Our pal, Walter Daves, is an amazing guy. Folks at the Sautee Nacoochee Center Association (SNCA) — located in urban Sautee Nacoochee, not far from Sautee, Georgia — describe Walter as: “Sautee Contra Coordinating Committee member, Tuesday Learn and Dance caller & sometimes Saturday big dance caller, member of the Cage Free String Band, Chair of the SNCA Board of Directors, and all-around terrific person with a great, sometimes quirky, sense of humor — married to [our] beloved dance friend/volunteer/fiddler Jeanie.”
(Makes you wonder how you and I will be described one day, huh?)
I’ve been a fan of contra dancing at SNCA for a long time. Back in 2007, I wrote a story — with a bunch of really terrific pictures that I took at an actual contra dance — for a less-than-major metropolitan newspaper. No doubt you remember that article. Right?
When I went to my massive, totally organized files of photographs, I immediately found the eight-year-old, perfectly labeled, exact folder I sought. Yes, I am filing-system rock star.
As you can guess, there were no actual pictures in said folder … except for this amazing remembrance of my beloved granddaughter’s missing tooth when she was six. Cutest kid ever. Still is. Thank you. Thank you very much. Please hold your applause.
Which brings me to our apology to Walter Daves, the SNCA and contra dancers everywhere.
Their snazzy public relations whiz is Julianne Wilson. (By the way, in her most recent e-mail, she mentioned there’s another fabulous contra dance at the center this Saturday, March 28, 2015.)
Unfortunately, Julianne also asked us to pass along this note from Walter Daves asking folks to join SNCA. We apologize to our friends for not being able to post letters, such as this one, that have little to do with Lake Lanier.
Sorry, Walter and Julianne. Thanks for understanding.
Dear Contra Dancers,
As you probably know, in 1986 The Sautee Valley was placed on the National Register of Historic Places. That same year the Center purchased the Nacoochee School Building and grounds from the White County Board of Education and began work establishing the Sautee Nacoochee Center. With that purchase came the historic gymnasium where contra dances are held.
Contra Dancers bring vitality to the old gym as do the many other programs such as performances by the Atlanta Ballet, the annual Haunted House, the annual ping pong tournament (SNIPPT) and more. A friend told me a while back, “I sometimes pass the Center when the gym is lit up and the music of the Contra Dances is filling the air – that makes me happy. That kind of [camaraderie] is one of the reasons we worked to save this place.” Yes, the Center has become an important venue for many community activities and provides the commonality and society which creates a close knit population. The Center’s presence and influence in both the creative arts and performances have extended far beyond the Sautee and Nacoochee Valleys.
Please take a moment to consider how much value SNCA, its programs and campus activities have added your life. Become a member now so that you cannot only dance, but you can learn, sing, paint, act, volunteer, meet new people, attend performances and more. JOIN US TODAY by calling 706-878-3300, or dropping by the Center to join. You can also join online at www.snca.org. As a participant at SNCA, I’m sure you know how critical your support is to SNCA’s existence. We want you to partner with us. Membership is Partner!
Sincerely,
Walter Daves,
Chairman, Board of Directors
