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So here we are again. December went very quickly, didn't it?
Our first meeting was at Sterndale Moor on Saturday the 4th. The group was Westride, comprising one girl, one man and
one sound man. We were lucky to have anybody, as they'd got lost on the way. Rumour has it that they had come to Sterndale Moor from Macclesfield by way of Chesterfield.
The girl had some really fancy outfits from fringed cowgirl to Indian squaw. While dressed as the latter she wandered around the
room terrorising the audience with a tomahawk. Fortunately it was the sound man she decided to scalp, and so she relieved him of both his hat and his hair!
At one point she fastened on our own JR and sang 'Help Me Make It Through The Night 'as a duet with him from the floor. Fortunately JR
has performed in a similar role previously and has a surprising good voice. (Previously we had only known him for his prowess with a gun!)
One of our lady vistors, 'Dixie from San Antone' was arrested by two marshals and brought before a hastily convened court for the the
dastardly crime of 'Talking, laughing and giggling' all the way through the trilogies. Sundown, the prosecutor, read out the charges and the widely feared Judge Roy Bean was in attendance. Rusty, the defender said
the charges were indefensible. (Some defence!)
As punishment Dixie had to sing the American Tilogy. Later she was escorted the length of the room with the Mexican flag to hold it
for the Mexican Trilogy. We don't allow disrespect for the flags at High Peak!
I must at this point say that 'Westride' sang a good mixture of Country and Western songs. Altough the girl had a croaky voice she was
able to rise above this so in no way was the enjoyment of the evening compromised.
Our next meeting was again at Sterndale Moor on Saturday, December 11th. The singer, Tony Smith, was a kindly faced man
dressed all in black apart from is white hat and white pony-tail.
His sense of direction wasn't much better than Westride's as he had to ask the way from a nearby police car. Apparently the police
didn't know either and had to radio to base! (Don't forget there's a map on this web-site.)
Anyway, we really enjoyed Tony's visit as he was an expressive singer and his songs went with a swing - guaranteed to get the
dancers on the floor! I got to have a go at the partner dance Royal Scot, new to me, which I quite enjoyed.
Tony's songs included the old favourites, 'Send Me The Pillow That You Dream On,' 'I've Never Lost In Love Not Counting You' and the
Mavericks' 'You'll Never See The Losin' Side Of Me.'
The fast-draw awards were given out by Nora, 1st Frosty, 2nd Sundown and 3rd Rusty. Kalamitty, our DJ must have been feeling shy as he was almost hdden by some snowmen, a Father Christmas and a reindeer. I'm not sure if any or all of them were singing.
The next meeting was the Christmas Party on the 18th at the 'Waterloo'. There was a wonderful spread of food and the guest
artist was one of our all-time favourites, Rosa. She was as enthusiastic as ever, and everyone was soon dancing, encouraged by our well-turned out singer who knows all the dances.
There was some dispute as to whether Westie was wearing a wig or not – it appears not. Some people were wearing masks and/or wigs. The
Preacher turned up dressed to illustrate his name, or was he being a magician?
Kalamitty was at his inimitable best as he sprang into the room at one point dressed as a sort of bondage wild man. Later he appeared
as Elvis, complete with white jump suit, and had a dance with Rosa. Crazy!
There was a fast draw for any virgin gunfighters. A scary looking bunch went off for a pep talk and then burst into action.
Buntline came 1st, Decker 2nd and Moonshiver 3rd. Next there was a presentation for all those who had taken part in the fast draws over the year. I think Sundown was the winner
because he had the biggest cup.
The evening ended with the Trilogies, after we'd had three encores from Rosa. 'May I Have This Dance For The Rest Of My Life' and
'Have You Ever Been Lonely' were suitably Country, but 'Ma He's Makin' Eyes At Me'!? (Maybe she was referring to Kalamitty.)
On New Year's Eve there was a party at Flagg Village Hall. The decorations were great and the food fantastic. Thanks to everyone who
sorted it out, especially Buckshot and Dallas who do so much without being obvious.
Kalamitty worked really hard as he had no artist to fill in between, but had to do it all himself.
The high spot of the evening was Frosty being brought before the dreaded judge for showing fear when confronted by fog. Preacher
defended his client by confessing, 'He's guilty,' so there wasn't really much more to say, although we were given instances of his cowardice by Chantilly and Curly.
Frosty, (or Foggy as he will now be known) was forcibly dressed in a hat with a lace veil and a red light on top, and a fawnish shirt
with the legend 'BIG GIRL'S BLOUSE' on the back.
As the evening wore on Westie gave the expression 'the dancers will take to the floor' a whole new meaning.
We celebrated the entrance of the New Year with 'Auld Lang Syne.' Then there was another presentation to Frosty as a 'Gotcha.'
Intrigueingly he received amongst other things a video on how to box and a pair of boxing gloves. Interesting!
After this we all cleared up and went home.
So Happy New Year to everybody!
Mrs Rusty
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