We received the accompanying letter copy from Joann Baxter. The “Support Our Troops” team sent Joann a thank-you letter for her continued support of the program. Their thanks, of course, extends to all our dancing friends who have contributed coupons and/or cash. We wondered if you would want to include it as follow up to the “Troopons Program” article in the Fall Promenader edition.

Submitted by Jeff & Debbie Blood

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Ms. Joann Baxter

Dear Ms. Baxter,

I am writing to thank you for your continued support of the Support our Troups Troopons Program. The immense amount of time and effort you continue to put toward this enduring program is greatly appreciated!

We are delighted to include your coupons in the many boxes we send to commissaries over seas that benefit from your generosity. These coupons reach countless hands of grateful military members, families and children who express how exponentially helpful it is receiving coupons from citizens like you.

“Thank you for your continued support by mailing coupons. Our service members and families appreciate your support”—Japan

“I can’t believe how much we can save by using these coupons! Thank you for your dedication and support for me and my children”—Germany

We look forward to your continued support!

    Thank you again.

Sincerely,
Support Our Troops®

Heather, Support Our Troops Team They Support Us—Let’s Support Them!®

Unified national mailing address: P. O. Box 70, Daytona Beach, FL 32115-0070

We’ve spent hours “pawing” electronic and paper copies of the Promenader to bring you a synopsis of the Copy Cats over the past 50 years.

The Copy Cats began as a non-Federation Club, dancing at the Xerox Recreation Building in Webster in 1971. Our name “Copy Cats” resulted from the association with Xerox and their products. The first copies Xerox produced were Black and White—thus these became our Club colors. One of our goals was to promote friendliness and good fellowship through square dancing. The first Club Presidents were Fred and Charlotte Speccio. Since 1971, we have had a succession of 39 Presidents/Co-Presidents. Some of whom are still dancing!

In February 1972, under the leadership of Jan and Judy Brederson, the Copy Cats joined the Rochester Area Federation of Square and Round Dancers, Inc. Over the years, the Copy Cats danced at a number of venues including Xerox Recreation Center, Bayview Y, Rochester Christian School, the Green Lantern Inn, Bay Trail Middle School, Scribner Road School, First Presbyterian Church (East Avenue), a barn in Walworth, Penfield High School, Dolomite Lodge in Penfield and the Brighton Town Park. In October 2005, we began dancing at the First Baptist Church of Penfield (FBCP), which continues to be our venue. But, the FBCP has a rich history for square dances dating back to the early 1960’s.

If you don’t think square dancing was a popular activity—in September 1972, the Copy Cats hosted National caller, Randy Anderson. There were 53 couples (13 squares!) in attendance and the cost of the dance was $2.50/person.

The Copy Cats held their first class for new dancers on September 12, 1972. Thirteen couples from that class graduated in on May 12, 1973, after a Xerox strike precluded dancing. Dressing to the 9’s was always the order of the day. Western shirts, petticoats, dresses and other dancing accessories could be purchased at Weniger’s on South Avenue, the Ironda Square Dance Shop on Washington Avenue and the Calkins Square Dance Shop in Leroy.

Chuck Prister was our first Club Caller. Mike Callahan, our current Club Caller, started calling as a teenager in 1960; he was 13 years old. YIKES! That’s 60+ years of calling. Mike’s father Ray reworked a scrounged sound projector, integrated two oval car speakers and a toy turntable and Mike was on his way. He has been calling full-time since 1974. He calls regularly for the Copy Cats, Cloverleafs, Grand Squares, Silvers Squares and Shamrock Squares. Up until recently, Mike has been busily involved in teaching square dancing in the Monroe County area school Physical Education programs. The Fairport School District recently honored Mike with induction to their Wall of Distinction. Ron Brown, our Class Caller, started dancing with the Triggers Square Dance Club in Greece, NY in 1987. He learned Mainstream dancing from the late Mike Herne. Ron learned Plus calls from Mike Callahan and Bruce Shaw. Ron began guest calling in 1988 and then taught classes for the Wayne Westerners, eventually becoming their Club Caller. Ron is currently calling for the Copy Cats and the Cayuga Cut-Ups. Ron will long be remembered as the caller who took us to the New York State Fair and who got 16 tractors to do a Grand Square at the Lyons, NY Peppermint Festival. The Copy Cats club is delighted that these dedicated gentlemen continue to be part of our square dance community.

We had many guest callers throughout the years—Jeff Bobst, Ken Boss, Gary Bubel, Jerry Carmen, Tim Crawford, Brad Deibert, Dave Eno, Todd Fellegy, Nancy Fincher, Betsy Gotta, Jim Gotta, Keith Harter, Mike Herne, Chip Kellogg, Tom Mallory, Greg Marling, Tim Marriner, Bob Meagher, Harold Pierce, Gil Porter, Jeff and Andrea Priest, Ken Ritucci, Bill Ryan, Joe Saltel, The Hip Boot Boys (Ron Brown, Jerry Carmen, Greg Marling, Bob Schlenker (a group started in 1989 as a fun take-off of the nationally popular, Red Boot Boys!), and Don Yosten. We hope we haven’t missed anyone. And we cannot forget some of our talented cuers—Brian Adams, Alice Bubel, Phil Eno, Roy Gotta, Jeanne Harter, Mary Hinkle, Chuck Meyer, Eileen (Okolowicz) Webster, Mark Thone, Lisa Treichler, and recently Jim Gotta. They have provided many hours of entertainment for the Copy Cats!

The Copy Cats have done charitable work, too. In 2009, six boxes each weighing 45 pounds were sent to Sonny Lee to distribute to his overseas unit. Sonny was the husband of a class member, Kendra Lee, and son-in-law of club members, Jean and Barry Jump. For the past six years, the Copy Cats have collected cereal, pasta and sauce for the Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf. The yearly turkey raffle also raises funds for the PEFS. We have also participated in the Troopons Program. Our members have cut, counted and packaged coupons for our troops around the world.

In 2015, when the Country Twirlers rolled up their dance floor, the Copy Cats joined the Cloverleaf Squares and the Village Squares to become co-sponsors of the popular Tri-Club Dance.

Recounting these times as we “pawed” through the archives has been almost as much fun as dancing with the Copy Cats. To celebrate our 50 years as a Club on Saturday, December 18, 2021 we will host a combined Anniversary Party and Holiday Dinner Dance. Ron Brown and Mike Callahan will call; Eileen Webster will cue. The Dinner Dance will be held at the First Baptist Church of Penfield. We will follow COVID protocols. Space will be limited. Please see the Flyers section for more information.

Submitted by Donna and Rick LaDonna, Co-Presidents, Copy Cats

Mike will be celebrating 50 years of calling next year. For that we plan to have a celebration party, on Friday, February 4th in Mesa, Arizona. I wanted to let you know about this in case you knew anyone who might be interested in coming to the celebration. If you can, please help spread the word, I’m trying to get the word out as far and wide as I can.

As part of the celebration I’m working with my sister on a SURPRISE memory book for him. I’ve attached the flyer to this email that describes what I’m trying to do regarding a SURPRISE memory book for Mike. I ask that you pass this on to others that you know who might want to provide something for the book.

For any clubs that you think might want to provide something for the book that works too. In the “instruction” sheet it doesn’t mention anything about a club page and I couldn’t decide how I wanted to add it, so I decided I’d just mention the club stuff when I send this to people.

For more information, check the flyers: here and here.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Janet longjanet36@gmail.com

On September 27th, 2021, the Silver Squares “went westward” and gussied themselves up in western garb for a fun night of dancing with Mike Callahan calling.

Submitted by Anne Granger

The Copy Cats held their annual Halloween Party dance on Saturday, October 23, 2021. We had three squares of enthusiastic dancers on the floor. The creativity of costumes was great—hippies, Cruella Deville and one of her Dalmatiians, a hobo, a tube of toothpaste, clergy, a queen, pumpkins, train engineers, a scarecrow, and Charlie and Phyllis Smeltzer came as wedding guests! Thank You to our callers “The Hip Boot Boys” (Greg Marling and Ron Brown) and our cuer Eileen Webster who provided great Halloween music selections.

Submitted by Rick and Donna LaDonna

Congratulations to the Cayuga Cut-Up Square Dance Club: 60 years as a club, family and community!

It was 1961 when the McGee’s, Perry’s, Steven’s & Dickman’s got together in the members’ basements to dance. Doug Schultz and Tom Trainor were the first callers for the club. Their first activity was a Summer Weekend on Association Island at Henderson Harbor. With a budget of $10–$15 to start the new year they decided to have the weekend locally at Owasco Lake. In 1986 they celebrated 20 years of Summer Weekends: Wells College, Emerson Park, Gulliver’s farm, all became locations for the party and dancing! The club has danced at Owasco School, Masonic Temple, Elks Club, YMCA, St. Peter’s Church, Auburn United Methodist Church and recently at Bailiwick’s gazebo. Let’s not forget the festivals and fairs that were part of the demonstrations thru the county and state; Tomato Fest, Cayuga County Fair, NY State Fair, Wheat Harvest Festival, Jordan Fall Festival and so many parades!

Reviewing the 10 scrapbooks created by Club Historians, over 60 years, I saw the family that was created. Members shared dancing, yet the family events impressed me the most: weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, graduations, baby showers, picnics, weekends, parties, funerals all told the story of family creating a community.

We are proud to be a Non-for-Profit 501 C3 organization with established By-laws and elected leadership encouraging and supporting the Folk Dance of Modern Western Square Dance. We dance at the Weedsport United Methodist Church, 2744 E. Brutus Street, Weedsport, 7 PM. (We wear masks for indoor dancing and use hand sanitizer after each tip.)

All are welcome to come, join the family!

Submitted by Linda English

On October 25, 2021, the Silver Squares paraded their Halloween costumes for all to see. A wonderful time was had by all!

Submitted by Anne Granger and Jeff & Debbie Blood

Barb Mason and Bob Jackson were married on October 2, 2021. Since they met through square dancing, the Silver Squares wanted to hold a wedding celebration for them. Congratulations, Barb and Bob. We wish you much happiness!

Submitted by Anne Granger

Every year, the square & round dancing community honors a person or couple for their outstanding leadership. It’s an opportunity to recognize service that stands out from others. Anyone can fill out and send a nomination, and nominations are saved over the years. This is an award for dancers from other dancers.

The official Daphne-Norma guidelines describe it as an award for “extensive and sustained leadership over an extended period of years.” The full “History and Guidelines” document is available by clicking its thumbnail on the “Awards” page of this website, at http://www.squaredancingrochester.org/awards/awards.html—see the page image that accompanies this article.

To download the Nomination Form, click its thumbnail image, which is also on the “Awards” page. Then print the form and fill it out, naming your nominee and giving your reasons. Then mail it to the address at the bottom of the form.

A list of past recipients is available by clicking the “Past Recipients” thumbnail on the same page.

You can also get blank nomination forms directly from the most recent recipient(s) when they bring the traditional candy dish to one of your club dances.

Each year in March, a committee made up of previous recipients reviews the accumulated nominations. They typically choose someone who has received multiple nominations over several years. So, even if you have nominated someone in the past, you can submit a new nomination form this year to add cumulative weight to their nomination file.

Submitted by Peter Emmel

Long-time Rochester-area square dance caller, Mike Callahan, has been inducted into the Fairport Central School District’s Education Wall of Distinction. The November 3, 2021, ceremony included inductees from 2020 and 2021.

Fairport’s Education Wall of Distinction recognizes individuals in the Fairport school community who have had positive, lasting effects on the educational process of a student or group of students. Congratulations to the following inductees:

2020 Inductees

• Patrice Cantwell
• Debra Doherty
• Rich Greene
• Kate Kar
• John Kidd
• Amy Samuel

2021 Inductees

• Mike Callahan
• Midge Marshall
• Joan Rogers
• Bill Tiberio
• Jim Zumbo

Citation for Mike Callahan in Fairport’s Education Wall of Distinction:

Mike Callahan is a professional square dance caller who has been part of the Fairport Physical Education curriculum for over 35 years. He just retired and is very well known for his annual Hoedown Showdown competitions, every year at Fairport High School. Mike incorporates teamwork, cooperation, acceptance of all, and working toward success through square dance. A Fairport staff member says of Mike: “Although some FHS students are hesitant about dancing in the beginning, most end up loving the square-dancing unit and the final competition at FHS.” Former students and graduating seniors have hired Mike to call square dancing at their graduation parties. Says an FHS staff member of Mike: “Students love him and his impact on student fitness is immeasurable.” Mike’s positive energy and professionalism has always been a highlight for staff and students.

Text of the presentation that was read by Julia Finkbeiner at Mike’s induction:

I would like to introduce Mr. Mike Callahan. Mr. Callahan is a professional square dance caller who has been part of the Fairport Physical Education curriculum for over 35 years, He just retired and is very well known for his annual Hoedown Showdown competitions, at Fairport High School. Mike incorporates teamwork, cooperation, acceptance of all, and working toward success through square dance. A Fairport staff member says of Mike, “Although some FHS students are hesitant about dancing in the beginning, most end up loving the square-dancing unit and the final competition at FHS.” Former students and graduating seniors have hired Mike to call square dancing at their graduation parties. Says an FHS staff member of Mike: “Students love him and his impact on student fitness is immeasurable.” Mike’s positive energy and professionalism have always been a highlight for staff and students.

Mike grew up in Chili and attended Aquinas High School. He went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in English from St. John Fisher College. After college, he worked at a bank for two years, and served in the army, stationed in Germany. He eventually decided to pursue his passion for square dance calling as a career.

Mike was hired to work with Fairport students in the late 80s, and every year since then, he’s been sharing his talents and love for square dancing with each school in the district. Mr. Callahan’s career stretches far beyond Fairport, as he has called in Alaska three times, as well as Australia and Germany. Mr. Callahan’s favorite part of working with Fairport schools is how hilarious the staff members are. He values the connections he has been able to make with the physical education staff, as well as many students, who he says have always been friendly and willing to chat.

Mr. Callahan is extremely proud to be recognized for this distinction and says that this is the best award he’s ever received. He would like to thank his wife for all of her support over the years. I speak on behalf of all students and staff at Fairport when I say Mr. Callahan has made an extremely positive impact on our community. The joy he brings to our district by sharing his love for square dancing is unmatched, and the memories students have made with him over the years will be cherished forever. Congratulations, Mr. Callahan!

Reference: https://fairport.org/district/wall-of-distinction/

Submitted by Rick and Donna LaDonna