No More Chemo Party

by Andi Kapplin

On Tuesday, February 5, a "No More Chemo For Terry" party was held at Kate Jackson Recreation Center in Tampa, to celebrate the end of Terry Abrahams’ chemo treatments a week earlier. The party was organized by Jennifer Velt and took place on our regular Israeli dance night. Almost 50 people were in attendance, with local friends and dancers as well as dancers from Orlando, Sarasota, Ocala, Frostproof, and even a surprise visitor from Philadelphia! The Philly dancer was Darcy Silvers who happened to be visiting Orlando.

A lot of easy and familiar dances got most of the crowd up and dancing, even those who had not done Israeli in years. We took a small break for refreshments. Jen read notes from a few invitees who had not been able to attend and we toasted our honoree (with sparkling grape juice – no alcohol in the city park building!)

From the Editor

The February 2008 Florida Folk Dancer is a sort of catch-up issue, containing some articles that didn’t make it into the January issue. Since it was partially complete before the FFDC Camp, it will be published ASAP after camp. John wrote his President’s Letter at camp, so it has a little camp stuff in it. But the big post-camp issue will come out in March.

From time to time I find out that one of our members has attended some neat dance event or camp but hasn’t written about it for the newsletter. The usual excuse is, “I don’t write very well”, or some variation thereof. But that really doesn’t need to be a deterrent. Bernice Roth was one of those people, but with a little prodding and a little help, she came through. The writing of her article, “Christmas Country Dance School,” next page, is a good example of how the process can work. I asked a few pertinent questions. Her answers provided the information to put together an article. Most of the words are in it are straight from Bernice’s keyboard. I just did a little editing. Bernice also helpfully sent the address of a web site where I could verify some facts, like the official name of the event.

If you attend a dance event or performance that was interesting to you, answer the following questions. What was it? Where was it? When was it? Who was there? – pertinent names, not everyone. What type of dancing was involved? Briefly, what was the facility like? Most importantly, what was it about the event that particularly interested, pleased, displeased or amused you? Write down your answers and send them to me. I’ll work with you to produce an article.

The subject matter doesn’t have to be international folk dancing. We are an eclectic bunch and most of us do two or more types of dancing. Bernice’s article features some of her other dance interests.

Remember that the audience for the Florida Folk Dancer is your friends and fellow dancers. They are interested in what interests you.

– CL

Terry (in hat) with some of the many party guests.

Top: Debbie Meitin, Andi Kapplin, Darcy Silvers; Jennifer Velt. Above: Kevin Wilkins, Nil Wilkins, Irma Polster, Ernesto Baizan, Kathy Aagaard. Below: Donna Young (whose birthday was that day); Jeff Smith, Linda Allred, Andi Kapplin; Judith Baizan, Bobbie Ward, Barbara Ward Donovan, Stan Prince

Photos by Jennifer Velt, Debbie Meitin and Caroline Lanker

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The cost is only 10 euros ($15 at the current exchange) for six weeks. They meet starting at 8:30 PM following a ballet class with dancers from a Degas painting.

The next week we reviewed most of the same dances, all challenging and interesting, a few quite difficult. She teaches with the music, calling the steps, stopping to teach only if necessary. Most of the dances are line dances but a few were couple.

She asked us to show our version of Rustemul, which we did without flaw. Then we taught it. This group is advanced enough to learn this dance without much instruction. Some of the steps are shared with the version they do. Perhaps we’ll learn that next week.

Gary

Danse en Paris

[The following is adapted from a note from Gary Kirkpatrick. Gary and Peg Kirkpatrick are regular dancers in Gainesville, but they also spend extended periods of time in Paris.]

Paris January - February 2008

We’ve discovered more dance groups here than we did during our last visit in the fall of 2006. I don’t know if they are new or if we just did not know how to find them at that time, but probably the latter.

First, January 16^th, back to the Greek group we were dancing with last year. They gave us a warm welcome. Many of the same people still come, with some additions. There were about 15 people there, a nice size group. Madam Gouroussi runs the group with a firm hand, with one main assistant. This first evening we danced several variations on the syrtos. We’d not seen the dances before. The pace and steps were much the same, so the evening suffered from redundancy. Nonetheless there were some dances worth learning. Madam encouraged each of us to learn one of the dances. Getting the steps from a syllabus is not a possibility, as Madame does not supply such items.

Our folk dance font of information, Louise Horvath, told us about an International (called ‘universal’ in French) group and a Romanian group. The following Tuesday we attended the International group. Currently it meets just around the corner from our flat.

The meeting place is in the crypt of a church. Unfortunately the floor is carpet, presumably over masonry of some sort. The teaching was very good. Two women taught all but one dance, which was taught by an ex-pat Canadian. She taught an American dance called O Brother. I’d never heard it before. It was simple and hypnotic, a good mid-level slow dance. Some of the other dances were ones I’d enjoy learning.

Unfortunately the cost is prohibitive, at 10 euros per evening per person! We learned later from Ann, the Canadian, the reason – the hall rental is 150 euros per evening! They just barely cover their costs. They are looking for a new venue since their group has shrunk a bit over the last year or so.

The following Tuesday we went to the Romanian dance group. We knew almost from the start that this was the group for us. The pace was brisk, the steps challenging, the teaching excellent and the music just right. The only lack was the time between dances while the instructor shuffled through the CDs. I asked if she had a copy of Rustemul. She did and danced a part of version I’d not seen.

Christmas Country Dance School

by Bernice Roth

I had a great time over the Christmas holidays when Onie Senyk and I went to the Berea College Christmas Country Dance School in Kentucky. The school is held from the 26th of December to New Years Eve and they use the Berea College facilities. Onie and I stayed in the dorm. Some students from the college attend and get credit for the courses.

Each day we attended six hours of classes. They have classes in English Country dancing, contra, square, clogging, rapper sword, garland, and more. There are also classes in calling, singing, playing music, wood carving, beading, basketry, etc. In the mornings, I did advanced contra, advanced English, and parlor - where we heard announcements, sang, and were entertained by musicians, cloggers, and story tellers. After lunch, I attended a class in square dance calling – I was just a guinea pig in the squares and it gave me an opportunity to learn some of the calls. After that it was English Country Classics and Garland Dancing – a new experience for me.

At the evening dances, we did contras, English dances and squares and all the teachers would do a couple of dances. Many residents from the town and surrounding area came to these dances and a lot of advanced dancers attend Christmas dance week. We danced in a huge gym and sometimes had six or eight lines extending from the band to the end of the gym – it was exhilarating dancing with so many people and so many good dancers. Everyone changed partners after each dance and the gender mix was very good, so I was able to dance on the ladies side all the time. Altogether it was a wonderful experience!

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South Brevard International Dancers

by Suzan Grinarml

Our Melbourne Dancers meet every Friday night 7 PM to 10 PM at the Community House in Melbourne Village. In January we had a 12^th Night celebration, celebrating the day that the Magi came to visit the Christ Child. The pictures on this page were taken that evening. Lou and Dave Davia from St. Cloud brought the cake with an almond inside. Catie Condran Geist was the lucky winner of the slice with the nut. She was elegantly crowned Queen with a Burger King Crown by princely John Daly. Catie’s gift was an English Country Dance called Elizabeth.

We are fortunate to have new dancers attending our group this year: Lou and Dave and also Gary and Caroline Lanker from Frostproof, FL. They have taught us many new dances.

Last fall, Pat Henderson and Bobby Quibodeaux and some of the members of their dance group from Orlando visited. We also appreciated their visit very much and learned new and some old dances from them.

Front: Fannie Salerno, Suzan Grinarml; Back: Willa Davidsohn, John Daly, Bernice Roth, David Davia and Lou Davia

Photo by Catie Condran Geist

Catie Condran Geist, Queen of 12th Night

Photo by David Davia

Be a Kid Again!

by Terry Abrahams

This isn’t related to dancing, but it’s related to performances, it relates to one of our dancers, and I was so entranced, I thought I’d write about it. Last week Bobbie, Barbara, I, and a few others went to the Circus Sarasota. Barbara has a special interest in circuses as she performed in a circus for three years. Circus Sarasota is a non-profit organization run by a couple, the woman of which was in Barbara’s troupe back in Barbara’s circus days. So B & B have been quite involved with this circus, attending their galas, etc. This is a very special organization. It was developed because Ringling has moved from Sarasota, taking away the vitality of Sarasota being the “circus city”.

Circus Sarasota is now in its 13th year. Once a year, they do performances in a big top for about a month – February 1-24 this year. The other 11 months are spent involving themselves in the community – visiting with schools, hospitals, etc. and, of course,

organizing for next year’s show. They hire wonderful acts; we enjoyed every one of them. Afterwards we got to go back and see Dolly and Pedro (Dolly was 13 when Barbara was with her), give them a belated wedding gift, have sodas in their trailer and talk old times as well as new time business – it’s hard for non-profits to stay alive these days.

Circus Sarasota is a one-ring circus in a small big-top, but with all the accoutrements of the big circus, minus the dirt! The acts are not as goofy as Circ de Soleil, but they have all the pizzazz one could ask for – a lot more traditional, like the good old days! Good popcorn, hotdogs, cotton candy, toys to buy, a wonderful Ring Master, etc. etc. Along with tickets, they are supported by local organizations, the same as a symphony, ballet or any other performing institution. A great concept and so much fun! If you need something to do, I say – go to the Circus! Their website is www.circussarasota.org and has all the info you need.

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Grapevine International Folk Dancers of Sarasota

by Marie Millett

International folk dancing in Sarasota has been a “ball", especially the last few months. It is great to have a big circle, including our visitors from the North. On January 9 we had a real treat when Sanna and Mars, the Scandinavian teachers, were here visiting Erica and Wylie, who are from Chicago. Of course, we did a Hambo. Hope they come back next year. We’ve also had snowbirds from Milwaukee and Toronto. Bill Schwarz drops in every once in awhile and we were pleased that Gary and Caroline Lanker, from Frostproof, danced with us a few weeks ago.

Andi has been preparing us for (un)camp by teaching an Armenian dance, Moosh/Sassoon, brought to us by Erica and Wylie. For me it is challenging but fun.

Orlando International Folk Dancers

by Pat Henderson

Our group's big event for January was a performance in Maitland on January 12. It was a charity event for the Hope Community Center in Apopka. The center was started by the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur in the early '70s and helps out farmworkers in the area. Our group of eleven demonstrated the following dances: Tzadik Katamar, Sborinka, Polonez Royale and Above the Rainbow. The sisters and the audience enjoyed our Irish finale as we performed it in two lines facing each other – Lord of the Dance style. After the entertainment, we enjoyed a buffet dinner. The photos below show the group at the table.

On February 2, Bobby and I, along with Manuel and Palmira Mora-Valls, joined Kelly Fagan and her family for the Greek Festival in Ocala. A band from Atlanta, Night in Athens, played and we danced until our feet and legs were tired. One bonus is that Bobby won one of the 50-50 raffles for $50.

National Folk Organization Update

by Pat Henderson

Remember that the National Folk Organization (NFO) is meeting in Orlando February 28 - March 2, featuring Lee Otterholt as a guest teacher and lecturer. The main event will be a workshop during the day on Saturday, March 1, starting at 10 AM, at the Whirl & Twirl Square Dance Hall. A catered dinner will be provided and an evening dance party follows. Because of the meal, you need to register at least one week in advance. As it gets closer, you can make reservations with me.

You can come to the Friday night dance party and pay at the door. We will have two performing groups that night – the Greek Kefi Hellenic Dancers from New Smyrna and the New Age Dancers from Orlando. For more information, follow the link to the NFO homepage in the Events section. Of course, you can attend the whole conference that includes meetings and lunch during the day Friday.

Previously, we had announced that Lee would be attending our Wednesday night dance before the workshop, but his plans changed and he will not. However, we are having a dance party that night beginning at our regular time, 7:30 PM. We anticipate a few out of town dancers that night.

Above left: Bobby Quibodeaux, Ann Robinson, Lucy Birkemeier, Joe Birkemeier; above: Joy Herndon, Juanita Schockey, Phyllis Dammer, Kelly Fagan, Emilie Brozek

Photos by Mary Jean Linn

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Events

February 22-24 Greek Festival, New Port Richey

Place: St. George Greek Orthodox Church, 9426 Little Road, New Port Richey, FL 34654; 727-868-5911

Times: Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM; Sunday Noon to 9 PM

Tampa's Back...

by Terry Abrahams

Well, talk about a first! Last month was the first time I haven't had some sort of article in the newsletter for ???? years. I had thought of what to say, was waiting on something or other, and it never happened! I think I was the only one that noticed, but I was mortified! Well, now I've thrown away my last year's calendar and can't remember if anything exciting happened in December. My travel Buddy Jodi did come in for a week, I skipped a chemo treatment and had enough energy to "do" Florida! We did the Ringling Brothers Museum, on to my sis' in Sanibel, shopped, beached, sunsetted, ate, talked; on to Micanopy, shopped; on to G'ville to the Black and White Ball (contra), danced; on to St. Augustine, did history, shopped; back to Tampa in time for New Year's Eve - both WMNF party and First Night; on New Years Day morning we did yoga; that afternoon joined by Ruthy Slann, gossiped, ate; next day shopped; on to a Tibetan show at International Museum in St. Pete; on to Tarpon Springs to eat; on to the Tammies' performance – a perfect ending. Next day I shot her off to Richmond, I went to chemo, and I've been tired ever since!

I’ve completed chemo now, hurray! The Tampa Israeli group had a big party to celebrate – see “No More Chemo Party” on page 3. After that, I get three weeks break, on to radiation for five weeks, and done!! A few months to regain my strength and I'll be there!

Since December, there have been numerous jam sessions attended by Dylan, Kathie, Jim, Wanda, and myself. Add Judith and Ernesto to that list, and we all were at the Tampa Friends of Old Time Dance (TFOOTD) Snowball in January. Great bands, great callers, great food, great T-shirt (hmmm, could that be because I designed it?), big button sales. If I only could have danced...I did do a few at very low energy level, and loved it. We were looking forward to Annie and Fred coming, but only Annie made it; Fred got sick. A few weeks ago Larry Unger and a fiddler played at contra and they are amazing!

Well, for not writing last month, I'm not very prolific this month, and I didn't get any good pictures either. So I'll just look at what you all send in and love it! Here's a button idea someone gave me, "What happens on the dance floor stays on the dance floor."

I Will Not Stop Dancing

by Eta Goz

The years weigh me down

and the legs somewhat slipping

but I am still dancing.

When the melody plays

and the dance summons

I forget every pain

and I am dancing.

My head is dizzy

My balance unsteady

but I am still dancing.

I kept the memories in my legs

and as in my youth

I am dancing the hora

As the melody plays in my ears.

Outside lightning and stormy rain

Terror and disaster

and I am dancing.

I cannot bring back old times

but I am still here

and as long as I feel the rhythm

whether joyous or sad

No, no I will not stop dancing!

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March 7-9 Greek Festival, Ft. Pierce

Place: St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, 2525 South 25th Street, Ft. Pierce, FL, 561-464-7194, www.stnicholasftpierce.com/festival.html

Times: Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 10 PM; Sunday 11 AM to 7 PM

Tuesday, March 11 Full Circle to Play for English Country Dancing

Place: Community House in Melbourne Village

Time: 6:30 PM to 9 PM

Contact: Catie Condran Geist,321-427-3587, catiegeist@att.net

Saturday, March 15 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Sunrise Civic Center Theater, Sunrise, FL

Time: 7:30 PM

Contact: Box Office, 954-747-4646

Information: www.tamburitzans.duq.edu/

March 14 – 16 San Antonio Folk Dance Festival

Marking Nelda Drury's 50th anniversary of founding and involvement with the San Antonio College Folk Dance Festival and the newer San Antonio Folk Dance Festival.

Place: Our Lady of The Lake University's International Folk Culture Center, 411 SW 24th St., San Antonio, TX 78207.

Instructor: Miroslav Marcetic, Serbian. Also a Serbian musicians ensemble.

Includes: Saturday gala concert of performing groups, primarily from Texas

Information, schedule and registration form at www.safdf.org. Contact: Nelda Drury, 210-342-2905, nelda@sc2000.net.

Sunday, March 16 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Mainland High School Performing Arts Center Daytona Beach, FL

Time: 4:00 PM

Contact: Stacy Codd, 386-760-9623.

If you want to attend this performance, contact Julius Horvath (see your FFDC membership list) about possible reduced price tickets.

February 29 – March 2 Greek Festival, West Palm Beach

Place: St. Catherine Greek Orthodox Church, 110 Southern Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL, 561- 833-6387

Times: Friday Noon to 11 PM; Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM; Sunday 11 AM to 10 PM

February 29 – March 2 Greek Festival, Ft. Myers

Place: Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 8210 Cypress Lake Drive, Ft. Myers, FL, 239-481-2099, www.greekfestfortmyers.com

Times: Friday and Saturday 11 AM to 11 PM; Sunday Noon to 7 PM

February 29 – March 2 Greek Festival, Clearwater

Place: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church, 409 S. Old Coachman Rd., Clearwater, FL 33765 727-799-4605

Times: Friday Noon to Midnight; Saturday 11 AM to Midnight; Sunday Noon to 9 PM

February 28 - March 2 National Folk Organization Conference in Orlando

Conference: at the Holiday Inn Select Orlando East/UCF Area, 12125 High Tech Avenue, Orlando, FL 32817 (across the street from the University of Central Florida). Price: $100 for NFO members, $120 non-members includes Friday and Saturday activities. Register by February 14 to avoid late fee.

Friday dance party with Lee Otterholt: at the hotel, $10 at the door

Saturday, March 1 dance workshop by Lee Otterholt, dinner and party: Whirl & Twirl Square Dance Hall, 6949 Venture Circle, Orlando, FL 32807.

More information is on the NFO website:

www.nfo-usa.org. The registration form is at

www.nfo-usa.org/NFOConference08RegForm.htm.

Contact: Pat Henderson, henderp@bellsouth.net , 407-275-6247. Also see article, page 6.

February 22-24 Greek Festival, Melbourne

Place: St. Katherine Greek Orthodox Church, 5965 Wickham Road, Melbourne, FL; 321-254-1045

Time: 11 AM to 11 PM each day

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Please note: The Florida Folk Dancer prints information on folk dance tours, camps and other events that may be of interest to our readers. This does not imply an endorsement or recommendation of any tour or camp (except our own FFDC events!).

International Folk Dance Tours and Workshops

There are a large number of international dance travel opportunities this year. We try to publish a few each month. The following are new or modified listings. See the December 2007 and January 2008 Florida Folk Dancer for other travel opportunities and visit the tour sponsors' websites.

May 3 - 17 and September 6 - 20 Poland Tour

Two similar tours, sponsored by Jim Gold, led by Richard Schmidt

Sightseeing and folk dancing in historic Polish cities and towns.

For complete information on Jim Gold Tours, see www.jimgold.com. Or contact Jim Gold International at 201- 836-0362, jimgold@jimgold.com

Saturday May 10 Mayfair Ball

English Country Dance

Music by Full Circle Band

Place: St. Cloud Senior Citizen Center, 3101 17th Street, St. Cloud, FL

Contact: Pam Russo, 407-284-1955, stcloudecd@yahoo.com;

Catie Condran Geist, 321-427-3587, catiegeist@att.net.

June 14 – 21 Scandia Camp Mendocino

Teachers from Hallingdal, Norway and Värmland, Sweden

Place: Mendocino Woodlands, near Mendocino, CA

Price: $690 per person; registration deadline is May 1, 2008.

Information at www.ScandiaCampMendocino.org. Contact: Registration@ScandiaCamp.org

April 4-6 Rang Tang 35th Year

Teacher: Yuliyan Yordanov, Bulgarian

Music: The Zelyaskov Family of Atlanta

Location: Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, 5240 Memorial Dr., Stone Mountain, GA 30083

Time: Friday 7:30 PM - Midnight; Saturday 8:30 AM - Midnight; Sunday 9:30 AM - 1 PM

Cost: $85, ($60 if traveling further than 300 miles to attend.) Breakfasts are included.

Contact: Liz Nunan 404-292-7176, liznunan@hotmail.com

or Mary Turlington, 770-270-6884, maryturl@juno.com

March 27 - 30 The Miami Valley Folk Dancers Workshop - Oldies but Goodies

Teachers: Ron Houston from Austin, Texas, Founder of the Society of Folk Dance Historians, and Alix Cordray from Oslo, Norway.

Place: Michael Solomon Pavilion (Community Golf Course), 2917 Berkley St. Dayton, Ohio 45409

More information: www.daytonfolkdance.com/mvfd.

Contact: Leslie Hyll, 937-252-0638, mvfd@daytonfolkdance.com

Tuesday, March 18 Duquesne University Tamburitzans

Place: Palm Beach Comm. College Eissey Campus Theatre, Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Time: 7:30 PM

Contact: Box Office, 561-207-5900

March 22-23 Gainesville/UF Spring Israeli Dance Workshop

Teachers: Dany Benshalom from Israel and Ruthy Slann

Place: Westwood Middle School Cafeteria, 3215 NW 15th Avenue, Gainesville, FL

Times: Saturday: Instruction and Party 6 – 11 PM; Sunday: Instruction and review: 9 AM – 12:30 PM and 2 – 6 PM

Price: up to $50 for the full workshop, non-student, if registered by March 10.

Information and registration form: Kehilat Kol Simcha website, www.kolsimcha.org.

Contact: Tony Arroyo 352-485-1210 or Joseph Simpkins 352-283-0649.

Renew Your FFDC Membership

Now is the time to renew your membership with FFDC, if you haven't already done so (unless you are one of the very few whose memberships expire at a different time of year). If you don't renew, March will be the last month you will receive the Florida Folk Dancer, if you get a mailed copy, or receive email notification of its availability on the website and significant announcements by FFDC. FFDC members will also receive a copy of the FFDC membership list. Please continue to support FFDC, the vital glue which cements together our small and sparse community of international folk dancers in Florida and nearby areas.

Florida Folk Dance Council, Inc.

MEMBERSHIP FORM

Last Name: ______________________________ First Name: _________________________

Address:____________________________________________________________________

City: _____________________________________State: __________ ZIP _______________

Email: __________________________________________ Phone: ____________________

If you include an email address, will receive an announcement when the FFDC newsletter, the Florida Folk Dancer, has been posted on the webpage, before it is mailed, as well as other notifications to members. You may choose to receive a mailed copy of the newsletter instead of or in addition to the email announcements.

FFDC Membership With paper newsletter Without paper newsletter

Single 15.00 _________ 10.00 __________

Family 20.00 _________ 15.00 __________

Make check payable to: FFDC Any questions

Mail To: Call: Jan at 386-447-8396

Jan Lathi email: amarjan1@bellsouth.net.

38 St. Andrews Ct. Web page: www.folkdance.org

Palm Coast, FL

October 4-13 Country Dance Tour of Prague and Bohemia

A combination of sightseeing and dancing with Czech native enthusiasts of country dancing. The dance focus is on American contras and squares with some traditional Czech dancing. The main caller is David Millstone. The tour ends with the Country Dance Festival Jasana Bonuše, where there’ll also be English country dance, vintage, Irish, Mexican, and more.


*February 2008*
Contents President's Letter No More Chemo Party From the Editor Danse en Paris Christmas Country Dance School South Brevard International Dancers Be a Kid Again! Orlando International Folk Dancers National Folk Organization Update Grapevine International Folk Dancers of Sarasota Tampa's Back... I Will Not Stop Dancing Events International Folk Dance Tours and Workshops Renew Your FFDC Membership		President’s Letter 2008/02/18 I'm starting this at two AM in the Kenilworth Lodge. In my optimistic eyes, (un)Camp has gone really well. The instructors have been a great mixture of Romanian exuberance and Armenian elegance. Meals have been healthy and ethnic. The weather inside the Lodge has been fair and comfortable. Best of all, the dancers have been enthusiastic and helpful. When we discussed using the Lodge, about half preferred to go to a real Camp. Regardless of your preferences, you gave us your support. Thank you. And thanks to all who contributed: Pat and Bobby, who hosted the instructors; Willa, Fannie, Suzan, and Bernice, who gave up some of camp to provide superb meals to our buffet; Willa and Fannie for the ethnic design on our T-shirts and on Terry's buttons; Jan, who assumed the burden of handling the finances and registration; Jean, who kept me and the hotel staff organized and on track; Terry and Andy for a great song; Terry and Dylan for live music; Wanda for organizing the Olga Princi Scholarship sale; Donna for running the music; Ann and Kelly for a scintillating dance; the Babiaks and Bobby (and Pat) for their exciting swordsmanship; Julius for his help with both the technical and artistic work of the camp, and also for producing the camp video; Caroline, our Florida Folk Dancer editor, who helped get the publicity out and organized the snacks; all the other folks who contributed to snacks; Gary, who pitched in to help wash dishes, tote and carry. In one way or another there were a huge number of people who helped. Thanks to all.

The pre-party Scandi and set-dance sessions seemed to go over well. Give me some feedback about this and other parts of the program. I've reserved rooms at Kenilworth Lodge for February 13^th - 16^th 2009. Haven't picked instructors. Hungarian is one possibility. Puerto Rico has also been mentioned. Talk to me about other possibilities. Fond memories include Jean playing traffic cop as tables were rolled back into the Plantation Room, Susan Lind-Sinanian reading coffee grounds, Sonia and Christian's gypsy dance, and Terry in a pink wig. Okay, time to move on for tonight. More next month. Thanks again for a great (un)Camp. - John

	The Babiak Ensemble performance at Sarasota Arts Day, January 13 Photos by Gary Peck
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