FROM THE PRESIDENT

Welcome to a new exciting year of dancing with the Columbia chapter of USADance! To make the dances more fun for everyone, the Board and I are making some changes. We all need to pitch in and help to ensure that our dancing continues. But I know that we all come to dance, not to work.

I am asking each person to volunteer for one task per quarter. You will see sign-up sheets at the entrance as you come to the dances. We need volunteers to help with setting up, decorating, bringing food and cleaning up. Sign up for a month (that’s two dances) for the task that interests you. The dances will run much more smoothly and we’ll all have fun.

Secondly, I would like to see some amateur spotlight dancers. We are an amateur ballroom association and should applaud the talents and skills of our dancers at all levels. Several couples may be on the floor at once. Costumes are optional. The DJ will select the song for the dance. This will usually occur during the first dance of the month. Find a partner and look for the sign-up sheet in the foyer. I look forward to seeing each of you “strut your stuff”.

Lastly, if you have any suggestions or questions about USADance or our dances, please feel free to call or e-mail me. By using the talents, skills and ideas of all of our members, we will grow and improve our activities. My e-mail is . I look forward to hearing from you.

Patricia Hill
GCC-USADance Inc.

NOTICE

The owners of The Barn have levied a user fee starting January 1, 2006. This means that everyone who attends our dances will have to pay an additional dollar at each dance. This will apply to all persons whether they are currently paying admission fees or not. This includes sponsors, instructors, DJs, Board members and front desk workers. See you at the next dance and don’t forget your dollar!

There were 65 people at our Holiday Ball on December 10^th. The Barn was beautifully decorated for the season and the food was delicious. Outgoing officers Tom Savage and Edna Free were presented gifts of appreciation for their service to Chapter 6032 for the last two years. Many gifts were donated to be given to Carolina Children’s Home. If you did not attend, you missed a great show by Paul Lagatore dancing with Grace Keller, Barbara Kubodera and Margot Simonson.

The December 11^th Board Meeting was cancelled. The next Board Meeting will be January 7^th, 4:00 PM at The Barn.

Happy Birthday to: Robert Anduiza, Paul Carson, Janet Girard, Grace Keller, Frank Kendrick, Stephanie Muga, Inez Radcliffe, Donna Swinbank, Kevin Yehl.

The Fancy Feet Dancers continue to represent our chapter by dancing at Ridgeway Health & Rehab Center in November, Agape at Kathwood in December and Forest Pines on January 28^th.

On December 17^th, Bob Sitko and Jeane Mader performed a waltz and foxtrot at the Hyatt Park Seniors Social for an audience of about 50 who attended the evening’s banquet and dance. Edna Free, a former city employee still involved with the Hyatt Park Recreation Center, arranged the exhibition.

Mark your calendar for a two day dance party at Myrtle Beach, February 10-11. There will be social and exhibition dancing, fun contests, work-shops and vendors. Call 843-236-6732 or 843-497-3643 for additional information or go to our website at www.usadance.us for complete details.

Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!

Snowball Dance

Saturday, December 14th and 28th