With the fall camping season underway, we are happy to note that the first campout with #128 Square Wheels was a great way to begin.  Friday night there were at least 5 squares dancing most of the time and several dancers visiting at the tables.  Bill called a great dance, he kept us “swinging and sweating” all evening.  Casual attire was greatly appreciated, as it was also on Saturday.  As you know we voted square dance apparel optional at all the Gypsy campouts and it really paid off as the hall is pretty warm at Pacetti’s.  Definitely a good decision.

Robert Padgett and Bill held a plus workshop on Saturday afternoon, enjoyed by many.  The potluck dinner featured a table laden with so many delicious dishes it was hard to choose, and certainly no one went away hungry.  Those square dance ladies are pretty darn good cooks.

The business meeting following dinner sparked a lot of lively discussion in relationship to the combining all of the campouts throughout the year with the Square Wheels.  It was Bill (who calls for both clubs as you know) who really put things in perspective, both from the callers as well as the dancer’s point of view.  With attendance at both clubs being small it is just a win, win situation to have one largely attended campout once a month instead of two small ones.  This also frees up a weekend for him…..as he is one active caller….in demand by many (easy to understand!!) so it is a win, win situation for him also.  A motion was made, seconded and passed.  Motion being: “Chapters #128 and #168 will hold joint campouts throughout the year.  Each chapter will have their own officers, funds, and continue to run their clubs as they have always done”.  The square Wheels had voted on their 2011 camping schedule, ours was only in the proposal stage, so we geared the year toward theirs.  In the future #128 will host January, April and September on the third weekend, and #168 will host March and May and December on the first weekend.  The host club will announce and reserve the campground, and plan the weekend.  February both clubs attend the Blue and Grey Festival, in October the Camporee and O’Leno in November.  Summer campouts will be announced by #128 as we do not schedule summer months. We are including the calendar for 2011 and urge members of both clubs to attend all the campouts as we certainly will be one large, fun, camping group with the best caller ever!

The hall was filled once again on Saturday night, lots of dancing, fellowship, enjoying of the beautiful cake celebrating the 30^th anniversary of the square wheels club, but most of all the warmth of such a nice large crowd.  A social gathering was held after the dance each night at the open pavilion where the Square Wheels hosted a super delicious pancake breakfast (with grits….thanks Mary) Sunday morning to close out the weekend.  We, as well as #128, look forward to many, many more campouts together.  As per suggestion, the Gypsy Newsletters will be sent to #128 members for informative and friendly purposes.

The Gypsy’s have agreed to decorate the hall for the Camporee October 20-23, helping our own Dee Casteel, Camporee Chairman.  As a member of 168 we must do all we can to help make this one big successful “Mardi Gras” party.  If anyone has any decorations, beads or memorabilia they would like to share, please bring it with you .  We will be decorating on Thursday so everything is ready for the Masquerade Ball that evening which will kick off the weekend.  So Gypsy’s come with your ball gowns, masks, costumes or whatever else it may take to make Dee, and #168, proud! But mostly, come…..We have ribbons, raffle tickets and registration blanks.  Flyers are out at all the dances.  We will see you there, even if you are behind a mask!!

Dues reminder….Dues (national and club) will be collected from now through our December campout at Ocala.  We will collect at the Camporee and O’Leno as National has requested dues be in by mid December.  Renewal dues are $30.00 per couple and $15.00 for singles.  If you intend to mail a check, please make it payable to Gypsy Squares and send to: Jay Peck, 875 Lindenwood Circle East, Ormond Beach FL 32174.

Yellow Rocks,
Joanne and Dale
Presidents

7/27/10

Hi Gypsy’s, just a  reminder
THE 5^th SATURDAY IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER….
SATURDAY, JULY 31^st.
As members of NEFSARDA we have agreed to co-host the Dance
with A Touch of Class (Lisa Wall's round dance club in Jax)
and the Silver Fox Squares of Jax
The theme will be “Freedom Bells are Ringing”
It will be held at the Moose Club in Jax, which is Bill’s club.

Mark that date on your calendar, bring some finger foods,
and join your fellow Gypsy's and NEFSARDA dancers for a fun dance.
Please let us know if you plan to attend so we will have a "treats count".
If you have any questions feel free to email or call me - joengum@cfl.rr.com - phone 904-707-0261.

Directions from I-295 (from either direction)

Yellow Rocks,
Joanne and Dale
Presidents

6/2/10

The May Campout at Stagecoach RV Park in St. Augustine proved to be one of the best ever.  you will have to attend sometime so that you can see just what we mean.  Where else can you spend a weekend with all of your fellow dancing friends enjoying some of the most fun dancing in a casual atmosphere.  It includes not just that but also lots of good food, good social after-parties, excellent fellowship and some of the best calling by our own Bill Chesnut.  Camping is fun in itself, but add the square dance fun and it cannot be beat.

The campout was kicked off with a fabulous potluck in the clubhouse on Friday evening. Four couples from the Square Wheels joined us for the weekend and we decided that they can cook just as good as the Dixie’s! They also made the dance more fun as we had 3 squares on the floor most times and as you know, the more the merrier and the more Bill challenges us with his shenanigans!  The gals were off the hook for dinner on Saturday as we all went to the Third Street Grill, a Greek restaurant that is right around the corner and is owned by an avid supporter of the Square Dance Program.  It took us all Saturday evening to dance off all the calories, but then, guess what, our after party social had us right back enjoying some more!

Ann and Bill Dunsworth hosted the breakfast on Sunday morning, and I am including her delicious recipe as per many requests. Thanks Ann and Bill for a super breakfast. It was Mothers Day and we were also treated to some excellent waffles with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, served up by Ken and Kathy Cody and their “professional waffle maker”. I told you #128 had good cooks and we look forward to sharing some great camping weekends with them in the future.  The Gypsy’s do not camp in the summer but will have our annual joint campout with the Square Wheels at Pacetti’s Marina September 17th, 18th and 19th. Plans will be made at that time for future joint campouts.

A reminder that the Gypsy Squares are members of NEFSARDA as our charter is held in Starke Fl.  And we have agreed to co-host the 5th Sat. Dance on July 31st.  We will host with A Touch of Class (Lisa Walls round dance club in Jax) and the Silver Fox Squares of Jax.  The theme will be “Freedom Bells are Ringing” and Lisa is preparing all the brochures and advertising.  It will be held at the Moose Club in Jax, which is Bill’s club. Mark that date on your calendar, bring some finger foods, and join your fellow NEFSARDA dancers for a fun dance. Please let us know if you plan to attend so will have a “treats count”.    July 20, 21, 22, 2010 the NSDCA 2010 International Camporee is being held in Orlando at the Central Florida Fairgrounds. There is a tour on Sunday night and a Welcome Social on Sunday night. Monday night will be the Trails End Dance in the main hall. You can register to check in as early as Saturday if you wish to come early. Our own Bill Chesnut will be the caller in charge of our camporee square dances. The Gypsy’s are chairing the after-parties all three nights as well as writing and publishing the Snooper Newspaper each day, so as you can see we are looking for lots of help. Please let us know if you plan to attend so we have an idea where we are at! All the chapters will be grouped together (electricity and water are on site) so #168 will have lots of togetherness!  Check out the website www.nsdca.org and click on Camporee.

Yellow Rocks,
Joanne and Dale
Presidents

4/22/10

May is just around the corner, therefore it is time to make your reservations for our Campout at Stagecoach RV May 7th, 8th and 9th ASAP.  It will be here before you know it, and you want to make sure you get a site.  The number is 904-824-2319 and inform them when you call that you are with the Gypsy Squares so you get the rally rate.  We had such a great time there last month and are anticipating a repeat performance.  The clubhouse is ours for the weekend, making it so convenient.  Our chief cooks and bottle washers will be in the Italy, (have a wonderful time Jay and Teri) so we will have a regular pot-luck on Friday at 6:00 p.m.  After all, no one but Jay really can make a plain old hot dog taste so gourmet!!  Bring a dish to pass, your dancing shoes and a big smile. 

3/17/10

The weekend at Stagecoach RV, although a small (16 members) turnout, proved to be a great time.  The clubhouse is so ideal and handy to all the RV’s it seemed we were all visiting at someone’s home.  Good food, especially the nice “Vermont” breakfast prepared by Gil and Karen on Sunday morning, good dancing and lots of visiting.  The hot dog potluck picnic on Friday was held in “our clubhouse”, warm and cozy in the cool weather…the evening dancing really warmed us up.   We had just one square dancing at a time, while the others watched and “critiqued”.  Needless to say Bill made it very interesting inciting lots of laughs.  The meeting was held after the dance. The following minutes were taken by Karen Gagne:

Call to order at 9:45 p.m. by Joanne Engum.       16 present   Stagecoach RV Park
 Booking conflict with Dec. date at Ocala RV.  After discussion and a vote the Christmas Campout will be held at Lake Oklawaha RV Park Dec. 3rd. 4th and 5th.  It was voted to cancel the April 2nd, 3rd and 4th campout as it falls on Easter weekend.  Checking on the details for the Party Weekend at Paisley Fl. April 16th, 17th and 18th.  This is a benefit weekend for the 57th Florida State Convention, and would be a chance for the Gypsy’s to camp in April.  It is also possible to attend the Saturday Dinner and Dance only for $15.00 per person.  Checking on campsites for just Saturday night. 

May 7th, 8th and 9th  campout will be at Stagecoach RV, please call ahead to make a reservation.

The Gypsy Squares are members of NEFSARDA as our charter is held in Starke Fl.  We have agreed to co-host the 5th Sat. Dance on July 31st.  We will host with A Touch of Class (Lisa Walls round dance club in Jax) and the Silver Fox Squares of Jax.  The theme will be “Freedom Bells are Ringing” and Lisa is preparing all the brochures and advertising.  It will be held at the Moose Club in Jax, which is Bill’s club.  Details and duties will follow at a later date.

Members were given their National Square Dance Camping Ass’n. (NSDCA) membership cards.  They will be available at the May campout for those who did not receive theirs. It was voted to donate $25.00 to the Sundaes on Sunday Dance, held March 7th to benefit the 2010 FL State Conv.

Martha Zimmerman, Chairperson of the International Camporee in Orlando July 20th, 21st and 22nd reported.  The gypsy’s are chairing the after-parties all three nights as well as writing and producing the Snooper Newspaper each day.  Volunteers are needed….and welcome.  Maxine Thomas moved to adjourn….seconded by Dawn Hoffman.  Social hour followed.

Karen and Gil chose the Cracker Barrel for Saturday dinner, best part being it is right in the “neighborhood”.  The day was filled with lots of shopping, some visiting Hobby Lobby once again and we all enjoyed the 3:00 p.m. campfire (love that little red thing) social hour in the sunshine.  The dance Saturday evening, with Bill at his calling best…and his best silliness too… kept the 2 squares (with guests) smiling and dancing.  It was a fun weekend to start off our season and hope we can have all of you come to the next campout.  Too many Gypsy’s were “on the road” for this one….but that is fun too.  We will send out a follow-up email when we get the Party Weekend info.  Thanks again to Karen and Gil for being the “hosts with the most”, and to all of you for all you did to make it a fun weekend.

Yellow Rocks,
Joanne and Dale

3/1/10

Hi Gypsies, as you can see I have procrastinated getting this newsletter to you sooner, but you know how it is when you are retired, never enough hours in the day.   You do also know that most of the time is spent traveling and having fun.  The Blue and Grey Festival was another fantastic weekend.  At least it didn’t rain this year, and even though it was a little cool we had 7 squares dancing on Saturday afternoon in the courtyard.  The dance on Friday night was hosted by #128 with Bill calling and was elbow to elbow so we were able to warm up nicely.  Saturday night began with the Grand March and was followed by a super dance called by Jack Lewis with Bill as MC.  The silent auction, all the delicious food and the dancing encouraged everyone to mark next years weekend on the calendar.  Think about it and those of you who did not attend……join us next year.  Several Gypsy couples and friends went on to New Orleans for Mardi gras and what fun that was!

Next weekend will be our first “official” campout of the year at Stagecoach RV, 2711 County Road 208, St Augustine, FL 32092     Phone 904-824-2319.  Please call now and make your reservations.  Tell them you are with the Gypsy Squares so you receive the rally rate.  They offer 30 and 50 amp service so the cost will be $32.00 or $34.50………and yes, those are the rally rates but hopefully it will be closer to home for gas savings???  I will notify the Jacksonville clubs and hopefully we will have some guests from there.  Karen and Gil have offered to host the weekend…thank you for volunteering.   The club will once again furnish the hot dogs for a Friday potluck picnic at 6:00 p.m. and dancing will be from 7:30 to 9:30.  Casual attire is acceptable for all of our weekends, but if you prefer square dance attire – go for it!   We will have an informal meeting after the Friday dance as we have some decisions to make.  See you there!

Yellow Rocks,
Joanne and Dale

Hi Gypsy’s….I hope you have called in your reservation for this weekend.  So far we only have 7 couples signed up and surely are hoping for more than that.  I did have them reserve 12 campsites and if we don’t get more registered by Wednesday it is only fair to the campground to let some of them go.  So……hurry and sign up, you wouldn’t want to miss out on all of the fun!

Ann Dunsworth has offered to make enough potato salad for all on Friday night for the hot dog picnic, thank you so much Annie.  Anything goes at a picnic, so you can use your own judgment…we will enjoy it all. Just a reminder to bring a few snacks to share, and perhaps some soda for the dances.   Karen will be organizing a trip to Hobby Lobby in St. Augustine at 10:00 a.m. (or so) on Saturday and you are welcome to join in, or you can take advantage of all the other shopping in the immediate area.  The Gagne’s are also making arrangements for dinner that evening at Cracker Barrel, which is right in the parks back yard.  We will meet there at 4:45 and hopefully be seated by 5:00 p.m.   She will check on reservations.  We will also have a “social wine, cheese and whatever” party in the hall after the dances (and Friday meeting) on both nights.  Karen is working on a nice breakfast Sunday morning.  So..sounds like a great weekend doesn’t it?  Come with us and help make it one!   See you on Friday, Joanne and Dale

Yellow Rocks,
Joanne and Dale

   
 
Christmas 2009

       The New Year has begun and we hope it is off to a good start for all of you.  Our Christmas Campout at Ocala Sun RV Park was a great way to swing into the holiday season.  We had a very good turnout and the hot dog supper on Friday put everyone in a "fun” mood.  The hall was once again decorated festively, and Bill kept everyone swinging and promenading throughout the weekend.  Jay and Teri outdid themselves once again with a fabulous dinner Saturday.  Judi Corbett’s hashbrown supremes and Joanne Engum's watergate salad complimented the ham and trimmings. We surely know how to eat, dance and have fun right?  The after-party with our famous Chinese auction was really a hoot, too.  The grins and the “oh no’s” brought lots of laughs.  The breakfast on Sunday morning once again was delicious and sent us all off to enjoy the holidays.  Thanks to everyone who helped make the weekend such a success and also to Bill and Mary for going above and beyond as always with all the door prizes.  They Gypsy’s love you guys!!

       Our next campout will be at the Blue and Grey Festival in Lake City on February 12^th, 13^th and 14^th. Camping is available at Casey Jones RV Park in Lake City, $24.53 per night for 30 amp and $2.00 more for 50 amp.  Martha Zimmerman is taking reservations for this campground.  Oaks and Pines RV Park is also available for camping in the area.  Square Wheels will sponsor the Friday night dance at Teen Town Recreation Center.  We will have a street dance demo on Saturday afternoon and the Saturday night dance will be held at the Toyota Showroom, on US 90.  Jack Lewis is the featured caller. Lets have a good Gypsy turnout for this fun weekend.

     Start planning ahead for the NSDCA 2010 International Camporee in Orlando July 20,21,22, 2010.  The Gypsy’s are getting involved in making sure this is a huge success and when the final duties are scheduled, we will let all of you know our participation duties. Anyone who would like to volunteer please step forward….. we need you!

      If you did not attend the fabulous New Year's Eve dance at Pacetti’s, hosted by our own Bill Chesnut and Bobby Keefe, you missed one great way to welcome 2010.  The dinner prepared by our own Jay and Teri Peck, the dancing and snacking and door prizes and champagne toasts as the ball dropped, inspired all of us to “do it again next year”.   Think about it and join the many Gypsy’s who attended.

Yellow Rocks,
Joanne and Dale