Bagpipers strike a pose
By Scott NeufeldThursday, November 2, 2006 http://www.dailycourier.ca/article_675.php
They kept their kilts on this time and the Kalamalka Highlanders are hoping this year’s calendar will be as successful as last year’s risqué edition.The 2007-2008 calendar features tongue-in-cheek photos of Scottish sports including a range of sports from 
curling to golf to sheep chasing, said pipe sergeant Tom Skinner. After highlighting the band’s difficulties raising money for uniforms by having some members pose without kilts in last year’s calendar, he said this time around the calendar is more family friendly.“We were very successful last year with the calendar,” Skinner said. “We made approximately $15,000; we reinvested the money into new equipment.”The fundraiser was so successful in fact that the Highlanders were able to purchase enough uniforms to accommodate 14 new drummers this year, Skinner said. Proceeds from this year’s calendars will pay to keep them ready for future growth.“We’re actually putting all the money to go to our operating expenses for the band,” he said. “It takes about $10,000 year to run the band, which includes replacement equipment plus we also have to pay for a rental space to practice.”This year’s edition has so far eclipsed the success of its predecessor. Skinner said they started selling the calendar on Friday and after one day they had made about $2,400.A revival of interest in Celtic music has spurred the band’s numbers to grow, Skinner said. Another reason the band is growing is because they welcome novice musicians who are willing to learn, he said.“I can say one thing for our band . . . we don’t cater to a certain level of players,” he said. “We provide instruction from the ground all the way up.”The band now totals 30 playing members and Skinner said in a given year they may play as many as 50 times. He said their appearances range from the Run for the Cure to Canada Day events to the Interior Provincial Exhibition. This past summer the band was featured in Caravan Farm Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s MacBeth. “Next week we’ll be involved in going out to Vernon schools for Remembrance Day ceremonies,” he said. “It doesn’t take long for the hours to build up and the wear and tear to build up on the uniforms.”Anyone interested in supporting the band can purchase the calendar at various locations around Vernon including the Royal Canadian Legion, Army Navy and Air Force Veteran’s Cub, Boutique Canadiana in the Village Green Mall, Shear Dimensions Hair Design, Centre Dry Cleaners and Grapes and Hops Brew Co. on Kalamalka Lake Road.
They kept their kilts on this time and the Kalamalka Highlanders are hoping this year’s calendar will be as successful as last year’s risqué edition.The 2007-2008 calendar features tongue-in-cheek photos of Scottish sports including a range of sports from 
curling to golf to sheep chasing, said pipe sergeant Tom Skinner. After highlighting the band’s difficulties raising money for uniforms by having some members pose without kilts in last year’s calendar, he said this time around the calendar is more family friendly.“We were very successful last year with the calendar,” Skinner said. “We made approximately $15,000; we reinvested the money into new equipment.”The fundraiser was so successful in fact that the Highlanders were able to purchase enough uniforms to accommodate 14 new drummers this year, Skinner said. Proceeds from this year’s calendars will pay to keep them ready for future growth.“We’re actually putting all the money to go to our operating expenses for the band,” he said. “It takes about $10,000 year to run the band, which includes replacement equipment plus we also have to pay for a rental space to practice.”This year’s edition has so far eclipsed the success of its predecessor. Skinner said they started selling the calendar on Friday and after one day they had made about $2,400.A revival of interest in Celtic music has spurred the band’s numbers to grow, Skinner said. Another reason the band is growing is because they welcome novice musicians who are willing to learn, he said.“I can say one thing for our band . . . we don’t cater to a certain level of players,” he said. “We provide instruction from the ground all the way up.”The band now totals 30 playing members and Skinner said in a given year they may play as many as 50 times. He said their appearances range from the Run for the Cure to Canada Day events to the Interior Provincial Exhibition. This past summer the band was featured in Caravan Farm Theatre’s production of Shakespeare’s MacBeth. “Next week we’ll be involved in going out to Vernon schools for Remembrance Day ceremonies,” he said. “It doesn’t take long for the hours to build up and the wear and tear to build up on the uniforms.”Anyone interested in supporting the band can purchase the calendar at various locations around Vernon including the Royal Canadian Legion, Army Navy and Air Force Veteran’s Cub, Boutique Canadiana in the Village Green Mall, Shear Dimensions Hair Design, Centre Dry Cleaners and Grapes and Hops Brew Co. on Kalamalka Lake Road.
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