President’s Corner December 1, 2022

The past few months have been very busy and exciting as we have been promoting Square Dancing and the start-up of lessons within our communities. We have lawn signs, ads, articles, interviews, live demos along with square dancing displays in many local libraries. We all have been working together to promote square dancing. The classes have begun and hopefully we will retain at least 25 new dancers graduating in the Spring. It would be wonderful if we are able to encourage these new dancers to stay committed to the classes, recruit their friends and become members of our clubs.

We currently have 17 clubs in the Federation: Batavia Silver Stars, Boo Bull Squares and Rounds, Cayuga Cut-Ups, Cloverleaf Squares, Copy Cats, Dalton Gang, Dancing Shadows, Fun Bunch, Grand Squares, Penn Yan Friendship Squares, Round Towners, Shirts N Skirts (Fulton), Shamrock Squares, Silver Squares, Southern Tier Wheelers, Village Squares, Waterwheel Squares. We have been so happy to welcome more clubs back to the dance floor the past several months.

In checking with the clubs at the last Federation meeting on safety protocols, most clubs have indicated masks are optional and they have plenty of hand sanitizer on hand for the dancers. One or two clubs still sanitize the dance hall chairs, tables and bathrooms after the dance. One club requires dancing with masks.

Our dance floors are getting fuller as we enjoy all the autumn celebrations such as Halloween, Veterans Day, and look forward to Thanksgiving and our special Christmas Holiday celebrations.

Plans are underway for an afternoon New Year’s Eve Dance. The dance is being co-sponsored by the Federation and Copy Cats. The dance will be from 1–3:30pm on 12/31/22 at the First Baptist Church of Penfield located at 1862 Penfield Rd. Jim Gotta will be calling and cueing. Dancers are welcome to bring appetizers, snacks or desserts to share.

It will be so much fun to ring in 2023 with our dancing family. Hope you save the date and come join us!

Please save the date for DOR 2023 on May 6, 2023. The DOR 2023 Committee is busy making plans and issuing contracts. DOR 2023 will be at the Perinton Rec Center. We just contracted with Betsy & Roy Gotta and Dave Eno for calling and cueing. Everyone seemed to have such a good time last year we anticipate another wonderful event again in May 2023. Our Clubs will be asked to donate a basket for the basket raffle. It is amazing how generous everyone is and how fun it is to see the variety of baskets that are donated.

We are looking forward to seeing you on the dance floor.

Take Care,

Debbie & Jeff Blood