Happy St. Andrew’s Day and fittingly Dunblane are now the Davis Cup Champions – well it is really Great Britain who are champions for the first time in 79 years but the 2 players who won the 3 matches are the Murray brothers from Dunblane. Well done to the whole team – that was quite an achievement.
Stirling
Fun dances from which I received raving reports but neither was I able to attend due to other commitments. Both had visiting musicians who were in fine form. The first dance was in Fort Langley last Tuesday and then there was the Delta Borderers’ dance in Tsawwassen last night.
There was the November monthly Ceilidh dance last Friday evening with about 80, including a family from Idaho, in attendance. It was a fun night. Now we need more attendances of that size or more. It is more fun when there are more people and people who will stay past the 2nd break!! Thanks to the band, Bonnie, Richard and Francis for all their help.
Last night I ran a Ceilidh dance for a church in Vancouver and there were over 80 for that too. Most had never danced Scottish before but they all seemed to have fun. I passed out adverts for both the Ceilidh dances as well as the SCD classes so maybe we might get a few coming to the next dance on January 8, 2016.
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Mallaig
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CHILDREN’S CHRISTMAS PARTY on Saturday, December 5
(For Children, Adults and all the family) Adults $5.00 Children FREE
Place: Capilano Room, Harry Jerome Memorial Centre, 123 East 23rd Street, North Vancouver. 2.00 to 4.00 pm
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A hole has been found in the nudist camp wall. The police are looking into it.
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The next regular Ceilidh Dance is not until next year!!! Friday, Janaury 8, 2016 (this is so we avoid the Festive Season when you are all busy, the hall is more expensive, etc.) I look forward to seeing you there. Remember if you have a group of 8 or more and you contact me no later than January 6 then everyone in your group will get a $1 discount.
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Old Man of Storr
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The year is flying past and it will be 2016 before I know it. That means Burns Suppers!! Tickets are already available for some of these events including the one run by the Vancouver Branch on January 16 – gillibeattie@gmail.com or 604-224-6751 or online at www.rscdsvancouver.org – or the one run by the Tam O’Shanter Dancers on January 23 – janicelowe@shaw.ca or 604-536-7660. Get your tickets early and don’t be disappointed.
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Thanks to Steve at the Celtic Treasure Chest there is now an online list of all the Celtic societies as well as a calendar of events:
List https://www.celtictreasurechest.com/links/index.php
Calendar https://www.celtictreasurechest.com/celticevents/index.php
There are always some specials at The Celtic Treasure Chest’s store on Dunbar & 41st. Check them out at www.celtictreasurechest.com Christmas stock has now arrived.
Celtic Fashions on E-Bay – go to https://www.CelticFashions.com
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Strathrusdale
The Scottish Cultural Centre is a pretty unique and wonderful asset and space is available for rent to anyone or any group. The Centre does not run itself but is actually run by the United Scottish Cultural Society (USCS). Memberships in this Society are for individuals only and presently cost $10 annually. Membership Application Forms may be obtained either at the Centre or on the USCS website – www.scottishculturalcentre.com . The cost is only $10.
Any person may join USCS and Scottish Country & Ceilidh Dancers are encouraged to show their support by doing so. If any USCS member would like to be more involved, then, Darryl Carracher, the Manager at the Centre, will be pleased to give you further information.
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sunset over Innellan
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The next Ceilidh Dance is not until Friday, January 8th, 2016. I am hoping Louise (and friends) will be there to help me again. Lots of time for you all to get yourselves and your friends organized to come along for another fun filled evening. Come and dance of all your Festive goodies.
Michelle has very kindly made up a Facebook event page for the Ceilidh but you need to “Search for Vancouver Ceilidh on Facebook and “Like” us to receive updates on upcoming Ceilidhs and other events”. Then, if you “Like” the Vancouver Ceilidh FB page (do as described above), you too will receive updates AND be able to share those updates and events on your personal Facebook page to your friends and ask that they “Like” and “Share”, etc. 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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Just to keep you informed:- The Branch Demonstration Team will be performing at the German Christmas Market on the QE Plaza on Saturday December 12 between 12 and 4 p.m. along with the Step Dancers. The Demonstration Team will also be performing at the Dundarave Festival of Lights on Saturday, December 19 at 5 p.m.
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You can join the e-mail list of the SFU Scottish and Celtic Society; the club connecting you to all things Scottish and Celtic at SFU and the community. As members of this mailing list, you will receive updates on events and learning opportunities. All are welcome to participate and enjoy. Facebook Group: As of today, our new Facebook Group is launched and available to join. It is an ‘Open’ group. Anyone can join and invite their friends. We will create Facebook ‘Events’ for all our occasions. Join today at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/451447541666799/
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Some fun and interesting sites: – note if you have a link to something you think others would enjoy please forward them to me.
This Photographer is missing a lot of screws but he DEFINITELY gets an “A” for guts. A few inches either way and the elk would have had shish-kebob on his antlers. https://m.koreus.com/video/wapiti-vs-photographe.html
‘Fum’ the cat and ‘Gebra’ the owl are back one year later with a new video and – as you can see – they are still best friends.
https://www.flixxy.com/owl-and-cat-are-still-best-friends-2012.htm
According to Snopes, this is true: https://www.snopes.com/photos/natural/flygeyser.asp
In the early twentieth century, a farmer decided that he needed to improve the agriculture on his ranch in Nevada. He figured that a well needed to be dug to bring water and nutrients to the soil above. He lived in a barren desert and the water stored deep beneath the Earth’s crust would have provided a more sustainable crop for this harsh and dry area. He knew that a well with ample water was needed to supply bountiful crops. What he didn’t know was what was waiting for him deep below the soil. He began to dig a deep well when problems soon arose. After digging deep into the Earth searching for water, he found what he was looking for. The problem was that the water was incredibly hot. Over 200 degrees in fact, making it impossible to create a well at the time. He capped off his ventures and was forced to forget about supplying the area with a sustainable water source.
A team came to the area with better drilling technology in 1964, in order to create a successful well. Their plans didn’t go as expected as the water was still too hot for them to deal with. The drilling operation was immediately suspended and abandoned. The team that came in 1964 didn’t cap their drilling ventures properly and they created a small geyser. Under extreme pressure and at extreme temperatures, gasses, water, minerals, and nutrients flooded to the surface. This small geyser has grown at an incredible rate creating something that nobody expected. It is not a typical geyser at all. This type of geyser is actually called a fly geyser and it pumps the nutrient rich water above ground where these nutrients and minerals have collected, creating a colorful mountain that continues to grow to this day.
The fly geyser in Nevada started out as an attempt to create a well but the drillers got much more than they bargained for when they were faced with scalding hot water. After the operations were abandoned, a beautiful monument created by nature was formed and it has taken on a life of its own, continuously growing and changing. The mineral rich water has created a mountain of colorful formations that have stunned the world.
The fly geyser in Nevada has created its own unique ecosystem in and around the water.
If you get close enough you’re able to see small fish swimming in the hot spring waters and many birds flying around feeding on the organisms that have come to call this magical fantasy land, home.
The different nutrients, gasses, and minerals that are expelled from this fly geyser in Nevada react differently to the sun, as well as the oxygen in the air. This reaction creates some magnificent colors that are constantly changing. The longer this geyser flows, the more beautiful it becomes. Look out Yellowstone. It looks like you have some serious competition in Nevada.
The fly geyser in Nevada is located on private land so you would need permission to see the rare sight. Many people have contacted the land owners with offers to purchase the land in order to transform this desert oasis into a tourist attraction. The land owners have no intent of letting that happen. This is their own private oasis and they are happy with keeping it that way. They have refused all offers and keep their property fenced in to prevent the hoards of people that flock to this area to see the geyser from ruining their land. Few people, family and friends, even a few photographers have been allowed access but this is someone’s land. I can understand the owners not wanting too many strangers trampling the beautiful rural area.
The land owners will give you a guided tour if you can get a hold of them. The price varies on their mood and the time of year, so if you want to make plans to see this place you better be nice to the owner and his family.
Check out this amazing aerial video of the fly geyser in Nevada.
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The next Ceilidh Dance will be on Friday, January 8th, 2016. Same time, same place, small increase in price (so long as there is a big attendance), 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.
&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& The subscriber list dropped by one and gained one so we still 344 subscribers. I really need your help to get the subscriptions back up again. Thanks for all your support. Out of 344 last week’s newsletter was opened by 223 of 64.8% – much better, thanks.
Please pass along the website to your friends and ask them to subscribe – it is free!! www.vancouverceilidh.org
Please keep opening the newsletter!! Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome.
IN SEARCH OF THE PERFECT HUSBAND: HUSBAND OF THE YEAR AWARDS:
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COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note: Please check list of classes for all start times and locations.
| 2015 | |
| Dec 5 | Children & Family Christmas Party for Children, Adults and all the family) Adults $5.00 Children FREE Place: Capilano Room, Harry Jerome Memorial Centre, 123 East 23rd Street, North Vancouver. 2.00 to 4.00 pm |
| Dec 5 | Come celebrate a Celtic Christmas with the Vancouver Gaelic Choir, along with gusts Ed MacIlwaine, piper; The Kaleyarders; Bob Collins and the Jocely Petit Band and folksinger Tom Hawkins. All Saints Anglican Church, 7405 Royal Oak, Burnaby at 2 p.m. $15 (seniors/children $10) — Call Roberta for info 604-433-3326 |
| Dec 7 | Branch Christmas ceilidh night 7:30 – 10:00 p.m. Drop-in $6:50 Info Gill 604-224-6751 |
| Dec 7 | Gleneagles Ball Walk Through of the “easier dances.” FREE class – 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Braemar School, 3600 Mahon Avenue, North Vancouver. Note videos of most dances are available online at “Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary.” |
| Dec 8 | Glenayre Christmas party St Laurence Church Hall, 825 St. Laurence Street, Coquitlam at 7:30 p.m. $12 |
| Dec 9 | Glenayre SCDC Christmas dance |
| Dec 9 | Gleneagles Ball Walk Through of the “other dances.” FREE class – 7:30 – 9:30 p.m. at Braemar School, 3600 Mahon Avenue, North Vancouver. Note videos of all dances are available online at “Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary.” |
| Dec 9 | White Rock Christmas social |
| Dec 11 | Louise Murphy will be teaching dances on the Gleneagles Ball programme at the West Vancouver Seniors Activity Centre, on 21st Street just off Marine Drive from 10:35 a.m. to 12:35 p.m. Members $6 others $9 |
| Dec 12 | Inverglen Scottish Dancers present their Celtic Christmas Concert in the Seniors Centre of the Kerrisdale Community Centre at 2:00 p.m. Free Admission. Tickets for the Red & White Wine Raffle may be purchased. Proceeds towards the dancer’s costume fund and dancer’s activities. |
| Dec 12 | Vancouver Island SCDS Christmas Social |
| Dec 12 | Seattle RSCDS Ceilidh/Silent auction/Dance Party |
| Dec 13 | Gleneagles 52nd Ball in the Fairmont Hotel, Vancouver with the Vancouver Fiddle Orchestra |
| Dec 28 | Betwixt & Between Dance in the Scottish Cultural Centre at 7:30 p.m. with music by Mary Ross. FREE for RSCDS members – Non-Members $15 |
| Dec 31 | Vancouver Island SCDS New Year’s Eve Social |
| 2016 | |
| Jan 8 | Ceilidh Dance at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver – no partner or experience required – live music with Calanais – refreshments available – class from 7 – 8 p.m. followed by dance from 8 – 11 p.m. – all dances walked, talked and called – admission at the door $12 (students $10) |
| Jan 9 | Bellingham social |
| Jan 16 | Vancouver Branch Burns Supper in the Scottish Cultural Centre with the bar open at 6 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. and music for dancing by the Tartan Players. Tickets $55 through club rep or Gilli Beattie at gillibeattie@gmail.com or by Paypal at www.rscdsvancouver.org |
| Jan 16 | Vancouver Island SCDS Burns Supper |
| Jan 23 | Tam O’Shanter Dancers Burns Supper “Robert Burns: Around the World” in the Star of the Sea Hall, 15262 Pacific Avenue, White Rock with bar service at 5:30 and supper at 6:30. Dress semi-formal – tickets $55 Janice – janicelowe@shaw.ca |
| Jan 23 | Seattle RSCDS Burns Supper |
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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.
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. This is the first year in quite some time that there were no cancellations of Dancing in the Park
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The next Ceilidh Dance is on Friday, January 8, 2016 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.
They are all held at the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. The price is only – $12 or $10 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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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
January, 2016 would be a wonderful time to come along and join in one of many Scottish Country Dance (SCD) classes as they will be starting up again. 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.
For those who don’t know SCD is a fabulous pastime (much better and lots more fun than golf!!) and 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.
Classes will have started up again at various locations throughout the Lower Mainland and beyond but it is never too late to come along and join in the fun. Check for location, start date and time at www.rscdsvancouver.org
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 on the website. 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.
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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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Tain from Fendhorn
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For upcoming events see www.vancouverceilidh.org and www.rscdsvancouver.org.
Other announcements etc:
Seattle Branch
New Challenge Class season
1st Sunday of the month from 1 – 3 p.m. at University Heights, 5031 University Way N.E., Seattle, 98105 – Room 109
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The next regular monthly Ceilidh Dance will be held on Friday, January 8, 2016 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 8 or more and we can give them a discount!!!
We Really NEED YOUR HELP to advertise the Ceilidh Dances!!!! It only costs $12 ($10 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.
A Tay sunset
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 2015/16 season shapes up as follows:
All on Fridays of course —
2016
January 8
February 5 & 26
March 25
April 29
Come along and get some great exercise while also having lots of fun. We hope to have lots of new Ceilidh dancers and we might even have Louise and maybe Daniel and/or Michelle to help with the calling. Remember to bring your smiles and wear flat shoes.
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.
The Swilken Bridge
and if you don’t know where that is then you don’t know your golf!
We would like to attract more students from Universities and all colleges. 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 ($12 or $10 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.
Victoria Street, Edinburgh
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.
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I love this Doctor Dingum
Q: Is getting in-shape important for my lifestyle?
A: Hey! ‘Round’ is a shape!
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This newsletter reaches out to some 344 subscribers 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.
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Roe deer
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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
South Queensferry
May your troubles be one, may your blessings be more, and may nothing but happiness come through your door.
Duncan ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org