Tursachan

The Newsletter of the Callanish School of Celtic Arts

Dear Students and Parents,

Congrats on a job well done last month at the Winter Fling! All dancers did a super job and many of you parents went the extra mile to make sure things went smoothly. Our momentum is just starting to roll as the winter months prove to be very busy with shows, fundraising and parades! I have placed an asterisk beside any event where the fiddle or pipe students are welcome to perform.

Mòran Taing,

Maggie Carchrie

February is Chocolate Month

Our annual chocolate sale is fully underway. Each family has been give one, 52-bar box of Hebert’s Fundraising Chocolate bars. Each bar sells for $1 and signs for the boxes are available if desired. Additional boxes are available along with 18-count boxes of just the peanut butter, dark chocolate raspberry and almond. Please try to have money to Maggie by your first lesson in March unless you are an on-going seller. The fundraiser will bring in nearly $2,000 for the school which will help to defray costs for our trip to Cape Breton and to reimburse the fundraising account for the last batch of costumes purchased in the fall.

Parents’ Meeting

There will be a very important parents’ meeting on Sunday, February 22nd at 2:30 PM at Maggie’s House for all students and families planning on going to Cape Breton this summer. Several logistical problems have arisen in the past few weeks that need to be ironed out if we are to proceed with plans.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Supper in Wellfleet

It’s full steam ahead for our Corned Beef and Cabbage fundraiser supper to be held on Sunday, March 14th at the Bookstore and Restaurant in Wellfleet. The Restaurant will be open all day for the dinner and ½ of the money taken in will be donated to the school! Adult meals will be $12.95 (choice of Corned Beef, Chicken Parmesan or pasta with veggies) and children will be $6.50 (choice of chicken fingers or hamburger). The Callanish School will be putting on two shows for the customers, one at 1 PM and the second at 5 PM. A third show at 3 PM will be added if enough reservations come in. Please sign up for a time slot to come and dance or play. All students performing will receive a $10 gift card for the Restaurant to be used for their meal or for another time. Reservations are suggested and can be made by calling Maggie at 508-833-4828 or the Bookstore & Restaurant at 508-349-3154. Just specify the number attending and the time you would like to eat. Each student is encouraged to bring at least five friends/family members with them. We will also be raffling off a basket and donations are welcome. Monies raised will go towards tuition at the Gaelic College this July and to reimburse the kitty for past costume orders. Posters will be available to be put up in the coming weeks.

DELCO Dance workshop update

The cost per person for the hotel room will be $65. Please have payment to Maggie before February 20th. Dancers will also need spending money for food along with money for tolls and gas if they are driving down with another family. Maggie is no longer driving as she is flying with the Teens since they are staying later for the choreography competition but need to get back for school on Monday the 22nd.

New Costume Policy

After much thought and consideration, the Callanish School will no longer be purchasing socks for the Highland dancers. These socks cost a lot of money, over $120 per pair, and have repeatedly come back shrunk or worn-out. Also, many parents have been concerned with the unsanitary aspect of sharing socks. Therefore, if your child outgrows the socks she/he has now, you will be required to purchase your own hose. You must measure the circumference of the calf, length of calf from the floor up to the bottom of the knee and length of foot. Measurements get sent to:

Kilkeel Tartan Hose
44 Newry Rd, Kilkeel,
Newry, Co. Down BT34 4DU
(www.kilkeelknitwear.com)

Please specify in your letter that the hose are fully fashioned hose, that means all the colors are present. It’s up to you whether you want them with seams up the back or not. Seams are nicer, but cost more. Just give them your Visa number and specify whether it’s Dress Pride of Scotland (girls) or Pride of Scotland (boys). Socks should come in about 6-8 weeks. Competitive dancers need socks that fit correctly and they are required at the Intermediate and Premier levels. When it comes down to a tie, the judge will choose the dancer who looks the nicest!

Hats Off!

Hats off to the following dancers who received medals and trophies at the Callanish Winter Fling:

Upcoming Events

14 February Harborpoint Nursing Home, Centerville
(Arrive 2 pm for 2:30 show)
17 February Thirwood Place Assisted Living, Yarmouth
(Arrive 5:30 for 6 pm show)
20–22 February DELCO Workshop, King of Prussia, PA
6 March CCCC Multicultural Fair, 10 am–4 pm
7 March Cape Regency Nursing Home, C’Ville
(Arrive 2 pm for 2:30 show)
13 March Newport St. Patrick’s Day Parade with Colum Cille Pipe Band (time TBA)
14 March Corned Beef & Cabbage Dinner (Fundraiser) Bookstore and Restaurant, Wellfleet, MA

17 March

 Windsor Nursing Home, W, Yarmouth
(Arrive 3:45 for 4 pm show)
20 March Celtic Thunder Concert (Rù-Rà & Lissa), Carleton Hall, Dennis, 7 pm
21 March Hyannis Skilled Care Center, Hyannis
(Arrive 2 pm for 2:30 show)
3 April Manchester, NH Indoor Highland Games, 9 am–4 pm
15 April PEO Woman’s Luncheon, Hyannis, 1 pm
22 April Windsor Nursing Home (Adult Day Care)
(Arrive 1 pm for 1:30 show)
27 April Orleans Woman’s Club, 1:30 pm
22 May RI Highland Games, Westerly, RI, 9 am–4 pm
5 June Southern NH Highland Games, Greenfield, NH, 9 am–4 pm
26 June Western Mass. Highland Games, Greenfield, MA, 9 am–4 pm
27 June – 2 July Braemar Summer School of Highland Dancing, Troy, NY
17 July Glasgowlands Highland Games, Northampton, MA, 9 am–4 pm

Need more info on festivals? See the official Highland Games web site at: www.maclachlans.org/games.html