You say you haven't registered for the 53rd Florida State Square & Round Dance Convention to be held in Lakeland, Florida at the Lakeland Center, May 25th-27th this year? Why not? Remember, if you can't come to the convention your money will be cheerfully refunded. Just request your money back by 4:00 pm on the day the Convention opens. Ribbons are going FAST and are only $27.00 per person now until April 30th. After that, you'll pay $30.00 per person at the door.

To show you some of what you might miss, read the following article just received from the "pretty" half of the Fashion Show Chairman team:

"The Night Parrot is a medium-sized bird, about 23 cm long. It is mottled yellowish-green and dark brown over most of the body, with the lower belly and undertail coverts yellow. It is one of Australia's most intriguing birds and possibly its least known. It lives in remote parts of the continent, comes out at night and runs along the ground like a quail".

Interested? Want to hear more? Would you like to see this fascinating bird? Come to the "Exotic Bird Fashion Show" at your 2007 Florida State Square & Round Dance Convention on Saturday, May 26th.

Now just to give the male gender equal time, the other half of the Chairman team says:

"Did you know a 14 foot bird cage made out of PVC pipe still weighs more than 100 pounds? And takes up 1/2 of the garage?"

Now if that doesn't peak your interest and make you want to register NOW, we give up! Get your registration in and don't miss one single minute of the surprises, fun, fellowship and dancing when you

FOLLOW THE BIRD TO THE 53rd!!
Charlie & Val Newsome
Publicity Chairman

What’s that you say? Why should you go to a State Convention? Well, for one thing there are people who have been working on this State Convention for 5 years just so you could have a nice weekend of dancing and socializing with your friends throughout the state -- plus the opportunity to make new friends. We are fortunate in Florida to have some great callers and cuers who donate their time and talent at this weekend affair. So, if you don’t know why you should come, why not get registered and come find out why YOU SHOULD COME!! You’ll find you’ll have a great time dancing while enjoying fun and fellowship with other square dancers. Ribbons are still only $27.00 per person until April 30th and then you’ll pay $30.00 per person at the door. Get registered now and get ready for a great weekend of fun and dancing!

As of this moment there are 36 callers waiting to call dances for you....There will be Mainstream, Plus with rounds, DBD (Dance by Definition), Advanced Rounds and Easy Rounds, Advance Dancing, Contra, and Country Western with Lines Halls. There will be some: "intro to" sessions on Saturday morning. So, if you look carefully, there will be something for everyone.

The Convention opens at 6:00 pm the evening of Friday, May 25th, with opening ceremonies getting underway. You’ll miss the Beach Party and Shotgun Wedding of Irving & Irene if you don’t get there early and get seated in the Plus Hall. In addition there will be Entertainment for your enjoyment on Saturday and Sunday evenings, so don’t miss a single thing. On Sunday evening near the close of the opening ceremonies the West Coast Association will be presenting their Kick-Off to let you know just what to expect at the State Convention in 2008.

We’ve already told you in previous articles about the Spectacular Fashion Show on Saturday afternoon at 1:00 pm; as well as the "Crafty Nest" (Sew & Save) which will open at 7:30 pm on Friday. The "Crafty Nest" will also be open at 9:30-11:30 Saturday morning; 2:00-4:30 pm, and 7:30-9:30 pm on Saturday, then on Sunday from 2:00-4:00 pm. Drop by this room sometime during the weekend and check out all the specials we have planned for you.

Back to the Fashion Show: Be in the Plus Hall at 1:00 pm on Saturday afternoon to see the most unusual and beautiful “birds” you’ve ever seen, plus meet Granny, Tweety and Sylvester!. You’ll be sorry if you miss this Spectacular Show!

One other thing available at the State Convention is several vendors with just what you’ve been looking for -- shirts, belts, shoes, skirts, blouses, etc. You can truly "Shop until you drop!"

Now, we’ve told you a little about what to expect when you get there -- remember it all gets underway at 6:00 pm on Friday, May 25th. Once you arrive at the Convention Center you’ll get a Program Book that will tell you just where everything is and what time it begins. You want to check out those ads in the Program Book and patronize our advertisers. There is so much to do you’ll wonder how you’ll have enough time to do it all.

The Northwest Association has worked very hard for a long time to bring you a great weekend of fun and dancing. Let’s show our appreciation by getting our entire club to register and come to the State Convenion. Just imagine how great it would be if every club had every member present and in the Hall during the Grand March on Saturday evening. It would be a fantastic sight to see and it is possible. Talk to all your friends in your club, get them to register and meet you in Lakeland at the State Convention.

It is our opinion that you’ll find the dancing FABULOUS and the friendships you renew or make anew will all add up to a great fun-filled weekend for everyone. So get ready to ..............

"FOLLOW THE BIRD TO THE 53RD!"

Charlie & Val Newsome
Publicity Chairman

The Northwest Association Convention Committee has had their "traveling" shoes on as they recently visited the Alabama State Convention and just got home from the Northwest Round Up. Their plans are to invade the Non-O'Leno dance, the Fall Fun Fest, and the Fall Festival during November and the Winter Festival in January. All this time, "Irving" continues to travel thru the state also publicizing the Convention. Don't know who dreamed up Irving, but it was a great dream! We do know that Janice Lessard from the Orlando area had Irving traveling with her for about a week or two. Keep up the good work. Watch for the committee to make a visit in your area sometime soon.

The Round Up was a weekend of great dancing, fun and fellowship, topped off by some really special happenings. Paul & Sheryl Miller, Fashion Show Chairman, took their Exotic Bird Show" ON THE ROAD", in a mini format, at the Round Up.  Tweety Bird, Sylvester and Granny were all there to keep the party lively. In fact, an Arctic penguin also dropped in (we think Sylvester thought it was a cat friend at first). Four models were there to bring color, excitement and "feathers" to the show. We didn't want to show too much, but enjoyed the chance to provide a little entertainment for those at the dance -- and it gave us a chance to get some kinks worked out before next May. It will be a spectacular show that you don't want to miss -- there are many more birds to cross the stage, and much more fun & laughter to enjoy. Feathers will be flying, models will be colorful and regal, and Sylvester & Tweety will be........... well, that remains to be seen!!

Just after the dance started on Saturday, the Meanest Cowgirl in the Northwest, Cheryl Miller, came in riding her horse, She asked the dancers to donate money in the name of a friend as a Fund Raiser. At the end of the evening the person receiving the most dollars donated would be tarred and feathered. Colleen Morgan from Central began collecting money to tar and feather Bruce; but, it backfired on her. Bruce and some of her friends (?) started a campaign to have Colleen tarred and feathered. When the contest was over, Colleen had indeed received the most votes. When she was escorted up to the stage, we wouldn't say she was real happy, but she was a good sport and carried thru the tarring and feathering like any sweet young lass would do. However, we all know Colleen is the Queen of Payback, so all of you who contributed to her name better be watching your step! The event raised $320.00 ($121.00 for Colleen).

If you want to view more pictures about the Fashion Show Preview, or the Tarring & Feathering of Colleen, click on Fashion Show Preview above.

If you haven't purchased your ribbons by November 1st......guess what? The price has now gone up to $27.00 per person. Hurry and get registered before April 30th, 2007 because the "at door" price will be $30.00 per person. If you can't find registration forms, call us at 904 683-3512 -- we'll make sure you get them!

We want to keep you informed on what to expect at the Convention, so in the next few months we will be providing News Releases with information on Sew & Save, more on the Fashion Show, Dance Programs, Opening Times and much, much more. Keep watching this space for continued updates. We will make sure you will have all the information necessary to.........

"FOLLOW THE BIRD TO THE 53RD!"

Charlie & Val Newsome
Publicity Chairman