Fred and Linda Smith at last season’s Valentine dinner dance
Rob Spade
The photo depicts Fred and Linda Smith entering last season’s Love is a Many Splendored Thing Valentine Dinner Dance. Fred and Linda hail from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a province that is easy to draw but hard to pronounce. They met in a Calculus 222 class at the University of Saskatchewan and were married shortly after graduating with Computer Science degrees in 1970. Their dancing career started in 1974 at the Fairmont Hotel in San Francisco where they got up to dance, stepped all over each other’s shoes, sat down in a huff and didn’t speak to each other for the rest of the evening. Figuring there has to be a better way, they started taking group dance lessons and have been at it ever since. They bought their house in Sun Lakes in 2009 and have been enjoying the snowbird lifestyle immensely. “We’re like Goldilocks,” says Fred. “We like it not too hot and not too cold.” They have two daughters and four grandchildren living close by (well, within a seven hour drive) in Canada. Their other hobbies are golf, bridge and puttering around with computers. They joined the Cotillion club in 2012.
Fred and Linda have produced the slideshows shown at each dance and the DVD’s provided to members last season. Without their dedication neither of these tasks would have been completed. This season, while continuing to produce slideshows, Fred and Linda are assisting with the development of our new website, specifically with the automation of our photo album. Please thank them personally for their service the next time you see them.
We are excited to be offering group dance lessons to members and their guests this season. The first dance lesson is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. to noon in the Oakwood Ballroom on October 8, 2015. The featured dance step will be the Cha Cha. The fee is $10 per couple. Our instructors for this lesson will be provided by Fred Astaire Dance Studio of Chandler. You can include the fee in your October dance RSVP payment or you can pay at the door. Guest dance couples are welcome. We look forward to seeing many of you there!
The invitations have been mailed for Come to the Masquerade – the 2015-2016 season opening dance at the Oakwood Ballroom on October 10 starting at 6:00 p.m. with cocktails. Dinner service begins at 7:00 p.m. Our music will be provided by the Rich Howard Orchestra. This will be a semi-formal dinner dance. Masks are requested!
The new club website is now online. Please access www.cotilliondanceclubaz.com to register. If you need help please call us at 602-529-6829 or email us at [email protected]. The website is smart-phone and tablet friendly. The online RSVP process is now available.
Anyone interested in becoming a member for the upcoming season or attending a dance as a guest of the club may phone or text the club at 602-529-6829 or send an email to [email protected].