Thank you to each and every one of you (band members,
spouses, family, friends, co-workers and groupies) for making 2007 a
resounding success for the band. 2007 began playing the funeral for
a friend – the loss of Bruce Wright’s wife Janice – and ended with
joy on the faces of a couple hundred people at the North Carolina
Museum of Natural History. See ya'll next year!
December 20, 2007
Police Promotions and Graduations
Congratulations to the men and women of the
Raleigh Police Department
promoted during a ceremony early Thursday morning; our Pipe Major
(clad in full military dress) played the event. Later the same
day, Skip Kirkwood had the honor of piping in the newest police
recruits from the Wake Tech Basic Law
Enforcement Training program. Chief Dolan of the
Raleigh Police Department was present at both events and related to
Drum Major Kirkwood..."you guys really get around..." - yes
we do Chief. Congratulations to all the young men and women
beginning their careers in law enforcement! Piper Lloyd
Johnson came out to the Raleigh Police Department ceremony and took
a few pictures which can bee seen on his new Flickr website
here.
December 9, 2007
Wake Forest Fire Department
Graduation
The band was asked to participate in the recruit
graduation services for the Wake Forest
Fire Department on Sunday, December 9th. The drum
corp. was led by lead-stick Sky Baer
-- that's right, the youngest member of the District (at
almost 11 years old) led the corp! So kudos to
Sky and to the rest of the
pipers and drummers for a job well done leading in the Wake Forest
Fire Department graduates. Here are a couple of photos -
actions shots forthcoming...
December 3, 2007
CONGRATS SPARKY
Kudos to piper Grayson Cave
on being moved from Grade 4 to Grade 3 Sr. Novice in the Eastern
United States Pipe Band Association. Grayson played "above
grade level" at competitions throughout 2007 and it was no
surprise to the members of the band (and his family) that he was
re-graded by EUSPBA. Congratulations Sparky!!!
December 1, 2007
Police, Parades and Parties
Quite a busy week for the band...it all started
Thursday with a graduation ceremony for the the
North Carolina Highway Patrol;
kudos to Jeff Hammersteinand Bill Atwell
for becoming full fledge members of McHale's Navy by playing
this event. Saturday morning the band participated in the
Selma Christmas parade to the
delight of a few hundred merry Johnston County folk; special thanks
to Bill's daughter and
Dave's grand-daughter for carrying the
band's banner. The weekend didn't end in Selma...Saturday
night a cadre joined Tir Na Nog
in celebrating their 10th anniversary. It was a night of pipes
and drums throughout Moore Square and involved some party crashing
as well -- all in good fun and enjoyed in only the way pipes and
drums can boil the blood. We were joined by the first time byEric Hahn
both on stage opening for Seven
Nations and parading around the District. Here
are a couple of photos from the week's events:
November 18, 2007
Piping Hot Brunch
Thank you to John Schodtler for organizing the
band's first "Piping Hot Brunch" on
Sunday, November 18th at Tir Na Nog. There was a great turn
out of band members, families and friends!!! A tune or two was
shared throughout the afternoon -- here are a couple of photos from
the get together...
November 16, 2007
2nd Annual Tartan Ball
To our
family friends and co-workers - thank you for your continued
support. The District not be where we are today without all of
you. The band raised $10,850 at this event and we could
not have done it without the assistance of pipers Jason Lane,
Buddy Barber, Lloyd Johnson and drummer Mike Bishop.
Bud, Lloyd and Mike were present with the "Pipe Major Service Bar"
for their efforts and Jason was awarded the "Golden Cow" for
bringing in the most money (Jason raise over $3500 on his own).
Irish Dancers, Scottish Dancers, Barrowburn Band, Adrian Melvin and
the District Pipes and Drums put on quite a show - to a packed house
no less. If you have photos or video from the party you would
like to share please send an email to
brady@fop.net. A compilation of photos can be found here. Check out the
following links for video and photos sets from the night:
It was a bit of a busy weekend to say the least... Thank
you to all the band members (and their parents and spouses) who
made it out to band engagements over the weekend including the
Swift Creek Fire Department open house (where Grayson got to meet Sparky the dog),
the Sons of the American Revolution Dedication
for Major John Hinton (where Jerry Smith commanded his
revolutionary war militia) and Tir
Na nOg where Annie held their annual
Celtic Christmas party. The band was well represented
throughout the weekend thanks to all ya'll.
Photos from the Swift Creek Fire Department open house can
be seen here.
October 24, 2007
KILT NIGHT - opening for Albannach
Oh what a night! Congrats to Paul for getting his band kilt,
John Schodtler for coming out and playing an engagement with the
band for the first time and Mike Bishop for strapping on the bass
drum for 1 round. THANK YOU to Vero and Chris for selling band
t-shirts along with all the other groupies who came out to support
the band. We played a couple sets and the crowd loved us as we
marched off the dance floor to Cajun Grace. Dave,
Jerry, Sam, Vance, Paul, Blaze, Jamie, John Kilduff and Mike Bishop
-- THANK YOU for taking time out on a Wednesday night to play
a few tunes and raise a couple bucks for the band; berry bombs for
everyone!
October 6, 2007
Selma Railroad Days Parade &
Heddingham Community "International Fall Festival"
Shriners and Clowns and Baers - oh my! Quite a bit of
activity today for the band... First off was the
Selma Railroad Days Parade... After the parade we took to the streets of Selma (in front of Dave
Hamelin's restaurant Sweetwater) to the delight of hundreds of town
folk. To the 7 pipers, 3 sides, 2 bass drummers and 1 tenor...well
done, and thank you for taking the time to march in this
parade and raise some money for the band.
After a filling lunch at Sweetwater's - 4 pipers, 1 bass, 1 side and
1 tenor traveled to the Heddingham Community
International Fall Festival. The mini-band played a
couple of tunes including a crowd clapping rendition of Cajun
Grace. Dale Roe and the members of the Heddingham
Community were truly appreciative of our efforts.
September 29, 2007
Williamsburg, VA Scottish Festival
A small contingent from the and traveled to
Virginia for solo pipe and drum competition -
and brought home the GOLD and Silver!!!
Congratulations to Nyssa Cave 1st PLACE Snare Gr 4,
Sterling Cave 1st PLACE Snare Grade III 2/4 March, Grayson
Cave 2nd PLACE Piping Grade IV Sr 6/8 March (playing above Grade
level indicated) and Matthew Kent rounding out the
quartet of members taking a 2nd PLACE Snare Gr 4.
Well done lads and laddie!!!
September 28, 2007
Cary Fire Department Graduation Ceremony
The band was requested to perform once again for
the Cary Fire Department; this time for their recruit graduation.
The band extends a hearty congrats to all the new firefighters for
the Town of Cary - and we also say job well done to one of
our own for his first gig on the pipes >> our very own Quarter
Master...Lloyd Johnson. Thank you to our Drum Major,
Skip Kirkwood for sticking around for the end of the ceremony to
pipe out the graduates so the rest of us could go home and get some
much needed rest. Yes...that is a horse.
September 20-23, 2007
Cops In Kilts 25th anniversary in
Chicago
September 21, 2007 marked the 25th anniversary
for the Bagpipes and Drums
of the Emerald Society, Chicago Police Department.
Members of the Wake & District Pipe Band traveled to our Pipe
Major's hometown to celebrate and partake in the festivities
honoring these cops in kilts. Below are several photos
and a short video -- which only give a glimpse into good times and
camaraderie shared with the likes of the NYPD, Bergen County New
Jersey Police, Chicago Emerald Society and a couple of hundred
police officers and firefighters from across the country - not to
mention a hundred or so bagpipers and drummers... From the
cheeseburgers at Billy Goats, eggplant parmesan at "the club",
sunset boat rides on the Chicago Police boat and visits to police
and fire stations all over the city - the wanders had some good
times and good game. Thank you to Larry West, Major Dennis
Lane and Mike Bishop's father for coming out to support
the boys (and girl) in black in honoring Chicago's finest.
September 15, 2007
National September 11th memorial
September 11, 2001 was a
day when all Americans from every walk of life united in our resolve
for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we
will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day. Yet, we
go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our
world. To involve as many people as possible, the National
9/11 Memorial & Museum have created a traveling exhibition that
tells the story of September 11 from the point of view of families,
first responders, survivors, and everyday people who came together
on that terrible day and in the agonizing days that followed.
This memorial was in Raleigh on September 15th, and the band was
honored to have taken part in the Raleigh ceremonies. To learn
more about the memorial visit
http://www.national911memorial.org.The following photos were taken by Mike Legeros (visit
his website here for additional photos).
To the Drum Major, 6 pipers, 2 tenors, 2 bass and 4 sides who came
out to perform - THANK YOU for a respectful performance.
September 14, 2007
Raleigh Fire Department Promotion
Ceremony
Congratulations to the 9 newest command officers
of the Raleigh Fire Department on the occasion of their promotion.
The ceremony was held at the City Raleigh City Hall complex.
Our Pipe Major led the procession of new officers and even
participated in a small impromptu parade to the Central Raleigh Fire
Station after. The members of the Raleigh Fire Department
expressed their sincere appreciation for the presence of the
bagpipes at the ceremony. Photos by Lloyd Johnson.
September 8, 2007
I thee wed
James Albert McMillan IV
and Véronique Christel
Barbara Guillermet tied the knot before family and friends on
Saturday, September 8, 2007 in Wendell, North Carolina. This
was an event of global phenomenon with guests from Canada, France,
Germany, Monaco and Johnston County. Congratulations once
again to Jamie and Véronique! This was truly a band affair
with Pipe Sergeant Bud Barber piping the Bride, Piper Paul Ormond
serving as chaplain and Pipe Major Joe Brady as one of the best men.
Photos by Lloyd Johnson ;)
August 26, 2007
Opening act for SEVEN
NATIONS @ Tir Na Nog
A gaggle of the band showed up at Tir Na Nog to open up for Canada's
very own Celtic rock sensation - SEVEN NATIONS. We sold
20 band t-shirts, raised some money thanks to the generous patrons
at the bar, made some new friends (and hopeful band members)
and even shared in some birthday cake for Mike Frady!!!
Thank you to all the band members who turned out and to our
Scottish dancer who was rushed around the floor by the Pipe
Major playing WAY too fast. Band, stand easy.
August 23, 2007
North Carolina State Fireman's
Association Memorial Service
The band participated in the North Carolina State Fireman's
Association memorial service on August 23, 2007. Thank you to
Tony, Skip, Joe, Lloyd and Mike for making the trip!
August 18, 2007
Irish Events NC Pub Crawl
Many thanks to our groupies for participating in the first Irish
Events NC pub crawl organized by
Annie Nice (General Manager at Tir Na
Nog). Thanks to Annie's help the band was able to raise
$1250.00 dollars towards new uniforms!!!
Kudos to our pipers - Grayson and Gary Cave,
Bud and Joe - and our drummers - Lloyd
Johnson, Jamie McMillan and John "Sam
the Eagle" Dornblazer; well done gentlemen, well done.
PROPS out to our band strong arm men Duce
Kilt Below JASON LANE and Paul
Ormond for filling those helmets.
Like most new bagpipe and drum bands, we face the ever-present
financial challenges of outfitting the group. We have been
incorporated as a charitable trust under U.S. law, and we have
undertaken several fund-raising events. We have been
truly grateful as a volunteer organization to have garnered the
support of the Celtic community in Raleigh. THANK YOU.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Funeral for
Swepsonville
Volunteer Fire Department Deputy Chief
Jerry Donley
A small contingency from the band played at the funeral mass for
Swepsonville Voluntary Fire Department Deputy Chief Jerry
Donley who died in the line of duty on 08 August 2007.
This was the first "line of duty" funeral played under the name
Wake & District Public Safety Pipes and Drums. Father and
son duo Jeff and Neil Hammerstein played for the first time
kilted and truly assisted in the ceremonies to "honor our
fallen". Thank you to Joe Brady, Paul Ormond (the band
chaplain) and Dave Hamelin for completing out the group.
Wednesday July 18, 2007 @ 7:44am
Carson Paige Lane came
into the world
Congratulations to piper Jason Lane and his wife Kelly
on the birth of their 2nd child.
Carson Paige Lane (aka Piper) came into the
world on Wednesday - July 18th at 7:44 am weighing 8lbs 14
ounces and 20 inches long. Mom, Dad, baby and brother
Jackson are now home and doing well. CONGRATULATIONS
JASON!!!
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Tir Na Nog birthday parties
Surprise, surprise. The band was scheduled to
perform at Tir Na Nog on 7-7-7 and to my surprise it turned into a
birthday party for Jamie and I. 7-7 is my birthday and Jamie's
is the 18th. THANK YOU TO ANNIE NICE and everyone who
lent a helping hand to make my 7-7-7 birthday truly memorable.
The band put on quite a show which included a little
didjeridu from our own Lloyd Johnson and an upbeat
drum accompanied version of Amazing Grace. Photos will be
posted shortly...and a couple of audio files LIVE from Tir Na Nog
can be found in our multimedia section.
There are a NUMBER of July birthdays so share a
birthday wish with the following:
Joe Brady - July 7th, Jamie McMillan
- July 18th, Skip Kirkwood - July 19th, Dave Hamelin & Jason
Hucthins - July 21st
Thursday, June 21, 2007
North Carolina State Highway Patrol graduation
New kilts were passed out to Cameron Jetton and Jerry
Smith (additional kilts were also purchased for the Blaze and
Gary Cave) and the boys put them on to participate in the 118th
Basic Highway Patrol School graduation ceremony.
Congratulations to the 45 graduates - tough times don't last,
tough people do!
Monday, June 18, 2007
Raleigh Area Public Safety (RAPS) race
The dynamic father and son duo of the band (Neil and
Jeff) pulled off a hat trick with Wake EMS winning the race, Neil
having the best times and Jeff running another hugely successful
event! Even Wake County Sheriff Donnie Harrison was on board
driving the pace cart!!! Thank you to the band members who
came out to kick things off with a the roar of the pipes.
Some wonderful photos from the event can be seen through the eyes
off Lee Wilson.
The next RAPS Race is scheduled for January 2008
(it'll be here before you know it). In the mean time, spread the
word. We want as many teams as we can get. We'll expand the format
to accommodate. Encourage the youth too. For more information
contact
jeffrey.hammerstein@co.wake.nc.us. The band may
have to put a team together for the next go around and NEIL is on
our team Jeff...
Wednesday, June 14, 2007
National Fallen Fire-Fighters Golf
Tournament
Welcome back and props to piper Dave Hamelin for sounding the
shotgun start at the 1st Annual
National Fallen Fire Fighter's golf tournament held in
Raleigh on June 14, 2007. It was a site right out of
Brigadoon...
Monday,
June 4, 2007
Raleigh Professional
Fire-Fighters Association Donation
Aspecial THANK YOU to
the Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association (http://www.rpffa.com)
for their GENEROUS donation to the band of $1000.00. This
money is being used to purchase a new bass drum with custom heads
(pictured left). The band is fortunate to have 3 members of the
Raleigh Fire Department in our ranks and an organization such as the
Raleigh Professional Fire Fighters Association to stand behind them.
The RPFFA is strongly committed to the well being and progress of
the public safety community and we are grateful for their
sponsorship.
The Wake
& District Public Safety Pipe & Drum band
is a self-funded organization made up entirely of volunteers. No
governmental money is used. The outfitting a piper or drummer is
significant and we need your
support.
Learn more here.
Sunday
June 3, 2007
We Honor
Our Fallen
Cleveland, North Carolina Fire-Fighter
Christopher Eargle was laid to
rest today. Members of the band proudly performed with
dignity and solemnity at his services. To the family, friends
and co-workers of Christopher we send our sincere condolences on the
loss of Christopher. Thank you to the pipers Tony Crawford,
Skip Kirkwood, Jerry Smith, Lloyd Johnson, Frank Barber and Joe
Brady for helping the Cleveland fire department honor their fallen
comrade.
Saturday,
June 2, 2007
Drum
Sergeant Weds
Congratulations to our
Drum Sergeant,
James Albert McMillan IV
on his marriage to the lovely
Véronique Christel
Barbara GUILLERMET
who recently came to the United States
from Paris. A private service was held in Clayton and a more
public/band member party is planned for September.
For each petal on the shamrock this
brings a wish your way. Good health, good luck, and happiness for
today and every day.
Saturday, May 27, 2007
National EMS Memorial Service,
Roanoke, VA
Band Manager and Piper Tony Crawford represented
the Wake & District Public Safety Pipes and Drums in a performance
of the United Pipes and Drums of the National EMS Memorial Service,
in Roanoke, Virginia. This ceremony, which occurs at the end of
National EMS Week each year, honored 26 EMS professionals who died
in the line of duty. The United Pipes and Drums included EMS pipers
and drummers from the
Boston
EMS Regimental Pipes & Drums and the Pittsburgh
Police Emerald Society. Congratulations to Tony for representing
us well in this very high profile event. See
www.nemsms.org for more
information on the memorial.
Drum Major Skip Kirkwood also participated in the
ceremony, but wearing his Wake County EMS uniform, presenting
memorial medals to the families of our fallen comrades. The Wake
County EMS Honor Guard also participated in the ceremony.
Tuesday, May 21, 2007
Wake
EMS and Raleigh Fire Awards Ceremony
On Tuesday, May 21st Wake County EMS and Raleigh Fire Fighters
joined together to honor their own. Two of our very own were
honored for saving lives; Lieutenant
Jason Lane, Captain Joe
Harwell and Captain Lloyd
Johnson of the Raleigh Fire Department. Stay safe,
stay focused and go home safely every night. Here are a couple
of photos taken by Lee Wilson -
you can see all of Lee's photos here.
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Raleigh Fire Department Retirement Day
On Saturday May 19th a mini band from
W&D pipes and drums entertained the retired members of RFD. Skip
Kirkwood, Mike Bishop, Jamie McMillan, Joe Harwell and Matthew Kent
played the event while Jason Lane played politics to get some money
from the Local IAFF 548 Raleigh Professional Firefighters
Association.
Photos from Lee Wilson can be seen here.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Rocky Mount
FOP Memorial
Our Drum Major - Skip Kirkwood - put down his
mace and picked up his new McCallum bagpipes to help honor the
police officers of Nash County on Wednesday. He participated
in this service which was one of hundreds of police memorial
services held throughout the week of May 14th - which is designated
as POLICE MEMORIAL WEEK. Later that evening Jerry Smith
participated in the Johnston County FOP memorial service in
Smithfield. Thank you to both Jerry and Skip for fulfilling
the band's mission of being in service to our fallen comrades.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
RFD
Promotional Ceremony
Congratulations to one of our very own...band
Quartermaster (and piper) Lloyd Johnson was promoted to the
rank of CAPTAIN with the Raleigh Fire Department on Tuesday.
He was joined by his family an his new extended family - THE BAND.
Thank you to Bud for participating in the ceremony honoring all
those promoted - and to Tony Crawford for grabbing a couple of nice
photos
Saturday, May 5, 2007
NC Fallen
Fire Fighters memorial
The band stood side by side with the
Charlotte Fire Department Pipe Band to honor firefighters
killed in the line of duty throughout the state of North Carolina in
2006. The "North Carolina United Pipe
& Drum Band" marched on parade and performed at the
memorial services held throughout the day. These events and
the candlelight vigil were sponsored by the
North Carolina
Fallen Fire Fighters Foundation.
Props to our Drum Major for picking up his bagpipes to play for the
Boy Scouts of America. Skip Kirkwood (accompanied by Tony
Crawford) made a trek for the Great Northern District for
their annual Spring Camporee at Camp Campbell on Kerr Lake.
The pipes were requested by Troop 401 to honor old glory at their
flag retirement ceremony.
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Cary Fire Department - Fire Station (7) opening
Thank you to Cameron Jetton as well as Grayson and Sterling Cave for
participating in the grand opening ceremonies for Cary Fire Station
7. They Mayor of Cary was delighted at the sights and sounds
of the pipes and drums - and the firefighters were proud this
tradition is now a part of public safety services throughout the
triangle. Mike Legeros took a number of photos which can be
viewed
here
Our very own band
groupie Karen Jetton took these photos and video of the ceremony.
Saturday, April 21, 2007
EUSPBA -
Loch Norman Games Huntersville,
North Carolina
WOW what a day for the Wake & District solo competitors at the Loch
Norman Games!!! Cameron Jetton took
3 first place medals in Grade 3
solo drumming - followed with 2 seconds and a
third by Sterling Cave; WAY TO GO LADS!!!
Grayson Cave took a 1st and a 3rd in solo piping - Grade 4 senior.
A job well done to Nyssa Cave and Matthew Kent who finished solid in
the Grade 4 junior heats. Thanks to all the band members and
family members who came out to support their efforts.
The band participated in massed bands with special guests from the
Charlotte Fire Department Pipe Bandand Mr. John
Maffett - the proprietor of
THE PIPER'S HUT.
The band was invited to participate once again with the North Carolina
Highway Patrol on the occasion of there 119th recruit class
graduation. This ceremony was attended by
Colonel Clay of the Highway Patrol and
Bryan Beatty, Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety.
The sounds of the pipes and drums blew the roof right off Dorton
Arena. Job well done to the 11 band members who
participated; we even got to pose for a photo with the NCSHP
helicopter...
And now for something complete different...thank you
to all the band members, family and friends for coming out to cheer
on and listen in as the band played live on stage at Tir Na Nog.
This was our first monthly appearance at the NOG and a warm-up of
the good times ahead blending the pipes with all sorts of
instruments and performers. To all the folks who donated cash
for kilts - THANK YOU. A special note of thanks
to David Quillin of the
St. Andrew's Pipe Band for sharing a few tunes with the crowd
(he played resounding renditions of the Blue Cloud and Crossing the Minch). As always...photos and videos will be posted
shortly.
Saturday, March 30, 2007
EUSPBA -
CARY Indoor Solo Piping Competition
Cary, North Carolina
A HEARTY congratulations to our own Grayson Cave who
ventured in a field of 11 competitors in Grade IV at the Eastern
United States Pipe Band Association indoor solo piping competition
held in Cary. The congratulations is in order because Grayson
in FIRST for his slow air (Lynne
Alice) and SECOND in March.
He also received an AGL - which stands for "playing Above
Grade Level" a good sign for moving up--especially when received
this early in the season; way to go Sparky!
Saturday, March 17, 2007
St.
Patrick's Day marathon
Raleigh, North Carolina
It was indeed a marathon of performances for the band's St.
Patrick's Day debut. Enough thanks cannot be extended to the
family members carrying the banner and marching with the band, to
the honor guard consisting of a Clayton Police Officer, a Raleigh
Police Officer, a Cary EMS officer and two Raleigh Fire Fighters; a
group truly representing the diversity we are as a pipe band.
The band did an OUTSTANDING job of marching on parade (including all
the pretty faces who helped fill the ranks - the prettiest being our
quartermaster's daughter Jessica sporting a band kilt). Skip
Kirkwood proudly marched as Drum Major -- leading the way to s
successful parade. Three separate performances were put on
after the parade in Moore Square, Tir Na Nog and opening the
O'Raleigh block party. The band raised almost $800 through the
generous support of the Irish Community and the hard work of band
members like Jason Lane and his father (Mr. Lane), Mike Bishop,
Lloyd Johnson and Jamie McMillan.
The night didn't end in Raleigh... An impromptu parade was
held later in the night through downtown Selma - where piper Dave
Hamelin owns a quaint little restaurant called
SWEETWATER'S << try the peanut butter cheesecake.
A special thanks to Lee Wilson, the photographer of the Raleigh Fire
Department - for joining us along the parade route and snapping a
couple hundred photos;
LEE's PHOTOS CAN BE SEEN HERE
Members of the
band were honored to have been asked to participate in the opening
and closing services for the Raleigh Fire Department Graduation
ceremony held at Fletcher Memorial Theatre on March 12, 2007.
The tune BALMORAL was a fitting tribute to newest members of the
Raleigh Fire Department - the greatest last job they will ever
have. Some photos from the event available here.
Lee Wilson was also lurking about taking
photos -- check them out here
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Raleigh Saint Patrick's Day Parade
fundraiser
TIR NA NOG IRISH PUB -
Raleigh, North Carolina
The band kicked off the
pre-paddy's day events with the Raleigh St.
Patrick's Day parade committee to the music of the pipes
and drums. Thank you to all of the band members for making it
out and putting on a wonderful performance which truly set the tone
for what we as a band are capable of. A story on the
event can be found at the Raleigh Chronicle
here
Band photos available
here.
TIR NA NOG bought the
band a kilt - THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
The Great
Guinness Toast is an annual event that takes place across
the world usually on the 3rd Friday of February - it is also known
as "St. Practice Day". The Un-official Site regarding the toast is
>>
http://www.TheGreatGuinnessToast.com. The band played a
small part in this world wide event by providing a little pipe and
drum music to wash down the Guinness for the patron's of Raleigh's
number one Irish Pub -- TIR NA NOG. Some photos from the event
can be seen here.
Monday, January
29, 2007
Raleigh Area Public Safety
(RAPS) race day Rush Hour
Karting -
Garner, North Carolina
What a turn out at
Rush Hour
Karting for the 1st Annual public safety race day. The
purpose of this event was an effort to have fun racing karts and
bring various members of local public safety together for some
off-duty activity. Okay, okay - it also gave two of our band members
(Jeff and
Neil Hammerstein) a chance to pretend to chase their life
long lost dream of driving an Indy car. The event was kicked
off with one lap of pipe tunes courtesy of Joe Brady. First
Place went to the Raleigh Fire Department, Second Place
went to the Raleigh Police Department, Third Place went to
Wake County EMS team 1...Dead Last Place went to the SBI/ALE
Team. Photos from the event courtesy of Lee Wilson can be
found >>
here.
Friday, January 19, 2007
North Carolina Highway Patrol
Promotional Ceremony Cary, North Carolina
The band was invited to
participate at the promotional ceremony for the North Carolina
Highway Patrol. This ceremony was attended by
Colonel Clay of the Highway Patrol and
Bryan Beatty, Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety.
The sounds of the pipes and drums blew the roof right off Colonial
Baptist Church. Job well done to the 9 band members who
participated including - for the first time ever in a kilt -
pipe student Lloyd Johnson playing the bass drum. PHOTOS HERE.
Tuesday, January 17, 2007
Funeral
for Retired RFD Chief Altman Raleigh, North Carolina
WE
HONOR OUR FALLEN. Pipers Skip Kirkwood, Dave Hamelin,
Grayson Cave and Joe Brady stepped into the cold afternoon air to
participate in the honors funeral services of retired
Raleigh Fire Department Chief - Hubert Altman.
The band's primary purpose isto
provide a distinguishing tribute to our fallen comrades and to be in
service to the family, friends and co-workers of public safety
employees of North Carolina. We fulfilled our mission
today with the dignity and solemnity provided by the mournful sound
of bagpipes. An Altman family member passed on a note to
the band "...the
family appreciated the band coming out in the cold and playing - you
were great - thanks..." Digital
artwork from the services can be found on Lee Wilson's
flicker page >> here as well as the Mike Legerosweblog >> here.
Tuesday,
January 16, 2007
Raleigh Fire Department
Promotional Ceremony Raleigh, North Carolina
Our
Pipe Major played for the Raleigh Fire Department promotional
ceremony; marching in step with the RFD color guard. The event
concluded with an impromptu parade from the Raleigh Council Chambers
to RFD Station 1; traffic control was facilitated by the Raleigh
Police Department. Congratulations to the members of the
Raleigh Fire Department on their promotions - which included a
family member of band member Mike Bishop - Lieutenant Brandon
Gayle. Thanks to Jason Lane and Tony Crawford for
orchestration as well as to the Raleigh Fire Department and their family
members for their financial donations to the band. Below are
some photos courtesy of our Band Manager - Tony Crawford. A
large number of photos from Lee Wilson, the official RFD
photographer - can be seen here >>
www.flickr.com/photos/leewilson
Saturday,
January 13, 2007
Funeral
for Janice Ann Frank (wife of Bruce Wright) Durham, North Carolina
WE
HONOR OUR FALLEN. Pipers
Grayson Cave and Joe Brady took part in the funeral services for
Janice Ann Frank. Janice is the wife of Bruce Wright,
the proprietor of Carolina Celt and is an institution in bagpipe
bands in North Carolina. We express our condolences to Bruce,
his family and his friends.
