Orange County Ceilidh Newsletter of the Orange County Branch of the RSCDS Volume 39, No. 4 July/August 2021 Visit our website at www.rscds-oc.org

“For naught can cheer the heart sae weel, As can a canty Highland reel” — Robert Fergusson Greetings from the Chair Orange County Classes After fifteen months of no in-person MONDAY dancing, the Orange County branch A new location is being sought. Check has resumed (semi-)normal activi- the website for current information. ties. Our Wednesday and Friday classes Beg/Inter. 7:00 – 9:30 p.m. began the second week of June and Bob Harmon: (714) 774-8535 we will resume our monthly in WEDNESDAY July. Unfortunately, the church where Columbus-Tustin Activity Center our Monday class met sold the class- 17522 Beneta Way, Tustin room building to become an upscale event center, so Bob Beginning 7:00 – 8:15 p.m. Harmon is in the process of finding a new location. Intermediate 8:15-9:30 p.m. Many of us greatly enjoyed the virtual put on Bob Harmon: (714) 774-8535 and by the San Diego Branch in April with a full set of vac- Connie Walker: [email protected] cinated people dancing in the “Garage Majal” of Ray and FRIDAY Jodi McEdwards. They had specially-recorded live Columbus-Tustin Activity Center and a special presentation for Marjorie McLaughlin. 17522 Beneta Way, Tustin We hosted a virtual dance in May with the theme of “A Trip Interm/Adv: 7:15 – 9:30 p.m. to…” and four of us were able to dance together for that event. Bob Harmon: (714) 774-8535 and LA also had a virtual event on May 22 which was enjoyed by Pat Zschoche: [email protected] many. Being able to host our virtual weekly class and special Note: The Wednesday and Friday classes events certainly helped us see each other and remember how require enrollment through Tustin Parks to dance during our many months of isolation, and I’m glad and Recreation (www.tustinca.org) we had the technology to do that. Thank you very much to Virginia Kimonis for hosting our Zoom sessions. But I have to say, now that we have started dancing in person again, I hope we don’t have to go back to virtual dancing again! The Orange County branch has voted to require COVID vaccinations for attendance at our dances, as did the LA The Next Big Event Branch. Our first monthly dance, on July 10th, will feature (we hope) a shorter than usual program and all dances will be walked. This will enable us to slowly get up to speed with a full- Interbranch Dance length program in September and allow people who have September 25, 2021 not yet been able to return to regular classes to success- fully participate in the dance. Due to unavailability of our Tustin Senior Center venue, we will not have an August dance. We hope to see lots of people July 10th. Until then, stay safe, get your vac- cinations if needed, and smile. Dancing is returning! Terri Speakman, Chair Calendar of Events Minutes of the COM of May 30, 2021 HERE Meeting Highlights: July 2021 • Vice-Chair’s Report: Insurance has been paid for 10 Branch Dance, 7:00 p.m. Tustin Senior Center the year and certificates received. (recorded music) • Corresponding Secretary’s Report: No news August 2021 yet about when the Tustin Senior Center might 14 Ceilidh dance put on by SO-CALedonians dance reopen for dances or any restrictions. band (formerly Thistle Dubh), Huntington Beach • Treasurer’s Report: Current balance in the Central Park, Shipley Nature Center, 6:00p.m. checking account is $7876, the Scholarship Fund September 2021 has $2346. $200 due from the Queen Mary from 11 Branch Dance, 7:00 p.m. Tustin Senior Center February 2020 was never received and the - (recorded music) tor has filed for bankruptcy. 25 Interbranch Dance, 7:30 p.m., Tustin Senior Center • Membership: 2020-2021 membership is 32 THERE adults and 26 associate members. So far, 2021- ELSEWHERE 2022 membership is 23 members and 19 associate July 2021 members. 9-16 Pinewoods Scottish Sessions, Boston Branch. See • Terri Speakman, Norm McCallum and Connie http://rscdsboston.org/pinewoods-scottish-ses- Walker are now the signers on the bank accounts. sions.html for further information. • The donation of $200 to headquarters was made. 28-31 TAC Virtual Summer School. • The AGM will be held in Janet Olsen’s backyard Register at rscds-tac.org on June 12th. Bring a chair and a picnic. Several October 2021 dances will be walked after the meeting. 29-31 San Francisco Branch Asilomar Workshop and Ball. Nominations for the 2021-2022 Committee of https://sfasilomardance.wixsite.com/asilomarweek- Management: end. Applications open July 1. Chair Terri Speakman Vice-Chair Norm McCallum Treasurer Connie Walker Minutes of the COM of April 11, 2021 Recording Secretary Randi Kraemer Meeting Highlights: Corresponding Secretary Edie Archibald • Corresponding Secretary’s Report: No news Members at Large: Pete Anderson, Steve about when the Tustin Senior Center might Bryan, Christine Grobler, Jan Lauer, Connie reopen for dances. Learn, Janet Olsen, Shirley Saturensky • Treasurer’s Report: Current balance in the • In person dance classes will resume June 9 in checking account is $8262, the Scholarship Fund Tustin. We voted to hold the July monthly dance has $2346. if the Senior Center is open, . • Membership: 2020-2021 membership is 32 The next Committee of Management meeting will be adults and 26 associate members. held on August 15, 2021. Copies of the full • Flindrikin will play for the 2021 Christmas Ball, minutes of the meeting are available from presuming it is safe to hold the event. Recording Secretary Randi Kraemer. • It was decided to hold a virtual dance on May 8th with the theme of A Trip To… SAVE YOUR CUE BOOK • The AGM will be held in Janet Olsen’s backyard Because we have been unable to hold classes and on June 12th. monthly dances for so long, we will use the 2019- • We voted to donate $200 to RSCDS to help offset 2020 cue book for another year since a fair number their pandemic-related losses. of the dances in it never had a chance to be intro- The next Committee of Management meeting will be duced in classes or appear on a dance program. held on May 30, 2021. Copies of the full minutes If yours has gone missing, see Bob Harmon of the meeting are available from Recording or Terri Speakman for a replacement. Secretary Randi Kraemer. 2 Orange County Ceilidh Shirley is Retiring How Dance Programs Are Devised After more than What guidelines are used for selecting certain dances forty years of teach- for a given program, and how is it determined in ing Scottish County what order they should be danced? Well, actually, the Dancing, Shirley guidelines are nothing more than common sense! For Saturensky is retir- instance, what would you think of a program where ing from teaching most of the dances ended in rights and lefts, or where classes in Orange two 48-bar reels to be done 8 times through were put County. She origi- on back to back, or even where two jigs listed consecu- nally started as a tively each have a pousette followed by double trian- substitute teacher in gles? Such a program would be bound to harvest many the Laguna class in complaints, and rightfully so. Furthermore, a program the late 1970s and can’t be too long or people will tire and leave before went on to get her the end. Neither can it be too short or dancers will preliminary certifi- somehow not feel satisfied when the program is over. cate at St. Andrews in 1982 and her full certificate Now, how is common sense translated into some in 1984. For most of the years since then, she has definite criteria for the program-maker? We know taught two classes per week in a variety of loca- that a good program should have balance, variety, tions in Orange County, most recently in Tustin. popular appeal and “something for everyone” — Shirley and her husband George were among the that is, from beginner to advanced dancers. seven people who formed the new Orange County First of all, the number of dances on the program branch in 1983 is considered. (Beginning last September, this and Shirley number was reduced from 20 to 16 plus two or three was the first extras, as the teachers had noticed that most of the Secretary of dancers were leaving before the last 3-4 numbers.) the branch. She Then, with a look at the previous months’ programs, served as branch the checklist of dances for the year is studied to see chair for two which dances should be retained and which should years, for many be dropped. Each jig, reel or strathspey is usually years was the left on for at least three consecutive programs, then membership replaced by a dance of the same tempo from a previ- and insurance ous program or a brand new dance for the year. coordinator Next to be considered is the alternation of jigs, and served as reels, and strathspeys throughout the program, plus the teacher a medley, and perhaps a as an extra, so that we representa- have a variety and balance of tempos. Then comes the tive for almost her entire tenure. She also organized fitting in of the different levels of dances—usually our demonstration dancing at the Queen Mary, the 5-6 beginner dances, 2-3 advanced dances, and the Scottish Games and other events for many years. rest of the dances advanced beginner to intermediate. Dancers from all the branches in the area have These are interspersed as evenly as possible through- appreciated her kind and patient teaching, her devis- out the program so that, for instance, beginners don’t ing of excellent programs (see article to right) and her have to wait for eight dances between their dances, very clear briefing at our dance events. We can all wish then do three beginner dances in a row. Lastly, the to enjoy our favorite activity and be dancing well into program is checked to see that a variety of figures our nineties as Shirley has. We’ll miss you, Shirley! and sets (longways, square, etc.) are included, so that Terri Speakman the dancers don’t get bored and also have the oppor- tunity of dancing as many formations as possible. continued on page 5

Orange County Ceilidh 3 A review: The Hidden Ways Scotland’s Forgotten Roads By Alistair Moffat Catch a glimpse of Scottish history with a per- sonal twist as historian and author Alistair Moffat traverses Roman roads, cattle drover trails, pilgrim paths, and railroad routes to reveal the history con- nected with each. The Hidden Ways: Scotland’s Forgotten Roads truly uncovers some gems! Armed with Pathfinder Our first in-person dancing was organized by Pete and Ordance Survey maps, Anderson in Peppertree Park on May 24th. a GPS and compass on Backyard AGM his mobile phone, and his hazelwood crook, Alistair walks 10 routes that made marks on the landscape as well as on history. His homey style and narra- tive packs a punch that is spellbinding. How can someone intertwine history, location/geogra- phy, and exploration to make it so interesting? For each route Alistair notes why he chose that path, where it’s located, and what impact it had on history or how history affected it. Routes come full circle with simple, hand-drawn maps for each included. This title marks the beginning of a long-term project for Moffat. He hopes to uncover more “hidden ways” and their stories across Scotland and collect photos and information from all interested walkers. The aim is to make all ways more accessible for all. Published by Canongate, 2018. Karen Kerman

4 Orange County Ceilidh Program Devising, continued from page 3 July Branch Dance July 10, 2021, Dancing 7:00 p.m., Recorded Music So you see, the program isn’t by any means Tustin Senior Center, 200 C Street, Tustin made by haphazardly picking dances out of the air, Cost: $10 Members; $12 Non-Members although it can be quite a juggling act. We know full well that we cannot please everyone all of the Newburgh Jig J B Book 48 time, but we definitely try to put out a program Castle Douglas S I Goldring/12 Social that hopefully will lead to a satisfying (maybe even The Lincoln Imp J I Bark/World Wide exhilarating) evening of social dancing and fun. Bohemian Reflections R B Book 51 Now, do you, the dancer, have any input into our programs? Most certainly so, perhaps in ways you Mrs Stewart’s Jig J B Book 35 don’t realize. We note your favorite dances and like to The Irish Rover R I Cosh/22 SCDs include them, as long as they haven’t been overdone. Bridge of Nairn S B Book 13 On the other hand, dances that few or no dancers Bea’s Delight R I Book 43 will get up to do are generally dropped. Besides, The Starry Eyed Lassie J I Book 23 some of you will remember filling out an evalua- The Paisley Weavers S B RSCDS/3rd Grd tion form with your reactions to various dances on IP’s Farewell to Auchterarder J A Hamilton/Leaflet last year’s programs. These were carefully studied Flowers of Edinburgh R B Book 1 and used by the teachers in their determinations of which dances to include on this year’s . September Branch Dance So last of all, let me say, that I hope all of you will come to the dances and enjoy. If a begin- , September 11, 2021 ner, what you don’t know can be a goal for the Dancing 7:00 p.m., Recorded Music future. If an advanced dancer, your goal could Tustin Senior Center, 200 C Street, Tustin be to help a beginner realize that goal. Cost: $10 Members; $12 Non-Members Shirley Saturensky reprinted from the March 1986 Ceilidh Newburgh Jig J B Book 48 In Mr. McGregor’s Garden R I Prest/LA 50th May Virtual Dance Hello-Goodbye S B Book 51 The Bees of Maggieknockater J A Drewry/Canadian Blue Butterfly S I Brooks/Leaflet The Lass of Richmond Hill R B RSCDS/2nd Gr Bk

Granville Market J B RSCDS/2nd Gr Bk The Cuckoo Clock R I Barbour/Repeat Pre. Bonnie Stronshiray S I Campbell/Glasgow Assy Farewell to Balfour Road J I Book 52 Glengarry Homestead S I Brenchley/Kangaroo The Provost Wynd R B RSCDS/2nd Gr Bk

New Year Jig J B Book 51 Ramadan-ce R I Drewry/Turkish Set The Paisley Weavers S B RSCDS/3rd Grd The Starry Eyed Lassie J I Book 23 The Irish Rover R I Cosh/22 SCDs

Orange County Ceilidh 5 OC BRANCH SCHOLARSHIPS Applications are available on the branch website Revised 2020 and at branch dance classes. Applicants must provide information on how the funds will be used and The Branch has established a scholarship fund will need to provide documentation of attendance. to encourage the development of Scottish Country Requests must be received at least 30 days before the Dancing teachers, dancers, and musicians in Orange funds are needed. Awards will be limited to a total of County, and to provide $500 a year. Requests and awards will be confiden- opportunities for Southern tial. Scholarships will be granted without attention to California Scottish Country race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, Dancing dancers to experience color, nationality, ancestry, age, or place of origin. high quality live music both The dance scholarship is as listeners and as dancers. in honor of Orange County To be eligible for a dance Branch founding member and scholarship, the applicant long-time dancer Dorothy must be a current member Craik. The musician scholarship of the Orange County is in honor of Andrew Rankine, Branch and be presently attending class regularly a noted accordionist, com- for at least one year. Preference will be given to poser and renowned Scottish applicants interested in pursuing teacher training. Country Dancing band leader. To be eligible for a musician scholarship, the If you are interested in applicant must be a resident of Southern California, applying, send your application to Scholarship have demonstrated an interest in playing Scottish Committee, c/o RSCDS-Orange County Branch, Country Dancing music, and should play an instru- P.O. Box 26271, Santa Ana, CA 92799 or email to ment relevant to Scottish Country Dancing, such as chair Terri Speakman at [email protected]. accordion, fiddle, keyboard, piano, recorder, etc.

If not deliverable, return to: The Orange County Branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society P.O. Box 26271 Santa Ana, CA 92799

Volume 39, #4, July/August 2021 Editor: Terri Speakman Email: [email protected]

Thanks to all contributors!

THE ORANGE COUNTY CEILIDH IS PUBLISHED 6 TIMES PER YEAR.

Deadline for the September/October Ceilidh is August 1, 2021.