So Jack's email made me think about the old days touring with Scrod Pudding and
T-Acadie and our normal Tuesday stop at the Vintage theater in Winston. George would
pretty much always be the first to arrive and help us load in. Last to leave too. He was
always fun to watch from the stage with his ruler suspenders and just plain
"styling". Talk about smooth.. So I Googled "Vintage Theater" found
this video from 2010 (with our Maine boys PeM!) and who shows up right at the start (and
at 1:00)??? George, of course.. I have tears in my eyes now..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wzvu7yL9vQ
bill
________________________________
From: Jack Mitchell <jmitchell.nc(a)gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2019 5:56 PM
To: Bree Kalb
Cc: Bill Olson; Caller's discussion list
Subject: Re: [Callers] In honor of George Rettie
I plan to call it on Friday in Charlottesville and also on Sunday evening in Winston Salem
at the Salem College dance. So strange to think about calling a dance in the Triad
without George being there. And if your group of dancers isn't up to Dean's
dance, A Nice Combination would also be great to be called in his honor. Many years ago
he wanted to have a dance that he could call at open mics and such, and that was the one
he picked.
I'm glad that so many people have liked the picture of George waltzing (with Louie
Cromartie, who we lost almost 2 years ago). I found it when looking for pictures of him,
and love it (even if it does make me start tearing up every time I see it.)
Jack
On Fri, Feb 22, 2019 at 11:58 AM Bree Kalb via Callers
<callers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
wrote:
Bill,
The dance is at the end of Emily’s email. Note that it is in “indecent” formation and a
little tricky. As was our dear George.
Bree
On Fri, Feb 22, 2019 at 11:15 AM Bill Olson via Callers
<callers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
wrote:
Oh this is so sad.. "Suspenders George" was a good friend and one of my very
favorite dancers when we toured down that way. George was always friendly and always
helpful. And he sure was a great "dipper"..
Please forward the Dean Snipes dance and I will call it next chance I get!!
bill in Maine
________________________________
From: Callers
<callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers-bounces@lists.sharedweight.net>>
on behalf of Emily Rush via Callers
<callers@lists.sharedweight.net<mailto:callers@lists.sharedweight.net>>
Sent: Friday, February 22, 2019 3:55 PM
To: Caller's discussion list
Subject: [Callers] In honor of George Rettie
Hi all,
George Rettie, the NC dancer in the yellow ruler suspenders, passed away unexpectedly this
week. He'd been dancing since at least the 1980's, and it was a rare dance that he
didn't attend. He was always the first to volunteer (and did, more hours than I can
count), personally thanked the musicians and callers, danced with beginners, dipped
everyone beautifully and frequently, flirted with us all, could call one dance (Gene
Hubert's "A Nice Combination"), brought his children into the dance
community, and was a favorite partner to many, many dancers.
Myra, Adina, and JoLaine are calling a dance that Dean Snipes wrote for George some years
ago. If you're calling sometime soon and are so moved, I would like to invite you to
call it too. If you're dancing, I hope you'll go up to the stage and thank the
musicians and callers, welcome the beginners, and have an extra-good time.
Love,
Emily
----------------------------------------------
George is Rettie, Willing, and Able
by Dean Snipes
Indecent (2s crossed), double progression
A1.
Neighbor balance & swing
A2.
Pass thru across, turn alone
Star R 1x, pull by up and down with your neighbor
B1.
New ladies allemande L 1x while gents orbit 1/2 clockwise
Partner swing
B2.
Long lines forward & back
Ladies right hand pull by, neighbor allemande L 1.5
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--
Jack Mitchell
Durham, NC