Drum Equipment.

I know we have got a couple new drummers in the band, so I just thought I should give the link to a great place to buy drum equipment. Drums Plus is where most of the drummers get there stuff. They've got tenor sticks, base equipment, and snare pads and sticks. :)

Do you remember this?

Everyone should learn this so we can sing it as a victory song after the Battle of the Bands on March 9th!

Thanks to Jeff for the Song!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X2TkDMy12Xs

A new season, a new blog.

We're Back! I just want to let you know that this blog will be starting up again soon and  also getting more help to run it. I am also looking for a new makeover, more news on the band, and more information that will be helpful to pipers and drummers. So stick around and see what going on.

Jet lag and how to beat it

In just over a week we will be starting our trip to Ireland and Scotland. For some this will be old hat. For others this will be brand new. For travelers crossing multiple time zones,in this case 5 hours ahead of us, jet lag usually comes along for the ride. Here are a few NASA-approved strategies to prevent its groggy effects from spoiling your trip. When it comes to managing jet lag, there are few better places to look than the fatigue management team at NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. According to the New York Times, the agency helps train astronauts who fly between international space agencies to overcome jet lag two to three times faster than other travelers. While the anti-jet lag prescription is highly individualized for the astronauts, the average traveler can glean a few useful pointers. Understand what intensifies jet lag Jet lag, as every long-distance airline passenger knows, disrupts the body's normal circadian rhythms, or body clocks, and causes some very unpleasant effects such as disturbed sleep, dizziness, and fatigue. The severity of the symptoms usually depends on the number of time zones you've crossed, the length of your stay, and the direction of travel. Symptoms tend to be worse the more time zones you cross and the shorter the trip is, that is, a direct flight versus a layover or a weekend trip from Paris to New York. It's reported that eastward travel is more difficult than westward travel, because it is usually easier to extend your day than to shorten it. Drink water, eat lightly To help curb jet lag, stay hydrated throughout the flight by drinking plenty of water and avoiding caffeine and alcohol, which can disrupt sleeping schedules and further dehydrate your body. Also, food is harder to digest at high altitudes, so eat lightly during the flight and avoid the high-salt, high-fat meals you're likely to be served on board. OTHER SLEEPING TIPS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN TRAVELING Manage natural daylight Upon arrival, expose yourself to as much natural daylight as you can -- light is the most powerful influence on the timing of your body's internal clock. CNN Health also reported that for eastward travel, it's best to avoid bright light, especially sunlight, for the first few mornings. Wear dark sunglasses and a hat or stay indoors. Then get as much sunlight as possible between noon and 4 p.m. Try melatonin Try to establish sleeping patterns without resorting to pills. However, if you have difficulty sleeping on the first two or three nights, consider melatonin. You can take 2.5 mg sublingually at bedtime for one or two nights to reduce your jet lag, but avoid stronger sedatives, which experts say can mask jet lag symptoms but do nothing to help realign the internal clock. Most people will adjust to new time zones eventually on their own. How soon? It is estimated that it takes one day per time zone crossed for circadian rhythms to adjust to local time.

Where can I get flames for my pipes?

I just don't know what came over me today but I found a guy called the "BadPiper" and I just had to show you this. With just one more parade to end this month. I wounder if  we can get the band fitted like this before the trip to Ireland.

March madness with the Pipes and Drums

Hello everyone, here we are again at the start of a new season. This year is going to be a big one for the band, lots of places to go and thing to see. This year we have 17 paying "gigs" and a good number of volunteer engagements, so here we go for the month of March.

Last week we were at the yearly AOH fundraiser at Danial Webster Collage were we had a good showing of piper and drummers. The playing was good with thanks to Cindy and the practice we have been having at the Band practices. Withe strike in and stops right on the money. Thanks to every one that were there.

This Sunday  March 6th there is again Band Practice at the PAL starting at 9:30am. At 11:00am we will be leaving for the Rochester Opera House for a school benefit. The uniform will be black polo shirts and the rest of your KiltKit. The meeting time will be at 1:00pm with us starting the show at 2:00pm. There will be plenty of parking at the back of the Opera house in front of the Rochester Police station.

March 11th there is a AOH fundraiser in Peabody MA. This is another volunteer engagement that will help us to get the world out about what we do.The seacoast Bus will be at Roy's at 4:00pm, Dover at 4:30. The AOH hall is across the street of the Bung-hole liquor store.

March 12th, We will be at the Elks Club in Dover NH. at 5:00pm

March 13th, Is the Worcester Ma. parade step off time is 12:00 so you will need to be there at 11:00am. I will get information about the Seacoast bust later. This is a pay performance.

March 17th is the not to be missed Dover Pub Crawl. Looks like we will have five and perhaps 6 places to play at this year. We start as always at the Dover Am. Legion post at 5:00pm.

March 27 is the Manchester Parade. Step off time is at 12:00 Noon so assemble time is set for 11:00am. This is a pay performance.


And speaking about paying performances. As you all know, next year we are going to Ireland and Scotland.This is thing that we have been working for some time. Ticket cost for band members are being picked up by the Band. However, the full ticket cost will only be paid for Band Members who take part in 13 out of the 17 paid parades and performances we have this season. Volunteer engagements on the other hand are just that, volunteer. Next year, as we will be leaving in October the required number will be less. Note that Miramichi counts as one parade/performance.


I thought that I would also toss in another you-tube clip on bagpipes. Computerized bag pipes. Sounds a little like Tom when he really gets going. It could work a bit on its ending.




Well that is all I have for now. If you have any questions. You can get answers at this Sundays Band practice.

Don't forget to live well and practice often.

Bob Stock

First information on the upcoming Trip for 2012.

This is the "first cut" on the Band upcoming trip to Ireland and Scotland. for  Oct. 2012. Now is the time to start thinking about it, getting your passport in order, finding a petsitter, maybe a tour guide book or two and making all the arrangements needed to enjoy the trip. Also remember that in order to go, you will need to make as many parades and other paying performances as possible. There will be a minimum number out of the total for this year and next year season.

DAY 1. Depart U.S.A  Oct 3^rd                        

The airline will be Aer lingus   flight number 136 BOS/DUB leaving  at 6:20PM

DAY 2   Diblin/ Armagh   Oct 4

A Cead Mile Failte (One Hundred Thousand Welcomes) awaits you as you are greeted by your charming tour director, Peter Clarke in the arrivals area and escorted to your deluxe motorcoach. We depart for Armagh City, traveling through the county of Louth our first stop this morning will be Newgrange The megalithic tomb at Newgrange was built in 32 BC so it is about 500 years older than the great pyramids, then off to our first overnight stay at the Armagh City Hotel. Armagh has been an ecclesiastical focal point for centuries It is one of the most venerated  of  Irish cities. To make the most of your trip, we suggest a nap upon arrival. A few hours of rest here can save days of trying to get over jet lag.                    Overnight / Armagh  

DAY 3  Armagh   Oct 5th

After breakfast this morning there will be a tour of the city of Armagh. Then over to Keady and Derrynoose, and other stops along the way for some shopping and sights. We will arrive back at the hotel in the late afternoon to prepare for an evening of song and stories by friends of Tommy Makem from all around Ireland and beyond  at the Tommy Makem Song festival at the Armagh City Hotel. The AOH band and a local Pipe band will also provide entrainment for you all.         Overnight. Armagh

DAY 4 Armagh  Oct 6^th  

This morning the morning can be yours to explore the city of Armagh on your own. In the early afternoon we will celebrate the 10 year of the Contlbret Pipes and Drum Band from Monaghan. A performance is planned with the NH AOH Pipes and drums.                      Overnight/ Armagh    

DAY 5 Scotland /Glasgow  Oct 7th 

After breakfast we bid fare well to the emerald isle and travel through Belfast then board a ferry to Scotland (about a 2 hour cruse). We should arrive at our hotel in the late afternoon. We hope to have a performance for the first time in Scotland by the AOH band  at the Ashtree Hotel where some of our tour will be staying. Overnight / Paisley/Glasgow

DAY 6 Scotland /Glasgow   Oct 8th

Today after a full Scottish breakfast we will board our bus and travel into Glasgow for a bus tour of the city you will have the better part of the day to tour on your own Glasgow is   We hope to perform at the AOH of Edinbourgh Overnight/ Glasgow 

 DAY 7  Scotland / Edinburgh Oct 9th

Today after a full Scottish breakfast we will board our bus and travel to Edinburgh city. After a bus tour of the city the day will be yours to explore the city on your own the many shops and pubs the  “Royal Mile” and the Castle which is the center of the city on your own visiting the many shops and pubs. We will return to the hotel in the early evening  for a night of song and stories by Tommy Sweeney  Overnight/ Glasgow 

DAY 8 Scotland / Dublin  Oct 10^th

We bid farewell to the Highlands of Scotland and return to Ireland via the ferry. We should arrive in Dublin City, Republic of Ireland’s Capital City. In spite of  its relatively small size and population (a little over aa million), Dublin still has the feeling of a European city but with the atmosphere which is entirely its own. We should arrive at out hotel in the late afternoon. This evening will be yours to explore the city’s night life at the many pubs and restaurants along” Temple Bar” area and around the downtown.  Overnight/ Dubluin

DAY 9 Dublin Oct 11^th

After a full Irish Breakfast we can board the bus for a tour of the city, or just explore on your own. Overnight / Dublin

Day 10 Dublin / Killarney Oct 12^th

After breakfast this morning we bid farewell to Dublin and head for the County of Cork. Our driver takes us through the towns of Kildare. Portlaois, Thurles to our visit to The Rock of Cashel (Irish: Carraig Phadraig),also known as Cashel of the Kings and St. Patrick’s Rock, is a historic site in Ireland’s province of Munster, located  at Cashel, County Tipperary. The Rock of Cashel served as the traditional seat of the Kings of Munster for several hundred years prior to the Norman invasion. According to local lore, the Rock of Cashel originated from devil’s Bit, a mountain 30km north of Cashel when St. Patrick banished Satan from a cave, resulting in the Rock landing in Cashel. We then head  to Blarney woolen mills and Blarney Castle. You will have some time to visit the Castle, Kiss the stone and revive the gift of gab, spend some time in the mill or just ramble around the village. Now it’s off Killarney, arriving at our hotel in the late afternoon The evening will be yours to explore the many musical pubs and restaurants that Killarney has to offer.

DAY 11 Killarney / Dingle Oct 13

Today’s touring beging after breakfast at our hotel. We set off for a senic drive along the spectacular Dingle Peninsula with its unforgettable views of the Blasket Islands. We will have some time to shop and enjoy the waterfront. On our return to our hotel we hope to stop off for a pint at the South Pole Pub. Shactland was a member of the survivors of this exploring ship that was stuck in the ice for many months etc. This evening we will be entertained by Tom Sweeney for our last night in Ireland.  Overnight / Killarney

DAY 12 Killarney / Shannon  Oct 14^th

We bid fare well to the Emerald Isle this morning. After Breakfast we will board our bus and drive to Shannon airport for our flight back to the USA. There will be ample time for shopping at the Duty Free store before boarding our return flight, taking with you fond memories of visit.