Julie LW sent on June 18 2021
Dance community picnic -and Potluck - Sat June 19
Hi all- Hey, it is time for another picnic! We’ll gather at Lake Lansing North this Saturday, June 19. Michigan’s Covid case numbers are heading down, down. And the State has said all the Covid inspired limits on crowds will be lifted - well, as of Monday, June 21. It looks like Saturday is going to be a nice day and comfortably warm temps- though there is a chance of showers.
Who- Members of the Dance/Folk Communities
What- a safe, outdoor gathering. The most recent CDC guidelines say a vaccinated individual does not have to mask at an outside event - unless it is “crowded”. I’d suggest bringing a mask and using it as needed. Don’t assume everyone will be vaccinated- and, if you are not feeling well that day, please stay home and take care of yourself.
We can social distance - together- just not too close.
We all like music, so bring instruments if you like. We have asked “Denning and Johnson” (Tana Denning and Fred Johnson) to entertain us from 5pm to 6pm but others may choose to play or jam throughout the day.
Where - North Lake Lansing park
The address- for GPS users is - 6260 East Lake Drive, Haslett, MI -
We have reserved the Sandhill Picnic Shelter
This is an Ingham County Park. There is a $3 fee (per car) for Ingham County residents, and a $5 fee for non-residents.
** If you want to support Ingham County Parks, you can buy a full season pass for $32 *. *
more info at – http://parks.ingham.org
When -Saturday, June 19 from 3:00pm (ish) until 7:30pm or so. We have the shelter reserved from 12 noon on, so you could arrive earlier if you want to. We have to be clear of the park by sunset - which at this point if just after 9! I love these long days.
What’s happening?– hiking, talking, eating, music, socially distanced games, hand sanitizer, spending time with people you like and haven’t seen much in the past year
What to bring - After our survey last month, we would like to try doing a potluck. No pressure though - you are welcome to bring your own food and not food to share. We’ll make sure we have hand sanitizer at the beginning of the line. As far as food to bring goes- make sure you can keep your food appropriately hot or cold. Let’s plan to start eating around 5:30
PLEASE bring your own plate, utensils and something to drink.
Note that there are grills at the park- If you’d like to grill, please bring EVERYTHING you would need - charcoal, something to light it with, utensils, cooler with ice for meat, condiments, buns.
Note – beer and wine are allowed in this park- no hard stuff, please.
In addition to food, I know I’ll be bringing a Hat, Sunscreen, a water container and a camp chair. There are picnic tables of course, but it may be useful to have your own chair you can move around.
Also bring Bug spray/stuff– the entrance to the park is through a rather wet area, so if the weather has been warm enough, there will be mosquitoes- this is Michigan, there are a lot of mosquitoes in the warmer months.
I hope you can make it and the weather cooperates - the forecast is looking typical for Michigan in the summer- partly sunny, chance of showers. Even if we can’t dance, it would be nice to see your smiling faces. Since we have a shelter so we can go rain or shine
Please let me know if you have questions. I’ll make a point of checking this email account, Saturday Morning before the event. (sorry I sent this so late- Friday was a rather long day)
Hey, my friend Tim, from OCTDS (Oakland County Traditional Dance Society), just let me know that OCTDS is going to host a real, live day of contra dance on Saturday, Aug 28. And it is the 30th Anniversary for the group!
The band will be The Johns, with caller Darlene Underwood .
There will be a dance session in the afternoon-starting at 1:30 - with a refresher workshop at 1:00.
There will be food at 5pm, there will be dinner- with conversations, and Anniversary Honors and Remembrances. There is a catering Co. nearby that will offer food- more details about that on the web site, and closer to the event.
In the evening there will be a refresher workshop at 7pm, Dance beginning at 7:30. The dances in the evening will be more challenging than in the afternoon. The organizers also promise a medley of dances during the evening dance, and, if I understand correctly, Darlene will be joined by Glen Morningstar to help with the calling for the medley.
NOTE - that this event is supported by The Outreach Fund of the Country Dance and Song Society
I’ll try to have a web address for you next time.
See ya,
Julie LW