Our end of the year picnic is one of our favorite events of the year!

We sit down at noon to enjoy a variety of scrumptious dishes & desserts prepared by our members. And of course we have red & white hots off the grill. It is a great time to share happenings in our lives. And yes we had 4 kids, ages 4–10 who added to our fun.

As usual Mike did a great job of calling, mixing in Plus calls with Mainstream for our recent graduates. We always have a “MIXER” in the middle of the dance. Each dancer picks a ticket with 2 numbers—one for the square & one for the position in the square. It’s fun to dance with a different partner.

We are still dancing every Monday afternoon all summer from 1-3 PM at Greece United Methodist Church, 1924 Maiden Lane (right off Long Pond in Greece) with Mike Callahan calling. Come join us on a Monday afternoon—whether you are a new dancer, long time dancer; single or a couple.

Submitted by Ruth Uhrenholdt

Hi everyone! I hope you had a great summer and are ready to get back to dancing!

I have been elected by the Federation officers as the Communications/promotions Liaison and I am excited about the things we can do! My mission is twofold: 1) to increase and improve communications and interactions within the Federation and among all the member clubs; and 2) to spread the word to the rest of the world about what a wonderful activity they are missing out on. Many of you have heard me say that square dancing is the best kept secret in America, and maybe even the entire world!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could all see our clubs grow, new clubs springing up and more and more of our friends and neighbors getting the wonderful benefits that we all enjoy from this activity?

I hope that all of you are working hard to find new recruits to join our upcoming classes. Please make sure that you have copies of the “Open House” flyers for your club and other clubs as well. Take them wherever you go and share your love of square dancing with anyone who will listen! The only way we can get our clubs to grow is by personally inviting others to come and join the fun … we need everyone’s help to make this happen!

I need YOUR HELP also in this mission! I can’t do this alone. I have a few ideas of things we can do to help promote square dancing in general and also to get more clubs to visit and interact with the other RAF member clubs. Please let me know if you are interested in being part of a team, working together to make these goals a reality.

Please feel free to email me any time at eileenok@gmail.com. I will be happy to answer any questions you might have and would love for you to share any ideas you have of ways to accomplish these goals.

Happy dancing!

Eileen Webster

It’s almost insurance time again! I am awaiting the cost figure and current forms from the national headquarters for insuring our dancers. Then I will forward instructions and suggestions for their completion.

What I need now from each club is the name and email address of the current President and also the person who will be in charge of the insurance. This will make the timely distribution of information possible.

It would help if each dancer would indicate to their club registration person if they belong to more than one club, so everyone will be covered without duplication.

I would like the paperwork submitted to me by October 20. Please bring any questions or concerns to me: 585-533-9241 or stahlsinrush@rochester.rr.com.

I will be away from September 26 until October 6, so if you have an immediate concern during that time, please contact Sharon Meyer: shargmeyer@gmail.com

Thank you.

Carol Ann Stahl, RAF Insurance Coordinator

The monthly magazine American Squaredance carries a regular column called “Callerlab Viewpoints.” The topic in the September, 2015, issue (Volume 70, Number 9) covers a very timely topic, so we present the column below in its entirety (with minor changes to adapt it to our area):

Callerlab Viewpoints, by Mike Seastrom

The following has been edited from “Square Dance Nebraska—Ideas.” A special thanks to Mike Bramlett for sharing some great information on the subject of how to be a good angel.

Is your halo on straight? It is important that as many club members as possible come to the class as “angels.” What are “angels”? They are the wonderful people who volunteer their time to ensure that new dancers have the best possible learning experience.

“Angels” provide new dancers with their first real look at a club. How “angels” behave and treat new dancers, other “angels,” and visitors will affect class members’ decisions regarding whether or not to join your club.

“Angels” are also role models. No matter what the instructor and club try to communicate to the students regarding etiquette, attitudes, or styling, class members inevitably take their cues from what they see “angels” doing. So it is important that “angels” be extra careful to be good role models.

Smile, be enthusiastic, and enjoy the dancing. Be friendly, courteous and gentle. This is sometimes easier to say than do, especially if it has been a long day. Let’s be honest; some of us have personal agenda, perhaps disagreements with club policies, or less than cordial relationships with specific club members. These issues are out of place at new dancer events and must be put aside.

Although most of us do the right things instinctively, the majority of the time it can’t hurt to reiterate certain points. The following advice for “angels” has been extracted from several sources, including articles in square dance publications and handouts prepared for other clubs.

“Angels” Are Not Teachers

This is perhaps the most common misconception that can cause problems. The primary teaching function of an “angel” is to teach by example and be in the right place at the right time. One important thing you can do is establish hand holds after every move. Not only does this help students maintain their orientation in the square, but it’s also a very good habit for every dancer to develop.

It is always tempting to explain something your square is not getting, and the new dancers will often ask you to do this—but you must resist. It diverts the student’s attention from the teacher and one of the most important things for a new dancer to learn is to listen to the teacher/caller. Sometimes you can clarify a simple point for students between tips; this is fine, but not while the caller is at the microphone.

Another difficult point is just how much help you should give in getting dancers into the right place. Dancers, after all, must learn to do the moves on their own. To gently guide someone through a maneuver, if they have a momentary lapse of memory, might be okay and sometimes one can help by indicating nonverbally where a person should go. Just remember that we accomplish little by pushing or pulling a dancer through an action when he or she doesn’t know what was supposed to have been done.

It is better to let a square break down rather than to use force getting people into the right place. A broken down square is an indication to the instructor that dancers are having problems. Be sure the teacher is aware of problems. Raise your hand if necessary and ask the teacher to explain something if your square is having trouble.

But be careful not to embarrass any dancer by the way you ask for help. It is much better to say that “the square is not getting a certain move” rather than saying “Steve is not getting a certain move.”

Encourage students. Let them know that all new dancers make mistakes and that things get better with practice. Also, “angels” make mistakes too. It is good to admit to them cheerfully, as it makes the students less tense about their own mistakes.

Club Styling

Club styling is always a major source of contention. It is important new dancers learn the calls with standard CALLERLAB styling; that is, without the added flourishes that are done in certain areas. The teacher will introduce these regional differences at appropriate times after the calls are mastered. “Angels” must use only the styling which has been taught to the class.

This is not always easy. How many remember to Swing Your Partner without a Twirl at the end? It is really very important not to introduce more confusion into a new dancer’s learning experience. Some students are going to want you to teach them how it’s done before they have mastered the call, but you should resist the temptation.

Some Random Additional Advice

Square Up With Everyone, not just a few friends. Seek out the new dancer who is having difficulty and ask them to dance with you. Make sure than new dancers are not sitting out because “angels” are dancing.

End Conversations Promptly when the teacher begins a tip. If you are not dancing, keep your conversations far away from the dance area.

Cheerfully Lend A Hand if you are asked to help set up or clean up, help with refreshments, or take attendance.

Watch For security problems, accidents and dangerous situations like spills or debris on the floor.

NotifyThe Instructor if there are problems with the sound.

Don’t Complain about the hall, the floor, the caller or anyone attending the class.

Don’t Criticize students or other “angels.”

Remember:

Your name badge.

You are an example to the new dancers and an ambassador for your club.

Have fun! “Angels” are a key part of whether a new dancer joins your club.

(For American Squaredance subscription information, send email to: AmericanSquareDance@gmail.com)

Every now and then I come across an article that jumps out and says “Share me!”

This one was published in March, 2018, by Dan Roy as part of the promotional campaign for the 2018 Canadian National Square and Round Dance Convention. I won’t quote the full text, but if you’d like to read it just click HERE.

I’ll quote a few of the many reasons Dan presents why dancing—and square dancing, in particular—is such a wonderful activity.

Hopefully you will share some or all of these thoughts with friends and acquaintances, to encourage them to take lessons and join you in a square.

“We … are a very diversified and unique society exposed to many, many cultures and dances. We all listen to music and regardless of who you are, we all feel some urge to dance at one time or another, or are expected to dance on occasion.

Dancing isn’t something that can be explained in words. It has to be danced.

Why? Because dancing is far easier to feel than to explain.

If you already dance, it may be interesting for you to read, the many reasons listed in this article that may pertain to your desire to dance, and some of these may surprise you. No, it is not because dancing is an inexpensive date, or because you have nothing better to do. So, lets be realistic. Dancing makes me happy. It is said that there are many short cuts to happiness, and that dancing is one of them. I know that dancing makes my wife happy, and anything that puts a smile on her face is something I want to be doing.”

. . . .

“While I dance I cannot judge, I cannot hate, I cannot separate myself from life. I can only be joyful and whole. This is why I dance” (Hans Bos)”

. . . .

“We all have circumstances in our lives that demand our attention and leave us with emotional highs and lows that consume our thoughts. When we dance, all our thoughts amalgamate to our dancing, leaving us free to experience the pleasures of friends, partners, music and dance.”

. . . .

“Eight reasons why dancing will enhance your mood and boost productivity while you work.

1: Dancing makes you smarter

2: Dancing encourages team building

3: Dancing improves your energy level and wellness

4: Dancing improves your health and fitness

5: Dancing boosts your confidence

6: Dancing improves your creativity

7: Through dancing, your perseverance and dedication are noticed and valued.

8: Dancing is fun.”

. . . .

“We would never have dreamed that dancing would expand our friendship circle to the magnitude it has become. How exciting it is to know that we can dance anywhere from Yuma, AZ, to Halifax, NS to Vancouver Island and many, many other places in between, meeting new friends and renewing old friendships.”

. . . .

“Some will tell you that it is excellent exercise for the body and mind. Some dance for mental clarity. Some dance to show the world who they really are and project an image, or to overcome fear, improve relationships, decrease anxiety or to help them cope with daily stressors. Some dance because it makes them feel beautiful and powerful.”

. . . .

“Why do we dance?

Perhaps a better question would be … “Why would we not?”

From an original article by Dan Roy, March 25, 2018.

Full text available online at: http://swosda.ca/why-do-we-dance/

Submitted by Peter Emmel

In a Florida square and round dance publication called DANCERgram, I recently read an article about lack of cooperation among clubs. It tells of clubs competing for class recruits and new members, instead of working together to promote square and round dancing as a whole. The title of the article was “Are You Working for or Against Us?” and you can click HERE to read it yourself.

Club competition might be a problem in some areas, and maybe there are occasional signs of it in our area, but I think it is way down on the list of things that we need to worry about.

Instead, we should recognize that we are blessed with a set of highly motivated and cooperative club leaders, and with Federation leaders who develop and manage multi-club events and who work tirelessly to promote and reward inter-club cooperation, especially in class recruitment and dancer retention.

These efforts are being significantly enhanced as a result of the election last spring of Eileen Webster to the Federation role of “Communications/Promotion Liaison.”

The title is a mouthful, but the role is critical. Anyone with responsibility in any organization knows that communication doesn’t “just happen.” It takes persistent attention and follow-up, and Eileen is already on it.

Be sure to read her article titled “Recruiters Needed for Square Dancing” in this issue of the Promenader … and consider joining her team.

If you don’t feel you have time, you can at least share your ideas with Eileen. You can also contribute by finding ways to promote square and round dancing among your friends and neighbors, for example, by posting one of the “Learn-To-Square-Dance” yard signs—right now, as classes are forming.

During the rest of the dance season, you can also help by taking part in various inter-club opportunities, such as Banner Stealing, or by inviting dancers from other clubs to come to your club dances, or by making sure that other clubs’ flyers are on your club’s table. And while you’re at it, pick up one to go to yourself.

Your awareness of—and participation in—activities at other clubs is a great way to promote and maintain the cooperative spirit that square dancing depends on.

One very positive feature of our area, in my opinion, is the number of dancers who belong to more than one club. It promotes a broader social fellowship among dancers, which I believe strengthens all clubs.

We also have a history of new dancers taking lessons at more than one club—to increase the amount of dancing and learning time they get. This not only improves dancing proficiency, but it also broadens our inter-club connections.

Our excellent area callers also call at a variety of other clubs, which helps break down one of the psychological barriers to dancers venturing outside their home club. If you have already danced to another club’s caller during a guest appearance at your club, then you know you’ll have a good time when you go to their club as a visitor.

And your visit can snowball: Some of the folks you met there are more likely, at a future date, to come and dance at your club—reciprocating your visit.

So, please keep up the tradition of cooperation and inter-club connections. Talk to Eileen Webster and find ways that you can contribute.

Peter Emmel

Recently, Sally Baechle showed me one of the original programs from a special dance event that she and her husband, Walt, participated in as part of Rochester’s celebration of our nation’s bicentennial in 1975.

The event was The “Early American Heritage Ball” held on September 20, 1975, in the Grand Ballroom at the Rochester Chamber of Commerce. The commemorative program was beautifully hand-engraved and provides a fascinating glimpse into the past.

In the September, 1975, issue of the Promenader (scanned and posted in the Federation section of our website, thanks to Dick Halstead and Sidney Marshall), I also found the invitation to this gala event—in the form of a full-page ad (pictured).

As part of the main program, eight couples (pictured) from the Rochester Area Federation of Square and Round Dancing (yes, our Federation) put on an exhibition of square dancing. I believe that Sally and Walt are third from the right.

The evening’s program covered a wide range of dance styles and included both demonstration and participation. Musical leadership was provided by “Dancing Master” Richard, L. Castner of the Brockport Bicentennial Dance Ensemble. The RAF contingent was led by Mr. and Mrs. Charles Prister, who may also have done the square dance calling, though I’m not sure about that.

For those who would rather not decipher the impressive calligraphy of the original, here is my transcription of the evening’s program of festivities:

Reception Line

Welcome—by Dr. Francis Wakely, Director of Bicentennial Activities

Grand March and Circle Four

18th Century Country Dance Set—Demonstration and Participation

Social Dance Set—Two-Step (Fox Trot) and Waltz

Exhibition Dance—by The Wakefield Dancers

Country Dance Set—Demonstration and Participation

Exhibition Dance—by The Rochester Scottish Country Dancers

Social Dance Set

Exhibition Dance—by Members of the Rochester Area Federation of Round and Square Dance Assn.

Country Dance Set—Demonstration and Participation

Exhibition Dance—by The Brockport Bicentennial Dancers

Social Dance Set

Evening conducted by Dancing Master Richard L. Castner

Music by The Blackthorn Ceilidh Band

Submitted by Peter Emmel, with many thanks to Sally Baechle

The Rochester Area Federation of Round and Square Dancing is moving its Fall Friendship Ball to Henrietta this year. Scheduled for September 29, 2018, this multi-club event combines an afternoon of dancing with a catered dinner. It’s an opportunity for dancers to renew acquaintances with those from other clubs, and to welcome recent graduates to a new dance season.

This year we’re introducing a silent auction, to raise money for the Federation’s Recruitment and Retention funds that support club initiatives in our area.

Mark your calendar for September 29, then pick up a flyer at your club (or click HERE to print your own). Then clip & send the dinner reservation coupon to RAF treasurer Stu Jones at the address on the coupon. The dance is free, and thanks to Sharon Meyer’s negotiating skills, the dinner is $15 per person. The location is the Henrietta Fire Hall, at 3129 E. Henrietta Rd., Henrietta, NY.

2x2 square and round dancing starts at 2pm, with callers Dave Eno, Bill Ryan and Richard Rosenfield, and cuers Lisa Treichler and Eileen Webster. At 5:15 we’ll set up tables for dinner, which will be served at 6pm.

Check the flyer for other details, and for the dinner reservation coupon to mail in with your check. Note that the reservation deadline is 9/20/18—but please don’t wait that long! Make your reservation now, while you’re thinking about it.

This is a perfect event for your club’s recent graduates—even if they did not attend Plus classes in the summer. Reach out to them and invite them to join you at this dance & dinner. Think of it as a “welcome back” to start a new season of socializing and dancing.

Silent Auction

The silent auction is a new twist this year, coordinated by Sharon Meyer. Its purpose is to raise funds that will go back to clubs in the form of reimbursement for their efforts to recruit and retain more dancers. (Click HERE for a description of the RAF reimbursement programs that your club is invited to participate in.)

In preparation for the auction we must collect donated items. A sign-up sheet will be provided to each club. Think about what you would like to donate, then list it on the sheet, providing a description of the item and an estimate of its value. On the back of the sign-up sheet we have listed a few ideas, but please use your imagination. If you can’t get to a club to sign up, please contact Sharon Meyer at 585-924-8792 or email her at shargmeyer@gmail.com.

Please take a picture of your item and send it or give it to Sharon Meyer by September 7, 2018, so that she can make a list and circulate it to all clubs before the dance. Please include an estimate of the value of the item.

Here are a few suggestions to get you started thinking: Homemade pie, homemade greeting cards, days or a week at your camp, knit sweater, ceramic dish, wooden magazine rack, framed picture, wreath, homemade dinner for two, etc!

Dinner Reservations

There’s no better group to share dinner with than square dancers! This year’s menu includes: Roast Beef, Roast Turkey, Oven Roasted Potatoes, Ziti with Red Meat Sauce, Hot vegetables and Garden Salad. All for $15.00 per person. Please contact RAF Treasurer, Stu Jones, with your dinner reservation. Call him at 585-544-4142 or email him at: sjones102@rochester.rr.com, and send your check to him at the address on the flyer coupon.

Flyers will be available at your club and on the RAF website (Click HERE). All the important details are listed on the flyer.

Graduate-Friendly Dancing

Please remember the Fall Friendship Ball is a NEW-GRADUATE-FRIENDLY DANCE. What does that mean? All dancers who graduated in the past year will be able to dance at this event. So, new dancers—you know who you are—please make every effort to attend. Not only will you dance, but you will meet new people, dance to a variety of callers and it will be Fun, Fun, Fun. Established dancers, please take the initiative to personally invite the new dancers in your club to attend this dance. We look forward to seeing you there.

Submitted by Warren Olson & Peter Emmel

The Cayuga Cut-Ups would like to thank our square-dancing community for attending our 57th Anniversary Dance on August 11. It was a 50s/60s Sock Hop and was supported by dancers from The Copy Cats, Southern Tier Wheelers and Cloverleafs. We danced to the 50s/60s musical legends and the calling of The Hip Boot Boys.

We enjoyed a Banner Stealing dance from the Copycats, who are now the holders of our travel banner, thereby obligating the Cut-Ups to go to Rochester to retrieve it.

During our supper picnic on the church lawn, we were serenaded by club members Glynn and Jerry.

These were fun times dancing with new and current friends. It is a blessing to belong to a square dance club.

Submitted by Linda English, Club Sec.

On June 6th, at their Trail’s End dance, the Village Squares honored Nick and Fran Haldoupis. Nick and Fran have been dancing for over 30 years and are known and loved by everyone in the community.

Here’s a typical example of the kind of people Nick and Fran are. Before Mike and Barb Keane moved to Rochester, they had been enthusiastic square dancers in New Jersey. Exploring the Rochester square dance scene at an Emerald Squares dance, they met Nick and Fran, who proceeded to accompany them to various Rochester clubs to help them decide where they’d most enjoy dancing.

The Haldoupis’ square dancing history includes their tenure at the Web Spinners, where, with their usual competence and good humor, they “occupied the thrones” as presidents.

In addition to square dancing twice a week, the list of Nick and Fran’s volunteer activities is mind boggling. As a Military cook for 21 years, Nick can literally cook for an Army. So, it wasn’t much of a stretch for him to regularly make 50 pounds of meatballs and three different kinds of spaghetti sauce on the first Friday of every month for Spaghetti Dinners at Webster’s Masonic Hall to raise money for charity.

As a Shriner, Nick seldom misses a meeting at the Damascus Temple. As a veteran, Nick brings cakes to the V.A. hospital every month to celebrate that month’s birthdays.

However, spending Christmas, birthdays, holidays and just ‘hanging out’ with their three daughters and two grandchildren is always their priority. Family has been so important to Fran & Nick that their grandson recently asked Nick to be best man at his wedding.

Nick and Fran have announced their retirement from square dancing, but to encourage them to drop by some Wednesday, or hopefully, several Wednesdays, the Village Squares presented them with a book of dance tickets good any time, for any Village Squares dance.

We will all miss Fran and Nick as dancers, but we hope to keep them as friends. “We shall not see their like again.”

Submitted by Sally Emmel