Square dancing over the years: Friends, fun and exercise

It could be said that I owe my existence to square dancing. My parents met at a square dance in the basement of the Seward Methodist Church in the early 1950s. Dad grew up on a ranch in Montana and came to Alaska for adventure and work. Mom grew up in a Pennsylvania town and came to Alaska as a missionary nurse.

They married in 1954 and lived in Seward, Anchorage and Cooper Landing before moving their growing family of four children (I'm the oldest) to Glennallen in January 1963. Glennallen did not have a square dance club, so I grew up ignorant about this activity. I later learned some of my contemporaries were introduced to it through school, but it wasn't taught in my school.

As a young adult raising my children in Palmer in the mid-1980s, I was intrigued by a demonstration given by the local square dance club, the Paws and Taws, at the Alaska State Fair. The music was upbeat, the dancers wore colorful costumes, they had smiles on their faces, and all looked as if they were having fun. I expressed interest to my husband Gary and he said there was no way he would be involved. This didn't surprise me because I learned before we married that he didn't dance.

Years later in the summer of 1995, the Paws and Taws float in the Colony Day's Parade caught my attention. There they were dancing to music in the street ... having fun without me. Walking into the Carr's grocery store that fall, I glanced up at the bulletin board, which had just been cleared. A single flyer jumped out at me and I caught the words "square dance". The Paws and Taws were beginning a new class. Here was my chance. I wrote down all the information. The first three weeks were introductory and free and the classes were held Friday nights at Pioneer Peak Elementary School, only a mile from my home.

Missing the first two classes because of work, I eagerly awaited that third class. Upon arrival, I was welcomed with friendly conversation as someone made a name tag for me and explained what to expect during the evening. At the time I didn't realize how easily the club members could spot a newcomer. The music started as I walked to a row of chairs off to the side to find a place to set my coat and purse. When I turned around, I was surprised to find a man waiting to ask if I would be his partner for the next dance. I replied that I'd never square danced and would rather just watch for a while. He insisted I would learn more by participating. He was right.

That night, I learned several basic movements and square dance terms, got my heart rate up with all the exercise, and met lots of friendly people. The evening flew by and too soon it was time to go home. When asked if I would attend the next Friday, I was torn. I really wanted to go again, but wasn't sure I should get involved in something so much fun without my husband.

I set about to persuade Gary that he would enjoy square dancing. After all, three quarters of the shirts in his closet were western. He had cowboy boots, hat and a black leather vest. I had no country style clothing. I told him that I was having a mid-life crisis (I would turn 40 in two weeks) and the only crazy thing I wanted to do was to take up square dancing. I said I needed a supportive spouse and partner. That was my best argument and it didn't work.

However, he was fine with me going by myself, while he sat at home enjoying his TV programs. Completing the lessons the next spring, I was awarded an official blue membership badge. The mother of the caller offered to lend me two handmade square dance dresses from her closet, so I looked like I belonged, too.

I was happy to learn the Friday evening dancing would continue at a different venue during the summer-a pavilion at the Homestead RV Park on the Glenn Highway, where tourist visitors frequently gathered to watch us dance. Just before the last dance of the evening, we would pick someone from the audience and ask if they would like to be our partner. Our caller kept the calls simple and we closed out each evening by putting smiles on the faces of many visitors to Alaska.

For the next four years, I greatly enjoyed this new activity-the exercise, the upbeat alcohol-free environment, new friendships, holiday get-togethers, and more. Each summer over the July Fourth weekend, a state festival was held somewhere in Alaska. In 1997, it was the Paws and Taws turn to host. We held a very successful festival in the Colony High gym with about 250 dancers. I also enjoyed participating in the parade floats and other demonstrations.

In the fall of 1999, Gary and I moved to Slana and to my disappointment, my days of weekly dancing came to an abrupt end. The nearest clubs were in Valdez or Delta - too far to travel, especially during the winter.

Years later in the fall of 2011, Gary and I decided it was time to return to "civilization" and we moved back to Palmer. We also both needed to be closer to medical facilities. When I read about the Paws and Taws Club starting up their introductory classes in the fall of 2012, I hesitantly decided to try to pick up where I'd left off. After only two weeks, I had to drop out. Still dealing with some brain fog and unable to do quick movements, I was disappointed that square dancing was beyond my capabilities at that time.

Then a year ago, fall of 2023, I again read about Paws and Taws starting their fall classes. This time things were different. My health was definitely better and I wondered if I might be able to successfully follow instructions and learn the calls all over again. Although Gary had been living in the Palmer Pioneer Home for over a year, I didn't feel lonely, but decided I needed to do something for fun. That's how I found myself going to Sophia's Café on the Palmer Wasilla Highway every Friday evening last winter, trying to earn my blue club badge all over again.

Although the club was hit hard by the pandemic and our membership has not fully recovered, we successfully hosted the Alaska State Square and Round Dance Festival July 4-7, 2024 in the Mat-Su Borough gym. Four guest callers from the Princess Cruise Lines "Alaska Square Dance Cruise" lead the event. They, along with other out-of-state dancers, went directly from our festival to their cruise. Many from Anchorage and other Alaskan towns also attended, making a total of over 100 dancers on the floor at times.

Paws and Taws are still in the middle of introductory classes this fall and would welcome more participants. For more info call 907-355-2382 or email garyfeaster@yahoo.com.