Editor’s Page

Welcome to the Spring, 2019, edition of the Promenader—a quarterly publication of the Rochester Area Federattion of Round and Square Dance Clubs.

In This Issue

The “Photos & Features” section of this issue includes photo articles on the Copy Cats excursion to the 2018 Tumbling Leaves Festival, and their Holiday dinner Dance. We also welcome two new clubs to the RAF family. There is also a description of re-invigorated RAF promotion efforts, as Debbie and Jeff Blood bring the Promotions Committee back to life.

RAF Website

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

Note that our “Breaking News” section is located on the RAF Home page, between the buttons and the Open House listings. It has been active this winter, with news of cancelations and other urgent messages.

And please click HERE for the quarterly message from the RAF President, Jim Gotta.

Daphne-Norma award

Nominations are due by end of February, but if you get them in right now (early March) it won’t be too late. 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. See the D-N Award article in this issue (Photos & Features) for more information.

In Memoriam

In this issue we say farewell to long-time dancers and friends Nancy Fincher (Batavia Silver Stars) and George Dormer (Village Squares).

Editorial Comment

In the October, 1962 Promenader, I found a great quote from Lee HeIsel on the subject of dance level:

“Here’s the Difference between a high-level club and a Iow-level club:

In a low-level club you walk through first and then dance,

In a high-level club you try to dance first then you walk through.”

A while back, my attention was focused on “dance level” issues, but more recently I have come to realize that the social aspects of square dancing are more important. Almost anyone can learn to dance, but only in a welcoming and supportive social setting. Over-emphasis on dance level—Basic, Mainstream, Plus, etc.—creates barriers and it leads us to neglect socialization. But without the strong social fabric within and between our clubs, it’s a good bet there would be no dancing at all.

I found a great article on this point in the monthly magazine “American Square Dance.” It’s by Jim Mayo, and it highlights the social aspect of square dancing, which I think we often downplay as we focus on dancing levels and skills. I’m working on getting permission to reproduce the full article, but here’s the opening paragraph:

“Square Dancing is a wonderful recreation. It gives us exercise, both mental and physical. At its best, it lets us move, taking our steps in time to the music. But even more importantly in my opinion, it lets us enjoy each other. Of the three great values of our activity—movement, mental challenge and sociability—the greatest is sociability. The chance to meet people and to share with them the work and rewards of club membership is a benefit of modern square dancing that we don’t often discuss. Yet it may be the most lasting and important of all the benefits of square dancing.”

Quarterly chuckle: Cure for Lateness

Bob had a problem getting up on time in the morning and was always late for work. Eventually his boss lost patience with Bob and threatened to fire him if he didn’t get it under control.

So, Bob went to the doctor, who gave him a prescription, directing Bob to take one pill each night before going to bed. He followed the directions and got a wonderful night’s sleep, even beating the alarm in the morning. After a leisurely breakfast, he cheerfully drove to work.

“Well, boss,” he said, “the pill my doctor prescribed actually works!”

“That’s fine, Bob,” said the boss, “but where were you yesterday?”

Keep dancing!