Sandy Lafleur
I attended my first Milford Contra Dance around 1994 or 5. I had no idea what a contra dance was but I saw it advertised in the calendar section of the Milford Cabinet newspaper and decided to go see what it was all about.
I walked in alone, not knowing a soul there. I was immediately drawn to the lively music and the smiling faces. Though I had no idea of what I was doing, I was asked to dance and was helped through what increasingly became familiar patterns in the dance.
Sure, I made mistakes, everyone, even experienced dancers did, but that all seemed to be part of it as we laughed and "recovered" together. After a few dances I talked with some of the musicians playing for the dance. I said that I played guitar and they invited me to bring my guitar next time and join in. The band members also made me feel welcome as they shared their music and playing tips with me.
Years later I was encouraged to try my hand at calling a few dances. It was kinda scary making that leap but everyone was so encouraging and supportive. That was all so long ago but I count those early experiences at the Milford Contra Dance as some of the most important ones in my life and feel so fortunate for my contra dance community.
Bill Cashman
In March 2009, my musical partner, Peter Sessions, and I performed at the Amato Center in John Ogrodowcsyk’s benefit show “A Little Bit of Ireland”. It was at that show that we met Frank and Susan Woodard who were performing; the very next year we all performed in the show as a quartet.
Frank and Susan invited me to the Milford Contra dance; I accepted the invitation to learn to play the fiddle. From the start I sensed that the Milford Musicians were a welcoming community who have fun while improving their instrumental skills.
In January 2014, I attended the Ralph Page Dance Weekend at UNH at which I contra danced for the first time in my life, met Bob McQuillen and played in the dance band with him. A wonderful, memorable experience!
Kate McClure
I knew it was St. Patrick’s day, but I had to look up the date and turns out it was 2016. Jim and I went to hear the Rakes of Milford at the Milford Library. Between songs, Sandy Lafleur, front person for the Rakes, invited folks – both musicians and dancers – to the next dance in April. If I do say so myself, I play a fine rhythm ukulele, so I decided to jump in.
Playing in the band was incredibly fun, but for my skill level, the music was incredibly fast. At the start, I managed one chord a measure - which concerned absolutely no one. I’m proud to say there was gradual improvement. Over time, however I noticed that the admissions table was unattended. Knowing that I was not the linchpin of the band, I shifted over. I had found my calling.
In addition to working the admissions table, I tentatively started dancing. I had danced before but was quite rusty. Such a pleasant reentry! No matter what I did to a dance (including confidently striding the length of the hall in the completely wrong direction), my fellow dancers were encouraging and lighthearted.
It’s all been great fun – and on Friday nights, even if I’m tired from the workweek, I head to the dance. I’m glad I took that first jump.
Rich Hart
I attended the first Milford dance that was organized to raise money to restore the hall. I had already been dancing in Harrisville, Nelson, Francestown, Dublin, and a few other places. Dave Bateman was calling dances in Nelson, and elsewhere locally at the time. John Redemski organized the Milford dances, with Dave calling and helping with the organization.
There were dances twice a month then, on the 2nd and 4th Fridays. Dances on the 4th Fridays were much like they are now with volunteers calling and playing the tunes. The dances on the 2nd Friday had professional (and paid) callers and bands. Two dances a month was one too many so the 2nd Friday dance got dropped.
Dave Bateman eventually moved out of the area. That’s when Frank and Susan Woodward took over the Milford organization. Frank both called and played either the piano or his bass. Susan played guitar and percussion. Frank has also now moved away, but I hope he can return again to call some of the old singing squares that he does so well.
And now we have almost returned to the original formula, with the current big band, and small team of organizers. Now it’s your turn to come and join us to dance, make music, and help us keep it all organized.