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Penetangore wins in Chicago June 22, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band won first prize in the Grade 4 pipe band competition at the Chicago Highland Games on June 21 and also a trophy for having the best bass section. As the only Canadian entry, the band competed against 11 other pipe bands from the US in the Champion Supreme contest. The 87th Cleveland Pipe Band from Ohio came second and St. Andrews Pipe Band from Springfield Illinois, came third. Penetangore is scheduled to compete with Grade 4 and 5 groups at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 5. In competition, pipe bands are rated from entry-level Grade 5 to highest-level Grade 1. Penetangore wins in Georgetown June 15, 2008 - Penetangore's Grade 4 group won first prize at the Georgetown Highland Games on June 14 in competition against 10 other pipe bands from various regions of Ontario and Michigan. The band also received honourable mention for having the best drum corps. The group is led by Pipe Major Bill Millman and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford. In solo competition, Penetangore's William Belet won the gold medal for Grade 4 solo piping; Lisa Moore won gold for novice bass drumming. Two former members and associates of Penetangore also earned awards at the contest. Kincardine's Glenn Walpole was declared best amateur piper of the day, while Zack Miller of Point Clark won best amateur drummer. Glenn currently plays with the Grade 1 Peel Regional Police Pipe Band and Zack is a member of the Grade 1 Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders. In competition, pipe bands are rated from entry-level Grade 5 to highest-level Grade 1. Penetangore's Grade 5 group under Pipe Major Terry Mills and Lead Drummer Deb Whittall competed against seven other bands at the contest but didn't make the prize list. Earlier this year the group won second prize at the Hanover Highland Games and third prize at the Alma Highland Games in Michigan. Penetangore's Grade 4 group is scheduled to compete at the Chicago Highland Games on June 22. Both the Grade 4 and 5 groups are scheduled to compete at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 5. Both groups are under the musical direction of Jake Watson. Penetangore piper pipes down the sun for Governor General's Study Group June 15, 2008 - Representatives from the Governor General's 2008 Canadian Leadership Conference were treated to a performance on the beach in Port Elgin on June 14 by Penetangore Piper Hannah Liddle. Still in her kilt from an earlier performance at the Georgetown Highland Games, Hannah piped down the sun for the delegates who were staying at the nearby Canadian Auto Workers Training Centre after a tour of Bruce Power's generating facilities. Bruce Power is Penetangore's major sponsor. The Conference brings together potential Canadian leaders from business, labour, government, non-government organizations, education and the cultural sector for two weeks with the goal of broadening their perspectives on work, leadership, their communities, and their country. Preparing for Georgetown June 5, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band is scheduled to enter Grade 4 and Grade 5 groups in the Georgetown Highland Games on June 14 at the Fairgrounds in Georgetown, Ontario. Led by Pipe Major Bill Millman and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, the Grade 4 group features 15 pipers and 10 drummers. The Grade 5 group, led by Pipe Major Terry Mills and Lead Drummer Debbie Whittall, features nine pipers and six drummers. Music Director Jake Watson serves as instructor for both groups. This is the 33rd year for the Georgetown contest and the eighth year Penetangore has entered groups in the event. A Penetangore Grade 3 group, led by Pipe Major Ashleigh Weeden, won first prize in 2007; the band's Grade 4 group won first prize in 2005. Grade 5 groups have been entered consecutively for the last four years, coming fourth three times and third once. After Georgetown, Penetangore's next competition is on June 21 at the Chicago Highland Games. Penetangore Pipe Band places 2nd at Alma May 26, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band's Grade 4 and Grade 5 groups competed at the Alma Highland Games and the US Open Pipe Band Competition in Michigan this past weekend earning three top prizes. Both contests were held at Alma College. The Grade 4 group, led by PIpe Major Bill Millman and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, came 2nd in the Alma contest on May 24, and 3rd at the Open Competition on May 25. The Grade 5 group, led by Pipe Major Terry Mills and Lead Drummer Debbie Whitthall, came 3rd in the Alma contest. Both groups are under the musical direction of Jake Watson. The Penetangore groups competed against pipe bands in their own categories from Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Ontario and Texas. Flint Scottish Pipe Band won both of the Grade 4 events while Ballantyne Memorial Pipe Band won the Grade 5 events. Representing Penetangore in solo Grade 4 piping contests, William Belet came 3rd and Frazer Fleming placed 6th in a field of 15 pipers. Penetangore competes in corporate tartan provided by Bruce Power. The band's next competition is in Georgetown, Ontario on June 14, followed by the Chicago Highland Games on June 21. The band is scheduled to compete at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 4. Alma coming up fast May 18, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band travels to the centre of Michigan on May 23 to compete in the Alma Highland Games. Alma is located about 50 miles north of Lansing, the state capitol. On Saturday, May 24, the band's Grade 4 and 5 groups compete in different circles, as follows: Grade 4 in Circle 1 2:00 p.m. Windsor Police Pipe Band Grade 5 in Circle 2 2:00 p.m. Cabar Feidh Pipe Band On Sunday, May 25, the games continue, as follows: Grade 5 in Circle 1 2:00 p.m. Cabar Feidh Pipe Band 2:00 p.m. Windsor Police Pipe Band This is the first time the Penetangore Pipe Band has performed outside of Canada. For more information about the Alma Highland Games, please see the website www.almahighlandfestival.com. Kincardine Lions Club kicks in May 15, 2008 - Kincardine Lions Club representative Ken Fair was on hand at the Penetangore Pipe Band's weekly practice on May 15 to present the area competition band with a sponsorship cheque for $500 to be put towards uniforms. He received a quick drum lesson from the band's quartermaster, Lisa Moore, before departing. On May 23, the band travels to Michigan to compete in the Alma Highland Games. It's scheduled to compete at the Georgetown Highland games on June 14, the Chicago Highland Games on June 21 and then the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 5. Preparing for Alma May 10, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band is scheduled to enter Grade 4 and 5 groups in Highland Games at the Alma Highland Festival in Michigan on May 24 and 25. Led by Pipe Major Bill Millman and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, the Grade 4 group features 15 pipers and 10 drummers. The Grade 5 group, led by Pipe Major Terry Mills and Lead Drummer Debbie Whittall, features nine pipers and six drummers. Music Director Jake Watson serves as instructor for both groups. Held on the campus of Alma College, this is the 41st year for the annual event. It will be the first time Penetangore has performed outside of Canada. After Alma, Penetangore is scheduled to compete at the Georgetown Highland Games in Ontario on June 14. Rookies help Penetangore Grade 5 win second April 27, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band's Grade 5 group won second prize at the Hanover Indoor Highland Games on April 26 in Hanover, Ontario. Competing against seven other pipe bands in the Grade 5 category, it was the band's first competition of the 2008 season. "It was pretty neat," said Pipe Major Terry MIlls. "Two pipers and one tenor drummer have never competed before; also the lead tip has not competed in seven years." It was the fourth time Penetangore has entered its Grade 5 group in the annual Hanover competition. Last year the band placed second and in 2006 it came fourth; it won first prize in 2005. The Grade 5 competition this year was won by Grand Celtic Pipe Band of Fergus, Ontario. The Penetangore Pipe Band's next competition is scheduled for May 24 in Alma, Michigan. Both its Grade 4 and Grade 5 groups are expected to complete at the event which is sanctioned by the Midwest Pipe Band Association. Bruce Power contributes $10,000 April 21, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band was presented with a $10,000 cheque by Bruce Power Community Relations Manager Barb Goetz on April 20 in recognition of the band's role in promoting the art form of pipes and drums in the Grey, Bruce and Huron areas. Bruce Power has been a major supporter of Penetangore since 2002 when the company provided corporate tartan for members to be outfitted in kilts. The band features the Bruce Power logo on its bass drums. "A lot of our members are Bruce Power employees and others have a strong connection through friends or relatives," said Penetangore President Rob Liddle. "We're very fortunate to have the company as a major sponsor and it's a relationship we value." The presentation was made during band practice at the company's Visitors' Centre near Tiverton, Ontario. The money is to be put towards band equipment and uniforms. Penetangore's Grade 5 pipe band is scheduled to compete at the Hanover Indoor Games on Saturday, April 26. The event is being held at the Hanover Regional Aquatic Centre on 7th Avenue in Hanover, Ontario. For more information contact Mike at (519) 364-6846 or email ben.bh@bmts.com Supercities Walk a success April 14, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band kicked off the Supercities Walk for MS (Multiple Sclerosis) at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, Ontario on April 13. Approximately 370 walkers participated in the event which raised more than $100,000. Penetangore to lead Supercities Walk April 5, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band is scheduled to kick off the Supercities Walk for MS at the Davidson Centre in Kincardine, Ontario at 10 a.m. on Sunday, April 13. It will be the first full-band appearance by Penetangore in 2008 and the fourth year the band has participated in the annual event. More than 400 walkers are expected for the local walk, which last year raised more than $100,000 in support of the MS Society. The organization supports research to find a cure for multiple sclerosis and enables people who are afflicted with the disease to enhance their quality of life. Penetangore will lead the walkers from the Davidson Centre and travel west to the Durham Street bridge. The participants will then carry on to complete various routes throughout the town. Penetangore wears the corporate tartan of its major sponsor, Bruce Power. The band, which competes at Highland Games in Ontario and elsewhere, provides advanced instruction in pipes and drums for musicians in the Grey-Bruce-Huron catchment area and beyond. Penetangore fielding Grade 4 and 5 groups this year March 30, 2008 - The Penetangore Pipe Band is withdrawing its Grade 3 group from competition this year to focus on progressing its Grade 4 and 5 musicians. Faced with a dwindling Grade 3 roster and several members not able to commit to competition this year, the recommendation to withdraw Grade 3 was made by music director Jake Watson and accepted by the band's Board of Directors. Penetangore's Grade 3 group was formed in 2006. In the two years it competed, it won four of nine competitions and racked up two seconds, a third, and a fourth. Nick Reid served as pipe major in 2006 and Ashleigh Weeden took over in 2007. Both have advised the music director that they are too busy with work and school to compete with the band this year. "Our Grade 3 group was tiny, especially the drum corps," said Rob Liddle, band president. "With Zack (Miller) gone to the Frasers and Whitney (Bonnett) on her way to a new Grade 1 band with Craig (Colquhoun), we're down to the bare bones with side drummers and we’ve had a few pipers move on as well. We'll use this year to regroup and be stronger going forward." Jake Watson remains as music director of Penetangore and will serve as an instructor for both the Grade 4 and 5 groups this season. Gerry Radford continues as drumming instructor and lead drummer of the Grade 4 group with Bill Millman as pipe major. Terry Mills remains as pipe major of the Grade 5 group with Deb Whithall as lead drummer. Bass drummer Brian Fry will play a senior role in the Grade 5 group, helping to bring new drummers along, while Robert Colquhoun plays bass with Grade 4. Penetangore's first full-band commitment this year is on April 13 at the Supercities Walk for MS in Kincardine, Ontario. The band's Grade 5 group is scheduled to compete at the Hanover Games on April 26. Penetangore drummers invited to join new Grade 1 band Feb. 9, 2008 - Penetangore snare drummer Whitney Bonnett has been invited to try out for a new band based in Scotland that is forming to compete in the 2008 World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow this August. Three-time World Bass Drum Champion Craig ‘Hoss' Colquhoun, a Penetangore mentor, will head up the new band's mid-section. Like Whitney, Craig is from Kincardine, Ontario, and got his start in the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band. A press release on the National Piping Centre's website states the new band, yet unnamed, will be under the direction of Roddy MacLeod. Musicians also include Leading Drummer John Fisher, Willie McCallum, Angus MacColl, Alasdair Gillies, Jim McGillivray, Iain Speirs, Colin MacLellan, Jenny Hazzard, Simon McKerrell, Finlay MacDonald, Niall Stewart, Finlay Johnston, Stuart Samson, Robert Crozier, Wilson Brown and Simon Marshall. " I asked both Gerry (Radford) and Whitney to join me in the mid-section," said Craig. "Gerry is seriously busy at work; he is also firstly devoted to playing with Penetangore. Whitney deserves a chance to play in the big circle. She's a wonderful musician and I'm pleased that she has accepted my invitation." Whitney is the fourth young musician to advance from the Penetangore ranks in recent years. Others include her sister, Lauren Bonnett, a tenor drummer with the Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders; Zack Miller, also with the Frasers; and Glenn Walpole, currently with the Peel Regional Police. "Even though I'm taking a shot at Grade 1, I'm still planning on wearing purple this year, as well," said Whitney, in reference to the tartan worn by Penetangore. Whitney will perform with both bands this year, taking her release from Penetangore in time to compete in the Worlds. Penetangore drummers win big Nov. 4, 2007 - Lisa Moore and Zack Miller of the Penetangore Pipe Band were awarded Champion Supreme medals at the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario's annual banquet on Nov. 3. This past year, the two competed in solo contests in Cambridge, Chatham, Fergus, Georgetown, Kincardine, Maxville and Sarnia. Lisa won most points in the Amateur Flourishing Tenor category, while Zack won Grade 2 Snare Drumming. Lisa, a Bruce Power employee, currently serves as a drumming instructor and Quartermaster for Penetangore She also performs with the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band. Zack, a student at Kincardine District Secondary School, was recently recruited by the Grade 1 Scottish Lion 78th Frasers of Toronto. He is the son of Ann and Rob Miller of Point Clark. The banquet was held in Acton, Ontario. New executive for Penetangore Nov. 1, 2007 - Kathy Skinn, Lisa Moore and Rob Liddle were acclaimed respectively as Secretary, Quartermaster and President of the Penetangore Pipe Band at the organization's annual general meeting (AGM) on Oct. 17. Kathy, a snare drummer in Penetangore's Grade 5 group, replaces Marg MacDonald who served as Secretary for five of the band's six-year history Marg will remain active in the organization and an ardent supporter with her husband Barry. Their son, Kyle, is a piper with the Grade 3 group. Lisa Moore assumed the Quartermaster duties from Bob Moore at the beginning of the contest season. Lisa is a tenor drummer with the band's Grade 3 group and an instructor with the Grade 5 group. Her acclamation to the Board of Directors was endorsed unanimously by the membership. Rob Liddle accepted the presidency from Rob Miller, whose son Zack was recently recruited by the Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto. Rob M. and his wife Ann have been active supporters of Penetangore since Zack joined as a snare drummer in 2004. They'll continue you maintain a close association with the band as it progresses. "We're faced with some real challenges this year," said Rob Liddle, new president. "A lot of our younger people are heading off to college or university and we've had some of our Grade 5 veterans withdraw because of other commitments in their communities. We've also had several new people join who have never played in a competition pipe band before. The Music Director will have to see how it goes and make an assessment on grade levels before the competition season begins next spring." Other members of the Board of Directors remain the same and include Jake Watson, Music Director, Gerry Radford, Lead Drummer, and Brian Fry, Treasurer. Appointments to the Board include Ashleigh Weeden, Grade 3 Pipe Major, Bill Millman, Grade 3 Pipe Sergeant, and Terry Mills, Grade 5 Pipe Sergeant. Former Grade 4 Pipe Major Nick Reid announced his resignation a couple of weeks after the AGM because of a heavy commitment at work involving his acceptance in Bruce Power's authorized nuclear operator program. Nick was one of the original members of Penetangore when it was formed in 2001 and he served as Pipe Major of the Grade 3 group when it was first formed in 2006. A Pipe Major for Penetangore's Grade 4 group will be appointed at a later date. Penetangore comes first in Fergus Aug. 14, 2007 - The Penetangore Pipe Band ended its 2007 competition season at the Fergus Highland Games this past weekend with a first-place win for its Grade 3 group and a 4th place finish for its Grade 5 group. In solo performance, Zack Miller won first prize in both Grade 2 snare drumming events. Lisa Moore placed second in amateur flourishing tenor, Emily Atkinson placed second in novice flourishing tenor and Maria Lozada placed third in novice flourishing tenor. The performance caps a season that included contests at Georgetown, Kincardine, Chatham, Cambridge, and Sarnia The band is now scheduled to perform at Kincardine's Relay for Life on Aug. 17, Kincardine's Gathering of the Bands on Aug. 25, Owen Sound's Celtic Festival on Sept. 14 and 15 and the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 29 Penetangore's Zack Miller first in drumming July 16, 2007 - The Penetangore Pipe Band's Grade 3 group placed second overall at the Tartan Sertoma Supreme Highland Games in Chatham on July 15 and received honorary mention during the awards presentation for having the best bass section. The contest was won by George Watson's College Pipes and Drums of Edinburgh, Scotland with the Toronto Police Pipe Band coming third. Other bands in the contest included groups from Cambridge, Cleveland, Durham Region, Orillia, Strathroy and Windsor. In solo competition, Penetangore's Zack Miller won first in Grade 2 snare drumming and Daniel Carr came second in Grade 1 March A piping. Lisa Moore and Val McComb came second and third respectively in amateur flourishing tenor drumming. Kincardine resident Glenn Walpole, a member of the Grade 1 Peel Regional Police Pipe Band, came second in Grade 1 March B piping, second in Grade B Jig piping and third in Strathspey and Reel piping. Based in Kincardine, Penetangore's Grade 3, 4 and 5 groups are all scheduled to compete at the Cambridge Highland Games on July 21. The Grade 3 group continues on to the Maxville games on Aug. 4, Montreal on Aug. 5 and then joins Grades 4 and 5 for the Fergus games on Aug. 11. The band is also scheduled to perform at Kincardine's Relay for Life on Aug. 17, Kincardine's Gathering of the Bands on Aug. 25, Owen Sound's Celtic Festival on Sept. 15 and the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 29. Competitive pipe bands are ranked from entry-level Grade 5 to senior-level Grade 1. Penetangore's Grade 3, 4 and 4 groups compete under the musical direction of Jake Watson (pipes) and Gerry Radford (drums) with Ashleigh Weeden, Nick Reid and Terry Mills as pipe majors. A not-for-profit organization, the band provides advanced instruction for musicians in pipes and drums and also a competitive forum within the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario. More information can be found at www.ppbso.com. Penetangore to compete in Kincardine June 17, 2007 - The Penetangore Pipe Band came second overall and won best bass section in the Grade 3 pipe band competition at the Sarnia Highland Games on June 16. The Kincardine band competed against eight other pipe bands from centres that included Cambridge, Cleveland, Durham Region, Orillia, Strathroy, Toronto and Windsor. The contest was the third for Penetangore this year. The band fields Grade 3, 4 and 5 groups that compete in their repective grades under the musical direction of Jake Watson and Gerry Radford. Competitive pipe bands are ranked from entry-level Grade 5 to senior-level Grade 1. On June 9, the Grade 3 group came first at the Georgetown Highland Games while its Grade 4 group came fourth. In April, all three of the band's groups competed at the Hanover Indoor Games winning first in Grade 3, second in Grade 5 and third in Grade 4. Formed in 2001 as a Grade 4 competition pipe band, Penetangore added a Grade 5 group in 2003 and a Grade 3 group in 2006. Sponsored by Bruce Power and Matchett Financial Services, the band has approximately 60 members. A not-for-profit organization, it provides advanced instruction in pipes and drums and also a competitive forum within the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario. Penetangore is scheduled to compete in Kincardine on July 7, Chatham on July 14, Cambridge on July 21, Maxville on Aug. 3, Montreal on Aug. 5 and Fergus on Aug. 11. The band is also scheduled to perform at Kincardine's Relay for Life on Aug. 17, Kincardine's Gathering of the Bands on Aug. 25, Owen Sound's Celtic Festival on Sept. 15 and the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 29. Contest season begins well for Penetangore Pipe Band June 10, 2007 - The Penetangore Pipe Band won first prize in the Grade 3 pipe band competition at Georgetown Highland Games on June 9. Led by Pipe Major Ashleigh Weeden and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, the band competed against other competitive pipe bands from Arnprior, Orillia, Strathroy, Toronto,Windsor and other centres. Penetangore's Grade 4 and 5 groups competed as well, coming 8th and 4th in their respective categories. The Grade 4 and 5 groups are led by Pipe Majors Nick Reid and Terry Mills. Penetangore's Music Director is Jake Watson. Georgetown was Penetangore's second competition this year. In April, the band's three groups competed at the Hanover Indoor Games winning first in Grade 3, second in Grade 5 and third in Grade 4. Competitive pipe bands are ranked from entry-level Grade 5 to master-level Grade 1. In solo competition, Penetangore's Zack Miller picked up two first prizes for Grade 2 drumming. Lisa Moore and Val McComb came second and third respectively in amateur flourishing tenor drumming. Fraser Fleming won fourth in Grade 4 piping. Formed in 2001 as a Grade 4 competition pipe band, Penetangore added a Grade 5 group in 2003 and a Grade 3 group in 2006. Sponsored by Bruce Power and Matchett Financial Services, the band has approximately 60 members. A not-for-profit organization, it provides advanced instruction in pipes and drums and also a competitive forum within the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario. Penetangore is scheduled to compete at Highland Games in Sarnia on June 16, Kincardine on July 7, Chatham on July 14, Cambridge on July 21 and Fergus on Aug. 11. The band is also scheduled to perform at Kincardine's Relay for Life on Aug. 17, Kincardine's Gathering of the Bands on Aug. 25, Owen Sound's Celtic Festival on Sept. 15 and the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 29. Penetangore off to a good start April 29, 2007 - The Penetangore Pipe Band entered all three of its groups in the Hanover Pipe Band Contest on April 28 and came away with first prize in the Grade 3 category, second for Grade 5 and third for Grade 4. The indoor contest at the Coliseum featured 21pipe bands including organizations from Brantford, Fergus, Goderich, Hamilton, Guelph and Owen Sound. Formed in 2001 as a Grade 4 competition pipe band, Penetangore added a Grade 5 group in 2003 and a Grade 3 group in 2006. Competitive pipe bands are ranked from entry-level Grade 5 to master-level Grade 1. This year Penetangore is scheduled to perform at festivals in Cambridge, Chatham, Fergus, Georgetown, Kincardine, Sarnia and Owen Sound. The band is also booked for the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 29. More information about Penetangore can be found at www.penetangore.com. New President for Penetangore Oct. 30, 2006 - Rob Miller was elected President of the Penetangore Pipe Band at the band's Annual General Meeting on Oct. 29, 2006 at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre. PIpe Major Jake Watson, Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, Treasurer Brian Fry, Secretary Marg MacDonald and Quartermaster Bob Moore were acclaimed. At the meeting, Fry was also recognized for being named 2006 Champion Supreme for solo professional bass drumming by the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario. Fry will travel to Milton on Nov. 11 to an awards ceremony. Penetangore provides advanced instruction in pipes and drums and competes with Grade 3, 4, and 5 bands at Highland Games throughout Ontario. Formed in 2001, the band currently has 60 members and is sponsored by Bruce Power, Matchett Financial Services and the Kincardine Lions. Last year it competed in contests in Hanover, Georgetown, Kincardine, Cambridge, Chatham and Fergus. Competition pipe bands are ranked from entry-level Grade 5 to highest-level Grade 1. Bass drummer wins Champion Supreme Sept. 30, 2006 - Kincardine resident Brian Fry has been named 2006 Champion Supreme for solo professional bass drumming by the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario. Fry competes in the Penetangore Pipe Band at highland games throughout Ontario and he also is a member of the Kincardine Scottish. He will be honoured at Penetangore's annual general meeting in Kincardine on Oct. 29 and also at the PPBSO's annual awards presentations in Milton on Nov. 11. The PPBSO's website is www.ppbso.com. Penetangore wins in Cambridge July 19, 2006 - The Penetangore Pipe Band's new grade 3 group won first prize at the Cambridge Highland Games on July 15 after coming fourth in the Tartan Sertoma Highland Games in Chatham on July 8. The band's grade 4 and 5 groups also played in Cambridge, coming seventh and fifth in their categories respectively. In solo competitions in Cambridge, the following Penetangore musicians placed: Brian Fry, first in professional bass drumming; Robert Colquhoun, second in professional bass drumming; Alyssa Walpole, second in Grade 4 drumming; Zack Miller, second in Grade 3 drumming; Graham MacMaster, fourth in Grade 4 piping; Kyle MacDonald, fourth in Grade 2 march piping and fifth in Grade 2 jig piping; Andy Millman, third in Grade 1 jig piping. At solo competitions in Chatham, Penetangore's Colby Bellan earned first prize in Grade 2 drumming; Miller, second in Grade 3 drumming; Walpole, first in grade 4 drumming; Fry, third in professional bass drumming; Ashleigh Weeden, second in grade 1 jig piping, fourth in grade 1 march piping and fifth in grade 1 Strathspey and Reel piping; MacDonald, third in grade 2 jig piping; Val McComb, second in novice rhythm tenor drumming and third in novice flourishing tenor drumming; Lisa Moore, fifth in amateur rhythm tenor drumming. For Penetangore's fourth place finish in Chatham, Hamilton Police Pipe Band came first, followed by Windsor Police and then the City of Chicago Pipe Band. Under the direction of Pipe Major Jake Watson and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, Penetangore wears the corporate tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power, and receives support from Matchett Financial Services as well as patrons. The grade 5 group is scheduled to compete in Fergus on Aug. 13, while all three groups will perform at Gathering of the Bands in Kincardine on Aug. 26, the Celtic Festival in Owen Sound on Sept. 16 and the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 30. Penetangore grade 5 pipe band wins first prize July 5, 2006 - The Penetangore Pipe Band entered three groups in band contests at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 1, earning a first in grade 5, a third in grade 3 and a fifth in grade 4. In addition, the grade 5 group picked up an award for having best bass section. The competition was a first ever for Penetangore with a grade 3 group and the first contest this year for the grade 4 group. It was the third contest of the year for the grade 5 group, having placed fourth at the Hanover Games in April and third at the Georgetown Games in June. In solo bag pipe contests at the Kincardine festival, Penetangore's Andy Millman came first in grade 1 jig and fourth in march; Kyle MacDonald, second in grade 2 jig and fourth in march; Graham MacMaster, third in grade 4 march; Cayly Bellan, fourth in grade 3 march; Frazer Fleming, fourth in grade 5 march. In the solo drum contests Brian Fry, came first in professional bass; Zack Miller, second in grade 3; Val McComb, second in novice flourishing tenor; Alyssa Walpole, third in grade 4 march; Lisa Moore, third in amateur flourishing tenor. Under the direction of Pipe Major Jake Watson, Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, and Drum Mentor Craig Colquhoun, Penetangore is led by Pipe Sergeants Terry Mills, grade 5, Watson Morris, grade 4 and Nick Reid, grade 3. Alyssa Walpole serves as Lead Drummer for the grade 5 group. The band wears the corporate tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power, and also receives support from Matchett Financial Services and patrons. Jake Watson also competes with local musicians Lauren Bonnett, Bruce MacLean and Emily McLeod in the Scottish Lion 78th Fraser Highlanders. The grade 1 band came first in its category at the Kincardine festival. Penetangore's grade 4 and 3 groups are scheduled to compete in Chatham on July 5 and in Cambridge on July 15. Grade 5 is scheduled for Cambridge and also for the Fergus Highland Games on Aug. 13. The band will peform as one large group in Kincardine on Aug. 26 for the Gathering of the Bands event, hosted by the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band. Formed in 2001 as a Grade 4 band, Penetangore added a Grade 5 group in 2004 and a Grade 3 group in 2006. In competition, pipe bands are ranked from entry-level Grade 5 to world-class Grade 1. Penetangore's new Grade 3 band to compete at Kincardine Scottish Festival June 12, 2006 - The Penetangore Pipe Band's Grade 5 group placed third at the Georgetown Highland Games on June 10. Led by Pipe Major Jake Watson, Pipe Sergeant Terry Mills and Lead Drummers Gerry Radford and Alyssa Walpole, the band competed against pipe bands from Hamilton, Georgetown, Kingston, Ottawa, Port Dover and St. Catherines. In solo competition, the following Penetangore musicians placed: Ashleigh Weeden, 2nd Solo Piping - Grade 1 March, 4th Solo Piping - Grade 1 Jig; Kyle MacDonald, 1st Solo Piping - Grade 2 Jig, 6th Solo Piping - Grade 2 March; Frazer Fleming, 4th Solo Piping - Grade 5 March; Zack Miller, 1st Drumming - Grade 3 MSR; Alyssa Walpole, 3rd Drumming - Grade 4 March; Val McComb: 2nd Flourishing Tenor - Novice Flourishing Tenor; Brian Fry: 2nd Bass - Professional Solo Bass, 3rd Bass - Professional Bass. In competition, pipe bands are ranked from entry-level Grade 5 to world-class Grade 1. Formed in 2001 as a Grade 4 band, Penetangore added a Grade 5 group in 2004 and a Grade 3 group in 2006. All three groups are scheduled to compete on July 1 at the Kincardine Scottish Festival. Penetangore’s Zack Miller wins solo snare drumming contest April 31, 2006 - The Penetangore Pipe Band’s grade 5 group came fourth at the Hanover Indoor Highland Games on April 29. Led in competition by Pipe Sergeant Terry Mills and Lead Tip Alyssa Walpole, the group competed against nine other grade 5 bands. Grand Celtic of Fergus came first, followed by Celtic Blue of Goderich, second, and Georgetown Pipe Band, third. In solo competition, Penetangore snare drummer Zack Miller won grade 3 snare drumming and Walpole placed second in grade 4 snare drumming. The band was also well represented by Kyle MacDonald in grade 2 piping and Frazer Fleming in grade 5 piping. Sponsored by Bruce Power and Matchett Financial Services, Penetangore wears Bruce Power’s corporate tartan and has weekly practices at the company’s Visitors’ Centre. In Kincardine, the band recently participated in the Lions Club parade on April 29 and the Supercities Walk for MS on April 23. Formed in 2001as a grade 4 band, Penetangore added a grade 5 group in 2004. This year the band will also compete with a new grade 3 group. In competition, pipe bands are ranked from entry-level grade 5 to world-class grade 1. Confirmed Penetangore performances this year are scheduled as follows: Goderich Massed Band, June 3; Georgetown, June 10; Kincardine Scottish Festival, July 1; Chatham, July 8; Cambridge, July 15; Sarnia, August 19; and Kincardine Massed Band, August 26. The band is also expected to perform in Owen Sound, Saugeen Shores and Ripley. Penetangore announces Grade 3 corps Oct. 18, 2005 - Gary Lauzon was elected President of the Penetangore Pipe Band at the band’s annual general meeting on Oct. 17 at the Bruce Power Visitors‘ Centre. Lauzon, a Kincardine resident, succeeds Dave Wilson of Tara who served for three years. Jake Watson, Gerry Radford, Brian Fry, Marg MacDonald and Bob Moore were acclaimed respectively as Pipe Major, Lead Drummer, Treasurer, Secretary and Quartermaster. In addition, Nick Reid, Watson Morris and Terry Mills were appointed as Pipe Sergeants. All are from Kincardine or Ripley except for Mills who lives in Sarnia. Watson, in the Pipe Major’s address to the membership, announced the formation of a new Penetangore Grade 3 corps. Competitive pipe bands are graded according to international standards from entry-level Grade 5 to world-class Grade 1. Penetangore was formed in 2001 as a Grade 4 band but added a Grade 5 section in 2004. The organization will now field bands in three levels of competition. The 2004-2005 season was the most successful to date for Penetangore. The Grade 4 band came first at competitions in Hanover, Georgetown, and Kincardine, second in Sarnia and third in Chatham. The Grade 5 band came first in Hanover and Sarnia and third in Georgetown. In addition to the contests, the band performed at Relay for Life in Owen Sound, the Ripley Fall Fair, Goderich Massed Band, the Labour Day Parade in Saugeen Shores and several events in Kincardine including Gathering of the Bands, the Ministerial Faith Festival, Supercities Walk for MS and Doors Open. More information about Penetangore can be found on the website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore ends competition season first and second in Sarnia Aug. 22, 2005 - Lead Drummer Gerry Radford of the Penetangore Pipe Band couldn’t stop smiling on Aug. 20 when both his Grade 4 and 5 drum corps marched off with first-place results at the Sarnia Supreme Highland Games. Overall in their respective grades, Penetangore’s Grade 5 squad came first in the competition while the Grade 4 group came second. The two bands, based in Kincardine, competed against pipe bands from other centres including Ann Arbor, Cleveland, Durham Region, Fergus, Georgetown, Guelph, London, MIlton and Windsor. Pipe bands are judged on piping, drumming, bass section and ensemble with overall prizes based on an accumulation of points for each category. Penetangore drummer Zack Miller had cause to smile as well as he won the Grade 4 solo drumming contest, led the Grade 5 drum corps to victory as Lead Tip and then participated as a player in the Grade 4 drum corps’ win. Penetangore’s Grade 4 bass section also came first in Sarnia. More than two hundred soloists competed at the games including Penetangore’s Miller, Cayly and Colby Bellan, Annzley Clark, Brian Fry, Josh Lauzon, Hannah Liddle, Kyle MacDonald, Lisa Moore and Alyssa Walpole. Fry placed second in professional bass drumming, Colby Bellan third in Grade 3 drumming, Moore third in novice rhythm tenor and fourth in novice flourishing tenor, Cayly Bellan fourth in Grade 4 piping, Clark fourth in amateur flourishing tenor, and MacDonald sixth in both Grade 2 jig piping and march piping. Penetangore, sponsored by Bruce Power, competes under the auspices of the Ontario Pipers and Pipe Band Society. Jake Watson is Pipe Major of the 45-member band while Bill Millman, Terry Mills, Nick Reid and Watson Morris serve as Pipe Sergeants. With the 2005 competition season now at an end, Penetangore enjoyed its most successful year to date. The Grade 4 band came first at competitions in Hanover, Georgetown, and Kincardine, second in Sarnia and third in Chatham. The Grade 5 band came first in Hanover and Sarnia and third in Georgetown. Penetangore was formed in 2001 as a Grade 4 band but added a Grade 5 section in 2004. Dave Wilson, President of Penetangore, attributed the band’s success this year to the dedication of its members and Watson and Radford's leadership. “Jake and Gerry’s musical guidance and direction has lead us all the way to a place that holds no barriers, other than where we wish to go as a group,” said Wilson. Penetangore is scheduled to perform at Gathering of the Bands in Kincardine on Aug. 27, the CAW Centre in Port Elgin on Sept. 5, Owen Sound’s Relay for Life event on Sept. 23 and the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 24. On Oct. 16, the band is scheduled to perform at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre as part of Kincardine's 'Doors Open' heritage event. More information about Penetangore can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore Pipe Band to compete in Sarnia Aug. 15, 2005 - Penetangore Pipe Band soloists fared well on Aug. 13 at the Fergus Highland Games with Snare drummer Colby Bellan coming first in Grade 3 drumming, Cayly Bellan second in Grade 4 piping, Lisa Moore third in flourishing tenor drumming, Kyle MacDonald fourth in Grade 2 jig piping and Alyssa Walpole fourth in Grade 4 drumming. The soloists did well in spite of Pipe Major Jake Watson’s absence due to the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. Watson, also a Pipe Sergeant with the 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto, competed with the Frasers on Aug. 13 as the Grade 1 band placed sixth in the world. Lauren Bonnet and Emily McLeod of Kincardine and Bruce McLean of Port Elgin are also members of the Frasers. House of Edgar - Shotts and Dykehead, a Grade 1 pipe band that features former Kincardine resident Tyler Fry as a tenor drummer, came first in the world competition. Penetangore is scheduled to compete at the Sarnia Highland Games on Aug. 20 with both its Grade 4 and Grade 5 bands. Upcoming performances include Gathering of the Bands in Kincardine on Aug. 27, the CAW Centre in Port Elgin on Sept. 5, Owen Sound’s Relay for Life event on Sept. 23 and the Ripley Fall Fair on Sept. 24. Penetangore wears the corporate tartan of its major sponsor Bruce Power and practices at the company’s Visitors’ Centre most Tuesday evenings. More information about the band can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore soloists win gold July 11, 2005 - The Penetangore Pipe Band placed third at the Tartan Sertoma Supreme Highland Games in Chatham on July 9. Band soloists fared well with Cayly Bellan coming first in Grade 4 march piping A; Hannah Liddle, first in Grade 4 march piping B; Zack Miller, second in Grade 4 march drumming; Colby Bellan, third in Grade 3 drumming; Annzley Clark, third in tenor drumming; Brian Fry, third in professional bass drumming; Kyle MacDonald, fifth in Grade 2 march piping and 6th in Grade 2 jig piping. Rob Roy Pipe Band of Kingston won the Grade 4 competition and the McComb Memorial PIpe Band of Sault Ste. Marie came second. The 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto won the Grade 1 competition with Windsor Police winning Grade 2 and Hamilton Police winning Grade 3. Altogether, 21 bands from Canada and the US competed in the event. Based in Kincardine, Penetangore wears the corporate tartan of its major sponsor, Bruce Power. The band’s next competition is scheduled for August 20 at the Sarnia Highland Games. More information about the band can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore first at Kincardine Scottish Festival July 4, 2005 - The Penetangore Pipe Band won first prize in the Grade 4 competition at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 2 defeating pipe bands from Durham Region, Georgetown, Guelph, London, Milton, Napanee and Windsor. In solo competition, Penetangore’s Zack Miller picked up a first prize for Grade 4 March Drumming, Cayly Bellan won second in Grade 4 March Piping and Kyle MacDonald earned second in Grade 2 Jig Piping. Other Penetangore soloists included Colby Bellan, Annzley Clark, Brian Fry, Josh Lauzon, Hannah Liddle and Alyssa Walpole. The 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto won the Grade 1 pipe band competition while Windsor Police won Grade 2 and Hamilton Police won Grade 3. Penetangore’s Grade 5 band came fourth in their category with Paris-Port Dover Pipe Band winning first. Led by Pipe Major Jake Watson and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, Penetangore’s Grade 4 band has finished first in three of three competitions that it has entered this this year. The band won in Hanover on April 23 and at the Georgetown Highland Games on June 11. Based in Kincardine, the band wears the corporate tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power. Penetangore is scheduled to compete in Chatham on July 9 and in Sarnia on August 20. More information about the band can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore Pipe Band wins Highland Games June 13, 2005 - The Penetangore Pipe Band returned home from the Georgetown Highland Games on June 11 with first prize in the Grade 4 category and third in Grade 5. Led by Pipe Major Jake Watson and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, the victory was the first time the Kincardine-based organization has won a highland games. Penetangore competed against bands from other centres including Arnprior, Durham Region, Hamilton, Guelph, London, Ottawa and Windsor. In solo competitions, Penetangore's Colby Bellan came second in Grade 3 Drumming; Zack Miller came second in Grade 4 Drumming; Brian Fry came second in Professional Bass Drumming; Cayly Bellan came third in Grade 4 March Piping; Kyle MacDonald came third in Grade 2 Strathspey and Reel, Grade 2 Jig and Grade 2 March Piping; and Hannah Liddle came 4th in Grade 4 March Piping. Penetangore was formed as a Grade 4 organization in 2001 and added a Grade 5 section in 2004. The 45-member band is sponsored by Bruce Power and can be seen in rehearsal most Tuesday evenings at the company's Visitors' Centre. With a mandate to provide advanced instruction on pipes and drums for young people and area musicians, the band draws its members from up and down the Lake Huron shoreline. Penetangore is scheduled to compete at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 2. Penetangore Pipe Band wins Hanover competition April 25, 2005 - After practicing throughout the winter, the Penetangore Pipe Band began its 2005 competition season on April 23 with first-place wins by both its Grade 4 and 5 groups at the Hanover Mini Band and Solo Contest. The Grade 4 group, led by Pipe Major Jake Watson and Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, was victorious in a field of six bands. The Grade 5 group, with Watson as Pipe Major and Zack Miller as Lead Drummer, triumphed in a field of nine. Bands from Brantford, Fergus, Georgetown, Goderich, Guelph, Hamilton, Kincardine, Orillia, Scarborough and Strathroy competed at the event. Solo competitors from Penetangore included Cayly Bellan (Grade 4 piping), Colby Bellan (Grade 3 drumming), Zack Miller (Grade 4 drumming) and Alyssa Walpole (Grade 4 drumming) Both Bellans earned second-prizes in their categories while Miller earned a third. Based in Kincardine, Penetangore was formed in 2001 to provide advanced instruction in pipes and drums, and a competitive venue for area musicians. The band wears the corporate tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power, and last year performed at events in Chatham, Fergus, Georgetown, Goderich, Hamilton, Kincardine, Owen Sound, Port Elgin, Ripley, Tiverton and Sarnia. More information about Penetangore can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore bass drummer wins all-Ontario Nov. 8, 2004 - Harold Cook of the Penetangore Pipe Band was presented with the Champion Supreme award for amateur bass drumming by the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) this past weekend at a ceremony in Kingston. A snare drummer with Goderich's Celtic Blue Pipe Band, Cook joined Penetangore in 2003 as a bass drummer with the band's Grade 5 squad. To win the award he accumulated points from Highland Games this past season in Georgetown, Hamilton, Kincardine, Chatham, Fergus and Sarnia. Penetangore, based in Kincardine, fields a Grade 4 and a Grade 5 band in PPBSO competitions throughout the province. More information can be found on the website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. New Pipe Major for Penetangore October 26, 2004 - Jake Watson was elected Pipe Major of the Penetangore Pipe Band at the organization's annual general meeting on October 24. A piper with the world-class 78th Frasers of Toronto, Watson moved to Kincardine in 2002. He has been active in the Kincardine Scottish Pipe Band and he has served as Penetangore's Music Director since August 2004. He is a former Pipe Major of the grade one Toronto Police Pipe Band. "I have a five to eight year plan for Penetangore which should see the development of grade two and three bands as well as the current grade four and five levels," said Watson. This past year, Penetangore competed at Highland Games in Georgetown, Hamilton, Kincardine, Chatham, Fergus and Sarnia. Sponsored by Bruce Power, the band was formed in 2001 and provides advanced instruction in piping and drumming. It is based in Kincardine but draws members from as far away as Owen Sound, Sarnia, Kitchener and Newmarket. At the AGM, all members of the band's executive were re-elected including President Dave Wilson, Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, Treasurer Brian Fry, Secretary Marg MacDonald, and Quartermaster Bob Moore. Penetangore Pipe Band to perform at Gathering of the Bands August 23, 2004 - The Penetangore Pipe Band won the drumming contest in the Grade 4 competition at the 21st annual Sarnia Supreme Highland Games on August 21. Overall the band placed 5th with its novice Grade 5 group coming 7th in a field of 13 pipe bands. The Games, which awarded prizes for the top six bands in each grade level, featured groups from Brantford, Cleveland, Fergus, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Ingersoll, London, Paris, Toronto, Milwaukee and Windsor. The 87th Cleveland Pipes & Drums came 1st in the Grade 4 category and the Paris Pipe Band won 1st in Grade 5. In solo competition, Penetangore band members winning medals included Glenn Walpole, 2nd in Grade 4 March B Piping; Annzley Clarke, 2nd in Novice Flourishing Tenor Drumming; Jennifer Moore, 2nd in Amateur Flourishing Tenor Drumming; Colby Bellan, 3rd in Grade 4 March A Drumming; Harold Cook, 3rd in Amateur Bass Drumming; Brian Fry, 3rd in Professional Bass Drumming; and Kyle MacDonald, 3rd in Grade 3 March A Piping and 6th in Grade 3 March Strathspey and Reel Piping. The Sarnia Games concluded Penetangore's 2004 competitive season. In other contests this year, the band came 4th in Georgetown, 3rd in Hamilton, 2nd in Kincardine, 6th in Chatham and 2nd in Fergus. Penetangore wears the tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power, and draws members from up and down the Lake Huron shoreline. Formed in 2001, the band is under the musical direction of Pipe Major Jake Watson, also a Pipe Sergeant with the 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto, Lead Drummer Gerry Radford of Kincardine and Pipe Sergeant Bill Millman of Owen Sound. Penetangore is scheduled to perform at Kincardine's Gathering of the Bands event this coming Saturday (Aug. 28). Pipers and drummers from Barrie, Goderich, Lucknow, Mount Forest, Newmarket, Georgetown, Clinton, Brussels, Windsor, Sarnia, Toronto, London, St.Thomas, and Hanover are scheduled to participate as well as guests from United States, England, Scotland, Ireland, and Germany. Penetangore will also perform in Port Elgin's Labour Day parade (Sept. 6), Owen Sound's Relay for Life event (Sept. 24), the Ripley Fall Fair (Sept. 25), and at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre in support of Kincardine's Doors Open program (Oct. 17). More information about Penetangore can be found on the website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore Pipe Band to compete in Sarnia August 16, 2004 - The Penetangore Pipe Band earned second place in the Grade 4 competition at the Championship Supreme Games held in Fergus on August 14. In solo competition, band members who won medals included Colby Bellan, first in Grade 4 March A Drumming; Annzley Clarke, first in Novice Flourishing Tenor Drumming; Harold Cook, second in Amateur Bass Drumming; Glenn Walpole, second in Grade 4 March B Piping; Kyle MacDonald, second in Grade 3 March Strathspey and Reel Piping; Brian Fry, third in Professional Bass Drumming; Jennifer Moore, third in Amateur Flourishing Tenor Drumming; Hannah Liddle, fourth in Grade 4 March B Piping. In other Highland Games this season, Penetangore came fourth in Georgetown, third in Hamilton, second in Kincardine and sixth in Chatham. The band is also scheduled to compete at the Sarnia Highland Games on August 21. Penetangore wears the tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power, and draws members from up and down the Lake Huron shoreline. This fall the band is scheduled to perform at Kincardine's Gathering of the Bands event (Aug. 28), Port Elgin's Labour Day parade (Sept. 6), Owen Sound's Relay for Life event (Sept. 24), the Ripley Fall Fair (Sept. 25), and at the Bruce Power Visitors' Centre in support of Kincardine's Doors Open program (Oct. 17). More information about Penetangore can be found on the website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore Pipe Band competes in Chatham July 12, 2004 - The Penetangore Pipe Band competed at the Tartan Sertoma 15th Supreme Highland Games in Chatham on July 10 and several of the band's solo competitors earned medals. Harold Cook won first place in Amateur Bass Drumming, Annzley Clarke was second in Novice Flourishing Tenor Drumming, Jennifer Moore was second in Amateur Flourishing Tenor Drumming, Glenn Walpole was second in Grade 4 March B Piping, Colby Bellan was third in Grade 4 March A Drumming and Kyle MacDonald was fourth in Grade 3 March Strathspey and Reel Piping. The band itself came sixth overall with the Hamilton Police Pipe Band placing first, Rob Roy Pipe Band of Kingston second, and St. Andrew's of Springfield, Illinois third. Other bands in the Grade 4 competition included the 87th Cleveland Pipe and Drums from Ohio and Craigellachie of Guelph. So far in Highland Games this year , Penetangore's Grade 4 squad has placed fourth in Georgetown, third in Hamilton and second in Kincardine. The band has two competitions remaining this season, Fergus on Aug. 14 and Sarnia on Aug. 21. More information about Penetangore can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Pipe Major resigns July 7, 2004 - Bill McLeod, Pipe Major of the Penetangore Pipe Band resigned today after the Board of Directors voted not to accept membership changes. "The Board of Directors sincerely regrets the departure of Bill McLeod," said Dave Wilson, President of the Penetangore Pipe Band. "Bill worked hard to make the band a success and this will always be appreciated" In a statement to band members, Wilson said Lead Drummer Gerry Radford will lead practices for the time being to prepare the band for competition. The Grade 4 unit of the band is scheduled to compete in Chatham this coming Saturday. "We do not have a Pipe Major waiting in the wings, but we do have the talent and experience in the band to get us through the season and we also have a lot of world-class friends who are willing to help out to ensure we’re a force to be reckoned with in the future." said Wilson. More information about Penetangore can be found on the band's website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore's Lauren Bonnett debuts in competition with 78th Fraser Highlanders July 4, 2004 - Kincardine's Penetangore Pipe Band placed second in the Grade 4 competition at the Kincardine Scottish Games on the weekend in a field that included five other pipe bands from Fergus, Hamilton, Toronto, and Windsor. Penetangore's novice Grade 5 squad, competing in Kincardine for the first time, placed sixth in a field of eight. "I'm very pleased with both groups," said Bill McLeod, Pipe Major. "The Grade 4 people have really got it together and the Grade 5s are coming along wonderfully for their first year in competition. We just have to stay focused. A lot of the competition has been at this a very long time." Squads from the Hamilton Police Pipe Band won both the Grade 4 and 5 competitions while the MacNaughton Highlanders from Milton won Grade 3 and Glengarry from Maxville won Grade 2. The 78th Fraser Highlanders, debuting tenor drummer Lauren Bonnett in competition - recently recruited from Penetangore - won the Grade 1 contest. In solo results, Penetangore's Brian Fry placed second in Professional Bass Drumming; Kyle MacDonald, fourth in Grade 3 March Piping; Colby Bellan, second in Grade 4 March A Drumming; Annzley Clark, second in Novice Flourishing Tenor Drumming; Hannah Liddle, second in Grade 4 March A Piping; Jennifer Moore, second in Amateur Flourishing Tenor Drumming; Glenn Walpole, fourth in Grade 4 March B Piping; Katie Ashton, fifth in Grade 4 March B Piping; Beth Mimnaugh, 5th in Grade 3 March Strathspey and Reel Piping. Results from the Amateur Bass Drumming contest were not available although Penetangore's Harold Cook competed. Cook placed first at the Hamilton Highland Games on June 26. Penetangore travels to compete in the Chatham Highland Games this coming weekend for its fourth competition of the season. The band, which wears the corporate tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power, placed third at the Hamilton Highland Games and fourth at the Georgetown games. The band is also scheduled to compete at upcoming games in Fergus and Sarnia. More information about Penetangore can be found on the band's website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore's Cayly Bellan places second in Hamilton June 27, 2004 - The Penetangore Pipe Band placed third in the Canadian Championship Highland Games in Hamilton on June 25. Competing in the Grade 4 competition against 12 other bands from Ontario and the US, Penetangore performed in front of a selection of judges and was scored for piping, drumming and overall ensemble. In solo competition, Penetangore's Cayly Bellan came second in Grade 5 piping, Glenn Walpole was third in Grade 4 piping, Kyle McDonald was fifth in Grade 3 piping, and Colby Bellan was fifth in Grade 4 drumming. These musicians are scheduled to compete as soloists in Kincardine this coming weekend with other Penetangore soloists Katie Ashton, Annsley Clark, Harold Cook, Brian Fry, Hannah LIddle, Andy Millman, Beth Mimnaugh, and Jennifer Moore. Penetangore musicians wear the corporate tartan of the band's major sponsor, Bruce Power. More information about the Penetangore Pipe Band can be found on the website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Competition pipe band to compete in Hamilton June 13, 2004 - The Penetangore Pipe Band launched its new Grade 5 squad into competition this past weekend at the Georgetown Highland Games while its veteran Grade 4 unit ranked fifth overall in a field of 12 competing bands. The festival featured pipe bands from Barrie, Guelph, Halton, Kingston, Port Hope, St. Thomas, Toronto and Windsor. The 42-member Penetangore band is based in Kincardine but draws musicians from the lakeshore communities between Owen Sound and Goderich. The band wears the tartan of its sponsor, Bruce Power. "I was pretty sure we had a fairly decent band for this season," said Bill McLeod, Penetangore Pipe Major after the Georgetown competition. "But now I know we have a great band. We had sound, big time!" The novice Grade 5 squad placed fourth overall in a field of five bands but held their own against the other bands, according to McLeod. "Our Grade 5 players didn't have the easiest of tunes and there were some nerves and mistakes, but nothing we can't correct over time." Penetangore musicians competing in solo competitions at the Georgetown games included pipers Katie Ashton, Cayly Bellan, Kyle MacDonald, Beth Mimnagh, and Glenn Walpole as well as drummers Colby Bellan, Annzley Clark, Harold Cook, Brian Fry, Jennifer Moore and Alyssa Walpole. First place prizes were awarded to Fry, professional bass, Cook, amateur bass, and Moore, flourishing tenor. Clark placed second in flourishing tenor and Mimnagh placed sixth in Strathspey & Reel piping. "We're trying to field the very best we can from the area by drawing from up and down the lake," said McLeod. "Our Pipe Sergeant, Bill Millman, brings in talent from Owen Sound, our President, Dave Wilson is from Saugeen Shores, and our Lead Drummer, Gerry Radford, is from Kincardine. We also have a strong contingent of players who make the trip from Goderich." Penetangore recently staged a pair of fundraising concerts at the Aztec Theatre in Kincardine and participated in the Celtic Blue Highlanders 5th annual massed band event in Goderich. The band is now preparing for a Supreme Champion Contest to take place in Hamilton (Ancaster) on June 26. Penetangore will also compete at Highland Games in Chatham, Kincardine, Sarnia and possibly Fergus this summer. More information about Penetangore can be found on the website www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Strong vocalists, musicians join in Penetangore Band fund-raiser May 12, 2004 - If the "Drum Fanfare" is any indication, the Caledonia Connection fund-raiser concert by the Penetangore Pipe Band will be a treat for the senses. The program, produced by pipe major Bill McLeod, features the band and guest vocalists and musicians. Among them are Border Crossing and the Strathspey and Reel Society. "The show is 100-per-cent volunteer," says McLeod. "We've got some wonderful local talent and it's all based on a Scottish theme. The songs are familiar so people can sing along." Ron Boucher is Master of Ceremonies, and piano accompaniment will be provided by Dave Hamilton, organist at the Kincardine United Church. McLeod says the 40-member band has developed into two groups - a Grade 4 band and a Grade 5 band. They will be combined at the concert and joining them are guest players from the 78th Fraser Highlanders of Whitby. All the money raised goes toward uniforms and equipment, as well as toward the cost of taking the band to the 2005 World Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. It costs $1,700/person for band uniforms. The pipes are owned by the individual members, but eh chanters and Rosewood drums belong to the band. "We're hoping to help defray the costs of going to Glasgow next year," says McLeod. "It's going to cost $1,000 per band member for airfare alone, plus accommodation, transportation and meals." He hopes to take the entire pipe band to Bridge of Allen first, just outside Sterling, for competition so the band can get some good exposure prior to the world championships. There will be 250 bands at the worlds. The band will be in competition June 12 in Georgetown, June 26 in Hamilton, July 2 in Kincardine, July 10 in Chatham, possibly Aug. 14 in Fergus, and Aug. 21 in Sarnia. "We're hoping to sell out at the two performances," he says. "The long-term goal for Penetangore is to have Grades 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 bands here." The concert runs Saturday, May 22, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 23, at 1:30 p.m. at the Aztec Theatre, Kincardine. Tickets are $20 each and are available at Jerome Flowers, the Harp and Whistle, The Photo Shop and from Terry Reid and other band members. McLeod says the major sponsor of the Penetangore Pipe Band is Bruce Power, but the band appreciates the many other local businesses that offer support. Penetangore ends competition season "knocking on the door" Aug. 11, 2003 - Kincardine's competition pipe band Penetangore placed seventh overall in a field of 14 Grade 4 bands at the Fergus Highland Games on Aug. 9. In solo competition at the event, first prizes were awarded Penetangore's Brian Fry for amateur bass drumming and Jennifer Prince for novice rhythm tenor drumming. Andy Millman placed second in two events, Grade 2 Strathspey & Reel piping and march piping, Lauren Bonnet placed third in amateur rhythm tenor drumming and Colby Bellan came third in Grade 4 snare drumming. Other solo competitors from the Kincardine band included Katie Ashton, Marianne Bone, Hannah Liddle, Kyle MacDonald, Nick Reid and Glenn Walpole. Fergus concludes a competition season for Penetangore that saw the band performing at festivals in Chatham, Fort Erie, Georgetown and Kincardine. New to a circuit that includes bands that have been competing for decades, Penetangore managed to place third at Fort Erie with midde-of-the-pack performance at the other events. "I'm very pleased with our progress," commented Penetangore Pipe Major Bill McLeod on the season. "Of course we would have liked to have been on the prize list more often, but we're knocking on the door and that's really something for a brand-new band.” According to McLeod the band will take a small break to allow some of the senior members to travel to Scotland to the World Pipe Band Championships on Aug. 16 in support of the 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto. Penetangore's Lead Drummer Gerry Radford is a member of the 78th as well as McLeod's daughter, Emily, and other Bruce County residents including Craig Colquhoun, Tyler Fry, Reagan Jones, Bruce MacLean and Jake Watson. The 78th recently placed second at the 2003 North American Championship Pipe Band competition in Maxville, Ontario. E. McLeod came first at the event in solo professional rhythm tenor drumming. On Aug. 16, a Penetangore mini-band is scheduled to make an impromptu performance at the Bruce Power community celebration in Port Elgin and then return to Kincardine to assume roles with the Kincardine Scottish for the Saturday night parade. Penetangore is also scheduled to perform at the opening of the Christian Faith Festival in Victoria Park on Sept. 7. "We're planning to hold another fundraising concert in Kincardine in the spring," advised McLeod. "The last one in 2002 sold out before many people could get tickets so maybe this time we'll host an evening performance and a matinee. The support we've had from this community has been fantastic." Penetangore was formed in Sept. 2001 and wears corporate tartan provided by Bruce Power. The 2003 season was the band's first year as a registered competitor in the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario. More information about the band can be found on the web site www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore's solo players fare well at Chatham July 14, 2003 - Kincardine's competition pipe band Penetangore placed sixth overall in the Grade 4 class at the Chatham Highland Games on July 12 while solo players excelled. First prizes were awarded to Brian Fry in amateur bass drumming and Lauren Bonnet in amateur-flourishing-tenor drumming while Jennifer Prince and Andy Millman picked up seconds in novice-flourishing-tenor drumming and Grade 2 Strathspey & Reel piping, respectively. Glenn Walpole and Kyle MacDonald placed fourth and fifth in Grade 4 march piping and Colby Bellan placed fourth in Grade 4 snare drumming. The Halton Regional Police band won first place in the Grade 4 pipe band competition which featured 11 bands from cities that included Cleveland, Chicago, Guelph, Sault Ste. Marie and Windsor. The Grade 1, 2 and 3 categories were won by Peel Regional Police, North Coast (Ohio) and Dofasco (Hamilton), respectively. In all, 25 pipe bands participated in the event. Penetangore finalizes its 2003 competition season at the Fergus Highland games on August 9. More information about the band can be found on their web site at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. New drums for Penetangore Pipe Band July 7, 2003 - Kincardine's competition pipe band, Penetangore, placed fourth in the Grade 4 category at the Kincardine Scottish Festival on July 5. Members of the band also performed well in solo competitions with Lauren Bonnet winning first in novice tenor drumming, Brian Fry first in amateur bass drumming, Kyle MacDonald first in Grade 4 march piping, Colby Bellan second in Grade 4 snare drumming and Jennifer Prince second in amateur tenor drumming. Prior to the contest, sponsors and supporters gathered to unveil new drums that arrived from England earlier in the week. Cartier Planners Financial Services, Ontario Power Generation, the Power Workers' Union, Hepcoe, the Lions Club, the Rotary Club, and the Optimists Club all contributed funds in 2001 that were used to place the order for the hand-crafted, rosewood drums. Bruce Power became a major sponsor in 2002 by contributing corporate tartan as well as the cost of manufacturing the band's kilts. The company also provided assistance with the band's logo and new heads for the bass drum. "It was a long wait but it was worth it," said Brian Fry, bass drummer and treasurer of Penetangore. "We've been playing with a hodgepodge of borrowed and personal instruments since we started up. These new drums should really contribute to the drum corps's performance." The drums were designed by local drum master Craig Colquhoun who drummed with the Kincardine Scottish in the 1970s and then the Bruce County Junior Pipe Band. Now a drummer with the famed 78th Fraser Highlanders of Toronto, Colquhoun is contracted by Premier Drums of Leicester, England to research, design and develop percussion instruments. "When we're at festivals competing, it's amazing the number of people who see our banner and come up to chat about Kincardine and how they've been there or are planning to return," said Fry. "It's nice to be out there promoting the community in such a way and it is our sponsors that help make this possible." One of the new snare drums was featured in a service at the United Church on Sunday, July 6 by Penetangore's Colby Bellan who took part in the Highland Cathedral tune with pipers Hannah Liddle, Kyle MacDonald and Glenn Walpole. So far this year, Penetangore has performed at Ontario Place and competed at festivals in Georgetown, Fort Erie and Kincardine. The band will compete at highland games in Chatham on July 12 and in Fergus on August 9. More information about Penetangore can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore with the best at Fort Erie June 23, 2003 - Kincardine's competition pipe band Penetangore placed third at the Loch Sloy Canadian Championship Highland Games in Fort Erie on June 22. Competing against 14 other Grade 4 bands, Penetangore came first in ensemble, eighth in drumming, and sixth in pipes which placed them third overall in the contest. The corporate-coloured tartan of Bruce Power worn by the band was displayed with tartan worn by 45 other bands at the event including competition bands from Boston, Cleveland, Halifax, New York, Toronto and Washington. The Hamilton Police Pipes & Drums placed first in the Grade 4 competition and the Guelph Pipe Band placed second. Penetangore edged out the Syracuse Scottish Pipe Band for third prize. "Today was a great experience and confidence builder for everyone to know that we can go out there and play with the best in our grade," said Penetangore Pipe Sergeant Bill Millman. Penetangore solo players competed in pouring rain and cool weather but still managed outstanding performances with pipers Kyle MacDonald and Andy Millman placing in the top three of their contests. MacDonald came second in Grade 4 march-piping while A. Millman, at the Grade 2 level, won first in Strathspey & Reel, second in 2/4 march and second in jig. Bass drummer Brian Fry competed in one of the final events of the day, Amateur Bass, but the results have not been announced. Fry, mentored by Lead Drummer Gerry Radford, placed first in the category at the Georgetown Highland games on June 14. "We're looking forward to Kincardine," said Pipe Major Bill McLeod, in reference to the Scottish Highland Games to be held July 5. "The music selection is more difficult than Fort Erie and we'll need to be on our toes to give a good performance. The home town support will be exciting." More information about Penetangore can be found at www.penetangore.netfirms.com. Penetangore to compete in Georgetown June 8, 2003 - Penetangore snare drummer Kevin Ashton accepted the role of drum major to lead a massed pipe band in Goderich on Saturday, June 7. Penetangore was one of eight pipe bands in the parade which also included the Kincardine Scottish and pipe bands from Brussels, Clinton, Fergus, Goderich, Lucknow and Stratford. Several of the bands performed individually in the town square during an afternoon concert, including the two bands from Kincardine. Ashton performed with his home band, Celtic Blue of Goderich, and then changed kilts to perform with Penetangore. Pipe major Bill McLeod used the performance to prepare for Penetangore's first competition of 2003 which is to take place in Georgetown at 2 p.m. on June 14. The Kincardine competition band will compete against 12 other Grade 4 bands, several from large centres including Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston and Windsor. It will be Penetangore's first time in competition wearing tartan that was provided by Bruce Power. Penetangore members taking part in solo competitions at Georgetown in addition to the band competition will include pipers Katie Ashton, Marianne Bone, Hannah Liddle, Kyle MacDonald, Andrew Millman and Glenn Walpole, and drummers | |||