Mississippi Squares
 

Formed in 1986, the club is based in the friendly town of Carleton Place, Ontario, at the junction of Highways 7, 15 and 29, approximately 40 km to the southwest of Ottawa.  It derives its name from the nearby Mississippi River and Lake.  Our regular dancing location is the Brunton Community Hall, just 2 km south of Carleton Place on Hwy 15.  The Mississippi Squares currently has one of the largest memberships in the Eastern Ontario Square and Round Dance Association (EOSARDA).  The club teaches modern square dancing with our caller Brian Crawford, and is very active in the recruitment of new dancers. To this end, the format on Tuesday evenings is one of alternating Basic and Mainstream tips. The immediate integration of new dancers with the Mainstream group has proven to be very successful in the retention of new dancers. Plus dancing is held weekly on Friday evenings.

The government has announced that the province will be in Stage 3 at least until the end of 2020 and perhaps for some time beyond that.

The Board is of the opinion that, under the current guidelines, square dancing, as practiced prior to the pandemic, will not be possible.  

Hello everyone 

                   It makes me sad to announce we are cancelling all classes and social dances for September 2020 fall season. Our provincial, local governments and EOSARDA leadership have chosen to be very proactive by all the actions and communications they have put in place, and we support them. Our Executive is listening to our governments and leadership, we met Aug 10th through a Zoom meeting and decided that dancing puts us in such close proximity that it would be irresponsible to host classes and dances at this time.  Our club is in very good shape. We are asking for your support and understanding as we continue to keep this club strong during this global pandemic.  Your executive will monitor the recommendations from our governments and leadership, and provide updates on the 2021 winter session as we know more.  

We hope some of you are enjoying the online dances, we thank the clubs that have been doing this, maybe we can try some online meet-ups (like the executive did with zoom). If you have special requests or ideas please share them with us!

We know how important dance is to all of you, we miss dancing and we miss each other and we will do everything we can to keep you moving. 

When the curtain rises, we will evolve our dancing to make sure we are safe. I wouldn't be surprised if mask, other face coverings and/or gloves continue to be recommended, even with dance. We will take the appropriate actions for our collective health.

Kindest Regards Vince and Debbie

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Club Executive 2020-2021

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Presidents

Vince and Debbie Guthro

613 257 2480

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Past Presidents

Open position

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Secretary

Melanie Jones

613 253 3759

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Treasurer

Wendy Waddell

613 492 0286
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Director of Publicity

Open position

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Director, Social Convenor

Betty Goodwin
613 256 0551

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Directors

Marion Armstrong

613 256 1575

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Helgi Goodman

613 253 2960

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Bruce Jones

613 253 3759

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              Brian has been calling for Mississippi Squares since 1999. He started learning to be a caller in 1997, taking an intro course that was led by John Charman. Brian also received ongoing tutoring from Mel Wilkerson, the caller for Mississippi Squares at that time. In 1998, Brian and another local caller, Geoff Clarke, started the Town and Kountry Kickers in Stittsville. Geoff took over as full-time caller for the Kickers in 1999 and Brian started calling for the Mississippi Squares. Over the years, Brian has also called for the Dynamite Tays in Perth, the Bytown Squares and Shadowcasters in Ottawa, and the Swinging Saints in Brockville.

Brian and his wife, Amy, started dancing with the Mississippi Squares in 1991 to the calling of Graham Ingram. They served on the executive for three years — as secretary couple for one year and as directors for two years. They also served as angels (partners for single dancers), and Amy continues to serve as an angel while Brian is calling. They enjoy dancing at the A2 level, but also enjoy every level leading up to A2.

Brian gives dancers from the whole region of eastern Ontario an opportunity to develop their skills each spring when Mississippi Squares hosts a workshop. He also has the opportunity to call for various clubs across Ontario, Quebec and the United States — a privilege that he and Amy very much appreciate.