Checkerboard President is Chair of 2013 Summer Festival

Plans are moving forward for the July 19-21 summer square dance festival at Reynolds High School. The theme is “Hot fun in the summertime.” The official outfits for men and women will sport vintage cars on the fabric.

This year, new features will include a high-energy dance and hexagon “squares.” Dry camping at the school campus will be available for RVers.

Chinese New Year Dance

Celebrate the Chinese New Year at the Feb. 9 dance the Checkerboard Squares club is hosting. Come dressed for the occasion. The caller will be Mike Stout; the cuer will be Ken Pratt.

On Feb. 23, K.C. Curtis will be calling the Checkerboard’s dance. Debbie Combs will cue.

For both dances, intermediate rounds start at 7:30 p.m., and mainstream square dancing starts at 8 p.m. Every third tip is plus.

The Checkerboard Squares dance at the Rockwood Grange, 183rd and Southeast Stark.

Checkerboards Throw Birthday Party Nov. 10

The Checkerboard Squares invite you to circle Nov. 10 on your calendar. Save that date for our 52nd birthday dance.

Now let’s dream about the ideal birthday party. For starters, at ideal birthday parties you mingle and chat with your friends. (That’s the best part.) You can do that at our birthday dance. Ideal birthday parties serve cake. We’ll have cake plus a full buffet of delicious treats at our 10 p.m. break. (The Checkerboards are known for their cooking.) Ideal birthday parties mean dressing up. You’re welcome to wear your square dance finest to our birthday dance.

Ideal birthday parties include games and activities. At our party, you can dance nonstop all evening. (The caller and cuer may even teach some new moves as Craig Abercrombie did at a recent Checkerboard dance.) Ideal birthday parties have gifts. We’ll give away door prizes to some lucky people, plus split the pot. (Yes, at our party, the guests get the gifts.)

Ideal birthday parties have surprises. Sorry, I can’t spill our secrets. (You’ll have to trust me on this one.) OK, I think you get the idea. This dance is going to be fun. You won’t want to miss it. We hope to see you dancing!

Aug. 31, 2012, Dance Benefits the Salvation Army

The Portland area council’s Aug. 31 dance held at the Oak Grove Community Center raised $401 for the Salvation Army. All proceeds will go to the Salvation Army. This organization often experiences a lack of funds during the summer months, and the PAC wanted to help out. Oak Grove donated the use of its building for the dance. Caller and cuers also donated their time. The Wild Cards emceed. Rounds began at 7:30 p.m.; squares started at 8 p.m. Casual attire was welcome; square dance attire was fine, too!

Subtle Touches Can Carry off a Dance Theme

Attendance was good at the Checkerboard Squares recent “dog days of summer” dance. The club carried off the “dog days” theme by serving hot dogs. But a special dessert wins first prize for creativity: A club member made peanut butter cookies, and cut them out with a dog bone-shaped cookie cutter. She served the cookies in a new blue dog dish she bought at Dollar Tree. (She assured us she washed the bowl.)

At first, diners shyed away from the dog dish. But when club members started munching the tasty treats, visitors began emptying the bowl. 

Folks seemed to have a great time at the dance. But I’m guessing that what they will still remember a year from now will be that dog dish full of bone-shaped cookies. 

A little creativity is most important for carrying off a successful dance theme.