Friday, January 13, 2017

• Circulators "Hill Billy Hoedown" Hi/Lo Dance
  • 7:30pm at Happy Day School
  • John Ramsey and Amy Riehl
• Red Lantern "Pick Your Song" Dance
  • 8pm at the Red Lantern Barn
  • Dick Mackey and Kristy Lake
• Norton Grand Squares Student Dance
  • 8pm at the "New" Norton Middle School (Old Norton High School)
  • Mike Sumpter

Saturday, January 14, 2017

• Friendly Squares "Chili Nite" Hi/Lo Dance
  • 7:30 pm at Niles Scope Center
  • Gene and Frankie Hammond
• Swing-A-Lings "Spring Fling" Dance
  • 8pm at the Church of the Lakes Child Care
  • Bill Meese and Amy Riehl

Sunday, January 15, 2017

• Federation Student Dance
  • 2pm at the Ida Sue School
  • Caller/Cuers are to be announced

By Bill and Connie Weber

While dancing at lessons and also out at our club dances, we've been noticing that we, as angels, are forgetting to exercise the proper Dance Etiquette that we were taught when we were students many years ago. Here are just a few points of etiquette that we all need to work on:

1. Criticism-- We were all students not so long ago. Please remember this when your square breaks down, and don't yell at the people who make up your square. We all make mistakes. I have not danced with one perfect dancer in my 27 years of dance. Yes, I too make mistakes and have to grin and keep going.
2. Feeings--When someone makes a mistake, please remember not to criticize that person. Feelings do get hurt and you can potentially drive a hard working couple right out of our activity. We're all struggling to keep our members and want and need new members, however, if we continually keep criticizing those around us, sooner or later, they will not want to come any more.
3. Forming Squares--While attending a student dance, we noticed that some angels wanted to dance together. There’s nothing wrong with this; however, it was a student dance and we all needed to make sure that the STUDENTS are out on the floor. We hold these dances so that the students are made to feel welcome and make them feel a part of this great activity of ours. We, as angels need to make sure that there are at least two or more new dancers in each square. This way, we have enough help to go around.  Please be courteous to our new dancers and help make sure they are made to feel welcome. They should not be left on the side lines.
4. Announcements--When attending a dance and it's time for the club President or Officer to make the announcements, please have the courtesy to listen to what is being said. Too many times the loud talking of the crowd over takes the officer who is trying to make announcements and people in hall cannot hear what is being said. If you don't want to listen, excuse yourself, and go to another area away from the ones who do want to listen. If the weather is good, go outside; just have the courtesy to let those around you be able to hear what is being said.
5. Caller and Cuer--Should the caller or the cuer  ask you to keep the noise level down, please have the courtesy to do just that. I've been to dances where the cuer has asked repeatedly to keep the noise level down so that the rounds dancers can hear. Dancers need to hear what the caller or cuer is saying, so please keep it down. When either one is trying to call or cue to the floor, don't be talking in the square so as the other people cannot hear the call or cue. Some of our people have hearing problems; thus making it difficult to hear what is being said.
6. Proper Hygiene--When you know that you are going to a dance, please be clean. Take a shower or bath before attending the dance. Anyone can wash up and be clean. We don't all have a huge wardrobe of clothes, but we can at least be clean. Personal hygiene is a must.
7. Inappropriate Talk--When you are out on the dance floor, let's be watchful of what we say and do. Remember this, for every ACTION there's a REACTION. Please be mindful of what you say on the dance floor. You do not know who may hear you. If you can't talk without offending someone, then don't say anything.  Like what your parent's used to tell you as a child growing up, “if you can't say something nice about someone, then don't say anything at all.”

These are just a few pointers of etiquette that we all need to be aware of. Please put these few things into practice. We all want to enjoy this great activity of ours, so let's be courteous to one another and help each other. Everyone likes to joke around and to have a great time; some of us, more than others. I'm asking you to please be mindful of your personal appearance, manners, and above all, your actions.  Thank You.