CKB Website Member News - 8/5/23
New Members:
The Central Kentucky Branch is pleased to welcome six new members: Thomas and Cheri Henry (Midway), Eric and Paige Quillen (Versailles), Tim Willfong (Lexington), and Andrea Vannoy (Lexington). It is lovely to have you dancing with us, and we thank you for supporting the RSCDS and the Branch through your membership. Eric has also joined the Board as the Area Rep for Lexington.
We are also very excited to welcome back Rebecca McCraith and Cliff Jaggie. Rebecca and Cliff were movers and shakers when the original Central Kentucky Scottish Country Dance Society was formed in the late 1970's, and were instrumental in the formation of the Branch in 1981. Rebecca was President during the transition years, and Cliff's late wife, Leslie, was the Branch's first Chair. Cliff played many roles on and off the Board in those days. As the McCraiths and the Jaggies shifted their time away from dancing to be more involved in their children's activities, we saw them less on the dance floor but never lost their friendship, and are very glad to have them active in the Branch again. Currently, they are both serving on a small committee for special events.
Thank you, too, to everyone who renewed this year. Our total membership is now thirty-three, which will be a wonderful way to start dancing in the fall.
Hello-Goodbye Setting:
Just as Tom and Cheri Henry joined us, they announced that they are moving to England, where Tom has taken up a new missionary post. We will be wishing you well always, and look forward to seeing you on your return. Happy dancing wherever you go!
Blue Ridge Scottish Dance School (BRSDS):
Eric Quillen reports that five dancers from the Lexington Area had a fabulous time at the BRSDS in July, and hopes that you’ll join them next year (July 7 – 13, 2024). Watch our calendar for 2024 information as it becomes available.
New Members:
The Central Kentucky Branch is pleased to welcome six new members: Thomas and Cheri Henry (Midway), Eric and Paige Quillen (Versailles), Tim Willfong (Lexington), and Andrea Vannoy (Lexington). It is lovely to have you dancing with us, and we thank you for supporting the RSCDS and the Branch through your membership. Eric has also joined the Board as the Area Rep for Lexington.
We are also very excited to welcome back Rebecca McCraith and Cliff Jaggie. Rebecca and Cliff were movers and shakers when the original Central Kentucky Scottish Country Dance Society was formed in the late 1970's, and were instrumental in the formation of the Branch in 1981. Rebecca was President during the transition years, and Cliff's late wife, Leslie, was the Branch's first Chair. Cliff played many roles on and off the Board in those days. As the McCraiths and the Jaggies shifted their time away from dancing to be more involved in their children's activities, we saw them less on the dance floor but never lost their friendship, and are very glad to have them active in the Branch again. Currently, they are both serving on a small committee for special events.
Thank you, too, to everyone who renewed this year. Our total membership is now thirty-three, which will be a wonderful way to start dancing in the fall.
Hello-Goodbye Setting:
Just as Tom and Cheri Henry joined us, they announced that they are moving to England, where Tom has taken up a new missionary post. We will be wishing you well always, and look forward to seeing you on your return. Happy dancing wherever you go!
Blue Ridge Scottish Dance School (BRSDS):
Eric Quillen reports that five dancers from the Lexington Area had a fabulous time at the BRSDS in July, and hopes that you’ll join them next year (July 7 – 13, 2024). Watch our calendar for 2024 information as it becomes available.
Meet the Devisers: Alison Ewart
If you’ve been keeping up with Scottish dance news, you’ll know that the RSCDS will celebrate its Centenary in 2023 by publishing Dance Book 53. To garner dances for the book, they invited the Branches to submit dances devised by their members. The Central Kentucky Branch was proud to submit three dances for consideration: “Her Majesty’s Crown” by John Rogers; “Off We Go-o-o!” by Don Corson and Vicky Goodloe; and “Farewell Jig for Joyce” by Alison Ewart. Over time we’d like you to know a little more about our devisers and are pleased to start with this profile of Alison Ewart.
Alison was born and raised in Greenock, Scotland. She moved to Louisville with her husband and children in 1974 and became a Charter Member of the Branch when it formed in 1981. Here is her dancing story, including some not-too-distant connections to Miss Milligan.
Alison front row, 2nd from right. Gentleman in back row, left end, is pianist, Ian McCrorie, who was Choirmaster in Greenoch
"My mother was born in Greenock in 1904 and was fortunate to do step dancing along with other types of dancing throughout her childhood. She attended Glasgow University where she obtained a double degree in Botany and Zoology. From there she went to Jordanhill to attain her teaching certificate, and at Jordanhill, took Scottish country dance classes with Miss Milligan. She enjoyed Scottish country dancing until she no longer could, but played piano for dance class thereafter.
My sister, who also trained at Jordanhill, passed her Preliminary Certificate while there.
As a child I danced ballet, but loved learning Scottish country dancing at Greenock Academy under the tutelage of Miss Frances McAslan. I was 9 years old when I started. Miss McAslan prepared us for competition in the annual Renfrewshire Music Festival. We started as an all-girls team which won regularly, and later danced as a mixed team, which also won. After those of us on the mixed team left school and went on to our various careers, we continued to compete in the festival as an adult mixed team. It was such a highlight of my life.
In Scotland we could listen every Saturday (I think) to Scottish Country dance bands on the radio, with a repeat on Sunday. I loved listening to these programmes. Fortunately, I have a Kerr’s volume of Scottish Country dance piano music which I still enjoy playing."
Alison
For more information about the Renfrewshire Music Festival, Alison has provided this link .
If you’ve been keeping up with Scottish dance news, you’ll know that the RSCDS will celebrate its Centenary in 2023 by publishing Dance Book 53. To garner dances for the book, they invited the Branches to submit dances devised by their members. The Central Kentucky Branch was proud to submit three dances for consideration: “Her Majesty’s Crown” by John Rogers; “Off We Go-o-o!” by Don Corson and Vicky Goodloe; and “Farewell Jig for Joyce” by Alison Ewart. Over time we’d like you to know a little more about our devisers and are pleased to start with this profile of Alison Ewart.
Alison was born and raised in Greenock, Scotland. She moved to Louisville with her husband and children in 1974 and became a Charter Member of the Branch when it formed in 1981. Here is her dancing story, including some not-too-distant connections to Miss Milligan.
Alison front row, 2nd from right. Gentleman in back row, left end, is pianist, Ian McCrorie, who was Choirmaster in Greenoch
"My mother was born in Greenock in 1904 and was fortunate to do step dancing along with other types of dancing throughout her childhood. She attended Glasgow University where she obtained a double degree in Botany and Zoology. From there she went to Jordanhill to attain her teaching certificate, and at Jordanhill, took Scottish country dance classes with Miss Milligan. She enjoyed Scottish country dancing until she no longer could, but played piano for dance class thereafter.
My sister, who also trained at Jordanhill, passed her Preliminary Certificate while there.
As a child I danced ballet, but loved learning Scottish country dancing at Greenock Academy under the tutelage of Miss Frances McAslan. I was 9 years old when I started. Miss McAslan prepared us for competition in the annual Renfrewshire Music Festival. We started as an all-girls team which won regularly, and later danced as a mixed team, which also won. After those of us on the mixed team left school and went on to our various careers, we continued to compete in the festival as an adult mixed team. It was such a highlight of my life.
In Scotland we could listen every Saturday (I think) to Scottish Country dance bands on the radio, with a repeat on Sunday. I loved listening to these programmes. Fortunately, I have a Kerr’s volume of Scottish Country dance piano music which I still enjoy playing."
Alison
For more information about the Renfrewshire Music Festival, Alison has provided this link .
Anne Lindsey passed away in Louisville on July 4, 2022. She was 96 years old.
Anne and her husband, Harold, were Charter Members of the Branch, and remained strong and generous supporters for many years. Harold, who passed away in 2016, was our second treasurer. Together, they were a lovely couple who always brightened our dance floor.
Newcomers to the Branch may have met Anne at the SCD workshop at Carver School in Lexington a few years ago. She was the visitor with the big smile.
The Branch joins Anne's many other friends in sending our sincere condolences to her family.
Anne and her husband, Harold, were Charter Members of the Branch, and remained strong and generous supporters for many years. Harold, who passed away in 2016, was our second treasurer. Together, they were a lovely couple who always brightened our dance floor.
Newcomers to the Branch may have met Anne at the SCD workshop at Carver School in Lexington a few years ago. She was the visitor with the big smile.
The Branch joins Anne's many other friends in sending our sincere condolences to her family.