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Did you know several of our clubs have been supporting the Troopons Program? |
Joann Baxter, member of Silver Squares & Batavia Silver Stars
became involved in this program 10 years ago through a friend. The
Copy Cats have also been involved in this program for several years
but coupon donations have been sparse during the pandemic. The Copy
Cats hope to continue supporting this program as dancing restarts in
the Fall.
Participants in this program donate their unused coupons to our
military through the “Support our Troops Troopons
Program” (SUPPORTOURTROOPS.ORG). Joann indicated that
“over the years several churches, senior groups, college kids
and groups, hospital staff, and at least three square dance clubs
have donated their coupons to us and we have been mailing them since
2010”.
The least amount of coupons we sent was in 2020, just 73 pounds. The
most we sent was in 2014, 327.6 pounds. A group at Rochester
Institute of Technology provided a formula to estimate of the value
of the coupons. In 2014, we had $1,179,351.00 estimated face value
for the donated coupons.
The coupons are valid in this program up to two months after their
expiration.
Joann indicated “Our military families thank you for getting
the word out about this program. Our support is making a
difference”.
If you are interested in contributing coupons, they are currently
being mailed to:
Support Our Troops, PO Box 70, Daytona Beach, FL 32115-0070.
The coupons can be mailed the cheapest way.
It is recommended coupons are separated into baggies marked:
Food
Pets
Household
Baby
Personal items
This makes it easier for volunteers at each Military Base PX or Navy
Base Exchange to get the coupons where they need to go.
There is also a website(https://supportourtroops.org/troopons) that
has some great information to share.
Federation’s Free Summer Fun Dances Very Successful |
The past few months, the Federation sponsored Free Summer Fun Dances
on Saturdays June 5, June 19 and July 17. All three dances were very
well attended. It was so much fun to see our square dance family
together. Our callers and cuers did a wonderful job creating a fun
way to welcome our dancers back to the dance floor.
On June 5, Jim Gotta called and cued at the Greece Methodist Church
Pavilion at 1924 Maiden Lane in Greece. We had 59 dancers and 8 clubs
represented. Members from the following clubs attended: Copy Cats,
Village Squares, Silver Squares, Cloverleaf Squares, Shamrock
Squares, Dalton Gang, Waterwheels and Belles & Beaus. Despite the
40 mph winds that made it difficult for Jim to call, we all had a
wonderful time.
On June 19, Mike Callahan called and cued at the Greece Methodist
Church Pavilion at 1924 Maiden Lane in Greece. We had 64 dancers and
8 clubs represented. Mike even called a Covid-themed singing call.
Members from the following clubs attended: Copy Cats, Village
Squares, Silver Squares, Cloverleaf Squares, Shamrock Squares, Grand
Squares, Waterwheels and Penn Yan Friendship Squares.
The July 17 dance was moved inside to the Perinton
Recreation/Community Center from the Perinton Park Pavilion. The
rainstorms were unbelievable that week so for dancer safety, the
dance was moved inside. Ron Brown and Dave Eno called and Chuck Meyer
cued. We had 50 dancers from 10 clubs: Copy Cats, Village Squares,
Silver Squares, Cloverleaf Squares, Shamrock Squares, Cayuga Cut-Ups,
Dalton Gang, Southern Tier Wheelers, Grand Squares and Penn Yan
Friendship Squares.
We want to thank everyone who volunteered and helped with the summer
dances … whether you helped with set up, running
extension cords, bathroom signage, dance signage, moving tables in
the pavilion, checking in dancers, selling 50/50 tickets, cleaning
up. Each person’s help was very much appreciated and
contributed to the overall success of the Federation’s summer
dances.
WNYF Summer Dance — June 5 — Greece |
Our first Federation Summer Dance was held in the pavilion at the
Greece United Methodist Church. Over 50 dancers attended, enough for
six squares dancing.
It was so nice to see everyone back on the dance floor on that warm
and windy day. Jim Gotta did a great job calling & cueing.
Dancers joined us from Copy Cats, Village Squares, Cloverleaf’s,
Waterwheels, Grand Squares, Silver Squares, Penn Yan Friendship
Squares, Shamrock Squares, Cayuga Cut-Ups were in attendance.
WNYF Summer Dance — June 19 — Greece |
Our second Federation Summer Dance was held in the pavilion at Greece
Methodist Church on June 19. Over 60 dancers attended, with seven
squares dancing.
It was so nice to see everyone back on the dance floor. The afternoon
was warm, with a gentle breeze and no rain. We enjoyed dancing
together from 3 to 4:30 pm, to Mike Callahan’s wonderful
calling & cueing. Mike even called a COVID-themed singing call to
welcome our dancers back to dancing. We had members from nine clubs
attending: Copy Cats, Village Squares, Cloverleaf’s, Waterwheels,
Grand Squares, Silver Squares, Dalton Gang, Belles & Beaus and
Shamrock Squares.
WNYF Summer Dance — July 17 — Perinton |
The rain—both forecast and real—forced a
quick shift of venue for the Federation Summer Series dance on July
17 to the Perinton Rec/Community Center. Despite the disruption, at
least 50 dancers attended—enough for six squares—from the following clubs: Village Squares, Penn Yan
Friendship Squares, Silver Squares, Cayuga Cutups, Grand Squares,
Shamrock Squares, Cloverleaf Squares, Copy Cats, Dalton Gang &
Southern Tier Wheelers.
Thank you to Ron and Dave for calling and to Chuck for cueing. As you
can see from the accompanying photos, everyone had a great time.
A Big Thank You to the Return to Dance Task Force |
On behalf of the Federation membership, we’d like to thank the Return to Dance (RTD) Task Force members for all their commitment and dedication over the past year to keep square & round dancing going in Western New York. A full year ago the RTD Task Force was formed. During the past year the RTD Task Force members monitored and surveyed their dancing membership, first in July last Summer and again this spring to see if and when in-person should be started again in Western NY. The task force closely monitored Covid safety guidelines and made recommendations to our club leadership, established zoom sessions for both square and round virtual dancing sessions, 3 Free Summer Dances (2 in June and 1 in July) and August’s DORish Dance. If not for this wonderful group’s dedication and support, we would not be back dancing & socializing with our dancing friends today.
When you see the RTD Task Force members, please let them know you appreciate their efforts.
The members:
Ron Brown, Mike Callahan, Peter Emmel, Dave Eno, Jim Gotta, Anne
Granger, Donna LaDonna, Rick LaDonna, Phil LaRussa, Mary Martin, Don
Naulin, Gil Porter, Eileen Webster, Debbie Blood & Jeff Blood
The RTD Task Force met virtually this past year to help keep square
and round dancing active for our members. For those of you who either
danced or watched or called/cued virtual square and round dancing, it
really makes you appreciate returning to in-person dancing so much
more!
Virtual dancing is definitely challenging for dancers as they dance
with phantom dancers as well as callers and cuers who are dealing
with internet variables and sound issues. We appreciated all who
worked on this project. It helped to keep our dancing community
connected while we all were in isolation. Thank you for all the
coordination and effort behind the scenes.
Looking forward to Fall 2021 and beyond …
Our dance schedules are starting to fill up again. We are happy to report many of the clubs are starting up now or in the next month or two. Cloverleafs Squares are offering beginning classes in September. A few of the other clubs such as Silver Squares and Copy Cats will be waiting until January before offering classes.
Western NY Federation of Square and Round Dancers Inc
Our first Federation meeting will be a Zoom session on Weds. 9/8/21.
We also have a Zoom Presidents, Callers/Cuer, Federation Zoom meeting
scheduled for Tues. 10/19/21. If you want to be invited to these Zoom
meetings, just contact us via email: dfbjvbhome@aol.com or call us at
585-880-9161.
DORish Dinner & Dance—8/21/21 |
We had a wonderful time today at the DORish Dance!
It was great being together with all our square dance friends. Our
Callers: Ron, Mike, Dave & Jim and Cuers: Eileen, Chuck, Mark
& Marlene did a fantastic job.
We had 9 to 10 squares for the mainstream announced plus dancing
sessions. The callers ended the evening with a mic sharing session.
It was awesome, to hear them blend their wonderful voices. Their
camaraderie was so much fun to watch. We ended the evening with a
large thank you circle.
Thank you to everyone who made today happen. We appreciate everyone’s
help, setting up tables & chairs, sound systems, checking in
dancers, selling 50/50, serving or cleaning up dinner and helping
reset the facility when the dance ended. Overall, it was a fantastic
day dancing with friends.
Daphne-Norma Leadership Award 2020 |
The Daphne-Norma leadership award was established in 1977 by John
Fink and Frank Salvaggio, in honor of their wives, Daphne and Norma.
The purpose of the award is to show appreciation for extensive and
sustained leadership over a number of years in square or round
dancing.
The award has been presented 42 times over the years since then. The
Daphne-Norma committee selected the next recipients early in 2020,
but were unable to present the award at DOR 2020 due to the COVID
pandemic. Then when both DOR-ish 2020 and DOR 2021 were also
canceled, DOR-ish 2021 on August 21, 2021 became the first
opportunity to present the award.
The newest recipients are Jeff and Debbie Blood. They graduated from
Triggers in May 1980 and were co-presidents of the Triggers from 1994
to 1996. They took a 20-year break to raise their family and advance
their careers. Debbie and Jeff returned to Square Dancing as members
of the 2016 Copy Cats class. Since they graduated, they have been
active dancers of Copy Cats, Village Squares and most recently Silver
Squares.
As Vice Presidents of the Federation, they also reactivated the
Federation’s Promotions Committee, promoting square dancing
including news articles, demonstrations and promotional dances at the
malls and Stone Dewey Family night events before turning it over to
Amy and Kris Aeckerle to lead in July 2019. As Federation Vice
Presidents and heads of the Dance O Rama organizing committee, they
toured many facilities around the county looking for potential
dancing venues, concluding the Perinton Rec/Community Center is the
best choice for the annual DOR.
As if that weren’t enough, in the months since the committee
made their selection, Jeff and Debbie—now as Federation
presidents—have put in a tremendous amount of effort to
keep square dancing alive and active through the pandemic. They
established the Return to Dance Task Force to help guide club
leadership back to dancing safely, and they organized the
Federation’s series of free (outdoor) Summer Fun Dances.
When you see Jeff & Debbie, congratulate them on being the latest
Daphne Norma recipients.
An important tradition of the Daphne-Norma Leadership Award is the
candy dish that is passed from one recipient to the next. Whenever
you see the candy dish at an event, you are reminded about the award,
and the legacy of service behind it.
If you can think of anyone that is deserving of this award, please
fill out the nomination form. They are available on the
Federation’s website SquareDancingRochester.org or traveling
with the candy dish to club dances and Federation events.
Nominations for the Daphne-Norma Leadership Award are accepted each
year until the end of February. Please email nominations and/ or any
questions to Debbie & Jeff Blood at dfbjvbhome@aol.com
The next Daphne-Norma Award presentation is planned for the May 2022
DOR on Saturday, May 14, 2022.
Welcome Rick LaDonna - CoWebmaster |
On behalf of the Promenader and the Federation, Webmaster Sidney
Marshall and I would like to welcome and express thanks to Rick
LaDonna for diving into the deep end and taking care of this
quarter’s website update and Promenader issue.
As CoWebmaster, Rick has worked under the hood with Sidney on the
details of processing editorial content (i.e. news and articles) and
especially of maintaining and updating the database of events, dates,
venues, clubs, callers, fliers and other Federation items.
For this issue - September, 2021 - Rick has done the entire job with
very little help from start to finish.
Harold Greenlee |
Robert Harold Greenlee, Penfield, NY, on July 15, 2021. Predeceased
by his wife, Delora. Harold is survived by his wife, Linda; 3
daughters, Ronda (Gary) Greenlee-Berkowitz, Joyce (Gerald) Dunn, and
Robin Greenlee; step-daughters, Pamela Hobbs, Sherry Haylett and Lori
(Gavin) Lorenz; 10 grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew, Stacey, Erik,
Keri, Jenaye, Alia, Addison, Connor and Carson; brother, Ronald
(Georganna).
Calling hours for family and friends were held at Jennings, Nulton
& Mattle Funeral Home, 1704 Penfield Road, Saturday, July 24,
2021. A memorial service was held privately. In lieu of flowers,
kindly consider donations to Veterans Outreach Center.
Comments from local square dancers:
“Harold attended the Village Squares Plus Refreshers for a few
years and joined the club from 2012-2017. He was a gentle man and a
smooth dancer.”
“Harold would come to our Copy Cat dances when he wasn’t
in Florida. Many of us will remember him from those dances.”
Dale Nientimp |
Victor, NY—Dale M. Scottow Nientimp, 75, died June 7,
2021 at her home. She was born June 21, 1945, in Medina, NY, the
daughter of Frances I. (Raymond) Scottow and Mark E. Scottow.
Dale graduated from Medina High School in 1963. After high school she
held many positions including Home Health Care and Certified Doll
Doctor, and retired from her Customer Service role at Kodak in 2004.
She married Charles J. Nientimp on October 25, 1991, and together
they were active in round and square dancing with area festivals,
national conventions, and many western NY area clubs including the
Southern Tier Wheelers and Cloverleaf Squares for 25 years. Dale was
gifted at sewing, knitting, and crocheting, and made many doll
outfits for her grandchildren. She also loved playing cards including
Euchre, Bridge, and Cribbage. Charlie and Dale enjoyed golfing,
traveling and spending time with their large family and many friends.
Dale will be remembered by her wonderful laugh and great smile. In
addition to her parents, she is predeceased by a sister, Janet L.
Scottow. She is survived by her husband of 29 years, Charles,
daughter Penny Wasnock (Dave) Toal of Hamlin, son Mark (Marie)
Wasnock of Waltham, MA, step-daughters Karen (Matthew) Caton of
Pittsford, Christine (Rodney) Baumgartner of Horseshoe Bay, TX, and
Jennifer (David) Sauter of Penfield, siblings Joanne Johnson of
Lockport, Donna Bane of Lyndonville, grandchildren Reina E Wasnock,
Seiya A. Wasnock, Mia U. Wasnock, Joseph L. Fisher, Benjamin M.
Caton, Hope A. Caton, Tyler J. (Emily) Wheaton, Alyson M. Wheaton,
Molly K. Sauter, Collin D. Sauter along with many nieces, nephews and
cousins.
A celebration of her life was held on Friday, June 11th from 11:30
a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Gypsum Mills Community Center at 6392
Plastermill Rd. Victor, NY 14564.
In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting donations to the
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society www.lls.org.
To leave the family condolences, visit jarmuszcottonfuneralhome.com
Comments from Dick & Irma Halstead:
“It is with great sadness that we report the untimely passing
of Dale Nientimp after a relatively short battle with cancer, shown
here with her devoted husband Charlie. Send condolences to Charlie at
6308 Kim’s Drive, Victor NY 14584.
In our earlier, i.e. ‘Pre-A Level Dancing’ days, I
believe we met Charlie and Dale when we joined the Southern Tier
Wheelers Square Dance Camping Club, but it could have been someplace
else, because Irma and I started dancing with the Wayne Westerners
back in the 70’s or 80’s, and were always at DOR, so it
could have been there.
We became fast friends after they invited us to visit their then home
right next to the big Kodak Complex. Charlie had a player piano and a
vast collection of songs, that we both enjoyed singing to. We also
both enjoyed playing bridge together, but that was after they
relocated to their big farm South of Rochester … way
South of Rochester!
Charlie and Dale were long time members of Mike and Wanda
Callahan’s Monday Night ‘A’ Club, that he always
referred to as his, ‘Bread and Butter’ Club. This,
because in his early and leaner days of calling, it could always be
relied upon to feed his family for the week, year-around!”
Donna Spencer |
Spencer, Donna Claire - July 13, 2021
Donna Claire (Felthouse) Spencer, born in Oak Park, Illinois
September 5, 1941, daughter of Dorothy (Shearer) Felthouse and
Stanley N. Felthouse, died July 10, 2021. She is survived by her
husband of 57 years Rex T. Spencer; daughter Cynthia (Mike) Fortner
and son Matthew (Rita) Spencer; grandchildren Luke and Jack Fortner
and Asha and Deven Spencer.
Donna was a graduate of Redford High School in Detroit, Michigan;
Western Michigan University, and Oakland University, with
undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education.
Donna was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother (Grammy/Nana) who
enjoyed doing things for her family and friends. She was kind,
caring, and considerate. She loved being a school teacher and taught
kindergarten and first grade in Warren and Plymouth, Michigan; Lima,
Ohio; Center Point, Alabama; and East Aurora, New York. She was a
devoted Christian and taught Sunday school in many of the areas she
lived. She was also an active long time member of P.E.O., a
world-wide woman’s organization supporting the education of
women, and served as her local chapter president on several
occasions. But her favorite role was Grandma. She loved Luke, Jack,
Asha, and Deven, and so enjoyed spending time with them and being
involved in their activities. She was always their champion.
Donna was very creative. She was an avid scrap booker; meticulously
documenting our family activities every year. She enjoyed making
cards for everyone and every occasion and they were works of art.
Donna loved sewing and at one time had her own business making
clothes for small children. She was an excellent cook and baker. One
of her favorite activities was baking cookies and brownies,
especially with help from her grandchildren.
Donna was a good friend and worked hard to stay in touch over the
years with people in all of the places she had lived. She loved
hearing from and getting together with friends. Her kindness and
caring as a wife, mother, grandmother and friend was how she lived
her life. She was always concerned about how she could best help
others; driving them to appointments, making casseroles or baked
goods, and visiting them when ill. She will be greatly missed by all
those who were lucky enough to know her.
Calling Hours were held at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home (Egypt
Location) 7501 Pittsford Palmyra Road, Fairport. Funeral Service was
held Saturday at United Methodist Church of Webster 169 East Main
Street, Webster.
In lieu of flowers please consider a donation to Camp Abilities
(www.campabilities.org) or P.E.O. International’s P.E.O.
Foundation (www.peointernational.org/peo-foundation).
Comments from square dancers:
“Donna and her husband Rex were Copy Kittens in the class
before COVID. They had returned to square dancing this summer (2021)
by attending Jim Gotta’s dances at Perinton Rec Center. Donna
died suddenly and will certainly be missed by all of us.”
“Donna and Rex were a lovely couple who eagerly joined a square
and had a good time with every call. My last photo of her was on
March 7, 2020, at the (Copy Cats) March Square Dancing Madness Dance.
I will miss dancing with her and hope that Rex will eventually
continue in the club.”
