The Petronella Paper

The Petronella Paper
May-August 2010
Newsletter of
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society - Atlanta Branch, Inc.
www.mindsprinq.com/~atlbrnch
Atlanta Branch to Sponsor a New Technique Class
Have you ever thought, “I know where I’m going, but how
did I get here...” If so, then this is the class for you! We
will focus on handing, partnering, and footwork. We will
not focus on complex dances, but dances with clear-cut
instructions that allow the dancer to concentrate on what
they are doing. The class is designed for the dancers
who know the geography of the figures, but would like to
refine their technique. A basic knowledge of the figures is
required, including reels of three, corner figures, and
diamond poussette. – Jessica Behmke
Soon not only Athens will be able to benefit from the
teaching of Jessica Behmke. She will soon be teaching a
once a month technique class in Norcross. from
September through April. Please consult your teachers or
class managers in the local area for more information on
the class. Information will also soon be posted on the
website.
From the Editor:
Thank you Becky Sager for putting out the last issue
(March-April) of The Petronella Paper. I hope everyone
enjoyed reading it as much as I did.
If there is someone who would like to take over editing
the newsletter or would like to just put together one issue
to “try it out” first, please contact me. I have very much
enjoyed putting together your newsletter but feel like I
have gone stale and think some “fresh” ideas are what
the paper needs.
The Fall Gala – Friday, October 15th, 8:00 pm
Well Done Jack
Shiftin’ Bobbins
The Saint John River
The Rothesay Rant
Petronella
The Silver Tassie
Joie de Vivre
West’s Hornpipe
32J3
32R3
32S4
32J4sq
32R2
32S3
32J3
32J3
RSCDS Book 29
Clowes,Ormskirk Book 6
New Brunswick Collection
12 SCD-Birmingham(1973)
RSCDS Book 1
Leaflet (1987) #1 John Drewry
RSCDS Book 39
5 for 1965
The Scotch Circle
Culla Bay
The Duke of Atholl’s Reel
The College Hornpipe
The Village Reel
The White Heather Jig
The Braes of Breadalbane
The Reel of the 51st Division
32R2 RR
32S4sq
32J2
32R3
32S2
40J4
32S3
32J3
RSCDS Book 24
RSCDS Book 41
RSCDS Book 16
RSCDS Book 20
RSCDS Book 20
Cosh 22+2
RSCDS Book 21
RSCDS Book 13
The Tartan Ball – Saturday, October 16th, 8:00 pm
Blue Bonnets
Johnny Groat’s House
The Robertson Rant
The Irish Rover
Hooper's Jig
The Minister on the Loch
32J2
32R3
80S4sq
32R3
32J3
32S3c
The Magic of Merrill
32R3
The Reel of the Royal Scots 32R3
Montreal Rendezvous
Postie's Jig
MacDonald of the Isles 5X
Mairi's Wedding
Pelorus Jack
Lea Rig
The Piper and the Penguin
The Reel of the 51st Division
32R3
32J4.4
32S5
40R3
32J3
32S2
88R4sq
32J3
RSCDS Book 3
RSCDS Book 18
RSCDS Book 39
Cosh 22 + 2
Miss Milligan's Miscellany Vol. II
Goldring, 24 Graded &
Social Dances
Ramshaw, San Francisco RSCDS
Goldring, RSCDS Leaflet
Montreal Moments
Clowes,Ormskirk Book 5
Rigby, Montreal Moments
Cosh 22+1
RSCDS Book 41
RSCDS Book 21
Goldring, Scotia Suite
RSCDS Book 13
News of Members
By Sylvia Priest
Congratulations to Gwen
Lopez who became a
th
grandmother on April 27 ,
when her daughter Laura
brought little Jaclyn into
the world.
The Kaimans’ 60th Anniversary Celebration
by Becky Sager
Audrey and Bernard Kaiman were married on May 4th,
1950. They invited their friends from International Dancing
and SCD to celebrate with them on May 2nd. A really good
crowd of International dancers attended, some from quite far
away and many of them in attire of varied ethnicity. Bernard
himself wore a Greek shirt, Scottish kilt, Bulgarian
cummerbund and Serbian vest and footwear.
Also, congratulations to Kaileen Anich (Colleen’s
daughter) who graduated with honors from Woodland
High School and will be attending Colorado State
University this fall. Kaileen has already found a SCD
group in Ft. Collins.
As always, please let me know when you have any
changes in your contact information by sending an e-mail
to sapriest at mindspring.com or calling 770-377-5114.
Thank you for your help in keeping our membership
information current.
Members’ Birthdays
May
01
04
05
09
10
18
Jaime Graham
Bob Gordon
Ted Blaschke
Susan McDaniel
David Cullison
Lewis Tumlin
June
20
Jim Short
July
02
14
26
Larry Long
Sylvia Priest
Steve Bindl
Audrey was also
gorgeous – the
picture above doesn’t
show her elaborate
armored belt, so
here’s a detail from
another, which also
shows off the cake.
Bernard had generously provided a catered smorgasbord of
goodies from all over the world. After the feasting came
the dancing, of course. We alternated two SCD with two
International dances. Cynthia (Atkins) West led our
dancing – she will be attending TAC Summer School this
year in pursuit of the first level of her Certificate. It was
good to see some old friends, John & Marilyn Kerr and Gene &
Sandy Moore are people I hadn’t seen for way too long!
August
02
Dawn Dorsey
07
Maxine Parrish
09
Jason Freeman
13
Dottie Harnish
18
Deborah Clague
20
Claudia Adams
Bernard participating in one
of the international dances.
2
A Trip to Bavaria
by Christine Transue
I’ve been in this part of Germany several times and
always enjoyed it This time we spent a week centered
in Altotting and a couple of days in Oberammergau. The
scenery in Bavaria is breathtaking and Altotting is a little
jewel of a town. It is quite the most tranquil and serene
place I have ever visited. It is billed as the Lourdes of
Germany, the heart of Bavaria and the home of the
present pope. Our hotel was on the square, right across
from the chapel where the healing services are held – in
fact on Sunday morning we actually listened to mass
being celebrated while we were still in bed!
We traveled around the countryside visiting some of the
towns and the fairytale castles nearby and even went for
a sail on the Danube before finally setting off for
Oberammergau and the reason for this particular trip –
the Passion Play.
My interest in Oberammergau essentially began in 1950
when an aunt attended the Passion Play there. Since
the play is only held every 10 years I decided I had to go
this year or not at all. I’m glad I made it – it is really a
once in a lifetime experience.
For those not familiar with the story of this particular
th
Passion Play – during the 17 century the plague was
rampant in Europe.
For some time the village of
Oberammergau managed to keep the plague at bay but
in 1633 a native son who had been working elsewhere
came home bringing the disease with him.
Within
months 84 adults are known to have died. The village
Council met in the church and before the altar in a
desperate act of faith made a solemn vow to perform,
th
every 10 year, a Play of the Savior’s suffering and death
if God would deliver them from the plague. It is recorded
that from that day no one else died from it. Essentially it
has been performed every decade since.
In order to perform in the Play one must have been born
in Oberammergau or have lived there for 20 years so
obviously there are no professional actors in this cast of
hundreds. I understand that every native grows up in the
hope of being cast as one of the major characters – in
fact they say that the children of the village play “Passion
Play’ rather than “Cops and Robbers”.
What more can I say?
The crowd scenes were
particularly impressive probably because they have
children in them behaving like children – and mothers
with babes in arms. We didn’t actually see Jesus being
nailed to the cross because he was obscured by the
crowd – it was enough to hear the sound of the hammer
and the screams. The other main characters were
portrayed faithfully as described in the scriptures. In all it
was a wonderful experience and one I would not have
missed for the world.
A Trip to Bavaria
Elfrieda Harvath (LaGrange class) is wont to sing along
with A Trip to Bavaria like many of us do with the tunes in
Balgeddie Reel. The topic of the previous article
reminded me of it. Yes it takes a ROCK sometimes! I
thought others might be interested also. The name of the
song that goes with the first tune in “A Trip to Bavaria” is
Die Fischerin vom Bodensee which google translator
says means “The Fisher From Lake Constance.” There
are numerous versions both instrumental and vocal on
youtube. You can find the lyrics (in German) here
http://lyricstranslate.com/en/Dont-know-Die-FischerinVom-Bodensee-lyrics.html and again throw them into
google translator if you want to know the “gist” of what
the song is about. Next time Elfrieda is in our set, we’ll
have to join her in song! Perhaps someone out there has
the story of the dance itself. If so, send it to me for a
future issue of The Petronella Paper
The play runs for over 51/2 hours and this year alone will
be performed 102 times. They expect about 500,000
visitors from all over the world. The Play begins at 2:30
in the afternoon, there is a break for dinner from 5 till 8
then it goes on till nearly 11 pm. Quite a feat! There is
an orchestra and a choir and as well as the action on the
main stage there is a raised stage where “tableaux
vivants” or static scenes from the Old Testament are
staged. These scenes provide a parallel link with the
New Testament. (eg Before we see Jesus being led to
the cross we have the tableau of Abraham preparing to
sacrifice his son, Isaac.)
The theater is not at all impressive – it resembles a barn
or a huge aircraft hanger. The audience is seated under
cover but until this year the stage was in the open. Now
they have a plexiglas roof over most of the stage but part
of it is still open to the mountains.
There is no sound
system and yet every word is heard (since it was all in
German I didn’t understand them but I did hear them.)
We had a booklet with the English translation but it really
wasn’t necessary since the story is so familiar.
Photo taken of the animation program created by Dr. James
Smith of West Vancouver, British Columbia aka: “the Noses
Program” to those North Carolinians that have it in Marshall
McLaughlin’s class. The reason is because noses appear on
the figures when there is a question of which direction they are
facing. In this dance, noses will appear when the first couple is
“setting”.
3
Random Notes on Ghillies
Blairsville Highland Games
Linda Lovejoy
(First published in Nov/Dec 1989 issue of “The Petronella Paper”)
Photos contributed by Ron Gemmell & Kay Barrow
I thought perhaps this old Highland dancer might be able
to pass on some ideas on the care and feeding of ghillies.
One thing a Highland dancer does is to have several
pairs of ghillies available. We don’t wear one pair
exclusively until it has worn completely out. Once a pair is
well broken in, it’s time to start breaking in another pair!
Save the old pair for doubtful surfaces, for rainy demos,
or for carpeted halls. A well-worn pair of ghillies will have
a much slicker sole than a brand new pair, so bring the
old ones to socials where you know there will be
carpeting!
Checking out the clan tents.
Some Highland dancers will alternate the feet they wear
their ghillies on so there will be no right or no left. Some
say this extends the wear of the ghillies. You will also see
us roll up the shoes after we are through dancing. This is
supposed to help keep a good point in the shoe.
No matter what tricks you use to keep your ghillies fresh,
the best thing for them is exercise! Nothing is as
uncomfortable as a pair of ghillies that have been
neglected, improperly worn, or (for shame) unworn!
The Cotton Pickn’ Fair
“A Study in Black and White”
or
“There’s No Place Like Home”
Balgeddie ReelWhat else!
You Go Ron!
The Clumsy Lover
photo contributed by Werner Linz
Just a good photo of Blairsville dancers.
4
J
ACK POLLOCK RETIRES from teaching the Asheville class of the Haywood Scottish
Country Dancers after devoting fifteen plus years to furthering Scottish country dancing
in western North Carolina. Jack’s last official teaching date was July 3rd. On July 30th,
Jack was the guest of honor at a send-off party hosted by his friends and fellow dancers at the
Harvest House in Asheville. About two sets of SCD’ers enjoyed a short program of seven
familiar dances plus one new dance entitled “Thank You Jack” devised by Marshall and Anne
McLaughlin. When not dancing, those present, including two non-dancing guests, enjoyed a
spread of light food and drink and took the opportunity to thank Jack and his wife Sally for all
they had contributed to the class. As an expression of their appreciation, the class gave Jack a
very nice bottle of “the water of life”. The gift seemed to be well received, an idea confirmed by
the email Jack sent out around midnight the same night extolling the quality of the dram. Jack
says that he and Sally will continue dancing but, will not be attending class every week. Once
again on behalf of the Haywood Scottish Country Dancers, thank you Jack.
Submitted by: Marshall McLaughlin
Here is “Thank You Jack” for anyone interested.
THANK YOU JACK a 4x40 Jig for 4 couples in a four couple set
Devised: 7/28/10 by: Marshall and Anne McLaughlin; Spring Creek Collection
1-4
2nd and 3rd Cpls turn Partners RH and finish facing out
5-8
2nd and 3rd Cpls cast up/down to 1st and 4th positions (2 bars); WHILE
1st and 4th Cpls dance in slightly and dance down/up to 2nd and 3rd
positions (2 bars) facing each other up and down and all four Cpls set;
(2nd and 3rd Cpls facing across the set)
9-16
1st and 4th Cpls dance 6 bars of Rights and Lefts (up and down the set)
and finish on opposite sides 1st Cpl in 2nd position facing up and 4th Cpl
in 3rd position facing down; on the last two bars all four Cpls set;
17-24
1st Cpl with 2nd Cpl and 4th Cpl with 3rd Cpl dance Right Hands Across
and Left Hands Back
25-32
1st and 4th Cpls Circle 4H around and back
33-36
1st and 4th Cpls Set and Link and retain hands on sides
37-40
1st and 4th Cpls set once and then giving RH to partners
cross to own sides (finish in order 2,4,1,3)
Thistle School 2010
Ramez Habash and Lewis–ahem–“Louise” Tumlin dance “Sugar Candie.”
They are turning
………..and turning
They seem to have “eye contact” down quite well!
Hmm-m-m…still turning….
5
Who Was J.B. Milne?
(reprinted from the November 2007 issue of The White
Cockade with the permission of Rosemary Coupe)
“J.B. Milne” is a terrific reel in Hugh Foss’ Angus Fitchet
album, where it appears with the original tune written by
Fitchet. Many dancers have been curious about the name
and the man himself, and Jim Healy of Perth has now
satisfied our curiosity in a contribution to the Strathspey
discussion group. Jim visited the A.K. Bell Library in
Perth and found this obituary in the Dundee Courier and
Advertiser of 25 September 1968. Thanks to Jim for
giving permission to reprint his findings.
Mr. J B Milne Dies at Age 66
Mr. J.B. Milne, who was a millboy with ambition, died
yesterday at his home, Ruthven House, Meigle, aged 66,
as head of Scotland’s largest private cinema chain. He
had been ill for some time. His first cinema was the
Palladium, Dundee, where he once played the violin and
washed floors. When he died he controlled 34 cinemas
and bingo halls.
John Bannerman Milne was one of three sons of the late
Mr. Charles Milne, a Dundee coal merchant. When he
was nine he bought his first violin and by the age of 16 he
was working in Dura Works from 5.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.,
teaching the violin from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., then playing in a
dance hall until midnight.
Mr. Milne became an apprentice engineer, but his future
lay in the entertainment world. His first entertainment job
was at the Variety Theatre, later the Palladium, and later
the Rex, until it was demolished. He was a 19s. a week
“musical director and cleaner.” His savings were invested
in a motor hire business, which he sold for £360 to found
his cinema empire.
In 1928 Mr. Milne bought the hall where he once worked.
He had the vision to install talkies and never looked back.
Within 10 years, he had the largest cinema chain under
private ownership in Scotland. Mr. Milne recognized the
potential of bingo and introduced it. Some of his halls
remained cinemas, some became bingo halls, some
combined the two.
Mr. Milne bought Ruthven House, a 32-room Adamdesigned manor, complete with its furnishings in 1946. A
1500-acre estate went with it. But he did not forget his
home town, where he had his offices at Bannerman
House, South Tay Street. In 1961, he gave his “Citizen of
the Year” award to Dundee Corporation for annual
presentation.
Mr. Milne’s interests ranged from Stornoway to
Galashiels. He, at one time, owned the Kinnaird and the
Capitol, Dundee. The cinemas and bingo halls he owned
include [a list of 25 cinemas follows].
Jim then writes,
So, that settles the question of his full name, then – John
Bannerman Milne? Almost, but the official intimation of
his death in the same day’s paper gives:
Milne, at Ruthven House, Meigle on Thursday September
24 1968, John McLeod Bannerman, eldest son of Mr. &
Mrs. Charles Milne.
6
Etiquette in Class and at Socials
(reprinted with permission from the May 2009 issue of
The White Cockade)
1. Do not miss classes, unless really important.
2. During classes there is only one teacher.
3. If you do not understand any instructions, ask the
teacher for clarification, not the other students.
4. Be on time. If you are late, you will miss something
that you may need later.
5. Try not to dance only with your spouse. Mix with
other dancers. If you are experienced, remember
when you were a beginner and give a helping hand.
6. At workshops, it is advisable to attend classes at
your level. You will feel more comfortable if you
do not exceed your limitations and you will learn
more quickly. If in doubt as to what class, ask
your teacher.
7. At socials, do not form sets until the MC announces
the dance.
8. Always join the set at the bottom. Do not walk
through a set that is already formed.
9. Never leave a set once you have joined it.
10. The first man of each set should count the couples
in his line to help form the sets.
11. Never join a line once it has been counted, unless
asked to do so.
12. Listen quietly to the talk-through and watch very
closely if the first couple is to walk the dance
through.
13. Do not look at the floor while dancing, but smile and
look at your fellow dancers.
14. At the end of the dance, thank your partner and
fellow dancers in your set.
15. If you find a dancer in your set is not quite sure of
the dance, speak to them: “over here” or “face me.”
Never push or pull them.
16. If a dance is announced for “experienced dancers
only” please do not join it if you are not experienced
or do not know it. Do not ask a new dancer to join
the set. This is very unfair to them and also to those
already in the set.
Note: Number 13 has certain practical benefits for the
new dancer, in addition to being courteous. At
socials, the floor may be much more crowded than
at classes. You may have trouble knowing in which
set you belong, if you have not looked at your fellow
dancers’ faces. Furthermore, an experienced dancer
may well be signaling you with a wave, nod, or trying
to speak to you, and you will miss that if you gaze
steadfastly at the floor.
[Editor’s Note:
• For #3 the converse is also true. Other students let
someone learn from the teacher while in class – don’t
throw out a million instructions to the hapless student.
• An addition to #8: Always join a set with a partner. Do
not stand there without having asked someone to
dance. One, you will mess up the counting of the set
and two you may cause someone who has taken the
time to find a partner to not be able to join.]
Atlanta Area
Scottish Country Dance Classes
Wednesday
Social Class: 7:45-9:30 p.m.
LaGrange School of Ballet
212 Bull Street, LaGrange
Teacher:
Myrtice Adcock – (706) 882-9655
m41m33 at wirelesshometown.com
Contact:
Anne Short – (706) 845-0503
Thursday
Beginner/Intermediate: 7:30-9:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church
189 Church Street, Marietta
Teachers:
Walt Ligon
wligonmd at bellsouth.net
Becky Sager
bsager3 at juno.com
Contact:
Sylvia Priest – (770) 377-5114
sapriest at mindspring.com
Beginner/Advanced: 7:00-9:30 p.m.
Covenant Presbyterian Church
2461 Peachtree Street NE, Atlanta
Contact:
Trish Bolton – (770) 442-5423
tabhome at mindspring.com
Please call or e-mail for details/schedule.
Novice dancer instruction is scheduled in
September
Beginner/Intermediate: 7:00-9:00 p.m.
(The Thistle & Kudzu Dancers)
Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Athens
780 Timothy Road, Athens 30606 (off of Loop 10)
Teacher:
Jesse Behmke
Contact:
Carrie Slayton 706-255-1010
For more information, please email info at
thistleandkudzu.net
Friday (First and Third of Month) :
Beginner: 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Heritage Baptist Church
1070 Douthit Ferry Rd., Cartersville
Teachers:
Dawn Dorsey
Bob Messner
Contact:
Susan Tumlin (H) 770-386-3656
susantumlin at yahoo.com
RSCDS Atlanta Branch
Committee of Management
Chairman
Dawn Dorsey
770-934-1561
bionicelt at comcast.net
Vice-Chairman
Ron Gemmell
678-339-0549
Hon. Secretary
Hon. Treasurer
Scribe
Mem.-at-Large
Mem.-at-Large
Editor
rongemmell at gmail.com
Sylvia Priest
770-377-5114
sapriest at mindspring.com
Becky Sager
770-427-4642
bsager3 at juno.com
Christine Transue
770-952-3704
ctscot1 at comcast.net
Bob Messner
770-457-3973
rmess61412 at bellsouth.net
Susan Tumlin
770-386-3656
susantumlin at yahoo.com
Rhonda Raye
770-606-0356
Rstarthistle at gmail.com
The Atlanta Branch Committee of Management meets on
the first Thursday of each month at 6:30 PM, at First
Presbyterian Church, 189 Church Street, Marietta. All
members are invited to attend and may speak on any
issue. The next meeting will be held on Sept. 2, 2010.
The Atlanta Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
publishes The Petronella Paper six times a year. Full-year subscription
(mailed to US address) is $6.00; half-year is $3.00. The newsletter may
be accessed on the Branch website. Articles, subscription requests and
other correspondence regarding The Petronella Paper should be
addressed to:
Editor, The Petronella Paper
RSCDS – Atlanta Branch
P.O. Box 33905
Decatur, GA 30033
Articles for the Sept/Oct issue should be received by the editor on or
before Sept 25 and may be of any length: typed, neatly handwritten, or
e-mailed to rstarthistle at gmail.com.
Any material submitted
becomes the property of The Petronella Paper and will not be returned.
Anonymous contributions will not be accepted. All letters must be
signed. All articles may be edited (as required by limitations of space
and appropriateness) before publication.
Sunday (Second Sunday of Month) 2:15-4:45pm
Class runs September 2010 through April 2011
(fourth Sunday in March 2011)
Intermediate (technique)
Norcross Community Center and Cultural Arts
10 College St., Norcross
Teacher:
Jessica Behmke
Contact:
Rhonda Raye 770-606-0356
Rstarthistle at gmail.com
Before attending a class for the first time, or for more
information, please contact the person(s) indicated.
You don't need to bring a partner.
Flat, soft-soled shoes are recommended!
7
Upcoming events
December 2010
September 2010
4
Branch social 2pm at Dancecentre South
Woodstock MC–Ron Gemmell
10-12 Sebring Scottish Country Dance Weekend, – Sebring, FL
17
Charleston, SC Highland Games and Dances
17-24 Dance Scottish Week
http://www.rscds.org/events/dance-scottish-week.html
Williamsburg, VA Highland Games
Stone Mountain Highland Games
Richmond, VA Highland Games
Charlotte SCD Society Annual Dance – Charlotte, NC
November 2010
5-6
13
20
North Florida Workshop & Ball – Gainesville, FL
Branch social 1pm at Heritage Baptist Church,
Cartersville MC – Lewis and Susan Tumlin
St. Andrew’s Day Dance Greensboro, NC
***Note the location change for the December social.
Union Hill will still be undergoing renovations.
If undelivered, return to:
The Royal Scottish Country Dance Society
Atlanta Branch
Post Office Box 33905
Decatur, GA 30033
U.S.A.
8
Branch social 2pm at Norcross Community Center and
Cultural Arts – Norcross *** MCs – Dawn Dorsey &
Bob Messner
March 2011
11-13 Unicoi workshop and dance
April 2011
October 2010
2
15-17
23
30
18
15-17 Loch Norman Highland Games and dance Charlotte, NC
http://bellsouthpwp2.net/m/e/meyates/#lnhg
16
Atlanta Dogwood Festival