Mayflower Award Citation for Bob and Inge Ruohoniemi, July 2013

     The Mayflower Award is an award of excellence in recognition of 20 years or more of outstanding contribution in Nova Scotia to square and round dancing, and all other dance categories recognized by the Federation, at the local, regional, or provincial level.

     Bob and Inge Ruohoniemi began square dancing with the Scotia Dancers club in Bedford in 1992 after Bob’s retirement from the Air Force.  They had been introduced to the activity at two summer house parties where Bruce Savage was calling on the house driveway.  They enjoyed it so much that when neighbours invited them to come to the Scotia Dancers' Open House, they accepted.  It seemed to be a great exercise activity and also a pleasant social opportunity to meet new people.

     They quickly became involved with the various duties required to keep a club operating and became Vice Presidents of Scotia Dancers by May of 1995.  This two-year term was followed by two-years as Club Presidents ending in May 1999.  

     During this time they had become involved in both Metro Association and the Provincial Federation.  They were Chaircouple for the Central Region committee organizing the SRDFNS Festival which was held in July 1999 at Mount Saint Vincent University.  This was followed by a year as Chair and another year as Acting Chaircouple of Metro Association from September 1999 to 2001. 

     Meanwhile, in September of 1998 they began a two-year term as Vice Presidents of the Federation, which was followed beginning in September of 2000 by a three-year term as Presidents.  After a year as Past Presidents, in September 2004 they took on the jobs of Publicity Chaircouple and Newsletter Editor.  In March of 2005 a Square Dance Marketing Seminar was organized to focus our efforts and generate new ideas.  Bob continued to edit “Between Tips” until its final issue in November of 2009.  

     At the Montreal National in July of 2006, Bob and Inge became the Nova Scotia Directors on the Board of the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society.  While holding this job they also became Vice-Chairs Marketing on the Board of Directors for the Halifax National Convention held in July of 2010.  The latter position entailed overseeing all of the marketing aspects of the planning, and also acting as Chairman in the absence of the Chaircouple.  At the Halifax National in July of 2010, Bob was elected President of the Society, while Inge continued as Canadian Society Historian.

     As part of their promotional efforts they organized and coordinated the Dice Hill Square Dance Club, which danced in Ardoise to the calling of Bruce Savage from September 2003 to December 2012.   They say that this (along with their jobs with the Scotia Dancers) was the most rewarding of their numerous jobs because of the close personal relations with the members.  

     They continue to dance two to three times per week at the Mainstream and Plus levels and have joined the Lake City Swingers. They also enjoy Contra Dancing when possible.  Square dancing is a very important part of their life because of the many new relationships it has given them and the wonderful hours of fun on the dance floor.  

    They have been ambassadors for square dancing in both Nova Scotia and Canada by attending conventions in New England, Toronto, and six Canadian Nationals, as well as dancing in Maryland, USA and Germany.  Always striving to publicise our activity, they share information about dancing whenever there is an opportunity and hope to do so for many years to come.

     In January 2013, Bob and Inge Ruohoniemi were nominated for the Mayflower Award by members of the Federation Executive.  It is with great pleasure that we present them with the Square and Round Dance Federation of Nova Scotia Mayflower Award of Excellence.