The ballot for next year's Federation officers is on their way to your club secretaries. Take time to consider the candidates thoughtfully.
Click here to find out how to get your information into the OFN, including dances, lessons, photos, flyers, advertisements, and caller/cuer information.
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At Mid-Winter Festival, this year's Randall Award was presented to Ferrous & Karen Steinka. The Randall Award is the highest honor the Federation bestows on a square dancer--those who have done great service for the Oregon Federation and for square dancing in Oregon, especially those who work behind the scenes. Said Ferrous, "We are so very honored to receive this award."
The Federation's next executive board meeting will be on May 5 at the Rogue Valley Square Dance Center in Medford. A proposal to modify the Federation's constitution to include line dance clubs in the list of organizations eligible for Federation membership was read at the January meeting and will be voted on in May. If it passes, the proposal will be sent to the clubs for ratification.
Elextions for the Federation's 2019-20 officers are now in progress. Your club secretaries should have received the ballots, with need to be returned to the Federation Secretary by mid-April. You can read about the nominees here.
The instant that a state directory is published, there are corrections that need to be made.
We hope you are planning to attend the 2019 Summer Festival, to be held at the Blanchet School in Salem on July 19-21, 2019. This festival is sponsored by the entire Federation Board.
Oregon's Mid-Winter Festival 2020 will be held January 24, 25 and 26, 2020, at the Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany.
During our Mid-Winter Education Seminar, “Working Together – Helping Each Other”, we had 15 people participate in a positive discussion on how we can improve our class attendance and help with dancer retention. The President of the Buckaroos, Bruce and Laura Knotts, and the Umpqua Area Council President, Frank and Rita Schuchard, were invited to attend the seminar to share why they think the Buckaroos have grown to be the largest club in Oregon.
For the following seminar summary, I’ve merged the Buckaroo’s observations with comments and suggestions from the other attendees. Thank you to everyone who attended and participated.
Keep your conflicts away from the dance. Your dance should be a fun place to attend, not a place to discuss politics, private information, controversial matters or to gossip. Be honest when dealing with your dancers and each other. Check your attitude at the door and keep your dances clean and fun.
Open up your clubs to families. Provide assistance for young families to take lessons by giving them an area to come and dance while providing a safe place for their underage youngsters to play quietly. This is not a babysitting service, but consider putting in an area similar to a corral where you can put toys and books. The kids go into the corral during the lessons or dance where parents can keep an eye on them. If you have a dancer who isn’t dancing and enjoys children and you feel it is necessary, ask if they would be willing to sit close to the corral to help keep things smooth and quiet. Contact your local Homeschool Coordinator in your area. Square dancing qualifies as a PE Credit for homeschoolers. When the families bring their students, ask the parents if they would like to stay, too. The Buckaroos are having great success with this and their club is actively growing.
Instead of giving free lessons, charge for your lessons, but apply a percentage of the fee to the student’s first club membership dues. At the end of the lessons, the students’ dues are paid if they attended all of the lessons, and you have a new member. You can also consider giving the students a free outfit if your dancers would like to share some of the clothing they are no longer using. When the students graduate, immediately invite them back as angels. Ask them to pay a minimal fee. When the lessons are finished, the fee will be applied to their next year’s membership dues. After the first year as an angel, do not charge the angels.
If you have a guest drop in to visit who doesn’t dance, give them a short lesson during one of the tips. Plant a seed – it may produce a dancer. If you have a large number of kids who want to learn, consider teaching a “Blast Class” where a lot of moves are taught rapidly and in only a few sessions.
Sponsor jamborees at your students’ level. Encourage your students to attend other jamborees. Attend with them and even offer to drive them to the jamborees. Consider teaching “All Position Dancing”, especially if you have more of one sex in your lessons or club. Buy pink and blue bracelets for your dancers to wear when learning All Position. Have the dancer in the “girl’s” position wear the pink bracelet, while the dancer in the “boy’s” position wears the blue bracelet.
Adults should never pick up and swing the kids. This is inappropriate and can be scary for the child. All dancers need to keep their feet on the floor, regardless of their age. Ask permission from parents before hugging children. Children and their parents need to feel that the square dance hall is a safe place for the youth or they will stop coming to your dance and may encourage friends to stay away.
If you have a group of younger or more energetic dancers in your club, consider setting aside an “Adventure” or “Tsunami Zone”. Advertise this area as a high energy dance zone where different types of fun dancing can be allowed. Also, if you have dancers who do not want to dance with kids or energetic dancers, suggest that they form squares with other adults only in an area away from the high energy dancers.
Consider bringing line dancing into your clubs. Line dancing can lead to square dancing and vice versa. Line dancing allows people without partners to feel like they are a part of the group.
Councils can help support clubs by planning visitations to the clubs within their council. Pick special dances or Anniversary dances and then use social media and email to encourage dancers to support each other’s clubs. We are not in competition with each other – we need to support each other. Be excited when you are inviting your dancers or other clubs to participate – remember when you are making dance announcements you are the cheerleader for your club or council! Be enthusiastic!! Councils can also help put clubs together who are having trouble finding enough students to hold a class. Combining lessons will help reduce the cost to any one club – work together and allow students to pick which club they’d like to join. Remember if just one student joins one club, we all gain. Get involved with your students and new members. Offer to pick them up for jamborees and dances. Drive with them. Plan no-host dinners before dances. It might take a little effort, but the results will be worth it.
Remember to keep your dances fun and enthusiastic and be willing to try something new. Be sure to share with us if your club is having success with similar or different ideas. We’d enjoy hearing from you.
Kathy Roberts
Publicity and Education
The 68th National Square Dance Convention® will be held in Atlanta, Georgia, June 26-29, 2019.
The 69th National Square Dance Convention® will be held in nearby Spokane, Washington, June 18-21, 2020.
All clubs in the Oregon Federation are required to maintain their status as non-profit corporations with the State of Oregon. The Secretary of State's office mails out a renewal notice about a month before your registration expires every year. The following clubs expire this month:
March 4 -- Muddy Frogs
March 6 -- Misty Valley Cloggers
March 14 -- Golden Squares
March 18 -- ORDTA
March 21 -- Boots & Sandals
March 22 -- Sundown Round Dance Club
March 23 -- Saints-N-Aints
March 27 -- Timber Twirlers
Download a complete list of the Federation club dances this month, all sorted by date and city.
Everything in the When & Where is extracted from the state directory information. If you find that your club information is wrong, you can fix that by going to the directory information area and fixing your data.
Click on the title to see the article.
Jim was born on July 11th, 1928, and died February 4, 2019. He loved square and round dancing.
But before he was involved in dancing, he and his wife, Barbara, had met while roller skating in Seattle. They became dance skate partners. Roller skating remained their lifelong passion. He enjoyed other activities too. He loved hiking, biking and skiing – even taking up weight lifting in Belleview, Washington!
Jim and Barbara started square dancing in Seattle in 1958. Shortly after, they discovered round dancing. They fell in love with “Siesta in Seville” [back in the day when rounds were not cued]. They went home and learned it on their own. As time went on, a caller, Bill Walker, suggested that Jim learn to call. At first Jim was quite nervous about it but soon enjoyed it.
He worked at Westinghouse in Seattle, and was transferred to the Portland office in 1977, where they bought a spacious home in Milwaukie. The day they arrived, they met neighbors who were square dancers, and they all went to a square dance together.
Jim became the caller of the Portland WhirlAways, and continued with round dancing. He and Barbara eventually danced at the 5-6 level, with Barbara making beautiful dance and skate clothes. They also continued with their dance skating, frequently going to the skate rinks at Oaks Park.
If you go by their home at 12011 SE 70th Ave. in Milwaukie (97222), you will be enthralled with their grounds. One would think they had a landscaper, or at least a lawn service, on the payroll. But no: Jim did it all himself.
He was married for 66 years and is survived by his wife, Barbara, and a sister, Mary Dudon in eastern Washington. He had a brother who preceded him in death. Condolences can be sent to the above address.
You can download this list of callers and cuers who are available and ready to call or cue a dance for you.
Callers:
Cuers:
March's Classic Round of the Month is "Dance With the One That Brought You", Phase II Two-Step, choreographed by Neil and Doris Koozer. This was chosen by the ORDTA. Download your cue sheet here.
For more information on the Round of the Month, please contact .
Everything in this section is taken from the state directory information. If you find that your class information is wrong, you can fix that by going to the directory information area and picking to the "Lessons" tab.
March 3 (1st Sun)
March 9 (2nd Sat)
March 17 (3rd Sun)
March 23 (4th Sat)
March 30 (5th Sat)
March 30 (5th Sat)
April 12 (2nd Fri)
April 12 (2nd Fri)
April 14 (2nd Sun)
April 28 (4th Sun)
May 19 (3rd Sun)
May 24 (4th Fri)
June 1 (1st Sat)
July 25 (4th Thu)
August 8 (2nd Thu)Click a thumbnail to download the flyer.
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Click a council name to go directly to that section.
March 2 (1st Sat)
March 16 (3rd Sat)
We encourage all dancers to join us Saturday, March 30 at 7:30PM for Pre-Rounds and 8:00PM for Square dancing with rounds. Please be generous with your donations for this worthy organization. Thank you.
Keep on dancing, calling and cueing for FUN
Christina Corelli
Secretary, CCCA
In January we held no dances as we did not have enough interest on the 13th of January and the 4th weekend of course there was some good advanced dancing at Mid-Winter. Several of our dancers were there to dance to the local and national callers and meet up with other advanced dancers from around the Northwest.
We are looking forward to resuming our twice a month schedule of dancing (see our website for exact dates) to either recorded tips or live callers when we have one in the area. Please come join us when you can. In April we look forward to seeing some snowbirds return to dance with us.
Fred Beisse, Coordinator
Gaynor Hintz, Club Reporter
Several Single Trees attended the memorial dance for Joyce Voll, retired cuer for Sweet Home Squarenaders and Lebanon Square Circlers, who passed away in November. We were all pleased at the large turnout for the memorial service and the potluck and dance that followed. What a wonderful way to remember such a beautiful (both inside and out), kind-hearted lady who showed such fortitude throughout her long struggle. She is greatly missed.
Quite a lot of Single Trees were seen at Mid-Winter 2019 in all of the halls from advanced to beginners. Some went for all 3 days, some for two and some for just Saturday. No matter how long you stayed you were guaranteed some excellent dancing with calling/cueing from our local callers and cuers and by the national callers and cuer tem. Ray Brendzy and Charlie Robertson worked well together and apart and would be welcomed back whole-heartedly should we be lucky enough to have them come again. Joy Pitts, our Treasurer, too a chance and won the quilt being raffled off by River City Dancers and Bachelor and Bachelorettes of Oregon City. She was thrilled (see photo posted in the photo section)!
In March we’re looking forward to our St. Patrick’s Dance and Baked Potato feed which is always a winner! Please come join us.
If you missed the chance to dance to Charlie Robertson, you can attend the Buckeroo Birthday Dance in early April where he is the featured caller. I’m looking forward to that weekend myself and hope other Single Trees will join me. This will be a terrific dance weekend especially if you dance plus and advanced s there is a DBD dance Sunday afternoon.
Happy dancing,
Gaynor Hintz
Club Reporter
Come join us Sunday evenings for FUN, fellowship, dancing and FOOD. We do have lots of food. And, it's warm in our hall which has a cushioned wood floor.
We are dark March 10 and also April 21. Other than those two dates, we dance every Sunday at the hall in Springfield. All levels! Please join us!
Happy Dancing,
Christina Corelli
Member-At-Large
We still need dancers to join us on the 1st and 4th Saturdays of the month with callers Sandy Harris 1st Sat and Lennie Ludiker 4th Saturday and cuer Christina Corelli for both dances.
Sandy Harris
Club cuer and reporter
March 2 (1st Sat)
March 24 (4th Sun)
March 17 (3rd Sun)
We held our semi-annual board meeting January 12 to discuss goals for our club going into 2019. Officers for this year remain the same as they were last year.
The 2018 INTRO TO CLOGGING Class was a huge success. Fourteen individuals registered for the September-December session held at the Salem Square Dance Center. Of these, one sadly withdrew for a medical reason but continues to pop in and out of class as our biggest fan. Eight enthusiastic graduates returned in January and are now official Cherry City Cloggers. Three dancers did not become members but have eager plans to return in September and start again. That is what happens when you try clog dancing – you get hooked! Georganne Pfnister
This March will be a fun month as we welcome Spring and do some more dancing. We’re looking forward to our coast trip at Gleneden Beach Community Club and dancing both Friday and Saturday nights, the 8th and 9th. We want to mention again that all are welcome! This has been a longstanding tradition for the Corvallis Squares. For the Saturday lunch potluck there will be good humor and good food, and if you want, you can bring a joke to share! Happy Spring to all! Karen
March 23 (4th Sat)We do have a Pie Night coming up on April 29 so that is a good one to visit. Although, Perrin just brought a great blueberry pie to the dance the other Monday. Stay warm and drive safe out there. Hope to see you! Teija
All IWW Members are encouraged to attend the Annual Meeting and Potluck at 2:00 pm on Sunday, March 17, Polk County Fairgrounds. Preparations are well underway for the April 26 – 28 Hillbilly/HeeHaw Koast Krash at Yachats Inn – always a great time..
Come dance with us on the first and second Saturdays of each month at Polk County Fairgrounds in Rickreall. Especially be sure to come to our special March 9 IWW Birthday Dance and April 13 Easter Dance. Dee and Bert Mackaman
March 9 (2nd Sat)
The Lebanon Square Circlers had a regular dance on February 2 and its Sweetheart Dance on February 16. We will help the Sweet Home Squarenaders celebrate their Birthday on February 9 and the Corvallis Squares on February 23. It is truly a busy dance month.
The Lebanon Square Circlers will have its Hippie Dance on March 3 with Charlotte Jeskey calling and Jackie Gale cueing. "Girls Night Out" will be calling on March 17. Our Mystery Trip is scheduled for March 31. Plans and activities for the June Strawberry Festival are underway. We are hoping to see lots of dancers for our festival. See you in a square! Marilyn York
March 16 (3rd Sat)From 7:15 to 7:45 will be floor time in rhythms for all to dance and find out what you need to add or fix. From 7:45 to 8:30, the dancers will continue on with the Cha class and add more Phase 3-4 moves to what we have already had earlier in the season in the early class. It should be interesting to see what we get and how confused we can be. I already was earlier.
The late class will continue to work on the dances from Mid-Winter and get in preparation for the Spring Spectacular at the coast. They are enjoying the almost one on one since it is only three couples.
Hope you will come and join us and see what we are all about and getting the Phase 2 dancers ready to advance to intermediate level. Happy Spring! Marilyn Schmit
Please come out to join our Fundraiser Dance on March 3 to help out the Silver Knights and Silver Dragons. We are having a "Mad Science Lab" theme for the dance and the kids are asking people to come dressed as "mad scientists". We will have a silent auction and a basket raffle as well as drawing for the winners for the cash raffle. Check out our flyer for more information.
We are starting practice for the Teen Festival and we will have two teams this year.
Mom says she is still looking for volunteers for Teen Festival. See you at a dance soon. Petrina Buchheit
March 3 (1st Sun)
The parking lot behind the IOOF Hall has been graded and re-graveled so lots more parking is available, so come join us as we'd love to have you. Remember, we dance pre-rounds on the first Friday and pre-plus on the third Friday. Sandy
March 1 (1st Fri)
March 15 (3rd Fri)
Jim Schira
March 29 (5th Fri)
You should have been there. Yes, you should come join us, for one never knows what will happen at our dances.
Flory Flounce
March 6 (1st Wed)
March 15 (3rd Fri)
March also brings our elections, so stay tuned next month to find out who’s in charge for the coming year. We have a great club and it is always a fun time to dance with the Cut-Ups. We dance on the 1st and 4th Saturday nights, and don’t forget we have a 5th Saturday dance in March. These are usually all plus, but to honor our recent graduating mainstream class, this dance will be mixed mainstream and plus. Hope to see you there!
Beverly De La Bruere
March 2 (1st Sat)
March 17 (3rd Sun)
March 23 (4th Sat)
March 30 (5th Sat)
January was the start of a new session of lessons. We were delighted to have 21 new students who have continued to be enthusiastic about learning to square dance. Fortunately, many of our Hopper members come every Monday night to angel these beginning dancers. The angels really make it easier for students to understand and practice new moves. We are looking forward to helping them reach the mainstream level so they can be out dancing enjoying this terrific activity.
Be sure to mark your calendars. On May 4th the Hoppers will celebrate their 60th anniversary with a dance that is themed “May the Fourth be With You.” The theme is a play on the date of the dance, the 4th, which somehow encourages images of “Star Wars.” It should be a unique and fun dance. Guests and members may feel free to wear Star War character costumes. The costumes are optional for those people who enjoy getting into the mood of the theme. It should be a celebration you won’t want to miss.
Jean Tolstrup
March 2 (1st Sat)
March 16 (3rd Sat)
February started off weather wise with no problems but it sure did posed some possible problems for anyone wanting to celebrate Valentine’s Day. We had our Chocolate Dance early but would probably have had to change it to the Hot Chocolate Dance if the threat of snow and ice had appeared sooner.
Our first dance in March, as you can see by our flier on the OFN, is our annual Reigning Cats and Dogs Dance. Here we join together and ask all the dancers attending to bring with them donations that will be collected for two charities, one for cats and one for dogs. A contest to see which of one will reign for the year is done by weighing the amount received for each.
Here is a list of suggested donation items that were not on our flier.
Donations of these items are always gratefully accepted –
* Cat Food
* Cat Treats
* Dog Food
* Dog Treats
* Food Dishes
* Cat Toys / Supplies
* Dog Toys / Supplies
* Animal Beds
* Costco Gift Card
* Cash Donation
April will find the Oaky Doaks will be home at the Oak Grove Community Hall for the first Saturday dance only. On the third Saturday of the April we will be going to the beach at Lincoln City. We invite all dancers to come join us at the Best Western – Landmark Inn on Highway 101. Anyone interested in staying with us for the weekend can get a special rate by contacting the hotel directly when making reservations. Just let them know they will be attending our dance there. To get the special rate reservations need to be made no later than April 1st.
Hope everyone stays safe and warm.
See you on the dance floor.
Gary - Oaky Doaks Visitation Chair
March 2 (1st Sat)Now is the time to bring out that poodle skirt and Bobby socks, pedal pushers or tee shirts and “cool dude” outfits . Our fabulous 50’s dance is coming April 13. We will be rocking.
There is always something fun going on at River City Dancers and we hope you will join us. We dance in Milwaukie at 42nd and Jackson Street every second and third Saturday.
Carol Mendenhall
We’ll take the month of March off, to catch our breath, while some of our gang heads north to Seattle for the Puddletown Rain Festival (https://puddletownsquares.org/rain-festival-fly-in/). This is the analog to our Scares and Squares festival in the fall—October 25-27, 2019—for those looking for a high-energy hootenanny.
We’ll be back on the boards on April 13 at the Oak Grove Community Club, alternating Mainstream and Plus from 7:30-9:30. Richard Lane calling.
You can now mark your calendars for the remainder of 2019, all dances on second Saturday of the month:
May: Ian Craig (Graduation Dance)
June: Don Wood
July and August: dark
September: Kris Jensen
October: Richard Lane
November: Diana Wedel
December: Ian Craig.
SYIAS!
Jeff Knapp, President
Our lessons have been well attended with an average of five students. Please come visit and stay.
Don't forget the Council Dance on March 29th. It will be held in Yreka and will be the last square dance event held at the Greenhorn Grange. We would like to see a "HUGE" turnout to support this club and their dancers. Come on, gang, let's go to Yreka. Dean Black is calling and Elaine Funk is cueing. Circle N Square are Hosts for this dance, Charlie's are Greeters and Stars are in charge of door prizes. The Council is Treasurer.
The Council meeting that was scheduled for February, as moved to March due to adverse weather conditions.
Don't forget - on May 4th & 5th, the State Federation Meeting is in our Council. The May 4th Officer/Delegate meeting will be held at 2385 Table Rock Rd. The "Crock Pot" potluck will be held from 5:45 to 6:30 at the Rogue Valley Square Dance Center on Table Rock Rd. The May 5th meeting will be at the Rogue Valley Square Dance Center at 9am. Check with your representative and sign up or if you have a favorite crock pot meal, bring it along. There is never too much food. We will need main dishes, side dishes and desserts.
The next Council meeting (hopefully) will be March 5th at Round Table Pizza in Poplar Square.
Lois & Lorri
March 29 (5th Fri)
We will be starting a Mainstream & Plus Funshop on February 21st. 630 for Mainstream and 8pm for Plus - please come support and improve your dancing skills!!
February dances were full of fun with our annual Chili cookoff on February 2nd and Sweetheart Ball on February 16th.
Lots of smiles on the 2nd as our famous Charlie Cheerleaders entertained the dancers and Chuck and Rikki kept the dancers moving all nite. On the 16th we had a special guest caller - Roger Putzler is always great fun!! Thanks to the Star Promenaders for coming to visit.
March brings two great dances - on the 2nd we will have Phil & Rikki doing the honors - this will be a Mainstream and Plus dance. On the 16th we will have Guest Caller Richard Lane calling and Bob Dingman cueing - we will start a little earlier with Advanced at 6pm and have alternating Plus & Mainstream throughout the nite - with rounds starting at 7pm.
Reminder that - for the most part - our dances now start at 7pm with Pre Rounds and 730 for squares (except when we have Advanced).
We are busy planning for a great Boatnik Festival with the fabulous Joe Saltel and TJ (Bruce) Chadd - what a great party it will be! Get your ribbons!!!
The Charlie's are looking forward to helping the Stars celebrate their birthday on February 23rd! Will be a great time with Richard Lane and Elaine Funk. There are also many other festivals and special dances coming up that we will hope will be well attended by all!!
See you in a square!
March 2 (1st Sat)
March 16 (3rd Sat)
Yellow Rocks,
Marcia Eblen
President, CNS
March 16 (3rd Sat)
The next "Game Night" is March 15th. What a lot of fun we have. Come out and join us. It is a "Hoot." If you don't play Mexican Train, there is usually a game of cribbage going on or if there is some other "Game" you would like to play, let us know. We are open to most any table game. We always have a potluck with a theme. This time it will be "Comfort Food."
Phil Ramey has been doing a Mainstream/Plus Workshop on Wednesdays to give everyone who feels a little shaky about some moves, a chance to come out and practice. There are generally 2 squares plus (unless the weather throws us a curve ball). He says he may even attempt to throw in a little bit of Advanced. Not to worry - it will be easy Advanced. Come on out and enjoy a fun evening and maybe learn something.
Don't forget the March 23rd dance. We are collecting clean, plush stuffed animals to donate to the Jackson County Sheriff's Department to give to children in stressful situations. Please come out and help. You will receive $1.00 off your dance fee with a donation of a stuffed animal. Thank you to all who contribute.
Motivate (that's Advanced)
See you in a square
March 9 (2nd Sat)
March 23 (4th Sat)TVC President, Mike St. Clair, announced the recipient of the Tualatin Valley Council “Recognition Award” for 2018. This award is presented annually for outstanding service and special contribution to the square dance community within the TVC geographical area. The TVC Recognition Award for 2018 was presented to Judy Schnase. Judy, a long time member of the Sunset Promenaders, is well known to many within the TVC, as well as other Councils. A very dedicated dancer, attending nearly every TVC and club Anniversary dance within the Council, she encourages her fellow members to attend as well. Judy is a huge believer in visitations and works very hard to get support for this. She is currently serving as Vice President of the TVC. Congratulations to a very deserving person!
Our next Council event is the Spring Fling Dance, held at the Hillsboro IOOF Hall on March 30th. This dance will feature Randy Dibble calling with Jeanine Norden cueing. The dance begins with pre-rounds at 7:30 followed by Mainstream with rounds at 8:00. Every third tip will be Plus. This dance is co-hosted by the Mix N' Mingle.
Ferrous Steinka
March 30 (5th Sat)We had 18 members dining together while at the Mid-Winter Festival in Albany. Two members hosted a get together prior to the dance Friday, members shared stories over dinner, and some of us tried the advanced workshop.
Our only downer was when we learned that long-time dancer, Sharon Driscoll, had slipped and was in a Corvallis hospital with a broken femur. Doctors operated on Sunday and assured her that in time she could be dancing again.
Our second dance on March 23rd will feature our esteemed caller Jim Hattrick calling and cueing.
Remember, when you veer not only do you go to the side you also go forward.
Nick Johnson
March 9 (2nd Sat)
March 23 (4th Sat)Mid-Winter dance is a must go for many of our members who enjoy a mini vacation seeing friends and dancing to different callers and cuers. Dancers who went say if you missed this year plan on attending next year. More dancers attending means everyone has more fun and helps keep this wonderful activity going.
At Mid-Winter our club was honored to have the Randall Award given to a deserving couple, Ferrous and Karen Steinka. They have held offices, done websites, created many flyers, send out emails to keep members informed, edit the reports, and stuff I do even know about because much of it is behind the scenes. Besides all that they are great people to know. They deserve our thanks and congratulations for all they do for square dancing. "The Randall Award is the highest honor the Federation bestows on a square dancer--those who have done great service for the Oregon Federation and for square dancing in Oregon, especially those who work behind the scenes."
You have several opportunities in March to observe special days and to dress for your dance. March 5th is Mardi Gras so good time to get out your most colorful clothes and lot of beads. Daylight saving time begins March 10th so you can have a good excuse for being an hour late. St. Patrick’s Day comes March 17th but watch out for the green beer as you might start seeing leprechauns. The first day of spring is March 20th, the day we have been waiting for, so go out and smell the flowers. For something different, participate in Earth Hour March 30th. Earth Hour is a worldwide movement organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). The event is held annually encouraging individuals, communities, and businesses to turn off non-essential electric lights for one hour, from 8:30 to 9:30 pm, generally on the last Saturday in March, as a symbol of commitment to the planet. You say you can not do that because you are coming to the TVC Spring Fling that Saturday and you do not want to dance in the dark. It would be an interesting experiment.
Our plus classes began February 4th, noon to 1:15 at the Sunset Presbyterian Church on Cornell Road. Now is the time to brush up on your Plus or come join in the fun of Plus, only $4. No special outfit needed.
We dance every Monday afternoon, even on holidays except Christmas and New Years. Our callers keep us on our toes each week, always seeming to have some new twist to keep our minds sharp. During lessons our schedule is 12:00 - 1:15 class, then 1:15 - 3:00 pm plus and rounds at the Sunset Presbyterian Church, 14986 NW Cornell Road in Beaverton.
Rachel Nettleton
March 4 (1st Mon)
March 11 (2nd Mon)
March 18 (3rd Mon)The Hayshakers plan to hold Square Dance lessons beginning Sunday March 10th at 3:00 p.m. in the Pacific Grange with Mark Wheeler instructing.
Be sure to visit the hayshakers.org website which changes every month with new embedded animations to study (the only one in Oregon).
Craig Holt
Mid-Winter Festival is our first Hoedowner week-end get away of the year. On Friday we danced, shopped, dined together and then danced and shopped some more. I think there was a late evening stop at the Hoedowner Party Room for most members. Saturday we enjoyed all the different dance floors, made side trips to Old Town Albany, shopped, visited with old and new square dance friends and dined together and met up once again in the Hoedowner Party Room. We had two couples featured in the Showcase of Rounds; Duane and Heidi Petrowsky waltzed to The Girl that I Married while Randy Lewis and Debbie Olson danced to Halleluiah. I hope you had an opportunity to see both performances and a chance to dance with our marvelous cuer Randy Lewis Saturday evening.
I want to mention that our own Ferrous and Karen Steinka were winners of the 2019 Randall Memorial Award, the highest honor the Federation bestows. A well-deserved recognition of their commitment to square dancing on the club, council and state levels so please extend your thanks and congratulations to this fine couple.
Mark your calendar for two big Hoedowner dances in March. On the 9th, we’ll be celebrating the lowly potato with our Mr. Potato Head Dance (keto options will be available). And in the fine tradition of high school, collegiate and professional sports we’ll be having our March Madness Dance on the 23rd. Support your favorite team(s) with jerseys, hats, face paint, etc. or just go a little “mad”. No matter what, you’ll want to be on hand.
Krystal Laas
March 9 (2nd Sat)
March 23 (4th Sat)You can check when he calls for the TVC dance March 30th at Hillsboro's IOOF Hall, with Jeanine Norden cuing. Our club has put together a tasty basket to bid on. We hope that there will be a good turnout for a fun-filled evening.
Patty Bonney
March is St Paddy's day dance on the 8th, when there will be the wear in' o the green...a little early. And, big 66th anniversary celebration this month on Saturday the 23rd! Please come join in the celebration.
Please remember that our dances are now ending at 9:30pm. 7-8 Plus and advanced rounds, 8-9:30pm Mainstream with rounds. 106 NW 8th, Kelso/Longview intersection on Ocean Beach Hwy. Craig Abercrombie calling and Lonnie Sycks cueing. Our website www.r-square-d.info is a great way to keep track of our club and events or friend us on Facebook.
Annie Tietze
March 8 (2nd Fri)
March 23 (4th Sat)• Saturday March 2nd our Mainstream Dance with Mike Stout and Ken Pratt calling and cueing.
• Thursday, March 7th Plus Dance with Darrell Kalmbach and Ken Pratt calling and cueing.
• Saturday, March 16th, Mainstream Dance and the theme is “Irish Fling” with Mike and Ken calling and cueing.
• Thursday, March 21st, Plus Dance with Darrell Kalmbach and Ken Pratt.
For those of you that have not been to one of our dances; we are located in downtown Hillsboro at Hillsboro Odd Fellows Hall, 267 E. Main Street. There is plenty of parking either on the street or in the bank parking lot across the street. Our dance hall is a wood floor, and dining area next to it. Our dances start at 7:00 with intermediate rounds, then at 7:30 to 9:30 the square dance. Come and dance with us so we can become better friends. If you need more information call 503-848-3841.
The Sunset Promenaders are having out New Dancers Jamboree on Sunday March 10th at 4-pm in our Hall.
Our Club plans on going to the TVC Spring Fling dance on 5th Saturday March 30th with Randy Dibble calling and Jeanine Norden cueing.
Tom & Janice Sminia
March 2 (1st Sat)
March 7 (1st Thu)Our beautiful quilt that we’ve been working on to benefit cancer research made its debut at Mid-Winter, and sold $60 in tickets so far. A picture of the quilt will be visiting clubs in the area, with a drawing being held at the Toe’s “Man Enough To Wear Pink” Dance, held on Oct 6th.
The hall we dance in, Kinton Grange, would like to invite everyone to a “Spring Celebration Ham Dinner & Bazaar” April 28th from noon-4:00. This is a fundraiser to keep this community building operational.
Be sure to join us for our “Everything’s just Ducky” dance on March 1st. 7:30 pre-rounds. Then on March 15th, is our Leprechaun Jig dance, 7:30 pre-plus.
We’d love to see you, come dance with the Toe’s.
Kathy Degman
March 1 (1st Fri)
March 15 (3rd Fri)In March two dances are coming up: “Bit O’ the Irish” on Saturday, March 9, 7:30; and “Spring Fling” on Friday, March 22, 7:30; Terry Halley will be calling and Sandra Pinion cueing at both. On Saturday the 16th we plan a visitation to the River City Dancers in Portland.
Although our Sunday Waltz lessons ended Feb.17, four Waltz workshops continue each Sunday through March 17th, From 2:00-3:15. They are open to all dancers who would like to brush up on Waltz, with a cost of $4 at the door.
We will have a graduation ceremony for our Mainstream students on March 17th as well, from 3:30-5:30, with the usual challenging and crazy games making it fun!
Gloria Davis
March 9 (2nd Sat)
March 22 (4th Fri)At our last dance on January 23rd, we had a group of visitors from the Toe Draggers, including two of their new students who had just graduated from their lessons. They did really well! We had a lot of fun at this dance with them.
We welcome all new dancers at all levels! If any of our visiting new dancers have trouble with some of the moves, our caller, Janienne, will gladly workshop the moves with the dancers.
See you around in a square.
Andis Garuts
We were dark for our 4th Friday January dance so that our members could attend MWF. A great time was had by all, even our newest graduates.
We had a visitation to the Toe Draggers in January and brought our banner back. We are visiting Chaps and Petticoats for their Flintstone dance, which is once again the Kalmbach/Pratt duo, and always fun.
Our 2nd Friday Plus Dance continues with a Cha Cha workshop preceding the dance, led by Ken and Dianne Pratt, beginning at 6:30 pm. General admission to the dance alone at 7:30 pm is $6, and the workshop (to include staying for prerounds cued by Ken) alone is $6. The charge for attending both the workshop and dance is $10.
At this writing, we have guest caller Darrell Kalmbach scheduled for our February Plus Dance that hasn’t happened yet while Randy is away with some of our members and friends of Valley River Dancers on the Dibble Cruise. (Wow--a square dance cruise! That sounds sooo fun!) We also are planning our Birthday dance for 4th Friday, February 22nd. Randy Dibble will call this dance with Sherri Clark cueing. We are hoping for a good turnout to help us celebrate our 14th birthday. We generally have an open break to maximize our dancing time, but we will break together briefly to enjoy some cake and ice cream.
Traditionally after our dances those who can meet at Abby’s Pizza for complementary sodas and socializing. We would love to have you stay and visit with us. Some order pizza or the salad bar and stay until midnight when they close, others just have a soda. Stop by if you can.
We have Mainstream lessons beginning again on February 26th (which is a correction) at 6:30 pm and continuing Tuesdays, with Randy Dibble instructing at the Chehalem Community Center (south entrance). We generally have enough angels, but if you’re interested, following mainstream, there is an ‘A’ workshop beginning at 8 pm.
We currently have a 5th Saturday ‘A’ Dance scheduled in Woodburn in March, but I have not been given the name of a guest caller to report presently. Randy Dibble will be calling the TVC Spring Fling Dance on the 5th Saturday, March 30th.
Hoping to see you across a square soon!
Josie Rosenbury
March 8 (2nd Fri)
March 22 (4th Fri)Our class is coming along fine. It's good to see so many young people dancing, 15 in their middle twenties and 4 teens. Makes you feel so good dancing and even watching them.
Don't forget we have changes our dance night agenda, 7-8 pm Plus, 8-10 pm Mainstream. And, don't forget April 6th, Valley Squares 70th Anniversary Dance.
See you in a square, Yellowrock,
Carolene Siebert
March 2 (1st Sat)
March 16 (3rd Sat)
March 26 (4th Tue)Garibaldi is nine miles north of Tillamook on US 101. City Hall has a huge second-floor dance hall built for the old Firemen’s Balls. The club has had square dances there since the building was built in 1948.
Joe Wrabek
March 30 (5th Sat)
Here at the barn, things are sure busy. We have been doing some cleaning and rearranging and things are looking great! If you have not been here recently, come have a look!
Remember… we are just a short drive south from the Portland area, so plan to join us in the near future. We dance the first and third Saturdays and always enjoy having visitors. We have members of all ages and are a family friendly club.
Happy dancing,
Robin P. Faltersack
March 9 (2nd Sat)
March 23 (4th Sat)
