On Wednesday night, May 21, before the Annual Meeting, the Cast Off 8's graduated Helen Willis and inducted Helen into our club. Congratulations Helen, welcome to the club.

On Wednesday night, May 21, the Cast Off 8's held the Annual Meeting to elect the committee for next year and to address any other Club business that came before the meeting. A summary is provided below. If you want a copy of the meeting minutes, please contact the Club Secretary John Hale (273-2293).

• President's Message: Frank Giannini opened the meeting with the report that the Club is in very good fiscal shape. While we previously had both financial and caller problems, we now have a much better caller, prepaid dues, prepaid dance cards, and prepaid lessons. Our dances are well attended. He also said that he & Audrey, and Butch & Linda Atwood were retiring from their positions of leadership in the Club.
• Treasurer’s Report: Butch Atwood presented the Treasurer’s Report and indicated that we ended 2007-2008 year in fine shape.
  Our price for those attending our dances not with prepaid cards, was $12 per couple and $6 per single. Butch felt that due to the increased cost of callers, the charge for our dances must be increased. After some discussion, a motion was made by Virginia McQueen to raise the charge to $8 per single and (to encourage couples to attend) to $15 per couple. This was seconded by Lois Jackson and passed following a discussion.
  Butch suggested that the price for the anniversary dance should be increased to $18 per couple; that dance does not have to be included in the prepaid card for next season. Claire Stevens moved that the price be increased to $18 per couple for the Anniversary Dance in September, 2008. The motion was seconded by Don LaFlam and passed.
  
• Caller Schedules Committee Report: Gail Quenneville reported that the callers for the Anniversary Dance in September will be Red Bates and Johnny Preston who are nationally known callers. In December, the caller will be Corey Lowden.
  
• Banner Raids Committee Report: Mike and Elaine Newton were not present, but the importance of the Banner Raids was stressed as this is how we get to know the other clubs and they get to know us. This increases interest in attendance at square dances around the area.
  
• Vermont State Representative Committee Report: Roy Jackson reported that there are only four meetings to attend per year. During these meeting we plan the VT Convention that is held in May.
  
• Summer Activities:
  Lake George - July 3rd Gail Quenneville reported that those attending are to be at Hulett's Landing at 10 AM. There is no rain date planned.
  Lake Bomoseen - in late July or August Tentative plans for either the State Park or at Jim and Jean Perry’s home on Frisbee Hill Road in Castleton. The place is to be finalized later.
• The 30th Anniversary Dance: The dance is to be held on Sunday, September 21st, 2008, from 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. at the Rutland Middle (or Intermediate) School.
• Fall Class: Honey Breda reported that we will have a demostration on September 3rd at the Vermont State Fair. We will have two Fun Nights on September 10th and 17th at the Lothrop School. The regular workshop will begin on September 24th.
• In Other Business: In other Business, Ken Ritucci said he would be willing to do a caller sponsored workshop bi-weekly during the summer if there is any interest in our Club or other clubs in doing this. The hall would have to be air conditioned, but did not have to be in Rutland. No decision was reached on this suggestion.
• Election of Officers: The positions open were President and Treasurer.
  Roy Jackson was nominated for President by Joanne Brown and seconded by Don LaFlam. Roy said he would accept the nomination to fill the position of President. The question was raised by Aldo Breda if we would continue to have co-presidents. Lois Jackson moved that we continue with co-presidents, which was seconded by Gerry Kingsbury and passed. Our Presidents for the coming year will be Roy & Lois Jackson and Honey & Aldo Breda.
  Arnie Williams said he would be willing to be Treasurer for the year 2008-2009 after which Peter Tobin could assume this position. Honey Breda moved that Arnie Williams be our Treasurer, which was seconded by Don LaFlam and passed.
  The Cards and Letters Chairperson (Noreen Booska) has not been able to attend due to illness in her family. Linda Atwood volunteered to assume this role. Butch Atwood nominated Linda to this position, which was seconded by Joanne Brown and passed.
• Other Business: Joanne Brown requested that we consider having an A1 tip when there are sufficient dancers with advanced skills to make a square. At present, there is no provision for our advanced dancers. It was agreed that we will request this of our caller Ken Ritucci next year.
• With no other business before the meeting, it was adjourned.

The 32nd Vermont Square & Round Dance Convention in Barre, VT May 17 was the state convention featuring area callers and cuers. The dance started at 1:00 pm and continued throught the evening after a 2 hour dinner break. Ten members of the Cast Off 8's attended the convention and enjoyed the area callers. There was a Trail-in Dance Friday night at the same location called by Al Monte. Seven club members attended the Trail-in Dance.

On Wednesday, May14, the Cast Off 8's hosted a special dance at the Trinity Episcopal Church featuring Nasser Shukayr a National Caller from Texas. Nasser was touring the Northeast and was invited by Ken Ritucci to call for our club. Nasser is an excellant caller who kept us moving. It was not difficult to understand why he is a National Caller. The dance was attended by 36 members of the Cast Off 8's, 2 members of the Legionaires Square Dance Club in Greenville, SC, and 1 member of the Lake Champlain Squares. Thank you Ken for making it possible for Nasser to call.

On Saturday, May 10, the Cast Off 8's made a banner raid on the Twin States Squares at their annual Ice Cream Social. Everyone met at the Applebee's Restaurant for dinner before the drive to White River Junction. Dona Prudhomme called Advance between 7:00 and 8:00 with Ron Heroux calling Mainstream and Plus between 8:00 and 10:30. Vera Prudhomme was the cuer. Joan Judge teamed up with Ron Heroux for a lively singing call that kept us all moving briskly. Pictured, starting at the upper left are Jim Perry, Joan Judge, Al Boudreau, Roy Jackson, Jean Perry, Lois Jackson, Ginny Prescott, and Don Prescott. Needless to say, we walked off with a banner. We all had an great time with a great group of callers.

On Saturday, May 3, Cast Off 8's held our Graduation Dance at the Trinity Episcopal Church with Darrell Sprague calling. There were 35 people at the dance: 1 from Lake Champlain Square, 2 from MontShire Camping Squares, and 32 from the Cast Off 8's. The four new members of Cast Off 8's were at the dance and showed everyone that they could dance with the best. It was great to see them enjoying themselves thoroughly. Everyone appreciated the snack table and had a great time dancing to an outstanding caller.

On Wednesday, April 30, the club held the Graduation Ceremony for the September Class. The ceremony started at 6:30 with the traditional potluck supper. As usual the potluck supper was supplied with great dishes by some of the best cooks in Vermont. After everyone’s appetite was satisfied and cleanup was completed, we adjourned upstairs to the dance floor and Ken Ritucci.

The graduates danced a few squares, before doing the broom dance. Two dancers left the square and were replaced by brooms. This lead to some interesting moves especially when Ken called a Grand Square. After the fun dancing by the graduates, the graduation ceremony began. Three members from the September class plus one dancer who is returning to square dancing graduated and joined the club. From left to right Ed & Trudy Dias, Linda Barcom, and Al Boudreau are pictured along with Ken Ritucci in the center. Everyone enjoyed a piece of the graduation cake. Dancing resumed with Ken calling. The club also enjoyed a set called by guest callers Betty and Larry Williams. Our very own caller, Peter Tobin, also called a set.

The Cast Off 8’s invaded the 50th New England Square and Round Dance Convention in Sturbridge, MA, on April 25 & 26. We had 32 club members plus our caller, Ken Ritucci. There are twenty six members in the group picture. Elaine was shy - she is hiding behind Al. Not in the picture are Arnie Williams, Helen Willis, Steve & Barbara Hazelton, and Ed & Trudy Dias. The club has gone to this convention for many years and, as before, everyone enjoyed the dancing and the fellowship. It is a wonderful opportunity for dancers of all levels to experience a variety of excellent callers. Doing the Plus Fast Track and Take No Prisoners with Ted Lizotte and Paul Cote, among others, was an experience many of us will long remember.

No convention is complete without an after party. Once the dancing is over it’s time to relax with good friends. It was a fun time. Many jokes were told and the ever present Cast Off 8’s snacks were plentiful and delicious. The traditional toast was made to end another fabulous weekend of dancing. Remember to call the Public House Inn to secure your reservations for April 24 & 25, 2009! The number to call is 1-800-782-5425.

On April 12 the Cast Off 8's had a banner raid on the Lake Champlain Squares. Bob Butler was calling. Elaine and Mike Newton hosted a pot luck dinner at their home before the trip to South Burlington. There were fourteen members at the potluck with twelve members going on the banner raid with full stomachs. It was the first time some of us danced to Bob Butler. We all had an great time with a great caller. We should put him on our list of future callers for club dances.

On Saturday April 5 Cast Off 8's had the April Showers Dance dance with Paul Cote calling. Paul is from Salem, NH and has been affectionally nicknamed "The Round Mound of Sound". I believe everyone at the dance quickly learned how he got the nickname. Everyone had a great time dancing to an outstanding caller. There were 35 people at the dance: 3 from Lake Champlain Squares; 4 from Green Mountain Steppers; 2 from Country Corner Squares; 1 from Tech Squares; 2 from Champlain Valley Squares, 2 from Starlight Promenadors; and 21 from the Cast Off 8's.

We are very excited about our 30th Anniversary Dance on Sunday, September 21,2008. We will be having 2 callers with far reaching reputations. Red Bates, who summers in Maine and winters in Florida, will be joined by Johnny Preston who lives in California and is a National Caller. The dance will be held at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Rutland, VT.

Eighteen members of the Cast Off 8's braved the elements to attend the Maple Sugar Festival in South Burlington the weekend of March 7 and 8. The dance was hosted by the Lake Champlain Squares. In spite the snow, rain, and freezing rain the festival appeared to have a good turn out with dancers attending from Canada and all over the Northeast. The callers were from far and wide: Ray Brendzy from Burnaby, British Columbia; Tim Crawford from Burlington, Ontario; Steve Kopman from Knoxville, Tennessee; and Tom Miller from Chest Springs, Pennsylvania. The guest callers were: Cindy Hawley from E Longmeadow Massachusetts: Ray Moskewich from Essex Junction, Vermont: and Darrell Sprague from Rochester, New Hampshire. The cuers were Rosina & Rick Wagenhoffer from Valhalla, New York. What an outstanding group of callers and cuers. Everyone had a great time and learned a few new moves in the Saturday workshops. Thank you Don and Karen Lefebvre for chairing the festival and thank you members of the Lake Champlain Squares for all of your hard work.

On Sunday March 2nd, Cast Off 8's held our St Patrick's Day Dance at the Trinity Episcopal Church. Twenty six Cast Off 8's members attended the dance with Nick Martelucci calling. It was a bit disappointing that no outsde club members attended the dance. Again this points out the need for club banner raids. Nick did a great job - even teaching the dancers a few new tricks like triple Allemande Left. As usual, the outstanding cooks of the Cast Off 8's provided a tempting snack table which everyone enjoyed. Thank you Nick, for a great dance.

On Monday night, February 25th, the Cast Off 8's Steering Committee met to discuss upcoming events and other Club business. A summary of the meeting is provided below. If you want a copy of the meeting minutes, please contact the Club Secretary John Hale (273-2293).

• The 30th Club Anniversary Dance to be held on September 21, 2008 was discussed at length. These are the highlights. A motion was made, seconded and passed that the 30th Anniversary Dance will be held on Sunday between 1:30pm and 5:30pm at the Trinity Episcopal Church in Rutland, VT. We will not engage a cuer for round dancing. We have two callers (Red Bates & Ken Ritucci) and plan on continues dancing - cycling between Mainstrean, Plus, and Advance. The dance will be advertised by flyers, in the Vt Square Dance Calender Booklet, and over the internet.
  
• The Annual Meeting will be held at the Wednesday, May 14th Workshop. A Nominating Committee will present a slate of potential Committee Members. For anyone interested in a position, a sign up list will be available at the upcoming workshops. Naturally, nominations may be made from the floor. It should be noted, that President Frank Giannini and Treasurer Butch Atwood have both indicated that they will not run again for those offices in the coming year. We will miss their efforts and guidance.
  
• After an active discussion, the Board moved, seconded and unanimously approved the policy that the Club have only one new dancer program. The Wednesday night workshops will begin in September and end in May.
  
• It was generally agreed that our Club should engage in more Banner Raids. Frank Giannini pointed out that the Vermont Association of Western Style Square Dance Clubs now rules that only 8 people constitute a raiding party (down from 12 people). That means only two cars are needed for a raid. Food for thought!
  
• Under new Business, Don Moger and Matt McGovern are on the caller list for 2009 dances.
  
• Also under new business, we will be planning on a summer club picnic on a week-end so more people can join in. More will be forth coming after plans are firmed.

Saturday night, February 16, the Perrys and the Jacksons went square dancing in South Burlington. We first had dinner in our favorite restaurant, Pauline's, and then joined the Green Moutain Steppers at the Faith United Methodist Church. Don Moger was the caller. As usual Don kept us moving to some interesting calls. One call, which made everyone think, was "NO Head Ladies Center Teacup Chain". Think about it! The clue is, all of the ladies do the side ladies part. Don is one of our favorite callers. It is too bad that so many workshops were cancelled and we didn't get the chance to talk up the dance ahead of time. You all would have enjoyed it. We had a great time. Don did say that he would be calling for the Cast Off 8's in 2009.

On Sunday, February 3, Cast Off 8's hosted our Sweetheart Dance with Matt McGovern calling. The dance was held between 2:00-5:00 at the Trinity Episcopal Church. Six plus squares enjoyed Matt's excellent and energetic calling. Square dancing can use more 14 year old callers. Can you imagine the kind of caller he wil be in a few years. Lake Champlain Squares came with 13 members and retrieved their banner. The Cast Off 8's put on, as usual, a great snack table which everyone enjoyed. The calling was great - thank you Matt McGovern.

Five members of the Cast Off 8’s went square dancing through the Panama Canal with Ken Ritucci. The 11 day cruise started on January 15, leaving from Puerto Rico. Our first day was at sea en route to Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles. It was also our first day of square dancing. We danced in the morning and in the afternoon to our callers Ken Ritucci, Wendy VanderMeulen, and John Charman. Curacao was our first port of call. We docked at Willemstad, which is a quaint city with lots of shopping and other activities. Lois and Jean enjoyed looking at the jewelry in the various shops. Our next port of call was Aruba. We decided to put our feet in the water and enjoy the sun. Ken and Carol Gokhale invited us to join them in a 15 course dinner. We ate and ate some more, but finally gave up. The food was great, but way too much. In Cartagena, Colombia, our third port of call, Ken and Carol took a dip in the grey oozing mud in the Mud Volcano of Totumo. There are pictures of the dip, but I do not have one to share. When you see Ken, ask him about the experience. After Cartagena we entered the Panama Canal. What an undertaking by the French and later by the USA. The amazing thing is the concrete of the canal system. The concrete walls and the locks are still there and working. Then there is the big dig in Boston. Need I say more? The canal is undergoing an expansion to allow supertankers to traverse the canal by 2014. A tremendous undertaking. The cruise had, besides good and plentiful food, a nightlife which centered on the shows and music in the lounges. The Perrys and the Jacksons chose the lounges and dancing. Luis and Darme were our favorites, and we danced several nights to their wonderful music. After the canal, we stopped in Puntarenas, Costa Rica where mountains soared over 13,000 feet. Lois and I chose to visit the local craft shops which displayed beautiful woodworking products in exotic woods we don’t have in VT. Our next port of call was San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. Lois and I went ashore looking for interesting shopping. We quickly met a couple from Vermont who were living there and had started their own coffee business. They love the area and said that with the cost of living, taxes, etc, they would never go back to the USA. We also met two people from Arizona who echoed what we heard from the VT couple. We would have had lunch and bought some coffee, but Lois had a fall so we had to return to the ship. The next stop was Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala with beautiful jade. After returning to the ship, the Cast Off 8’s members enjoyed dinner together. It was not a 15 course dinner, but the wine flowed and we had a good time. Pictured are Joan, Jim & Jean, Lois & Roy, and Cindy Joan’s daughter. Our next stop was Huatulco followed by Acapulco, Mexico, our final stop. While in Acapulco, Joan and Cindy went to see the Cliff divers. They dive from 15 stories high into an inlet that is 22’ wide and must wait for a wave to come in making the total diving depth of 13’ - pretty scary. At the top on the cliff there is a cross where they pray each time before diving. When you see Joan ask her about bull fighting. All in all we all had ball! Ken is planning on Hawaii in 2010. Hummmm???

Early in December, the Perrys and the Jacksons talked about doing something different on New Year's Eve. We decided to go square dancing with the Central Vermont Squares and Al Monte in Barre, Vermont. On December 31st we headed over Brandon Gap on Route 73 after a late lunch in Brandon. The road was clear and it was not snowing. At the top of Gap the world changed; it was snowing, and the road had not been plowed for sometime! But, it was downhill to Route 100 so not all was lost and we made it. The rest of the trip was slow with light snow falling, but otherwise uneventful. After checking into the motel and playing a few hands of bridge, we went to the dance. Al Monte called a great dance and, as you know, Al can always make square dancing interesting. When Al was not calling, we did some ballroom dancing much to our delight. At 10 o'clock we all enjoyed a well supplied potluck dinner and as usual ate to much. But, it was not 12 o'clock so that resolution remained unbroken! After a few more squares we rang in the New Year. We had a great time and would highly recommend the dance for next year! I know we are planning on it! As a final note, we started home on Tuesday in a light snow storm, and when we arrived at Brandon Gap the world changed back. It stopped snowing and the road was clear.

On Wednesday night December 5th Cast Off 8's had our Christmas Party for the class at the Lothrop School Gym. The potluck dinner began at 6:30 and we ate until we were all stuffed. As usual the food was great. After dinner we went upstairs and danced to Ken Ritucci. The club is lucky to have two up and coming callers. Peter called a square, then he and Joan treated us to a wonderful duet. As you can see, Ken enjoyed himself on the floor. We had five plus squares, and everyone enjoyed the evening.

On Sunday, December 2 Cast Off 8's had our Holiday Dance with Corey Lowden calling. The dance was between 2:00-5:00 at the Trinity Episcopal Church. In spite of the threat of snow, we had four plus squares. The Cast Off 8's put on, as usual, a great snack table which everyone enjoyed. The calling was great - thank you Corey Lowden.

As our first social event of the season, Elaine planned a Nov 10 Banner Raid on the Twin State Squares in White River Junction. Arnie volunteered to host a pre-dance pot luck at his home in Rutland. Twelve Cast Off 8's gathered at Arnie's for a 4 o'clock cocktail social hour before a delicious meal cooked by the best cooks in Vermont. We ate, then ate some more, the food was great. We car-pooled to dance in White River Junction. Dona Prudhomme called Advance between 7:00 and 8:00. Ken Retucci called Mainstrean and Plus between 8:00 and 10:30 with Vera Prudhomme cueing. During Mainstream/Plus five squares were on the floor. The snack table was sampled by everyone - even the Cast Off 8's. We received a banner from the Twin State Squares. Beside the Cast Off 8's, the Connecticut Valley Swingers had 13 members at the dance and retrived thier banner from a previous banner raid by Twin State Squares. The calling and cueing were superb - everyone enjoyed the dance. Thank you, Twin State Squares for a great dance!