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PCEC takes a trip down memory lane
PCEC Member David Garmaise
livens up the Sunday PCEC meeting with his “Name that Tune” quiz. David had
some interesting commentary about the songs and artists which were from 50s,
60s, 70s and 80s.
It was Nostalgia Night at the PCEC meeting on Sunday,
August 17 - well, Nostalgia Morning to be precise, since the meetings happen
in the morning.
Club member David Garmaise, a frequent presenter of things audio and visual,
took members on a trip down memory lane with a presentation called “Name
That Tune.” David played the first few bars of 14 well-known pop songs from
the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s, and invited the audience to name both the song
and the singer. And the audience responded in fine fashion, getting all the
song names right and missing only one singer.
It was more than just a quiz. Once the audience identified each song, David
played an audio extract. For many of the songs, he provided some background
information and showed some video clips.
Club Member Darrel Vaught
brought PCEC members up to date on the revised Immigration Police orders
governing extensions of stay that will go into effect on August 29. Since
many members are retirees, he quickly pointed out there is no change in
requirements for retirement extensions. He recommended members and guests
read the latest Club Newsletter for more information on the revisions.
For “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” by the Rolling Stones, David showed a
recent video of the band performing the song almost 50 years after it was
released. “Bette Davis Eyes,” released in 1981 by Kim Carnes, an American
singer-songwriter, was the only song where the audience failed to identify
the singer.
“Billie Jean,” by Michael Jackson was one of the songs the audience
identified very quickly. David explained that Jackson sang his new hits,
Billie Jean and Beat It, on Motown’s 25th anniversary show in 1983 after
singing a few numbers with his brothers. Jackson was no longer under
contract with a Motown label at the time. The show was supposed to feature
only Motown songs. But Jackson refused to appear unless he could sing his
new hits. It was during this performance that Jackson introduced his famous
moonwalk.
David explained that “La Bamba,” released in 1958 by Ritchie Valens, was
based on a Mexican folk song. It was one of early Rock ‘n Roll’s best known
songs. It ranked 354th on Rolling Stone Magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of all
times. That may not sound all that impressive, but it was the only song on
the list not in English.
“Hawaii” Bob Sutterfield
gives thanks to the PCEC for the Certificate of Appreciation he received
commending him for his tireless activities for the benefit of Club members.
Bob recently stepped down from his membership on the PCEC Board of Governors
as he now plans to spend about half his time outside of Thailand.
Valens’ career lasted only eight months. He died in 1959
in the same plane crash that claimed the life of Buddy Holly. (The audience
knew that too!) When “La Bamba” is played on the radio today, it is usually
not the Ritchie Valens version, but rather one by Los Lobos, a
Mexican-American rock band, which was featured in the movie “La Bamba” in
1987.
“I Can’t Help Myself,” was a Motown song released in 1965 by the Four Tops.
David said that the four original members of the Four Tops played together
from 1957 to 1993. The group is still performing, albeit with several
changes in personnel.
“MacArthur Park,” released in 1968 by Richard Harris, is a well know song,
covered by many singers, including Donna Summer, who did a disco version.
The music is well liked, but there have been some scathing criticisms
concerning the lyrics, especially the part about the cake being left out in
the rain and the recipe being lost. Also, many critics say that Richard
Harris can’t sing.
This PCEC logo and sign is on
display every Sunday morning in front of the Amari’s Tavern by the Sea
Restaurant on Beach Road. The Club is proud of its record of having met
continuously every Sunday since March of 2001 to serve Pattaya’s Expat
community.
“You’re my world,” was released in 1964 by Cilla Black.
The audience knew that Cilla Black’s real name was Veronica White. The
audience identified “Massachusetts,” which was a big hit for the Bee Gees in
1967. David explained that the Bee Gees were very taken with the U.S. when
they toured there and wanted to write a song about the country. At the time,
the song “San Francisco” by Scott McKenzie was very popular. That song talks
about people going to San Francisco. So the Bee Gees thought, what would
happen if everyone in Massachusetts left to go to San Francisco and all the
lights in Massachusetts went out as a result? And that was the basis for the
song’s lyrics.
“You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” was recorded by Neil Diamond in 1977. In 1978,
Barbra Streisand covered it on one of her albums. David revealed that a
program director at a U.S. radio station spliced the two tracks together as
a going away present for his wife, whom he had just divorced. The spliced
version of the song got so much air play that the two singers decided to go
into the studio to record an “official” duet version. Neil Diamond and
Barbra Streisand sang the duet in a surprise appearance on the 1980 Grammies
telecast.
Other songs included in the quiz were “Sweet Dreams” by the Eurythmics;
“We’ve Only Just Begun,” by The Carpenters; “What’s Love Got to Do with It?”
by Tina Turner; and “The Winner Takes it All,” by ABBA. David also threw in
“Waltzing Matilda,” which is not a pop song, but the Aussies loved it!
After David concluded his presentation, Master of Ceremonies Richard
Silverberg brought everyone up to date on upcoming events and called on Roy
Albiston to conduct the always informative Open Forum where questions are
asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand, especially Pattaya.
For more information on the PCEC’s many activities, visit their website at
www.pcecclub.org.
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Hand to Hand presents another Child Protection Workshop
ISC staff gathers for a team
photo with staff from the Hand to Hand Foundation.
On Monday, 18th, August, some of the Thai staff from the
International School of Chonburi participated in a Child Protection workshop
presented by staff from the Hand to Hand Foundation.
During the workshop, the staff was encouraged to think about child protection
issues and how the students at their school can be protected from potentially
harmful situations.
The group also explored potential child protection issues and abuses in the
wider community and identified strategies for how they can assist a child who
they see is in danger or at risk.
Some of the Thai staff from the
International School of Chonburi participate in a Child Protection workshop
presented by staff from the Hand to Hand Foundation.
Redemptorist school marks 11 years since Father Ray’s passing
In his speech, Surat Mekavarakul, president of the
Pattaya Cultural Council, recalled Father Brennan and his many good deeds, and
waxed lyrical about the good deeds performed by Father Michael Pattarapong
Srivorakul (center right) and Father Peter Picharn Jaiseri (center left) to help
indigent children and the disabled.
Jetsada Homklin
The Redemptorist School for Persons with Disabilities marked 11 years
since the death of Rev. Raymond Brennan, the founder of both the school and his
namesake Father Ray Foundation.
Surat Mekavarakul, president of the Pattaya Cultural Council, recalled Brennan
and his many good deeds in a speech Aug. 16, exactly 11 years since the Catholic
priest died.
Foundation President Father Peter Pattarapong Srivorakul blessed the students
for the occasion and laid roses before a statue of the revered founder as
students, staff and teachers sang “Unsung Hero” and “Father Ray in Our Hearts.”
Students then read Bible verses, poems and stories of Brennan’s work before
laying garlands on the statue.
The day also marked the second “Life for Life” blood drive during which 47,000cc
of blood was collected. This year’s project also offered free health, dental and
eye exams, free haircuts from Jutamat Beauty School, along with blood pressure
and blood type checks.
Brennan was born Dec. 7, 1932, in Chicago. He came to Thailand in 1961 as a
volunteer to assist impoverished and disabled people and from that day until his
last he devoted himself to assisting Thailand’s poor.
He established the Orphanage Foundation in the early 1970s, after a baby was
left in his care. In the early 1980s a young deaf boy was left at the orphanage
and Brennan was unable to find a local school for him. This led to the opening
of the Sotpattana Kindergarten School for the Deaf in 1983.
Father Michael Picharn Jaiseri
lays roses before a statue of the revered founder.
Jutamat Beauty School provided
free haircuts.
“Children young and old” undertake
painting activities for charity.
Students, staff and teachers sing
“Unsung Hero” and “Father Ray in Our Hearts.”
This year’s project also offered
free health, dental and eye exams.
47,000cc of blood was donated
during this year’s “Life for Life” blood drive.
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Special needs riders show off skills
in dressage competition
Sergey won the short lead rope
test.
Many disabled people benefit from riding, some from the
therapy it gives, others by actually learning to ride. The benefits can be
enormous and wide-ranging. They include improvements to balance, co-ordination,
muscle tone, concentration, co-operation and behavior. The riders may benefit
from the necessary discipline, respond to requests, overcome fears, learn trust
and interact socially with their helpers and their peers, developing an increase
in confidence and self-esteem.
Dressage tests consist of a series of circles, turns and transitions. For a
person with limited physical ability, who has mastered the basic skills of halt,
walk and steering, dressage provides a continuing challenge and the opportunity
to compete against others.
Ton Gan wins the long lead rope.
Riding for the disabled standards range from Walk Tests where
the rider maybe led, and have a side walker. As they progress they remove the
side walker and can ride independently in a Walk/Trot Test. As riders progress
to riding independently off the lead rope they can have a caller telling them
which letter in the arena to go to and what shape to perform. Later the rider
will develop skills to remember the test, and complete it on their own. It takes
many hours, months and sometimes years to train some special needs riders to
compete at a given level.
On Sunday 27th July 2014 we held three classes at Horseshoe Point Pattaya: off
the lead rope which is independent riding, long lead rope which has a leader and
for the Cerebral Palsy riders leader and side walkers. The Walk Test lasts for 8
minutes consisting of some 10 metre circles which must be ridden correctly in
shape and size. The Walk/Trot Test moves the rider up to another level where
some sitting or rising trot will be performed from certain dressage letters.
Marks are out of 10 per movement within the dressage test. These tests encourage
memory, following instructions, co-ordination, basic riding skills and a huge
feeling of achievement. Each of our 18 riders is awarded a rosette for competing
and the rider with the most marks in each category a medal is awarded.
We would like to thank our sponsors EA Aviation Co., Ltd., Horseshoe Point and
our volunteer Vanita for the wonderful cupcakes for our lunch party. Thanks also
go to all our volunteers who give up their time for this Foundation.
We are always looking for new reliable volunteers. If you would like to find out
more about volunteering either on a Tuesday or Thursday morning 10.00am - 12.00
please contact Sandra on 0868483684.
Kobe Dhanji earned best marks for
off the lead rope independent.
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