A HOG AND SOME FIDDLES

The 6^th Annual Mid-Winter Hot Dog Clog Hog held January 7^th drew cloggers and musicians from communities within the area from Muskegon, Greenville, Stanton, Lansing, Jackson, South Bend, IN, and circling up to Muskegon again. Running from 8am to 6pm at the Maple Leaf Grange south of Nashville, MI saw a lot of energetic movement and sound from the dancers feet as eight clogging groups took part in the fun, besides the musicians and watchers who came to jam and watch. Some enthusiasts were at the door at 7:30am to get in.

Black ice on the roads in the morning kept some of the folks away but there were still 85 people who dared drive the slick roads to be able to do what they like to do most. A pile of clogging teaches were done in the morning for dancers and watchers delight and in the afternoon Bob the clogger, head instructor and director of the Thunder Floor Cloggers, based in The Old Time American Clogging and Southern Appalachian Square Dance School in Lake Odessa, called the Appalachian big ring square dance, which is always a fun activity but not generally seen in the usual. At one time Bob the clogger had two circles, one inside the other. 16 couples in one and 8 couples in the center. Dick Wild of Jackson also called old time Michigan square dance. While the musicians were on a break the cloggers danced to cds but the musicians still found time to jam under the wood floor.

People from 11 to 111 all danced together and no one seemed to mind. The floor sounded good and just as important it felt good. The Annual Mid-Winter Hot Dog Clog Hog is a yearly fund raiser for the Thunder Floor Cloggers portable stage and expenses. The club has been building the stage for over 5 years and is now trying to put the cover on it. It has been built on donations from people who like to see the group dance. The group has a Folk Heritage Program they take to elementary schools, churches, reunions etc where they teach the Southern Appalachian big ring and show steps one can put with it. They’re trying to keep the art of old time dance alive for future generations.

FIRE WOOD

Indiana Dept. Natural Resources is trying to stop the spread of Emerald Ash Borer, an exotic insect that kills ash trees. Because this pest is found in the bark of firewood, if the facility you are visiting allows a fire please burn all firewood completely to help avoid spreading the insect.

It is against State and Federal laws to transport firewood (other than pine) from quarantined areas. No firewood may be carried over the Michigan State Line into Indiana. Firewood also may not be carried into any park or reservoir from the following counties in Ohio: Lucas, Fulton, Henry, Wood, and Paulding.

Firewood must also not be brought into any park or reservoir from the following counties in Indiana: Lagrange and Steuben. All firewood must be burned prior to leaving any property and not left behind for other campers.

2006 Memorial & Labor Day Festivals Internet service:
Locl.net has confirmed that they will again provide free wireless Internet access at the Memorial and Labor Day festivals. Last year there were a number of start up problems that Locl.net hopes to resolve prior to the Memorial festival. They expect to check the system out as the spring weather allows.
If you need Internet service, check into Locl.net as they have coverage throughout the Midwest. Don't forget to mention NIBGA!