BETWEEN TIPS
"BETWEEN TIPS" is the official bulletin of the
SQUARE & ROUND DANCE FEDERATION OF NOVA SCOTIA
Bob Ruohoniemi, Editor, 6939 Hwy 1 Ardoise, RR 1 Ellershouse, NS B0N 1L0
phone (902) 757-3884 email: bobruoho@ns.sympatico.ca        www.squaredance.ns.ca
MARCH    2007    --    NUMBER 135
(Back Issues)                       (Return to Home Index)

You may download this MARCH 2007 as a PDF file.

Editor's Comments:
      The "heart" of the dance season is with us as clubs enjoy regular dances and the annual winter specials. Newdancers are learning lots of moves while having a fun time each week. We are so lucky to be enjoying this activity.This month there is news from the Federation meeting, club events, Heart Dances, the Canadian Society, & a bit ofhistory too! Please ensure that the club copy is available to all club members. Why not make extra copies for your clubdancers? The deadlines for the future editions are:15 Mar., 15 Apr., 15 May.

NEWS FROM THE FEDERATION
      The Winter meeting of the Federation Board was held in Melvern Square on 27 January. The main items were:

• The Director of Dance NS, Dianne Milligan, made a presentation regarding the annual International Dance Dayalways held on 29 April. Details are shown further on in this newsletter.
  
• Acting Secretary, Dottie Welch, issued updated editions of both the By-laws & Executive Guidebook.
• It was noted with concern, that the Federation still needs a Secretary, Publicity Officer, & DANS representative.As well, the Finance committee needs two members.
• It was decided to again publish the Summer Brochure to be placed in tourism locations for visiting dancers.Dottie Welch volunteered to collect the information. Clubs/Callers/Cuers should send it to her by 1 April.
• The Board again decided to take part in the 50+ EXPO at the Halifax Exhibition Grounds on 8&9 June.Bob Ruohoniemi volunteered to chair this project. In order to have suitable information in handouts, he needs thecontact names/info and dates/times for clubs' Open Houses if they will be accepting New Dancers by, 1 May.
• The NS Canadian Society Directors, Bob & Inge Ruohoniemi reported that there were 33 clubs and over 700dancers registered in the Federation. The decline in numbers of dancers is also a national trend. The Society willtake special recognition of those dancers who have attended every National Convention including 2008 in London,Ontario, which is the 30th anniversary of the CSRDS.
• The Acting DANS rep., Inge Ruohoniemi, noted that all clubs can receive administrative support from Dance NSNova Scotia (DANS) with photocopying in both black and colour, & glossy at very low rates. They can also makeposters. The office is at 1113 Marginal Rd., Halifax, (behind the Via train station). 422-1749, office@dancens.ca
• The next Board meeting will be held at 1:30pm., 21 April, in the Bridgewater Sobeys' Community Room.
• The SRDFNS AGM 2007 is now scheduled for Saturday, October 13, at the North Woodside Community Centre.

NEWS FROM HALIFAX NATIONAL FESTIVAL 2010
      The FESTIVAL 2010 Committee met on 24 February, so watch for more information in the next Between Tips.In the meantime, dancers should be collecting their favourite Maritime recipes for the FESTIVAL 2010 Cookbook.Check the Federation website at: www.squaredance.ns.ca click on the square 2010 for the latest information.If you haven't yet registered, please do so!

SRDFNS FESTIVAL 2007
      This fund-raiser for Halifax National Festival 2010 will soon be here! Readers should mark their calendars forJuly 20 & 21, 2007. Festival 2007 will take place at Cole Harbour Place, Dartmouth with tile floors & full air-conditioning! Callers & Cuers from ANSSRDT & MCCA will provide Basic, Mainstream, Plus, & Rounds.Early registration prices end on 1 May so dancers should pick up a blue flyer at their club or off the Federationwebpage, and save some money by sending it in now!

INTERNATIONAL DANCE DAY
Background
In 1982 the International Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute (ITI UNESCO) founded InternationalDance Day to be celebrated every year on the 29th of April. The date commemorates the birthday of Jean-GeorgesNoverre, who was born in 1727 and was a great reformer of dance. Every year a message from a well known dancepersonality is circulated throughout the world. The intention of International Dance Day and the Message is to bring alldance together on this day, to celebrate this art form and revel in its universality, to cross all political, cultural and ethnicbarriers and bring people together in peace and friendship with a common language Dance.
International Dance Committee, International Theatre Institute/UNESCO
Comit‚ de Danse International de l Institut International du Th‚ƒtre/UNESCO
World Dance Alliance -- WDA L'Alliance Mondiale de la Danse
Dance Nova Scotia is part of a national effort to use International Dance Day to help raise public awareness of danceand the benefits that it brings to individuals and communities. We are encouraging our members to undertake projectsthat highlight the theme and involve the general public. Since this year's theme is children, one project idea is to partnerwith a church or community group to hold a family dance on a the Sunday afternoon.
Dance Nova Scotia will help groups and organizations to wish to participate, by providing posters, flyers, mediareleases and public service announcements. DANS will also contact local recreation directors to let them know aboutthe day and the projects that are happening in their communities.
We ask that clubs that plan to participate contact the DANS office by March 19th.

Dianne Swinemar, Edna Myers, Kristin Schmitz
Edna Myers, longest-serving member of Scotia Dancers, presenting $1,246.27 from her annual
penny-collection to Feed Nova Scotia in December of 2006.

      Two aspects should be considered. What advertising approach should be used?; and has it been tried?The Federation Publicity Seminar critically examined proven methods of recruiting and also looked at knownmethods that have worked. Successful methods have been described in the American Square Dance Magazine, and aclub in New Zealand that we attended had 10 squares in class. It can be done. Contact your Federation but only ifyou're really interested.

************************************************************************

West Kings Twirlers held a successful Winter Wonderland Dance 27 Jan. 2007

************************************************************************

We Remember: Basil Griffin who passed away December 8, 2006, in his 88th year, in Burlington Ontario.He wasthe caller for Hightide Twirlers 1982 to 1988. The following is taken from an article written by Marion Atkinson andprinted in Between Tips February 1989. (Square Dance Archives)

"A Fond Farewell to the Griff-Inns.

      The "Griff-Inn" is up for sale, (may already be sold), their square dance shoes will be cooling off and as of their6th graduation this past May, Madeleine and Basil's mic will be hung up for a time. The Griffins will head south toArizona in the fall for sun and fun. They will take with them the love and best wishes of all their friends and fellowsquare and round dancers everywhere.

      Six years may not seem very long in the role of teacher but Basil did not take up the calling aspect of the activityuntil his retirement from the work force. Up until then Madeleine (affectionately known by the dancers as "Maddie")lived in Burlington, Ontario and danced with clubs in Burlington and Toronto. They were members of the NationalCampers Association and traveled and danced extensively in Canada, USA and Hawaii. They were off everyweekend from May to November. Basil attended one summer of caller school with the Toronto District SquareDance Callers School.

      In May of 1979 the Griffins left Ontario for Basil's hometown of Kentville. There to settle down and enjoy theirretirement. No rocking chair for this vibrant couple. Besides their home in Kentville, they acquired 30 acres ofwoodland in Black Rock and there established the "Griff-Inn".

      That same summer Maddie and Basil went further down the valley to the House of Roth to attend Gloria's CallerSchool. They returned for a second year and in the meantime joined the Haley Dancers Club. Their friendly mannerand willingness to please soon made them a big plus to the Haley Dancers. Maddie, who is able to turn her hand toanything, took on many club projects.

      The Griffins also attended DANS Caller School at Acadia University in 1981,'82 and '83. They were alsoinvolved in Federation roles.

      In the fall of '82 they started a class of 8 couples in Avonport. From there the Hightide Twirlers has grown to aclub of 53 couples. They were also members of the K & M Valley Rounds and remained members of the HaleyDancers. They were also active members of MCCA.

      With Maddie and Basil you are never a stranger for long. Fun and friendliness is the name of the game. Once theweather allows the Griff-Inn is a busy spot with square dancers from all clubs in the area being invited up for fun,food and games. Their evening campfires are something to be remembered. If anyone in the area has troubles orillness the Griffins are the first at your door to offer help and comfort. They are never too busy to lend a helpinghand. Their club will certainly miss this attention but wish only the best for this couple. We all wish them well in thefuture, hoping their warm winters will keep them in good health. When they return to Nova Scotia, we hope tosquare up with them again."

      Madeleine Griffin designed and made the first Federation banner, about 1982, which was in use until it wasreplaced in 1999 by a banner made by Royce Porter. - Submitted by Archivist couple Harold and Clara Redden.

************************************************************************

NEWS FROM THE VALLEY ASSOCIATION

      The seven clubs located in the Annapolis Valley hosted the annual Dance For Heart benefit on 17 February in theWaterville Fire Hall. With over 10 Squares in attendance, the Valley Callers and Cuers had a full floor for every tip!Mary's Islanders Dance Troupe provided a wonderful entertainment show with new routines prepared for thissummer's performances in Halifax, for the Parade of Sail.
      Attendees at the dance provided a performance of their own at the door with donations to the Heart and StrokeFoundation of Nova Scotia. After adding in half from the 50/50 draw, the Foundation received a donation of $1300!Everyone enjoyed the healthy lunch provided by the Valley club members. Another successful event!

************************************************************************

THE DANS AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING CONTRIBUTION TO DANCE IN NOVA SCOTIA

      This award is the highest award offered by Dance Nova Scotia. It will be presented as merited, to an individualwho has given exceptional service to the development of dance as a cultural, educational, artistic, and healthyactivity for Nova Scotians at the provincial, national and/or international level. The proposed individual must berecommended by at least three people who are members of groups within the DANS organization. In makingrecommendations, the fullest possible information must accompany the application, including but not limited to: aresume of the nominee, photocopies of newspaper/magazine/ newsletter articles, photos, statements by individualsboth in and outside of the dance communityattesting to the contribution of the nominee.
      Submissions should be submitted through Federation Regional Representatives to the Federation President.

************************************************************************

A NEW HALIFAX DANCE SCENE WEB PAGE

      Post your latest dance events for free on the new "Scene" webpage for Halifax: Info Monkey.The site address is www.infomonkey.net More information is available from: Ted Sutcliffe ted@infomonkey.net

************************************************************************

ALGUIRE MEMORIAL CALLERS SCHOOL 2007

      This week of training for would-be and current callers is scheduled for Sunday evening August 26th throughFriday evening August 31st with a special dance on Friday Evening (place TBA). This third Alguire MemorialCallers School will have Ken Ritucci, an accredited Callerlab Caller Coach from Massachusetts leading a team of 3teachers with Kerry Fletcher and Dottie Welch. Anyone interested in becoming a caller should seriously considerattending this school. The Alguire Callers Memorial Fund, the NS Federation, and the Canadian Society offersignificant financial support to any Nova Scotia attendees. dwelch@orion.stmarys.ca       www.squaredance.ns.ca

************************************************************************

FESTIVAL 2008 - "MAKE A DATE FOR 2008"

      The 16th National Convention to be held in London, Ontario, 17-19 July, 2008, has over 700 registered dancers.Those dancers who have not yet made hotel reservations should soon be doing so! The yellow Registration Form hasall the information you need to both register for the Festival and make accommodation arrangements. Most clubshave the form, but if readers visit the Festival 2008 website www.swosda.ca/2008 the forms are available there.There are two campsites available with shuttle service provided. As well, University accommodation will beavailable with reservations accepted at the University of Western Ontario after February 2008.
London, Ontario websites of interest are: www.london.ca and london Convention centrewww.londoncc.com

************************************************************************

UPCOMING MAJOR EVENTS

49th New England Square & Roudn Dance Convention - 27/28 April 07 - Springfield, MA www.nesrdc.org

46th T & D International Square&Round Dance Convnetion - 10-12 May 07 - St. Catharines, ON www.tddance.ca/

56th National Square Dance Convention - 27 - 30 June 07 - Charlotte, NC www.56thNSDC.com

38th Thunder Bay Sq. & Round Dance Festival - 5/7 July 07 - Thunder Bay, ON Email: donduduck@hotmail.com

Harvest Ball 2007 - 28 - 30 Sep. - Ottawa, ON www.iagsdc.org

38th Maritime Square&Round Dance Convention - 9/10 Nov 07 - Wolfville, NS Email: nkdorey@ns.sympatico.ca

---

(Return to Home Index)