charliei | RSCDS Ottawa

Blond Butterball

by charliei | Mar 19, 2021 | Uncategorized

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Well it is time to reveal who the Blond Butterball is.

The interview with “Butterball” had some technical problems so the sound quality is not the best but I hope you can still enjoy learning more about butterball and her art.

There’s also is a chance to win one of six “Crazy Cats” 2021 Calendars. Just watch the video and answer the following questions:

1. Where in Scotland did “Butterballs” mother come from?

2. What was the little boy in the park looking at?

3. What was the shape of the canvases used for the “Ring” paintings

Send the answers to danceaday@rscdsottawa.ca and if you have the correct answers and are one of the first six to reply, a calendar will be sent to you.

Some of us arose early from bed very early on a May morning in 2016 and made our way to Parkdale United Church to appear on CTV Ottawa’s Morning Show. We have a clip of one of the 4 segments we filmed that day. (Lots of coffee was consumed in the making of the segments)

Some of you may have already seen the video of Sinead and John Kerr’s Scottish Figure Skating. I have included the same dance done a year later at the Euro Skating Championship Gala. Hope you enjoy.

And finally some quotes from Grandchildren about their Grandparents. I know we are all looking forward to being able to have them in our houses and most of all hugging them again.

Stay Well.

My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 72. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, “Did you start at 1?”

My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, “Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?” I mentally polished my halo and I said, “No, how are we alike?” “You’re both old,” he replied.

A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather’s word processor. She told him she was writing a story.
“What’s it about?” he asked.
“I don’t know,” she replied. “I can’t read.”

Grandpa is the smartest man on earth! He teaches me good things, but I don’t get to see him enough to get as smart as him!

My Grandparents are funny, when they bend over, you hear gas leaks and they blame their dog.

A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. “We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods.” The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, “I sure wish I’d known you sooner!”

Burns Edition

by charliei | Jan 26, 2021 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Hope you enjoyed Burns Day yesterday.

For those of you who were unable to join us on Zoom last evening, we have an edited version of the virtual Burns Social.

Also included are a couple of Covid related items.

The first is a Stay Home – Save Lives piece narrated by Grant Stott . It features lots of views of my home town Edinburgh.

The second is someone’s take on the poem on Covid as it might have been written by Burns.

If you have an interesting past time let me know and I can feature it – the branch is full of members with all sorts of past times.

There is a comments area at the bottom of the post where you can also pass on messages and thoughts to other members. So come and participate, all I need is your input!

STAY WELL

Happy New Year

by charliei | Jan 1, 2021 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Happy New Year to you and yours.

2020 is over and hopefully sometime in 2021 we can get together and dance again!

Since ancient times, households across Scotland have welcomed strangers through their doors with the aim of bringing good fortune for the year ahead.

First footing, which stems from the Gaelic practice of “qualtagh”,

Traditionally, the first footer should be someone who was not already in the house when midnight struck – hence the Scottish party tradition of having one guest leave just before the bells so they can knock on the door as the new year begins.

The first footer will usually come bearing gifts.

Traditionally, they would arrive loaded with a coin, bread, salt, a lump of coal, and whisky – gifts representing all the things the new year would hopefully bring, such as prosperity, food, flavour, warmth and good cheer.

So here is my virtual first foot for you.

Included in today’s offering is a continuation of the answer to the question “What do members do in their spare time when not dancing”. Hugh Carter explains his other hobby – model railways.

We have the Scottish Society of Ottawa’s virtual hogmanay party full of all things Scottish. Enjoy.

And finally some groaners on that other subject.

Finland has just closed their borders.

No one will be crossing the Finnish line

So many coronovirus jokes out there. It’s like a pandemic

Due to the quarentine, I’ll only be telling inside jokes

Now is not the time to surround yourself with positive people

The will be a minor baby boom in 9 months and one day in 2033 we will witness the rise of the quaranteens.

I’ll tell you a COVID-19 joke now, but you’ll have to wait two weeks to see if you get it.

Christmas ceilidh edition

by charliei | Dec 23, 2020 | Uncategorized

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Here is the Christmas Ceilidh edition of “Staying in Touch”.

For those of you who missed the virtual ceilidh on December 19th and for anyone who attended the ceilidh and would like to replay some or all of the recorded items again, I have amassed all the recorded items below.

The attendance at the ceilidh was estimated around 70 members.

I would like to thank the following branch members for their excellent contributions to the virtual ceilidh.

Barbara Bottriell, the Branch demonstration team, Edith Troup, Mary Bridson, Wayne and Dawn Greer, Torridon, the level 1 class as well as Rosemary Carter and Heather Reid who were daring enough to appear live at the ceilidh so unfortunately we have no video recorded.

Also to the Branch executive who have given their support to me from the first days of Dance-a-Day to now.

The first video includes a video Christmas card from me to you.

Feel free to send the link to this page to any former branch members or anyone else who may be interested in seeing the videos.

Merry Christmas and a Happier New Year to both you and your families.

Saint Andrew’s Day

by charliei | Nov 30, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Today, we have a feast of items.

We start with a Saint Andrew’s Day message from the Branch Chair, Wayne Greer.

Then carrying on the theme we have a dance medley devised by John Drewry named “Saint Andrew’s Square”.

For those of you who might be rusty on the origins of Saint Andrew we have Shaun from Edinburgh with his own unique presentaion about Scotland’s patron saint.

This is followed by a item contributed by Jim Kirkhope with a new twist on Laurel & Hardy.

And finally a poem that seems to sum up 2020 as we ease towards Christmas.

If you have an interesting past time let me know and I can feature it – the branch is full of members with all sorts of past times.

There is a comments area at the bottom of the post where you can also pass on messages and thoughts to other members. So come and participate, all I need is your input!

Happy Saint Andrew’s Day

STAY WELL

Xmas 2020⛄🎅🎁🎄

T’was a month before Christmas,

And all through the town,

People wore masks,

That covered their frown.

The frown had begun

Way back in the Spring,

When a global pandemic

Changed everything.

They called it corona,

But unlike the beer,

It didn’t bring good times,

It didn’t bring cheer.

Contagious and deadly,

This virus spread fast,

Like a wildfire that starts

When fueled by gas.

Airplanes were grounded,

Travel was banned.

Borders were closed

Across air, sea and land.

As the world entered lockdown

To flatten the curve,

The economy halted,

And folks lost their verve.

From March to July

We rode the first wave,

People stayed home,

They tried to behave.

When summer emerged

The lockdown was lifted.

But away from caution,

Many folks drifted.

Now it’s November

And cases are spiking,

Wave two has arrived,

Much to our disliking.

Frontline workers,

Doctors and nurses,

Try to save people,

From riding in hearses.

This virus is awful,

This COVID-19.

We hope for a cure.

A choice of vaccine.

It’s true that this year

Has had sadness a plenty,

We’ll never forget

The year 2020.

And just ‘round the corner –

The holiday season,

But why be merry?

Is there even one reason?

To decorate the house

And put up the tree,

When no one will see it,

No-one but me.

But outside my window

The snow gently falls,

And I think to myself,

Let’s deck the halls!

So, I gather the ribbon,

The garland and bows,

As I play those old carols,

My happiness grows.

Christmas ain’t cancelled

And neither is hope.

If we lean on each other,

I know we can cope.

So for those staying home,

Safe out of sight,

Merry Christmas to ya all,

May it be extra bright!

~Author unknown.

Remembrance Day

by charliei | Nov 10, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Today, with Remembrance Day in mind, we bring you the Chair of Teachers, Marion Hamiltion, with her reflections on Remembrance Day.

We also have a medley of dances using tunes associated with the military.

And finally, a section from this year’s Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall, London with Marisha Wallace singing the White Cliffs of Dover and a socially distance choir.

If you have an interesting past time let me know and I can feature it – the branch is full of members with all sorts of past times.

There is a comments area at the bottom of the post where you can also pass on messages and thoughts to other members. So come and participate, all I need is your input!

STAY WELL

Are we all going to the dogs?

by charliei | Oct 29, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Today, this blog highlights our secretary, Phil Worthington from the level 1 class.

Phil has another interest as well as SCD. (Don’t we all!). He’ll tell you something about it.

We also have a medley of two dances by the dem team video in 2002 (same digits as this year in another order).

And finally, Ian Fraser sent in a Rant from “The Oldie” a Scottish publication.

If you have an interesting past time let me know and I can feature it – the branch is full of members with all sorts of past times.

There is a comments area at the bottom of the post where you can also pass on messages and thoughts to other members. So come and participate, all I need is your input!

STAY WELL

Keeping in Touch at Thanksgiving

by charliei | Oct 11, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Here is the Thanksgiving edition of “Staying in Touch”.

Today we have an interview with Iris Waung of the Level 3 class who has used the pandaemic time to be very ceative as you will hear.

And of course we have some Scottish country dancing and some dancing from the movies to keep you entertained on this long weekend.

I’ve also included the latest digital version on the Society newsletter for any of you who didn’t receeive it.

You are invited to send requests of items you would like to see in this space in the future. Also if you would like to submit items or videos of yourself, please feel free.

There is a comments area at the bottom of the post where you can also pass on messages and thoughts to other members. So come and participate, all I need is your input!

Happy Thanksgiving and stay well!

Time for some art

by charliei | Oct 3, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

This week we have a visit with Richard Hatherill our treasurer who will update you on his responsibilities and then presents an artistic video of where he and Kathy have been spending their Covid time.

This is followed by an Covid art show contributed by Wayne.

Just in case you had forgotten about how great SC Dancing looks, we have a set from Tartan Day 2012 with a medley of Kamo Karousel and Joie de Vivre.

Coming soon, an interview with Iris Wuang about one of her Covid projects, the second book in a series of childrens’ book she has written.

As you have seen in the past few editions of Keeping in Touch, many members have taken up new interests or have expanded on existing hobbies. If you would like to share them with the rest of our members just get in touch with me by replying to the email you received with this link.

Again, there is a comments area at the bottom of the post where you can also pass on messages and thoughts to other members. So come and participate, all I need is your input!

STAY WELL

Feeling a bit jiggy?

by charliei | Sep 25, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Today we catch up with Mary Bridson who has been using this pandemic time to do a whole host of things which she will tell you about in her video. Mary is truly a renaissance woman.

Mary will also read from one of her short stories about a Newfie mouse.

On a personal note, I would like to welcome Mary to the half-century club. something I joined last year. The half-century I am referring to is since immigrating to Canada.

The other offering today, forwarded by Gillian Huntley, is sure to make you feel jiggy this Friday morning.

STAY WELL

Staying in Touch Too (2?)

by charliei | Sep 17, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Here I am with the second in our occasional series of “Staying in Touch”.

Last Friday would have been the Welcome Dance and classes would have started this week. I have compiled a video of three events to remind you of the fun we have and to see some of our dancers again.

During the summer Gillian Huntley, co-convenor of the Level 3 class, was busy and this shows you the fruit of her labours with a garden tour from her home.

You are invited to send requests of items you would like to see in this space in the future. If you would like more of the edited sessions of the RSCDS on-line class I would be happy to include that. Also if you would like to submit items or videos of yourself, please feel free.

There is a comments area at the bottom of the post where you can also pass on messages and thoughts to other members. So come and participate, all I need is your input!

STAY WELL

Staying in touch

by charliei | Sep 1, 2020 | Keeping in touch

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Hello again – hope you enjoyed the summer which seems to have morphed into early Fall.

The branch executive would like to keep in touch with our membership even though we won’t be physically together in classes or socials for some time to come.

Today we have a video greeting from our Chair, Wayne Greer, with a description of what the executive are planning in the near future.

Also we have a covid offering from the Western Australia Symphony Orchestra.

STAY WELL

Stay Safe and Healthy

by charliei | Jun 15, 2020 | branch news

Staying in Touch –

at a safe distance!

Here is the second in our occasional series of “Staying in touch”.

With fall arriving, we join Gillian Huntley who shows us what she has been up to during the summer with a tour of her beautiful garden.

The Welcome Dance would have been held last Friday and classes would have started this week so I have created a montage of three event to give you a chance to see your fellow dancers again and imagine what we could be doing now.

Let me know what other material you would like to see especially if you would like me to present edited versions of the RSCDS on-line classes. and of course I would be delighted to feature any items you would like to request or videos you would like to send me.

And don’t forget you, can add comments in the area at the bottom of this post.

STAY WELL

Want to form a set?

by charliei | Jun 12, 2020 | danceaday

Today we again highlight the branch demonstration team in 2012 at Tartan day on the Parliament Hill dancing one of many peoples favourite dances – Ian Powrie’s Farewell to Auchterarder

Also today we have David Queen from his home in Southport England on the weekly online class. As well as warm-ups, David does very good footwork transitions in both reel and strathspey time. The second reel time video feature some more advanced transitions. I have also included the dance that he finished the online class with that he dances solo.

Next is the link for the RSCDS podcast for this week.

Finally, if you are dancing at home for exercise, and I hope you are, I have a video just to remind you that you should be careful!

Warm-up marches

Warm-up waltz

Footwork transitions – reel 1

Footwork transitions – reel 2

Footwork transitions – Strathspey

Dance – Jig to the Music

All the dance warm-ups etc in one place

by charliei | Jun 10, 2020 | danceaday

There have been several requests to have all the videos you can participate in shown in one post so here it is!

As you probable already know, what I have made available from the RSCDS Online classes is the material I thought was appropriate for all levels of dancers. Some of the teachers in the online class have covered more advanced topics such as highland dance steps and step dances. I have included the links to the full classes if you have interest in those topics.

At the end I have also included our own Marion Hamilton and her dancing at home videos.