MARCH 2006

PREZ SEZ by Terry Abrahams

Well I am still on a high!  All the stars were in alignment for this camp – so little went wrong, it’s hardly worth mentioning.  Even Richard missing planes 2 days because of weather didn’t dampen the success of the weekend.  In fact, having all one country all day wasn’t the least bit damaging -- except for those people who couldn’t be there on Sunday, or for the whole day on Sunday, and missed the Polish teaching.  So here’s the good and the bad: Yeah - the wood floor was fantastic, Boo - the director is talking about a linoleum overlay – I’m talking him out of it. Yeah - the food was fabulous, Boo - there was too much! 

The recipes I found on line worked out great (in spite of a lot of potatoes) and I am printing a few of those in this issue.  Keep in mind, however, that Mickey (my daughter that helped cook) has a real flair for spices, and doctored up a lot of the stuff.  Boo - the bottled water never got out, nor my chopped liver!  I did bring it, as requested; however, I think there were sufficient snacks!  Another Boo – I gave you the wrong edition of the menu.  We’ll print the “real” one in this issue. 

And thank all of you for buying up the leftovers.  Waste not, want not.  I missed a few shelves of stuff while you were all buying – there was more!  But I think Julius took a lot of it for Spring Fling, so it won’t go to waste either – so Yeah.  Snacks – all Yeah! G’ville - Friday, Sarasota - Saturday, Melbourne - Sunday.  Going back to trying the country’s foods also worked here, and all was delicious, and even though G’ville wasn’t “ethnic” (they were told not to do ethnic) – it was great.  The only Boo here is that once again – there was too much!  Hmm – is that a Boo or a Yeah? 

Teachers – Yeah!!!!   Could they have been better?   I think not!  The only Boo was the trouble Richard (or Rick) had to go through to get to us -- Thursday and Friday cancellations, standing in line for 5 hours to get a ticket to Anywhere in Florida, getting to Ft. Lauderdale, renting a car, and driving to the camp – now that’s true grit!!  And we appreciated it so much.  Yeah – Miroslav stepped right in and didn’t waste a dancing minute.  Yeah - Every dance by both was terrific – this is going to be a big “keeper” year!  (If you didn’t notice, I e-mailed you another copy of Cicino Kolo with Figure 6 on it.  And Retko isn’t missing, in the notes it’s called Moravsko Kolo) 

Yeah – the screen for the culture corner was such a plus (once we got it working), Boo – we needed a little more info on the teachers and on their countries and culture – just not enough time for everything.  Miroslav wrote me and would like any pictures people would like to share with him.  You have his email and address.  Yeah – I got to wear the costume I bought in Bulgaria [picture at left], Boo – I didn’t bring my quilt this year, you probably didn’t even miss it (or Juanita’s either), but Yeah – thanks to the decorators from Orlando, the flowers were lovely; the posters have seen their last.   

Yeah – Julius’ Olga Princi silent auction was the best ever, and Fannie donated an extra $100 – what a wonderful gesture!  Thanks also to all of you who included a donation with your registration.  And the O.P. scholars couldn’t have been better picks.  Lynda and Apryl (maybe you have to have a “y” in your name) were both enthusiastic gals and wonderful dancers, and we know they will be a real Boon to the folk dance world.  No Boos to that one.  Cabins – Yeah – they worked out nicely; the heat was valuable; there was plenty of room, Boo – they weren’t as clean as we hoped, but we’ll try to rectify that for next year.  View – Yeah, what a lovely camp, Boo – the path to the rec hall was a bummer (found out we had to pull the wicks out a little in the tiki lights to make them really work – duh!), but Yeah – they have it in their budget to have a new road next year, and hopefully light as well. 

Program – Yeah - John kept things hopping with his lists; Boo – look for Judith’s excellent suggestions for next year. And saving one of the best Yeahs for last  – we have a NEW EDITOR, Caroline Lanker, who already is busy busy busy, has many computer skills, and will do the best job we’ve ever seen.  Boo – hoo?  Not me!!  Thanks Caroline!!  A couple of Boos – forgot to give you the camp phone number, heard the Mapquest and AAA maps didn’t work – we’ll add a map next year.  We’ll go back to the old packet – apparently there was confusion over what needed to be in your possession.  Suggestions received – have medical information on our registration forms, and following that thought – our prayers are with Ann Robinson whose husband passed away on Friday, Feb. 24^th following a stroke while calling at a square dance while we were at camp.

Well, if I haven’t covered everything, it’s not because I haven’t tried. We welcome your comments and critiques. I just want to once again thank my board – John for the music, Pat for all the financial and room stuff (and Bobby for his car and music help), Jean for handling the entire snack issue, and all of you for pitching in when needed, being quiet when I hollered at you, bringing your comfortable chairs, enjoying the music whether you danced or not, for having a high energy level, gobbling up the food, complimenting us when we needed it – truly a group effort.  See you all at the Spring Fling!!!! Suggestion:  have teachers from California – no snow!  And lo-cal - groan (Thanks Andi).

Richard, Pat and Miroslav

FROM THE EDITOR - Caroline Lanker

I’m not sure what I’ve gotten myself into here or whether I can live up to Terry’s expectations, but already I am enjoying working with the FFDC team to bring out this newsletter. The real success of the newsletter rests with YOU – with the material you send in and with the time you take to read it. Since you are obviously reading it now, thank you.

In the coming months I’d like to include some feature articles. Do you like to write? This is your chance to write about something you love – dancing, of course – and have it published! Do you have an interesting story about dancing? Did you meet your spouse dancing? Did you grow up in a culture where you learned to dance as a child? Have you had a funny experience dancing? Write it down and send it in. We’ll print up to one feature story per month. Preferred size – 1 page. If you have pictures that go with the story, send them, too.

Dance campers sent in a bunch of pictures for this issue. A selected few are included in the newsletter. A lot more are on the website (or will be soon) - check it out.

CAMP COMMENTS BY THE TREASURER
by Pat Henderson

After being President for 4 camps (1992-93, 2002-03), I have decided that it is harder to be Treasurer!  Maybe I have a better knack for organization than I do for figures.  In this newsletter, you will see the Income and Expense Report on this year's camp.  I have divided the income into categories since the membership was a line item on the registration form this year. We collected a record amount for the Olga Princi Scholarship--$738. 

This camp was a learning experience for your officers and we will try to change a few things next year.  First of all, we will go back to handing out a packet with your paperwork, syllabus and T-shirt, if ordered, and your button in it.  I could not keep track of who had what this year.  I hope that if you ordered a T-shirt, you got it and that if you ordered a syllabus, you got it!  Let me know if you did not.

Unfortunately, we had one person who went to our previous camp in Silver Springs but her inquiry came as I was almost out the door to the airport to get Bata and go to camp.  We need to publish a number to call in case of emergency.  I had my cell phone with me at all times so it could be my number. 

In spite of these problems, I thought that the camp turned out even better than anticipated.  Of course, I felt relieved when we liked the camp and the B & B in Melrose, since I found them both.  Now we can look forward to next year since we overwhelmingly voted to return to and they will let us come.  You asked for a wood floor for years, so it was very rewarding to see the enjoyment of the new camp.

CAMP FINANCIAL REPORT 2006
Respectfully submitted, Pat Henderson, Treasurer, FFDC
	$
CAMP 2006 EXPENSES
SYLLABUS	97.31
FOOD	4,720.62
INSTRUCTORS	1,969.93
MISC: DÉCOR., TIKI LAMPS	23.65
SNACKS	248.70
FACILITIES, INSURANCE, B&B	4,210.00
T-SHIRTS & BUTTONS	304.59
DVDs (ESTIMATED)	400.00
TOTAL EXPENSES	11,974.80
CAMP 2006 INCOME
CAMP FEES	10,689.00
OLGA PRINI DONATIONS	738.00
MEMBERSHIP DUES	885.00
TOTAL INCOME	12,312.00
NET INCOME 2006	+337.20

Olga Princi Scholars Lynda and Apryl

FFDC CAMP 2006 COMMENTS by Judith Baizan

In brief it was all wonderful, but the very BEST NEWS is that the Crystal Lake Camp management has agreed to accept us for our Presidents' Day weekend FFDC event next year!!

We who were there know this already, but for those who missed it, this year it all came together. We have always had adequate accommodations, fine teachers, abundant snacks provided by our groups, and hard working FFDC members putting the event together.

Improvements this year were significant: a lovely lakeside setting, an excellent wood dance floor, and superb food throughout. (Our thanks to FFDC President Terry Abrahams for the extra work she put into researching ethnic recipes, planning menus, figuring quantities, ordering ingredients, and - most importantly - successfully persuading the camp cook to follow through.) Now we can enthusiastically promote our FFDC event to distant dance friends to join with us to the further enrichment of our camp experience.

Speaking to the enrichment aspect now, I would like to offer some constructive criticism regarding the evening dance programs. There were a great many fine dances of varied ethnicities which didn't make it onto the list. In all those hours, how could we have not danced such long time favorites as Adjon Az Isten, Arap, Cetvorno, Ciceranella, Daichovo, Denjovo, Delilo, Dospatsko, Drmes Iz Zdencine, Eleno Mome, Garoon, Giusevska Racenica, Guzelleme, Bourree D'Oulches, Briul de la Fagaras, Bucimis, Bufcansko, Iste Hendek, Kapuvari Verbunk. Hopa Hopa, La Charrita, Louky, Novo Zagorsko Horo, Pagarusa, Povrateno, Prescacanka, Ratevka, Schioapa, Tarantella Montevergine, Tino Mori, Zalna Majka, and Zillertaller, among others?

The main reason they were not danced is that none of us made the effort to request them beforehand, and we probably didn't think of them until we got home and looked at our own lists. If there is little or no input from attendees, programmers have to rely on what is working in their local activities, and in the FFDC weekend that produced an overload of Israeli dances.

In this age of electronic miracles, it seems we should be able to do better. I would like to see a system devised in which each registrant receives along with his or her confirmation a master list of dances to be returned with 50 or 60 or so of the names highlighted as requests. The lists are tabulated and those that get the most votes would make up the programs.

And as long as I'm making suggestions, here are a few others:

1) In the understanding that every attendee has already requested many dances which make up the program, allow NO requests (except for reviewing taught dances) but end the scheduled program at 11:00 PM or so, when about half of the people have left, and thereafter be responsive to those remaining, with any request that is not already scheduled for the next day.

2) Post small copies of the three party programs so folks can check there first and refrain from requesting a dance that is scheduled later on, or was played when they weren't paying attention.

3) Program the dances that are best with many dancers to be played between 8:30 and 10:30 PM (but not during the snack time!) Some such dances are Heilsberger Dreieck, Schwartzerdner, the trios Walpole Cottage, Triolet, and Dashing White Sergeant, and even Byelolitsa Kruglolitsa.

4) During snack time announce and play some generic couple dance stuff-- waltz, hambo, schottis, swing,

5) Save set dances with complicated walk-throughs for after 11:00 PM.

FLAGLER BEACH by Jan Lathi

In past camps I have usually come away with the feeling that I quite liked one of the instructors’ dances and felt so-so about the other. But this year I am inspired by all of both instructors' dance selections. The teachers were soooo patient with us and were willing to be flexible on teaching a whole day each due to unforseen weather tie-ups. Like many of you, I played both CDs on the way home in the car over and over again.

Great camp Terry, Pat and all who contributed to the total camp effort! (Kudos to Mickey who helped make the food a success.) The wood floor was such an enormous plus that even if there were something to complain about, we shouldn't!

The Flagler Beach International Dancers (formerly known as the Palm Coast International Dancers) is a daytime group (Thursdays 2-4) and we invite any of you who has Thursday afternoons free to join us. We have twelve rather consistent members, four of whom have lost significant others in the past two years (Betty, Anita, Minnie, and Jan).

Most recently, we lost Frank Fahy, Minnie's constant companion and viewer and critic of our dancing. He was helpful when we were trying to perfect our recent dance performance at a Universalist/Unitarian society. So we have become an undaunted ladies' group but we will make an exception if a gentleman should wish to join us in the future. We are currently working on the Hula and Sweets of May as works-in-progress and I am excited about sharing many of the camp dances.

We are looking forward to Arleen Kaufmann's reappearance sometime in March. She divides her time between Gainesville and Flagler Beach.

I have just completed a month and a half of traveling to Key West, Nassau, Maui and Keystone Heights, Florida. My suitcase doesn't know what hit it! And I plan to visit my brother and sister-in-law in Pinellas Pines, FL this weekend (Feb 25-26th). I hope to visit them often and also plan to catch the Tampa groups on Tuesdays and/or Fridays when I do.

It was great to see all those who attended camp this year but I missed Kay Demos, Sandy Cowan and many of the others who did not make it. You all missed something really wonderful!

ORLANDO INTERNATIONAL FOLK DANCE CLUB by Pat Henderson

Our club has been saddened by the sudden passing of Ann Robinson's husband, Danny, on February 24.  We were at camp enjoying our Saturday evening dance party when police came to the door looking for Ann.  Danny was in Lake City preparing to call a square dance when he had a massive brain bleed from a stroke.  He was rushed to Shands Hospital and had emergency surgery.  The damage was too extensive for him to recover.  Hailing from West Virginia, Danny had been calling square dancing for 42 years in Orlando.  

I will cherish the memories Danny and Ann on the Dance on the Water Danube trip in 2004.  He always had a joke for you when you talked to him.   He called a square dance on July 4 for us on the river boat. 

In spite of the tragic event described above, our club members really enjoyed the camp this year.  We had great teachers, great food and dances that we want to keep.  We did 6 of the dances at our first  club meeting after camp.  We danced so much at camp that it took days to recover afterward.   Thank you to Ann, Juanita and Joy for doing the decorations of the dance hall with greenery and flowers.

TAMPA by Terry Abrahams

We were thrilled to have Ursula at camp with us following all her surgeries.  We were also thrilled to have Charlene there as a scholarship person, and hope she will now start dancing on Friday nights as well as to Israeli on Tuesdays.  She used to be an international dancer, and I think we got her back in the fold!  Andy had the flu and couldn’t make it, he’s still sick and won’t make the review.  Bad timing!  But Andi Kapplin practiced on the Sarasota group, Wednesday, so I’m sure she’ll do a great review for us, so we aren’t worried!  The dances were so good, even Ernesto was up on the floor!   I was supposed to be in the Law Follies Thursday following camp, as they asked me to do my little Fiddler on the roof number. The new choreographer didn’t like it – I pulled out.  Thank God, I needed the rest!  Now a big fencing tournament in Lakeland– never a dull weekend! 

FROM THE GAINESVILLE INTERNATIONAL DANCERS by Jack Seltzer

Well, we made it.....the new camp sure turned out successful for the Gainesville International Dancers. What more could we have wanted from the 3 day Serb - Polish dance marathon...?

Food aplenty (and so well prepared), dancing continuously, and endless friendships to be developed...

We sure appreciated the efforts of Miroslav and Richard....what a stalwart effort Miroslav did all day Saturday, waiting for Richard to get out of Canada....not an easy assignment...to keep all the folk dance troupers happy having to dance the difficult style of Serbian for 4 morning & afternoon sessions. Thank You !!!!!

Thanks also to Terry and Pat for all their organizing skills.....John for spinning his masterful music maneuverings.....Bobby for doing so much of the dirty work.....Julius for doing the fine filming....and everyone else I didn't mention who contributed to the great camp this year......what a lot of fun!!

Anyway, we're busy doing all of the dances pretty much....it's so unique to be able to do the Polonez Royale with all its antics and hokiness.....

Coming up in a few weeks, March 26th, the group will be introducing international dances to the local community at the Kanapaha Spring Festival, here in Gainesville....it's a fun outdoor environment (lots of plants, trees and green grass) to dance some of our stuff.... See you all soon.

FOLK DANCING IN FROSTPROOF

by Caroline Lanker

We are still working at getting some folk dancing going out here where we live. Gary and I hold dance parties at our home, usually on Saturdays. We have a few enthusiastic local people, all beginners, ranging in age from about 12 to over 80. Some intrepid FFDC dancers from Orlando, Melbourne and Tampa have made the trek over here on occasion. The locals really appreciate having experienced dancers visit.

If we have FFDC dancers coming, we start with request dancing in the afternoon. The local dancers come later and everyone shares a pot luck supper. Then we dance after supper, concentrating on easier dances which everyone can join in. Sometimes we demo a harder dance. Some of our locals have learned enough we are starting to introduce a little more challenging stuff (think Horehronsky Czaras, not Mesosegi).

In February, we were asked to do an evening of folk dancing for a group of home-schooled teen-agers and a few of their parents. We had 18 teens and 5 parents dancing! We stuck to pretty easy dances, but some were quite energetic ones. Most of the kids caught on fast and seemed to enjoy it.

Our next dance party is March 11, which may be before this newsletter comes out, but we will be scheduling more in the future. We’re in the middle of the Florida peninsula - about 10 miles south of SR 60 and 8 miles east of US 27. Orlando is about 1½ hrs. away and the east and west coasts about 2 hours. If you live close enough to consider coming and would like to be informed when we are dancing, please contact me (number/address on the last page). Our dance floor is still unfinished, but it is wooden!

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