Our host and hostess were Bill & Viv Thompson. We would like to thank all our members who helped set up and decorate including Wayne & Priscilla Griffin, Chris Howard, Cheryl Palucchi, Mary Raymond, Roberta Blais & Hal Kelley. The hall had a very festive look with strings of lights and vases of white flowers and snowballs on each table. Also, for all those who stay to help clean up after a dance, it is much appreciated.

On Saturday January 12 at 8-10:30 PM, join us for our next BCS dance at the Infant Jesus Church, on Allds Street. This will be a CLASS LEVEL DANCE, with Ed Renauld calling and Barbara Nutting cueing. Our host and hostess are our class members supported by Bill & Anne Parke. The theme is "Pajama Party". We have one club, the Wolf Rockers, coming to raid our banner. Setup time will be at the usual 12:30 PM Saturday January 12, for anyone who is willing to help.

For our future Saturday February 9 dance, we are looking for hosts (men only to show your stuff, ladies only, or any combination) with a theme of "Valentine Dance". The couple that had signed up has moved from the area and won’t be able to host that dance.

For our future Saturday June 8 dance, we also need hosts, and if you really act fast, you even get to choose the dance theme (is YOUR birthday in June?).

On December 7, Paula Finamore, Diane DesRochers, Cecelia Kendig, and Margaret Green attended the Acton Square Wheeler’s dance, accompanied by club members Chris Howard, Margery Shank, Joe Maheu, and Bill and Anne Parke. Matt Auger’s calling kept all of the dancers interested and challenged, whatever the level.

On December 15, Cecelia Kendig, Rita Lamarche, and Chip & Carol Parker accompanied 19 club members on a banner raid to Concord Coach. They enjoyed dancing to the calling of Ted Lizotte. As always, Border City’s class was welcomed with great enthusiasm.

Our Monday January 7 class schedule will be unchanged, the same as it has been since September (see calendar).

Monday January 14 will introduce the new schedule that runs through April 22 (see calendar).

• All Position Mainstream Class is done. (we have learned everything there is to know, ya right)
• Our new beginners class will start tonight, with a Free Fun Night from 7:00 to 8:30 PM.
• Our September class continues tonight with its usual lessons but at its new time from 8:30 to 10:00 PM. You are encouraged to come to "Angel" for the new class, at no extra charge. Your September class graduates on Monday April 22.

On Saturday, January 12, Border City is hosting our first Class level dance this season. The theme is Pajama Party. Class members are considered the hosts/hostesses of this dance. We will meet at 12:30 P.M. on Saturday to decorate the Infant Jesus Parish Hall. If you haven’t signed up to help yet, or if you need directions to the hall, please see Anne or Bill Parke. Remember, any conservative nightwear is appropriate.

Monthly Dancing Tips

• Don’t always dance in the same position in the square or with the same couples or partner. Try to dance one tip in each position every time you dance, so you become comfortable in all positions.
• Dance at the front of the hall so the caller can help you if you are having trouble with a call. "Hiding" at the back of the hall won’t make you a better dancer.
• Be on time for both classes and dances. The first tip is often a review or warm-up, and is a helpful element in your overall enjoyment of dancing.
• Don’t pass an incomplete square, or walk through a square to get to another one, perhaps with particular friends. Square dancing is a great opportunity to meet new people, so introduce yourself to anyone you don’t know, try to remember the names of long-familiar faces, and have fun. Don’t leave a square once you are there, unless there’s an emergency.
• If you are able, don’t refuse to dance when you are needed to fill a square. If you aren’t able, politely inform so that people understand.

December 8^th BCS Dance - The Litchfield Swingers retrieved their banner and the Heel & Toe SDC raided one of our banners. Eight other dancers came to dance to Norm Poisson and Marilyn Rivenburg with 2 from the Northern Stars, 2 from the Apple Squares and 4 from the Seacoast Region SDC. Norm called some interesting combinations of calls and Marilyn cued a great selection of rounds. Both used many Christmas theme songs. Of the 53 dancers present, 19 were BCS members and 24 were supporting banner exchanges.

December 14^th Retrieval/Raid to Single Squares - Only 9 members went and enjoyed the pies and dancing. This dance was originally planned as a raid so we received a Single Squares banner. We plan to retrieve our banner at their March or April dance and they plan to retrieve their banner at our May dance. Jay Silva was a little hoarse but called his heart out and gave us a great dance. There were 7 squares for the Mainstream tips and 6 squares for the Plus tips. Phil Gatchell cued the rounds in sets so each set included both phase 2 or both phase 3 rounds. This club dances from 8 to 11 PM and has an intermission, so Phil cued some phase 4 rounds during the intermission. Supporting our club were: Chris, Penny & Skip, Wayne & Priscilla, Tammy, Mike, Amy, and Jim M.

December 15^th Raid to Concord Coach - This was our first chance to bring our new dancers with us to a club raid. Caller Ted Lizotte was as awesome as usual at this Class level dance. New dancers were: Chip & Carol Parker, Cecelia Kendig, and Rita Lamarche. Other members supporting our club were: Muriel Credle, John & Valerie Lamb, Jim McClarin, Amy & Katherine Bollenbach Chris Howard, Debbie Coit, Skip Guild, Cheryl Palucchi, Wayne & Priscilla Griffin, Kathi Butt, Roberta Blais, Hal Kelley, Preston Walsh, Tammy Dorris, Mike Peterson, and Margery Shank.

January 5^th Raid to Montachusett Twirlers - Canceled. We have their banner from our 12/1 raid and no other exchanges could be arranged.

Upcoming Dances - We have 2 banner retrievals in January and 2 banner raids the first weekend in February. The Tech Square not only came to our September dance but they accounted for 22 dancers. We need to show this club our appreciation by returning the favor. When was the last time you danced to Shawn Cuddy? The Apple Squares dance on 2/2 was changed from Mainstream with 2 Plus tips to all Plus tips, but we still plan to honor our agreement. We only had 6 dancers compared to their 15 at our last exchange so we need your support to thank them and have a more equitable exchange. At our BCS January 12^th dance, the Wolf Rockers plan to raid our banner.

January to Early February Raids/Retrievals:

Club Banners We Have:                                             Clubs With Our Banners: