in the middle of our lawn in February 1946, they spelt out ‘Heil Hitler.”
( Bournemouth Evening Echo) 

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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. Last week’s picture brought no guesses so I will leave it up for another week. In these days of face recognition someone must have come up with software that recognizes places!! This almost looks like a hotel.   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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FLAGS

The next Ceilidh Dance is the on 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.

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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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Buchanan St, Glasgow

Buchanan Street, Glasgow

Some fun and interesting sites:
https://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a7e_1381073342

https://www.flixxy.com/kids-lip-syncing-a-wonderful-christmas-song.htm

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These are genuine answers from some of our 16 year olds…………and they WILL breed.

 Q. Give an example of a fungus. What is a characteristic feature?
A. Mushrooms. They always grow in damp places and they look like umbrellas

Q. Use the word ‘judicious’ in a sentence to show you understand its meaning
A. Hands that judicious can be soft as your face.                      (OMG)

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

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flag with teddy

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Fall - Loch Shiel & Glenfinnan from Beinn an Tuim

Loch Shiel, Glenfinnan from Beinn an Tuim

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.

Fall - Falls of Arbirlot

Falls of Arbirlot


A famous Viking explorer returned home from a voyage 
and found his name missing from the town register.

His wife insisted on complaining to the local civic official,
who apologized profusely saying,

“I must have taken Leif off my census.”

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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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Fantastic – subscriptions are over the 400 mark at last. This newsletter will go out to 424 people in many cities, provinces & countries. Now my goal is to get to 500!! Please pass along the website to your friends and maybe they will subscribe – www.vancouverceilidh.org

The new mailing system comes with some interesting reports. I can see who opens the newsletter and who doesn’t and how many reach different countries round the world. You would be surprised that no newsletter goes to Myanmar but 1 goes to India, 5 to Hong Kong and 6 to Japan. Only 48.5% opened last week’s newsletter.  Enough weeks have gone by using MailChimp so I can do a study to see if most of those who do not open the e-mail each week don’t open it any week. I know some of you go direct to the homepage so that would increase the statistics.   I will be contacting those who have not opened a newsletter in the last two months to see if they want to remain on the mailing list.


Note: the Celtic Treasure Chest has just received large orders of Christmas items. For information on specials etc. call one of the stores – Vancouver 604-261-3688; Delta 604-940-5366 www.celtictreasurechest.ca. \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\

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

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We had a very pleasant long weekend in Los Angeles with our family.   The weather was nice for us although the residents felt it was cold.   It got up to 24C on one day.   It was nice in the sun but cool when it was clouded over or when the sun set.

We visited a garden downtown – Virginia Robinson’s Garden – watched our grandchildren practising water polo in a fabulous facility at their school.   We went to cheer on their school water polo team play for the State Championship against a school that had beaten them twice this season but in a very exciting game, watched by about 3,000 fans, they came through to win.   We visited Newport Island, went to an ice hockey game at the Staples Centre – LA Kings v San Jose – travelled miles to see granddaughter practise field hockey and went shopping with them all.   4 very full days and of course we had a good visit with them all and saw their new house.

frog & alligator

 

Events happening in the immediate future include the Inverglen Scottish Dancers show and the Demonstration Team’s performance at the German Market both on Saturday the 7th and the Gleneagles Ball on Sunday the 8th – see website www.rscdsvancouver.org for date, time and location. Please see “Coming Events” below for all information.

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

Fall - near River Endrick

Near River Endrick

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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.

COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS:

2013  
Dec  7 Vancouver Branch Children’s Party changed to November 30
Dec  7 Inverglen Scottish Dancers and the Kerrisdale Community Centre Dancers present a Celtic Christmas Celebration.   2:00 p.m. in the Seniors Centre of the Kerrisdale Community Centre.  Highland, Scottish Country and Step dancing will be presented in this concert. As well there will be a  Red & White Wine Raffle Draw to help raise money for the dancers workshop and costume fund.  Hope to see you there to support our up and coming dancers.  Admission by donation.
Dec  7 The Vancouver Branch Demonstration Team will be dancing at the German Christmas Market, on the plaza of the Queen Elizabeth theatre at noon and again at 2 p.m.   Free admission to the Market is available with voucher available on home page www.vancouverceilidh.org 
Dec  8 Gleneagles 50th Annual Grand Ball in the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver.   Tickets (maximum 160) @110 from Susan or Norm 604-984-7458 or normhaug@shaw.ca   Music by the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra
Dec  9 Vancouver Branch Party & Ceilidh Night 7:30 p.m. in the Scottish Cultural Centre – $6
Dec 10 Glenayre Christmas Party, St. Laurence Church Hall, 825 St. Laurence St., Coquitlam – $8
Dec 11 Last Programme Class
Dec 13 — 14 Workshop and Grand Ball in Bologna, Italy with Muriel Johnstone and Bill Zobel.  Check out their website for all the information at www.rscds.it
Dec 14 Bellingham Social
Dec 28 Betwixt & between Dance in the Scottish Cultural Centre with music by Mary Ross — 7:30 p.m. FREE for all RSCDS Members – $15 for non members.   A small offering of seasonal fare would be appreciated.
Dec 28 — Jan 5 New Zealand Branch Summer School in St. Peter’s School, Cambridge, NZ — info wayne.mcconnel@rscdsnzb.org.nz
website 
www.waikato1314.rscdsnzb.org.nz
2014  
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 25 20th Annual Tam O’Shanter Dancers Burns Supper in Star of the Sea Hall.   Tickets $55 – contact duncanmackenzie@telus.net to order – Note that 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.

Note: Please check list of classes for all start times and locations.

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

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frog & spider


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Confession

An elderly man walks into a confessional. The following conversation ensues:

Man: ‘I am 92 years old, have a wonderful wife of 70 years, many children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Yesterday, I picked up two college girls, hitch-hiking. We went to a motel, where I had sex with each of them three times.’

Priest: ‘Are you sorry for your sins?’

Man: ‘What sins?’

Priest: ‘What kind of a Catholic are you?’

Man: ‘I’m Jewish.’

Priest: ‘Why are you telling me all this?’

Man: ‘I’m 92 years old . . . . I’m telling everybody!’
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Fireworks on Loch Shin

Fireworks on Loch Shin

Just got back from my mate’s funeral. He died after being hit on the
head with a tennis ball. It was a lovely service.

 

Flag Line

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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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Fall - Sandwood Bay

Sandwood Bay

The next Ceilidh Dance is on Friday, January 10, 2104 with live music by Calanaish. You 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   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.

frog fling

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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Riddles (answer next week)

last one:
Kings and lords and Christians raised them
Since they stand for higher powers
Yet few of them would stand, I’m certain,
if women ruled this world of ours

Answer: A Tower

This week:
Soft and fragile is my skin
I get my growth in mud
I’m dangerous as much as pretty
For if not careful, I draw blood.
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For upcoming events see www.vancouverceilidh.org and www.rscdsvancouver.org.

Uig Bay from Fraser's Folly

Uig Bay from Fraser’s Folly

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 one week on tomorrow – 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

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.

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 2012/13 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.

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 424 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.

These fit so well they should be in a dictionary.

MOSQUITO:    An insect that makes you like flies better. 

RAISIN:            A grape with a sunburn.    
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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

Neist Point lighthouse & the Little Minch with the outer Hebrides beyond

Neist Point Lighthouse, the Little Minch & the Hebrides beyond

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

Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org