Dancing the night away

Heather Hasty

Valley Press

The cold weather might be more than enough to keep most souls inside this year, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t fun to be had while enjoying the warmth within the walls.

Jan. 9 several energetic spirits got together to do just that. Every season a new square dancing class begins and the first is free to all those that wish to learn. The group has new dancer events every Friday that will last, more than likely, into April according to Darlene Jolly.

Jolly is the president of the board that puts the dances together. After the first lesson each dancer pays $4 a person to participate and those that don’t need lessons any longer can participate in a regular dance every first Saturday. Every season though they have a new slew of participants show up.

“You just never know [how many new dancers will show up],” Jolly said, “We had eleven once and we were all aghast but three or four is probably more normal but we would like to have 20!”

Jolly started dancing in 1978. She had several different reasons for starting to dance but has yet a reason to quit.

“My husband and I had a friend who needed some cleaner company,” Jolly laughed, “He lasted three lessons and we lasted 30 years.”

Jolly’s son was also a square dancer but she said they stuck with it because they love it.

“I like to dance, any kind it doesn’t matter to me,” Jolly said, “We just love the dancing and the people, it’s a nice clean activity.”

Jolly isn’t the only one that has stuck with the group though Jo Hanson, another member of the group, started in the 70’s as well. She was more of an off and on dancer until about six years ago when, she said, they had a little more free time.

“They like to say that square dancing is friendship set to music,” Hanson added.

Two of the youngest dancers had their first experience last week as well. Steven and Kyle Burrell of Thompson Falls joined their grandfather in a new experience for them. Steven, age 12, said that he will be attending this week as well, he started because he said that he just wanted to try it out and see how good it was. Kyle, age 9, will be returning as well.

“I just wanted to come because my brother was coming,” Kyle said.

Whatever the reason for being there though, Jolly said that this is the tiem to join. The National Square Dancing Convention will be held in Spokane in 2012 which according to Jolly is the closest it will ever be.

“It will be very exciting,” Jolly said.