Ingersoll Pipe Band. Remembrance Day - Ingersoll - (as reported on the Heart FM Woodstock Website) Post. Parade. Season.

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1 Ingersoll Pipe Band Volume 6 Issue 5 December 2016 Post Parade Season As we approach the end of 2016 and look forward to the Christmas Season with all its family events and affairs, let's just follow the advice of the very contented cat pictured above! The Ingersoll Pipe Band successfully made it through a whirlwind of occasions and parades in the last two months. So IPB members pat yourselves on the back, sit down, put your feet up and contemplate : all the new tunes that PM Jack will be introducing us to in 2017, and the parade routes that DM Gail will be leading us down! Relax and enjoy the holidays! - Veronica Inside This Issue Pg. 1 & 2 Remembrance Day Pg. 3 - Ingersoll Lighting of the Lights Pg. 4 & 5 - Parade Day & Night - The Big Three Pg Aylmer Santa Claus Parade Pg. 9 - Springfield - Parade Routines Pg Belmont - Night Time Parade & Chilli Pg Our Annual Christmas Party In Review Pg Piping Hazards / Upcoming Events Remembrance Day - Ingersoll - (as reported on the Heart FM Woodstock Website) INGERSOLL - A moment of silence was observed at the Ingersoll cenotaph this morning in order to remember those who have fought to for Canada's freedom over the years. Lots of people also wore poppies and laid wreaths during the Remembrance Day ceremony. Mayor Ted Comiskey says it is important to remember Canada's brave soldiers. "It shapes our future to know what sacrifices men and women have given over the years in the armed forces and even today with their service to keep peace and to keep Canada free, to keep Canada what it is." Comiskey tells Heart FM he thinks about Canadian soldiers of the past, present and future when visiting the cenotaph. "When I'm here, my thoughts and prayers are with those that have passed and certainly the prayers are with those that are joining to make sure they're safe and taken care of." The Harvard Aircraft Association also flew over the cenotaph during the ceremony. 1

2 Pipe Band members Gathering Near the Town Hall & Cenotaph D Piper Steve Shepherd and his son, DJ and daughter, Sam at Remembrance Day Service 2

3 Moonlight Madness & Lighting of the Lights November 17th - Ingersoll hosted their annual Moonlight Madness and the Lighting of the Lights to get everyone off to an exciting start for the Holiday season. All of the shops stayed open with extended hours to help you find the perfect gifts for your loved ones. Many brought their families downtown to enjoy the holiday caroling, hot cocoa and baked treats, and the Lighting of the Lights! 3

4 Then The Real Madness Began... 3 Parades on 1 Day! Saturday November 19th First - There was a very wet Santa Claus Parade in Ingersoll: Fortunately we were able to stay dry for awhile inside the Fire Department building, enjoying hot chocolate, Tim Bits and meeting parade dignitaries, like our MPP Ernie Hardeman. Second - Off to Tillsonburg! No rain but a chilly breeze! 4

5 Third - Off to Woodstock to the Annual Night Parade - We should have learned how to pipe and drum - "Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!" (Below some images from The Woodstock Sentinel Review) Thanks to all the pipers and drummers who were able to participate in all, or one or two of these annual Santa Claus parades. It was a busy and hectic day but also very worthwhile. The day had a two-fold LOOK blessing - we got to see all those smiling faces along the routes in all three communities and enjoyed the parade-goers' support; and, we got to add some well earned participation fees to our IPB bank account! 5

6 Santa Claus lands in Aylmer St. Thomas-Elgin Weekly News By Mike Maloney The Aylmer Santa Claus Parade - Nov. 26th It was a busy afternoon in Aylmer on Saturday (Nov. 26) as crowds lined Talbot Street for the 72nd edition of the Aylmer Kinsmen Santa Claus Parade. Kicking off just after 2 p.m., with the Aylmer Fire Department leading the way, the parade made its way across town featuring everything from clowns, cartoon characters, marching bands, brightly decorated floats and even a 25-foot high inflatable Elmo. Kin Klowns participating in the parade also collected donations along the way for the Corner Cupboard. 6

7 The Fabled "Donnie-Mobile/Bus" (Disembarking from the infamous vehicle in Aylmer) As in many parades, Don Gale's "bus" transports both drummers and pipers alike from the end of the parade route to the start of the route. It's always interesting to watch the looks of bemusement on nearby spectators' faces when they see how many IPBers actually disembark from the camper. (A record may have been set recently in Belmont when 14 folks were conveyed in the camper. Can you say "packed in like sardines"?! 7

8 More Aylmer Pics Hamish tuning Jon A's drones Joanne and Mary Ellen waiting to tune up Doug G., Ron & Harold - patiently waiting Jane, Laurie, Will, Veronica, and Jon A posing for a photo pre-parade Even the instruments are waiting! Steve R showing off his Xmas drum decor 8

9 Springfield Christmas Parade - Dec. 3rd As all participants know,(and most of our parade supporters are aware as well), pipe band members spend a lot of time travelling to parades. Once we arrive at a location, in cold and inclement weather, we hunker down in our cars waiting for the DM and PM's command to "warm up" outside. To pass the time of day, some folks read, some tell stories, some sleep and some just try to store up extra heat. Brrrrrrr! 9

10 And Then There Was Belmont... Evening Parade - December 4th Our final Santa Claus Parade of 2016 was held in Belmont on a seasonably "warm" night. The raindrops held off until after the parade, so Santa Claus obviously has some pull with Environment Canada! Great crowds turned out for the event and despite the fact that we had to follow a few bositerous Shriners on their go-karts, and a few pony carts, we managed to parade without any major incidents! Kelly and Don Gale once again generously opened their home to us post-parade for warm bowls of chilli, stew, buns, and yummy desserts! The fare was definitely appreciated after our march through the picturesque streets of Belmont! Belmont Santa Claus Parade attracts big crowd Monday, December 5th, 2016 Photography by : Craig Bradford Chantalle Narciso handed out candy to children, here to Owen Corless-Pressey, 5, of Aylmer, along the route of the Belmont Santa Claus Parade on Sunday evening, Dec. 4. The annual event attracted a big crowd of local residents and visitors. Ms. Narciso was one of the crew with the Christmas Without Cole float which collected unwrapped toys for children and teens who will be spending the holidays at London Children s Hospital and Rotholme Women s and Family Shelter. The Christmas toy drive, in its seventh year, is held in memory of Cole Robitaille who lost his battle with cancer in February Donated gifts for Christmas Without Cole can also be dropped off at Cable s Garage in Belmont until Dec. 15. (Article and photo from - ) 10

11 The Annual IPB Christmas Banquet Once again band members, past, present and future, and their family members and friends gathered at the hall for a delicious dinner, a time of conversation, and the awards ceremonies. This year our format was varied from the past few years - due to a scheduling difficulty with our DJ. No "Canned music" this year - instead we had an old -fashioned "Variety" show after dinner. Thanks to Nancy Matthews for organizing this part of the evening and to John Lynes, The Matthews Family, and The Jacksons for setting up the necessary audio components ahead of time. The evening's entertainment included a Christmas Song/Carol Sing-a-Long (led by Martin and Veronica Jackson); a very challenging Trivia Contest (scripted and led by The Muterer Sisters - Mary Ellen, Jane and Joanne); a Ukulele Group performance (Catherine Stark, Laurie Marson, Martin Jackson, Carole Marson, and Charlie Thomson); a Stand-Up Comic Routine (by Laurie Marson); a selection of Banjo Tunes and Jokes (by Charlie Thomson),and two styles of audience participation dancing, Scottish (led by Gail and Marlene MacKay), and Square Dancing (led by Callers - Ron and Wendy Marshall; and Instructors - Lois and Doug Turvey). It was a fun and well attended evening. A shout out to President Doug Glover for organizing the evening's events! 11

12 Looking Pretty Spiffy! 12

13 More Party Photos 13

14 Award Winners & Presentations Cruiser Trophy - presented by Harold Matthews to John Lynes for "wardrobe malfunction " when on parade in Thamesford at Calithumpian Celebration in May. Most Improved Drummer - presented by DM Gail MacKay to Jerry Chevrier Most Improved Piper- presented by PM Jack Habkirk to SteveShepherd Bandsperson Of The Year - presented by Dave Kincaid and Jon Arthur to Veronica Jackson 14

15 Awards & Presentations (Cont'd) Recognition Pins - presented by Mary Ellen Muterer to 5 years - Alistir Matthews, Hamish Matthews, Nancy Matthews, Veronica Jackson, Jerry Chevrier 10 years - Jon Arthur, Lisa McPherson Croquet Tournament Trophy (1st year awarded - for Best Shot) presented by Hamish Matthews to Wilson McBeath Horseshoe Tournament Trophy - presented to Joanne Muterer, Mark Ellah and, Dave Kincaid Other notable croquet players recognized for their prowess - Team A - Hamish Matthews & Doug Turvey; Team B - Jack Peters & Jack Habkirk Thanks to Hamish for creating this new trophy for the Band Room Trophy shelves! 15

16 Special Presentation - made by Jon Arthur to Harold Matthews "King of the Ferries" Award for using his "royal" presence to have the Sombra/Marine City Ferry return to port to pick up Harold and his entourage after taking part in the Algonac, Michigan parade last July. Some Snapshots from Our Christmas Variety Show 16

17 Musicians, Beware! Playing the bagpipes could be deadly, due to the mould spores lurking inside them. The wind instrument can harbour a host of fungi and mould that can cause 'bagpipe lung', experts warn. Blowing in warm moist air creates the ideal breeding ground for mould and when the player breathes in he/she inhales the spores into their lungs. New Year's Levee Sunday January 1st Arrival at 11:30 AM; playing at Noon The Ingersoll Legion Br Thames St. N. followed by reception The warning came after a bagpipe player died of the chronic inflammatory lung condition hypersensitivity pneumonitis. This condition occurs when the lungs have an allergic reaction to something a person has inhaled. Read more: /Could-bagpipe-lung-Warning-toxic-mouldinside-wind-instruments-like-trombonesaxophone.html#ixzz4SwKnkcaO One of our IPB pipers, George Duncan, also forwarded more research to share. Dr. George is with A & A Environmental Consultants Inc., and George formally is known as - Sunday January 8th 2:00 pm - at the IPB Hall The Ingersoll Pipe Band executive encourages everyone to come out and share their opinions and ideas at our annual general meeting. Membership is important on all the various committees. Saturday January 21st - 6pm Annual Robbie Burns Dinner Tickets are now available to sell to your friends, family and neighbours. Great Christmas gifts! $25.00 each for a terrific roast beef dinner with haggis and all the trimmings! Call Wilson at to reserve yours or DM Gail MacKay at Dr. George Duncan, P. Geo., C. Chem., Q.P.esa Principal Consultant As George wrote, if you click on the icon below you will find "an interesting article". Thanks, George for sharing. Now, pipers get busy and make sure that your piping equipment is not hosting unwanted and dangerous visitors! 17