The Record Volume L No. 8 Tom Sandow - Publisher September, 2006 President’s Message By Bob Phelan Ahhh… vacation. Why do you always need a vacation from a vacation? Is it cleaning the dirty clothes, putting away what you brought? Or maybe because you reallllllllly want to relax. I don’t know, in my case it’s probably because I’m lazy. Well, whatever it is, we’re back. It’s time to get ready for the big event; no, not praising the president, the 50th Anniversary party. Well the committee thought, “Yeah about the same number as last year”, boy were we wrong. We’re up to 77 last count. Maybe we should throw a block party instead; I’ve seen city signs with a smaller population. O.K. it’s in the middle of no where, but you know what I mean. Don’t you? Don’t forget the New Dancer’s classes begin this month. Let’s turn out to give the new dancers a reason to join. And we need them to join. Finances are not good. And a last note. Terry has a generous offer for the Sea Food Festival aboard his “yacht”, it’s not a boat. If you haven’t been on it, you have to give it a try. He will be docked but there is a great view of the races. See you all soon, Bob BIRTHDAYS Lisa Woodard 9/16 Tom Sandow 9/24 Erna Beutel 10/3 Sue Sandow 10/7 ANNIVERSARIES Lollich 9/30/1951 Note: Birthday and Anniversary listings run from newsletter date to newsletter date not 1st of month to 1st of month. History of the Clutch Buster Square Dance Club --- 50 Years of Notes By Lois Lollich (In last month’s Record, Lois told us about the many camp outings the club had over the years. One trip resulted in a very unusual club project). During the campouts at The Lake of the Springs Thousand Trails Preserve a Saturday afternoon golf tournament was held on the campground’s 18-hole miniature golf course. The golf course was on a side hill; wooden platforms covered with carpet were the “greens” and the “holes”. At the Lake of the Springs campout in the Fall of 1987 the Clutch Busters invited two members of the managerial staff to our Sunday morning Champagne Brunch. Rose Bree chided the managers about the condition of their miniature golf course. A discussion followed which led to President Roger Perry negotiating a contract with the Thousand Trail manager that was approved by the corporate office. The Clutch Busters furnished the plywood, nails, primer and paint. Jack Giolitti furnished the material for the railings and the paint suits. Those CB couples who participated in the campouts donated $30 per couple; providing funds for the materials with help from two generous donors. Thousand Trails provided the glue and the carpet for the project. On the work weekends TT campsites were free to the workers. The first weekend TT charged $5.00 for trailers. Roger said that when the TT staff saw how hard the CBers were working TT gave the trailers free the next two work weekends. Work started on the Presidents’ three-day weekend in February 1988. Work groups of club members spent two more three-day weekends on the project in March (maybe into April). They did a real professional job that surprised AND pleased the Thousand Trails staff. As contracted the Clutch Busters received free campsites and trailers at a reduced fee for two campouts a year (Spring and Fall) for five years. Of course, being a group of Clutch Busters, besides the hard work there were Happy Hours, Pot Lucks and Dinners out. While working on the project Agnes Stauffer lost her footing on the rocky hillside and broke her ankle. On a lighter note, for the finale to celebrate finishing the job, Roger Perry was thrown in the lake. Clutch Buster Picnic By Lisa Woodard Time is drawing near --- and the ants are gathering in “ant”icipation of the annual CB Picnic. It will be held on September 24, from 11am to 5 pm, at the home of Alfreda Young and Joe Gerhards in Concord. The club will be providing grilled Chicken and Tri-tip, and soft drinks. Sign-up sheets are now circulating for your grilling selection (Chicken or Tri-tip) and a potluck dish to bring, so look for them at the Thursday night workshop. Things you should plan to bring to the picnic are: a place setting a potluck dish a folding chair your own beer or wine a favorite card or board game We should have mounds of fun! Lots of nibbles and bites to enjoy! So don’t be “ant”isocial --- sign-up today! Don’t forget! The Clutch Buster’s 50th Anniversary Party is this Saturday, Sept. 16th at the Holiday Inn in Concord. Beginner Class Update By Tom Sandow This Thursday, Sept. 14th marks the start of our new Beginner class. In hopes of a good turnout of new dancers we are asking that those club members who are able please park in the back of the Woman’s club so that guests may have ample parking in the front of the building. We will have the cables down on both sides of the building to ease parking in the back. Also, if you are going to be an ‘angel’ please dress in square dance attire. NCSDA Report - August 20, 2006 Meeting By Tracy Woodard By-Laws Board is recommending a change in the by-law - Article 4, Section 1, Paragraph A, to amend the location of the NCSDA quarterly membership meetings. Currently, the meetings are held at the Contra Costa Water District (chiefly because the location is somewhat central and there is no usage fee). It was proposed that the location rotate to San Francisco/ San Mateo, Contra Costa, Alameda, and Marin venues to encourage participation of the membership throughout those regions. There could be a cost associated with the change, if rooms need to be rented. A vote was taken and failed. The membership proposed a trial change for one year and took a second vote that passed, authorizing the board for a one year trial, starting with the November meeting. After the one year trial it will be assessed whether membership participation increased with the change in meeting venues. Insurance Peggy Rose (and her mother) are still handling the insurance program for the clubs. Packets for the “2007 Insurance Year” were provided to club delegates, and it was requested that clubs complete the Contact Information Sheet return them in the mail by October 1, 2006. The packets include: a Club Insurance Contact Information Sheet, an Insurance Program Booklet and a packet of Blank Insurance forms (pertaining to facilities usage, club and class enrollment, event /group travel and accident reporting). Additionally, a reminder was issued that the chain of processing goes from NCSDA, to the California Council, to the USDA, to the Insuring Company --- and back. So if you are submitting forms for Certificates of Insurance, this process can take up to 8 weeks. Please plan ahead, allow enough time for processing to occur. Also, please remember to submit insurance revisions for any new members that may have joined the club since the January 1, 2006 insurance submissions and send new dancer class rosters for any fall classes. The fee for those joining after July 1, 2006, are charged only $5.00 per person, rather than the $10.00 per person for the full year, and there is no charge for new dancers enrolled in class, but they need to be recorded to cover them under the insurance program. Web Master Go to www.NCSDA.com to review the new, improved calendar. It is more user friendly and provides links to club information about events. Activities and Promotions The A’s game event in August was a success. At the February 2007 meeting flyers will be available for next year’s A’s event. Historian Asked that clubs send any news articles or pictures of club activities to Annmarie Corral, for inclusion in the NCSDA historic records. Sunshine Dennis Grohnke, the current NCSDA Secretary, recently had a heart attack and surgery to insert four shunts. He is doing well, and hopes to be returning to square dancing activities soon. Youth Liason An Ice Skating event is being planned. A $500.00 college scholarship is available to youth dancer’s who qualify. Information about the scholarship program can be found at the California Council web site. The Disneyland youth / family event went well. This event will be moved each year, around the state. Next year it may be Great America or Marine World in Vallejo. Stampedes The recent event in Fremont with Vic Cedar, had 22 squares. (11.2 squares were from the Santa Clara Valley Association who came to support the NCSDA.) Proceeds were $1151.00, Expenses were $850.00 and Surplus was $301.00. On September 30, the SCVSDA will be sponsoring a hoedown (see flyer ) in San Jose, it was suggested that the membership from the NCSDA reciprocate support by attending. The next NCSDA Stampede will be held in June 2007. Hoedown Calendars E-mail Bill Price with hoedown dates for the calendar, flyers submitted electronically will be linked to the hoedown date. Round-Up 2006 - A total of 606 ribbons were sold to the event (130 Early-bird, 213 Prior and the remainder at the door). NCSDA made a surplus (profit) of $1394.86. 2007 - Reservations for 142 Early-bird ribbons have been received for the 2007 Round-Up. The theme is “The Joker’s Wild” and three callers have been booked, and a fourth is being sought. The Marriott is contracted for the event. There will not be a “Brunch“, but instead there will be an “After Party” with a casino night and Vegas-style lounge acts. “Golden Bucks”, which will be the currency used at the casino night games, will be provided at registration when purchasing ribbons and for an additional charge. Door prizes, previously used at the Brunch, will be needed for the After Party. 2008 - Theme will be- “A Tribute to the Manned Space Programs” and callers are being arranged. State Council Last meeting was August 11th. At the recent 2006 State Convention, the NCSDA was awarded a brass belt buckle for having the largest increase in membership registered for the convention between the February Council meeting and the close of pre-registration. Tickets for the 2007 convention are available, as are tickets for the Grand Prize Drawing. The NCSDA club that sells the most Grand Prize Drawing Tickets for the 2007 State Convention in Riverside, will be awarded the belt buckle. Buckskin The buckskin is located with the Adobe Squares in Petaluma, who dance at the Women’s Club - 581 B Street, on Wednesday evenings. New Business Caller’s Ballot Delegates were provided with Caller’s Ballots for the selection of the NCSDA’s Top Ten Callers that are honored at the Anniversary Dance in January 2007. Ballots are to be completed, compiled and the red summary sheet returned by October 1, 2006. The after dance dinner will be provided by the same caterer as this past year‘s anniversary dance. Dress Code Some members are concerned by the casual dress attire that is appearing at events. NCSDA board stated that clubs need to decide their own dress code, and that at NCSDA dances - “dance dress” is recommended. Of course with the summer months the dress code is more relaxed, due to the heat. Newer dancers are also given some allowances. In general, we should be encouraging “dance dress” for dances and special events. Upcoming - Calendar of Events (Items that are not on the Records Calendar below) September 15-16-17, 2006 - Square Affair - Advanced, Rounds, Plus, Mainstream for New Dancer, Veteran’s Memorial Cultural Center, Santa Maria, CA September 22-23-24, 2006, - Cow Counties Association, Annual Fall Festival, Mainstream, Plus, Advanced, Contra, Country/Western, Rounds, Victorville, CA September 23, 2006 - Stanford Quads Challenging Plus Hoedown, Rounds - 7:30 PM, APD Plus / Dbl Rounds - 8:00 PM, Star Tips 10:30 PM, St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, Palo Alto, CA October 21, 2006 - Swinging 21er’s - Benefit Hoedown, for Crippled Children, Rounds - 7:30 PM, Plus- 8:00 PM, A-1 Star Tip - 10:45 PM, Fremont Elk’s Lodge, Fremont, CA October 27, 2006 - Farmers & Farmerette’s - Anniversary Hoedown “Hawaiian Style” Rounds - 8:00 PM, Newark Pavilion, Newark, CA October 27-28-29, 2006 - ASDSC - 47th Annual Harvest Hoedown, New Dancer, Mainstream, Plus, Advance, Youth, Handicapable, Rounds, Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds, Yuba City, CA November 2, 2006 - Magic Squares of San Diego - Fiesta Trail in Dance, Plus, Advance Star Tips / 7:00 - 9:45 PM, Recital Hall, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA November 3,4,5, 2006 - Fiesta 2006 / 56th Fiesta de la Cuadrilla, Plus, A-1, A-2, Intro to C-1, Rounds program, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA November 25, 2006 - South Coast Association of Dancers, 57th Anniversary Dance and First Annual Turkey Trot Marathon, Rounds - 7:00 PM, Plus - 8:00 PM, Cedarbrook Dance Center, Garden Grove, CA January 19, 20, 21, 2007 - 27th Annual Winter Festival, Plus, Advanced, C-1, Rounds Salinas Valley Fairgrounds, King City, CA February 16, 17, 18, 2007 - Kross Roads Squar-Rama, sponsored by VASD, Plus, A-1, A-2, Rounds, Tulare Fairgrounds, Tulare California April 13, 14, 15, 2007 - Promenade Down Memory Lane / 48th CA Square Dance Convention, MS, Plus, Advd, Challenge, Youth, Handicapable, Rnds, Clogging Contra, Country Western, Line, Raincross Square Convention Center, Riverside, CA June 27, 28, 29, 30, 2007 - 56th National Square Dance Convention “Return to Heaven in ‘07”, All levels, Convention Center, Charlotte, NC June 24, 25, 26, 27, 2009 - 58th National Square Dance Convention, All levels, Long Beach Convention Center, Long Beach, CA April 9, 10, 11, 2010 - Fifty and Fabulous in Fresno, 50th CA State Square Dance Convention, All levels, Fresno, Fairgrounds, Fresno, CA Thank You By Sue Sandow Thank you to everyone who scooped, sliced, contributed or consumed at the Ice Cream Social. It was a lot of fun and sooooo yummy! Yellow Rocks From your Official Halloween Headquarters 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 Clue 7: Where’s the utensils? - July Clue 8: Let the games begin - August Clue 9: Shurly, you Joust. - September If you’re ready for a guess, contact - Dorothy Evans, Elizabeth Phelan or Bob Phelan. Lets pick up the guessing pace this year! Spooky.... guessing....... There have been 5 correct guesses as of the July Newsletter. Correct Guessers: John and Avis Walker, Kathy O’Toole, Tracy and Lisa Woodard. There will be a pumpkin-carving contest this year. Coffee By Sue Sandow Here is the coffee sign-up list for the Sept. 14th thru Sept. 28th: Sep. 14 Sandow Sep. 21 Bennett Sep. 28 Kennedy Oct. 5 Woodard Oct. 19 Sandow Oct. 26 Snodgrass Nov. 2 Pedersen Nov. 9 OPEN Nov. 16 Sandow Nov. 23 Dark - Thanksgiving Nov. 30 Birsa Dec. 7 Leonard Dec. 14 Sandow Dec. 21 Dark - Christmas Dec. 28 Dark - New Years Thank you to everyone for your help. Sodas By Jack Strickler Here is the soda sign-up list from Sept. 14th thru Dec. 28th, 2006: Sep. 14 Phelan Sep. 21 Lollich Sep. 28 Sandow Oct. 5 Evans Oct. 12 OPEN Oct. 19 Sandow Oct. 26 Snodgrass Nov. 2 OPEN Nov. 9 Sandow Nov. 16 Phelan Nov. 23 Dark - Thanksgiving Nov. 30 Kennedy Dec. 7 Leonard Dec. 14 Christmas Party Dec. 21 Dark - Christmas Dec. 28 Dark - New Years 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! Upcoming Events SEPTEMBER Sept. 9 - Concord Stompers Hoedown Concord High School Sept 10 - Dock Party The Leonard’s Boat - Pittsburg Marina (contact Lynn and Terry Leonard) Sept 14 - Clutch Busters’ New Dancer Class Mt. Diablo Women’s Club, Concord 7:30-8:45 PM Sept 16 - Clutch Busters’ Anniversary Party Holiday Inn, Concord, CA Sept 24 - Clutch Busters’ Picnic at the Gerhard / Young’s home (watch for further details) Sept. 30 - SCVSDA Caller Appreciation Dance, 7:30-10:45pm, John Muir Middle School, 1260 Branham Lane, San Jose October Oct. 4 - Clutch Busters’ Board Meeting Oct. 5 - Clutch Busters’ General Meeting Oct. 7 - Clutch Busters’ Anniversary Hoedown - Concord United Methodist Church Oct. 13-15 - SCVSDA Jubilee, Santa Clara Fairgrounds Oct. 21 - Martinez Swingers 43rd Anniversary Hoedown, 7:30-11:00pm, Martinez Adult Education School Oct. 26 - Clutch Busters’ Halloween Party Oct. 28 - Keeway Swingers, 8-11pm, Walters Jr. High School, 39600 Logan Dr., Fremont November Nov. 1 - Clutch Busters’ Board Meeting - 7:30 PM Nov. 2 - Clutch Busters’ General Meeting - Nomination of 2007 Officers Nov. 3 - Delta Squares Newer Dancer Hoedown - 8:00 - 11:00 p.m. September Mainstream and Plus tips 1141 Laurel Road Laurel School Multipurpose Room Laurel Road & O'Hara Road Nov. 4 - Skirts & Flirts 11th Annual Black & White Ball, Bancroft Middle School, 1150 Bancroft Ave., San Leandro Nov. 10/11 - Frolicking Fall Festival - Red Bluff, CA Nov. 23 - Thanksgiving - Dark December Dec. 1 - Martinez Swingers Newer Dancers Hoedown Dec. 6 - Clutch Busters’ Board Meeting - Sandow’s home 7:30 PM Dec. 7 - Clutch Busters’ General Meeting - Election of 2007 Officers Dec. 14 - Clutch Busters’ Christmas Party Dec. 21 & 28th - Dark for the holidays Dec. 31 - Pleasanton Singles and Pairs New Years Eve Dance 8:30 - 12:15 St. Phillip Lutheran Church, Dublin CONTRIBUTORS TO THE RECORD Thank you to the following people who contributed their time and effort to the creation of this newsletter. Editing: Sue Sandow Articles: Lois Lollich Bob Phelan Sue Sandow Jack Strickler Lisa Woodard Tracy Woodard