Page 18 - RSCDS Toronto Golden Jubilee Book

Social Groups
fifty-one years, having started at the age of four, and has been teaching in a variety of capacities for thirty-eight years. David Wilson, from the South Simcoe dance group, takes the group on those few occasions when Maureen has a commitment, usually involving her career as an elementary school teacher.
All levels of dancers are welcome,
and the evening is adapted to those
in attendance. Dances for the Toronto Branch monthly dances, local balls and other special occasion events mentioned by the dancers are taught and/or reviewed. Some of the dancers also participate in demonstrations with dancers from the South Simcoe Group.
The new season starts on September 11, 2007 and newcomers are always welcome.
. . . Maureen Richardson
Petronella
The group was formed in 1957, in
Thornhill, under the leadership of Alan and Maureen Foster. Meetings were held at Thornhill United Church. In 1964, the Fosters moved to California, and from then until 1970, Leslie and Elaine James were the group leaders. Following that, the group leaders and teachers included Lizbeth Rodger, Cathy Beattie (Shields), and Mary Rae. In 1974, the group moved to Thornhill’s Royal Orchard Public School, shortly after which Janette Todd took over as their teacher.
In 1992, Petronella entered a team
to audition for the week-long Royal Bank of Canada Seniors’ Jubilee at
Roy Thomson Hall. Since then, they have appeared every year, featuring a couple of dances devised, until recently, by Janette Todd and Ella Allison. They perform several times during the week, entertaining daily audiences that usu- ally exceed two thousand people.
In 2003, Janette Todd retired after near- ly thirty years as Petronella’s teacher. Carole Skinner, returning to Canada from the United States, took her place. As well as being a qualified teacher, Carole is a skilled deviser of Scottish Country dances, who has added lively new dances to the group’s repertoire at Roy Thomson Hall.
Petronella Social Group - Teacher, Carole Skinner (seated, 5th from left)
When Royal Orchard Public School closed, the group moved to Johnsview Village Public School, where they will celebrate fifty years of Scottish Country Dancing in 2007.
.. . . Barry Pipes
Rosedale
The Rosedale Group at Rosedale Presbyterian Church was one of
the founding groups of the Toronto Branch, started in 1955 by Professor Ronald Smith. He loved children, and was enthusiastic about having a class for youth. In 1957, Anne MacLeod, (who received her Teaching Certificate from Miss Milligan during Miss Jean Milligan’s first Canadian visit), assisted by Betty Anderson, started a children’s group. Branch classes were also held at Rosedale from 1958 to 1959, the first taught by John Scott Gowans with Stanley D. McKee as the pianist. A Candidate class was started in 1959 with Anne teaching, but both the Branch classes and Candidate classes eventually moved to other locations. However, the bi-annual Candidate adjudications are still held in the Great Hall and the Toronto Branch Executive Committee Meetings continue to meet at Rosedale to this day.
In 1960 to 1961, Rosedale had both adult and junior classes. Professor Smith, though not a childen’s teacher, would observe the children’s classes and always encouraged the parents waiting upstairs to send their children
down for SCD lessons. Ronald continu- ously supported the Children’s group and was sure to make an appearance at all their events. Major Gil Rich spoke fondly of having over 30 students in one class during his teaching reign. Classes participated in competitive Festivals, earning many trophies and medals. The number of children danc- ing increased phenomenally, and the standard of dancing was improving, the result of instruction given by (not in order and not all teachers listed): Evelyn Watkins (née Clark), Sandra
Binns-Johnstone, Major Gil Rich, Miss Jeffray, Bob Blackie, Grace Harris, Maureen Richardson, May Mitchell, Isabelle MacPherson, Grace Clarke,
Ian McHaffie, Maureen Woodcock, Wilma Clendinning, Peggy Weir, Mrs. Billie Crichton, Betty Pellegrin, Anne Meszaros, Lorna Larmour, Fiona (Noble) Philip, and Joyce Kite.
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