The past few months have been very busy and exciting as we have been promoting Square Dancing and the start-up of lessons within our communities. We have lawn signs, ads, articles, live demos, public square dance info tables and displays. The truth is, while this all helps promote the awareness of square dancing, it is our dancers who are the #1 promoters of square dancing and our lesson programs. Consistently our dancers are the best promotion of the fun of square dancing on the dance floor. We all have been working together to promote square dancing. The classes have begun and we hope to retain at least 25 new dancers who will graduate next Spring. It would be wonderful if we are able to encourage these new dancers to stay committed to the classes, become active members of our clubs and recruit their friends.

Recently when we attended the Autumn Leaves Dance weekend in Battleboro VT, they were very impressed to hear the size of our classes and the level of retention of last year’s class members. Special thanks to all of our dancer angels who continue to give of themselves to help with classes along with welcoming and encouraging our new dancers.

We currently have 15 clubs in the Federation (2023–24 dues are due): Batavia Silver Stars, Boo Bull Squares and Rounds, Cayuga Cut-Ups, Cloverleaf Squares, Copy Cats, Dalton Gang, Fun Bunch, Penn Yan Friendship Squares, Shirts N Skirts (Fulton), Shamrock Squares, Silver Squares, Southern Tier Wheelers, Village Squares, Waterwheel Squares. Due to changes in the requirements for Grand Squares to rent their location in Rush-Henrietta School District they have had to discontinue dancing. We are noticing similar restrictions for other clubs and hope location policies do not cause us to lose more of our clubs.

As cases of COVID are reaching the dance floors again, please make sure you have plenty of hand sanitizers available. It appears our dancers are good at wearing masks as needed. The current symptoms seem to be mild, and most people don’t even know they have COVID. We just ask you take extra care if you feel under the weather. If someone tests positive for Covid after attending one of your dances, please let us know and we will post it on the WNYF Facebook page: Square Dancing Rochester. We will also email our Club Presidents so they can also let their members know.

Our dance floors are getting fuller as we enjoy all the autumn celebrations such as Halloween, Veterans Day, and look forward to Thanksgiving and our special Holiday and New Years celebrations.

Please save the date for our afternoon New Year’s Eve Dance. The dance is being co-sponsored by the Federation and the Copy Cats. The dance will be from 3–5:00 pm on 12/31/23 at the First Baptist Church of Penfield located at 1862 Penfield Rd. Jim Gotta will be calling and cueing. Dancers are welcome to bring appetizers, snacks or desserts to share. It will be a fun way to welcome in the New Year. Hope you can join us.

Please save the date for DOR 2024 to be held May 4, 2024. The DOR Committee is busy making plans. DOR 2024 will be at the Perinton Rec Center. We contracted Jonathan Weiner from Brooklyn as our guest caller. Our local caller and cuer for DOR 2024 are Mike Callahan calling and Alice Bubel cueing. More information will be coming shortly. Everyone had such a good time last year, and we anticipate another wonderful event again in May 2024. All Clubs will be asked to donate a basket for the basket raffle. If anyone is interested in helping with DOR 2024, please contact us.

The Daphne Norma Leadership award nominations are due by the end of February 2024.

Please look around and take the time to recognize an individual or couple who deserve this honor. It is the highest honor awarded in our WNYF Dance community to recognize individuals or couples for their outstanding dedication and service to square dance and round dancing.

As always, we are looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

From the On-Line Promenader

Please send all email to: promenader@rochester.rr.com

Debbie & Jeff Blood