Hip to be square
by STACIE DUCE - Ravalli Republic
DARBY - After more than 60 years, the Boots and Calico square dancing club is still kicking it up. Although the number of active do-si-doers has dwindled over the years, there is still reason to celebrate, according George Mason, club president.
The public is invited to take a waltz down memory lane Saturday night at the Hamilton Senior Center as they share the history of the club through stories and scrapbooks.
“We want anyone who has danced with us to know they are invited,” Mason said. They expect some of the founding members to be in attendance.
In the 1940s there were at least three square dance clubs in the valley recruiting members and keeping weekends lively with social dancing said long-time square dancer, Carlene Scheline of Darby. She and her husband, Don, grew up attending community dances and enjoyed the simple old-fashioned square dance.
But once their children grew, “our nest was empty and we needed an activity to do together that wasn't sitting in front of the television.” The Schelines joined Boots and Calico in 1989 and have become core members, not only keeping the dances in Hamilton going, but hosting practices in an outbuilding on their property.
The club lived up to their name in the early years, wearing matching red and blue calico and boots as they performed and socialized at the Darby Club House.
“At some point they changed to blue and pink calico, but now everyone wears what they want - couples usually match, but not the whole group,” Carlene said.
Women who love to dance, but may not like wearing short fluffy skirts may be happy to know that not only has square dancing evolved but so has the dancewear.
“We still wear the peasant blouses, but more women are wearing a broomstick type of skirt, longer but still full,” said Carlene. “I've had more than one person who came out once they realized they didn't have to wear the fluff, so we hope anyone interested will come and be comfortable in a longer skirt.”
Carlene said square dancing has become a more difficult dance requiring practice and commitment to keep up with the caller.
“The music has changed as well. We used to always dance to country western, but now we dance to a variety of music Š classical, Frank Sinatra favorites, even rock.”
Music that was once played from 45s and then tapes, now comes straight off laptop computers, said Carlene claiming it gives a caller the freedom to do a variety of things at every dance.
The Schelines recently attended a square dance festival in Idaho and were impressed with the number of teenagers present.
“There were eight squares of teenagers and they were having a great time,” she said. “They picked it up so fast it was unbelievable.”
Boots and Calico members have a goal to pass on their love of square dancing to younger generations by continuing to host dances open to the public as well as through dance clinics taught most recently at Daly Elementary and Trapper Job Corps.
They also perform publicly at the county fair and several nursing homes.
“There's a lot of toes tapping as we dance for the seniors, many of them are former dancers and it's a thrill for us,” Carlene said.
Boots and Calico has maintained a annual membership of 50 or 60 dancers throughout its 60 years, but the average age has climbed higher and resulted in less dancers on the floor.
“Right now our members range in age from their 30s to 80s,” said Carlene. “The exercise helps you not only physically but mentally - it keeps you young.” She said they will continue to recruit new and younger dancers and hope those interested will join them Saturday night.
The club will serve cake and ice cream, have stories and social time at 6 p.m., a plus lesson at 7 p.m. and a lively square dance beginning at 8 p.m.
Weekly dances will continue every Saturday through May with beginner lessons starting in January with caller Ray Dunbar. Holiday and theme-oriented dances keep “each evening special” said Carlene. She said cost for the dance is $4 per person but anyone is welcome to come and tap their toes and watch the festive dancers for free.
Reporter Stacie Duce can be reached at 363-3300 or sduce@ravallirepublic.com
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