Western Star Online

Hello Darlings,

Word has gotten back to me that some of you have been calling me “Daryl’s Hairy Pussy,” and while that is technically true it is also technically rude.  I am Miss Honey Kitty, and I come from a long line of really classy alley cats.  I love string, paper, and boxes.  I adore being worshiped and petted.  I hate noisy, sucky vacuum cleaners.  My hobby, besides Neighborhood Watch out the window, is belly dancing.  I stand on Daryl’s belly and do the Kitty Two-Step.  I have learned a few calls:  Food, Brush, Come On, but mostly I hear people yaps.  They are not as interesting as that bird outside the window.

PS:  I have my claws, and I know how to use them.  So don’t get smart with me!

Western Star Dancers celebrated their 28th Anniversary in fabulous fashion with Eric Hennerlau calling his sixth anniversary dance since 1985.  Eric brought along a contingent from the Tam Twirlers to help fill the floor.  There were four or five squares all evening.

Thank you to everyone who brought cake, cookies, brownies, pie, jello, cold cuts, strawberries, chocolates, and wrap sandwiches.

Thanks to Dan Smith and Tomas Todd for the posters and paper cut-outs.  Fabulous may not be a strong enough word.  How about fantabulous?

Domo arigato to Joe and Todd for their giant star, the dancing man with the very manly print shirt, as well as their artistic direction.

Xie xie to Mark Yee, Bob Brundage, Russ King, and Daryl Daniels for minding the door, collecting admission, and selling 50-50 tickets.  Willie James won the drawing and took home $73.

Merci to Kathy Tuccio for her help in setting up and making sure Eric was taken care of.

Gracias to Abby and Cliff from the Green Mainstream Class who enjoyed their first square dance.

Treasurer Bob Brundage said that he expects that the dance made a little money for the club.  Forest Hill Christian Church was affordable, spacious enough, and comfortable, in addition to having plentiful free parking and good Muni access.

Follow the links on the right to see the pictures from the dance.

This little ditty has been around for some time, the author is unknown

Are you an active member,

The kind that would be missed

Or are you just contented

That your name is on the list?

Do you attend the meetings

And mingle with the flock

Or do you stay at home

And criticize and knock?

Do you ever work on committees

To see there is no trick

Or leave the work to just a few

And talk about the clique?

So come to meetings often

And help with hand and heart

Don’t be just a member,

But take an active part.

Although the Board of Directors can decide on the direction in which the club is moving and make decisions on the policies, it is up to the membership to make the club workable.

Honorary Member Helen Sommers sent the following note in response to a courtesy email sent to the living Honorary Members (at least those for whom we have email addresses):

Thanks to Freeman Stamper for providing Helen’s and Ron Douglass’ contact info.

The back room of The Sausage Factory was buzzing with conviviality Monday January 18, with a good crowd for the first Dine and Dish in many, many years.  If you  missed it, you may have noticed that your ears were burning, because we DISHED! Only a dozen people were expected, but smiles greeted the unexpected guests as they joined us.

Thank you to Richard Leadbetter for organizing such a delightful evening.

Originally printed in WSD Today, a supplement to the Western Star newsletter. This is a collection of pointers and observations about attending a straight square dance for your very first time. Originally part of a series which Patty White prepared in April, 1989, it was

edited by Freeman Stamper

Attending a Straight Dance

Since 1989 some things have changed, but good advice remains.