Editor’s Page

Welcome to the Summer, 2018, edition of the Promenader—a quarterly publication of the Rochester Area Federation of Round and Square Dance Clubs.

In This Issue

The “Photos & Features” section of this issue includes several articles on Dance-O-Rama, the RAF’s annual spring festival, held on the first Saturday of May. In addition to three halls of square and round dancing, the festivities include welcoming ceremonies for new Mainstream graduates, dancer recognition awards and a fundraising raffle of club baskets. In this issue you’ll find articles on all of these.

The RAF is always seeking ways to improve its programs and events. Planners of next year’s Dance-O-Rama would like to hear your opinions on how this festival could be made better. Please click HERE to download the “How Can We Improve?” questionnaire for Dance-O-Rama.

Other articles in this issue cover graduations (at clubs who submitted photos) and other special events, such as the Amateur Caller Night held by the Cloverleaf Squares in April.

The summer Promenader also includes an article introducing new Federation officers who assume their posts in June, and an article describing a new “Breaking News” section that was added to the RAF Home Page in April.

Summer Dancing

Some clubs take the summer off—whether to avoid the heat of an un-air-conditioned hall or to make allow for summer travel and cottage time. But there is still plenty of dancing to be enjoyed at year-around clubs. Also, even clubs that take the summer off often sponsor special summer events. When you are in the mood for a dance, browse our extensive—and sortable—schedule pages to find a dance near you.

Fall Friendship Ball

Whether you are a new graduate or a seasoned dancer, you should mark your 2018 calendar for the September 29th Fall Friendship Ball, the RAF’s annual “welcome back” dance and optional catered dinner. The dance (2:00–5:15pm) is free, and the optional dinner is $15 per person.

Read the article in this issue and download the flyer, then clip and send your dinner reservation stub and check to Stu Jones at the address shown on the stub. Or (to save printer ink!) just send your check, with your name and the number attending.)

In Memoriam

In this issue we say farewell to Vicki Alexander (Cloverleafs, Boo Bull Squares and Grand Squares) and Dona Godfrey (Copy Cats)

Quarterly Chuckle

Have you ever been guilty of looking at others your own age and thinking, surely I can’t look that old. Well … You’ll love this one submitted by a friend!>

My name is Alice Smith and I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist.

I noticed his DDS diploma, which bore his full name, and it rang a bell.

I remembered a tall, handsome, dark haired boy with the same name who had been in my high school class some 30-odd years ago.

Could this dentist possibly be the same guy that I had a crush on, way back then?

Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought.

This balding, gray haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate.

After he finished examining my teeth, I asked him if by any chance he had attended Morgan Park High School.

“Why yes, yes I did. I’m a Mustang,” he gleamed with pride.

“When did you graduate?” I asked.

He answered, “in 1975. Why do you ask?”

“You were in my class!” I exclaimed.

He looked at me closely.

Then that bald, old, wrinkled, fat assed, decrepit, SOB asked …

“What did you teach???”