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Central Florida Square & Round Dance Assoc. (April)
The 2008 Shamrock Swing Dance is now in the history books. It was held on the March 7 and 8th weekend in Maitland again. Such a success, thanks to the chairmanship of Dick and Jeannie Lysobey (Starlight Promenaders). They did a super job of organizing and delegating. They are to be commended for a job well done. Even though they could not complete their task (Dick is under going chemo) their committees were so well entrenched, it ran as smooth as clock work. Ailene Picheco and Terri Little (Space Trackers) stepped up to co-chair the balance of the planning since January. What a great team!
Tim Marriner was his usual great self and kept everyone entertained as only he can do. Even in the Mainstream Hall he kept everyone thinking and having a great time. Whit Brown was in rare form, too. He really gave the whole weekend of dancers some fine toe tapping good fun. He did his famous Pink Cadillac, need I say more? He really rocks the place with this number, we all huffed and puffed our way off the floor. Jimmy and Carol Griffin were their usual elegant selves with their beautiful waltzes, foxtrots, rumba and cha-chas. For one of their teaches they chose a new rhythm in the Bolero, a rather sultry dance. Everyone enjoyed this one.
Finnagan’s Place was once again open with some great snacks and a very colorful green punch-spouting tiered fountain, keeping us in the Shamrock Green Theme. Decorations of wee Leprechauns and bright green shamrocks were sprinkled on every wall throughout. If you missed this dance, you truly missed a great one and shame on you.
Classes all over the Central area have been progressing very nicely. Every student will be advanced enough to enjoy the Florida State Convention coming the end of May. There is always a hall especially for Mainstreamers. I hope everyone will help Don and Ann Slocum, of the West Coast Association, “Celebrate in 2008”; they have been working very hard to make this an exceptional week-end.
And speaking of State Conventions, don’t forget the 2009 Convention chaired by Randy and Carol Poole from the Central area. And, in particular, don’t forget to purchase raffle tickets for the LCD 42” Television we are giving away at the Kick-off THIS year. You do not have to be present to win, but it sure would be nice. Every club in the Central Area should have tickets for sale, just ask your club president, area director and caller, they all should have some. If not, call me (321/268-4450) and I’ll snail mail you some post haste. Tickets are only $2.00 each, 3 for $5.00
Until next time, may the good Lord always hold you in the palm of His hand.
Judy Frye, President
Central Florida Square & Round Dance Assoc. (May)
Deerhaven Camping Weekend! Those of us who went, didn’t we have a great time? Those of you who didn’t attend, boy did you miss out on a lot of fun. As usual there was food and laughter and food and games and food and – well you get the picture. A lady friend, who no longer can dance, came along with me because she misses all the festivities. On the way home all she talked about were the friends she hadn’t seen for a long time who made her feel as though she had never left dancing. Square dancers are friends for life, she said. And she wants to go back next year!
On Friday, upon arriving, we all checked into our rooms and made beds. That out of the way, we headed for the “club house” where we greeted old friends and started making new ones. Then the food started! Pot Luck dinners are the best and square dancers are the best cooks and bakers, right? Believe me no one went away hungry. Later in the evening there was Bingo with Colleen Morgan calling again. And if you know Colleen you just know she set the pace for an evening of fun antics. Prizes galore and laughter in abundance. We fell into bed with happy thoughts.
After a yummy breakfast on Saturday morning, a few of us took walks in the beautiful woods and campgrounds while some men were in the kitchen doing the knuckle busting cabbage grating for slaw for the evening meal, while our great Bar-B-Quer, Wayne, slaved at the outside grillers making chicken and pork for our dinners delight. Many game boards came out during the afternoons relaxing time. Lots of screaming and yelling for almost misses at R-L-C or Train Dominos. Fun! Fun!
Whit Brown and Beverly Landwehr arrived by mid-afternoon to set up for our dancing pleasure that evening. And they really did entertain us or did we entertain them? Never can figure that out, who has more fun, them or us. Sunday after a continental breakfast on Sunday, we cleaned up the place and vowed to return again next year, happy, relaxed and with many new memories. “Thanks” to Randy and Carol just doesn’t seem like enough for setting this up for us, but “thanks” anyway.
Central is gearing up for the State Convention the end of the month. We have practiced our “Kick-Off” presentation and are ready to go. Lakeland will be a fun place to be, so be there. And don’t forget to get your raffle tickets for the 42” LCD TV we are giving away on May 25, Sunday.
The new chairmen for our Shamrock Swing, Bob and Jennie Courter, are busy getting things all ready to go, also. Stop by that table at the Convention to pick up your flyers and ribbons for that dance next March. It looks like it will be another success, but only if you plan to attend.
So until next time, may the good Lord always hold you in the palm of His hand.
Just a little reminder, the next 5th Saturday Dance will be held on May 31 (the week AFTER the State Convention) at the Honeybees Club in DeLand starting at 7:30 with early rounds and 8:00 for squares. Alternating mainstream and plus calls. The caller and cuer for the evening will be Don Hanhurst and Dick Nordine. Please plan to attend.
Judy Frye, President
Northwest Florida
Square & Round Dance Assoc.
Northwest Clubs have said good-bye to our Winter Guests and continue to hold club dances throughout the spring. If you are traveling through our area please check out our website www.floridasquaredance.com/northwest and see what clubs are dancing.
On April 11, Caller Berlon Graham along with a square of dancers will attend a “Country West” night with chili and fixin’s at Liza Jackson Park. This dance was arranged by a couple that saw the dancers dancing and having a great time at the “ARTS” Benefit dance held at Liza Jackson Park in Fort Walton Beach on February 29. The couple has invited 75 friends and family to come out for a Country Western evening in the park. An award for “Best Cowboy or Cowgirl Outfit” will be awarded. Northwest is excited that the park dance has generated interest in our area.
On May 3, four callers and a square of dancers will attended the “Country Fest” in the Kids Country Area, at the Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola hosted by 102.7 WXBM and Soft Rock 94.1 Radio Stations. It is our hopes this activity will publicize our “Youth Program” and Northwest will begin lessons for the youth.
May 16-17, Callers Ted Kennedy and Willis Simmons along with Cuer Sandy Sturgis will be hosting a “Sand Dollar Promenade” at Ragon Hall in Pensacola.
We hope to see you on May 23-25 as Northwest joins the celebration in Lakeland for the “Celebrate in 2008” 54th Florida State Square and Round Dance Convention! If you don’t have your ribbon already, come join us anyway and purchase your ribbon at the Convention Center.
Respectfully submitted,
Paul and Cheryl Miller
Panama City Square & Round Dance Assoc.
By now, many of you know about “Step Up Florida” a project of the Florida Department of Health’s BFIT program. During the months of February and March, various free events were held to encourage Florida citizens to get moving with some kind of exercise program. Connie Kelly, BFIT, Healthy Bay County coordinator for Bay County, approached the Panama City Square and Rounds Dance board with a proposal for an “Introduction to Dance Exercise Night.”
The board agreed to co-sponsor the event on March 15 with a night of demonstrations by all the dance clubs using Grand Square Hall. Healthy snacks were furnished by the Health Department during a “Get Acquainted” half hour before the program began. Beginning at 7:00pm attendees watched Bop and Shag, Square, Round, Line and Ballroom dancing demos which were followed by short lessons. Sign up sheets and information about each dance group was available. Results are not yet available however; the board hopes each club will gain members as a result of the event.
Betty Kearney, President
West Coast
Square & Round Dance Assoc.
Well, spring has sprung and winter has left us in pretty good shape. After watching weather forecasts “UP north” I sure know why we are here. Any weather is good for dancing and it is so much easier getting around down here. We do travel a bit to do our dancing, we were in Bartow on February 10 with Clyde Stocker as M.C., Red Bates was M.C. in Venice on March 9 and Mike Doughty was our M.C. in Sebring on March 16. All were great dances with several squares at all of them. We hope the “Snowbirds” will stay a while longer as we still have a few dances to go. We will be in Arcadia on April 13 and of course the V.I.P. dance on August 17 with Art Springer and Charlie and Leona Lovelace, and The President Ball on September 14th with Allen Snell and Pat Hagen both at Strawberry Squares in Plant City. So keep your dancing shoes handy.
Lets not forget to “CELEBRATE in 2008,” May 23, 24 and 25. Don and Ann Slocum and their committees have put together a great 54th State Convention for you. They have worked hard so that you can enjoy the weekend, don’t let their hard work go to waste, come and enjoy. Don’t forget the Trail In Dance in Plant City at Strawberry Squares on May 22. Bob Barnes is M.C, also there will be Bob Poyner, Gary Murphy, Don and Loretta Hanhurst and Pat Hagen. Hope to see you there.
Remember, get involved, it keeps you out of trouble and makes you feel good all over!
Ken and Sandy Brasfield, Presidents
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