Where does the time go? It really is true that the older you get the more time seems to fly by. For me, it’s flown even faster lately as I made a firm change in May and have been scrambling ever since trying to get my life back to some 
semblance of normalcy. It will happen, but it will take more months of hard work before it does.
Meanwhile, life goes on in the dance community. We’ve had more great multi-day parties hosted by our ABA clubs in Nashville, Jacksonville, and Chicago since our May newsletter with more happening this month in Columbus, Tampa, and Chattanooga. Obviously, none of us can attend all the parties and we all have our favorites. Trying to attend at least three or four parties a year and throwing in a new one every year is a great way to experience what our clubs have to offer and get exposure to some new dance friends. Please make an ABA Convention at least one of your parties each year. This year we have three – Rollin on the River in St. Louis and Bop on the Lake in Hot Springs, both in September, and Move Across the River in Cincinnati in November.
Keep your eyes open for new clubs to join the ABA. As I have mentioned before, registrations for your club events are a good way to spot prospective ABA members. I have my eye on several whose members have registered for LRBC’s event and will be talking with them about joining the ABA. Check out the ABA website “Why Be a Member” for an updated list of talking points about the benefits of membership. It would be great to add two or three new clubs to the Association before we end the year.
Finally, Gary Chaney tells me we are up to about 190 people signed up for our January 2006 ABA cruise. Looks like my prediction of 200 will easily be surpassed. Talk it up at your club and let’s get more people on board. Maybe we can hit 300! This is shaping up to be fantastic unique winter party.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed to this month’s newsletter. There are some excellent thoughts in this issue once again.
Best Regards,
Jim Laux
President – American Bop Association