1976 - 1986

The second decade of the Ottawa Branch was a busy and successful time for SCD in Ottawa. In the 1975-76 dance year the branch membership was 190 which included 30 children.  By the end of the decade, in 1986 the membership was 300.   The staples of branch life, weekly classes and socials, carried on but with some interesting differences from what we see today.  This decade also marked the beginning of some new traditions!

Classes:  Classes were offered every across the city in a variety of venues in evenings of every weekday and some on the weekends.  Numbers varied from year to year but ranged from 12 to 17 classes per year.  The various dancing levels were all covered but classes also included an entertainment group, several classes for children, a class for teacher candidates, a class for the demonstration team and one labelled 'senior citizens'(!). In the 1980s technology finally came to our aid and the Branch transitioned from vinyl records to the new portable tape players.

Social events:  Monthly socials, the Welcome dance, the Christmas dance and the annual Spring Ball carried on as usual.  The monthly socials were convened in turn by the classes as they are now with one interesting exception - for several years the February Valentine was convened but the 'gentlemen of the branch' who provided all the refreshments. One new tradition that began in 1979 is having all the monthly socials at Parkdale so we have been dancing there for 47 years!  Another tradition that started in 1983 was the post ball Brunch - a casual pot luck on the Sunday after the ball.

Workshops: The Branch had been hosting one day workshops in the city for some time but the fall of 1978 saw the first of an offsite weekend workshop, the 'Jones Fall Weekend'.  Held at the Kenny Hotel in Jones Falls, this workshop became a much loved tradition and went on to be held each fall for the next 27 years! 

One of the highlights of the decade was a visit to Ottawa in 1977 by Miss Jean C. Milligan, co-founder of RSDCS to  conduct teacher examinations.  I expect the candidates were honoured but understandably stressed!  Sadly Miss Milligan passed away the next year at the age of 92.

Finally, May 1986 marked the 20th anniversary of the branch and special ball was held at the Nepean Sportsplex. Fittingly our 60th anniversary ball will also be held at this venue!  

Source: Ottawa Branch bulletins - 1976-1986

Jones Falls 1978-1985