Washington Pipers’ Association

We’re missing a photo card, not sure if it’s a permanent loss, but we hope our Grade 3 pipers can forgive us for misplacing them, your pictures were left off this posting.  Hopefully it will turn up and we’ll add them later.  Visit the photo album to see the everyone else’s pictures though.

The awards, sponsored by the Seattle P-I and Microsoft Corp., have honored community involvement in Washington state since 1977. The program was founded in 1972 by Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Sen. Robert Taft Jr. and Sam Beard to recognize the special dedication, sacrifices and significant accomplishments of individuals in service to the American people. The awards also strive to motivate new leaders in public service.

Five people will be selected from the nomination list to receive Jefferson Award medallions honoring their contributions to community service.

Spencer Nelson, Snoqualmie — Has been a Seattle firefighter for five years, after serving three years with the Phoenix Fire Department. When he arrived in 2003, he discovered that Seattle did not have department bagpipers to play at celebrations and funerals. Using his own bagpiping skills, he was the inspiration for the Seattle Firefighters’ Pipes and Drums, which now has 21 members from firehouses throughout Seattle.

See more of the nominees in the Seattle PI story. 

Northwest Junior Pipe Band performed on live television today for St. Patrick’s Day on King 5, and recorded a story for Northwest Cable News.  See the NWJPBlog for details, and catch some of the video online.

We’ll post links or info for any Washington Pipe Pand or piping and drumming news about our members, contact us to let us know about it!

The Seattle Scottish Highland Games Association has been going strong in the Northwest for 62 years.  The largest Highland Games west of the Mississippi and north of San Francisco, it’s time for new volunteers to help.  The 2nd Annual SSHGA Volunteer Fair & 2007 Volunteer Thank You event is coming in February!

February 23, 2008
Saint Andrews Episcopal Church
111 NE 80th
Seattle, Washington

See the brochure, and register online here:  http://www.sshga.org/association/volunteer.htm

Congratulations to Skye Richendrfer, Director of the Skagit Valley Celtic Arts Foundation in receiving the Governor’s Arts & Heritage Award. The Arts and Heritage Awards recognize individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to the creativity and culture of Washington.

Skye K. Richendrfer is the founder of the Celtic Arts Foundation and the Skagit Valley Highland Games, which draws 10,000 annually. His impact in the community is also demonstrated through is work to support the restoration of the historic Lincoln Theatre in downtown Mount Vernon, worked on fundraising to support the McIntyre Hall on the Skagit Valley College campus, and creating the “Celtic Stage” in Mount Vernon’s Edgewater Park. The Celtic Arts Foundation has been a long time supporter of the Washington Pipers’ Association.