Kudos

Folks often send me feedback regarding my dance caller events. So pleased to have brought joy and fun to so many people!

You don't know me, I'm just a newish caller on the Trad Dance Callers forum who wanted to say thank you for your contribution to the forum.
I always read whatever you write. You are an unbelievable and generous source of dance caller knowledge, experience and good ideas. I have learned many things from you about calling ONS, small tricks as well as bigger concepts. Your last entry responding to Alan's western event just made me want to write and say thank you. Your ideas are concrete and relevant and fun and I plan to use them!
--Leslie Gotfrit

When I started dancing with AnnaMarie I had to think for both of us. OK, I had to lead. We haven't been dancing much this summer...I knew we/she need a refresher and you were just what we needed. I had wanted to go to the ball for a long time and you contributed to a happy experience for both of us. You did a fantastic job on the workshop.
Thank you so so much for your help with her dress and hoop skirt. We were given some great advice from the milliners and historians. Your help allowed her to proceed with confidence.
Thank you again.
-- Charles Hoitash

Great job leading the workshop for new CW Ball enthusiasts at Jackson Cascades. Perfect evening.
--Glen Morningstar

Last night I went to a contra dance for the first time in my life. I had a wonderful time! The members of your group were so friendly and patient and welcoming in teaching a complete newbie the moves. The final "big circle" dance was so joyful and inclusive, I thought, "This is what heaven will be like!"
Thanks for a great evening!
--Sara Reinders

On behalf of the 8th Arkansas, our guests and patrons, I would like to take a moment to thank you for calling our "Mid Winter Ball" (formerly the Valentines Ball) in Lansing, Michigan recently. I believe it was our 12th. We have contracted you along with the Golden Griffon Stringtet for the last several years, and have no plans to use anyone else in the future. The 8th Arkansas "worries" a lot of little details to try and give our guests and patrons the most memorable evening of Civil War dancing possible. It is a huge "worry" relieved to know that the dance calling is in your capable hands. Your instruction before each dance is thorough, clear, and easy to grasp. Folks that are new to this style of dancing pick it up right away. Some of us who may have forgotten appreciate the patience you have. I have been to more than a few dances and balls, and I can honestly say you are the best.
Yours in service, --Silas T. Walker, Captain, 8th Arkansas co. K

The evening really went well and your part of it was just perfect. Thanks so much for doing such a great job. It was so much fun to see children, teens, and "old folks" laughing and dancing together. The best social functions I have ever been to have included square dancing; there is just something so much fun about it. I'm glad you had such good feedback. We really have a very warm group of people at the church. I didn't even get any negative feedback about "Baptist" dancing. So, thanks again for all you did for us.
--Rich Liverance, pastor, Kentwood Baptist Church, Kentwood

Karen was engaged to call the dance at the Fayette, Ohio’s Thistle Ridge Civil War reenactment. I cannot say that Karen did an unusually extraordinarily good job because her usual is extraordinary. She has an excitement to her that she projects and that makes it difficult for anyone who enjoys dancing to stay sitting. Her vibrant personality spreads through the crowd getting even spectators involved. I have heard from a number of people, both spectators and participants, that they return to events year after year largely because of the dances that she calls. One lady in our group said that she would be traveling all the way to Fremont, Ohio in large part because Karen will be calling the dance there. That will be about a five-hour drive for her...Personally, I always look forward to events where I know Karen is calling because I know that all will have a great time.
--Dennis Whiting, 21st OVI, 4th Mich. Co. A

Thank you so much for coming to our Girl Scout banquet! You were awesome! ... I really like the way that square dancing gives the dancers the opportunity to interact with other dancers, besides their own partner or troop. I got great feedback from everyone and we all really enjoyed your entertainment and teaching. Thanks again!
--Barb Huneau, Utica

I just wanted to send a great big thank you to all of you for a very nice evening. All I had was great comments on the band and how it was very easy to dance with the caller. I had a great time and so did all the people at the Ball. Thanks again and I hope to see you soon.
--Ruth Ann Vuk, 5th Texas regiment, Co. "A"

I have never had any qualms about recommending you. I've heard positive feedback from everyone about your professionalism and that you deliver what they wanted: fun!
--Steven J. Gold, Oak Park

I like your style in getting people up and dancing.
--Kevin King, Erie, Penn.

Last year was my first time to that (Civil War Valentine's) ball. I had so much fun both times and it is nice to know that I can easily dance the dances I don't know. There was a girl with us whose first Civil War experience was this ball and I know that a large part of why she enjoyed it so much was that the dances were easy to learn and that is thanks to you. So thank you again.
--Melissa Hunt, Cedarville, Ohio

Our committee would like to thank you for such a great job on prompting our dancers. Even when the lights went off you kept the evening going. What a woman! I'm sure we will be in touch soon about next year. Again... "great job!"
--The Marshall Civil War Ball Committee, Marshall

What a great dance last Sat. and you really "revved" it up! You did a terrific job and varied the usual set happenings which do seem to follow a pattern. The one part I hate is when the end is built up and only contains a waltz which some may not participate in. That is a let-down. You left the waltz thing in (which couldn't be different) but gave everyone a good and special time at the ending. It was very inclusive. Thanks.
--Dawn Swartz, Ann Arbor

Thanks for the great calling that you did at the dance here in Grand Rapids. I especially want to compliment your teaching style. Having people do something and then explaining it to them is a great way to do it when dealing with adults. Your dances were superbly chosen, too. As usual, the crowd was a broad mixture who ranged from rank novice to VERY skilled and experienced. The dances were challenging enough for the hard core and easy enough for an interested beginner. Your patience is also commendable...you handled it with dignity and aplomb. You are the best contra caller that I know and my favorite caller as well. You have thought about the dances and about people's learning style and you work into your teaching and calling something for most of the learning styles while also conveying useful information about the dance itself.
--Mike McGuire, Grand Rapids