A big thank you to Ray and Robin for taking charge of the “line dancing” venue during April, May and June.  Both beginner and experienced dancers enjoyed dances in cha, waltz, and two-step rhythms.  Many dances with names like Achy Breaky, Cowboy Shuffle and Watermelon Crawl brought people great exercise.  We even needed to check our heart rates and cheer for ourselves!

Dick Rueter started us off in July with a Brush-up on Plus Dancing from 6:30 – 8:00 and will continue thru August until ABC and Beginner Lessons start up in September.

A big thank you to Queen Jennifer and King Barry Downs for their travel so far this year, to other dance groups.  They always bring great smiles and represent Spares & Pairs extremely well!

Many dancers enjoy the weekly Wednesday dance evenings, which Dick and Ray provide for us.  Some also represent the offices they hold in SDM – Deb Holliman, treasurer; Don Hanson, vice chair; Al and Cindy Martin, historians; and very often we see LeRoy Elfmann, chair join us.

At times, you might run into Sandy and Mike Driscoll or Brian and Debbie Freed, or even Bob and Jeanine Maiden dancing, helping out, or advertising up-coming events.  Didn’t they do a great job with the Convention this year in Rochester?

You might even see Mary Rueter singing with Dick in a tip or two!  Was that Randy Dougherty sipping a root beer float during Beach Party Night not too long ago?  Spares & Pairs is a great place to dance on Wednesday nights!  COME JOIN US AT THE KC HALL!

Pictures from our convention dinner.

Albert Martin

Ardis Vining

Barbara Felker

Bob Piechowski

Bud Pine

Cindy Martin

Clem Hermann

Deb Hollimon

Dolores Greiner

Don Dougherty

Don Hanson

Evonne Hermann

Geoff Hollimon

George Shepherd

Jane Hanson

Jim Burton

John Vining

Judy Shepherd

Kathy Kincade

Ken Egan

King Barry Downs

Mary Egan

Rob Kincade

Robin’s pretend birthday cake

Roger Guttromson

“Dancers find it’s hip to be square” article http://www.postbulletin.com/life/lifestyles/dancers-find-it-s-hip-to-be-square/article_bfa0e1a7-0fa4-54cb-8900-961a981781ec.html

Congratulations to Marian & Jim Thraen from Morris, MN, who attended their 50th MN State Convention!

Congratulations to Buddy Weaver, the featured caller at the convention, who made it an extra-special weekend of fun.

Lots of “other-state” callers were there including the Sprosty Twins, Doug and Don, and his “cueing” wife Natalie.

National caller Dee Dee Dougherty won the TV that was raffled.

Vicki Fruetel modeled a beautiful state outfit from the past in the annual fashion show.

Royalty from many clubs enjoyed the weekend. Debbie Quant from Westonka Whirlers is wearing her “yellow-brick-road” outfit from last year’s convention in the “Land of OZ.”

June 10, 2015 – Spares & Pairs “Beach Party Night – Root Beer Floats” Square Dance,
Bloomington, Callers Dick Rueter and Randy Dougherty, Cuer Ray Belanger.  Nine squares with dancers from eight organizations were present.

County Line Squares with Callers Randy Dougherty and Dick Rueter!

June 7, 2015 – ETTA Square & Rounds and Beaux & Belles “Annual Pig Roast” Square Dance, Callers Tom Allen, Dick Rueter, and Lanny Weaklend, Cuer Ken LaBau.

Congratulations to Andy & Beth on their engagement!

Ella surprised everyone when she went on the mike and announced to all that she has a new baby brother named Lincoln and “she” is his “big” sister!

Lincoln slept through a fabulous dance!

Ken had “live music” as the three sang “Lay Down Beside Me” while he cued.

Lanny, Carol, Mary, Dick, Sally, Tom, Ella, Barb, Ken.

The dessert table servers waited for the dancers to descend upon the most popular table of the day.

Callers, cuer and St Cloud dancers served the delicious meal! Thanks for all the fun and work!

June 3, 2015 – Beaux & Belles Square Dance, St Cloud, Caller Tom Allen.  Five squares with members from Beaux & Belles, ETTA Square and Rounds, and County Line Squares were represented.  County Line Squares returned Beaux & Belles’ banner!

County Line Squares!

May 29, 2015 – County Line Squares “Convention Bound” Square Dance, Monticello, Caller Abe Maier, Guest Cuer Jane Simpson.  Eight squares from eight organizations (Cambridge Corners, County Line Squares, Dan’se PAC, Hotfoot Stompers, Rum River Squares, Single Circles, Spares & Pairs, and Westonka Whirlers were represented.  Cambridge Corners Queen Coni, Westonka Whirlers Queen Debbie, and County Line Squares Queen Adrienne were in attendance.  Also attending were Square Dance Minnesota Vice Chair Don Hanson, Secretary Bob Meyer, and Historians Al and Cindy Martin as well as the Federation Roundup’s Subscription Manager and Enhancin’ Dancin’ Editor Paul Pearson.

Grand Square!

Ladies Chain!

Right and Left Grand!

Westonka Whirlers!

Single Circles!

Spares & Pairs!

Dan’se PAC, Cambridge Corners and Rum River Squares!

A huge thanks to Jerry Story, internationally renown caller, for a fabulous dance May 26 at the Crystal Community Center!  Fun, energy, and excitement filled the hall all night as Jerry kept the dancers laughing and dancing.  What a great way to end another fun season of dancing!  Hello to summer and all the great parties and festivals–see you in a square!  Fourteen squares with members from Afternoon Squares, Ar-Dales, Cambridge Corners, County Line Squares, Dan’se PAC, Friendly Squares, Hotfoot Stompers, MAGIC, Riverbend Promenaders, Single Circles, South Metro Stars, Spares & Pairs, Square & Twirl, and Westonka Whirlers.

Jerry Story radiates energy as he calls square dances!

Jerry Story, Don Hanson, and Westonka Whirlers’ queen Debbie Quant.

Fourteen squares enjoyed Jerry’s energy!

Executing the calls is the challenge and the fun of square dancing!

Westonka Whirlers always conclude May with a Jerry Story dance.

Lots of treats and lots of smiles!

Even Dick Rueter danced and danced!

Promenade home!

Weave the ring and swing! Fun, friendship, fellowship, fitness and good food equals square dancing!

County Line Squares!

May 22, 2015 – ‘Tasca Twirlers Square Dance, Bovey, Caller Abe Maier, Cuer Pam Johnson.  Three squares with members from Friendly Squares, First City Squares, Pairs & Spares (Fort Francis), County Line Squares, and ‘Tasca Twirlers.

‘Tasca Twirlers with guests!

May 20, 2015 – Beaux & Belles Square Dance, St Cloud, Caller Tom Allen, Cuer Sarah Klaphake.  Six squares with members from Rum River Squares, Koronis Nite Owls, ETTA Dancers, Beaux & Belles, and County Line Squares.  Earl Weisel received his “Live Lively” Nonagenarian (98) Award.

Earl received his “Live Lively” Nonagenarian award!

County Line Squares!

May 17, 2015 – Rockin’ Country Dancers “Barn” Dance, Virgil Niehauus Farm, Sauk Centre, Callers Larry Johansen, Roger McNeil, Myron Hollatz, Andy Flint, and Jane Simpson.  Eight squares with members from Wadena Whirlaways, F-M Square Dance Association, County Line Squares, Riverbend Promenades, Ar-Dales, Rockin’ Country Dancers, Koronis Nite Owls, and Rays Promenaders.

Some of County Line Squares!