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Just getting home from an incredible trip to Japan!
I was honored to support the first-ever Japanese CALLERLAB Mini-Lab, and I am so proud of the work our team put in. I’m incredibly grateful to Hiroshi and the entire Mini-Lab Task Team from the Japan Square Dance Association for welcoming us so warmly and for making history with us. And another shoutout to GSI for helping make this event happen. It was so special to finally put faces to names, welcome so many new members, and share the same square dance language together. We managed to squeeze in so many adventures along the way — still pinching myself that this is my life. What a phenomenal team to travel and work with. I took approximately 1,000,001 photos… but I’ll spare you and just share a few of my favorites here. Until next time, Japan… Kanpai! |
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It was 80s night at the Indiana Square and Round Dance Convention! Friday night’s theme was throwback to the 80s — and since I didn’t actually live the decade, I figured I’d cram all ten years into one night. Ted absolutely delivered on the 80s hits (no surprise there…), the energy was high, and it was so good to be among friends, laughing, dancing, and making memories! Until next year…  We had the best time celebrating the Cherokee Promenaders at their anniversary dance! Thanks so much to the club for having me out. They really know how to host a party and make a caller feel welcome.
It’s wild to think it’s already been three years since we packed up and moved CALLERLAB to our new Home Office. Every year has brought something new — projects, faces, challenges, and plenty of adventure along the way. Most of the boxes are long gone, the furniture’s been rearranged a few times, the to-do list somehow never gets shorter… but I’m so grateful for how far we’ve come and for everyone who makes this work meaningful. This is certainly more than just a job. Here’s to the journey, the people, and all the adventures still ahead.  We had a great time at the CALLERLAB Fundraising Dance! Thanks to the Hayloft Steppers in Sturbridge, MA for hosting us. The dance raised over $1,000 for CALLERLAB!  Jack Pladdys, Ted Lizotte, Teresa Berger, Shauna Kaaria, Tony Oxendine, Justin Russell We had a great start to our class at Earlham College with the Hoosier Corners Square Dance Club tonight!  Had a blast at the TN Square and Round Dance Convention this weekend in Gatlinburg! Sharing just a few fun memories from a great time with great people! And just like that, we’ve wrapped up another National Square Dance Convention! This year took us to Shreveport, LA, and with more than 2,000 dancers in attendance, we sure had a good time! It’s always more than just dancing — it’s about the friendships and the shared love of this activity that brings us together year after year. Huge congratulations to Ted & Tonia and the entire 74th NSDC team for hosting a great event. I’m especially proud of how our Members stepped up to call, educate, and lead throughout the convention. And thank you to everyone who stopped by the booth — to volunteer, to chat, or just to say hello. It was so good to see so many familiar faces and to make so many new friends too. A special shoutout to Mom, Dad, and Julie for holding down the fort at the booth all week long — couldn’t do it without you! And congratulations to Grand Square Inc. on their 25th anniversary — what an incredible milestone to celebrate together this week! Here are just a few pictures from the week. I only captured a few but I have many more memories of good friends and fun times! Until next time... 74TH NATIONAL SQUARE DANCE CONVENTION - June 25 - 28, 2025 - Shreveport, LA A highlight of the National Convention is always calling with the Ghost Riders Square Dance Band - this year was no exception. Friday night I did a little something different - hope you enjoy the video!
Always good to be home for the holidays! Andrew and I called together for the first time in forever and there was even a special guest appearance too! Good times at the Star Righters Square Dance Club. It's always a privilege to call with these incredible talented folks! We raised over $1,300 for CALLERLAB at the Fall CALLERLAB Fundraising Dance. The dance was sponsored by the Riley Wranglers Square Dance Club and the Merry Mixers Square Dance Club - thanks to all the members who helped facilitate the details of this event! Special thanks to the Executive Committee for volunteering their time and talent during this dance. Chair Ted Lizotte, Vice Chair Justin Russell, Executive Committee Members Shauna Forbush Kaaria, Tony Oxendine, and Jack Pladdys, and Executive Director, Teresa Berger. Shoutout to the other callers in attendance: Gary Hutton, Tom Davis, Janet Lewis, Doris Swain, Travis Cook, Amanda Skidmore, Avery Arnold, Keith Dishman, Phillip Peak, Doug Cline, and Bill Garrison. And last but certainly not least, thanks to our partner in crime (and all things digital media related), Ray Owens, Square Dance Tech. Photos Videos   
Sturbridge, MA was the place to be this past week! Ken and crew put on a great Northeast Caller School - kudos to the whole team!
Shoutout to the Illinois Square Dance Convention on a great event this weekend! I came home with just a few photos but many more great memories! Just wrapped up an amazing weekend at the 73rd National Square Dance Convention in Milwaukee! Huge thanks to the team who made it all happen! A shoutout to our volunteers, Frank Elisa, and our office assistant, Renee for staffing the CALLERLAB Booth throughout the week. They worked long hours and made my life so much easier. And, of course, we appreciate everyone who stopped by the booth to volunteer. We couldn't have done it without you all. It was great to visit with so many of our members and supporters. WE ARE CALLERLAB! It was a whirlwind of fun, dancing, and catching up with some of my favorite people (I took just a "few" selfies this week...). I'll need just a couple days to recover... but I'm already looking forward to the 74TH NATIONAL SQUARE DANCE CONVENTION - June 25 - 28, 2025 - Shreveport, LA! #73nsdc #74nsdc #CALLERLAB It's always an honor to call with such hard working and talented folks. I couldn't be more proud of the work they do and their passion for our activity and for Callerlab, the International Association of Square Dance Callers. 
  I'm excited to share with you that we're adding more dancing in southeast Indy on Monday nights. Hope you'll mark you calendar to join me at these fun dances coming up!
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