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THE ROUND TABLE -- ARCHIVE, 1999
November 8, 1999
At long last! An addition to the ROUND TABLE!!!!! It's
been a couple of months, but I'm back on track - so no more complaints!!!
This past Saturday was the 28th annual Piper's Ball (frequent
visitors to site should know that - and should have attended!!!), and it
went off without a hitch. After many hours of practice, and a lot of uncertainty
about the outcome, we couldn't have sounded better. Many thought it was
our best performance at a Piper's Ball. And much of that had to do with
Katie Meehan's performance on the "organ" for Highland Cathedral. I got
chills. Another outstanding performance was turned in by the drum section.
Kudos to Lane and Lucille for getting the snares up to speed, and to Kevin
Shannon for making our tenors and bass players the highlight of the night.
A Special congratulations goes out to Lane T. Maxson,
Esq. for his Band Member of the Year award. It could not have gone to a
more deserving person. Every Wednesday night Lane is down at the hall at
7PM ready to instruct the snare drumming students - and if you've seen
how many we have, you'd know that's no easy task. The award is not just
recognition for his hard work, but is also a thank you for all that he's
done for the drum section. You've made the entire group (pipers and drummers)
better.
It was good to see some old members at the dance. Patti
and Terri Cronin are looking into the consecutive Ball streak - currently
held by Ripken. They're there every year and always with a kind word and
bright smile. Thanks for your support. And speaking of support - Good to
see the most recent Honorary Member and his family on Saturday. The Graham's
have been more than any group could ask for. We've already got three of
their family members in the band, yet they still give us all we could possibly
need and more.
And finally, what's a Round Table discussion without a
shot at our Pipe Major? For the past 78 years, Jim Ryan has approached
the Door Prize event with a special enthusiasm. And his generosity is much
appreciated. How odd it was, though, to have Jim purchase the least amount
of raffles he's ever had, yet finally win a prize . Actually THREE of them.
How do YOU spell fix? I spell it S-N-O-O-P. And ... uuuhhhh ..... thanks
to Marty for ... uuuhhhh .... pointing out my ...uh.... nervousness. Always
there for me, ...uuuhhhh... hey buddy?
---- August 25, 1999
What can be said about the recent events surrounding the
good ole ACPB? I guess we have to start with Jim Ryan, Jr. After an awful
lot of practicing, and missing quite a few poker nights, Jim reached the
pinnacle of the bagpiping world. Congratulations to him and the rest of
the City of Washington Pipe Band on their victory at the 1999 World
Championships
at Glasgow Green. We really couldn't be prouder of all that you've accomplished.
It seems the guy knew what he was talking about all along... (note to self
- don't question Jim on his methods....for at least a month). It turns
out even the top notch bands have to deal with the same problems we do.
Jim came back and assured us that the concerns we go through every time
out are the same ones the COWs experience on the field, as well.
While Jim was off gallivanting across the pond, the rest
of us spent that same weekend at Hunter Mountain participating in our first
contest of the year. It was a little rainy. A little sticky. And a LOT
muddy. Special congratulations goes out to Kelly Graham, Bill Krumholz
(Jr & Sr), and Deb Llewellyn on their first foray in to the competitive
field of bagpiping. Things look good for the future. While the band finished,
quite literally, in the middle of the pack, we have to feel happy about
getting out there.
Finally, how about those talented Meehan ladies!!! Without
any preparation, Jan and Kathy Meehan participated in the Tenor Drumming
competition at Hunter Mountain, and finished 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
Congratulations on an outstanding effort! Now you just have to pay your
dues....
The parade season has come and gone, and we now look forward
to the Piper's Ball. Unless, of course, Long Beach comes through in October
(please, please, please, please, please....) Sorry for the delay in this
latest edition of the vastly popular "Round Table." Enjoy the rest of the
Summer everyone. We look forward to seeing you on Wednesday nights!!!!
---- July 7, 1999
HOT, HOT, HOT! How you feelin'? Every year, the Fourth
of July Parades get hotter and hotter. This year, it was unbearable. Patchogue
steps off at Noon, right? Oh, wait, it's 1:00. Sorry. Just an extra hour
in the hot sun and an extra hour for Jim to tune our pipes. That's what
he needs. MORE time to tune us up. After two hours of that we had BETTER
sound good. Or at least sound "alright." Some sacrifices were made, both
personal and physical, and we had a great showing from everyone. Good job
to all who made the trek.
68??!! It can't be 68! 68 is in ---- RIVERHEAD! Monday was more than a little eventful. Anybody
got an extra pair of gillies? Bill Krumholz came through in the clutch,
offering an extra set of footwear to Bill Meehan. And just as Pat finished
making fun of Shoeless Bill, the crowd favorite realized he had no socks
to go with his shoes. It was the heat. I swear it. Thanks for the extra
pair Billy.
Congratulations to Shmoopy.....uh... Snoopy on his victory
with the COWs at Round Hill. Marty was there for moral support, and came
back all gung-ho about piping. Or at least as gung-ho as Marty's going
to get.
Next weekend off is July 17 & 18. Enjoy!!
---- June 10, 1999
It looks like the summer season is about to get into full
swing. We have a parade every weekend this month, and if the recent weather
is any indication, it's going to get sticky. We had our first weekday parade
of the year last Friday, ant the turnout was better than we could have
hoped for. If not for our missing Pipe Sergeant, we would have had an even
dozen in the pipe corps.
Growth seems to be the name of the game for the band these
days. Every Wednesday night, it seems there's someone new down at practice.
We even had a visit from an old friend who hadn't picked 'em up in over
six months (you know who you are). He didn't miss a beat, though, and we
hope to see him again soon.
Word is out that the Meehan's throw the best parties in
the band. Sean Meehan's graduation party was Saturday (is this his SECOND
mention in the Round Table?), and a number of the band members joined in
on the fun. Unfortunately, no keg-stands this year (I guess we've out-grown
them), but legend has it a good time was had by all who attended. Alas,
our dear Pipe Sergeant missed that event, too. I spoke with him, and he's
very sorry. Next time, Watley's are on him.
American Legion Convention Parade is Saturday. Always
a good time with lots of spectators and mild weather. Hope to see everyone
out there.
---- May 19, 1999
Although the band didn't make the trip down to Fair Hill
this year, a few of our members went down to enjoy the day. It was good
to see some former members of the pipe band. We ran into Pat O'Rourke,
who is playing with Cameron Highlanders (on pipes???) and Carlyn Hepburn,
playing with Tidewater Pipes &Drums (on Bass???) Not the instruments
we're used to seeing them play, but they both received rave reviews. We
also got a chance to see two other former members competing in some top-notch
Grade II bands. Brendan O'Rourke with Schenectady and Neil McPherson with
the Saffron Kilts. Good job guys!
Also, Just a quick congratulations to a couple of our
CURRENT band members.
Jim Ryan, Jr. competed in his first contest with the City
of Washington Pipe Band on Saturday at the Fair Hill Games in Maryland.
They took First Place out of three bands in Grade II that day . You got
the first one under belt Snoop. Congratulations.
And congratulations to Sean Meehan. On Friday, May 14th,
Sean graduated from the University of Notre Dame, and on Sunday, the Notre
Dame lacrosse team had an NCAA tournament game against Georgetown. Although
the weekend didn't end as Sean might have wished (they lost), it will certainly
be one he never forgets. Congratulations Sean, and welcome to the "Real
World." (Kevin - you're next!)
---- May 5, 1999
As we approach the Summer Season, we look forward to annual
rite of Spring. The return of our college students!!! Since the St.
Patrick's Day Season, we've enjoyed a pretty significant growth spurt.
There are about 6 or 7 new piping students, and we even picked up a new
drumming student from this website (see the guestbook for his entry).
Lane Maxson spent some time on Sunday with our Snare Drumming
instructor, Vivian Stapleton, and worked out the drum score for our Grade
V contest set. We're probably going to have an abbreviated season, but the
more experience our young pipers and drummers get, the better off the band
will be in the future.
Our next event is the Memorial Day Parade in Lindenhurst.
Has it rained every year? Let's pray for good weather this time - and see
if Snoop brings along his Pepto-Bismol this year.
---- March 22, 1999
Yesterday was the end to another long St. Patrick's Day
season. We got pretty lucky with the weather for most of the parades, except
East Islip - it was about 8 degrees that day. It's hard to point out one
specific highlight from the month of March ... So here are a couple to
point out:
Obviously, the biggest highlight of the season for us
is the march down 5th Avenue in Manhattan for the 69th Regiment. What a
beautiful day! It was so hot, most of us wanted to shed our band jackets
by 60th Street. We got through the long march virtually unscathed. After
the parade, a few of us were lucky enough to play with members of the Tokyo
Pipe Band (The media darlings of the day). Some others got to strut their
stuff at a local orphanage to bring some St. Patrick's Day cheer to the
kids (it was an orphanage, wasn't it John?). By the end of the day, the
big question was "Will we make the cover of the New York Times again this
year?" Well, we didn't get that kind of media coverage, but we did have
a couple of very recent additions get interviewed by News 4 New York (you
two owe us BIG!) It was certainly a day to remember for everyone.
Every year we look forward to the Montauk Parade. And
this year, we had something extra special to look forward to, aside from
50 pounds of shepard's pie. For years, the highlight of the Montauk march
has been the trip to the Graham's after the parade. The only thing better
than their Irish Coffee is the people we get to enjoy it with. They've
always treated us like family, and this year, we wanted to show our appreciation.
Every year, we march up the driveway and give a small performance for the
Graham's and their guests. This year, we honored Jack Graham, our gracious
host, with an honorary membership into the American Celtic Pipe Band. We
were proud to present him with a plaque and a Glengarry, which he's probably
still wearing. The Graham's generosity over the years has been more than
any group could possibly ask for. And for that we salute them.
Finally, it's important to bring up the Rockville Center
parade. We had a small group, but a BIG sound (thanks, in part, to Tone
Guy). We probably could've used Jack and Jan Meehan for the parade, but
they had a pretty good excuse for missing it. Their daughter, and a piper
in our ranks for nearly ten years, got engaged that day! Janine Meehan
will be getting married to Ted Perez, and the whole band wishes both of
them the very best. Congratulations!!!
----
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