Editor’s Page

Welcome to the Winter, 2018, edition of the Promenader—a quarterly publication of the Rochester Area Federation of Round and Square Dance Clubs.

In This Issue

The “Photos & Features” section of this issue includes articles on the unique Shoeleather Express (in Gloversville, NY), square dancing at Greece Ridge Mall’s Wellness Fair, and the Batavia Silver Stars’ participation in the Oakfield Labor Day parade.

There’s also an interesting account of a special Copy Cats evening in October, when a couple from Belarus visited their class. And no winter edition would be complete without photos of the amazing costumes—and snacks—that come out at Halloween time.

RAF Website

Be sure to browse the rest of our website for complete dance schedules, information from the Rochester Area Federation—such as club reimbursement programs and forms, club insurance information and forms, and for the RAF meeting schedule and minutes.

And please click HERE for the quarterly message from the RAF President, Jim Gotta. It includes an important announcement about Mainstream dancing at the Belles ’N’ Beaus.

Daphne-Norma award nominations—due by end of February

Now is the time to consider nominating worthy folks for the highest honor the dance community can bestow. Click HERE for guidelines, a listing of past recipients and to download the nomination form.

In Memoriam

In this issue we say farewell to Bob Otto and Mary Lee Schweitzer (wife of long-time area caller Dick Schweitzer). In addition to her obituary, please be sure to read Dick Halstead’s article “Remembering Mary Lee Schweitzer.”

Quarterly chuckle

WHEN GRANDMA GOES TO COURT

Lawyers should never ask a Mississippi grandma a question if they aren’t prepared for the answer.

In a trial, a Southern small-town prosecuting attorney called his first witness, a grandmotherly, elderly woman to the stand. He approached her and asked “Mrs. Jones, do you know me?”

She responded, “Why yes I’ve known you since you were a little boy, and frankly you’ve been a big disappointment. You lie, you cheat on your wife, and you manipulate people and talk about them behind their backs. You think you’re a big shot when you haven’t the brains to realize you’ll never amount to anything more than a two-bit paper pusher. Yes, I know you.”

The lawyer was stunned. Not knowing what else to do, he pointed across the room and asked, “Mrs. Jones, do you know the defense attorney?”

She replied, “Why yes I do. I’ve known Mr. Bradley since he was a youngster, too. He’s lazy, bigoted, and he has a drinking problem, He can’t build a normal relationship with anyone, and his law practice is one of the worst in the entire state. Not to mention he cheated on his wife with three different women. One of them was your wife. Yes, I know him.”

The defense attorney nearly died!

At this point, the judge asked both counselors to approach the bench. In a very quiet voice said: “If either of you idiots asks her if she knows me, I’ll send you both to the electric chair.”