From the desk of the president:

As many of you know, ballroom dancing is experiencing a resurgence in popularity. Dancing with the Stars and Ballroom Boot Camp on television and Mad Hot Ballroom, Marilyn Hotchkiss’ Ballroom Dancing and Charm School, and Take The Lead at the movie theatre have broadened the audience for ballroom dance. 

This is our opportunity to spread the word about the fun and exhilaration of dancing. Invite a friend, co-worker or family member to one of our dances. Where else can you have such an enjoyable evening including a dance lesson, snacks, soft drinks and good friends for under $10.00? What a bargain! 

And while we’re sharing the joy of dancing, be sure to introduce yourself to anyone that you don’t know at our dances. Take the opportunity to dance with a variety of partners. Participate in the lesson and stretch your skills. The more we try to make it comfortable for others, the more enjoyable it will be for all of us. See you at the next dance!

We welcome dancers of all ages. Boy, I wish I had started dancing when I was a child. We in the United States start dancing much later than many other countries around the world. We certainly wish to encourage our younger dancers. If you bring children or grandchildren with you, please be sure they are dancing or sitting quietly. On occasion, we have had children running around The Barn, and that is dangerous. I do not want anyone to get hurt in an accident. Thank you for your cooperation and supervision.

The owners of The Barn have just re-done the floor, so they have instituted some new rules. We cannot have any food or drink on the dance floor. I know that this does not really apply to us because we know better. We do not walk onto the dance floor with drinks or food. However, we also cannot have tables on the dance floor. 

We are negotiating this, but for the month of March, at least, we will not have tables on the floor. You may sit on the chairs on the carpet around the periphery of the dance floor. Please be careful and have food and drink only on the carpeted area also.

As we work to protect the newly refinished floor, please wear smooth leather-soled shoes on the floor. Athletic shoes, especially black-soled ones, can leave marks on the floor. Besides, athletic shoes stick to the floor and make graceful dancing much more difficult!

We will keep you informed of any further changes. Thank you for your patience and cooperation. 


Patricia Hill

There were 51 people at the February 11th dance. Tracy Steele taught Rhumba and performed a Rhumba with Audrey Skrupskelis, a Swing with Naomi Mart and a Rhumba with Doris Wood for our viewing pleasure.

Welcome to new members: Melissa Bush, Vicki Corley and Reba Woodford.

March Birthdays: Brenna Davenport, Robert Hampton, Patricia Hill, Barbara Magee, Lee Minghi, Jo Morton, Boyd Newman, Mignon Simpson, Bob Sitko, Ignas Skrupskelis, and Deborah Thomas.

Topics of discussion at the February 11th Board Meeting were additional mixers, exhibitions, flyers to Lexington High School students, dress code for the dances, Chapter Report to National USA Dance, appointment of Ray Hill as Director of Membership, restrictions issued by ASDERA and children attending the dances. The next Board Meeting will be held at 6:00 PM on March 11th at The Barn. 

By Lee Minghi , Director-Programs & Entertainment 

A big thank you to the artistic decorators for our January and February dances: Janet Girard, Doris Wood, Audrey Skrupskelis and Edna Free. With the rules changes at The Barn, their best decorating days may be behind them; however, rest assured they’ll come up with SOMETHING! 

To DJ Stephanie, ever reliable, spinning our favorite tunes for the variety of dances, plus enabling us to try new mixers along with the old reliables, many, many thanks. I wish we could find the most comfortable thermostat setting for your comfort.

Thank you to Gil Trussell and Ray Hill for providing the table set up muscle. 

And of course to our instructors Sheila Brown and Tracy Steele, thanks for showing us how, then sticking around to see if we were paying attention!

The Fancy Feet Dancers performed at Forest Pines on January 28th and were invited to attend their February 14th dinner/ dance. On February 25th, the Fancy Feet Dancers performed at Atria On Forest Drive. 

St. Patrick's Day Dance

Saturday, March 11th and 25th