IThank you to all who contributed to a most successful London Ceilidh and Workshop.  It was a pleasure to have Joan Reeves and Ian Souter teach, and kudos to Gayle Frisa for her leadership and planning.  A special thank you to Bill and Marie McLennan for their hospitality in hosting the after-glow, and thanks to all who pitched in to help.

This is the last newsletter of the 2007-2008 dancing year. In addition to our classes we have some great events coming up.  First is the Beginner’s Dance which will be held at the Sergeants’ Mess.  The highlight of our dancing year is our Spring Ball which will be held this year at the Old Middlesex County Court House.  Your ticket application is enclosed with this newsletter and I encourage you to attend and to get your tickets early.  The Brunch-After-The- Ball will again be held at the McLennan’s home.  This has been a great success for the past several years.  Don’t forget your lawn chair.

Next year we will be moving to the Great Hall for our Spring Ball.

Don’t forget the Summer Picnic at the Watson farm.  Mark the date on your calendar!

I encourage all Branch members to attend the upcoming Annual General Meeting.  Notice is given elsewhere in this Newsletter.  Marel Fielding is heading up the nominating committee for the vacancies on the Committee of Management and can provide information about the positions which are open.  If you have an interest in running for office and would like information about the duties etc., please speak to Marel as soon as possible.

Several issues and projects have preoccupied the Committee of Management this year and have taken an inordinate amount of time and energy.  The Branch will offer two free classes in May and three free classes in September to provide opportunities for prospective new members to try Scottish Country Dancing before making a commitment to join our Branch.

We are seriously interested in attracting new members to the London Branch in order to assure the future health of the Branch and so that it can continue to offer the learning and dancing opportunities for which it is known.  Our most successful method of getting new members is by word-of-mouth.  If everybody makes an effort we can spread the joy of Scottish Country Dancing.  Advertising materials will be available.

Brian

LONDON BRANCH 2008 WORKSHOP WEEKEND

From all accounts the workshop weekend was a success.  Our guest teachers, Joan Reeves and Ian Souter, shared their enthusiasm and expertise making the Saturday workshop classes a delight for all attending.  Thank you to everyone who helped in so many ways to make the weekend a success.  Gayle Frisa – Workshop Coordinator.

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LONDON EVENTS

Friday, April 11   Basic Class Dance   Sergeants Mess, Wolseley Barracks, CFB London

Saturday, May 3   London Spring Ball with Bobby Brown and the Scottish Accent   Old Middlesex County Court House

Sunday, May 4   Brunch 11:30  945 Woodhaven Rd. London

Sunday, July 20   Annual Picnic  26532 Popular Hill Rd. Parkhill

BASIC CLASS DANCE – APRIL 11, 2008

Get ready for spring with the April social dance, sponsored by our Basic Class.  The program will be made and briefed by members of Catherine Shaw’s class. Let’s show our appreciation of the Basics Class and teacher by supporting this event!

INVITATIONAL CLASSES   7 & 14 MAY 2008

The Branch is offering these free nights for anyone interested in trying Scottish Country Dancing.  If you have any friends, relatives or acquaintances that you think might enjoy this activity, bring them to one or both of these evenings.  Please make sure that anyone coming to try dancing wears appropriate footwear.

As well the first three nights of Scottish Country Dancing in September will be free to those who might be encouraged to join our group.

ANNUAL PICNIC –JULY 20, 2008

Circle Sunday, July 20th on your calendar of summer events.  Bob and Linda Watson will once again host our annual picnic.  Those attending should bring meat for the barbeque, whatever you wish to drink and a salad or dessert to share.  You should bring cutlery and plates as well as lawn chairs.  Activities begin at 3:00 and we will eat around 5:30.  If you need directions please phone someone on the committee of management.

The rain date for the summer picnic is July 27^th.

ANNUAL BALL – SATURDAY 3, 2008

Enclosed in your newsletter is your registration form for the ball.  You will not want to miss this special evening at the Old Middlesex County Court House.  From 6:00-6:30 there will be a time of socializing.  The dinner, catered by the Great Hall catering service will be served at 6:30.  At 8:00 we will dance to the lively music of Bobby Brown the Scottish Accent.  See you there!

Here is the Ball Programme and Application form for Ball tickets.

BRUNCH AFTER THE BALL – SUNDAY MAY 4, 2008

Once again Marie and Bill McLennan will host the brunch after the ball.  In the past we have been blessed with good weather, good conversation and food.  We anticipate the same will happen this year.  All Branch members are invited to the Brunch which will begin at 11:30 a.m.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

This year’s Annual General Meeting is on Wednesday, May 21 at Carling Heights Community Centre at 8:00 p.m.  If you have an interest to serve on the Committee of Management please speak to Marel Fielding who is head of the nominating committee.  Being on the committee is a great way to serve the Branch and have fun at the same time.

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Please see flyers and applications on the Bulletin Board for these and other SCD events and  activities.

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Miscleaneous

A TOUCH OF HUMOUR

This guy decides he wants his dog to be able to dance, so he enrolls his pet in dance classes.  Dutifully, he takes this dog to class every\ week, but he sees no improvement.  Finally, he takes the instructor aside and says, “I’m spending a fortune here.  Why isn’t my dog improving?” 

“I’m sorry,” the instructor replies, “but there’s not much I can do.  Your dog has two left feet.”

ON A PERSONAL NOTE

‘Mend quickly’ wishes go out to Jim Rollo who broke his wrist recently.  We hope to see him back on the dance floor soon.  P.S.  It’s good to see Elfriede dancing once again.

To everyone who has been on the sidelines recently we wish a speedy recovery.

Branch members continue to hold Betty Strain in thought and prayer.

On a happy note, Reagan Anne Cameron arrived on February 22^nd. She is the daughter of Blaine and Amanda Cameron and the granddaughter of Jean.

SPORRAN WEARERS BEWARE!

5,000 pounds + six months in prison for wearing a sporran of bat fur

Kilt wearers could face prosecution if they do not have a licence for their sporran under legislation recently introduced in Scotland.  The laws are designed to protect endangered species like otters and other vulnerable animals: badgers, deer, wildcats, hedgehogs, lynx, moles, seals, whales, dolphins, porpoises, and bats.

The law applies to animals killed after 1994, and applicants must prove that the animal was killed lawfully before they will be able to get a licence.  The conservation regulations bring Scotland into line with existing EU legislation.  The licence allows people who possess artifacts made from these species in circumstances compliant with earlier laws to keep them. – BBC News

   Maybe we can start a tradition of authentic Canada Geese.         Donald E. Holmes.

At times folks give me an article for the newsletter.  This one came from Janet Schreiber.

WORDS OF APPRECIATION 

Thank you to those who have made this an enjoyable and successful year.

To all who served on committees.

To those who made crafts to sell at workshops etc.

To those who donated food and gifts for Catherine’s draw and special draws.

To all who set up and took down tables for events.

To all who welcomed visitors with a friendly smile.

To those who took part in demos.

WORDS FROM THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR

As this is the final newsletter of the dancing year,  I wish you all an enjoyable and safe summer.  I hope to see everyone back on the dance floor in the fall.  Jean Cameron.

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The Committee of Management Needs You! 

Would you like to serve on the Committee of Management?  If you would like to consider working on the Committee and being more involved in your Branch, contact Joe Craigan, Mary Woods or Doris Guy as soon as possible.  As your nominating committee, they can provide information about the duties. 

Responsibilities of the Committee:

Your Committee plans your dancing year- monthly dances, Christmas party, Hogmanay, Workshop and Spring Ball.  Job descriptions and  procedures are in place to assist incumbents. 

Even if you do not wish to stand for election to a Committee position, there are always other opportunities to contribute- crafting, flower arranging, providing hospitality or a myriad of other little jobs that make a volunteer social organization run smoothly.  Please do your part.

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