DREAMVILLE SAGA

"LOVE RUNS AMUCK"

SQUARE DANCE GRADUATION!

There were four tables placed around the barn in each four corners, with a candle and matches on each table. All the students were waiting outside the barn to be escorted through the door and down the aisle, forming two short lines directly in front of the caller at the rear of the barn. The 'Angels', minus the ones who are stationed at the tables waiting to be the students escorts, had formed two lines, one each on either side of the entrance door creating an aisle into the room to the caller's location.

"Ladies and Gents we're gathered her today in order to graduate our first class into our newly established club."

That was Jacy's cue to lead the students into the barn. As the group stopped and stood in front of Caller Bob, he began, "You have reached an important step in your square dancing. As any club or organization has an identifying symbol, so is the interlocking square, the universal symbol of square dancing. It now becomes our pleasure to escort you on a journey to the outer edges of the square."

There were several lanterns lit around the barn, but for the most part the barn was dim because that was the way the ceremony should be performed.

"Please follow Melissa to the first stop on your journey." Melissa led the students from the caller's location to the first table.

When they arrived there, Melissa began, "You have arrived at the first stop on your journey. Tally please light the �Flame of Friendship.�"

After the candle is lit, "Melissa says, "Square dancing is a common bond between us as friends. Wherever you shall visit or who so ever shall visit you, never let it be said that you were not friendly. Square dancing is 'Friendship Set to Music.' Greet others and be courteous to others as you would have them be to you. In square dancing you can develop lifetime friendships."

Melissa remains at the table as Caller Bob says, "Tally please escort the graduates to the second stop of the journey."

As they arrived at the second table Caller Bob said, "You have arrived at the second stop. Teaspoon please light 'The Flame of Duty.�"

After the candle is lit, Tally says, "As a child needs love, as a tree needs water, so does a square dance club need members with a commitment to duty. Gladly take your turn when called upon to serve your club in any capacity whether it is as an officer of the club or cleaning the barn after a dance. A willingness to share the duties helps keep our activity healthy. When you are on duty, never let it be said that you wished to be elsewhere. May you and those who follow you keep the flame of duty burning brightly."

Tally remains at the second table as Caller Bob says, "Teaspoon please escort the graduates to the third stop on their journey."

"You have arrived at the third stop of the square, Elena please light 'The Flame of Democracy.�" Teaspoon says as the group stops in front of the table.

After the candle is lit, Teaspoon says, "As our forefathers have done, so do we for the greatest number. It now becomes your duty to offer ideas and suggestions, but it also becomes your duty to abide by the groups' decisions. You might not get your way every time, but in this square dance club as in a democracy, the majority rules. Once a decision has been reached, please support that decision. As a token of this stop, we present you with a copy of the club's constitution and by-laws."

Teaspoon remains at the third table as Elena motions for the group to follow her as she swings her skirt and leads them to the fourth table while Caller Bob says, "Elena please escort the graduates to the fourth stop on their journey."

As Elena stops in front of the fourth table she provocatively smiles at the group as she says, "Daniel please light the �Flame of Enjoyment.'"

After the candle is lit, Elena says, "To achieve your purpose of uniting us, dancing enjoyment should be your goal. When you come to square dance, leave your worries behind. Come to the dance with the attitude that you will enjoy the dance while adding to the enjoyment of others. Always remember that square dancing is a recreation. Its purpose is to have fun and to relax, forgetting about the worries you faced today and may face tomorrow. Each dance is to be with friends, for physical and mental relaxation, and to have fun. Keep these goals in mind."

Daniel leads the new dancers to Caller Bob. They stand in their two lines facing the caller while Daniel joins the other escorts in an 'angel' line.

"The four corners you have visited represent the square. This position represents the final position in square dancing; home. Each time you reach your home position, you can take pride in yourself and the other dancers in your square. I will now light a candle for this position. You are the symbol of the eternal flame, pride, for in you, I and the club take pride. The pride of square dancing will live. You should take pride in yourself, your achievements, your attire, your friendliness, your abilities, your desire to have fun, and your willingness to share that fun with others. You should take pride in your fellow dancers, your club, and your instructor. If you are friendly, fun loving, happy, cooperative and all the other desirous things, so will your club be known. Without reservation, I take great pleasure in presenting you with these diplomas of graduation. As I call your name, please come forward."

After Caller Bob called everybody and they received their diplomas, Teaspoon said the prayer, and they all formed lines and started filling their plates with food that the ladies had brought. After Caller Bob had eaten, he went to his station and hollered, "Square Em� Up." Some did just that while others remained socializing or still eating.