The Rambler

January 15, 2011 Volume 11, Number 1

In this Issue:
Black and White Ball ..................................................................... 2-4
Etiquette ....................................................................................... 5
The Board Speaks!......................................................................... 6
Scares and squares! ....................................................................... 7
Promenade (Fashion) ..................................................................... 8-9
Advice............................................................................................ 10
Square Up! .................................................................................... 11
Squares Out of the Square ............................................................. 12

Warning
Contents may cause laughter

Also in this Edition!

“Heterosexual Square Dancing: “Reading the Crinoline “Twirling Crinoline: Man “Why Dance, Why Crinoline,
Steps to Recovery” Layers” Amputated” Why You?”
Beatrice Arthur Ms Cleo Mint Tabor Ima Dee Pressed
D65J J43 Investigative Section B44

The Rambler is the monthly news magazine of the Rosetown Ramblers. Submissions,
correspondences and address updates should be sent to the editor at
marshall_wayne_lee@yahoo.com
If you will be contributing to the February edition
Please have any announcements, photos, write ups to in February 7, 2011.

Editorus Maximillianus Marshall Wayne Lee

Correctus Erectus Jay Longbeard

Contributors: Dee Dee Square, Fancy Day, Jocke O'Nassis Wayne

with support from The GLBT Friends of Sasquatch

Black and White Ball '11

The Black and White Ball was called at a quick

tempo by Stephen Cole. Stephen was joined by
his wife and son for the evening!

Promenade! And they are off to a great start!

Dick preps for dinner.

Ring around the Rosie!

Don't miss the next dance!

First Saturday Dance February 5, 2011
caller: Eric Hennerlau
7—9:30 pm Milwaukie Grange Louise, Laura dancer, Jenni are all smiles
after dinner!
 Rosetown Ramblers spend the first hour of the evening eating, not
dancing! Can you believe that?

The Ball was a wonderful success!

We had 46 dancers, 10 students, and
1 visitor.
The 50/50 Pot brought in 75.00!
Tim sets up the black light mood-lighting with the
assistance of Myron, Tim, and Brian! Way to help!
Thanks to all who came out!

Big hands Raymond is joined by his partner David!

Don't Forget Class nights

Wednesdays
Plus is at 7:00
Basic at 7:30, Mainstream at 9.
Tami and Jenni on a Right and Left Grand! Amazing!
 Ball Cont.

Stop! In the Name of Love!

Mark and George eagerly greet I”m just here to dance, no
paying dancers! monkey business!

Mary and Lis on a break.

Joining the Ball from Spin Cycle Squares were: Lorna, Randy, Eric,
David, Kurt, Raymond, Wendy

.
When asked why he didn't point out the fans, Fashionista Jocke Ann and Tamara stand cautiously behind Plate-head Man!
O'Nassis Wayne said he felt they were too glamorous
 It's in the
Wrist
Fancy Day
Etiquette Authority
It’s in the Wrist: Your hands and what they say.
I square dance, a lot. I love it. I love to twirl. Of
course, after an hour of twirling I find myself quite
dizzy and in need of a good sit down. However, if
you’re handsome and ask, I will never say no. Just be
ready to catch me should I fall.
But I digress. Let’s talk flirting. I flirt. I flirt a
lot. I bat my eyes, I flip my hair, I smile, anything to
get my point across (i.e. what I want), but recently I’ve
noticed a more subtle form of flirtation on the dance
floor. It is the subtle flirtation dancers do with their
hands. You may be thinking that I am somewhat
misguided, delusional, or even touched, but I assure
you that that is not that case.
In order to really experience this, however, you
need to dance outside of our club, and perhaps with a
club that shares our sense of fashion. Granted, some of
us may fancy one another in the club, and we all know
we’ve had the converstation with friends about who
you’d do in the club, but honestly flirtation does run
somewhat rampant through square dancing and more
oft than not, it is all in good fun.
But honestly, haven’t you ever been dancing
and felt a subtle squeeze of the hand with the individual
you’re dancing with, or perhaps someone’s hand held
yours a little longer than was necessary? Sometimes the
flirting begins as soon as you square up. You’re
standing there holding hands and waiting for the dance
to begin and you feel a squeeze. Sometimes it’s a
double squeeze. Hand spasm or flirtation? Cute or not
cute?
There are several noticeable instances when you
should take note. I’ve already mentioned the
Etiquette
hand squeeze when you first square up; but there is also
the lingering hand during a right-and-left grand, there is
the double squeeze with a finger placed coyly on your
wrist, and the super subtle thumb stroke when holding
hands (The thumb stroke is just so easy and obvious to
recognize that I shan’t bother discussing it or what’s
implied when someone uses his or her thumb to stroke
your hand while on the dance floor).
The most innocuous and easily recognized is the
hand squeeze. The squeeze suggests you’re cute. A
squeeze regardless of the number, with a finger placed
gently on your wrist (pictured) suggest that your partner
has intentions better displayed somewhere other than the
dance floor. You will often encounter these squeezes
right when you’ve just squared up or when standing in
an ocean wave. Of course, flirtation with the hand can
happen at any time. Should you choose to squeeze back,
make sure to ask yourself the following question: cute or
not cute?
My favorite is the lingering hand during a right
and left grand. If this happens, refrain from yelling
“Dude, let go!” Go with it, but if it’s paired with a quick
handshake, ignore it because it means someone has been
dancing with the crinoline set, and there is no hidden
message. However, pair a lingering hand with any of the
above-mentioned hand squeeze variations and you have
a date for after the dance.
There is no science to flirting with your hands.
Just be open and receptive. Hell, if you’re so inclined, a
squeeze or let your hand linger a little longer than
necessary. Just always ask yourself: cute or not cute.
 From the Board
Happy New Year Everyone! As we start 2011, we also start a new online Rosetown Ramblers Newsletter edited by Marshall Lee. I hope
you enjoy the new format and look forward to future editions. Firstly, I want to acknowledge Clint Maurice, one of the great "unsung"
behind the scenes supporters of the Rosetown Ramblers. For the past several years he has been the newsletter writer and directory
producer. Thank you Clint for all that you have done for the Club!

It's been a busy fall 2010 with the new class model. We graduated a new plus level class (congratulations Cindy Carder, Eddie Sullivan,
Jo Price, Dave Shelton, Pam Hamilton, Gail Tupper and Casey Payseno) and graduated our first full mainstream class (David Gibbs,
Court Wangsgard, Jude Watson, Cristina Vanderburgh and Reid Vanderburgh). Two more classes are in process, so we're on track to
graduate fifteen mainstream dancers by the end of the season! Many thanks to Scott Zinser for his hard work on the new format.

I also want to give a shout-out to the 2010-2011 Board (George Chow, Louise Richards, Mark Iverson, Jenni Bush, Dixon Martin, Jo
Price, Casey Payseno), and class reps Lis Baccigaluppi, Sue Matranga-Watson and our newest class representative, Cristina Vanderburgh.
They have a been a great group to work with - their dedication to the Rosetown Ramblers, hard work and creativity has been truly
wonderful. A shout-out goes to Tim Berg, Scares and Squares Chairperson for all his work. The main shout-out goes to all members
who generously support the club with your hard work, much appreciated "angeling," dues payments, garage sale donations and being a
great group of folks!

Speaking of dues and the garage sale (I know I sound like the PBS Pledge Drive), 2011 dues are now due. The amount is unchanged
from last year ($45 - $65 sliding scale). You can give your payments to me, Mark Iverson or mail to the Rambler PO Box. Remember,
dues payment is 1/3 of our annual revenue allowing us to provide quality first Saturday callers, rent, insurance and classes. The other
third comes from fundraising efforts like the Annual Garage Sale. The final date has not been set but it is looking like April. So please
save your treasures for donation.

It's going to be a great 2011 - looking forward to seeing you in a Square!

From the Editor: I don't think it is called the Valentine's Dance, but I
wanted to make this cool poster.
Early bird special rate: $65, until January 31st!
Rate then goes up to $75 for a few weeks.
 This year's Black and White Ball highlighted Reds! I was

Promenade!
just in loves with the daring accenters of reds that swooped
through the dance halls! This year's Black and White
Ballers:
Daring, Darling, Demented!

Jocke O'Nassis Wayne

Fashonista

Promenade is
the fashion
review section
for The Dick wores the Rambler
Rambler News Vesters! I loved it! So
Magazine. pretty, and eleganters!
Endearing, Entertaining, I simply adores the women's attires! Notice the uses of red as
Earthy! it transforms in each outfitters! The ladies show us how
colorful black and white can be! Sublime, Sensual, Stately!

Georges surprised us all with

this elegant Leiers! The Peace
Dove-ers make this above Laurie and Pamers dressed up their
beautifuls! blackers with lovelys whiters crinolines.
Memorizing, Memorable, I love the patterns on Laurie's skirter
Mature! and Pam is regals in her black!
Gorgeous, Gregarious, Gallant!
Another Surprise was Mark! Mark
came dressed as a Mormon
Missionary, Elder Mark! Ha!
Humorous, Handsome, Harmless!
 Promenade Cont.

Vests were also hotters this year! The men were

handsomes! I love the use of Red! Just breath
takings!
Dangerous, Damaging, Diabolical!
Jeni and Clint used Reders beautifully! I loves the accenters of
Red in Jeni's shoeses, and Clint is eye catchings in that red vest!
Interesting, Indecent, Indispensable!

Tim and Bob wore these outstandings shirters with added blings! I love
the blingers and sparkling things! Very Formals, Very Fancys!
Pretty, Potent, Powerful!
 Advice
Dee Dee Square, AS
Life Technician and Rambler Problem Consultant

Dear Dee-Dees,
I have recently started square dancing. I love it! I love the twirling and
the whirling and the things that make it fun! But I’m bothered by
something I’ve noticed. I’ve noticed that people sometimes will look at a
forming square, see who is in it, and walk away and start forming
another square. Do you know why they do this? Is it OK to walk by a
forming square?

Squarely,

Wilma Walters
Dear Wilma,
My hope was when we moved from Chicago to Portland, writers to my column would be smarter.
I see now that no one on the planet can get this right: my name is Dee Dee. No “S”, no hyphen.
Gawd! However, your question is good, and important.

In general, it is considered rude to walk by a forming square. One should never do this. However,
there are a few reasons why a dancer might be walking by a forming square.

--The person isn’t a good fit for the forming square. This happens if all the slots are
already filled that the person dances. If he only dances girl, and all the girl slots are filled, then he
has no choice.

--Not enough slots available. Sometimes at a dance, dancers will ask for the next dance
with someone they want to dance with. But they don’t always walk up to the square together. So
you could be seeing on part of a couple looking for a couple slot that isn’t there. Or a person
looking for her dancing partner.

So don't assume the dancer is being rude. But these are exceptions and I think you are asking
about a behavior where accomplished dancers walk by a forming square for no other reason than
they don’t want to dance in that square. And by accomplished I mean anyone who feels that
someone else dances at a lower ability level than the conceited dancer dances. This is rude!

Square Dancing is about community. It is eight people working together. Square Dancing is
inclusive; everyone is welcome and should be encouraged. Walking by a forming square is like a
rejection and just bad form. Dancers need dancing time with accomplished dancers to improve.
And everyone improves! When you dance with unaccomplished dancers you learn and improve
as well: learning to recover is a skill and takes time to develop. And will benefit you at many
dances.

Remember that in order to square dance we must have eight people! All have to work together or
we will fall apart. Always be willing to accept others. And never pass a forming square, if you can
join in.

Questions to Dee Dee can be sent to the editior at marshall_wayne_lee@yahoo.com.

 Square Up!
What do you think
of dancers who walk
by forming squares?
What should be
done about it?
What call are the
people doing in this
month's Square Up!?
Hint: formation is in
the middle of a plus
call.
Thema Heartblossom
Flower Girl Trainer
“Humm, yeah, I don't like
those people. I say prune
them out, weed that
garden, and scatter the bits
across the floor.”
Square Up! is real.
However, some of the
names, occupations and
statements have been
changed to protect the
innocent.
“Well I find it very rude!
Unless the dancer is wearing
one of my pieces. Then I
find her rude, but stylish!”
“I think you should
talk with her, try to
Susan Diamond
understand her world
Eyewear Designer
view. Listen to her.
Then order her to drop
and give you twenty!”
Patty Lovelace
Drill Sargent “Later! There's a
better square forming
over there.”
“Fraternity style
hazing helps!” “Kick him!”
Magnus Magnus
Model
Arlene Arrow
“What is really
Camp Counselor
happening is not a
walking past a
square, but a
walking away
from self” Dunder Smith
Text Message
Guy Doe Enthusiast
Professor
“So rude! I have nothing to
say about that. Just rude,
rude, rude! I think we
should all pledge to never
pass a forming square! The Rambler is currently seeking
Pledge with me! photographers, and writers.
Happy Smith Submit your work for publication
Motivator to the Editor at
marshall_wayne_lee@yahoo.com
 Squares out of the Square!

Above: The Portland Gay Men's Chorus in this year's Christmas concert,
Jingle Bell Swing. Many Ramblers sing with the PGMC. According to reports,
these members sang at this concert:
Jay Petersen, Tom Peters, Michael Morales, Steve Pearse,
Jack Smreker, Greg Friesen, and Rob Falk. See if you can find them!

Rumor has it that Shawn Ferguson worked on the steering committee for
AIDS Walk Portland. However, with no photo, the Rambler can not
confirm this rumor

Squares out of the Square is a monthly

section that brings attention to the work
and activities of club members outside of
square dancing. There is a special
emphasis on volunteer work. However,
any and all outside activities are welcome. Marshall Lee seen walking with his
Please send your photos! Basset Antigone Puppleupagus in the
AIDS Walk Portland. This year’s walk
Send them to Marshall at:
raised over 370,000 dollars.
marshall_wayne_lee@yahoo.com