The Ghillies Gazette - Spring 2003

The President's Pen

In a moment of thoughtfulness I came up with the "Small Task List" which I distributed at the AGM. Well, now I've come up with item #11-send in a notice to the calendars section of the American Statesman prior to each new class session. Should take about 5 minutes or less and would be greatly appreciated. (I've even drafted a short blurb in case that would help you decide to do the job.)

Oh, in case you weren't at the AGM, here are the first 10 items on the list. Please, don't think this is exhaustive-it's only to get everyone thinking about little things that when added together can make a great big difference. I would love for the list to be two or three times this long because you have come up with additional ideas. Of course, the ideas aren't worth much without implementation. For example, Shelley has met the woman who is director of Texas Folklife Resources and has agreed to talk with her about how our organizations might help one another. What ideas do you have?

1. Invite someone to class
2. Keep the punch bowl filled and help clean up at the end of a Friday social
3. Distribute flyers at an event you're going to attend anyway
4. Post flyers at places around town (maybe where you go regularly)
5. Contact someone you know who might be able to help us with a project
6. Create a useful piece of publicity information
7. Write a paragraph for the Ghillies Gazette
8. Help Roger with the web site
9. Help organize an event to introduce people to SCD
10. Collect class fees for treasurer in Tuesday or Thursday class

Cynde Jennings has done a marvelous job as president for the past three years, even when her life changed dramatically and became extremely busy studying for a new career. As the students in the group can tell you, it's difficult to go to school, study and have "a life" at the same time. Cynde, however, has managed it admirably and we're most grateful to her. I'm glad I have Cynde to turn to for advise and counsel. THANK YOU, CYNDE, FOR DOING SUCH A GREAT JOB!

Sarah

Demo Team News - Kerrville

Mike Downer joined demo team members Jane Downer, Diane Nousanen, Rosemary and Bill Galloway, Jorgen Harmse, Wade Harper and Sarah Harriman this year for dancing at the Kerrville Burns Supper. The program was well received and concluded with a waltz to the tune of Auld Lang Syne. Torf, once again, did a fabulous job of preparing exactly the music needed for the program.

Sarah

Teaching Dance at McCallum High School

All in all the classes did very well. We started with a little skip change exercise, which they all seemed to do pretty quickly, then we moved on to an around the room dance, the Mayflower. I really didn't want to spend too much time before getting them dancing. After all, I had only about 40 minutes in each class. In think in each class we did the Mayflower at least twice, and in one or two we did it three times. By then, the kids were doing a good job with it.

I then moved on to a set dance, Ceilidh Madness, which could be done with 3-4-5 couples. In most classes we had time to dance it twice. It, too, kept improving with repetition.

The two comments I heard were, "This is hard," and "I'm tired." They all willingly joined in and I think they all had fun. By the time it was over, I was tired, but I had a good time, too.

Sarah

Announcements

The board also decided to offer the opportunity of making an annual payment of class fees at the same time ASCDS and RSCDS dues are paid in April. An annual payment for class fees of $105 may be made in conjunction with payment of ASCDS ($10.00) and RSCDS ($20.00) dues. Annual class fee would cover the three consecutive sessions of May 2003, September 2003 and January 2004. Total including membership in Houston Branch of RSCDS and ASCDS would be $135.00. Total for ASCDS membership only would be $115.00.

Class Fees
Class fees have not changed, but the board has made an effort to clarify who pays how much and, more importantly, when payment is due.
Class fees are $40/session with the following exceptions

1. ASCDS members - $35 (teens under 16 dancing in an adult class may join ASCDS as Junior Members)
2. Teens registered and dancing in the Monday class -$35
3. First time registrants - $35

The Teachers' Association (Canada) is holding its 31^st TAC Summer School at St. Jerome's University in Waterloo,Ontario, July 27 through August 3. Instructors for this summer's session are Sandy Bain - Mt. Hope, Ontario, Helen Frame - Irvine, Scotland, and Gail Michener - Picture Butte, Alberta.

Dance Socials

In Class Socials

Volunteers so far are:
April - Cynde Jennings and Bill Galloway
May - None
June - Kate Walker
July - No social because of vacation
Months with no volunteer will be class as usual

Here are some guidelines to use in preparing a social program:

1. Program should be about 12 dances long with a balance of jigs, reels and strathspeys
2. Include the dance(s) of the month
3. Repeat about 1/3 (or more) of the dances from last month
4. Have program available for publication on the web page by the first of the month

1. Friday night social programs
2. Upcoming socials and balls in other cities
3. Texas 100
4. Torf has a list of dances danced in class and will help with the music

Dances of the Month

• April
• Level 1c - Mrs McLeod
• Levels 2&3 - The Gentleman
• May
• Level 1c - No Dance of the Month in May
• Levels 2&3 - Broadford Bay
• June
• Levels 1c - Lady Catherine Bruce's Reel
• Level 2&3 - Muirland Willie

News from Around the State and Country

Houston

We dance Wednesdays, 7 to 10 p.m.
NEW DANCERS WELCOME - NO PARTNERS NEEDED - NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE NEEDED
Families welcome (children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian), $5 for those 14 and over; $2.50 those under 14.
Location: Oddfellows Hall, 115 E. 14th St. (Heights), Houston, Texas

website: http://home.att.net/~diannashipman.
Dianna Shipman: 713-522-1212, and to subscribe to the email newsletter: diannashipman@att.net.

San Antonio

The Bluebonnets have had a busy month, with demos at Our Lady of the Lake, and a performance for the 44th Annual San Antonio College Folk Dance Festival. We performed The Hebridean Weaving Lilt for the SAC Festival. We also performed for the Harp and Shamrock Society of Texas in The Alamo Irish Festival at the Arneson River Theater Stage. We are currently preparing performances for the San Antonio Highland Games in April, and the International Folk Festival.

We want to thank all the folks from Austin for visiting us and participating in a wonderful afternoon of dance, food and laughter. We look forward to seeing you all again soon.

San Antonio Bluebonnet Scottish Country Dancers meet every Sunday afternoon from 3-6 pm at Our Lady of the Lake at the International Cultural Center. All are welcome.

New York

Events

Current and upcoming events are listed in the ASCDS Calendar. If you have events you want publicized, send them in an e-mail to Roger LaPrelle.

The Austin SCD E-mail Group

You can join the eGroup to receive email message announcements of interest to SCDers in the Austin area by sending an email message to AustinSCD-subscribe@yahoogroups.com from the email address at which you want to receive announcements.

The Ghillies Gazette

The Ghillies Gazette is e-mailed to students enrolled in ASCDS sponsored dance classed, SCD teachers, SCD organization contacts in Texas, and newsletter editors of nonprofit organizations that provide a reciprocal newsletter. If you fall into one of these categories and are not receiving the newsletter, please contact Roger LaPrelle.