Mound Blast

December 5, 2015 – Westonka Whirlers hosted a Mainstream Blast in Mound with Caller Dick Rueter.

What a fantastic group having a fabulous day, all the while indulging in an incredible dose of Vitamin F: Fun, Fellowship, Fitness, new Friends, superb Food, and more Fun, all topped with endless smiles and laughter!  Most new dancers had attended a prior ABC dance. Some are currently in class; some attended the basic BLAST in November.

What a fantastic group having a fabulous day, all the while indulging in an incredible dose of Vitamin F: Fun, Fellowship, Fitness, new Friends, superb Food, and more Fun, all topped with endless smiles and laughter! Most new dancers had attended a prior ABC dance. Some are currently in class; some attended the basic BLAST in November.

Festivities were orchestrated by the one-and-only maestro Dick Rueter!  Dancing while learning from the maestro were Dick's two mentees: Monte Guenzler from Rochester and Doug Setterstrom from Duluth.

Festivities were orchestrated by the one-and-only maestro Dick Rueter! Dancing while learning from the maestro were Dick’s two mentees: Monte Guenzler from Rochester and Doug Setterstrom from Duluth.

A big thank you to every angel from eight clubs who stopped by to donate a few hours of time or the day to the future of square dancing!  You are special and always appreciated!

A big thank you to every angel from eight clubs who stopped by to donate a few hours of time or the day to the future of square dancing! You are special and always appreciated!

By 3:45 p.m.,  everyone had been introduced to or had reviewed 68 calls.

By 3:45 p.m., everyone had been introduced to or had reviewed 68 calls.

Six squares danced all day, sometimes seven!

Six squares danced all day, sometimes seven!

Energy, excitement and great fellowship filled the Grandview cafeteria.

Energy, excitement and great fellowship filled the Grandview cafeteria.

Lots of information was available for the participants. Cruises, special weekends, trips, t-shirts, weekly dances--all are part of this great activity. Check the website www.wheresthedance.com for dances all over the world.  Others websites to check are www.westonkawhirlers.com  and www.comesquaredance.com  and  www.squaredancemn.com.

Lots of information was available for the participants. Cruises, special weekends, trips, t-shirts, weekly dances–all are part of this great activity.

Smiles and laughter and meeting new people and learning new calls--what fun all day long!

Smiles and laughter and meeting new people and learning new calls–what fun all day long!

Want a calendar of where you can go dancing around the world? Click on this address: www.squaredancemn.com/?post_type=tribe_events

Want a calendar of where you can go dancing around the world? Go to this address: www.squaredancemn.com/?post_type=tribe_events

The Vitamin F in the form of potluck food stretched across the back of the cafeteria.

The Vitamin F in the form of potluck food stretched across the back of the cafeteria.

Luckily all the calories were removed from the dessert table!

Luckily all the calories were removed from the dessert table!

Minnesota hotdishes filled one table!

Minnesota hotdishes filled one table!

A gigantic thanks to all the angels who formed "demonstration" squares so Dick could show calls he was teaching. Very helpful!

A gigantic thanks to all the angels who formed “demonstration” squares so Dick could show calls he was teaching. Very helpful!

Congratulations one and all!  You were still smiling at 4 p.m.!

Congratulations one and all! You were still smiling at 4 p.m.!

Afternoon Squares

December 3, 2015 – Afternoon Squares Square Dance, Hopkins, Caller Abe Maier.  The Afternoon Squares presented generous donations to the Hopkins Activity Center’s Giving Tree collection at last Thursday’s dance.  Among a few of the items donated included silverware, hats, canned goods, a hand made item, and cash.

Afternoon Squares!

Afternoon Squares!

Bloomington Swirlers

December 4, 2015 – Bloomington Swirlers “Roundup Subscription” Square Dance, Bloomington, Caller Wayne Kubicek, Cuers Mike and Edie Kirsch.  Representatives from 11 organizations danced in 6 squares.

County Line Squares retrieved their banner!

County Line Squares retrieved their banner!

SDM Fall Festival

November 29, 2015 – SDM Fall Festival Square Dance, St Cloud, Callers Tom Allen, Dick Rueter, Roger McNeil, Charley Huhtala, Monte Guenzler, Tom Jacobs, and Andy Flint, Cuers Sarah Klaphake, Donna Stone, and Bernadette McNeil.  Twenty-three organizations were represented with 12 squares and round dancers.  Come Square Dance representatives were present as were the United Square Dancers of America Plains Region Vice Presidents Judy and Floyd Engelhardt.  Awards were presented to the chronologically enriched and travelers.  Also special recognition certificates were presented.  Valley Stars was presented their documentation making them part of SDM and recognizing them as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

A huge thanks to the callers and cuers who volunteered their time and talent!

A huge thanks to the callers and cuers who volunteered their time and talent!

A huge thanks to Floyd and Judy Engelhardt who brought the USDA pamphlets and booklets (all free)!

A huge thanks to Floyd and Judy Engelhardt who brought the USDA pamphlets and booklets (all free)!

Over 12 squares from 23 clubs enjoyed a fun afternoon!

Over 12 squares from 23 clubs enjoyed a fun afternoon!

Dancing!

Dancing!

More dancing!

More dancing!

And, even more dancing!

And, even more dancing!

All gave thanks for the bountiful meal served after the dance and the award program.

All gave thanks for the bountiful meal served after the dance and the award program.

Three tables were crammed with luscious desserts--all calories removed!

Three tables were crammed with luscious desserts–all calories removed!

South Metro Stars

November 28, 2015 – South Metro Stars Square Dance, Burnsville, Caller Roger McNeil, Cuer Bernadette McNeil, with guest callers Dick Rueter and Charley Huhtala.  Ten organizations were represented with more than nine squares.  Royalty present were Queen Jennifer and King Barry from Spares & Pairs, Queen Debbie from Westonka Whirlers, Queen Julie from Hotfoot Stompers, and Queen Kay from South Metro Stars.  Dignitaries were Federation Vice President Michelle Jensen, and Square Dance Minnesota Chair LeRoy Elfmann, Vice Chair Don Hanson, Secretary Mary Kay Amberg, Historians Cindy and Al Martin, and Marketing Dee and Ken Scott.

Hotfoot Stompers claimed a banner!

Hotfoot Stompers claimed a banner!

County Line Squares retrieved their banner!

County Line Squares retrieved their banner!

Spares & Pairs claimed a banner!

Spares & Pairs claimed a banner!

Riverbend Promenaders claimed a banner!

Riverbend Promenaders claimed a banner!

Westonka Whirlers claimed a banner!

Westonka Whirlers claimed a banner!

Gospel Plus

November 27, 2015 – Gospel Plus Square Dance, Hopkins, Caller Dick Rueter, Cuer Ray Belanger.  Guest Caller Roger McNeil.  Eight squares with dancers from 15 organizations were represented.

Westonka Whirlers with Caller Dick Rueter!

Westonka Whirlers with Caller Dick Rueter!

Hotfoot Stompers!

Hotfoot Stompers!

Westonka Whirlers

November 21, 2015 – Westonka Whirlers “Give Thanks” Square Dance, Mound, Caller Dick Rueter, Cuer Ray Belanger.

Roger McNeil came to Westonka Whirlers Saturday night to "save" the dance for Dick--usually Dick goes out to help "save the dance." Bernadette helped Ray a bit too!

Roger McNeil came to Westonka Whirlers Saturday night to “save” the dance for Dick–usually Dick goes out to help “save the dance.” Bernadette helped Ray a bit too!

Eight stolen banners on display!

Eight stolen banners on display!

South Metro Stars retrieved their banner!

South Metro Stars retrieved their banner!

Single Circles

November 20, 2015 – Single Circles “Salute to Veterans” Square Dance, Maple Grove, Caller Dick Rueter, Cuer Jane Simpson.

Hotfoot Stompers earned a banner!

Hotfoot Stompers earned a banner!

Ten veterans danced to the calling and cueing of veterans Dick and Ken!

Ten veterans danced to the calling and cueing of veterans Dick and Ken!