The Channel 32 News Team is posting live video all night long covering SHMD like it has never been covered before you can get to the videos by clicking the link on the “Media Gallery” page of www.shmd.org or by going directly to http://entertainment.webshots.com/album/570412291vfbkbt
Freshmen Registration
March 6, 2009Your Channel 32 News Team, featuring Kayla and Meg visited Freshman Registration….Click below for your update.
Mere hours away….
March 6, 2009Well, the school is covered in crepe paper, the t shirts are folded, the lights are hung, the huge D.O.T. signs are in place on route 9, and yes, folks, we are mere hours away from the kick off of SHMD 32!!
This year we’ll be adding even more to the real-time elements of the website. Pictures will be posted online in the media gallery as the dance progresses. Also, you will soon see youtube links posted within these blog posts. Yes, this year we bring you video! We will be shooting parts of the dance, the dancers, the community members, volunteers and alumni in an attempt to keep you informed and up to date on alllll the goings on as the night rolls on.
So, please come out and support your favorite dancers this weekend…and when you can’t be there, you can be here! Come back often to check out what’s going on at the school. We will try to have something new for you at least every two hours.
See you tonight, for it is time…..
Important Alumni Details
March 2, 2009SHMD Alumni -
The 32nd Annual South High Marathon Dance is March 6th and 7th. Alumni will not be allowed to park at the high school. Alumni who wish to help with the many pre-dance activities should arrive at Tanglewood Elementary School parking lot and shuttle over to the high school. The shuttle will start running at 4:00 PM on Friday. Upon arrival at the high school please report immediately to the Auditorium. We need alumni volunteers to help with dancer check-in, parking, and with anything else that may arise. If you choose to arrive at 4:00 PM, please be prepared to assist where needed. Alumni registration will take place in the Auditorium until 7:15 PM. Alumni T-shirts will be on sale at the registration table for $20. We will have an Alumni Meeting in the Auditorium immediately following the opening of the dance. Alumni registration will re-open after the meeting in the Old Gym. The alumni lounge area will be in the Old Gym, not the Auditorium. Alumni have been asked once again by Mrs. Casey to donate cases of water (you can bring them with you on the shuttle). We look forward to seeing you all on Friday!
Thank You,
Tressa Jackson 01’ & Melissa Gonyea 98’
A message to Alums from Jeff Stewart
March 2, 2009Good Evening to all SGF Marathon Alumni-
I hope this email finds everyone well and full of SGF Marathon anticipation, for yes the miracle we call The Marathon will again be happening. March 6th and 7th, I believe are the dates (you all know me I just show up) but in all seriousness we have had to plan a lot more with this dance than we have in the past.
This year will mark many changes to the alumni program and participation at the SGF marathon dance. I want everyone to know that these changes have been acted upon to ensure the safety and longevity of the SGF Marathon. I will try to keep this short and sweet, because there is a lot of new info for returning South High Alumnus.
First and foremost, we are looking forward to the largest participation we have ever had not only for alumni but for students and volunteers, for this reason we have created a volunteer team. This volunteer team does not make anyone better than the next it just reflects the commitment that you will choose to take. The biggest part of this commitment is time, you will basically be at the dance for the whole dance, over night and everything. You will be able to be found at anytime to help with the many tasks that are important to the success of the dance. You are not able to dodge someone who is in need of assistance, you will be there to help. Think about this when you are returning to the dance, we need many people to help at the dance, but in the same breath we need alumni who will be there in support of the dancers to keep them moving as well. I know you will all be very respectful of this change and help out in any way that you are able.
Second, we have, with much arm twisting and crying and pleading, moved our main alumni station. We don’t know exactly what the lounge will look like, but I am sure it will be the place that everyone will want to be. I know I’ll be there, because I’m old and I don’t need to walk that far anymore. We will unfortunately be restricting access to the cafeteria and auditorium, for fire code and traffic control reasons.
Which brings me to the third item, Alumni will no longer be eating in the cafeteria, food is at a premium this year and there is not enough for any alumni to eat in the cafeteria. I am working on a few incentives to have for the alumni in the lounge area, or maybe a better price at the snack bar, nothing confirmed yet, so don’t quote me on anything. One thing I want you all to remember is the kids now need to raise one hundred and ten dollars to dance, we have not raised the price of the alumni shirts at all, we should be able to shell out a couple of bucks to get food at the dance.
Fourth, Parking ( this is going to be hard on old farts like me, but it has to be done) there will be no on-site parking. All parking will be at Tanglewood and other local locations. There will be shuttle buses traveling all day to get you to the parking areas. This is not that big of a deal, I’m sure all of us have walked at least a couple of blocks in the snow to go to a local establishment to get a “soda” (lol.)
Lastly, I want everyone to remember what this dance is about. It is about helping out people in need, this is what makes South Glens Falls the greatest school in the World. We need to remember that there are kids at this dance, young kids. We need to follow the school rules (i.e. Smoking, language, dress code, and respect). Yes, the dance is changing, but I believe that the changes are for the better.
I can’t wait to see all my old and young friends that I have been able to meet over the last 27 years. Bring all your energy, and enthusiasm. Let’s make this the greatest Marathon ever. Thanks in advance for your understanding and patience in these times of change.
Sincerely,
Jeff Stewart ( STU )
The old man alumni
New Parking: Officially
February 24, 2009PRESS RELEASE
Release Date: For Immediate Release
Duration: Until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 7th, 2009
Re: Parking and Traffic Flow South High Marathon Dance Weekend
The 32nd annual South High Marathon Dance will be held on March 6th and 7th at the South Glens Falls Senior High School located on Merritt Road. This year, there are several changes regarding parking.
Ø There will be NO PARKING on the south side of Merritt Road starting at 3:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6th until 12:00 midnight on Saturday, March 7th.
Ø Parking at the Senior High School will be limited to past and present marathon dance recipients, handicap, and those with special permits.
§ Several 30 minute parking spots will be in place for those who need to pick-up or drop-off items.
§ Dancer drop-off Friday night will be the same process as in past years.
Ø Parking for volunteers and spectators will be available at Tanglewood Elementary School, The United Methodist Church, Pine Knolls, and Glengate Plaza (Family Dollar/Trustco Bank).
§ Volunteers and Alumni should plan to park at Tanglewood Elementary School.
Ø A bus shuttle will run from designated parking areas to the Senior High School, cycling continuously, during the following times:
§ Friday, March 6th, 5:15 p.m. – 10:45 p.m.
§ Saturday, March 7th, 6:30 a.m. – After Dance Finale on Saturday Evening
Ø A limited number of parking spots on site at the Senior High School will be raffled off this year.
§ Five (5) Parking spots for all day Saturday, March 7th
§ Ten (10) Parking spots for the finale on Saturday, March 7th (valid starting at 5:30 p.m. on Saturday)
§ Tickets will be sold up until 10:00 p.m. on Friday, March 6th at the dance. Winners will be announced Friday evening before the dance closes to the public at 10:30 p.m.
§ Five (5) parking spots for all weekend of next year’s marathon dance will be auctioned off as part of this year’s silent auction.
These changes are being implemented as a result of the growth of this event, concerns with safety and traffic congestion, and limited parking at and around the Senior High School.
Specific questions regarding parking at the High School, designated parking areas, and bus shuttles should be directed to the Marathon Dance Parking Supervisor, Pete Dudley at ptdudley@live.com. Any questions related to marathon dance safety and operations can be directed to Dan Albert at dannyalbert@yahoo.com .
We thank the community members, patrons, and volunteers for their patience, anticipated cooperation, and continued support to the South High Marathon Dance and students of South Glens Falls.
Advisors/Coordinators
Tom Myott
Jody Sheldon
Dan Albert
This Week…
February 23, 2009Tuesday, February 24th is the Applebee’s Fundraiser. The necessary flyer will be posted on the website momentarily. Please print the voucher, head up to Applebee’s on Quaker Road and have a good meal, knowing 10% of the bill will be donated to SHMD.
Also keep in mind that Wednesdays in February are Dango’s Fundraiser Days. Visit any of the Dango’s Restaurants in South Glens Falls (Dango’s Dugout, Fitzgeralds or Abbotts) on Wednesday and 10% of the day’s sales will be donated to SHMD.
Coming up very quickly: Sunday March 1 is the Annual St. Michael’s Breakfast and the following day is the Annual Talk of the Town Fundraiser. Both of these are usually a huge success, so let’s make ‘em bigger than ever!
Get This Party Started!!
February 7, 2009Yes, friends, it is indeed February again, which means only one thing in our minds…MARATHON SEASON!!
The website has been updated, in case you hadn’t had the chance to check it out. There are 720 dancers signed up this year and once again the community support has started pouring in. Keep checking the website for continued updates as the big weekend approaches.
A few pretty big changes are taking place this year, starting with some key fundraisers. The owners of the Dango’s restaurants in South Glens Falls have really stepped up the game this year. Their fundraiser was such a success last year, they’ve expanded the idea immensely. They’re offering the South High Marathon Dance 10% of all sales on EVERY Wedensday in Febraury at ALL of their South Glens Falls locations. So stop into Dango’s Dugout, Abbotts or Fitzgeralds on 2/4, 2/11, 2/18, and 2/25 to have a great meal for a great cause.
Talk of the Town will hold their huge fundraiser again this year. This one has been a booming success in the past, so we must keep it going. Come in out of the cold on March 2nd for some warm dinner and 10% of the day’s sales will be contributed to the Marathon Dance.
As tradition is rooted strong in our small town, and especially in our dance, St. Michael’s will host their annual Marathon Dance breakfast once again. On March 1st a delicious breakfast will be served from 8:30-11:30am. The cost of the wonderful meal is $4.00 for adults and $2.00 for children. ALL proceeds will be donated to the dance.
There have been some reorginizational moves made this year, to better serve the spectators of the Dance. The one major change will be parking, which has grown more and more difficult as the dance has increased so dramatically in size. To best accomodate, and ensure the safety, of every member of our incredible community support force, parking will be off-site this year. The parking lot at school will be closed and all spectators will be directed to an off-site parking lot, and then shuttled to the school. I know the first instinct of some community members may be negativity towards this plan, but there are many reasons it has been put into place and actually many benefits. In years past we have seen more and more vehicles parked all the way down to Feeder Dam Road and beyond, making the parking lot an obstacle for all, especially should an emergency vehicle need to come in or out of the lot. And, think of it this way, you won’t have to hike three blocks in the frigid cold (has anyone else noticed that SHMD weekend seems to be the coldest of the year?) just to get to your vehicle. This will eleviate a lot of stress, traffic, safety hazards, and frostbite! Please continue to come out and support the dance, just park your car and enjoy the nice, short, warm ride right to the school door.
We will continue all the great website features that have gotten tremendous response over the past couple years, including the online donation system. Pass the word to co-workers and out-of-town friends/relatives so that we can tap every resource available. We’ll also, obviously, continue the Blog this year. It has gotten a great response and though it can be difficult sometimes to pull ourselves away at 2am Friday night to write, we love updating all of you on what is going on…and you seem to love it too! And, of course, the photos of this year’s SHMD quilt have been obtained and will be posted on the website very soon…it’s beautiful as always.
Continue to check the website for all the latest news on the upcoming events and please please feel welcome to contribute suggestions or ideas. All the interactive sections of the site (the blog, dancer request list, guestbook, online donations and form sections) are a result of someone shooting us an email proposing the idea. Our goal is to make shmd.org THE central location for all things Marathon you could ever want.
Lastly, I was proud to see on Wikipedia tonight that although another high school in New York has us beat on longevity by four years, we are officially The Most Fiscally Successful High School Marathon Dance in the United States. That is a huge accomplishment…and it belongs to each of you.
Another Year Over
March 3, 2008Well, in case you haven’t heard by now, we’ve once again made history by raising more than $245,000. That total is attributal only to our amazing community.
Thanks to our volunteers, alumni, community mebers and of course our dancers, there was not a dry eye or empty seat to be found at our closing ceremony Saturday night. The live auction brought in huge numbers, as did the many last-minute surprise donations. We had several very happy 50/50 winners, but one 50/50 ticket salesman who was forced to bow down to the alumni…
The dancers did an incredible job and not only do we hope to see all of them back next year, we also look forward to our new crop of alumni. Surely the Class of 2008 will not let the Class of 2007 out number them, right?
The amount of gratitude we have for each and every person who thinks of the first weekend in March as Marathon Weekend cannot truly be expressed. I think it would be easier to make list of people in upstate New York who aren’t associated with the Marathon Dance than to make a list of all the people who deserve a THANK YOU!!
So, for once and for all, in case it doesn’t get said enough, and because we really mean it…..
THANK YOU!!!!!
(Yes, that means you)
