The Circle of Service Award was created in Plant City, Florida, and first recognized at the 34th National Convention in 1985 held in Birmingham. The Circle is a symbol of service to square and round dancing. It is designed to be worn with pride by dancers who, for three or more years, are determined to have made a significant contribution to the Round & Square Dance movement. A pattern of arcs, circles and interlocking squares symbolizes the strong bond between the ‘sister’ activities of round and square dancing. Those presenting the Circle must themselves have been recipients of the award at an earlier date, this method is meant to spread throughout the dance community and honor those whose accomplishments often go unrecognized.

It was our pleasure to award the Circle of Service to an individual, always present, hardworking and devoted to Square Dancing and the Cayuga Cut-Ups. She attends every dance prepared and quietly completes her needed tasks. She learned and fulfilled the role of Treasurer for the last several years. She accurately assists the Cut-Ups Board with financial information and collects our membership information, pays bills and adds her advice to meetings. She is always ready to dance and, also supports the Liverpool Pairs N Squares club. Please congratulate Jean Whitmore!

These awardees are a well known and loved couple of very long-time dancers, some may reflect to the seventies. They fit square dancing into their active professional and community lives. Attending banner stealing with gusto and real theft if necessary. They are enthusiastic dancers and great fun to watch as Ron Brown often comments! They have been leading the Cut-Ups for several years and we are grateful for the friendship and entertainment. They are planning to take the next year off to visit friends/family around the country. Their leadership, advice and obvious devotion is recognized by all. Please congratulate our Presidents Bruce & Sue Green.

Linda English

On Friday, July 25th, during Peter Emmel’s short visit to Rochester, the WNYF Board celebrated Peter’s retirement as Editor of the Promenader. For more than 14 years Peter was highly dedicated to his WNYF role of keeping our dancers well informed of dances, events, topics and our member club news.

We extend our appreciation to Peter for his service to the dancing community for all these years. We extend best wishes to Peter and Sandy as they relocate to Canada.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

We had a wonderful turnout on June 20, 2025 for the Federation’s Free Friday Night Dance at the VFW in Fairport. We had 87 dancers and 8 squares dancing. We had dancers from 10 of our member clubs dancing to Mike Callahan & Ron Brown calling and Jim Gotta cueing.

It was the first time the WNYF sponsored an amateur calling event. We had six of our dancers try calling. They worked hard preparing for our Friday night Dance. Our amateur callers were: George Bauerschmidt, Domenica Gustke, Judy Pratt, Mike Segal, Carl Webster and Ann Williams. They did a wonderful job and it was a lot of fun.

Thank you to Jim Gotta for organizing the amateur program for the WNYF. Thank you to our callers who helped work with the amateur callers. Based on audience vote, George Bauerschmidt was awarded the Roaring Tiger Award. Congratulations George!

Debbie and Jeff Blood

The Greece Historical Society and Museum held its Annual Fundraiser, “The Strawberry Festival”, on June 16th, 2025.

This year it was called the “Sweet Sensations” Annual Strawberry and Dessert Tasting Fundraiser. Several area business places offered free prizes in a raffle, plus the Greece Historical Society had a showcase of their many books, and pamphlets. There was also a section for kids with clowns, face painting, and toys from the past. A little of something for everyone!

Our Western New York Federation of dancers has been invited to dance at this event for several years. The Federation thanks the three squares of volunteer dancers that attended from several of our 16 member clubs.

It was a beautiful sunny day and the Greece Pavilion was full of guests both adults, and children. Our dancers mingled with the crowd and shared information about our area square dancing opportunities. The WNYF setup a booth showcasing our clubs, and upcoming open houses. Some of our dancers dressed in square dance clothes, and many in our club polo shirts showcasing the many different styles of square dance attire that can be worn.

Thanks to Mike Callahan who called for this event. Both Mike and our dancers encouraged people from the audience to come up and dance. As Mike always does, he made the new dancers feel comfortable and have fun.

It was a wonderful day for square dancing and eating lots of delicious strawberries!

Submitted by Anne Granger

The July 13th Crazy Hat Dance, co-sponsored by WNYF and Cloverleaf Squares, was well attended. Thank you to Mike Callahan for calling and Alice Bubel for cueing. We had over 8 squares dancing. Dancers attended from our WNYF clubs: Batavia Silver Stars, Boo Bull Squares, Cayuga Cut-Ups, Cloverleafs, Copy Cats, Silver Squares and Southern Tier Wheelers.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

On Friday July 18th, Debbie & Jeff Blood, Co-Presidents of the WNYF, presented their ten 2025 graduates with their WNYF 2025 Grad packets. Our visit worked out perfectly to enjoy a fun night of dancing and their delicious ice cream social.

Shirts N Shirts June 2025 Graduates: Alice & Bob Black, Joann & Mark Leskoske, Al & Carolyn Mosier, Sue Richardson, Kim Sizemore, Monika & Rob Taft.

Caller/Instructor: Dave Eno

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Fun time on July 19th at the Tractor Square Dance at Lyons Peppermint Festival. Ron Brown did a wonderful job calling. Over 4 squares of our square dancers were in attendance and demonstrated square dancing after the tractors square danced.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

We had 3+ squares dancing on Saturday July 26th at the Batavia Silver Stars demonstration at the Genesee County Fair. Thank you to Denny Frey for calling and all the volunteer dancers.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

On July 29th, Shamrock Squares celebrated 50 years of Advanced Square Dancing with our regular dance and a delicious buffet catered by Dinosaur BBQ.

Advanced square dancing was started in the early 1970’s by a group of Challenge callers who thought that there should be a dance program between “club” dancing and the “100 Challenge Basics”. Those were the two dance programs which made up Modern Western square dancing during the 1960’s. There were no Plus dance programs at that time. It is interesting to note that the first Advanced Call list contained some of the Plus calls that we dance today. The Advanced Dance program was officially recognized in 1977 by Callerlab.

In the Fall of 1974, I was asked by a group of dancers to teach/workshop the advanced calls. That was also the year that I started calling as a full-time business, and I really needed to know how to call the Advanced Dancing program in order to be hired for weekends and festivals. In the Spring of 1975, Wanda and I formed Shamrock Squares, and we have been dancing every week since.

If you are curious about Advanced square dancing, you are welcome to come and watch anytime. We dance every Tuesday at the Pieters Family Life Center, 1025 Commons Way, just off of E. Henrietta Road near 390 South, 2-4 pm.

Mike Callahan

The Cayuga Cut-Ups thank everyone who attended our 64th Anniversary Party & Steak Roast! We appreciate the talented calling and cueing with Ron Brown, Gary Bubel, and Alice Bubel, kudos! We must not forget the talented grilling team of Daves Balcom – Father & Son! Our setup team decorated and created an inviting and welcoming space to enjoy, dance, and eat. And did we eat, steak, salads, and sooo many desserts – great job one and all!

Linda English

I am a member of Cloverleaf Squares and a volunteer at GiGi’s Playhouse, a nonprofit organization devoted to the delivery of free educational, therapeutic and career development programs for adults with Down Syndrome.

Two other volunteers and I work with eight adults with Down Syndrome once a week. At the request of a parent of one of our adults, square dancing was introduced to our group this summer.

Two members of Western New York Federation were instrumental in two very successful, happy-filled classes for our adults. Jim Gotta was our caller, and Charlie Smeltzer was one of our “angels”.

Our adults thoroughly enjoyed these experiences, and to see them following multiple directions, cooperating with each other, accepting errors, and moving to the music was special.

Our sincere thanks to Jim and Charlie.

Joan Updaw

The Free Friday Night Mainstream Federation dance had 5 squares of dancers, and many round dancers from our clubs. Dancers from the following clubs attended: Cloverleaf Squares, Copy Cats, Silver Squares, Boo Bull Squares, Batavia Silver Stars, Waterwheels, and A-Listers. We were glad so many recent graduates joined in the fun.

Thank you to Jim Gotta for calling and Alice Bubel for cueing.

Special thanks to Dave Hase from Cayuga Cut- Ups for coming early to help us set up. Thank you to Ginny and Pete Mills along with Dave Hase for all their help after the dance putting away the chairs.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Batavia Silver Stars Name Tag Dance on Monday 8/18 was a huge success. We enjoyed dancing to Gary Bubel calling and Alice Bubel Cueing. There were 7 squares of dancers and more than 24 round dancers in attendance. Guest dancers from 10 square dance clubs attended. Batavia Silver Stars did a fantastic job making everyone feel welcome. Their generous home grown or home-made treats and gifts were enjoyed by all.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Thank you to all the volunteer dancers at the WNYF square dance demo at the Pittsford YMCA: Laurie & Dave Collins, Rob & Iris Raiman, Nadine Mucci, Donna & Bob Indovina, Sue Sepkowski, Mitch Berner, Kirk Miller, Barb & Bob Jackson, Irene Kosciuk, Mike & Barb Dobner, Judy Straw, Lucy Pietrzykowski, Debbie & Jeff Blood.

Special thanks to Mike Callahan for calling.

Debbie and Jeff Blood

Dalton Gang held their 3rd annual dance to benefit the C.U.R.E. Childhood Cancer Association. Three squares of dancers made their way down to the Bliss Recreation Hall, and were treated to a table full of goodies as well as a great dance. A gift / basket raffle as well as a 50/50 raffle with all proceeds going to C.U.R.E. Special thanks to the calling and cueing staff of Alice Bubel, Gary Bubel, Mike Callahan, Jim Gotta, Ray Tompkins, and Lisa Treichler for donating their time and talents to the cause.

Pictures and text submitted by Carl Webster, Jim Gotta

Silver Squares Dance Club had a summer filled with many fun dances! We ended our year with a summer picnic. Our amazing cooks and bakers filled the table with all kinds of salads, casseroles and desserts. A free dance, hots and condiments were provided by the club. Below you will find pictures from our picnic, plus pictures from our summer dances! It was a really, really hot summer but we were able to have three to four squares at our dances. We had the fans going and lots of water on hand!! Thank you to all who helped during the summer and to our wonderful dancers who just kept dancing!!

We celebrate out Fall with a Pizza Party on September 15th. Come from 1:00-3:00 and enjoy Free Pizza!!

Anne Granger