Editor’s Page

Welcome to the Fall, 2023, issue of the Promenader, a quarterly publication of the Western NY Federation of Square and Round Dancers, Inc.

In this issue

As the Fall dance season begins, in this issue of the Promenader the Photos and Features section looks back at photos of summer fun at several of our area clubs.

The Silver Squares celebrated Flag Day as well as numerous birthdays and held an indoor picnic. The Cayuga Cut-Ups held their 62nd Anniversary Steak Roast, and the Dalton Gang held a benefit dance for C.U.R.E.

Square Dance Polo Shirts are on sale again. There’s an article with directions on how to order them for yourself or your club.

It was a busy summer for WNYF demos and promotions. In June, the Federation was well-represented at the Greece Historical Society’s annual Strawberry Festival fundraiser, and a well-attended demo was hosted by Grace Covenant Church in July.

We’ve also included an excellent article that Ron Brown has published on the health benefits of Square Dancing.

Club News

News from our clubs this quarter indicates a continued return to normal dancing, with the expansion of traditional events and classes.

Federation Website

Please read Jeff and Debbie Blood’s excellent “President's Corner” column in the Federation pages of the website. It gives a concise rundown of WNYF activities and plans. It's the best presentation you will find on what the WNYF is all about. Kudos to Jeff and Debbie for their dedication and care.

New Promenader Club News and Photo/Feature articles are posted every three months. However, webmaster Sidney Marshall maintains the Calendar/Flyer database continually, posting flyers and changes to the schedule listings as soon as he can after he receives them. For fastest service, he recommends sending flyers (in PDF form) and schedule change notices (in the body of an email) to him directly (sidneym@frontiernet.net), as well as to the Promenader (promenader@rochester.rr.com).

In addition, for maximum distribution of urgent messages, clubs should send Sidney the text for any “Breaking News” to go on the WNYF home page (squaredancingrochester.org).

And clubs should also consider posting their news on the “SquareDancingRochester” group Facebook page.

In Memoriam

In this issue, we say a fond farewell Mike Keane.

Editorial Comments

Though not all clubs survived the COVID interruption, square dancing in and around Rochester is alive and growing stronger every quarter. Classes have resumed and new recruits are enthusiastic.

Most of this progress is thanks to a dedicated—but too small—number of active leaders in mu multiple clubs and in the WNY Federation.

Continuing this trend will take a sustained effort from an expanding number of dancers who pitch in and fill gaps on club boards and in the Federation. Many of the current leaders have been recognized for their outstanding service, but there’s plenty of room for others to join them and share the fun.

I was about to use the word “load” in that last sentence, but I remembered the experience Sally and I had when first asked to help out at the Village Squares by joining the Board as treasurers. We felt it was too soon after our graduation, but others explained that was normal. What they didn’t tell us was how much fun it is to be included among the people who shape the program.

Board meetings were focused mainly on dance themes and social events and how to make the dancing more fun and inclusive. We realized how much we enjoyed “shaping” the club and its program instead of simply attending dances. We paid more attention to what worked and to what might make it better, and the club leadership appreciated our contributions. But most of all, we enjoyed the teamwork of the “working group” of board members.

I think everyone should jump at the chance to share this feeling. Please ask your club leaders if there is room for you in their board or assisting in club activities.

I know it’s tempting to simply attend dances and chat with your friends, but a stint on the board will expand your circle of friends and give you a sense of connection and pride in the whole program.

A stint as your club’s representative at Federation meetings will expand that satisfaction even further. Federation programs cross club boundaries and address needs across the whole square-dancing community. Don’t let others determine the fate of your club or of square dancing in our area without your help.

Your input is important and you will find unexpected personal satisfaction in the process.

Quarterly Chuckle

I hope this isn’t a duplicate from the past. I laughed (again?), so maybe you will too…

“Sad News from Minnesota”

The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin.

Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded.

Born and bread in Minnesota, Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes.

Despite being a little flakey at times, and somewhat of a crusty old man, he still was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife, Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosey Dough, plus they had one more in the oven, and he is also survived by his father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

If you smiled when reading this, please rise to the occasion and pass it on to someone having a crumby day and kneading a lift :-)

I hope you enjoy this issue of the Promenader!

Peter Emmel, Editor