President’s Letter, August 25, 2017

As I write this in the middle of August, we’ve finally started to dry out and experience the dog days of summer. There have been some great dances this summer with Ken Bower, Gary Shoemake, Johnny Preston, and Betsy Gotta. The Mike Sikorsky dance I’m sure also will be / was a great dance. I hope you got out and were able to enjoy one or more of these dances.

Unfortunately we’ve also had some trials this summer with the rains and flooding impacting some of our dancers as well as the loss of two of our long time callers Mike Herne and Jerry Carmen. Our thoughts and prayers have been with those families impacted. If there is one thing I’ve learned, square dancers are caring people that help out those around them that are hurting or in need.

September sees us at the start of another square dance season. The Fall Friendship Ball is a way to get back into dancing and meet dancers you don’t normally see. It is a free dance and open to all Rochester square dancers so come out and meet folks from other clubs. The caterer did a great job last year so hurry up and sign up with your payment if you want to stay for a wonderful meal after the dance.

Many clubs are hosting Open Houses this year to get new dancers into our activity. We have a yard sign program that clubs are tying out this year as well as some continuing to do radio ads, and Facebook or other social media listings. However, our best source of dancers has always been current dancers. Be sure and talk to your friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers about dancing and take them to an Open House. I suspect I’m not the only person who got dragged kicking and screaming to my first Open House, but once there I had a good time. It may take a little extra effort to pick someone up and bring them to an Open House, but the only way our activity will survive in the years to come is with new dancers joining our activity.

Enjoy the rest of the summer with your friends and family, and with your dancing family, and I’ll see you in a square.

Jim Gotta—President