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Great global news! In the last edition of Square Dancing Today News,we told you that the spirited little operation which started here in beautiful Charlotte,North Carolina, has now spread from Great Britain to Japan to Australia! Now,that expansion is beginning to show dividends with a dedicated new worldwide effortfrom Grand Square International. We call it the GSI Caller Education Program.And you wouldn’t believe the response we’re receiving from new or up-and-comingcallers around the globe. Our efforts continue in the U.S. with schools at the NationalSquare Dance Convention™ as well as other regional and local seminars. Everyone canparticipate in this essential and exciting arm of GSI by 1) recommending our programsto those who have interest in becoming a caller or expanding his or her abillities as acaller and 2) contributing what you can to the GSI Caller Education Program (withchecks of any denomination made payable to the same, mailed to our offices inCharlotte). You can visit our website or contact us directly for more information. This,fellow dance enthusiasts, is truly a call heard ‘round the world! Read on...

EVENTS

www.GSIInternational.org

UNITED STATES ★ GREAT BRITAIN ★ AUSTRALIA

SWEDEN ★ JAPAN ★ GERMANY

VOLUME 1

VOLUME 1

EDITION 2

JULY 31ST-AUGUST 1ST, 2009CHARLOTTE, NCOUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY

MARDI GRAS GALA

How to start a webFACEBOOK™ Club plus other prioritiesfor your club...

Five years ago, everyone was talk-ing about using new media—the web,e-mail and text messaging—to pro-mote your club. It was a good ideathen, but it’s a GREAT idea now.Here’s why:

GOTTA GET A CLUB WEBSITEA website was essential then, but nowit’s an unavoidable must and—thegood news—easier-than-ever and veryinexpensive. Plus, you’ll see savings inother areas of marketing and commu-nications almost immediately. It alsodemonstrates to both prospects andcurrent members alike that this is acommited group. Here are a fewquick-start suggestions:

1) Try contacting fellow squaredancer, caller and all ’round great galPatty Greene atwww.PKGDesignworks.com. Pattyhas provided personable service andpro level guidance for GSI and affili-ates for our websites for over tenyears. It’s likely that Patty can pointyour club in the right direction quick-ly and help you get the most out ofyour site, whatever the budget.

2) Register your domain (www.?) anddesign your own site, AND host it allin one location with one of the inex-pensive and reputable companies list-ed below. You can visit their homepage and do it all from one location—they even have the software you needto build your site as part of yourmonthly, quarterly or annual package.Plan to invest a reasonable amount oftime learning, but you can count oncustomer support to guide youthrough the beginning stumbles.

www.1and1.com,www.godaddy.com www.jumpline.com

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF SOCIALNETWORKING WEBSITESWhere else can you reach prospectsfrom around the world, with 24/7/365

exposure for FREE? Right. As with anything else on the web,you’ll have to wade through the pit-falls of extending a simple “hello” tothe rest of the world. Admittedly,everyone is not for everyone. But, net-working sites are maturing and almostany club or business entity can benefitfrom the largest sites if our little sliceof it is managed correctly.

Some to consider, in order of relevance:

1) www.Facebook.comPros: Easy to use, very populated,existing square dance clubs to commu-nicate with, FREE, available anywherearound the world. Cons: Expect traffic to your pageimmediately—not really a negative,but do be prepared to interact andassign individuals from your club to beresponsive in order that you get thebest results.

2) www.MySpace.comPros: Fairly easy to use, very populat-ed, existing square dance clubs tocommunicate with, FREE, you canadd music and video FREE.Cons: While MySpace is a wonderfulinvention, it’s start was marred by neg-ative reports of teens misusing thesocial network. It is heavily policed atthis time, but do be wary of disingen-

SPREADING THE NEWS ABOUT YOUR CLUB

uous offers to join your myspace.comclub...simply reply “no, thank you” toanyone that seems out of place inyour group. It’s great overall.

3) www.CraigsList.comPros: Easy to use, very populated,existing square dance clubs to com-municate with, FREE, available any-where around the world. Also givesyour club the ability to purchase nec-essary goods at a potential discount, ifsomewhat used. Cons: As with any online venture,you’ll have to keep your eyes openand avoid any

There are others out there, so have alook around. Also, most importantly,be sure that once you have a websitebuilt, and/or a social networking site,that you follow the...

GOLDEN RULES OF ONLINE PROMOTION

THE41) Check e-mail and respond toappropriate and relevant inquiries.Dismiss others politely, immediately.

2) Promote the site to square dance-specific sites and exchange links whenpossible.

3) Update your own site/pages so thatvisitors will be inspired to visit fre-quently.

4) Formulate a firm schedule to takecare of these activities and don’t vary.It takes time and some thoughtfulinput to create an online presence.With both, this may just become yourclub’s biggest asset.

Community SurveyPrimary RespondentName (Optional)_____________________________Please note, your answers are most important to all of us in thesquare dance community—your identity, while safe, is not neces-sary. Thank you in advance for participating to the fullest extent.

City (Township, etc.)__________________________State _______________________________________❏ Male ❏ FemaleAge Group

❏ 18-24 ❏ 25-34 ❏ 35-50❏ 51-65 ❏ 66-80 ❏ 81+

Dance Partner (if applicable)❏ Male ❏ FemaleAge Group

❏ 18-24 ❏ 25-34 ❏ 35-50❏ 51-65 ❏ 66-80 ❏ 81+

Activity History & Participation Years I have participated in Square Dancing(may be off and on)

❏ 1 or less ❏ 1-2 ❏ 2-5❏ 5-10 ❏ 10-20 ❏ 20+

If you would like to list # of years ______________Number of square dances I attend annually(may be off and on)

❏ 1 or less ❏ 1-2 ❏ 2-5❏ 5-10 ❏ 10-20 ❏ 20+

If you would like to list # of dances______________Club History❏ I currently belong to 1 or more active clubs.❏ I previously belonged to 1 or more active clubs.Family Involvement❏ I am the only member of my family participatingin the activity of square dance.❏ 2-5 family members participate in this activity.❏ 6-12 family members participate in this activity.❏ 13-20 family members participate in this activity.More? Please list number _______________Local Community InvolvementEstimated Community Members Who Dance

❏ 10-20 ❏ 20-30 ❏ 30-50❏ 50-100 ❏ 100+❏ More? List ____________________

Amount Spent On This Activity Monthly (averageincluding any annual dances and/or travel)

❏ $10-$50 ❏ $50-$100 ❏ $100-$250❏ $500-$1000 ❏ $1000+❏ More? List ____________________

HELP US KEEP SQUARE DANCING ALIVE! PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN THIS ANNUAL NATIONWIDE SURVEY SUPPORT FUNDRAISING

It’s Your NewsletterTELL US WHATYOU’D LIKE TO SEE EACH ISSUE!

1) National SquareDance Events❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

2) Regional & LocalSquare Dance Events❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

3) Callerlab Education❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

4) Dance Club News❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

5) Club MarketingTools & Techniques❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

6) Travel Tips &Savings❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

7) Square DanceAttire & Accessories❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

8) Dance Hall Decor & Staging❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

9) Dance Training❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

10) Square DanceClassifieds❏ Very Interested❏ Somewhat Interested❏ Not Interested

11) Sponsors &Special Offers For Square DancersPlease check areas of interest. ❏ Health Care❏ Insurance❏ Retirement❏ Hotels & Lodging❏ Tours❏ Attractions❏ Tickets❏ Dining &Entertainment❏ Dance CDs, DVDs

12) Special Offers For Square Dance Clubs❏ Dance Hall Decor❏ Sound & Lighting❏ Marketing Support

Long Beach is where the action begins and

the fun never ends. From the regal Queen

Mary and spectacular Aquarium of the

Pacific to stirring Broadway shows, live

music venues and hundreds of exclusive dining destina-

tions—all centrally located. Airport-close, a brief and

pleasant cruise away from Catalina Island and a short

distance from Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood

and everything Southern California has to offer—Long

Beach is the perfect destination!

MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND

The 58th AnnualNational Square Dance

★ C O N V E N T I O N ★

www.58nsdc.com

The Queen Mary is justone of many bright andshining attractions thatmake Long Beach a gem.

The Waterfront Center of Southern California

WHEN June 24-27, 2009WHERE Long Beach, CaliforniaWHO Everyone’s Invited!WANT TO GO? See the website below or mail information requests or registration to the following:

58th National Square Dance Convention®P.O. Box 460388Escondido, CA 92046

WANT MORE INFORMATION?(858) 395-4202

WANT TO FAX YOUR INFO?FAX to (760) 738-6140

GENERAL CHAIRMAN:RAY & SANDY HUTCHISON1220 E. CALETA WAYPALM SPRINGS, CA 92262

W W W . V I S I T L O N G B E A C H . C O M

For 10 fantastic years Grand Square International

has counted on Patty Greene to keep us in touch with square dancers in all 50states, and dozens of countries all around

the globe. In internet years, that’s like, what? Several centuries?

If you need a website that works—all of the time, you need look no further. www.PKGDesignWorks.com

Grand Square International is a Charlotte, North Carolina based 501 (c) 3 non-profit company, which began with the charge of“Preserving and Protecting, the Great American Heritage of SquareDancing” a decade ago. We’ve accomplished a lot in those tenshort years. Here’s a short list of some of the initiatives:

★ Organizers of hundreds of International, National, Regional and Local Square Dances

★ Organizers of Dozens of Free Caller Schools★ Publishers of Square Dancing Today magazine★ Publishers of Square Dance News e-newsletter★ Raised substantial donations for square dance

fundraisers and square dance eventsFor more information visit www.GSIInternational.org

Who we are... Grand Square International

CALL US FOR A FREE BROCHURE AT 1-800-926-8191

For details anytime visit:www.GSIIternational.org/CallersSchool oremail info@GSIInternational.org

CALLER SCHOOLS

June 2009 Cambridgeshire, EnglandJune 7-11, 2009 just before the GSI United

Kingdom Festival in Cambridgeshire,

England. In addition to the callers school,

this will be the first time a cuer’s program is

offered! Be sure to see the flyer on this one.

Find it at: www.GSI-England.Co.Uk

Great for YOU—our next MEMBER! Attend five of the finest annual events inthe Southeast as a V.I.P. with no registration fees—ever again. Please, come every year!

Great for FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SQUAREDANCERS—right now, right away! Ongoing programs are a direct product ofGold Square Lifetime Membership funds.

Great for FUTURE GENERATIONS OF SQUAREDANCERS—essential, trained individuals who will exist solely because or yourdonation.

Great for PARTICIPATION & FUNDING —showing strength andcontinued interest in this great American heritage via a lifetime commitment is a pow-erful statement—which assists in numerous focused efforts to gain minimal—andsometimes monumental—donations from corporations, funds and individuals in pursuitof preservation. It takes two to tango, but all of us to form a square for everyone to see.

Truly, as good as Gold. Benefitsfor you and your dance partner.And EVERY other square dancerfor generations ahead. A minuteof your time will insure decadesof fellowship and dance in thefuture. This is our moment.

LIMITED OFFER-$500 PER COUPLE LIFETIME MEMBERSHIPFramed Exclusive Certificate Of Membership

V.I.P. Entrance to All GSI Events Below—FREE-ForeverExclusive Embroidered Long-Sleeve Member Shirts

Gold Square Partner Lifetime Member Card & BadgeEternal Listing on International Square Dancing Webportal

Free Subscription to Square Dance News for LifeExclusive Gold Square Web Page at www.GSIInternational.org

Give and Receive.

Everyone wins!

Fried Chicken FancyWITHOUTthe FAT

TRIED-AND-TRUE RECIPES FOR SUCCESS

2 cups buttermilk2 tablespoons Dijon mustard2 1/4 teaspoons salt1 1/2 teaspoons garlic powder1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce8 split bone-in chicken breasts(10 to 12 ounces each), skinremoved and ribs trimmed withkitchen shears

2 1/2 cups crushed corn flakes3/4 cup fresh bread crumbs1/2 teaspoon ground poultryseasoning1/2 teaspoonpaprika1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper2 tablespoons vegetable oilNote: Crush corn flakes inside plasticbag. Use rolling pin to break piecesno smaller than 1/2 inch.

SERVES Eight | MADE IN ABOUT AN Hour

Everyone loves fried chicken, right? And you canbet this recipe will be a hit with everyone at thetable. It has all of the taste, all of the crunch and aLOT less of the things we don’t need. Perfect!

By The Numbers

Traditional Fried ChickenCalories 552Fat: 34gSaturated Fat: 10g

Oven-Fried Chicken (This Recipe)Calories: 216Fat: 9g (Wow!)

1) Whisk buttermilk, mustard, 2 teaspoons salt, 1teaspoon garlic powder, 1 teaspoon black pepper,and hot sauce together in large bowl. Add chick-en, turn to coat well, cover, and refrigerate at least1 hour or overnight.

2) Adjust over rack to upper-middle position andheat oven to 400 degrees. Line rimmed bakingsheet with foil, set wire rack on sheet, and coatrack with non-stick cooking spray.

3) Gently toss corn flakes, bread crumbs, remain-ing 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder, remaining 1/2teaspoon black pepper, remaining 1/4 teaspoonsalt, poultry seasoning, paprika, and cayenne inshallow dish until combined. Drizzle oil overcrumbs and toss until well-coated. Working withone piece at a time, remove chicken from mari-nade and dredge in crumb mixture, firmly press-ing crumbs onto all sides of chicken. Place chick-en on prepared rack, leaving 1/2 inch of spacebetween each piece. Bake until chicken is deepgolden brown, juices run clear, and instant-readthermometer inserted deep into breast away frombone registers 160 degrees, 35 to 45 minutes.

No Fryer Needed!

SQUARE DANCING AT IT’S BEST SUPPORTING EACH OTHER AND OUR HERITAGE

Want To Know More? Just Click To See A SUPER-SIZED Ad,With a Handy Link to Each Supportive Vendor’s Company Website. It’s That Easy.Just by clicking on any advertisement in Square Dancing Today NEWS, you’ll immediately launch your web browser (Internet Explorer orother popular internet software) and find an expanded advertisement with additional information on that featured square dance-relatedvendor. What’s more, once you’re looking at the expanded ad, you’ll see a direct link immediately below the ad which will take you to thevendor’s own website —with just one click! Nothing could be easier. Save editions of SDTNews in a folder on your computer’s hard drive,and ANY TIME you open them, the links will still be available! Forward current or past editions to a friend, and they can click rightthrough as well.

WORLDD I R E C T O R Ywww.GSIInternational.org

BRINGING SQUARE DANCERS

TOGETHERFINALLY, A WORLD DATABASE.

NOW, WE’RE CLOSER THAN EVER.We here at Grand Square International have but one

single, focused, mission—to keep square dancing alive!Listed below you’ll find like-minded individuals as wellas prominent groups from across the U.S. and aroundthe globe. If you’d like access to our full database of

clubs, organizations and individuals, please click here:www.GSIInternational.org/TOGETHERIf you’d like to add contacts to our growing

national/international list, please e-mail us at:KeepSquareDancingAlive@GSIInternational.orgPlease visit these organizations and support them when

and where possible. Thank you.

are best for your school or clinic! CLICK NOW!

CLICK NOW!

Learn more...CLICK NOW!

The World’s Largest Square Dance Organization

See Our ProgramsToday! Click Now!

Join Us!Click for more info...

“”

QuotesQ U I T E N O T A B L E

■ You have all of the characteristics of a popular politician: ahorrible voice, bad breeding, and a vulgar manner. Aristophanes (450 BC-388 BC)■ Now I know what a statesman is; he’s a dead politician. Weneed more statesmen.Bob Edwards■ I have come to the conclusion that politics are too serious amatter to be left to the politicians. Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970)■ Since a politician never believes what he says, he is quite sur-prised to be taken at his word. Charles De Gaulle (1890-1970)■ Government is too big and too important to be left to thepoliticians. Chester Bowles (1901-1986)■ Under every stone lurks a politician.Aristophanes (450 BC-388 BC)

It’s all here...CLICK NOW!

More info...CLICK NOW!

Sell your GOODS or SERVICES in our next issue.Easy, affordable, and right on-target to square dancersworldwide. Call or e-mail us to get started.

ClassifiedsSquare Dance Outifts & PetticoatsRhythm Creations on the web: www.squaredanceclothes.comBrantley’s West SupplyApparel, jewelry and footwear on the web:www.brantleyswesternsupply.com

Grab your partner July 8th – 20th, and join fellow squaredancers and caller Dave Walker for a Do-Sa-Do to anOcean Wave around a Princess Alaska Cruisetour.Celebrate Alaska’s 50th year of statehood with a vacationthat combines the breathtaking views and experiences of

this beautiful state with the fun and excitement of square dancing.Friends, family and even non-square dancers will also enjoy this land andsea cruisetour.

Dave Walker began his square dance calling career at age 15 andhas 50 years of experience, including calling for the Sunset Squares,Merry Mixers, Western Whirlers, SwingingSaguaros, the Green Valley Squares and TheVoyager RV Resort in Tucson, AZ where he cur-rently conducts a full program. If you ask Davewhat draws him to square dance calling, he willsay it’s “the fun of it and the nicest people in theworld.”

The Do-Sa-Do Alaska cruisetour, an inclusive land and cruisevacation, is offered by Bon Voyage Travel, a leading leisure travel agencywhich has been providing unique travel experiences—cruises, tours andvacations—for over 30 years. Bon Voyage Travel has over 75 knowl-edgeable travel consultants who specialize in custom vacation planning.As a top producing Princess Cruises agency in the country, Bon Voyagehas been awarded the prestigious Princess Summit Award and has over30 designated Princess Commodore Specialists. Bon Voyage Travel is amember of the Signature Travel Network.

This unique 12-night square dance cruise begins with an awe-inspiring 5-night land tour, including two nights in Fairbanks and threenights in Denali National Park. You’ll discover Fairbank’s history andlegend as you experience the life of old-time prospectors at the popular

and unforgettable El Dorado Gold Mine Tour. Then, you’ll sail aboardthe nostalgic Sternwheeler Riverboat Cruise, which includes a stop at anAthabascan village where the crafts people are busy at work.

You’re relaxing visit to Denali National Park includes one night atDenali Princess Wilderness Lodge SM and two nights at Mt. McKinleyPrincess Wilderness LodgeSM, with its breathtaking views of the moun-tain. Next, the Princess Rail will take you across the countryside toenjoy Alaska’s majestic wildness and a bit of home-style comfort atDenali Princess Wilderness LodgeSM.

And you’re just getting started. You’ll round out your adventurewith a 7-day Voyage of the Glaciers cruiseaboard the Island Princess®. You and yoursquare dance friends and family will sail fromAnchorage to Glacier Bay National Park,College Fjord and three of the Inside Passage’sbest ports: Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway.

While aboard, you’ll enjoy all the fun and excitement Princess Cruises isknown for. In addition, your host Dave Walker and his wife Ginny willoffer exclusive social and square dance activities.

Do-Sa-Do to an Ocean Wave is a once-in-a-lifetime adventure that issure to bring together new square dancing friendships and is guaranteedto make memories we promise you’ll never forget. To learn more aboutthis exciting “square dance themed” cruisetour, please contact TerryOremland of Bon Voyage Travel. Terry has over 20 years experience as acruise and tour expert and specializes in group cruising for families,incentive travel, civic and church organizations and fundraising cruises.She has extensive experience and great success in organizing and bookingthemed cruises such as country music, dance, and rock and roll cruises.Terry can be reached at toremland@bvtravel.com.

EVENTS

A Beautiful Alaskan Cruisetour Completewith Our Favorite Pastime, Of Course.

There are remnants of the minuet, German Landler,Polish Polka, and Austrian Waltz, a variety of quadrillesas well as Schottische, dances of the Mexican court. All ofthese combinations were danced as one during andbefore the Revolution of 1776. From the first Colonists,people wandered to parts unknown, taking their customswith them. Dancing and singing, their music can betraced. Thus, you find the Appalachian dance in theAmerican Southwest, Middlewest, Oklahoma, and Texas.In Texas, it took on a two-step, which probably camefrom Spain by way of Mexico. All of these, with varia-tions, can be considered true square dancing with theaddition of the square, or group of 8 people.

Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ford were dancers and promoteddancing by building a hall with a teak wood floor andhired Ben Lovett to teach and keep records in bookform. One young fellow in Colorado, named LloydShaw, read this book and found the full story was notthere and id additional research, found in the miningcamps and farming communities—a real American folkdance. So enthralled with square dancing, Lloyd Shawconducted classes. These people taught others in theirown communities and set-up classes and clubs.

World War II caused a movement of people to bigcities that hungered for entertainment and found it inWestern music and, of course, square dancing. Recordcompanies, seeing the desire of the people, served welland were pleased with profits.

The need for organization of the clubs took form inassociations. These associations set rules of dress an con-duct as well as negotiating for public facilities, such ashalls and schools for square dance clubs to dance in.Associations have done a great job of protecting and pro-moting square dancing at every opportunity.

Not to be overlooked are the callers. They are thevery important part of what square dancing is today.There are some very fine callers associations that alwaysstrive to upgrade square dancing. This is done by intro-ducing new steps, modern music and always keepingdances in mind by holding their interest. One new step isintroduced each month. Instead of “turkey in the straw”type music, the music we hear today is played and callsare adapted to it for square dancing.

Callers and dancers alike are getting school boardsand even colleges to teach square dancing in physicaleducation classes. Believe me, in these times educationaladministrators welcome and inexpensive approach toexercise of the mind and body that is fun. The answer tothat is square dancing.

Last, but certainly not least, is Round dancing. Rounddancing is perhaps a little more refined type dance that isfor the man and woman alone, but done in a large circleof other couples, each doing a set pattern of steps as acouple, very much like ballroom dancers. It is a verybeautiful and colorful display that is second to none.

When we say “going to a square dance,” it is alwaysautomatic to have round dancing every other dance. Sowith your girl you dance with eight people in a square,then with your gal alone in a round dance. It is smallwonder people are becoming enthralled with squaredancing because they have a closeness that is rare in mostother groups.

Where can they get so much for so little, but insquare dancing?

Our ROOTS

That’s All Folks! Look for Square Dancing Today News regularly in your e-mail box. ★ FORWARD THIS TO A FRIEND BEFORE YOU FORGET! ★

Make copies and post them. KEEP SQUARE DANCING ALIVE!But there’s plenty more to this edition atwww.GSIInternational.org/SDTNews2

TIP: USE THIS ARTICLE Incorporate history intoyour promotional campaign for new members.

A BRIEF HISTORY ofSQUARE DANCING

Square dancing, the American Folk Dance, is not an

American invention, but is a combination of many dances.

Mainly, the Morris dances which were English, yet

believed to have originated from the Moors before the

year 1450 and French Contras mated to the French ballet.