December 20, 2014 – A gigantic “THANK YOU” to all who came to the Westonka Whirlers’ Christmas dinner/dance and to the huge crew of WWs who appeared at 4 p.m. to setup a “new” venue.

Over 100 seasoned and new dancers came to dinner!  And the food–WOW!  Almost 14 squares were in attendance (not counting those who came just for dinner) to dance to Dick and Tom and Ray and Ken!  There was even a young lady from the Rapids City, SD, area!

Four clubs retrieved banners:  Bloomington Swirlers, County Line, Hotfoot Stompers and Spares and Pairs.  Because WW had three Single Circles’ banners, they gave two back to the king of Single Circles, hoping SC would come and retrieve the third one some time soon.

WW’s next dance is Sunday, January18, 1:30 rounds, 2 p.m. squares, back at Grandview Middle School in Mound.  We’ll have a “beary” fun time so bring your bear and let’s dance!  (And for all you snowbirds, have a safe, wonderful time in the sun.  We’ll miss you!)  Happy New Year!

We are taking a break from teaching our round dance classes for the months of January and February, due to a busy schedule of substituting for other cuers who are keeping warm during these colder months!

Congratulations to those of you still working hard with new rhythms and dances wherever you might be in this wintry state! Congratulations to the “snow birds” who also are taking a break and trying out new locations and cuers!

Remember to “Keep on Dancing” and…if you’ve just “Gotta Dance Rounds,” Robin “the cuer” and Roger “the sound techie” would love to see you!

Gotta Dance Rounds Schedule for February 2015

What has been going on Wednesday nights at Spares & Pairs you ask?  Many special and exciting events that make for a wonderful dance experience… that’s what!

* Five turkeys were given away at the November 19th Thanksgiving Dance.

* Christmas cards were signed by members and mailed out by the Club Presidents, Ardus and John Vining to our non-dancing friends and shut-ins to wish them all a “Merry Christmas and Good Cheer!”

* The annual “Slightly Used Clothing Sale” headed up for many years by Jan Facklam, happened once again on December 3 and was another success.

* Graduation of our “New Beginner” class was celebrated with cake on December 10 and many of these dancers were sporting their new purchases from the week before.

* The annual “Jingle Bell Jubilee” dinner/dance hosted eleven squares on December 17.

* Dick Rueter called his last S & P dance until he returns again in April from his and Mary’s “warm-weather living” in Mesa, Arizona.

* Thanks always to Ray Belanger and Robin Fryman who share the round dance cueing each week.  (NOTE: ROBIN WILL BE SUBSTITUTING FOR RAY @ S & P DURING THE MONTH OF FEBRUARY WHILE RAY IS TAKING HIS TURN IN FLORIDA WITH A WARMER CLIMATE!)

* Many visitors from “out and about” often show up on our dance floor at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Bloomington, Minnesota.  These include:

Mavis Johnson from County Line

Rose Ann Shrunk from Peppin, Wisconsin

Cathy Oster from Bloomington Swirlers

Franklin Coney from Wadena Whirlaways

Dee and Ken Scott from Westonka Whirlers and Square Dancing Marketing

* We are always happy to see our “King and Queen” Ken and Mary Egan; “Historians and Vice Presidents” Al and Cindy Martin; “Avid Dance Promoters” Don and Jan Hanson.

IF YOU’RE LOOKING FOR A “WEEKLY WEDNESDAY NIGHT” DANCE GET-AWAY…WE’D LOVE TO SEE YOUR FACE AS WELL!!

December 19, 2014 – Single Circles “Music Under the Mistletoe” Dance, Maple Grove, Caller Dean Dederman, Cuer Ken LaBau.  Plenty of food as usual for 11 fun filled squares.  Thanks to every one who came to hear Dean Dederman.  Four clubs collected banners – Hotfoot Stompers,
Westonka Whirlers, County Line Squares, and Crystal Crosstrailers.

Westonka Whirlers claimed a Single Circles banner!

Hotfoot Stompers claimed a Single Circles banner!

Crystal Crosstrailers claimed a Single Circles banner!

County Line Squares claimed a large Single Circles banner!

Ar-Dales had 6 1/2 squares, made up of members from 12 clubs, at our December dance.  The Sprosty Twins and Ken LaBau made the dance very entertaining for all the dancers.  Donations were collected for  the local food shelf.  Celebrities in attendance included Janet Sahlstrom, Federation President and Bob Meyer, SDM Secretary.  Royalty attending included Cathy Oster from Bloomington Swirlers, Mavis Johnson from County Line, Leslie Knutson of Dakota Grand Squares, Janet Sahlstrom of Dan’se PAC, and Sharon Dohrmann of Ar-Dales.

The theme of our next dance will be Western Hoedown.  Join us on Sunday, January 11, dance to Larry Fruetel, and enjoy sandwiches with some very tasty baked beans.

December 13, 2014 – Koronis Nite Owls “At the Hop” Dance, Paynesville, Caller Larry Johansen.  Five squares from multiple clubs danced to Larry’s calling.  Dan and Gilda from Rockin’ Country Dancers won the KNO door prize and County Line Squares retrieved their banner.

Dan & Gilda won the KNO door prize!

Queen Mavis retrieving the County Line Squares banner!

Caller Larry Johansen called a lively dance that everyone enjoyed (including the student dancers present)!

December 12, 2014 – County Line Squares “Christmas – Tis the Season” Dance, Monticello, Caller Abe Maier.  Six squares, including many new dancers, from Westonka Whirlers, Spares & Pairs, Single Circles, Hotfoot Stompers, County Line Squares, Cambridge Corners, and Beaux & Belles) danced to Abe’s calling.  Beaux & Belles retrieved their banner from County Line Squares.

Beaux & Belles retrieved their banner from County Line Squares!

December 5, 2014 – Riverbend Promenaders Dance, St Peter, Caller Tom Allen.  Six squares danced to Tom’s calling.  County Line Squares claimed a Riverbend Promenaders banner.

County Line Squares claimed a Riverbend Promenaders banner!

Since we have been neglectful in putting “our faces” out there on the internet for all to see, we decided to take some piks of our wonderful “Thursday Night Beginner Two-Step Class”.

When you see these folks out in the dance world, be sure to give them a hug and a pat on the back for all their achievements and hard work!!!

BE SURE TO CONGRATULATE THESE DANCERS!!  IN JUST TWO WEEKS, THEY WILL GRADUATE FROM “BEGINNER” CLASS!!

HUGS & LOVE TO ALL DANCERS EVERYWHERE,

From left to right: Karen Abrahamson, Denny and Mardi Wegleitner, Don Dougherty and Dawn Bjornstad, Bob Piechowski and Alice Peterson, Kris and Ross Brustad. Missing from our picture are: Scarlet and Mark Malecha, Bev Anderson, and John Gerold.

November 30, 2014 – Andy has been hosting round dance lessons with Ken LaBau cueing on Sunday afternoons at Andy’s garage.   We are mostly beginners with some experienced dancers acting as “Angels.”

Dancers attending the afternoon round dance session.