Ingersoll Pipe Band Newsletter...

Ingersoll Pipe Band Newsletter - February 2005 - By Mary Ellen Muterer

2005 is going to be a big year for the Ingersoll Pipe Band. Not only do we have our usual parades, competitions and engagements, 2005 marks the band's 95th year of consecutive, independent service. This is something that no other pipe band in North America has been able to match. Let us be proud of our organization and celebrate!!!!

Updates

Incorporation - The incorporation or our organization is progressing. We have now registered our name and after 95 years we are an entity called "The Ingersoll Pipe Band." More information will follow as it develops.

Trillium Fund - The Trillium Fund has allowed us to purchase new tunics and some more material for kilts. The kilt material should arrive from Scotland within the next couple of months. Everyone has been measured for tunics and Jack reports the the tunics should be here by the early part of March. The suppliers will hand deliver them and at the same time will check everyone for fit. Hopefully you have been good over Christmas and Valentines and hopefully you have not followed through on your New Years resolution to lose weight. You are perfect the way you are!

Building Update

As you can see we have spent a little more money on our building. The carpet in the entry hall has been removed and new tile has been installed. I think everyone will agree that it looks really good. So good in fact that we are getting a quote to see how much it would cost to tile the cloak room. Please help to keep the floor clean and dry; use the slush mat. A cleaning party for the whole building will be scheduled for spring to clean away the winter dust and cobwebs.

Burns Supper

Our Burns' supper was held this year on January 22nd. Unfortunately this was one of the stormiest days so far this winter. We made a decision that day to hold the event even in those weather conditions. (the food was already purchased and preparations had begun) The weather meant that a number of guests, the speaker and some band members were unable to attend. Our crowd was down about 50 people but this worked out ok as the number of servers was down too. We were able to recruit a few others to help us out. Thank you to Lindsey and Aaron Weber for the outstanding job they did as "runners" for the meal and afterwards in the kitchen. Thanks you also to Mark Ellah for being a "server." Even though we couldn't talk him into wearing a kilt he was still a great help. Thank you to all the wives we put to work in the kitchen etc. We couldn't have done the evening without everyone's help. Thanks to Steve for bringing his sound system so everyone could hear what was going on and thanks to Joe who rushed in with his backhoe to plow out our lot before the event. Without him we would have had to push a lot of cars out. (not an easy thing to do in your kilt) More thanks goes out to Gail for cooking the meat etc., to Wilson and his "haggis" making committee and to Jane and Joanne for their work in cooking the fabulous meal!!!

Due to the extreme weather we decided to offer a refund to those unable to attend. If anyone you sold tickets to wants a refund please take care of it and let Wilson know.

Board Business

The annual General Meeting was held on January 9th. It was poorly attended but those who were there got allot accomplished. Nominations for positions on the Board of Directors were accepted at this meeting with the end results being as follows:

President  - Charlie Thomson
Vice President - Don Gale
Treasurer - Jane Muterer
Secretary - Jim Muterer
Attendance & Welfare - Cindy Harkes
Quartermaster - Jack Habkirk
Canteen Steward - Don Sanderson
Publicity - Mary Ellen Muterer
Pipe Major - Jim Muterer
Drum Major - Gail MacKay

Further to this at the first Board of Directors meeting; committees were set and they are as follows:

Burns Supper - Mary Ellen Muterer, Charlie Thomson and Wilson McBeath
Christmas Banquet - Charlie Thomson
Stag Night - Gail MacKay
Golf Day - Don Sanderson
Pot Luck Supper - Mary Ellen Muterer
Garage Sale - Jim Muterer and Jack Habkirk
 Band Reunion - Jim Muterer, Don Gale, Jack Habkirk and Gail MacKay
Picnic - Paul Weber and Jane Muterer

The Band Constitution has been revised and was passed around at the AGM for everyone to read. It was posted in the board room since then. At the practice on February 3rd the amended constitution was voted on and accepted. Everyone will receive a copy of the new constitution. Please read it carefully. One special note (and this is not a change) deals with attendance. If you are going to be absent from practice it is your duty to notify Jim, Gail or Cindy.

Anniversary

As mentioned at the start of this newsletter the band is celebrating 95 years in existence. We are going to have a year of celebration. Plans for the reunion are underway. Be thinking of any other ways we can commemorate this momentous occasion. A paper will be posted on the bulletin board in the boardroom. Sign up your ideas and I will bring them to the Board of Directors meeting. Think cheap (I mean inexpensive) - you have seen our new siding and floor.

Members

We have a number of learners working hard to join us in spreading our gift of music over the land. Hopefully some will be ready for the 24th of May weekend. While debuting our new members it would be nice to debut our new tune. We have been working on learning the tune "Midlothian Pipe Band." Pipers, if you don't have a copy of the music please see PM Jim! An updated members list will be made up as soon as I know the status of some new members etc. In the mean time please check your information on the current list posted on the bulletin board and make any necessary changes.