Message from our President… 2020 has already proven to be an exciting time for the SOB's. Our first two dances of the year were held at the OKI VFW which has been renovated and is now “smoke free.” At our January 24th dance at the OKI VFW, we made our Operation Uplink donation of $5,000 and this year also included a $500 donation to VFW Post #10226. It is the hard work of many of you who make these donations possible and knowing we have in some small way helped some of our military families makes it all worthwhile. Thank you for all of your support!

Several of our folks attended the Mid-Winter SOS workshop in Myrtle Beach on January 18th where the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC) presented us our 25 year participation certificate. It is quite an honor to serve as President of a club that sustains such an active membership. Also, at this meeting they announced the theme for the SOS parade which will be, "Let the Good Times Roll". The parade is currently scheduled for April 25th at 1 PM. We will be making some announcements in the very near future about our planning events for this parade.

Many of our members moved to the beach because of its beauty and serenity. In an effort to be good stewards of our community and the beach, several members have expressed a desire to begin a recycling drive at our dances. That being said, beginning at our February 7th dance at the OKI Moose Lodge, we will designate one of the trash cans for glass, plastic bottles, and aluminum cans. We will identify the recycle can with signage. Please help us keep our community environmentally friendly.

For our February dances we look forward to our Re-Up/Join-Up dance on the 7th at the Moose. A meal will be provided. Our next dance will be February 14th at the OKI VFW, come and enjoy some great dancing with your Valentine. We will finish up the month with a “Sunday Series” dance at The Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill on February 16th. April and I look forward to seeing you on the dance floor!

Mark Trull, President

The Official Newsletter of the Society of Brunswick Shaggers PO BOX 274, Oak Island, NC 28465

Visit our website at: http://www.societyofbrunswickshaggers.com “LIKE” us on FACEBOOK at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/115766191843385/

Board Meeting Minutes 2

SOBS Just Gotta Dance... 3

February Birthdays 3

“Re-Up / Join-Up” Info... 4

Our Other Shag Club Friends 5

February DJ Bio’s 6

2020 Dance Calendar 7

Let’s Shag to Better Health 8

2 “Rs” of Membership 9

January Dance Pictures 10

SOBS “NEW MEMBER” Form 12

The Beach Beat!

Your 2020 Society of Brunswick Shaggers Board Members...

Mark Trull, President Greg Loomis, Vice President Karen Critcher, Secretary Anne Loomis, Treasurer Joe Malinowski, Newsletter & Membership

2020

The time to “Re-Up / Join-Up” your membership will be at our February 7th Shag Dance held at the OKI Moose Lodge. Our DJ

will be the legendary “Fessa” John Hook.

See page 4 for more information!

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Executive Committee Meeting Minutes, January 10, 2020...

PRESENT: Mark Trull, President; Greg Loomis, Vice President; Anne Loomis, Treasurer; Karen Critcher, Secretary;

Joe Malinowski, Membership/Newsletter/Website

NOTE: This meeting was held at the OKI Moose Lodge prior to our dance that evening.

The meeting was called to order at 4:49 PM by President, Mark Trull.

SECRETARY’S REPORT: The previous meeting’s minutes were approved as published in the January newsletter.

TREASURER’S REPORT: As of December 31, 2019 our current bank balance is $11,074.40. Income was $943.00 (door receipts, 50/50). Expens-es were $3,568.00.

OLD BUSINESS:

2020 Sign-up Board: Please begin to sign up for door greeters and 50/50.

Decorations: Volunteers continue to be needed to help with decorations.

Moose Lodge Membership: More Moose Lodge members are needed so as to alternate members needed at the OKI Moose Lodge door to sign in SOBS members as Moose “Honored Guests.”

Moose Lodge Rental: The Moose Lodge voiced their concern at a meeting recently that they weren’t making any money from the rental and the wait staff needed more tips as well. The Board approved increasing the rental from $125 to $150 per month and an $80 pay to wait staff as well, bringing the total to the Moose to $230. New rental rate will start in February 2020. Club members will be informed thru the January dances. Admission for SOBS and other Shag club members will be $6.00 and $8.00 for guests.

Dance Themes: Dance themes are being considered for 2020. It was approved that only the “special dances” have special decora-tions. The Club will continue to have “meals on the Club” (pizza night, sub night, burger night) so our Club members can have some breaks from bringing the monthly food snacks.

Dances in January/February: There were questions about the scheduled two dances back to back in January 2020 at the VFW as there isn’t a dance at the Moose in January due to the Moose feeding the military. Past President Chuck Boney will solidified the dances at the VFW. The VFW renovated and smoking will no longer be allowed in the building including the bar area. The VFW will be a SMOKE-FREE building.

“Sunday Series” Dances: The “Sunday Series” first dance for 2020 at The Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill will be on Sunday, January 19th. This dance party with DJ Jerry Burrage is courtesy of SOBS Tom Milner and Sandy Johnson.

NEW BUSINESS:

16th Annual Beach Music Shag Dance & Charity Fundraiser: There will be two checks presented from the proceeds of our December fundraiser to the VFW at the January 24th dance. One check for $5,000.00 for the national VFW and one check for $500.00 for our local VFW Post #10226.

Recycling at Dances: It was brought forth that April Trull suggested that our Club start recycling at the dances. It was unanimously approved and will commence as soon as recycling receptacles can be obtained.

Membership Directory: Discussion was opened about having available a Club directory for members. It was decided to keep mem-ber’s information private at this time.

COMMUNICATION & MEMBERSHIP:

Joe Malinowski reported that at the end of December there are 247 SOBS (182 Re-Ups and 65 new members).

Our website is updated with all the copies of our newsletters and current dance schedule.

Mark Trull adjourned the meeting at 5:39 PM.

NEXT MEETING: Meeting will be 4:45 PM on Friday, February 7th at the OKI Moose Lodge.

Karen Critcher, Secretary

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SOBS Just Gotta Dance...

Our 1st Dance of the New Year on January 10th had 39 SOBS, 9 guests (Myles &

Mary Dotto, Joyce Edwards, Jon & Cindy Hughes, Wendy Brown Love, Janice

Mooney, Don & Jean Stout) and 4 new members. Club favorite DJ Claude Collins

started out our New Year by playing his best beach music and kept the dance floor

full! THANK YOU to Chuck & Sandy Boney for the decorations and all those who

brought in those delicious snacks! NOTE… The OKI VFW is now SMOKE FREE!

The January 24th dance also at the OKI VFW had 46 SOBS, 9 guests (Tommie Espin,

Madeline Gordon, Wendy Love, Ray & Mary McBride, Diane Stojanowski, Don &

Jean Stout), Ken & Linda Schafer (Ocean Islanders Shag Club) and one new member.

WELCOME NEW SOBS… LORI DOUGLASS, GERRY & PHOEBE HARDEE,

JOHN & LEE VAN ORMER!

SOBS Embroidered Logo...

Hey SOBS! SOS “Spring Safari” is coming in about 3 months… yeh, I know, it’s not even Winter

yet! But, you can now show your club colors & loyalty by having a personal item embroidered

by fellow SOBS Member, Beth Uhl. The logo is depicted here on the right and can be embroi-

dered on polo shirts, button-up shirts, towels (like we don’t sweat much during the Summer

months!) shoe bags, chair back covers, and tote bags. The cost is only $15 and will be com-

pleted within 10 days to 2 weeks. Other sizes of the logo are also available at an additional

charge. Proudly wear our logo gear at SOS and other shag events! See Beth at one of our

dances or contact her at (910) 880-0104 for pick-up and delivery options.

Our February Birthdays…

1st… Leon Buffkin

1st… Cherri Swanko

4th… Laura Spivey

8th… Phillip Lake

9th… David Rich

14th… Troye Hinson

25th… Marilyn Hill

26th… Lynne Doctor

26th… Raymond Doria

27th… Beth Wiggins

28th… Colin Clasper

… Jack Lawlor

15th… Marcia Savage

17th… Dan Jones

18th… Bill Anderson

18th… Cathy Batts

22nd… Lloyd Bowden

23rd… Brenda Willis

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We finished our 2019 Membership Year with 247 SOBS (182 Re-Ups from 2018 and 65 new members). Your membership in the SOBS runs from January 1st thru December 31st of the calendar year. Our February 7th dance is your opportunity to “Re-Up” in the best Shag Club on the East Coast! It also is the opportunity to get your shagging friends to “Join-Up” with us as well. The cost is $20 per person for the mem-bership year. The February 7th “Re-Up / Join-Up” fee will get you a year’s membership, admission to the dance, and a meal. In addition, our DJ that evening will be the legendary “Fessa” John Hook!

The “Pro-Rated” membership fees you see on our membership form is for NEW MEMBERS ONLY! If you are/were a SOBS member, the fee is $20 regardless of when you Re-Up during the year!

To expedite the process for those members who are going to “Re-Up”, we will have a complete current membership list containing your 2019 information (Last/First Name, email address, mailing address, phone number and birth month/date-no year!). In lieu of filling out the membership form again, we ask you to verify, make any corrections and pay your dues. Of course, new members will have to initially fill out the form. A Membership Application for your friends is on the last page of each newsletter for their convenience. Checks should be made out to the “SOCIETY OF BRUNSWICK SHAGGERS.”

Your benefits throughout the year…

2 club dances a month, and our “Sunday Series” dances at The Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill on OKI.

Shag lessons when the event & time permits!

2 “Free Pours” at SOS “Spring Safari” and “Fall Migration”.

The incredible “tailgate party” and parade at SOS Spring Safari. (3 years in a row winning 1st Place in our Category!

Meals “on the club” during the year (Re-Up/Join-Up Dance, Subs, Pizza, Cookout, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Dinner).

Email club dance announcements.

Charity fundraisers for S.O.A.R., VFW’s Operation Uplink, and Brunswick County’s New Hope Clinic.

Toy Drive for the “Oak Island Community Center Christmas Wish List.”

Our website and Facebook page.

Not to mention the best Shag Club Newsletter in the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs.

What you may not know…

Your dance entrance fee and 50/50 raffle helps defray the cost of the DJs. And, we only get the BEST!

We pay a rental fee here “only” at the Moose Lodge for our dances.

We pay association fees to the Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC) and SOS (Society of Stranders) to be collectively represented to help preserve this dance we all love!

We also pay fees to the National Fast Dance Association so that our club dance activities are properly and legally licensed by American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), and Society of European Stage Authors and Com-posers (SESAC). These memberships & license mean we can legally play music from all the artists we love to hear.

ALL THIS FOR JUST $20 A YEAR!

As with most non-profit social clubs, volunteering is the backbone of our organization. During the year we ask our Members to step up for whatever small part you would like to play in all the events, dances, and fundraisers we conduct. Please consider helping us in the areas of:

HOSPITALITY – responsible for greeting Members and Guests at the door of our dances. They take money in and check off Members/Guests at the door and direct questions to a SOBS Officer.

COMMUNICATION – anyone is welcome to write articles or submit pictures for our Newsletter/Website. Your experiences at events (dances, SOS, etc.) would certainly be welcome. Deadline for our Newsletter is the 25th of the month.

ENTERTAINMENT – responsible for helping set up (decorate) and clean up at selected dances.

SOCIAL – volunteers to participate in the SOS Parade in April, sell raffle tickets or procure items for auction at our Charity event, and to sell 50/50 tickets at our regular dance events.

ANYTHING NEEDED –You can offer up your services at any event as well as making yourselves available for last minute needs.

“PLEASE READ!! - “Re-Up / Join-Up” Shag Dance, February 7, 2020...

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From our Friends at North Brunswick Shag Club (NBSC)... NBSC dances are held on the 1st Saturday of each month at Brunswick Forest Fitness & Wellness Center, 2701 Brunswick Forest Pkwy, Leland, NC 28451 in the Leland Room at 6:30 PM. Most dances we bring finger foods to share. A bar is available with beer, wine, and soda for most dances. At our “Re-Up” and Christmas dance parties we have a full bar with liquor. We have a shag step lesson at most dances and sometimes have a line dance instruction prior to the dance. $5 for NBSC members and $10 for guests. Their next dance is January 4 at 6:30 PM and their dance theme is "Shagging into the New Roaring 20/20's". There will be some Roaring 20's decorations to go with this theme which are gold, black and silver decorations. This theme should be fun since it is 100 years after the Roaring 20's. You are encouraged to come in a gangster/flapper/Great Gatsby attire or just dress up for the occasion.

Directions from NC 211 & US-17…

Turn right onto Stone Chimney Rd SW

Turn right onto US-17 N/Ocean Hwy E and proceed for 19.4 miles.

Turn right onto Brunswick Forest Pkwy and proceed for 0.6 miles.

Just past the Welcome center, turn right onto Low Country Blvd. (unmarked) for 157 ft.

Turn left to stay on Low Country Blvd. (unmarked). Destination will be on the right in 413 ft.

From our “NEW” Friends at Ocean Islanders Shag Club...…

From our Friends at Coastal Shag Club (CSC)... Coastal Shag Club Monthly Dances have moved to the Calabash ELKS Lodge located at 937 Carter Drive, Cala-bash, NC . No food or drink is allowed to be brought in. Food and drinks are available for purchase! Cost: $5 Silver Club Member or $8 Guest. 6:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Visit their website at: www.coastalshagclub.org

Directions from NC 211 & US-17…

Turn left onto US-17 S/Ocean Hwy W and proceed for 17.6 miles.

Turn left onto Thomasboro Rd. SW and proceed for 3.5 miles.

Turn right onto Carter Dr. SW.

Destination will be on the right in 495 ft.

February 15 (3rd Saturday)

March 28 (4th Saturday)

April 25 (4th Saturday)

May 23 (4th Saturday)

October 24 (4th Saturday)

November 28 (4th Saturday)

December 19 (3rd Saturday)

Hey SOBS! Welcome to the newest shag club in our area, the OCEAN ISLANDERS SHAG CLUB! They hold their dances the First Friday of each month at the Brick Landing Country Club located at 1882 Goose Creek Rd. SW, Ocean Isle Beach, NC. Dances are $5/club members, $7 members of other local and $10 for Guests. To join, their club membership is $30/single person, $50/couple. No food or drink is allowed from the outside, The Brick’s cafe is open for individuals to order if they desire. They also encourage you to enjoy dinner at Brick’s View restaurant prior to their dance. Reservations are usually a good idea for the restaurant.

A cash bar is available adjacent to the dance area. The club’s annual membership re-up dance is their next dance, February 7th, and they will be providing some light food snacks. The DJ will be Terry McPhail. Their club is relatively new, holding their first dance in February of ’19. Doors Open at 6:30 PM. Directions from NC 211 & US-17…

Turn left onto US-17 S/Ocean Hwy W for 5.5 miles.

Turn left onto US-17 Business S/Main St. for 1.8 miles.

Turn left onto Village Rd. SW for 1.6 miles.

Continue onto NC-179 S for 0.8 miles

At traffic circle, take 2nd exit and on NC-179 S for 2.1 miles.

Turn left onto Goose Creek Rd. SW for 1.2 miles. Destination will be on the right.

LIKE their Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/oceanislandersshagclub

June 20 (3rd Saturday)

July 25 (4th Saturday)

August 15 (3rd Saturday)

September 26 (4th Saturday)

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February DJ Information... The year has gotten off to a great start. What a way to start the year with DJ’s Claude Col-lins at the VFW, Jerry Burrage at the Lazy Turtle and David Sessoms at the VFW. Our club members danced the time away. I know of no other club that offers its members so many opportunities to dance with great DJ’s. Spinning the discs for our three, yes three dances again this month will be:

Friday, February 7th - DJ “Fessa” John Hook @ OKI Moose Lodge

Friday, February 14th - DJ Terry McPhail @ OKI VFW

Sunday, February 16th - DJ @ “Chigger” Woods @The Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill DJ “Fessa” John Hook will be playing at our February 7th dance, the annual “Re-Up” party at the Moose. ”Fessa” is one of the last of the Legendary DJs of Beach Music. John has been involved in Beach Music since the early 1970’s. He is the author of Shagging in the Carolinas which chronicles the history of Shag dancing and beach music. His publications include the 2 volume set Beach Mu-sic Guide, 1945-2006 which contains extensive information on Beach Music artists and entries of over 26,000 beach music songs. His other books cover the history of Shag Dance and bands associ-ated with Shag Dance over the years. He now syndicates three radio shows weekly on 58+ radio stations across the United States and has been affiliated with numerous radio stations and he is now locally on 94.1 FM “The Beach” in Wilmington. His programming also runs on Sirius Radio. His thorough knowledge of beach music has rightly earned him his nickname of “Fessa”. He has

also been our master of Ceremonies at our Project Uplink event for many years. His presence at our Annual Re-Up Party will again make this an event to be remembered. Come out and rejoin your club. DJ Terry McPhail will be playing for our Friday, February 14th, Valentine’s Day dance at the VFW, and he has been an SOBS Valentine’s dance tradition for many years. Terry has been involved as a Beach Music DJ for 20+ years. He is retired from a career in the US Army. Every year he has sup-ported our Operation Uplink with a DJ Party donation. He and his wife Karen spend their time be-tween Ocean Drive (N. Myrtle Beach) and Elizabethtown, NC. Terry is one of the DJs on the Annual Blues Cruise and is always at the OD Arcade playing the best songs during SOS.

The club will host another Sunday afternoon dance party at the oceanfront Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill, February 16th with DJ “Chigger” Woods from 1-5 PM. “Chigger” was born and raised in Durham, NC. He was a member of the Beach Music group “The Fabulous Jellirolls”. “Chigger” is one of the founding members of the Eno Beach Shag Club in Durham, NC. He has been a DJ for 15+ years and plays for many Shag clubs and night clubs in both North and South Carolina. He plays at the OD Beach Club in the Spanish Galleon complex during the three SOS events. He and his wife Cookie been married for over 45+ years and have a daughter. We will all enjoy our afternoon with “Chigger”.

Wow, what a month of dancing we have ahead! It is going to be a great year. We hope to see you all on a dance floor soon.

John Hutton, DJ Selection

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The Society of Brunswick Shaggers is a proud Member of The Association of Carolina Shag Clubs (ACSC) and SOS (Society of Stranders).

The SOS Website can be found at: www.shagdance.com

2020 Dance Party Schedule (DRAFT - Subject to Change!)... ALL SOBS CLUB DANCES BEGIN AT 6:00 PM

DATE LOCATION DJ FOOD DOOR GREETERS 50/50 RAFFLE

FEBRUARY 7 OKI MOOSE LODGE JOHN HOOK DINNER “RE-UP/JOIN-UP”

FEBRUARY 14 OKI VFW TERRY McPHAIL BRING FINGERFOOD

FEBRUARY 16 OKI, THE LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL, SOBS “SUNDAY SERIES DANCE W/ DJ “CHIGGER” WOODS 1-5 PM

MARCH 13 OKI VFW KITTY EARLES BRING FINGERFOOD

MARCH 22 OKI, THE LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL, SOBS “SUNDAY SERIES DANCE W/ DJ TERRY McPHAIL 1-5 PM

MARCH 27 OKI MOOSE LODGE ROBERT CARTER MOOSE LODGE MENU

APRIL 10 OKI VFW LYNN “REDBONE” KING BRING FINGERFOOD

APRIL 16-25 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC SOS “SPRING SAFARI”

APRIL 25 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC SOS “SPRING SAFARI” PARADE W/ DJ JIM BRUNO & CLUB “FREE POUR” AT THE OD PAVILION

MAY 8 OKI VFW TIM HOLLAND BRING FINGERFOOD

MAY 17 OKI, THE LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL, SOBS “SUNDAY SERIES DANCE W/ DJ ROBERT CARTER 1-5 PM

MAY 22 OKI MOOSE LODGE GENE SISTARE MOOSE LODGE MENU

JUNE 12 OKI VFW BUTCH ADEIMY BRING FINGERFOOD

JUNE 21 OKI, THE LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL, SOBS “SUNDAY SERIES DANCE W/ DJ JJ KINLAW 1-5 PM

JUNE 26 OKI MOOSE LODGE CLAUDE COLLINS MOOSE LODGE MENU

JUNE 29 OKI MIDDLETON PARK, OKI “BEACH DAY” SHAG CONTEST W/ DJ JIM BRUNO

JULY 10 OKI VFW ROY CHILDRESS BRING FINGERFOOD

JULY 10-12 SOS/ASSOCIATION OF CAROLINA SHAG CLUBS (ACSC) SUMMER WORKSHOP

JULY 19 OKI, THE LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL, SOBS “SUNDAY SERIES DANCE W/ DJ ??? 1-5 PM

JULY 24 OKI MOOSE LODGE TERRY McPHAIL MOOSE LODGE MENU

AUGUST 14 OKI VFW MIKE HUDSON BRING FINGERFOOD

AUGUST 28 OKI MOOSE LODGE JERRY BURRAGE MOOSE LODGE MENU

SEPTEMBER 11 OKI VFW JJ KINLAW BRING FINGERFOOD

SEPTEMBER 17-26 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC SOS “FALL MIGRATION”

SEPTEMBER 19 NORTH MYRTLE BEACH, SC SOS “FALL MIGRATION” CLUB “FREE POUR” AT THE OD PAVILION

SEPTEMBER 25 OKI MOOSE LODGE JIM BRUNO MOOSE LODGE MENU

OCTOBER 9 OKI MOOSE LODGE JOHN HOOK BRING FINGERFOOD

OCTOBER 18 OKI, THE LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL, SOBS “SUNDAY SERIES DANCE W/ DJ JIM BRUNO 1-5 PM

OCTOBER 23 OKI VFW GENE SISTARE BRING FINGERFOOD

NOVEMBER 13 OKI MOOSE LODGE ROBERT CARTER TURKEY & HAM

NOVEMBER 15 OKI, THE LAZY TURTLE BAR & GRILL, SOBS “SUNDAY SERIES DANCE W/ DJ BILL ANDERSON 1-5 PM

DECEMBER 5 OKI MOOSE LODGE JERRY BURRAGE DINNER “ON THE CLUB”

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Let’s Shag: Dance your way to better health!... by Judie Holcomb-Pack (forSENIORSonly)

If you grew up in the South, and especially if you spent any time at Myrtle Beach, you are probably familiar with the dance called the “shag” or the “Carolina shag.” Some say the shag originated in Myrtle Beach back in the 1930s, others say it began at Carolina Beach, but either way, it is a dancing style that com-bines moves of the Charleston, the Swing and the Jitterbug. The shag has been named the official dance of both North and South Carolina.

Diehard shaggers have their own club, “The Society of Stranders” or “SOS.” (Their official website is www.shagdance.com.) There is even a Competitive Shaggers Association and a Beach Shaggers National Hall of Fame. While you may think the shag is a Boomers dance thing, increasingly young people are discovering the fun and challenge of shagging. There are local venues that cater to Beach music and shagging, and several places, such as local recreation centers, offer dance lessons.

Mickey and Penny Hull have been shagging for over 16 years, traveling and dancing their way across several states. They have also been competing in shag contests, but now they focus most of their time teaching what has become their passion.

The Hulls have danced on stage several times at the Carolina Beach Music Awards at North Myrtle Beach, compet-ed at the U.S. Open in Anaheim, Calif., and later joined the Triad Shag Team, which took 1st Place at the National Shag Dance Championships and 2nd Place at the Grand Nationals in 2006. They have also competed in numerous shag contests with their crowning achievement attaining Pro Status in the Shag Preservation Association circuit in 2009. But their biggest surprise was being inducted into the National Living Legends of Dance in November 2014.

Penny remarked, “To me, shagging is the best form of exercise!” What she enjoys most about dancing is “meeting new people and watching people go from not knowing how to do the “basic” into dancing!” Mickey agreed. He said, “Carolina shag to me is all about the music and the movement of the dance. Also, it mentally frees my mind and helps with my coordination and enables my wife and I to be involved with a form of exercise that we both love.”

Mickey and Penny continue to be active with teaching their junior shaggers and volunteer every July at the beach for Junior SOS. They are active members of the Winston-Salem Shag Club, where they teach group lessons every Monday and Thursday night. They also teach private lessons to individuals and couples at the dance studio in their home. Penny added, “We believe that we have the best friends from all over in the shag world. I couldn’t imagine my life without everything I have learned mentally and physically from doing the Carolina Shag.”

What is the appeal of shagging? If you’re a Boomer, the dance and the beach music take you back to a more care-free time in your youth. If you are a Winston-Salem local, the music and dance help you relive those wonderful memories of shagging at Dick Bennett’s HiFi or on the porch at Crystal Lake.

The Hulls summed it up with this quote: “Families that dance together stays together!”

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The Two “Rs” Of Membership…

We all know that in any organization we have the responsibility of creating and maintaining a mem-bership. The definition according to Webster’s is the state or status of being a member and the body of members (an organization with a mem-bership). The two “Rs” of membership are critical to membership success. They are recruitment and retention.

Recruiting is usually through friends, workplace and social networks. I feel sure each of our shag clubs has different ways and ideas in what works best. In recruiting new members it is important to keep in mind the question “What do I get for my membership cost?” A new members section on

our website is a great place to familiarize our new members about our club, ACSC, SOS, music, dance shoes and events. This is just another way to educate new and existing members.

Probably the most significant means to recruit new members is through dance lessons. Every club has its own approach to this, but our club has outstanding instructors in John Hutton & Katy O’Neill and Chuck & Sandy Boney. They offer lessons thru the Brunswick County Parks & Recreation at various locations. They have been an excellent “feeder system” to the membership of our club. This has an immediate impact on building our club.

When it comes to retention the question is, has the club provided the membership benefits that they said they would in an environment that was enjoyable, positive and fun? We all know that we lose members due to health issues and relocation, but if we do a good job of providing an environment where people have fun you will retain many of your existing members. It is certainly easier to retain than it is to recruit. We sometimes think we are doing a good job of making people feel like they are part of the group, but if someone falls between the cracks, they will likely feel ignored, and their experience will not be a good one.

So, it is important to have ways to introduce newer members to the group, to have members that are appointed to making sure that newcomers are made to feel welcome, are asked to dance, and given the opportunity to min-gle with as many people as possible. Name tags are often a great way to make sure people are not intimidated by not knowing a person’s name. That is a great way for people to know which people are members, and which are guests, like themselves, if they are also guests. Membership committees should decide what ideas work best to ensure that people are truly being made to feel welcome and are not on the outside looking in.

It is also important to be the best ambassador that you can be. Remember that these are just ideas and sugges-tions. Our SOBS goal is to have a healthy and vibrant membership.

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Pictures from our 1st Dance of the New Year, January 10th, OKI VFW...

Our 1st Dance of the New Year on January 10th had 39 SOBS, 9 guests (Myles & Mary Dotto, Joyce Edwards, Jon & Cindy Hughes, Wendy Brown Love, Janice Mooney, Don & Jean Stout) and 4 new members. Club favorite DJ Claude Collins started out our New Year by playing his best beach music and kept the dance floor full! THANK YOU to Chuck & Sandy Boney for the decorations and all those who brought in those delicious snacks! NOTE… The OKI VFW is now SMOKE FREE!

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Picture from our “Sunday Series” Shag Dance, January 19th, The Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill...

A big “THANK YOU” goes out to Tom Milner & Sandy Johnson for the dance party they donated to the club at The Lazy Turtle Bar & Grill on January 19th. Tom & Sandy won this dance party with DJ Jerry Burrage at our 16th Annual Beach Music Shag Dance & Charity Fundraiser held this past October.

Picture from our Shag Dance, January 24th, OKI VFW...

The Board of Directors of the SOBS make the presentation of $5,000 toward the VFW’s Operation Uplink program. Also, included this year was the presentation of $500 to VFW Post #10226 for their support and use of their hall for our dances.

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 0 T h e B e a c h B e a t ! P a g e 1 2

SOBS Membership Application Form (PLEASE PRINT!)…