HAPPY HOPPERS NEWSLETTER

Transcription

1 HAPPY HOPPERS NEWSLETTER Volume 59 Number 8 April 2018 Presidents Message N o fooling, Hoppers it really is Spring!! We have a very busy month ahead. On April 7th we have a guest caller, Darrell Kalmbach, and cuer, Susan Healea. Come out and dance with us as we support them. On the 21st of April, we will be having a Potluck Dinner and business meeting at 5:30 p.m. before the Ice Cream Social dance, with Jim Hattrick. This will also be our last month for lessons. If you have not been out to help, you might want to drop in on a Monday and find out what fun these folks are having. Although it is not in April, we want to remind you that our 59th Anniversary will be celebrated on May 5th. The theme is Swing into Spring and all Happy Hopper members will get in free. The club will be providing cake for this occasion. Hoping to see you all in a square, Ron and Emily Randy and Jackie By Joanne Oja February was not a good month for many different reasons. Our dance attendance was down, largely in part due to the flu. Many of our members had the terrible flu that lasted into three weeks. The weather also contributed to the decline in dancers. As a result our food drive was down from last year by 50%. Last year we had just over 300 pounds and in 2018 it was pounds. The North County Food Bank was very grateful for our donation regardless of the amount. So thank you to all of you who contributed. Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 1

2 General membership meeting Potluck dinner at 5:30 P.M. (Bring your favorite dish to share, such as a hot dish or a salad which would serve at least eight people.) Membership meeting will follow dinner Pre Rounds 7:00 to 7:30 P.M. Plus Dancing 7:30 to 9:45 P.M. I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 2

3 Jim Hattrick explored Irish music during the March 17, 2018 St Patrick s Day dance. The club supplied Irish Sundaes during the break, with delicious baked potatoes and toppings. Jim taught dancers a move called slaunch to the left that has something to do By Tom Halpenny with Donegal, Ireland. From facing lines of four dancers, the couples on the right end veer diagonally left toward each other, and usually dance right and left thru. The following photos were taken at the dance. Mitch and Judy Lindeken display excellent counterbalance. Ann Funkhouser and Gail Hanson welcome dancers to the festive Irish dance. John and Arlene Kaleta meet with Fan the Top. Mary and Jerome Fulton are in the zone. Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 3

4 Katie and Bryan Jones prepare to wrap and unwrap. Greeting Ilona Gilzow and Ken Gaffke for the upcoming tip. Shirley and Bob Hoisington cruise through the square. Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 4

5 Emily and Ron Chase finish Ladies Chain and are on to the next call. Pauline and Walt Eby are very friendly. H appy Hoppers club is happy to receive your membership dues. Here is a friendly reminder, in case you have forgotten to renew. One of the benefits you receive with your membership is insurance through our state federation for injuries you may suffer in the event you accidently fall or trip during a dance while being distracted by a leprechaun. If you decide to renew your membership, please make your check payable to By Tom Halpenny the Happy Hoppers Square Dance Club. Membership dues should be given to our club treasurer, Ron Chase. Annual club membership dues are currently set at $15.00 per person or $30.00 for a couple. Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 5

6 I n terms of fun, friends and physical activity, what's not to like about folk dancing? And at only $2 a pop, the International Folk Dancing Club held weekly at the Marshall Center is nearly free. Described as an "easy" activity, the 50 and older club meets every Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. in the Marshall Exercise Room for 90- minutes of wonderful dances from around the world. With 50 years experience and at least 50 dances in his repertoire, 87-yearold Ken Dewire of Lake Oswego instructs newcomers and veterans with his "monkey see, monkey do" teaching style. New people are always welcome. "I don't do a lot of talking," said Dewire, who teaches dances from countries as diverse as Greece, Israel and South Africa. "People catch on by copying the movements and at some point the rhythm, music and movement just clicks." Indeed, folk dance club regular Tom Halpenny of Ridgefield is fascinated by how people learn to dance. A retired software engineer for Hewlett-Packard, the 66-year-old describes how the process involves both sides of the brain: the rational side and the intuitive, emotional side. With 20 years dancing experience with his Scottish Country dance instructor wife By Leslee Jaquette The following article appeared in the Senior Finder 2018 insert from the March 2018 Senior Messenger newspaper. I was interviewed for the story. I think about getting the feeling for the folk dance steps the same as Jim Hattrick s rules to move forward and move to the beat with the emotional side of the brain. Tom H. Liza Halpenny, age 63, Halpenny observes that the rational brain hears the instructions, but the emotional brain knows the feeling of doing the steps. "It's fascinating seeing a fresh brain learn," said Halpenny. "So, the beginner listens to the music, feels a little off balance at first but gradually gets the feeling of the movement." Another regular, 70-year-old Carol Kirsch of Vancouver, describes the learning process in similar terms. She first watches Dewire's lead. "I notice new people don't get it right away, it's frustrating because it (Continued on page 7) Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 6

7 CELEBRATIONS April Birthdays Herb Randall Ron Eby Fay Kahn Darrell Mitchell Carla Barnell Frances Montgomery Florence Gross April Anniversaries Ron & Emily Chase Jon & Kathy Rawitzer (Folk Dancing, Continued from page 6) takes brain work and muscle memory," noted Kirsch. "But once you get it, often after about four weeks, folk dancing is very satisfactory." Just how satisfactory is international folk dancing? Well, Dewire explains, the club attracts six to 15 participants each week, plus it's healthy, fun and you meet really good people. Dewire added that his wife of 30 years, Patsy Lane, age almost 90, comes every week and continues to participate in the gentler dances. "I love dancing because it makes me feel good," continued Dewire. "It's a social thing and it's good for me to have the activity and exercise. Besides, it takes your mind off everything else and it's also a great mental challenge." Kirsch, an active walker, added that she enjoys the club because it's a lot of fun. You don't work up a sweat and you don't need a partner to participate, she said. Her advice to newcomers is, "Have patience with yourself. It's definitely worth it." Halpenny said he likes everything about the International Folk Dancing Club - learning dance patterns in sets, the beautiful music, how social it is, how active dance is, plus "It has good health benefits." Also, Halpenny is in absolute awe of Dewire, who may model as many as 20 different dances in a session. "When he teaches us a new one, I'm off balance like everyone else; but then I start getting the feeling," explained Halpenny. "The rational side hears and translates the movement but the emotional side helps us move with the rhythm.". Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 7

8 President: Randy & Jackie Amundson Secretary: Matt & Lise Driggers Treasurer: Ron & Emily Chase PAC Delegates: Bob Nichols Evergreen Council Delegates: Dale Smith, Nick Johnson Lessons Coordinators: Ilona Gilzow Laura Bonacorsi Raeleen DeGrandpre Website: Tom & Liza Halpenny Visitations: Danny & Carol Williamson Newsletter: Tom & Liza Halpenny Club Reporter: Jean Tolstrup Kitchen: Lew & Bev Poland Caller/Cuer: Jim (Judy) Hattrick DID YOU SEE THE RAINBOW MONDAY? By Jean Tolstrup A rainbow of color greeted shoppers who arrived to browse in our club s square dance clothing resale at the lessons on March 12th. There were so many colorful petticoats on the tables along the back and side walls that one would be unlikely to be unable to find just the right color for a new outfit. Racks of terrific skirts, blouses, dresses, and men s shirts and slacks from which to choose just the right new attire filled the center of the shopping area. It was clear that shoppers were having a lot of success finding new clothes. Our resale netted the club over $1000. This wonderful outcome was the result of so many generous people donating gently used clothing and their personal time. Special thanks goes to Jackie Amundson who spent countless hours laundering clothing and washing and fluffing many of the beautiful petticoats that were donated. Prior to the sale Jackie and Randy s front room and family room were awash with petticoats. Additional thanks to the many Hopper ladies and spouses who arrived at the Square Dance Center at 10:00 to set up for the sale and then returned in the evening to help. We are fortunate to have members who faithfully bring racks to display the clothes, especially Jim and Sharon Punteney who loan us some very sturdy ones. Finally, thanks to all the members and guests who not only get a new outfit but in so doing helped our club s financial picture. Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 8

9 UPCOMING DANCES & EVENTS Happy Hoppers Dine Out Sweet Tomatoes at 6:00 P.M SE Second Circle, Vancouver, WA Portland Area Council Dance Oak Grove Community Center, SE Cedar Ave, Portland, OR Ian Craig calling and Doug Hatch cueing 7:30 P.M. Pre-Rounds 8:00 Mainstream, every 3rd tip Plus Plus and a Little More for Plus Dancers Jim Hattrick Caller / Instructor 7:30 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. Plus dance Evergreen Square Dance Council Dance Darrell Kalmbach calling and Dorothy Lowder cueing 7:30 to 8:00 P.M. Pre-Rounds 8:00 to 10:30 P.M. Mainstream square dance with every third tip plus Sweet Tomatoes Oak Grove Comm Ctr Hazel Dell Grange Hazel Dell Grange Happy Hoppers Square Dance Lessons Final month of the season will end on April 30 6:30 to 7:30 P.M. Plus level square dance lessons 7:30 to 9:00 P.M. Basic level square dance lessons (Levels 1-51) 9:00 to 9:30 P.M. Mainstream level square dance lessons Door: Volunteers needed Kitchen helpers: Volunteers needed Happy Hoppers 59 th Anniversary Dance Swing Into Spring Jim Hattrick calling and cueing 7:00 to 7:30 P.M. Pre-Rounds 7:30 to 9:45 P.M. Mainstream square dance with every third tip plus Door: John & Arlene Kaleta Kitchen helpers: Volunteers needed CCSDC Happy Hoppers Dance Darrell Kalmbach calling and Susan Healea cueing CCSDC Pre rounds at 7:00 P.M. Plus dance 7:30 P.M. to 9:45 P.M. Door: Jerome & Mary Fulton Kitchen helpers: Elsie Bartling & Ed Hutchins Happy Hoppers Ice Cream Social Dance, Potluck & Membership Meeting 5:30 P.M. Potluck and general membership meeting Bring main dish or salad to serve at least eight people CCSDC Jim Hattrick calling and cueing 7:00 to 7:30 P.M. Pre-Rounds, 7:30 to 9:45 P.M. Plus square dance The club will provide the ice cream and toppings! CCSDC Newsletter Editor: Tom Halpenny - Please submit articles by mid-month to gnitened@yahoo.com Happy Hoppers Newsletter April 2018 Page 9