Portland/Vancouver Summer Picnic		Still Time to Sign Up
Minutes of the AGM		Calendar of Events
Teacher's Tunes

Well, I think we can declare the summer picnic a raging success. First of all, the weather was fantastic! Cool in the shade, but not too cool, and warm in the sun, but not uncomfortably warm, and breezy, but not too breezy. Just right for dancing in the dirt, which we did, led by John Shaw (after we ate, of course). And it was nice flat dirt too, I might add. And then there was the added bonus of being surrounded by beautiful tall trees, with the East Fork of the Lewis River bubbling by just a few steps away. Not to mention being surrounded by so many nice dancing folks from both Portland and Vancouver and their families. And of course, all those folks brought such a lovely array of food! Salads of every description, savory delights, and deserts to die for, and some of us even saw Debbie and Mel McRobert eating the most beautiful hot dogs in all of Scottish Country Dancing*. After the food, and into the dancing, we were entertained further by two pipers and a drummer from the Fort Vancouver Pipe Band, who, in their second set, finished off the afternoon with Amazing Grace. All just excellent.

*This is an obscure reference - my original teacher, Torf, always referred to "1st and 2nd couples set, turn partner once round with both hands, opening into four hands round to the left" as the most beautiful figure in all of Scottish Country Dancing.

The 2004 Annual General Meeting of the Vancouver-USA Scottish Country Dancers was held May 26, from 9:15 to 9:25pm at the Marshall Center Oak/Elm room.

After the minutes of the 2003 AGM were approved, the Management Committee for the coming year was elected. The Manager will be Tom Halpenny, Secretary will be Linda Mae Dennis, and Treasurer will be Van Meter Hord.

Van announced the membership dues for 2004-2005 will be $24 for combined RSCDS and local membership, $5 for local membership, and $2.50 for newsletter only for those who are a member of another branch.

Van reported on the finances of the Association and provided ledger information for AGM attendees to review.

Tom thanked members for organizing and participating in the dancing activities. We have organized 3 dances and a picnic, and performed for the community 27 times with an average 9.8 participants per performance.

This Fall, separate classes for beginners and for experienced dancers are being offered at the Marshall Center. Both classes will run concurrently in separate rooms on Wednesdays from 7:45 - 9:15 pm. Information will be in the Vancouver-Clark Parks and Recreation brochure listing of the Fall schedule.

Here via the Tartan Times (Boston Branch) Nov/Dec 2001, "from the Daily Mail and the NY Branch Newsletter we learn that: The eminent psychologist, Dr. Michael Argyle, specifically advocates Scottish Country Dancing because it embodies all the attributes humans need for physical well-being, including exercise, rhythm, music, teamwork, cooperation and shared enjoyment."

And finally, a big THANK YOU! to all who danced the various, and varied, programs this past year. Your support has been fantastic! And many more thanks to all who chaired, led, aided, pitched in and helped with all our activities, as well as contributing to our very successful dances.

Enjoy your summer "vacation"! 'Til we meet again, Happy dancing!

The membership year for the Vancouver USA Scottish Country Dancers runs from July 1st through June 30th. If you would like to renew your membership in our local branch and haven't done so yet, just send in your dues to:

Vancouver USA SCD
1647 NW 26th Circle
Camas, WA 98607