![[Photos and Features]](../jpg/articlestop.jpg)
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email: promenader@rochester.rr.com.
Callers School in Gloversville |
If you ever get a chance to visit the Shoeleather Express in Gloversville, NY, it is well worth the trip. I attended a callers school there with Mike Sikorsky and was impressed with the love that Elaine and Dennis poured into the converted church. The alter has been replaced with a double-sized couch from a children’s television show and the floor has been replaced with a beautiful hardwood floor. There are still three organs in various rooms (the pipe organ was removed) and there are two other rooms for dancing.
Three Squares at October Wellness Fair — Greece Ridge Mall |
The October 13, 2018, demo at Greece Ridge Mall’s Wellness Fair
went very well. We ended up with three squares of experienced dancers
and several class members participating.
The support we had from the clubs and classes to showcase modern
square dancing was fantastic. We had dancers from: Copy Cats, Belles
& Beaus, Silver Squares, Batavia Silver Stars, Cloverleafs and
Grand Squares.
The demo scheduled before ours was cancelled so we started dancing
around 11:30 a.m. Our table was adjacent to the demo area and due to an
issue with power, we ended up moving Ron’s table in front of
ours. We did not get a lot of traffic at the table but had a constant
stream of spectators throughout our entire dance time of almost an
hour and a half.
Summary of materials distributed:
Invitation to Dance Brochures—13 distributed
Cards—Modern Square Dance … Join the
Party—14 distributed
(this listed Cloverleafs voice mail number for anyone interested in
joining classes now so we could coordinate catch up classes as
needed.)
Learn to Dance flyer—8 distributed
Plus 55 Square Dance article—3 distributed
Article: Dancing may be key to Senior Health—3
distributed
The message was given to anyone interested in joining a class to
contact the Cloverleaf’s voice mail. We were planning to use
their voice mail as a means to set up a catch-up class for any new
dancers resulting from the demo.
One person with special needs approached us with interest but we were
not sure where to direct her. She is deaf and wondered if NTID or
Rochester School for the Deaf has anyone teaching or calling square
dancing. Her club preference was Silver Squares. If you can provide
help or have any suggestions, please contact us. [Editor’s note:
For several years, Tom Mallory taught square dancing for a group at
NTID, using sign language. I don’t know of anyone who has picked
up the slack since Tom’s death in 2014.]
Submitted by Jeff & Debbie Blood
If you have any questions, please contact Debbie & Jeff Blood
Vice Presidents, Rochester Federation of Round & Square Dance
Clubs
Village Squares Goes All-In for Halloween |
Surrounded by decorations from the crypt of Angela and Tom Frantz, and
munching treats conjured up by Karen Olmsted and Stephen Barkley, the
Village Squares celebrated Halloween in Spooktacular style. A
life-size Headless Horseman (his head waiting patiently on the coat
rack), a chatty witch and a shy Skeleton, who spoke only when
questioned, were strategically placed around the hall.
Hands-down winners of the costume contest were the banjo-player
skeleton duo accompanying caller Ghoul Porter. The highlight of the
evening, however, was Angela’s dancing broom. Channeling its
inner Fantasia, the boom spun gracefully around the hall, occasionally
sweeping off in random directions.
Visitors from Belarus get Copy Cats Jumping |
Recently, the Copy Cats received a telephone call from Tamara
Denysenko at Rochester Global Connections. RGC works with
USAID’s Department of Education to effectively help Belarusian
professionals understand and adopt best practices to strengthen and
develop their country. This group has been in existence for over 20
years.
As a result of the call, on October 16, 2018, the Copy Cats welcomed
two guests from Belarus—Natallia Tamasenka and Vadzim
Kruchkou. Natallia is the Director of Aksioma IT. Her company provides
learning opportunities for children age six and older in the field of
basic design and programming using educational LEGO sets in Gomel,
Belarus. Vadzim is a systems engineer in the 100 Points ED Centre in
Minks, Belarus. They and other delegates are visiting Rochester under
the auspices of the USAID, to learn about our local STEM
programs. STEM incorporates Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
in education, as a way to help children build critical skills for the
future. They help make these subjects fun while the children are
learning.
However, not only were Natalia and Vadzim interested in
technology … they expressed an interest in American
Western Square Dancing. We would like to thank Jolanta and Tom Mokranz
for being Copy Cats’ ambassadors to our Belarus visitors for the
evening. Jolanta and Tom immigrated from Wroclaw, Poland more than 30
years ago and joined Copy Cats last year. There are a lot of
similarities between the Belarus and Polish languages.
On the evening of their visit, Ron Brown taught Tamara, Natallia and
Vad—and our whole class—the basic square
dance calls. To quote Tamara, they “truly enjoyed themselves and
express their sincere appreciation for everyone’s hospitality
and American friendliness.” Vad brought music to teach us a
Slavic quadrille (a dance that was fashionable in late 18th and 19th
century Europe). Ron reciprocated with an American quadrille, a mixer
which Ron performs at our yearly Open House event. Everyone in
attendance had an enjoyable evening and we hope this is the first of
many interactions between RGC and the Copy Cats.
We would like to thank Ron Brown for making the evening fun for our
visitors, and Jackson (Jet) Thomas for photographing the
evening’s festivities.
Batavia Silver Stars on Parade at Oakfield Labor Daze |
On a sunny September 3, 2018, Jan Bencic led the Batavia Silver Stars in the Oakfield Labor Daze Parade.
It’s Time to Start Thinking About Leadership Award Nominations |
We would not be dancing if it weren’t for the extra efforts of
folks who consistently go out of their way to make things happen, to
welcome and encourage new dancers and to help keep experienced dancers
engaged. The Daphne-Norma Leadership Award is one of the ways we
recognize these special people.
The award is presented each year in May—at Dance O
Rama—to honor an individual or couple who have made an
outstanding contribution to dancing in our area. Recipients are
selected from nominations sent in by dancers like you.
If there is someone whose consistent service to square dancing in your
club or in the wider dancing community has caught your attention,
please make a note of it on a copy of the Daphne-Norma Nomination
Form, which you’ll find in our Awards section. (Click HERE for
guidelines, a list of past recipients and a link to the form.)
Send your completed form to the award’s most recent recipients,
Stu & Jane Jones, at 53 Dake Avenue, Rochester, NY 14617-2835.
If that’s too much trouble, simply send an email to them at
Sjones102@rochester.rr.com—with the following
information:
Nominee’s Name(s)
Your reasons for nominating them
Your name and club affiliation
Your email address and phone number
It’s that simple!
Selection for this significant honor is a cumulative
process. Nominations are due by the end of February, but they are also
held over into future years, and can accumulate to build a compelling
case for “your” nominee. So, please don’t
hesitate. Send in your nomination now!
Copy Cats Halloween |
On the Saturday before Halloween, the Copy Cats hosted a full floor of dancers in an astonishing array of costumes!
Copy Kittens — Costumes With Class |
On the night before Halloween, 2018, the Copy Cats class—the Kittens—showcased their creativity at Bay Trail School in Webster.
Special Dance honors memory of Jerry Carmen |
On November 7, the Village Squares welcomed six squares of dancers to
honor the memory of their long-time caller Jerry Carmen. A binder
filled with anecdotes and messages of appreciation for Jerry was
presented to his family, and several folks came to the microphone to
offer their own “Jerry stories.” The dance was attended by
Jerry’s wife, Betty, and three of their children plus one
son-in-law.
Callers included Gil Porter, the Hip Boot Boys and even Jerry himself
on tape. Will Herzog cued a line dance. A basket of movie-related
items was raffled off for the benefit of the ALS Association, and
Betty brought in numerous memorabilia items to exchange for ALS
donations.
It was a memorable evening and a fitting tribute to our departed
caller and friend, who brought music and dancing to folks all across
Upstate NY for over fifty years.
Three Grand Squares |
On November 29, Mike Callahan and the Grand Squares in Henrietta drew three squares! You can’t see the clock in the photo, but that’s the final tip of the evening. Everyone stayed for the whole dance!
Mary Lee Schweitzer — September 12, 2018 |
Mary Lee Schweitzer, 77 of Manor House Drive, Auburn, passed away
Wednesday, September 12, 2018, with her family by her
side. Mrs. Schweitzer was born in Preston, NY on July 25, 1941 to the
late Otto L. and Alice M. Barse Shaw.
After 34 years of teaching, Mary Lee retired from Auburn School
District. Whether it was teaching, volunteering with the Scat Van or
donating more than 20 gallons of blood to the Red Cross, Mary Lee
loved to help those in need.
She was a member of the alter guild at Saints Peter and John Church
and enjoyed square dancing, lawn mowing and canoeing.
Mary Lee is survived by her loving husband of 30 years, Richard
Schweitzer.; her children Ronald (Stephanie) Rulis, Stephen Rulis,
Gerald Rulis and Leigh Ann (Thomas) Richards; her step children,
Richard (Vikki Le) Schweitzer Jr. Robert (Donna) Schweitzer, Ronald
(Julie) Schweitzer, Raymon (Sheila) Schweitzer, Charisse (Paul)
Tarnacki, and Holly (Angelo Rivizzigno); seven grandchildren; Two
great grandchildren and her brother, Lawrence (Marcia) Shaw.
A graveside service was held on Friday, September 21 at 1:00 pm in
Sampson Veteran Memorial Cemetery, Romulus NY.
In lieu of flowers donations in Mary Lee’s memory may be made to
Saints Peter and John Episcopal Church, 169 Genesee St. Auburn or The
Scat Van 17 Nelson St. #3 Auburn.
Arrangements were with White Chapel Funeral Home Inc., 197 South St
Auburn NY.
Mary Lee and Dick are familiar to square dancers all across Upstate
New York, where Dick has been an active caller for decades.
Remembering Mary Lee Schweitzer | ![[Roving Reporter]](../jpg/rovinglogo.jpg) |
Irma and I spent the afternoon yesterday, Monday, the 5th of November,
2018, with our long-time friend, and now, “Widower”, Richard “Dick”
Schweitzer, at his home in a nice Retirement Community of individually
owned homes near Auburn, NY. He readily agreed.
Of course, we had called earlier, explaining that we would like to do
this tribute to Mary Lee … further explaining that I had already sent a
copy of her Obituary to Peter Emmel, for inclusion in the Promenader;
however, that it alone just did not seem sufficient to cover all that
this warm and wonderful person had meant to many of us, and especially
to those of us that have had the good fortune of becoming especially
close friends.
Especially close friends as in: Afternoon and evenings playing our
favorite, “Bid Euchre” games; then those Big Dance Weekends, like
“Autumn Leaves” in Bennington, Vermont; Or, wintering together in South
Texas; and of course those many weekends at “Rocky’s”, near your Family
Camp in Boonville, NY, where Dick, often with Red Bates, did the
biggest weekends there, as well as his own busy calling schedule all
over upstate.
First, we asked Dick to refresh our memories of dancing together, the
first of which was when he was calling for the Geneva Friendship
Squares, and later, when we had progressed to that level, with Bob
Stern’s A Club in Geneva.
Dick first reminded us that he thought we had met at Dottie Reed’s
Round Dance Club in Newark … or had it been “Doc” Newman’s Round Dance
Club in Geneva … wherever, with Dick often calling, I then
occasionally had the opportunity to dance with Mary Lee, and being an
excellent Round as well as Square Dancer, it was always a rare joy,
and Irma usually took these rare occasions to “Kibitz”, making new
friends with others … an “Art Form” for her, just being herself, often
sensitive to people not dancing that needed a friend to chat.
Then came my question: “How did you two meet?” (already being aware
theirs was a second marriage for each of them.)
Dick recalled: (Paraphrasing here), As you know, I worked for GE in
Syracuse, and like you, had spent time in the remote Northern Regions
working on the DEW Line (Defense Early Warning System), protecting the
United States from hostile, ‘Over the Pole’, incursions during that
very ‘Hot’ time of the Cold War. Thus we were living in Syracuse, NY;
however, I was also calling for the Spinning Wheels in Auburn.
As you know, my wife had died in the mid 80”s of cancer, and our
children were all grown, when in 1986, friends, John and Barb Komariski
asked if I would go to a dance with them; that they were bringing
someone along that needed a partner. I agreed, and when I saw her, I
realized that I had seen her before: One night while calling for the
Spinning Wheels, this strikingly attractive tall blond lady came in
one time; danced, and then left.
But, back to our “Dance Date”, that was it! No hand holding, just an
enjoyable evening of dancing. Then, polite amicable good-nights when
they drove off: That was it!
Next year, 1987, the Komariski’s asked me again, but this time, with
that level of “Knowing”, we, after three or four subsequent, “dates”
of our own, progressed to Hand-Holding!
Of course by this time our conversations revealed that she lived on
Lime Kiln Road, just off Route 20, East of Auburn, and that I had a
home in Syracuse, that had a Swimming Pool.
Mary Lee wanted to see my place. We saw it. We went swimming,
appropriately attired! … and, about to leave, she asked:
“Do you think we could live together?”
Simple as that! My almost immediate response was:
“Yes, but only if we were Married!”
Dick smiled at Irma and me, and said in conclusion: John Komariski
stood up for me at our wedding at St. Peter/John’s Episcopal Church
in Auburn.
They decided after appropriate discussions to both move into “Her
Home” on Lime Kiln Road, being close to her teaching duties, and many
of Dick’s calling jobs, which as most of you now reading this know,
includes almost all clubs in up-state New York over the past forty or
more years, notably including long term weekly, “gigs”, at the Pen Yan
Friendship Squares, the Cayuga Cut-Ups, etc.
Mary Lee retired from her Remedial Reading teaching job in the Auburn
School System at the conclusion of the 1996/97 school year; and told
us shortly before she succumbed to cancer: I Danced; Exercised; Never
Smoked; was largely a practicing “Vegetarian”; and hand-mowed our
lawn … until shortly before we bought our retirement home, with no
lawns to mow! How did I get cancer???
None of us can answer that, Mary Lee, but know that we love you, and
pray, along with Hubby Richard, who was continuously by your side,
Holding Your Hand, the last three days of your life, comforting you
and himself with the thought that, as Children of God, and certain in
the knowledge that with the Atoning Grace of the very Son of God,
Jesus Christ, we are Eternal Beings, and this is not the end, rather a
glorious beginning.
Love You
Dick and Irma Halstead, Roving Reporters, and, Your countless Family
and Friends
With Red and Ginny Bates
At Their Boonville Log Home
At Rocky’s
Robert (Bob) Otto — November 22, 2018 |
Robert Otto passed peacefully on Thanksgiving morning, November 22,
2018. He led a long life of faith, which he taught to his children and
grandchildren.
As one of the founding parents of Heritage Christian Services, he was
a blessing to thousands of men and women with developmental
disabilities, one of whom was his daughter.
Robert owned his own company, Trebor Supply, serving hardware stores
locally and in the Southern Tier for 34 years until his retirement at
age 84. Customers appreciated his care, expertise and strong work
ethic.
His grandchildren will always remember Bob’s humorous stories,
which they will surely share with their children.
Bob’s family expressed appreciation to the Highlands at
Brighton, citing their excellent care and the way they went
“above and beyond” to make his last days comfortable.
For many years, Bob & Gail were members of Shamrock Squares, where
Bob was instrumental in obtaining the club’s current dance
location at the Pieters Family Life Center.
Adapted from Rochester D&C
