The Record

June 2006 --- Volume L No. 6

By Bob Phelan

Hello everyone,

As they say this time of year, "June is busting out all over," Don't you think someone should tell her?

O.K, this isn't an ad or anything but.....

"Please sign up for the 4th of July demo and /or Parade." This is an opportunity to try and get the word out about our club, and find some potential new members. Don't make this a wasted opportunity if you can attend.

As you may know by now, Tracy put together a group of 8 CBers to "steal" the buckskin a few weeks ago. Some of us didn't even know what it was. We looked for every technicality, but in the end we had to

hand it over to the Concord Stompers this past week. As we handed it over we were adamant that it was only a temporary acquisition, we plan to get it back soon. Since it has to be taken by another club, The Martinez Swingers, unless 4 weeks have passed, we should get our group in order and re-acquire it the following week. Tracy will make some calls on our

behalf, and please sign up or let him know if you can make it, I believe Wednesday June 14th.

Terry had a boat trip this last month, while it sprinkled a bit, it was still really a nice trip, lots of great food. If you haven't been out with him you

should try it at least once. The funniest part of the trip was anchoring off shore. We had a little trouble getting the anchors to bite, and when the anchor on the bow was pulled up to reset, it must have had 30 lbs

of green sea weed on it. It looked like a big shrub. But we had a good time talking and having some wine.

Upcoming is the "4th of July demo and Parade" HINT, HINT, you know what I mean..

We will be having another fabulous ice cream social August 31st. Sue did such a great job on the last one and will be putting together another wonderful one in August.

We can look forward to our new dancers class also in September.

And, by the way did I mention there is a "4th of July demo and Parade" coming up in July.

Let's have a good time this summer, and you know a nice thing might be the "4th of July Demo/Parade" in July.

Well I'll close this out for now, see you at the "4th of July Demo/Parade."

Your subtle President --- Bob

By Martha & Bob Erwin

Dear Clutch Busters ---

Thank you for all your loving care and prayers and visits and cards during the past four-plus months. Hopefully we are beginning to see a come-home time in the near future.

Yellow Rocks to you all --- Martha & Bob Erwin

By Chris and Bob Kratz

Hello from the Great Northwest: We made it through our first Oregon winter. Lots of rain and on two occasions we had to postpone trips to our daughter's home and our Madeline because of snow in the costal range passes that separate us. But over all we are able to spend one overnighter a week at their place and they come here some weekends for a day or two. Madeline is just shy of 22 months but is speaking in 5 to 6 word sentences, can recite almost the entire Madeline song (chorus and first verse), knows her numbers and letters by sight and really melted Chris's heart a few days ago. We spent the night at the kids and in the morning Chris was sitting in the living with Madeline. Madeline was playing with Chris's braid/pony tail, touching her earrings and suddenly said "I love you grandma." Chris was on cloud nine all day.

Square dancing is different up here. We joined the closest club, the Coast Swingers, who dance in Garibaldi, a 30 minute drive north of us. They dance mainstream with round dancing between tips. Dance nights are the second and fourth Saturdays of the month and they are more like a hoedown than classes with refreshments, 50/50 pot, a theme and door prizes. Dues are only $20.00 a year but you pay a $4.00 entry fee every time you come to dance. There are only 26 members in the club and they have both a square dance caller and a cuer each dance night. They have several fund raisers during the year and only pay $20.00 a night to dance at the Garibaldi city hall. There is a plus club by Debbie and as soon as someone besides mommy can put ‘the little angel' to bed we will work out a schedule to get the kids back dancing and a little plus time for us.

Settling into Tillamook (population 4,000 people - 60,000 cows) is like stepping back in time. I really believe it is 1954 here. On a nice evening, children play in the streets. The movie theatre has one screen, seems to play only G and PG rated movies and there is an older lady who sits on a stool, behind a counter in a small glass enclosed booth in front of the theater selling tickets and scrutinizing children to see if they are really 12 or under. They have live theater here in a place called The Barn because, well, it is a barn. In June the play will be "Harvey" with a run of two weekends. Tickets can be obtained in advance at the shoe store on Pacific Ave. or at the door. Before the performance and during intermission you can purchase cookies for 50 cents (other baked goods depending on who had time to bake that day), coffee and soft drinks for $1.00, beer for $2.00 and wine or champagne for $3.00 and when you make a purchase they say "thank you." Except for Safeway, Fred Meyer's and a very few fast food establishments, businesses here are family owned or otherwise "small businesses." Clerks are knowledgeable (even in the chain stores!!!), seem to enjoy helping you and if they don't have what you need, they know who does.

We are starting to settle in. We are finally ALL moved in and are ready to entertain any CBers who pass this way. So if you are headed this far north (or want to head here specifically) let us know, the welcome mat is officially out. We are having a deck built on the back of the house, I just finished putting up my first dry rock retaining wall (no mortar or cement, just rocks) and have a few more walls to go. Our son-in-law will be helping me install electrical service on the deck and around the yard and there is a 75 foot long, 4 foot high retaining wall waiting for me to construct, so, yeah, I'm busy.

Chris and I love reading this wonderful news letter and keeping up on the comings and goings of you all. And it does tug at our hearts when we read of all the CB events we are missing. We know it has been a tough year health wise for many of you but we are hearing everyone seems on the mend. Know our thoughts and prayers are with you. Thanks for the e-mails, phone calls and correspondence.

Best to all.

Yellow Rocks --- Bob and Chris

By Tracy Woodard

On Wednesday, May 17th, the Clutch Busters claimed the Buckskin from the Delta Squares. The Evans, Phelans, Walkers and Woodards, dressed in club outfits, traveled to Oakley to dance with the Delta Squares. A full square of CBer's was formed at 7:00PM, the start of their workshop evening. Rumor was that another club might make an appearanceâ€&brkbar; so we had to hurry! â€&brkbar; assuring that CBers would be the first square of visitors claiming the Buckskin. As the evening progressed, Clutch Busters were the only club making a claim and were granted the Buckskin. Our president, Bob Phelan, accepted the Buckskin on behalf of the Clutch Busters.

The Woodard's accepted responsible for emblazing our club insignia on the Buckskin and seeing that the NCSDA had record of the Clutch Busters being in possession of it.

The Buckskin was displayed at the Golden State Round-up at the end of May, and than was to go on display at our Thursday night workshops. On June 1st, however, the Thursday night following Golden State, a group from the Concord Stompers came to dance with the Clutch Busters and claim the Buckskin.

Now rumor is -- that the Martinez Swingers are making plans to claim it from them soon. That means we can go claim it from the Martinez Swingers!

(If all goes as rumored -- we may be looking to form a square of CBers on Wednesday, June 14th, to claim the Buckskin from the Swingers. So keep that date open and your dance shoes at the ready!)

By Sue Sandow

I would like to thank everyone who helped at the Ice Cream Social; without your help cutting bananas, scooping ice cream, and dishing out toppings, it would never have happened.

Also thank you to everyone who brought all the yummy fixings. Everything was soooo good. A special thank you to Diana for bringing all the set-up equipment. I'm looking forward to our next Ice Cream Social in August.

Yellow Rocks --- Sue

By Bob Phelan

Guess the theme contest and clues:

Clue 1: Did you pass stones? - January

Clue 2: Rack em' up - February

Clue 3: 51, 53, 57 - March

Clue 4: That sure looks like an uncomfortable belt - April

Clue 5: Sometimes it's just torture - May

Clue 6: You can only move them one space at a time. - June

If your ready for a guess, contact - Dorothy Evans , Elizabeth Phelan or Bob Phelan.

There has been 5 correct guesses as of the May Newsletter.

By Joe Gerhards

The committee continues making progress on the planning for our 50th ANNIVERSARY PARTY. WILL YOU BE READY??

Previously I sent to you a list of Past Callers Past Presidents Past Members, I wish to thank those who sent me additions and corrections. We are still in need of:

-missing names and addresses for Past Callers

-missing names and addresses for Past Presidents

-selective member names where some data is missing

-photos of members club entry or beginner class graduations

-photos of former club apparel outfits.

PHOTOS WILL BE RETURNED IN SPITE OF MY PREVIOUS MESSAGE. John Evans will return photos after they are computer scanned for party usage. For members: please find your photos and turn them in to a committee member. For any one who can fill in missing data please forward it to me or another committee member VERY SOON.

Below are lists of Past Presidents and selected members where full information is unknown. Please respond VERY SOON while you are thinking of it.

Thanks, Joe Gerhards

Pardee¹s young couple friends - John and ??? (she was a school psych)

- ??? and Pam (they moved to above Folsom).

By Tracy Woodard

A general meeting was held on May 21st, below is a summary of the highlights:

- The treasurer reported that the Golden Doors and the Anniversary Dance yielded a surplus. The Round-Up 2005, also yielded a $9000.00 surplus (because of reduced cost of the facilities rental). In 2006, the Round-Up may also yield a surplus.

- State Council raised the insurance rates, about a dollar a year per member. This expense is not being passed on to the clubs by NCSDA. It is hoped that the increase can be offset by active participation in NCSDA events.

- Field seating at the August 13th, A's Day at the Ballpark is still available for both dancers and non-dancers. Cost is $26.00 per person, and includes hot dog and soda. Contact Bill Price for information.

- Newly Elected NCSDA Officers are:

Bill and Joanne Price --- President

Dolores Ferrero and John Flora --- Vice-President

Richard and Ruann Dizmang --- Treasurer

Sue Kabage and Dennis Grohnke --- Secretary

By Tracy Woodard

Our newly elected District II Director is Stephen Bath and the Assistant Director is Scott Erwin. Their e-mail and contact information is available on the NCSDA website.

By Avis Walker

May was lovely month and we started our bowling month out on the 2nd with our NO TAP TUESDAY. Turkeys were prolific the first game with Avis Walker, John Walker, Don Snodgrass and Wally Everette each bagging one. High game score went to Avis with a 200 followed closely by Wally Everette with a 182. In the second game there were more strikes when Avis rolled 5 in a row and Don Snodgrass rolled 6 in a row. Don had the lead until the last frame and rolled a fantastic 216 but Avis managed to knock over 1 pin more. John Walker rolled a turkey for a 206 as did Allen for a 201. In the last game strikes were hard to come by but Avis rolled a turkey for a 184 only to be bested by Allen Wesdorf with a 198. High series of the day went to Avis for a 601 and the 3 ladies on our lanes beat the gentlemen by 24 pins total. We all went on to I-Hop where we were joined by the non-bowlers for lunch.

On May 9th, John and I were absent as we were at South Lake Tahoe visiting with Milan and Mary Gregovich. Yes, Mary is that lucky but unfortunately it didn't rub off on me. Don Snodgrass was nice enough to write up the bowling activity for that day:

Here are the scores from this Tuesday's bowling. As you can see, we only had 12 bowlers, including Yvonne, Hank, etc. As instructed, we went to JJ North's for lunch. By the time we got there, Don and Lois, Ken and Peggy and Wally Everette were waiting for us. We were joined by Don Orton and Ruth, so they we had 9 eaters.

The awards for the previous weeks "No Tap" were announced before we started practice. Some lady named Avis got a first place ladies award. Some lady named Wynell picked it up for her. We all thought it was real nice that she used it to buy dessert for everyone. Bowling wise, there were no Eagles or Turkeys. There were a few doubles strikes, but most of the time the first ball in the third frame did not get all the pins. Although there were a few splits, no one picked up a spectacular split.

Here are the scores:

Thank you Don for the info; and thank you Wynell for picking up my $8.00 win. I also thank you for still having it the next week seeing as how dessert is free at J.J. North's. I was no dummy when Lois and I set it up before I left.

May 16th found Avis and John and Mary and Milan returned from Tahoe and Janet and Tom Lococo coming over the hill to bowl with us. Our friend Paul Frey was back from Maryland and we had 19 bowlers on the lanes. Good scores were hard to come by that day. Bob Erwin took high game of the day in the second game with a 169. Avis took first game with a 165 and Pat Pardee took the third with a 160. Wynell Snodgrass had a great day with a 142, a 113, and a 123. Liz Phelan hit her 100 target 2 out of 3 games and the three ladies on our alley Avis, Wally and Wynell beat the gents John, Paul and Don S. by 92 pins total.

May 23rd we had ex-CBer Ralph Brys joining our bowling group. John Walker took the first game with a 160 while Rachel Irelan shadowed him with a 159, Don Lollich with a lovely 157 and Allen Wesdorf and Pat Pardee tied at 153. Allen Wesdorf took high game the 2nd with no one even close to his 161. John Walker took the third game and also high game of the day with a 175 and high series of 475.

We all went on to Carrow's for lunch where we were 18 strong and the Wygal's bid us farewell for a while. They are off on a trip and Ken says he will be back with us bowling when they return. As of this writing we haven't finished the month with May 30th it will be interesting to see how many we have right after a holiday weekend. I'll let you know next month.

By Lisa Woodard

Please note there will be no July publication of the newsletter. (As the club will not be holding a Board Meeting or Monthly Club Meeting in July.)

The Record will resume with an August issue. At that time you can join me in welcoming back-- Tom Sandow as publisher. Tom's health has improved and he is now ready to again take up the reins as publishing mogul and resume the publishing duties of the Record. Items for submission to the August issue of the Record should be sent to Tom at:

A big thanks to all of you for your patience and support during my term as interim publisher. My gratitude to those who contributed items for the publication. My apologizes for any gaffes that may have offended. My gratefulness to my husband, Tracy, for compiling all the e-mail submissions and for proofreading each issue. My appreciation to Tom, for his help in getting me on track and for his enthusiasm in resuming his role as publisher.

Thanks.

By Jack Strickler

Here is the soda sign-up list from June 1 thru Aug 10th, 2006:

June 1 Phelan

June 8 O'Toole

June 15 Sandow

June 22 Gerhard / Young

June 29 Beutel

July 6 Giolitti

July 13 Evans

July 20 Birsa

July 27 Walker

Aug 3 Turgeon

Duties include picking up the sodas and soda ice chest along with the empty can pail and the garbage pail on the date you signed up for and then returning them (with ice and remaining sodas in the chest) the following week.

[Special Note - Jack will be on vacation 7/20 & 7/27.]

Thanks to everyone for signing up!

By Avis Walker

Here is the coffee sign-up list for the summer months:

June 8 O'Toole

June 15 Turgeon

June 22 Lollich

June 29 Sandow

July 6 Giolitti

July 13 Evans

July 20 Beutel

July 27 Bennett

Aug 3 Sandow

Thank you all for volunteering.

By Lois Lollich

September 1956 three squares of dancers started lessons with Elmer Radcliffe as caller and his wife Blanche. The dancers formed the club. The name Clutch Busters evolved from a call they had been learning. The first general business meeting of this new club was January 1957.

President was Gordon Saunders who helped write the constitution and by-laws.

Some milestones in the club where:

-January 1957 the club held its first beginners class.

-September 1957, the Clutch Busters joined the Northern California

Square Dance Association.

-The first club outfit was selected in 1958. (The club votes every 5-6 years, or when everyone is tired of the previous outfit.)

Upcoming Events

JUNE

June 10 -

Concord High School, Concord, CA

(8-11PM) (Ghostriders / Caller: Gary Kendall)

San Antonio, Texas (

Pleasant Hill Park: 9:30 AM (Parade),

12:30 PM (Demo), Contact: Bob Phelan

Newark Pavilion, Newark, CA

(Rounds @ 8PM) (Plus @ 8:30PM) (A-1 Tip)

Walters Jr. High School, Fremont, CA

(Caller: Vic Cedar)

Giolitti's home @ 7:30 PM

Renaissance Ilikai Waikiki Hotel, Honolulu, HI

(for info:

(1:00 PM Game) (Contact: Bill Price)

(Reserve Seating by July 14th)

(watch for further details)

Ted Turgeon's home @ 7:30 PM

The Leonard's Boat

(contact Lynn and Terry Leonard)

Mt. Diablo Women's Club, Concord, CA

(beginning session) (7:30-8:45 PM)

Holiday Inn, Concord, CA

at the Gerhard / Young's home

(watch for further details)