Fun Night of Dancing

Fun! Fun! Fun! Our Oct. 11, 2024 dance was a barrel of fun, led by a fairly new caller Shaun McKamey in his big, black cowboy hat and our cuer Jackie Gale who had a really full round dance floor for the first time in a while. This was our first time returning to dance on the second Friday and what a way to get back to it. Shawn is now the caller for Sweet Home Squarenaders, making a come back, and the caller for Lebanon square Circlers as their long-time caller Charlotte Jaskey retired recently. Shawn while still quite new has a tremendous amount of potential. He has a fine singing voice, good stage presence, a clear voice easily heard by the dancers, and already knows how to put calls together for interest. His calling is also very well-paced. Those who missed this dance and there were many should make a note not to miss dancing to him again or take the time to go to one of the clubs to the north of us to dance. Here are two photos taken by our president Melba Walker. 

 

Shawn McKamey calling

Two squares of happy dancers

There were only two squares on the floor at that time when Melba took the photos, but we did have three squares for mainstream on occasion. Squarenaders, Corvallis squares and Lebanon really came out in force to support their new caller. We also had visitors from south of us—Cottage Grove and Roseburg dancers. We appreciated seeing them all and also a new dancers Gwen who is new to our area’s dancing.

Melba and her sister Joy had decorated the hall with Halloween décor, Melba encouraged everyone to return on Oct. 25 for our Halloween Bash because there will be a photo corner with lots of ghosts and goblins for a good photo op as well as good calling by Roger Putzler and cueing by Sandy Harris.

Don’t forget next week on Oct. 18 we will have K.C. Curtis from the Portland area calling and Sandy Harris cueing for a Western Hoedown and Chili Feed Dance.

Gaynor Hintz

Club Reporter

 Our fourth Friday dance was a pie and ice cream social with Mark Wheeler calling and Jackie Gale cueing in place of Christina Corelli who was under the weather.  Mark did a good job with his fine singing voice and genial personality and Jackie as always cued some great rounds for us.  We only had two squares on the floor most of the evening although I think at one time we did have three.  We had a few visitors from out of town who are always a delight to see.

Jackie Gale put on a round that our recently departed member Judy Melendrez would have loved to dance and we all stood in a big ring to remember her and say some parting words.  We will all miss her very much.

I am borrowing from our Calling Tree chair to let you all know what our October schedule has in store for us.  Lots of good dancing and callers and cuers for you all to enjoy!

 

Dancing at Emerald Square Dance Center - Sept/Oct 2024.

2095 Yolanda Springfield, OR

 

Hello Single Trees Club Members and Friends,

Here are our dances in October, plus those of other clubs dancing at this location.

 

Single Trees Club Notices:

Yearlong Ongoing Toy Donation - cuddly, stuffed animals for children in stressful situations, provided via the Sheriff.

Sept/Oct - Every Sunday     Spin Cycle Squares	Tim Matteson calling to the floor.	4-6pm SSD, MS, and Plus All Position Dancing.
Oct 11th - 2nd Fri Single Trees	Shaun McKamey  calling; Jackie Gale cueing.	7:30 Plus 7:45 Pre-Rounds 8-10 MS with Rounds;           (every 3rd tip Plus)
Oct 18th - 3rd Fri Single Trees Western Chili Feed Hoedown	KC Curtis calling; Sandy Harris cueing.	7:30 Plus 7:45 Pre-Rounds 8-10 MS with Rounds;           (every 3rd tip Plus)
Oct 19th - 3rd Sat Whirl-A-Ways	Mark Wheeler calling; Christina Corelli cueing.	7:00 Plus  7:30-10:00 MS with Rounds
Oct 25th - 4th Fri Single Trees Halloween Bash	Roger Putzler calling; Christina Corelli cueing.	7:30 Plus 7:45 Pre-Rounds 8-10 MS with Rounds;           (every 3rd tip Plus)

Pam M 

Single Trees Calling Chair

A Sad Loss for our Square Dance Community

 

In Memoriam

Judy Melendrez

March 11, 1940 to Sept. 11, 2024

We were all saddened when we learned that Judy had passed away on Sept. 11 after being diagnosed with incurable lung cancer only a few months before. We square dancers have all grown to love Judy with her happy smile and her tremendous love of dancing. Judy not only square danced, learning mainstream in 2000, plus the following year and advanced at one time, but she also took countless lessons to perfect her round dancing over the years. She supported most of the clubs that danced at the hall. She and Vonda Clayton used to go line dancing together all the time for many years.

Judy was a fairly private person so I don’t know a whole lot about her personal life only tidbits here and there. She was on Facebook so we all knew about her love of her family, her two sons and grandchildren, her late brother and two sisters—lots of family gatherings and while she rarely missed a square dance at the hall or elsewhere on visitations, if she did, it was for family. She also loved to gamble and played split the pot each and every time, waving around her winning ticket quite regularly as she was very lucky. It was my understanding that she often went to the casinos to play and hit the jackpot. Her favorite game at the club picnics was the dog race game which Joy always brought.

Judy grew up in the McKenzie Valley and attended McKenzie schools through high school. She, Betty Aukeerman, and Bill Herington (former member) all attended there but no and had a special bond because of that. After retirement from McKenzie Willamette Hospital and moving into Springfield, she began working for Selco Credit Union on Harlow and Gateway for many, many years as greeter and information guide until her health declined last spring. She only worked part-time for the credit union but enjoyed every minute, meeting and helping new people and seeing occasional square dancers come through too.

She will be missed not only by the square dance community but by all the people who met her over the years and of course her family. Farewell, Judy, our hall will never be quitte the same.

Gaynor Hintz

New Caller Dance and Sock Hop Dance

On Saturday Sept. 17 Single Trees hosted a New Caller dance for Roger Putzler’s and Daryl Clendenin’s newest caller class which was held via Zoom. Four of the seven were able to attend and call to two squares of eager dancers willing to give the new callers “mic” time. It was interesting to see who had decided they might have a vocation as a caller. As you can imagine, they were not well polished but eager to test their new skills. Some may make it given enough time. A good time was had by all as we all knew we were doing a good thing. Everyone has to start somewhere.

Ross, Diana, Chris, Dennis, Patrick, Betty, Joy and Paul H. in a square.

Same Square doing a right and left through-- only Chris and Dennis are facing the camera.

 

 

I did not attend the third Friday dance which had a Sock Hop theme with Janet Geiger calling and Jackie Gale cueing. I was told there weretwo squares on the floor and everyone enjoyed themelves.

We were all saddened to learn that our long time member Judy Melendrez had passed away on Sept. 11 having a short battle with lung cancer diagnosed last spring. The dance hall will not seem the same without her happy smile among us. I will post a separate blog with photos from the past for her.

This coming Friday will feature Mark Wheeler from Portland with Christina Corelli cueing. We all enjoy Mark’s genial nature and good singing voice. He is one of Jim Hattrick’s protegees and coming along nicely. This will be a pie and ice cream social so bring your appetites as well as your dancing shoes.

I understand beginner lessons are underway as of Sept. 8 and no longer accepting new dancers to the class although if one wants to refresh old skills, one could do so by coming on Sundays from 1 to 3PM to join Roger Putzler’s class at 2095 Yolanda in Springfield.

 

August Events

 

Single Trees had a super fun month this August. We started out the month with our annual picnic held out near Mt. Pisgah off Seavey Loop at the country property of one of our members, Suzanne Peterson. This property had been hit hard by the ice storm we had here in January but you wouldn’t know it looking at it now. It was in pristine condition as always! Thank you, Suzanne, for hosting once again.

As usual we had about 25 members and guests on hand with hamburggers and hot dogs grilled to perfection by newer member John Olson from the Medford area. We all brought side dishes and desserts to go with. We ate and talked, talked and ate, and none of us wanted to dance feeling replete and in need of a good sit down. The day was perfect—not too hot as it was overcast. There was no blueberry picking this year as the berries ripened early in July.

We had two fun-filled dances on the 3^rd and 4^th Fridays. We had lots of guests from clubs to the north of us whose clubs do not dance during the summer. We appreciate their support.

In September, we are sponsoring a new caller dance on the 14^th with several new callers or callers getting back into the game having just gone through Daryl Clendenin’s and Roger Putzler’s zoom caller class. We are excited to hear them call and get the opportunity to dance to them. On Friday, Sept. 20 we will hold our regular mainstream dance called by Janet Geiger and cued by Jackie Gale with a Sock Hop/Back To School theme. On Sept. 27, the 4^th Friday,, we will host a Pie and Ice Cream Social Dance with Mark Wheeler calling and Christina Corelli cueing. We expect to have a great time dancing and visiting with our guests. Please come join us.

Gaynor Hintz

Club Reporter

Annual Club Picnic

 Single Trees hosted our annual picnic on Saturday, Aug. 3 at Suzanne Peterson's beautiful country home off Seavey Loop.  We have been very fortunate to be able to use her property for our cub picnics for well over 15 years.  She and her fellow Single Trees member Renee always have the property looking its best despite the terrible ice storm damage the property sustained in January. Several purn iles later along with a huge chip pile and it was good t go.

We believe there were about 25 Single Trees and their guests at the picnic on what turned out to be a very pleasant Saturday afternoon.  The picnic started around noon with many arriving beforehand to set up the tables, chairs and start the barbecue.  Thanks to our grill master, John Olson, a new member as of last year and Janet Geiger's fiance, the hamburgers and hotdogs were done just right.  There lots of delicious side dishes and desserts to go around.  We all ate until we were stuffed and too full to do any dancing.  Janet had offered to do some calling and  Christina Corelli was on hand to do soem cueeing.  It would have been nice but I think we were all there to eat and chat, chat and eat.  Some did get on the trailer to be taken on a hay ride around the property, soem walked around to view all the flower beds and teh amazing garden Suzanne does every year.  She had lots of zucchini to give away.  And of course we had the dog race game which many dearly love.  We were only sorry that our dear fellow member Judy Melendrez was nto thee to share the fun.  Judy is terribly ill so couldn't be there.  Also our Calling Tree chair Pam Murray hadto back out at the last minute as one of her granddaughter's was exposed to COVID and she didn't want 6to take the chance.

We were delighted so see so many of our new members out to join us along with some guests.  Diana Hodges, Chris Brown and Patricia Reinhart were there along with a friend of Patricia's Tom and newer dancer Janice S.  We hope they weren't disappointed there was no dancing.  They are all very hung ho and we applaud them for that.  Some of our long tern members who normally come were not there and that was sad also as we only have the one picnic a year.  Still those who came had a great time and will have to dance up a storm to rid themselves of all the extra calories.

Here are some photos I managed to get when not stuffing my face or talking.

Our next dances are Aug. 16 and Aug. 23.  For more detailed information please read the previous blog.

Gaynor Hintz

Club Reporter

July 19 Dance and a Wedding

 July 19's dance was a blast.  Roger Putzler called and brought out a lot of dancers from outside Lane County.  We sure appreciate seeing dancers from Lebanon, Sweet Home and Corvallis come join us.  While we only had five squares on the floor one time, we held firm at 3-4 all evening long.  That is a total surprise for a summer time dance with some much going on.  The previous weekend was Summer Festival and the next weekend Diamond Lake but people were eager to dance and decided to drive miles to join us.  What fun!

Our theme that night was Watermelon, Tie-dyes and Crazy T-Shirts.  One couple, Eric and Christina definitely got with the theme wearing a sundress (she) and shirt (he) making them look like cool, delicious watermelon.  Needless to say there was plenty of  real watermelon to cool us down thanks to our vice president, Joy Pitts.  We hope our August dances will go as well.  We went dark for Diamond Lake on the 26th; however, due to large fires up there, Diamond Lake Festival had to be cancelled.  What a shame!

The next day several Single Trees joined the turnout for Connie Seamans and Paul Gates's wedding out at their place in Pleasant Hill.  It was a simple ceremony with a great potluck following and plenty of wedding cake on a very hot summer afternoon.  We didn't mind the heat because we were all so happy to see them tie the knot after such a long time and long engagement.

Here's some photos from the dance and the wedding the next day.

I was only able to take a few photos at the dance and completely forgot to take out my iPad at the wedding.  My thanks to Roger Tendick who did have the presence of mind to take a few.

 

Three squares on the floor early on. 

Nancy and Jerry Gowins face the caller with Eric and Christina Mustoe to their right.
 

Connie and Paul exchange vows

 

 

Our next dances in August are the 16th and the 23rd.  The theme on the 16th is Barnyard Jubilee with Darrell Kalmbach calling and Jackie Gale cueing.  The 23rd has Bruce Lowther calling and Christina Corelli cueing with a Ducks versus Beavers theme.  Please come have some dancing fun with us!

See you on the dance floor,

Gaynor Hintz

Club Reporter