April 7, 2013

4^th Annual Antics Square Dance Foundation of New England Benefit dance a Success!

We’ve just mounted 4/7/13 at Bay Path Barn, Boylston, MA, near Worcester, another successful April Antics benefit dance on behalf of the Square Dance Foundation of New England. We had a lot of fun plus duets and quartets, delighting staff and 8½ squares of dancers while raising hundreds of dollars for the foundation library and museum in Manchester, New Hampshire. Claudia’s Shop was also there to outfit dancers for the April regional convention.

Callers who donated their time were Jay Silva, Bob Butler, Al Rouff, Bill Mager, Matt McGovern, Dave Perrault, Dave Hass and Steve Park. They worked with cuer Margene Jervis. Clubs, please hire these generous hearted professionals for your club dances too!

Critical to the success of these benefit dances is the team of good hearted Hayloft volunteers who each year help with setup and cleanup and also bring in goodies for the continuous refreshments.

Looking ahead to the 5th April Antics Benefit dance on 4/6/2014, we already have the Bay Path barn reserved and Harriet Clarke has offered to cue but will need 8-9 callers once again. The schedule will be 1pm A1, 2:00pm high rounds and a slight change, 2:30pm to 5pm for separate halls of mainstream and plus but all callers in the front hall for a final mainstream tip for all.

Dancers and callers, please mark your calendar!

Twirly Renee

NOV 23, 2012

WOW !!

We had twelve Haylofters and Friends of the Hayloft come out for at the work party today.

We accomplish much.

·         We cleaned out the huge clump of broken and scrub trees and brush around the front of the property.

·         We hauled the brush and debris to the back of the property.

·         We raked and disposed of copious amounts of leaves

·         We stacked much firewood. (Free for the taking!)

·         AND…We found the artesian well!!

·          

Thank you to all who helped and to those who were there in spirit.

There will be some photos sent out soon.

In the meantime, when you see the following people please give them a heartfelt THANK YOU!

       Maureen & Pierre Desilets

                 Suzy & John Lazarou

                          Their children Nathaniel & James

                                    Barbara & Ed Gebo

                                              Deanna & Al Randall

                                                       Harlod Eckert & Moe Bracken

When you approach the club notice how clean and open the front yard looks.

There is a much better view of the building as a result of today's efforts.

See you soon..

Moe

3rd Annual April Antics Square Foundation of New England benefit dance a success! Next benefit Sunday September 30, 2012‏ at Hayloft

Howdy,

Well we had more than 70 dancers at Baypath Barn Sunday afternoon, April 1^st, for a benefit dance that above expenses, cleared $435 for the library and museum the NE Square Dance Foundation maintains in Manchester NH. An hour of A1 then a half hour of higher rounds, followed by three hours of mainstream and plus in separate halls kept dancers hopping with duets and quartets sprinkled through the program in each hall. Fourteen of us shared supper afterwards at Finders & Keepers, side by side pubs in W. Boylston MA with a huge and reasonably priced menu. Claudia’s Shoppe was on hand so many dancers were able to pick up something new for Convention. Continuous refreshments, courtesy of generous dancers, kept everyone energized. Split the pot yielded $72 to one lucky person!

Many thanks to all the dancers who came out for fun and a good cause. The generosity of callers Bob Butler, Dave Hass (thankfully, a sudden fill in for ailing Bill Fulton), Bill Mager, Matt McGovern, Steve Park, Jim Schell, Charlie Trapp, and cuer Harriet Clarke, who donated their time and talents to support this activity so close to all our hearts is much appreciated. A surprise addition was calling by Lenny Newberry of Alabama who was visiting the area that weekend.

Our next Foundation benefit dance will be Sunday September 30, 2012 for the 2^nd Annual Autumn Glow benefit at the Hayloft Steppers barn in Sturbridge, MA. We’ll need callers and a cuer to donate their services for that dance which will have an hour of A level followed by alternating mainstream and plus between rounds. Dancers please save the date and help spread the word!

Take care,

Twirly Renee

First annual Autumn Glow NE Square Foundation benefit dance a success;

next benefit Sunday April 1, 2012‏

Howdy,

Well we had more than 10 squares at Hayloft Sunday afternoon, September 18^th, for a benefit dance that made over $500 for the library and museum the NE Square Dance Foundation maintains in Manchester NH. An hour of A1 then higher rounds followed by three hours of mainstream and plus kept dancers hopping. Fourteen of us even shared a nice supper at Piccadilly Pub in downtown Sturbridge afterwards.

Many thanks to the eighty plus dancers who came out for fun and a good cause. The generosity of callers Red Bates, Kevin Bersing, Jay Silva and Charlie Trapp and cuer Beverly MacKay who donated their time and talents to support this activity so close to all our hearts is much appreciated.

Our next Foundation benefit dance will be Sunday April 1, 2012 at the Baypath Barn in West Boylston, MA. We’ll need several callers and at least one cuer to donate their services for that dance which has separate mainstream and plus halls. Dancers please save the date and spread the word!

Take care,

Twirly Renee

Hazel and Duncan Fenton, two dancers from England, dropped in to dance a few tips at the Hayloft.  It was interesting to hear about dancing abroad. This is the second year in a row the Fentons have visited us.  They were most impressed by two things at the Hayloft: The friendliness of the dancers and the large number of young people dancing.

 Square dancing originated in the 1950’s and has evolved into a wide variety of music styles. Contrary to yesteryear’s square dancing, the 2000 version of Square Dancing is a hybrid of western and fast track, upbeat dancing .A form of low impact aerobic exercise, a person can burn 300 calories during an evening of dancing.

“It was wonderful emotional therapy for our residents and gave them a temporary feeling of euphoria’ commented Jadrenka. “ We look forward to an encore in the foreseeable future.”

Of particular significance was the person who “called” -Matt McGovern.- who began calling less than 2 years ago .A gifted 13 year old youngster, Matt has already turned the heads of his “senior”  peers. His style is truly dynamic, and challenging, backed by modern, upbeat .music that echoes the 2000 era. Even at his youthful age Matt has started a club in Ludlow and has his own web site. (email matt@mattmcgovern.net)    

People have commented that “problems seem to disappear” when dancing.” “ It’s a great way to make new friends “ It’s also  an opportunity to develop strong social ties with all levels of society An American art, Square Dancing is done universally and all calls must be given in English,-even in countries  such as Japan or Sweden..

According to research, one can add 10 years to his/her life by square dancing and it’s regarded an anti oxidant to dementia.

 Something else. Square Dancing is not strictly for the “over the hill” crowd. As mentioned above, Square Dancing has come up to the 21st century with innovations and upbeat music ( Some slower paced more “traditional“ dancing is also done for those with mobility issues).Equally significant, with just 12 lessons one can be dancing the Mainstream Level.

Matt McGovern