Hi Gang,

Then & Now

So, April was a busy month what with raids, retrievals and the big New England Convention in Hartford, CT!

The Convention was a lot of fun! Happy Times was well represented by Howie & Kathy, Kim & Linda, Dean & Cyndi, Chris & Jean, Tony & Dottie, Jerry & Donna, and Tina & yours truly. The dancing was exciting, fun, continuous, and tiring! Being held in Hartford, there were a lot of new dancers and callers from western New England, New York & New Jersey, and we all made new friends. The location of the Marriott Hotel & Convention Center was extremely convenient and accessible, and Hartford has some wonderful restaurants, museums and attractions, making for a very diverse and enjoyable experience. The city even provides a free shuttle bus that runs almost continuously between the restaurants, attractions, and all the hotels. The Convention will be held there again next year; I highly recommend everyone join us!

Our new Banner Chair, Dean Giffin, is doing a bang up job having lead the troops to Concord Coach, Mt. Washington and Mix & Mingle in April. This month he already has a raid planned to Concord Coach this Saturday, May 5. We’re meeting at the Rec Center where we hold workshop to caravan, so if you haven’t signed up but would like to join us, just show up no later than 6:15pm.

May is also the month we start presenting demos around the region to attract new members and beginning dancers for our fall classes. We have two planned so far, beginning Saturday, May 12 at the first of the monthly Cruise Nights at the Pink Cadillac Diner in Rochester. This is a cool evening with lots of vintage cars, a DJ spinning 50’s & 60’s music, a barbecue, and the Happy Time Dancers doing there thing! We’ll have the final information for you at next week’s workshop, but plan on meeting in the parking lot of the Pink Cadillac on Rt.11 around 5pm, square dance attire looks best and we need a solid turn out!

Next up is Saturday afternoon, May 19 in Sanbornville for their annual Pride Day. This is a full day of activities with a parade, booths, multiple food concessions, and family fun! We’re dancing both just before and just after the parade when the biggest crowds will be present. Again, square dance attire and we’ll have full details at the Workshops.

May also brings Class Commencement! May 16 is the date and Rochester High School is the place….yes, we’re moving to the High School! No, not just for the commencement – the folks at the Rec Center asked us to move due to a request by the Rochester Fire Department for use of our room - just happens to coincide with commencement. But, it’ll be a fun evening filled with surprises, jokes, dancing, and a lot of pride. Everyone is expected!

And, the fun doesn’t end with Commencement - workshop will continue through June and we have a dance-filled summer planned with lots of exciting events:

The Happy Time Squares Summer Plus Progressive Workshop is set! We’ll be meeting Monday evenings from 7-9pm starting June 25 through August 27. We’ll be at the True Memorial Baptist Church, 21 Ten Rod Road in Rochester, immediately adjacent to the McPherson’s. Jay Silva is doing the calling; it promises to be challenging and a lot of fun! Flyers are at the Workshops!

July 6, 7 & 8 are the dates for our big Summer Swing Weekend at the Circle 9 Ranch & Campground in Epsom, NH. We introduced this weekend last year and it was a rousing success! You can join us for one, two, or all three days….you can camp, stay in a nearby motel, or commute….we have Lenny Stratton calling and Bernie Porter cueing….along with all the square dancing, there’s complimentary Country & Western dancing to a live band Saturday night…..plus campfires, barbecues, a pot luck breakfast, and a heck of a lot of fun! Registration forms are at the Workshops!

Now for something totally different - we’re presenting a joint dance with Heel & Toe Squares of Manchester that features North Carolina caller Marty Northrup and Regional Cuer Phil Gatchell! August 11 is the date and the Nashua YMCA is the place. We’re pulling out all the stops to make this a huge New Hampshire Event and are expecting a large response. Advance tickets are available at discount – see Howie, Kim, or myself to snag yours now!

And, we’re also working on plans for our annual Summer picnic….more on that later.

Miscellaneous

Good wishes to Cyndi LaPlante - our solo May Birthday! That’s about all for this issue - see you around the squares!

Peace........John