08/18/08 — Square dance club open house Sept. 12

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Square dance club open house Sept. 12

By Bonnie Edwards
Published in News on August 18, 2008 1:36 PM

Shelia Heath's first experience with the Tar Heel Twirlers came when she just showed up one night at a club meeting and ended up on the dance floor.

"They pushed me through, and they're still pushing me through. I said, 'This is one time I don't mind men pushing me around.' The women move around the most, but the men can push you in the right direction," she said, four years after joining the group.

Now, she is the square dance club's president.

But back then, she knew nothing about square dancing, just that she wanted to give it a whirl.

Now, she says she's glad she did, and she and the other club members are looking for new members.

On Sept. 12 at 8 p.m., the club will hold an open house in the cafeteria at Greenwood Middle School, where they meet twice a month to dance and enjoy the music.

The members, ranging from 13 years old to senior citizens, gather at the school to dance the night away every second and fourth Friday night.

Every November, the club holds a Red, White and Blue Dance to honor the military.

"We serve apple pie and hot dogs, and everybody wears red, white and blue," Mrs. Heath said.

Also in the fall, the club has a 1950s theme dance, and everybody dresses up in costumes from the 1950s.

Some members make their own costumes, but Mrs. Heath ordered hers from a catalogue. And sometimes the costumes are sold on the spot at the conventions club members attend.

"During the summer, we wear (the costumes) only when we perform, because it's just so hot. But in the winter, we try to dress up a little more," she said.

The club's open house is held every September, and on Sept. 12, they will be glad to show you all the basic steps to get you started.

And who knows? You might end up on the dance floor right from the start.