Local Hero: Robert Messer

Robert Messer is always a kind, gracious and happy contributor to the community of country dance. In many ways he has given of himself to make the experience of dancing both sensible and fun. He has mentored many dancers and callers. He has been on the board of the Ann Arbor Community for Traditional Music and Dance (AACTMAD) and serves as the AACTMAD Membership Committee. He humorously calls himself the "Esteemed Registrar" of the annual Ann Arbor Dawn Dance Weekend.

For Bob, who is a mathematician, traditional dance and music are challenging and interesting. Further, Bob was one of the initiators of the on-line events calendar for dances in and around Michigan. Bob is also the web-master for Country Dancing in Kalamazoo and an English dance caller in Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, and Lansing. As an aside, he supplies a multitude of pies to celebrate Pi Day (March 14th) and One-over-Pi-Approximation Day (July 22) at our local Tuesday evening English Country Dance series, and he regularly bakes carrot cakes for our utmost enjoyment at the Tuesday evening dances.

In addition to all of this, he is an avid collector of English dance instructions and tune. And on a personal note, Bob has encouraged and helped me in learning to waltz, and I look forward to, and thoroughly enjoy opportunities to waltz with him.

    - Submitted by C. Catherine Kendall