BETWEEN TIPS

BETWEEN TIPS
"BETWEEN TIPS" is the official bulletin of the
SQUARE & ROUND DANCE FEDERATION OF NOVA SCOTIA
Bob Ruohoniemi, Editor, 6939 Hwy 1 Ardoise, RR 1 Ellershouse, NS B0N 1L0
phone (902) 757-3884 email: bobruoho@ns.sympatico.ca        www.squaredance.ns.ca
September 2008    --    NUMBER 146
(Back Issues)                       (Return to Home Index)

This issue has news from: YOUR Federation, FESTIVAL 2010, the National Society, and Nova Scotia clubs.

The Federation Board held two meetings since the last BT was published

News from the meeting of 10 May

All requests for Longevity Awards should be sent to Don Scott (dwscott@ns.sympatico.ca or 865-5780) and to Dottie Welch (dwelch@ap.stmarys.ca or 435-4544).
It was decided to hold a “Special” Federation dance to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the Square & Round Dance Federation of NS (SRDFNS). The Federation came into existence on 12 February, 1968. The plan is to invite all Leaders and Past Federation Presidents to join in the celebration. The dance will also be a fund-raiser for Festival 2010.
Dottie Welch produced 850 Summer brochures for distribution to all NS Tourist Bureaus, as well as to members.
The Federation Board still needs a Vice President, Publicity Officer, and Secretary.

News from the meeting of 21 August

The activities at the 50+EXPO that was held in Halifax in June. Despite the forest fires that were raging in their Lake Echo & Lawrencetown residential areas, both callers Dottie Welch and Bruce Savage managed to attend! It was great to have dancers from Cape Breton & the mainland donate their time to performing the demonstration dances. The Federation Co-ordinators, Carol Scott and Valerie Brown, were very appreciative of these contributions.
Final arrangements for the Federation Fortieth Anniversary Fall Frolic to be held Saturday, 27 Sep. 08:

The dance will be held at the Avon View High School, Windsor from 8:00 to 10:30pm.

Directions to the High School:

At Exit 5A, Hwy 101, turn to Windsor.
Proceed to the second road on the left - Payzant Drive - with the Hospital on the left.
Proceed to end of Payzant Dr. to arrive at Avon View HS.

Dancing will be offered at Basic, Mainstream, Plus levels, & and also at various Round Dance phases. Please plan to attend this special event to celebrate the founding of your Federation.

The Board members decided to make arrangements for FESTIVAL 2009, the next Nova Scotia Provincial Festival, as a fund-raiser for F2010:

F2009 will be held on 24 & 25 July, 2009 at the Old Orchard Inn, Exit 11, Hwy 101, Wolfville.
When making reservations, be sure to mention “Square Dance Festival 2009”.
Complete arrangements will soon be finalized. Meanwhile, inquiries should be directed to Bob Ruohoniemi (bobruoho@ns.sympatico.ca or 757-3884)

The Board reviewed the requirements for Club & Dancer membership in the Federation and the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society. Membership forms will be sent to every club with clear instructions that they be returned by 31 October. In order to provide Federation & Society services, clubs and dancers need to send in their memberships on time!
YOUR Federation needs to have new blood on the Board of Directors! In order to keep our activity alive in the province, dancers must be willing to help with planning the Federation activities. There will be elections at the Annual General Meeting (see below) to fill vacancies on the Board. That is when a Vice President, Secretary, & Publicity Officer need to be named. Readers are asked to consider volunteering or finding someone to take on these duties. If you have questions about the duties, please contact the current Vice Chairs Ralph & Barb MacDonald (ralph.macdonald@ns.sympatico.ca or 783-2731).

All SRDFNS members are welcome to attend the 2008 AGM at the Nappan Experimental Farm Pavilion on Sat., 4 Oct. 2008. Plan to arrive for registration at 1:30 pm; the meeting starts at 2:00 pm. Directions to the Pavilion are provided in the September 2008 Calendar of Events.

The F2010 Committee has been meeting regularly to progress plans for F2010.

There was a very good turnout of NS dancers at the 16th National Convention in London ON in July. Several hundred registrations for F2010 were taken in London and more are coming in by mail. The F2010 demonstration dance put on by the 3 squares of NS dancers was very well received with a standing ovation in London.

F2010 fund-raising within the province has been most successful, with monies received from the Valley summer dances, the METRO Association summer dances, and various club events. The F2010 Cookbook produced by the Bluenose RV Squares, has been well-received, with hundreds now sold. Anyone who wants to buy a copy or who would sell them, should contact Gary & Ruby Bent 864-7064.

Plans are well underway for more fund-raiser raffles and promotional dances. NS dancers are encouraged to register for F2010 as soon as possible. The price goes up next year, and the Committee needs to know what dance forms and levels you would like to enjoy. Registration forms are in place at all clubs.

In addition to registering, there is an urgent need to have NS volunteers step forward to assist with planning for F2010. There are all kinds of tasks that can be tailored to suit your skills and timetable! Please contact either Dottie Welch (dwelch@ap.stmarys.ca or 435-4544) or Bob Ruohoniemi (bobruoho@ns.sympatico.ca or 757-3884).

The (CSRDS) held their AGM in London ON on 18 July. Board members attended 2 additional meetings. The CSRDS Publicity Committee also held a meeting during the National Convention in London (see below).

Notes from the AGN

The Society membership has again declined by the annual average of 10%
Insurance Issues: The Society will be forwarding a letter to all provinces emphasizing that dancers must sign in at dances to confirm their attendance, to satisfy the Insurance Company's requirements. In addition, the Society has agreed to impose a late fee if memberships are not received by the Society in time to pay for the next year's Insurance Policy by 31 December. It is essential that NS Federations/Associations/Festivals/clubs/callers/cuers/dancers submit their NS Federation membership forms and monies by the NS due date of 31 October each year. The Liability Insurance provided through Society membership protects Society members from lawsuits resulting from damage to property and personal injury. If you are not a Society member you are at risk of personally paying for liability judgements. Many locations providing dance space now require proof of Liability Insurance coverage.
The CSRDS has awarded 3 Bursaries to Callers/Cuers attending Schools in 2008. Leaders planning to hold Caller/Cuer Schools are invited to apply for CSRDS Training Grants to help with School expenses. All Society application forms & criteria are shown on the webpage at www.squaredance.ca
Bob & Inge Ruohoniemi were elected as CSRDS NS Directors for 2008-2010.

The CSRDS Publicity Committee meeting was well attended and several interesting items arose.

It was noted that many Round Dance Cuers & Clubs are now using the title “Choreographed Ballroom Dancing" as a replacement for the title “Round Dancing”. This seems to be more easily understood and recognized by the public. The Society Board will consider whether this title should be adopted by the Society.
It was again confirmed that the 1-888-206-6696 toll-free number was a very effective and inexpensive publicity device that is well-used by both the public and dancers. As can be expected, there were many recent calls related to the National Convention in London. It has been requested that monitoring/answering of this number be transferred to the next National Convention Province, namely Nova Scotia! The job description and requirement will be publicized here to try to find someone to carry on this excellent effort.
The Society celebrated it's 30th Anniversary during the Convention by awarding a special certificate & long service award to those members who have attended all 16 National Conventions. These included Nova Scotia dancers Ron and Dot Connell (right, below), and Maxine and Les Cross (left).

EVENTS AT THE BERWICK BELLES'N BEAUS

On April 24th, 2008, many square dancers arrived at the Berwick Town Gym to help celebrate the 95th birthday of Esther Chute. The Berwick Belles'n Beaus Square Dance Club were honoured to sponsor this dance for the "matriarch" of square dancing. The hall was decorated with colourful streamers, a beautifully decorated birthday cake, punch was available as well as a laden table of food. A bouquet of flowers was presented to Esther as well as many birthday cards. Tom Collins, caller, did an excellent job of calling and everyone had a great time.

Belles'n Beaus Square Dance Club 45th Anniversary

There was a big celebration at the Berwick Town Gym on May 3rd, 2008, when the Berwick Belles'n Beaus Square Dance Club celebrated the 45th anniversary of their club, along with celebrating their annual Mayflower Dance. Invited guests, Berwick Town Mayor, John Prall and MLA Leo Glavine brought greetings and congratulations to the Berwick square dancers for this great achievement. Mayor John Prall presented a framed certificate of congratulations from the Town of Berwick to club President Tom Collins.

Certificates of Appreciation were presented to all the actual club members and to some couples who have not been dancing because of illness. The Presidents of the Nova Scotia Square and Round Dance Federation, Valerie & Ralph Brown, presented an Achievement Award to our club for our 45th anniversary. Also they presented an Achievement Certificate to Harris and Thelma Huntley for their 45 years of square dancing and one to Esther Chute for her 44 years of dancing. A certificate was also presented to the club from the Canadian Square & Round Dance Society. The Berwick Club presented a plaque to Harris and Thelma Huntley for their 45 years of dedication to their club, also one was presented to Esther Chute for her 44 years of dedication to her club.

Ron Lowe, Saint John, NB, did an excellent job of calling to the twelve squares of dancers. The hall was decorated with balloons and streamers. A display table of awards and certificates showed the club's many activities: benefit dances, demonstration dances at Grand View Manor, seniors groups, walking in the Gala Day parades, demonstration dances at the Berwick arena and most recently at the Fieldwood Heritage Society's annual banquet in Canning. Two photo albums of pictures taken over the years also showed the many times the club members have participated in special events. We have been busy over these 45 years. The evening closed with the Friendship song and everyone enjoyed the tables of food, punch and birthday cake.

Submitted by: Thelma Huntley, Berwick Belles'n Beaus Club Historian

NEWS FROM THE DICE HILL SQUARES

The Dice Hill Squares, who dance in the Ardoise Community Centre held their annual "Mulberry" dance on Thursday, 22 May, 2008. The hall was decorated with Mulberry blossoms as the trees were in full bloom in West Hants County!

The six and one half squares included dancers from 6 different NS clubs. All enjoyed the calling and cueing provided by club caller, Bruce Savage. A special treat was to have his two brothers, Mark and Wade Savage join in to provide a variety of calling styles for the dancers.

Following the energetic dancing, everyone enjoyed pies of various kinds along with scoops of ice cream! All attendees seemed well-satisfied with a friendly evening of square and round dancing to end the regular season with the Dice Hill Squares.

NEWS FROM THE APPLE VALLEY DANCERS

APPLE VALLEY DANCERS "FINAL DANCE"

The Apple Valley Dancers held their closing dance at the Aylesford Lions Hall where they were catered to a fine roast beef dinner. There were eight squares in attendance mostly all in club colours. Caller Nelson Labor, announced just before the last tip, that this would be the final dance for the Apple Valley Dancers Club. The club was started seventeen years ago by Nelson and Pat Labor and has been a very successful Plus club for all of this time. Nelson suggested that if some of the members were interested in running the club and hiring a caller, that they were welcome to use the name, badges and banner. Nelson plans to continue to call for his other club; West Kings Twirlers.

THE REBORN APPLE VALLEY DANCERS!

The Apple Valley Dancers Plus club begins a new season of fun and enjoyment, dancing every Tuesday night in the Melvern Square Community Centre, starting 07 Oct 2008 and running through to 19 May 09. Dance time is 8:00 to 10:00 PM. Calling will be provided by Nelson Labor, Terry Lewis, Barry Walker and Laurie Illsley. They will alternate every week to provide a varied and exciting program.

For more information please contact Kaye & Bob Amos (902) 765-3809 or Gord & Collette Way (902) 765-8887.
- Take the Marshall Road exit (just outside of Kingston)
- Turn left on Marshall Road (towards North Mountain) and go to the end
- Turn left on Brooklyn Street and go to end
- Turn left on Rte 221 (Stronach Mountain Road) and travel approximately 100 yds
- Turn right onto Bridge Street. The Community Centre will be second driveway on right(approximately 200 ft from corner).
NEWS FROM THE TOWN & COUNTRY SQUARE DANCERS

The Town & Country Square Dancers decided to celebrate Don Grant's 80th birthday in grand style by hosting a square dance at the Sydney Steel Workers & Pensioners Hall on Friday, 25 July, 2008. Don's long-time good friend – Caller “Yodeling Chuck Jordan” of Port Coquitlam, BC traveled across the country to wish him a Happy Birthday and call the dance! The eight squares in the hall had a great time with rounds, squares and progressive squares. Everyone particularly enjoyed Chuck's special yodeling tips. Lunch and birthday cake topped off a most successful evening. Above we see Don cutting the cake, while on the left is Chuck with Inge Ruohoniemi
Upcoming Major Dances & Conventions
Check the Calendar of Events
- 13 Sep. - Cumberland Twirlers 34th Blueberry Dance – Amherst, NS Regional HS. 447-2857 mclellan.gm@ns.sympatico.ca
- 27 Sep. - NS Federation 40th Anniversary Fall Frolic - Avon View HS, Windsor, NS. 757-3884 bobruoho@ns.sympatico.ca
- 18 Oct. - Lake City Swingers Swing Into Fall -North Woodside CC, Dartmouth, NS 435-4544
- 25 Oct. - LaHave River Ramblers 20th Anniversary Dance – Michelin Social Centre, Bridgewater, NS
- 25 Oct. - Metro Merry Makers/Ocean Waves Harvest Moon Dance – Bloomfield Ctr., Halifax, NS 443-2890
- 7/8 Nov. - 39th Maritime Square and Round Dance Convention – Charlottetown, PEI 584-3500
NOVA SCOTIA DANCERS AT THE LONDON FESTIVAL 2008 BANNER PARADE

METRO DANCERS AT THE 2008 HALIFAX NATAL DAY PARADE

Can you find Mayor Peter Kelly?

(Return to Home Index)