Page 40 - RSCDS Toronto Golden Jubilee Book

People, Places and Parties
was somewhat Spartan, but the 115 dancers who attended the classes and the social events were very enthusias- tic about the idea of a Toronto Branch Workshop Weekend.
started. Traditionally, too, guest teachers were invited. In 1969, Miss Margaret McLaren from Scotland taught at the weekend and was the Guest of Honour. In 1973 a similar invitation was extended to Miss Milligan. As she was unable to attend, Mrs. Mina Corson came in her place and accepted, on her behalf, an Honorary Life Membership
in the Toronto Branch and a specially bound copy of The Glasgow Assembly. Bob Campbell of Oakville composed the dance medley in honour of Miss Milligan on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the RSCDS. The dance medley was demonstrated at the week- end by a team of dancers trained by Bob Millar.
Many dancers have enjoyed work- shop weekends at Geneva Park over the years. Geneva Park, another dance devised by Bob Campbell, was included on one of the ball programmes for the 40th anniversary of Toronto Branch.
[Editor’s note: At the time of printing, the Geneva Park weekends are no longer held.]
Tartan Ball
In 1993, the Tartan Ball Committee invited John de Chastelain to be the honoured guest at the ball, and we featured this in our marketing. More than 20 Ottawa people bought tickets and local people who knew him made sure to get theirs early. Then he was appointed Canada's Ambassador to the United States. Very nice, but could he still come to the ball? As chair, I
Betty & David Grant
Soon after, Iain Macfarlane, chairman
of the Branch from 1963 to 1965, learned that the YMCA was planning
to build a lodge on their property at Geneva Park and decided that it would be an ideal location for a Branch week- end. Plans were made and the week- end advertised. Iain and Reid McAlister, who were in charge of arrangements for the workshop, visited Geneva Park several times during the summer of 1963, with mixed feelings of excitement at the progress of the construction and apprehension that the facilities would
was the chief worrier, and the most relieved when we got an answer back to our query that yes, he would come to the Ball.
The US Presidential Inauguration had been a few weeks earlier, and his wife wore the beautiful gown she had worn there. John also wore what he had worn at the Inaugural Ball
At the Tartan Ball
No ease for the Chair As Chair of the 1989 Tartan Ball, the Royal York graciously provided Mairi and me with the luxurious Queen Mother’s Suite. At the conclusion of fes- tivities in the Hospitality Suite around 2:30 a.m., we retired to our regal suite. At 3:30 a.m., the ever jovial Bob Blackie called from the front desk in search
of his Prince Charlie Jacket. I met him down at the Hospitality Suite. With Bob happily on his way, I returned to the blissful surroundings of the suite. At 4:45 am the silence was broken by the shrill tone of the fire alarm.
As co-ordinator of the monthly dance: In March 1998, late on Saturday afternoon as I loaded the coffee urns into the car, a light icy drizzle began
to fall. Around 6 p.m. Bobby Brown called to inquire if we were cancelling the dance, as there had been freezing rain for most of the day in Brampton.
I informed him we were going ahead because we had not had much rain.
By the time I drove to Forest Hill Collegiate, the roads were shrouded in ice. As I descended the hill to the Forest Hill kitchen, I was forced to turn the car into the curb to avoid skidding into the wall and gas main at the bottom of the hill.
Geneva Park, 1982
Bobby Frew, Elma Grech, Bob Blackie, Mary Murray, Sandy Bain
not be ready in September. The build- ings were indeed ready, 124 dancers attended, and Geneva Park has been the location of the Toronto Branch Weekend since then.
The weekend continued to be held
in the fall, renewing interest in danc- ing before Branch classes and dances
- formal Scottish evening dress. Some of the press corps had commented on his kilt and wondered why he wasn't in "evening attire." He told them that he was wearing the only evening outfit he owned, and that he planned to wear it at every formal event he attended in Washington.
. . . Alison Booz
Andrew Collins
,
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