The Record

May 2006

Volume:  L     No.5

 

President's Message

By Bob Phelan

We're about half way through the year now and we've had and some good and some sad times this year. Some of our valued Square Dancing Friends passed on this year. We will really miss them. The Concord Stompers and Ghost Riders band lead guitarist, Dan Bright will be missed by us all. Also our wonderful friend Maggie Arcaya from the Diablo's / Mountain Wheelers, who was great friend to our club will also be missed dearly. It's going to be a tough year for all of us, we should be aware of those in the clubs effected directly and show our support for them when we can. It's a sad time but we know they have gone on to a better place. Let's keep these families and clubs in our prays.

 

Looks like Erna is back and recovered from her accident. It was nice to see her out on the Car Rally with us. I have heard the Tom's surgery went well, and we will be patiently awaiting Sue and Tom's return. We miss you guys.

 

We also got word that Martha is doing better, and a result Bob also is looking much better, don't forgot how hard that can be on a spouse. Please be keeping them all in your prayers, we PLAN to see them soon.

 

We had our Car Rally last week, hosted by Don and Lois, and as usual it was a great success. They had us all guessing where the restaurant was and I think most of us were surprised. And poor Frank, got all the way to the Concord exit and then got lost a few blocks away. Be sure to thank Don and Lois when you see them, they put in a lot of hard work and drive the course several times before the event to make sure the directions correct. We had a little help from some of the rallyers, if that's a word, as competitive as it can get it's nice to know we are there for each other.

 

The 4th of July Demo will be coming up also in Pleasant Hill, so please sign up if you can attend the DEMO. 10:30 in the Pleasant Hill Park.

 

See you soon,

Bob

By Tom Sandow

Many thanks to all of you for your kind thoughts and prayers and your thoughtful cards, phone calls and visits. The friendship and concern you have expressed has meant a great deal to Sue and me.

 

The surgery couldn't have gone better - no surprises and no transfusion required. After three days in the hospital I returned home to heal-up. Things continue to go well and we are hoping to be ready to dance at Golden State. I credit your good wishes and prayers for helping me along. Thank You.

By Allen C. Wesdorf

Another episode has been vividly recorded in my memory bank with a big asterisk for grand success. When surrounded by so many friends and family to celebrate a big number birthday like eighty it's a good feeling to realize I have been richly blessed to have achieved this level.

 

My thanks to both those who honored me by their presence and those that were unable to attend and sent their best wishes. It is an occasion of great meaning as one experiences this new age group designation and is now entitled to reap the rewards of yet another higher level of senior status.

 

Having little concern during my youth and maturing years for what life at eighty would be like, I can now agree with what others before me have offered, that it's been a great life up to now and though changes will occur that make it look different, to continue to have positive expectations for the future.

 

Love,

Allen

Allen C. Wesdorf

Former Clutch Buster

 

By Tracy Woodard

Our District II meeting occurred on Sunday, May 7 from 1:00 to 2:30. Key issues were:

 

1) NCSDA Round-up - the last chance to get hotel rooms for $69 is May 11, 2006. After that, the rate climbs to $139. So book your rooms now, through the web site www.NCSDA.com <http://www.NCSDA.org/> under the heading 53rd Golden State Round-Up

 

2) El Sobrante Stroll will be held on Sunday, September 17 in El Sobrante. They are looking for volunteers to commit to square dancing on San Pablo Dam Road. There will be two opportunities to perform and they are looking for square dancers to commit to one or both events. Each event will take about 30 minutes. Details are still being finalized.

 

3) All clubs were asked to supply a Door Prize for the Golden State Roundup breakfast.

 

4) All forms are now available on-line at www.NCSDA.com <http://www.NCSDA.com/> under the section &quot;Public Documents & Forms&quot;

 

5) Dues/ Visitor fees. Some of our District II clubs shared that they are charging dues of $15/month and visitor fees of $5 per visit.

 

6) New Dancer Classes: The Delta Squares will start a New Dancer Class September 6, 2006. The Martinez Swingers are working with Martinez Adult Education to sponsor a continuous open enrollment New Dancer Class, most probably on Sunday nights. Called ABC, with a charge of $25, the class teaches 50 calls, compared with the 66 calls in Main Stream dancing, over the 6 to 8 week length of the class. It teaches up to 22 calls an evening with at least two levels of teaching each night.

 

 

By Avis Walker

 

Friday, April 28th found eight Clutch Busters off and running to the Delta Squares Spring Fling Hoedown. There had been quite a bit of discussion about HOW FAR it was to drive ALL THE WAY OVER THERE. But we decided seeing as how some of their members had managed to make it ALL THE WAY OVER HERE for our Red Light/Green Light we could at least return the favor. So off we sped; the first car out contained Lisa and Tracy Woodard and Diana and Carl Lorentzen. Not far behind were Avis and John Walker heading out to pick up John and Dorothy Evans. It is quite a drive over there but good company helps to make it shorter. We were especially glad we had gone when it became apparent that there were only 4 other paying guests present. They are a very friendly, hospitable group who offer wonderful food. They have a small class but it is an interesting group. It consists of a family made up of grandparents, parents, and their 7 year old daughter. The other 3 grandchildren are present also and the whole club helps to keep an eye on them while the parents dance. The 7 year old is a very capable Mainstream Dancer. We all had a great time. We danced most every dance and stayed until the last song. Mike Amell is a fun caller and we love to hear him yodel. They had enough door prizes that every guest got one and WE WON THE COFFEE!!

 

They have the Buckskin in their possession and after they hold it for 4 week it is available to the first club who takes a full square to their Wednesday night workshop to steal it. They said to let them know if we plan on coming for it and they will have refreshments for us. Any takers??? I think Tracy is going to have a signup sheet soon.

By Tracy Woodard

 

Since 1982, the Clutch Busters have not held the coveted NCSDA Golden Buckskin - but that is about to change. The Buckskin resides in the hands of Oakley's Delta Squares which meets on Wednesday nights. Our club is planning to steal it away from them by caravanning to Oakley and dancing just one tip. Of course this means that we will need to display the buckskin in our hall every week and be prepared for another NCSDA club, to visit us on a Thursday night and steal it from us.

What we need from our members is for volunteers to sign-up to come with the us (we need at least one full square) as we head out to Oakley to perform our nefarious deed. We had talked of going on the May 24th, but need to change that to May 17th. One of the "Rules of the Buckskin" is that it cannot be claimed between the General Meeting (May 21st) and the Golden State Round-Up at the end of May. Also, we need to brand the buckskin with our logo. Be on the lookout for the sign-up sheet at our next workshop, or e-mail Tracy at: ltwoody@pacbell.net mailto:ltwoody@pacbell.net

. 

The rules for the buckskin are fairly simple:

 

1) The first club with one square, to sign in and be present, will receive the buckskin no later than 9:30 pm.

 

2) The club coming to claim the buckskin must wear square dance clothing and their club badges.

 

3) The club that claims the buckskin should burn their club brand on it immediately. (When the buckskin is full, the club with their name on it the most times will keep it.)

 

4) The club surrendering the Buckskin can not re-claim it for four weeks.

 

5) There shall be no charge to club members who come to collect the Buckskin.

 

6) The Buckskin cannot be claimed during the days between the May NCSDA General meeting and the end of that year's Golden State Round-Up. (Hence, we have to steal it BEFORE the May 21st meeting.)

 

So join in the fun and sign up to join us as we head out to Oakley.

 

 

Car Rally XVII - April 30, 2006

By Lois and Don Lollich

Once again the weather gods smiled on us, and 13 cars with 51 Clutch Busters, former Clutch Busters, two callers and wives and seven friends started out on the 100-mile rally. The rally started in the Sun Valley Mall parking lot, through Pacheco, Benicia Bridge to Benicia, Vallejo, Napa, Silverado Trail, across to Oakville, Oakville Grade to Sonoma Valley, Glen Ellen, Fetters Hot Springs, Boyes Hot Springs, Carneros Highway to Highway 37, back to Vallejo, Benicia Bridge to Concord and Pasta Roma in the Willows Shopping Center.

 

Besides, the 117 route instructions there were 19 questions to answer. Lois says the questions are way too easy. Three cars got all 19, the Perry / Hermanson, Kendall / Swerer, and Phelan's took first place prizes. The Woodard's had 17 correct answers and took first prize for only two people in the car. Honorable mention goes to car number 1, with the Walker's and Lorenzen's who also had 17 correct answers.

 

We awarded the White Cane to Allen Wesdorf, who was the navigator for the car that only had 8 correct answers. We should have given the Dummkopf award Frank Birsa. He was the only one that we know of to open his panic envelope and only 7 instructions from the end.

 

We were asked if any one had run all 17 rallies. According to our records, the Giolitti's and the Hermanson's have participated in all of the past rallies. We think that Bob and Martha Erwin have only missed this year's rally.

 

Hope everyone had a good time.

Don and Lois

Rally Masters

 

 

By Avis Walker

Our Bowling/Lunch Bunch started out our April bowling on April 4th. It was our first Tuesday of the month NO TAP Tuesday. On the printout of the previous week John Walker and Bob Erwin's names were on the top of the list tied at 196 for men's high game of the week. Bob Erwin's name was still third highest men's scratch game for the season with a 215 and Avis Walker's was still high women's with a 213. This is quite a feather in our caps as there have only been 17 over 200 games bowled in 22 weeks of bowling. Some of these bowlers are carrying a 150 -170 weekly averages and Bob's and mine are only 131 and 139. These scores were straight bowling without the NO TAP bonus strikes.

 

This NO TAP day found Milan Gregovich in fine form as he took the first game with a turkey and a 192 score. Avis Walker ended her game with 5 in a row for a 175. Don Snodgrass and Don Lollich rolled double strikes for a 153 and 151. In the second game Avis took high score with a 185 followed by Don Lollich with a 164 and Wynell Snodgrass turkeyed out for a 142. In the third game Milan came back with a winning 183 and the high series of the day of 523. Don Lollich had second high score with a 160. Wynell turkeyed out again for a 152. On our lane with John W., Don S. and Milan Gregovich bowling against Avis W. and Wynell S. we eliminated Milan's scores because he was bowling too well and the guys won't give us half of his score so Avis and Wynell ended up beating John and Don for the day by 110 pins. Way to go partner!!! We went to Carrow's for lunch being joined there by Lois Lollich and Peg and Ken Wygal. By the way, Ken's wound is healing well and he has been cleared to go ahead with vacation plans.

 

We got the NO TAP results on April 11th and Milan Gregovich had won men's 2nd place for $6.00 and Don Lollich won 3rd place for $5.00. Congratulations guys!!

 

That Tues we were joined by the Snodgrass family's children and grandchildren who had come visiting for Easter. Their son Keith and his daughters Bea and Sonia and their daughter Pam Humphrey joined Don and Wynell and bowled on an adjacent lane. Just to have something different to do I had made up tiny Easter baskets to be awarded for the most strikes, spares picked up, and gutter balls accomplished. Sonia Snodgrass quickly realized that she didn't have a chance to win the gutter ball basket with the gutter guards up so she requested they be taken down and then promptly rolled a strike. The kids (of all ages) had a great time running up to add their names to the growing lists for the prizes. Would you believe that last years GG, Liz Phelan, took the prize for strikes by rolling 11 bonafide, dead on, strikes in three games? What people will do for a little candy!!

 

Don Orton walked away with the prize for spare pickups ousting Allen Wesdorf by one; 13 to 12. The Snodgrass' granddaughters tied for the gutter balls contest. Boy were they tired after bowling three games and all the running back and forth. During all of this fun and games we had Keith Snodgrass with the high score first game with a 186, Pat Pardee second game with a 179 and Liz Phelan, with her first ever turkey, won third game with a whopping 193. No more GG title for you Liz!! Twenty of us ended up at J.J. North's for lunch.

 

On the recap sheet on April 18th Liz found her name as 2nd high women's game of the week for her 193 scratch score. Congratulations Liz!!

 

That Tuesday we had some more of the Snodgrass family join us when grandson Dan Humphrey joined us to bowl with the Walker's granddaughter, Kaila, on an adjacent lane. They both did quite well with Dan rolling a 106, 123 and 114 while Kaila rolled a 74, 76 and 112. It was the first time she has bowled 3 games without gutter guards and was quite proud.

 

On the adult league lanes Allen Wesdorf rolled 4 strikes in a row for a 165 only to be beaten out of the win by John Walker with a 171. John also had the high game score for the second game with a 179 and no real competition. Avis Walker rolled high score third game with high game of the day of 190 and John took high series with a 517. We all went to Fresh Choice for lunch where we were joined by the Snodgrass' daughter Pam Humphrey and Lois Lollich and Peg and Ken Wygal.

 

April 25th was old home week. Bob and Terry Healy were visiting from Camas, Washington to attend the doctor's appointment which would tell them if they were going to have a grandson or grand daughter and were able to join us at the bowling alley for a while and then on to lunch. Pat and Bill Scott came over the hill to join us for bowling. Alyce and Walt Jones dropped by to say "Hi" and stayed to join us for lunch and Betty and Ralph Bry came with Peg and Ken Wygal to lunch. We also had the Walker's friend Paul Frey out from Maryland and Ruth Malnick's son, Steven, who joined us in bowling and lunch. We had quite a crowd!!

 

Avis Walker took high score for the first game edging Allen Wesdorf out by 4 pins with a 179 to175. Wynell Snodgrass had a very nice game when she rolled a 137 on her now 108 average. No more GG for her either!! Avis Walker also took the second game with a 157 beating John out by 3 pins. Allen Wesdorf rolled high score for the third game with a 186 beating out Don Snodgrass and Bob Erwin who rolled a 184 and 181. Allen's 186 was high game of the day and he also earned high series of the day with a 487. It may have helped that we had sang a rousing "Happy 80th Birthday to You" over a flaming, candle topped, doughnut. We had 22 people at lunch at CoCo's that day and had a wonderful, noisy, time.

 

If you have some spare time come join us some Tuesday. If it's your birthday week we will give you a doughnut hole with a candle, a song, and some laughter.

 

Oh Yes, The Healy's have been told to expect a granddaughter!!!

 

 

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

 

If your ready for a guess, contact -

Dorothy Evans , Elizabeth Phelan or Bob Phelan. Lets pick up the guessing pace this year! Spooky.... guessing.......

There will be a pumpkin carving contest this year.

There has been 3 correct guesses as of the April Newsletter

By Avis Walker

Here is the coffee sign-up list for the

months of May and June:

 

May  4 - Lollich

May 11 - Snodgrass

May 18 - Walker

May 25 - Bennett

 

June  1 - Lorentzen

June  8 - O'Toole

June 15 - Turgeon

June 22 - Lollich

June 29 - open

 

Thank you to everyone for your help.

By Jack Strickler

 

Here is the soda sign-up list from May 11th thru July 6th, 2006:

 

May 11 - Woodard

May 18 - Beutel

May 25 - Evans

 

June  1 - Phelan

June  8 - O'Toole

June 15 - open

June 22 - open

June 29 - open

 

July  6 - Giolitti

 

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.

 

Thanks to everyone for signing up!

Reno Hilton / Grand Sierra Resort, Reno, NV (All)

El Dorado Middle School, Concord, CA

(M) (8-10:30 PM) (Caller - Gary Kendall)

Contact: Lynn or Terry Leonard

San Ramon Marriott, San Ramon, CA (All)

(Reminder: Reserve rooms before the May 11th deadline, to receive NCSDA rate.)

San Antonio, Texas (www.55thnsdc.org http://www.55thnsdc.org/ )

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

10:30 AM (Demo), Contact: Bob Phelan

Walters Jr. High School, Fremont, CA

(Caller: Vic Cedar)

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

(Reserve Seating by July 14th)