As I write this in the beginning of August, we’re still in the middle of the dog days of summer. The Ken Bower, Gary Shoemake dance was great at a nice, picturesque new venue. I’m sure the Johnny Preston, Mike Sikorsky, and Tom Miller dances will also be great times. I hope you got out (will get out) and were able to enjoy one or more of these dances.

September sees us at the start of another square dance season. The Fall Friendship Ball is a way to get back into dancing and meet dancers you don’t normally see. It is a free dance and open to all Rochester square dancers so come out and meet folks from other clubs.

Many clubs are hosting Open Houses this year to get new dancers into our activity. We’ve had many demonstrations this summer to try and promote square dancing. Our yard sign program is continuing this year as well as radio ads, and Facebook or other social media listings. However, our best source of new dancers has always been current dancers. Be sure and talk to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers about dancing, and take them to an Open House. I suspect I’m not the only person who got dragged kicking and screaming to my first Open House, but once there, I had a good time. It may take a little extra effort to pick someone up and bring them to an Open House, but the only way our activity will survive in the years to come is with new dancers joining our activity.

Enjoy the rest of the summer with your friends and family, and with your dancing family, and I’ll see you in a square.

Jim Gotta