October 2003 Newsletter

October 2003 Newsletter

October 11th

OCTOBERFEST

Mixers        Door Prizes

Snacks        Soft Drinks

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October 25th

Halloween Dance

and

Favorite Snack Award

Snacks       Drinks   Mixers

Prizes for Best Costumes

ribbons for snack awards

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The Barn, 680 Cherokee Lane, Columbia, SC

CHA-CHA by Robert Seay (Capital Ballroom)

Dance: 7:30
Lesson: 7:45

Members: $4; Non members: $7; Students: $3

Members of the Board

President: Michael Verdone
Vice-President: Janet Girard
Secretary: Doris Wood
Treasurer: Jerry Camillo
Member-at-Large: Tom Savage
Program Committee: Jo and Ron Morton
Publicity: Deborah Thomas
Outreach and Youth: Pamela Melton

The Board meets at 9:30 a.m. the first Saturday of each month at the library on St. Andrews Rd. The meetings are open to any and all members in good standing, and feedback and input are welcome.


	Elections: Due to having no slate to present in August, ELECTIONS had to be delayed until October. Ballots were sent out in September. If you have not received one, or if it was torn in the mail, please contact me at 796-8091 or Mike Verdone at 407-0132. Please make your selections and return it, immediately. Results will be announced at the Halloween party on October 25th. Chapter dues must be current to vote.
	September Lessons and Exhibition: Rumba was the dance of the month in September. Thanks to Robert Seay of Capital City Ballroom, we had fun learning some new steps and enjoyed a fabulous dance exhibition at the semi-formal dance on September 25th. Robert and Jo Morton danced a snazzy, hip-swinging Samba and, then, he and Patti Hill treated us to a lovely and sensuous Foxtrot/Bolero. Thanks to all three of you for taking your time to entertain us.
	To Harby Gonzales and Tracy Steele: I want to apologize to both of you for failing to thank you in last month's newsletter for the Tango lessons you gave during our August dances. (Dancers, in case you do not remember, Harby taught Argentine Tango at the first dance and Tracy taught American Tango at the second dance). You both did a great job, and we look forward to having you back very soon.
	New Members: We had two new members join GCC USABDA on September 13, 2003: Lisa Sand and Sam Weinberg. Welcome!! We are happy that you decided to become a part of us. Come often and stay long.
	September Guests: We were honored to have twenty-two guests at our dances in September. They were: Randy Corley, Karen Greg, Claude Hampton, Miriam Hampton, Sheila Hanns, Rachel Hatton, Bobbi Hawks, Uriah Heben, Michelle Milling, Larry Mueller, Lydia Mueller, Karin Puczkowski, Fred Rehn, Peter Reinhart, Rachel Reinhart, Mignon Sampson, Bob Sitko, Debbie Small, Pauline Trumble, Phyllis Turner, Jim Warren, and Jody Yarbrough. If I left your name off the list, or misspelled it, call me at 796-8091, so I can correct it. We appreciate you attending our dances and hope you enjoy them. Let us know.
	Angels of the Month: A huge thank you to Mike Verdone for doing the music at the Lucky Thirteen dance on Sept. 13th and to Al Jayne for filling in for Mike at the semi formal dance on Sept. 27th. Our list of member and guest Angels who help set-up and clean-up is growing each dance and we thank you mightily. Some in September were: Glenda Carrol, Edna Free, Cassie and Chuck Jackson, Nisha Kubodera, Joyce Lagatore, Naomi Mart, Lee Minghi, Nina Reid, Michael Sherlock, and I know that there are many who help that we do not see. Thanks to all of you !!!
	GCC USABDA Scholarship: Each year our Chapter gives a $300.00 Scholarship Award in memory of Charlotte Elfe to the winners of the Novice Senior 1 dance heat at the USABDA Southeastern Regional Competition. It is held in Atlanta each year, the first weekend in October. The heat is comprised of three dances: Waltz, Tango, and Foxtrot.
	Charity Ball: The Greenville Chapter of USABDA is having its first charity ball, to be known as "The American Freedom Ball", on Saturday, October 11, 2003 at the Starlight Ballroom, 108 Trade St., Greer, SC. It will benefit the Greer Community Ministries who provide "meals-on-wheels" and other services to senior citizens in need. They are supported entirely by contributions from churches and individuals. Dance demonstrations, food, music, and social dancing. Tickets: $25.00 each. Dress: formal (or dark suit for men w/o tux). Doors open 7:00, Program starts: 8:00.
	Favorite Snacks Competition: Don't forget the Favorite Snacks competition at the Halloween party. And, on the subject of snacks, bring one of your favorites to a dance, sometimes. This goes for you men out there, also.
	News from National: 1. Please read this Press Release from National. It is important that you know about this proposal and that you have an understanding of the effects, both good and bad, that it will have on amateur ballroom dancing. 2. Dec. 27-31, Dance Camp, Virginia Beach. 60 classes, nightly social dancing, showcases and a New Year's Eve gala. Check it out on the National USABDA web site.
	Delinquency Rate: Congratulations, GCC members. According to the September/October issue of Amateur Dancer, page 15, our Chapter had a delinquency rate of 11.7 percent as of 1 June '03 . This is 50th in the nation out of all the USABDA chapters and considered very good. Twelve percent is the cutoff. Let's shoot for first, next year.
	Etiquette Tip of the Month: I'm keeping this one in for another month; it is something that we often forget. Relax and have fun ! ! ! You came to the dance to enjoy yourself, so do it. Stop worrying about your feet; chances are good that they will do what they're supposed to do, if you let them. And, if they don't, so be it. Just smile and go on.
	Delinquent Dues: Check with Tom Savage to see if your local chapter dues ($5.00 a year) are delinquent. Some are.
	Survey: Have you filled out and mailed back the survey, yet? This is your last chance; they are due back this month. Remember that Bob Sitko has put it on the web site; just get on the Internet, go to your favorite search engine and type in GCC USABDA. When the page comes up, click on Survey Form, fill it out, hit submit, and, voila , you are done. The form comes to me and I give it to Tom Savage. Call me at 796-8091 for a hard copy.
	Message Board: Has anyone checked out the "message board" on the GCC USABDA web site? Bob Sitko does such a good job; we are so lucky to have him as our web master. We may have some new pictures on the web page in the next week or so. If you have any dance pictures you would like to share with the membership, let us know.

Shall We Dance?

	October 9	Columbia's Ballroom 35 Diamond Lane 7:30 - 9:30. Students: No charge, Guests: $5
	October 10	Palmetto Ballroom Dance Club. 252 S. Dargan St. Florence Members: $7, Guests: $12. 7:30 - 11:00
	October 11	The Barn 680 Cherokee Lane, Columbia. USABDA Members: $4, Guests: $7, Students: $3. 7:30 pm Lesson: Cha Cha Instructor: Robert Seay of Capital Ballroom
	October 11	Starlight Ballroom 108 Trade St. Greer Members: $8, Students: $5, Non Members $10
	October 18	Starlight Ballroom 108 Trade St. Greer Members: $8, Students: $5, Non Members $10
	October 25	The Barn 680 Cherokee Lane, Columbia. USABDA Members: $4, Guests: $7, Students: $3. 7:30 pm Lesson: Cha Cha Instructor: Robert Seay of Capital Ballroom
	October 25	Starlight Ballroom, 108 Trade St., Greer. Members: $8 Students: $5 Non Members $10
	October 25	Ballroom Dance Club, 1632 Ashley Hall Rd, Chas. 7:30 -11:00 Members $8, Students $5, Halloween Party
	October 30	Capital Ballroom Dance Studio, 2732 Devine St. Columbia, 8:00 pm, No charge. Halloween Costume Party.
	October 30	Columbia's Ballroom, 35 Diamond Lane. 7:30 - 9:30. Students: No charge, Guests: $5. Halloween Costume Party
	Thursdays	Adam's Mark Hotel, Main and Hampton Sts., Columbia. Boyd-Helms Band from 6:00-9:00.
	Fridays	Capital Senior Center Maxcey Gregg Park, Columbia Live music Members: no charge, Non members: $5.00
	Fridays and Saturdays	Ballroom Dance Club 1632 Ashley Hall Rd., Charleston. 7:30 -11:00. Members $8, Students $5. Lesson 7:30

GCC USABDA
Doris Wood, Sec.