Honoring Henry Capron |
Cloverleaf Squares honored its past president, Henry Capron. He recently stepped down as the club’s president after six years of leadership. He was awarded a Certificate of Life Membership which the club presents to outstanding contributing members. The certificate stated:
“You exemplify the ideal square dancer in your hospitality, friendship, and leadership. You were a key factor in the success of our 50th anniversary celebration and got the club back on its feet and back to dancing after more than a year of pandemic lockdown. In appreciation for all you have done to help make our club a success over the years, we are awarding you a Lifetime Membership in Cloverleaf Squares Round and Square Dance Club.”
He attended almost all of the club’s events often not dancing to allow as many other dancers as possible the opportunity to dance. For six years he opened the dance hall and closed afterward. The club is extremely grateful for all of his years of service and dedication.
Silver Squares Christmas Dinner Dance |
The Christmas Dinner Dance was amazing! Our dancers came dressed in their best attire and had a great time. The dinner was catered by Forest Hills and served by members of Silver Squares. Many of our wonderful bakers made individual desserts and served them to the group. Where could you possibly go on a Monday afternoon and have so much fun?
Silver Squares Square Dance Exhibition at Unity |
We held a Square Dance Exhibition at the Villages at Unity on November 17th, 2021. Sally Baechle, one of our experienced square dancers, requested we come to the Villages and dance for the residents. Mike Callahan called for us and we had an incredible afternoon. People kept pouring in to watch and more and more chairs needed to be brought into the huge conference room. The Villages provided water and snacks and everyone had a really enjoyable time!
Silver Squares Celebrate Hawaiian Day 2022 |
Hawaiian Day at Silver Squares was great fun. Everyone came dressed in their Hawaiian finery: grass skirts, coconuts, authentic Hawaiian shirts and whatever one could find. There is no better place to be on a Monday afternoon!
Valentine’s Day Dancing with the Silver Squares |
The Silver Squares made the most of the fact that this year, Valentine’s Day fell on Monday—their dance day. They went all-in with decorations and, as you can see, made the most of the photo booth. Everyone had a wonderful time!
Copy Cats Valentine’s Dance |
The Copy Cats held their Valentine’s Dance on February 19. Special thanks go to both Ron Brown for calling and Eileen Webster for cueing. Despite Ron’s challenging commute both to Rochester and return home to Syracuse, a good time was had by all. We enjoyed dancing with our guests from Silver Squares and Cloverleaf Squares.
Copy Cats 50th Anniversary Dinner and Dance |
On December 18, 2021, the Copy Cats celebrated their 50th year as a Club! We thank Debbie and Jeff Blood and their committee who pulled together an outstanding evening. The First Baptist Church as decorated with everything GOLD from balloons, tablecloth, centerpieces and beads for this festive event. Fifty members and guests enjoyed a delicious dinner catered by Forest Hill Caterers. Ron Brown and Mike Callahan blended their voices calling tunes of the last 50 years. Mike surprised Donna LaDonna with a number that he called and she danced to when they were teens. As usual, Eileen Webster was festive in her Christmas attire and led us through round dancing tips with ease and grace. We had five squares and many guests to help us celebrate this momentous occasion.
The Fabulous Hip Boot Boys |
Ron Brown and Greg Marling have written a wonderful article covering the background and
history of the Hip Boot Boys. It starts at their origin in a 1986 New
Year’s Eve skit by Jerry Carmen and Greg Marling, and follows
them through their fun-filled career and evolution into the popular
callers and entertainers they are today. The full text with photos is
posted in this pdf file.
Some pictures from the article follow.
Sally LeeSeptember 13, 1942—December 4th, 2021. |
Sally was born September 13th, 1942, to her parents, Henry W. and
Pauline Besaw. She graduated from General Brown High School and
married her high school sweetheart, James Lee on July 28th, 1962.
She and James had three children, Stephen H. (Sally) Lee, Rebecca
J. (Ed) Schmitz and Christina (Greg) Speer; and seven grandchildren,
Michelle Lee (Jeff) Sharts, Christopher Lee, AJ (Bryce) Engelhardt,
Ashley Schmitz, Elizabeth Schmitz, Lucas Speer and Edward Schmitz; and
a sister, Nancy Williamson. Sally was predeceased by a brother, Henry
L. Besaw and a sister, Judy L. Zonver.
Her primary career was raising children—her own and many others. She
loved them all. She was always active in her church which was the
Hilton Methodist Church for the last 44 years. She sewed many things
(shirts, pajamas, quilts, COVID masks, etc.) and knitted many articles
as well.
Her family would like to extend a special thank you to the Unity IC
staff and Pastor Jennifer Green.
A Celebration of Life will be held in the future. Please refer to this
website obituary again for any updates.
Donations can be made in memory of Sally to the Hilton United
Methodist Church, 21 West Avenue, Hilton, NY 14468.
The obituary is found on the Thomas E. Burger Funeral Home,
Inc. website at www.burgerfuneralhome.com.
Look under current obituaries, then click past obituaries and type in
Sally Lee. Here you will find a beautiful picture of Sally. If you
click on her picture, you will find many pictures of Sally and her
family. It is a wonderful treasury of family pictures. Here is the
direct link:
https://burgerfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/6464/Sally-Lee/obituary.html#tribute-start
Square Dancing
We lost our Sally on December 4th 2021. There are no words to express
how much she will be missed. Sally Lee was a very treasured member of
Silver Squares. She went into the hospital very suddenly and died
within a very short period of time. She was not only the Silver
Squares co-treasurer with her husband, Jim, but also a smiling and
friendly face to all who came to our club. She made time to visit with
the new people and make them feel welcome and special.
Sally and Jim started dancing in 1979 at Boots and Slippers in
Hilton. They were the Treasurers at Boots and Slippers until it
disbanded and then started dancing at Silver Squares, which at that
time was located at the Redman Club. At this time, they also became
Treasurers of Silver Squares!
SALLY LOVED TO DANCE! She absolutely loved square and round dancing
and as Jim says, “She should have been a drummer—she loved the
beat.” Sally loved all kinds of dancing, but square dancing was
her favorite.
Our club will go on, but it will not be the same without Sally. Jim
continues to come weekly to dance and proudly wears the many different
masks that Sally made for him. I, for one, cannot sit in Sally’s
chair yet at the membership table. This will take time. One thing we
can all do to honor Sally is to enjoy each day with family and friends
and enjoy the love of square dancing
Keith HarterMarch 19, 1958—Jan. 11, 2022 |
Keith was born March 19, 1958 in Auburn to Miles and Florence
Harter. He grew up in South Hannibal where he was a member of 4H and
was a graduate of Hannibal High School in 1976. Keith had been
employed at Travis Floral Shop in Hannibal and was a Square Dance
Caller since 1980. He was currently employed as a Rural Postal Carrier
for the United States Post Office in Fulton, a career that he
thoroughly enjoyed. Keith enjoyed playing golf and he most recently
attended the Palermo United Methodist Church. He will always be
remembered for his kindness and being a loving caring man who was
always willing to help anyone in need. Keith was a good listener and
would converse with anyone. He always cherished time spent with his
family along with his extended postal and square dance families. Keith
was an amazing dad, loving father, best friend and he enjoyed calling
and dancing with his wife.
Keith is survived by his wife of 26 years, Jeanne; his children,
William S. (Olivia Frost) Hudson of Rochester, Alicia M. (Keith) Wise
of Fulton, Markus A. Harter of Syracuse and Mallory Mae (Joseph Murtha
II) Harter of Brownville; his siblings, Donna (Philip) Frani of
Liverpool, Dawn (Lowell) Badgley of Troy, VA, Lois (Charles) Malone of
Batavia, Lance (Nancy) Harter of Greece and Kent (Kathleen) Harter of
Phoenix; four grandchildren, Grey Wise, Bram Wise, Jack Hudson and
Navy Wise as well as several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great
nephews.
Calling hours were held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022
at the Palermo United Methodist Church, 11 County Route 35, Fulton,
NY. Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 15, 2022 at
the Palermo United Methodist Church. Burial will be in the spring at
White Cemetery in Ira.
To leave a message of sympathy for the Harter family, please visit
www.brownfuneralhomefulton.com
http://www.oswegocountynewsnow.com/obituaries/keith-e-harter/article_b4296bc2-90ca-11ec-b2bb-b37cfc738b48.html
Comments from Linda English, in announcing Keith’s passing to square
dance friends:
“A longtime friend and former Cut-Up, turned caller, Keith Harter
has passed due to a heart attack on Tuesday. Keith and Jeanie called
our Mystery Dance on October 7th this year. We are so saddened to hear
of his passing, and we offer our sincerest sympathies to his family
and our greater Square Dance community.”
Keith and Jeanne were a regular guest caller/cuer team in the
Rochester area, especially at the Copy Cats, and occasionally at
Dance-O-Rama.