![\"march\"](\"https:\/\/www.vancouverceilidh.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/03\/march.gif\")
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Near Lochbuie<\/p>\n \u00a0 After last week’s diatribe I thought no one would be speaking to me!\u00a0\u00a0 I did lose 2 people from the Ceilidh Newsletter but that probably had nothing to do with what I said – at least I hope not as I count these two as friends.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n What a fantastic evening many of us enjoyed last night at the Vancouver Branch Jubilee Ball.\u00a0\u00a0 A lot of preparation had gone into this event and it really showed.\u00a0\u00a0 From the friendly atmosphere right from the start to the lovely setting in the Hellenic Centre to the tasteful (simple yet attractive) decorations, to the welcoming speech, to the very enjoyable meal served promptly and without any fuss all seemed to go by without a hitch.\u00a0\u00a0 <\/span><\/p>\n It was very fitting, and a touch of the dramatic, that the Branch should present Jean Wagstaff with the Branch Award for services over many years and which she truly deserved.\u00a0\u00a0 I think she seemed surprised and overcome but congratulations from us all.<\/p>\n Now came the amazing grand march with almost 180 dancers going on quite a hike.\u00a0\u00a0 The band must have thought they would never see the end.\u00a0\u00a0 It was complicated by the fact that the hall was wide and not too deep so we had to make up 6 lines instead of the traditional 4.\u00a0\u00a0 But it all worked out and we were ready for the first dance.<\/span><\/p>\n The Grand March certainly allowed the band – Torridon, who were making their first appearance in Vancouver – to get warmed up and for the rest of the evening they played irresistible music that challenged you to make sure you were up for every dance.\u00a0\u00a0 In fact sets were forming long before they were announced (tut, tut!).\u00a0\u00a0 This band, with members from Scotland, the USA and Canada molded very quickly and easily into a premier Scottish Country Dance band that will be hard to beat.\u00a0\u00a0 We were very fortunate to have them in Vancouver for our ball and even more fortunate in that they will be back, with one change,\u00a0at the end of May, for the Fort Langley 15th anniversary celebration.<\/p>\n Ruth, in her inimitable style, was a superb MC who kept us moving along at a nice pace, gave us a wee bit of history of each dance, carefully walked us through and allowed us to encore many of the dances.\u00a0\u00a0 It was a fun, interesting, yet not overly challenging programme of dances which Ruth had gleaned from Ball programmes over the past 50 years.<\/p>\n There were many out-of-town visitors and I hope they all felt welcome and that they had as good a time as I did.\u00a0\u00a0 As my feet and legs tell me I danced all but one dance and that was only because I was busy spreading some slip stop on the floor and by the time I was finished the sets were complete.\u00a0\u00a0 So for the 14 dances I had 12 partners (my lovely wife was my charming partner in the first, last and one other).\u00a0\u00a0 With so many in attendance it was hard to get from one side to the other, but that is by no means a criticism, it is the same at any large dance.\u00a0\u00a0 You don’t realize who all is in attendance.<\/p>\n The ladies looked simply gorgeous in their beautiful dresses.\u00a0\u00a0 I doubt one could attend a better fashion display.\u00a0\u00a0 As I have said the hall was decorated very simply but with all the colour in the dresses and kilts it needed no more.<\/p>\n Many thanks to the 50th Anniversary Committee, the Branch and many other volunteers for a great year of celebration and a fantastic Ball to cap it all off.\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!<\/p>\n North Queensferry<\/p>\n While everyone is enjoying the anniversary, please take a moment to think of Mary Brandon, who helped bring Scottish Dancing and Miss Milligan to Vancouver.\u00a0 She no longer travels so she was unable to join the celebration.\u00a0 However she is marking her 90th birthday on April 6.\u00a0 It would be wonderful if she could receive greetings from dancers in Vancouver on this milestone.\u00a0 Here’s the information for sending her birthday wishes:<\/span><\/p>\n Mary \u2013 longtime teacher, Demonstration Team director, dance devisor, RSCDS examiner and Scroll of Honor recipient for founding the Hawaii Branch\u2013 doesn\u2019t want a party, but would love to hear from dancers and SCD friends.\u00a0A post box has been set up specifically for your cards, photos and letters:Brandon Birthday Greetings, 6520 Platt Ave #143, West Hills, CA 91307.\u00a0Mary does not use the internet, but if you must email your message,send it to: shoolbraidbrandon@gmail.com<\/a>\u00a0and we will print it out for her.Please, no links to videos or e-cards.You can help make this a memorable day for a very special woman! Thank you very much. Alice Allen Los Angeles Branch<\/span><\/p>\n ========================================================<\/p>\n Who knew?!!!!<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n 1.\u00a0 To remove a bandage painlessly,<\/em>\u00a0saturate the bandage with vodka. The stuff dissolves adhesive. VODKA\u00a0 \u2026 \u00a0Who woulda thunk it!? ===========================================<\/p>\n \u00a0 Riverside Perk, Perth<\/p>\n A Note from Jean :<\/span><\/p>\n Dear Fellow Dancer,<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>Once again we have a Teachers Training programme happening at the Vancouver Branch with the exams to be held in May 2015.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>Our teacher candidates rely on a Support Cast of fellow dancers to be \u2018Stooges\u2019 for their practice sessions.<\/em><\/span><\/span>\u00a0 Training sessions are held at the<\/em> Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver (upstairs).\u00a0\u00a0If you are interested in helping our Teacher Candidates, p<\/em>lease contact Jean Wagstaff 604-464-8103 \/\u00a0 jeedwag@shaw.ca<\/a> for further information.<\/em><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Your support will be much appreciated.<\/span><\/em>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Many thanks,<\/span><\/em>\u00a0Jean Wagstaff\u00a0\u00a0and the 2015\u00a0Candidates<\/span><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/em>*********************************************************************************<\/p>\n The next regular Ceilidh Dance is\u00a0on Friday,\u00a0March 27, 2015 (back to the last Friday of\u00a0March & April)<\/span>\u00a0<\/strong>– in the Scottish Cultural Centre, 8886 Hudson Street, Vancouver. \u00a0Start to make plans to come along as we really need all of you. This is a fun and inexpensive way to have an enjoyable evening out with family and friends. 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. Think of the great exercise you get as well.\u00a0\u00a0 See below for more information.<\/span><\/p>\n ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????<\/p>\n Thanks to some ground work by a student\u00a0a Scottish Country Dance class at SFU\u00a0has started.\u00a0\u00a0 They are on Wednesday evenings and will continue every Wednesday\u00a0from 7 – 9 p.m. in Forum Chambers.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Contact Louise at lmsteinw@gmail.com for more information and please tell all your student friends.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n SFU’s Centre for Scottish Studies will be offering beginning Gaelic classes Monday nights at 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm starting January 20. \u00a0The classes will be held using video technology with instructor Fiona Smith — either from a location at SFU or in your home if you have a computer and internet connection. \u00a0If you are interested in participating, please contact Leith at\u00a0\u00a0leith@sfu.ca<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n The Humanities Department at SFU\u00a0is offering a Celtic Mythology course this summer, taught by Dr. Antone Minard. It will be meeting on Saturday afternoons. The course outline can be obtained and questions about the course can be directed to Dr. Minard at mminard@sfu.ca<\/a>.<\/p>\n If you are interested in trying to stop wind farms spoiling your views in Scotland try this website:\u00a0\u00a0https:\/\/www.savelochness.com\/main.html<\/a><\/p>\n Sound of Sleat<\/p>\n ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n WHY GOD MADE MOMS<\/strong> Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the<\/strong> following questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n What does your mom do in her spare time? What would it take to make your mom perfect? \u00a0===========================================================<\/p>\n I did get out in the garden for a few hours earlier in the week before the rain returned.\u00a0\u00a0 Did everyone in this area have the exceptionally heavy rain, later hail, and thunder-storm on Friday night?\u00a0\u00a0 It certainly woke me up and it brought down a lot of the blossom and pollen.\u00a0\u00a0 Now I need to get out and sweep it all up except it is so wet I may have to resort to getting the blower out.\u00a0\u00a0 I did try to wash some of the outside windows and skylights but now no one will notice.<\/p>\n It is tax time and while I am “retired” I still have a few senior clients that I look after so that and volunteer work keeps me busy most days and dancing has kept me occupied most nights (I did have a very long meeting on Wednesday at the\u00a0USCS).<\/p>\n Some of the USCS Directors have arranged to have the City of Vancouver make a proclamation that April 6, 2015 be Tartan Day.\u00a0\u00a0 It is Easter Monday and there is to be a ceremony at City Hall at Noon with some pipe bands and some Highland and Scottish Country dancers.\u00a0\u00a0 Please come along, wear your kilt or\u00a0something tartan and show your pride.\u00a0<\/span> <\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX<\/p>\n 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:<\/span><\/p>\n List\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.celtictreasurechest.com\/links\/index.php<\/span><\/a> There are always some specials at The Celtic Treasure Chest’s\u00a0stores.\u00a0 Check them out at www.celtictreasurechest.com<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n Celtic Fashions on E-Bay – go to https:\/\/www.CelticFashions.com<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/strong> We should request City Hall place these around the Scottish Cultural Centre!<\/p>\n The Scottish Cultural Centre<\/span> 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<\/a> .\u00a0\u00a0 The cost is only $10.<\/p>\n Any person may join USCS and Scottish Country & Ceilidh Dancers are encouraged to show their support by doing so<\/span>. 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. We have\u00a0replaced the roof which was a major expense and\u00a0we have also\u00a0finishing painting and sprucing up the main hall\u00a0and hope you all like what we have done. Upgrades to the Centre are also being considered so it is particularly appropriate that dancers join USCS. No final decisions on these upgrades will be made before Members of USCS are fully informed.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE<\/p>\n llllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllll\u00a0<\/em> <\/em><\/p>\n \u00a0 The Hydro, Glasgow<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em>+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++<\/p>\n The next Ceilidh Dance is\u00a0on\u00a0Friday, March 27th, 2015.\u00a0<\/span> <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0Michelle has very kindly made up a Facebook event page for the Ceilidh<\/span> 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!!<\/p>\n kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk<\/p>\n 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.<\/em> Facebook Group:<\/em> 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\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n {{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{<\/p>\n \u00a0\u00a0 Some fun and interesting sites: – note if you have a link to something you think others would enjoy please forward them to me.<\/p>\n A great comedian, Stanley Baxter:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=i870lQRyPJI<\/a><\/p>\n BE SURE TO WATCH TO THE VERY \u201cEND\u201d!<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=QfCi_2PY4g4<\/a><\/p>\n Scottish Fiddle Orchestra – The Eightsome Reel<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=hvHeTArCnYQ<\/a><\/p>\n Find out the No. 1 song on the day you were born….bet you know the words.<\/p>\n https:\/\/playback.fm\/birthday-song<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The next Ceilidh Dance will be on\u00a0Friday, March 27, 2015.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span> \u00a0Same time, same place, same 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.<\/span><\/p>\n &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&\u00a0<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n The slowly growing list\u00a0has stayed at the lofty height of\u00a0 360.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0I should be more grateful that even though we went down 2 it has increased but it will\u00a0take many weeks at this rate to get it back to 400\u00a0so I really need your help to get the subscriptions back up again.\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks for all your support.<\/strong><\/p>\n Please pass along the website to your friends and ask them to subscribe – it is free!! www.vancouverceilidh.org<\/a><\/p>\n At time of writing this last week’s newsletter was\u00a0opened by only 214\u00a0subscribers.\u00a0\u00a0Because the list is growing that was just 59.3% of\u00a0the total list.\u00a0 \u00a0I know some of you prefer to go to the website and open the newsletter from there so the number is probably much higher.<\/p>\n Please keep opening the newsletter!!\u00a0 Any and all comments and suggestions are welcome.<\/p>\n \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\<\/p>\n Events happening in the immediate future include\u00a0the Ceilidh Dance on the 27th and the Glenayre Dance on the 28th.<\/span><\/p>\n Please see “Coming Events” below for all information.<\/p>\n Kids are\u00a0<\/strong> Quick<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n TEACHER:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Now, Simon, tell me frankly, do\u00a0you say prayers before eating? SIMON:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No sir, I\u00a0don’t have to,\u00a0my Mom is a good cook.<\/p>\n __________________________________<\/p>\n ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||….<\/p>\n If anyone has any suggestions or complaints regarding the newsletter, please let me know – ceilidh@rscdsvancouver.org<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n COMING EVENTS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS: Note: Please check list of classes for all start times and locations.<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/i>2. To clean the caulking around bathtubs and showers, fill a trigger-spray bottle with vodka, spray the caulking, let set five minutes and wash clean.\u00a0\u00a0 The alcohol in the vodka kills mold and mildew.
\n3. To clean your eyeglasses, simply wipe the lenses with a soft, clean cloth dampened with vodka. The alcohol in the vodka cleans the glass and kills germs.
\n4. Prolong the life of razors by filling a cup with vodka and letting your safety razor blade soak in the alcohol after shaving.\u00a0\u00a0 The vodka disinfects the blade and prevents rusting.
\n5. Spray vodka on wine stains, scrub with a brush, and then blot dry.
\n6. Using a cotton ball, apply vodka to your face as an astringent to cleanse the skin and tighten pores.
\n7. Add a jigger of vodka to a 12-ounce bottle of shampoo.\u00a0 The alcohol cleanses the scalp, removes toxins from hair,\u00a0and stimulates the growth of healthy hair.
\n8. Fill a sixteen-ounce trigger-spray bottle with vodka and spray bees or wasps to kill them. \u00a0 <\/em><\/i>
\n<\/em><\/i>9 Pour one-half cup vodka and one-half cup water into a Ziploc freezer bag and freeze for a slushy, refreshing ice pack for aches, pain or black eyes.
\n10. Fill a clean, used mayonnaise jar with freshly packed lavender flowers, fill the jar with vodka, seal the lid tightly and set in the sun for three days. Strain liquid through a coffee filter, then apply the tincture to aches and pains.
\n11. To relieve a fever, use a dishcloth to rub vodka on your chest and back as a liniment.
\n12. To cure foot odor, wash your feet with vodka.
\n13 Vodka will disinfect and alleviate a jellyfish sting.
\n14. Pour vodka over an area affected with poison ivy\u00a0to remove the urushiol oil from your skin.
\n15. Swish a shot of vodka over an aching tooth. Allow your gums to absorb some of the alcohol to numb the pain.<\/em><\/i><\/p>\n
\n<\/em><\/strong> And silly me! I’ve only been drinking the stuff.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a>\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n
\n1. Mothers don’t do spare time.
\n2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.<\/p>\n
\n1. On the inside she’s already perfect.\u00a0 Outside, I think some kind\u00a0 of plastic surgery.
\n2. Diet. You know, her hair. I’d diet, maybe blue.<\/p>\n
\nCalendar\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 https:\/\/www.celtictreasurechest.com\/celticevents\/index.php<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n
\n<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/strong>Did you know that Andy Murray, the Scottish tennis star, is getting married\u00a0in Dunblane Cathedral on April 11?\u00a0\u00a0 He was planning on a smaller location but the community has persuaded him to use the Cathedral so more can attend.\u00a0 He is well-loved in Dunblane and it will be a big day not just for Andy and his bride, Kim Sears.\u00a0\u00a0Many of us danced “The Pride of Dunblane” at the last Highland Games which is a dance written for Andy.\u00a0<\/em>\u00a0<\/em><\/em>
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