I have made many friends in my life and explored many
interesting hobbies! I would like pay tribute to a man who meant
a lot to myself and also many of my acquaintences, who happen to
be interested in the art of CLOGGING! When I began taking
lessons, I had a very talented and nice man who was my teacher.
His name was Kim Brownlee. I was encouraged by him to join the
performance team, and was very nervous at the first performance,
but Kim was very complimentary and as a result, I danced on the
team of the Sutters Stompers, based in Sacramento, California,
for 7 years. I was their Activities director for the full 7
years, which meant that I made contacts and helped to secure our
performances for the team. We danced for many different events,
fairs, Yuba City Prune Festival, and probably the most exciting
event was dancing with the Sacramento Philharmonic Orchestra to live music at
the Community Center in Sacramento. I remember, we felt so
special because we had our own dressing room, with a star on the
door and the name "Sutters Stompers" It was a real
thrill! Sadness set in with the whole group when Kim became very
ill, and died! Kim was born March 17, 1954 and left us on
September 14, 1991.
This page is in memory of
Kim C. Brownlee
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A loss of a very special man and friend! I
was very saddened by this and as we all gathered at a friends
house, and Kim's parents also, and made plans for the memorial, I
just had this overwhelming urge to write down in words how I
felt. I wrote it on the way to their house, and gave it to a
friend who was helping to organize the memorial. Unknown to me,
it was shown to the parents, and the day of the memorial, it was
a featured on the programs that were handed out at the memorial.
I was not able to read it, so Steve Martinez, a fellow clogger
read it. This was also printed in the Southern California
Clogging news which circulated to all the clubs. I was happy that
it gave his parents comfort, and know that someone from above
guided me and that I was supposed to write this, though not a
professional at it! I would like to share this special poem with
you!
Dancing With Angels
There was a man who walked this earth,
with oh so much to give.
He taught us all to dance through life,
to enjoy the the days we live.
The sunshine on his laughing face,
was there for all to see.
He hid the pain behind it,
as though it couldn't be.
Life began to sprinkle,
a little more each day,
Until it turned to showers,
that wouldn't go away.
The thunder soon began to roll,
tossing him to and fro.
He knew it wouldn't be very long,
before he had to go.
So when you hear the thinder,
there's no need to be afraid.
Kim's dancing with the angels,
in their heavenly clogging parade!
-written by Sally Haven,
in memory of Kim Brownlee
I share this because I have many clogging friends who I am
very fond of and know they will remember this time forever!
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Sutter's
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Stompers
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I have retired my dancing shoes, but not my friends and you
may visit their pages on the web at:
The Texas Clogging Council
Sutter's Stompers
Ten Toe Percussion
The Barbary Coast Cloggers
Sally's Fun Page
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