Ingersoll Pipe Band Newsletter...

Ingersoll Pipe Band Newsletter - May 2008 - By Mary Ellen Muterer

Official Newsletter of the Ingersoll Pipe Band

Well, it has been a little while since our last newsletter-ok. don't say it-it has been a long time. Sorry about that, but this edition is full of lots of news so the wait is over!! Also, you will find attached a new upcoming events list. Please detach and keep in a handy place.

Band Business

A kit inspection was held on February 21st. It was discovered that some people need new pieces to the uniform. Some sporrans, waist belts, ties, glengarries, looked a little sad. Our quartermaster, Jack, has taken a look, replaced what he could and reordered more supplies. Some people have also been measured for new kilts, and some members have had their own kilts altered (in and out). We should look GOOD this summer.

We are also in the process of sending our pipe chanters to Toronto. The holes are being “reamed” out a little to, hopefully, give us a better sound. If your chanter has not been sent, please try to get out to practice so it can be shipped to T.O. We should sound GOOD this summer.

Unfortunately, we have had to remove all of the trees beside the hall, with the last one coming down just recently. Like the rest, it was rotten, and we were afraid of a limb braking off and doing damage to vehicles or people. We are, however, getting some new ones. Finally, the two trees we are planting in memory of Dave Moyer and Don MacKay will be planted this spring. It looks so bare, but the two new trees should help with this. As you may remember we were left money by both families. We have used some of the money to install the fans in the drill hall, some of it has been used to purchase the trees and the remainder will be used to put up a sign in their memory. The sign should be able to be put up this summer.

We have some flooring news. The drill hall floor was refinished last summer/fall. I think I can still smell it!! (We know you tried your best Gail-- with the one box of baking soda and the containers of charcoal). We have not been happy with the way it is wearing. Some scratches can't be avoided with rentals etc. but the finish doesn't seem to be hard enough to prevent even the most mild of wear. We are going to try it again. We are going to use another company and another product. Hopefully this will be more successful. The new company comes with lots of references. This will be done this spring/summer. We are also fixing up the flooring in the boardroom. New carpet will be installed in the spring/summer.

The last bit of band business has to do with Attendance. What can I say that hasn't already been said. You know what your attendance is like. Please remember to call someone if you are unable to come to practice. Attendance Officer, Warren, reports that practice attendance is at 48%. Looking at the glass half empty, less than half of you are attending practice!!!! Please make sure we have good turnouts for parades this summer. As you have read, we have some expenses coming up, and we need the parades to cover them.

People in the News

Thank you goes out to Don Gale. Don has been working hard to improve the heating system in the boardroom. I don't know all the technical details but it there are lots of shiny new pipes and it does seem to be toastier in there. Thanks Don, you're handy to have around.

It was great to see Iain out to practice on the 24th. Those who aren't aware, Iain has been very sick since early December. Unfortunately he will not be able to play his pipes anymore, but we hope to see him at practice to offer advice.

We had some additions to some IPB families. Adam and Paula Quarrie had a baby boy, William (Will) back in August. Christine and Mike Yeoman welcomed their baby boy, Nicolas, back in October. Jon and Marilyn Arthur had, you guessed it, a baby boy, Graeme Alexander on March 18th. Welcome and congratulations to all.

I hope this newsletter has provided you with lots of interesting information or at least some information. Please take a look at the next page for some upcoming events and get ready for parade season to begin.

Mary Ellen Muterer