Here is a picture of Shirley & Elwood at a dance.

It is with heavy hearts we bring you the news of the peaceful passing of Shirley Rake on the evening of October 19.? Shirley was the me Moonlight Serenade Membership Chair extraordinaire for many years and we all relied on her for so many things.? She fought a valiant battle with lung cancer while she continued to serve.? She was a Moonlight Serenade stalwart and was still mentoring right up to the end.? She will be sorely missed by all.

Condolences can be sent to her husband Elwood Rake

1560 Leisure World

Mesa, AZ 85206

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Here is the obituary for another wonderful person and great musician, who died yesterday. Many of you will remember when she played the piano for Howard Schneider and his Jan Garber Orchestra. A few years ago she was inducted into the Wisconsin Polka Hall of Fame.

Our condolences go out to Phyllis, Howie and the rest of their family.

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The ballroom dance community lost a true gentleman and great dancer, who was a perfect example of what a dancer should be, and the Dixieland Jazz community lost one of it’s most avid supporters, when Rowland G Byerly passed on October 6, 2022. He was born February 2, 1934?(so 88 years young). He was a gift to the dance and jazz groups. He was very generous, kind, friendly and had a positive impact on dances and dancers around the valley. He’s already missed by so many of us.

His family has no desire to have any kind of funeral or Celebration of Life. There will probably be something done here in AZ, by some of his friends, at some time in the future. I’ll keep you informed.

Condolences can be sent to Jeanette Winkel

11058 E. Ocaso Ave;? Mesa, AZ 85212

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There have been some changes in entertainers for the Wednesday Dances

Dale Mortensen

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Attached is a flyer on the Moonlight Serenade dinner/dances

Here is the link to the obituary for another dancer who recently passed.

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I was saddened today to learn of the passing of another long time Merrymaker, Veronica Gonzales Romans. Her beautiful smile will be missed at the many dances she attended with her husband, Duane Romans. Condolences can be sent to Duane at?6210 Arbor Ave?#319 Mesa, AZ 85206

The following was received as an obituary sent by her sister, Virginia.

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VERONICA GONZALES (93) WAS BORN ON DECEMBER 1, 1928, IN ALBUQUERQUE, NM, TO COLASTICO TAIS SR. (AKA: THAIS) AND RUFINA ARMIJO TAIS.

SPECIAL THANKS TO VERONICA'S FRIEND, ROBERTA. WHOM SHE LOVED LIKE A DAUGHTER. AND TO HER NIECES; DONNA LISA, LINDA, SHARON, SARA, MICHELLE, AND RACHEL,WHO VISITED HER AND PRAYED FOR HER.

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I have just learned of the sudden passing of long time Merrymaker, Stan Siironen, on May 24^th of pulmonary fibrosis. He will be missed by the dance community.

Condolences can be sent to his daughter, Diane Mosley 2410 E 7^th St Superior WI 54880

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There are no longer any COVID restrictions at Las Palmas Grand (LPG), so NO restrictions for Merrymakers dances. Please act responsively!

I’d forgotten how much work it was, but I’ve finally updated the Merrymakers dancemm.com website (except for the list of dance venues and dance studios). The website includes links to: a printable Merrymakers schedule for the 2022-2023 season, a 1 page reference for dances by day of the week and venues, and M which is a day by day listing of all ballroom and some Country western/variety and jazz dances I’ve been provided. Currently the 1 page and M cover Sep-Dec 2022. I’m attaching a copy of the first two. If you want M (the full printout which is currently 4 pages), you’ll have to go to the website. I’m planning to bring copies of these two to the Sun Lakes dance on Sunday night, if you don’t have access to a printer. Please let me know of any errors or additions (except I won’t publish any dances not open to the public, currently all Cal-Am, or dances which conflict with the Merrymakers Thursday night dances).

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