Luke Donforth wrote: I suspect it varies from one region to the next, but who knows? You may be onto something. Beth and I are getting more calls this year, both from dance series around central New England and from schools, houses of worship, and other community groups. A few years ago we noticed a similar uptick in private parties; we thought that might be because at least some of the more affluent families had weathered the financial crisis of 2008 and were starting to spend money on nonessentials again. I don’t know what’s causing the current bump, unless it’s people wanting to foster a feeling of community in the face of the current divisive political – and in some cases social – climate. Tony Parkes Billerica, Mass. www.hands4.com<http://www.hands4.com> New book! Square Dance Calling: An Old Art for a New Century (to be published Spring 2017)