Mount Vernon News

HOWARD — An old record player spun the musical sounds of the Mason Dixon Line Auction Instrumental, while the square dancers took their places on the floor. The Floral Valley Community Center filled with laughter and music as couples twirled and spinned. The caller directed dancers to promenade, star in the middle, and circulate as the couples stepped, moved and danced into position. But don’t be fooled by the fancy foot work. Square dancing is not just designated steps and patterns; a lot of enjoyment can be found in a good, old-fashioned hoedown.

“It’s all in formations,” explained Gary Fesler, the caller for the Dixie Squares. “So you know when the head couple is doing something, the side couple is doing something else, everybody is in a formation, it all equals out to a square.”

Each square contains four couples: The head couple, two side couples, and the corner couple. As the couples trade partners, each call equals out to a half, whole or quarter turn in a full complete sequence, always bringing the couples back to a square formation.

“It takes some time [to learn],” said Fessler. “We do lessons. We do two sets of 10 lessons and it takes about 20 weeks to really learn how to dance.”

Each week students learn a new dance step, such as the California twirl, the alamand left, and the star. The caller directs the dance, telling each couple what step is about to happen.

“So eventually, by the end of 20 weeks, you can dance like these people are dancing now,” said Fesler. “Once you learn it here you can dance it anywhere. It’s just like everything else worth learning — it takes time, and as you can see, there are a lot people who are all good friends. I know people from practically all over the world. I have really good friends in Arizona, California and Canada, and became friends with them through dancing.”

Fesler and his wife, Kathy, have been dancing since 1986, and have been all over the country square dancing.

But there can’t be square dancing without music, and any type of music that has been reworked to fit the style of square dancing is acceptable. Tunes from the 1950s are used, as well as contemporary music.

“We only use the tune [of popular music], our music is all reworked specifically for square dancing,” said Fesler.

“I’ve been a part of the club for about four years,” said Steve Norberg, president of Dixie Squares. “It’s just for fun. We dance, give lessons here, and we have dances the second and fourth Fridays in Fredericktown at the old high school. We visit other clubs and they come to us.”

The dances are open to the public for anyone already familiar with square dancing or anyone who would just like to watch and socialize.

“They are a lot of fun. We can have as many as six, seven, eight squares dancing sometimes, and it’s really a great time — a social time where you get to visit. It’s just an old-fashioned, good time and folks enjoy it,” said Sue Horn, who has been a member of the Dixie Squares for two years.

In addition to the dance, refreshments are offered, along with a 50/50 drawing. Many wear square dancing costumes.

“If you don’t want to dance you can come and watch and see what it is all about. Some of the people really get into it and wear the Western square dance clothes, and some of them just come causal in jeans and a shirt, but you don’t have to dress up in order to come and enjoy the dance,” said Horn.

The club has been around since the early 1960s and has thrived over the years.

“There is a lot of dancing going on. Not as much as it was back in the ’70s; it slowed down, but is still there,” said Fesler.

“But I can remember the Dixie Squares whenever I was in high school because a friend of mine’s parents danced with them and that was over 300 years ago,” he joked.

Toni Glaser and her husband, Roy, have been part of the club for about four years.

“We had actually square danced many years ago and have gotten away from it because of travel and work commitments,” said Toni. “Square dancing is a wonderful activity that keeps you going and moving. But it’s the people that is the most fun. They are the nicest people you ever want to meet. They are friendly, outgoing, and like to have a good time without the things that are difficult to do. Getting back into square dancing is just fun and entertaining, and it’s become a nice part of our lives in retirement.”

Although the club consist mainly of members who are retired, it is open to people of all ages.

“Anyone who is interested in dancing, they are welcome to come,” said Norberg.

Even young people find excitement in square dancing.

“It keeps me busy. I get to meet new people, and see a whole bunch of friends that I know,” said Jordan Hendrix, a student at East Knox High School.

His grandparents, Doug and Phyllis Burdette, who are part of the club, introduced him to square dancing when he was a child. He has been an active dancer for two years.

Although dancing keeps the members active and in motion, it is the social aspect that keeps them coming back for more.

“Its just a fellowship thing. We thank each other for being here and we are all just real friendly,” said Horn. “You can be a single, couple, team or whatever and still do this for fun and it’s great exercise.”

For more information on the Dixie Squares contact Norberg at 392-5766.