By Mary Albrecht
Westport Squares

Square dancing is friendship set to music with some exercise tossed in for good measure. If you can walk/move, you can learn to square dance. Make new friends, have some fun and forget your troubles. Modern Western Square Dancing may be just the activity you have been looking for.

The Westport Squares is a square dance club that has been around for over 63 years. The club is hosting two free dance parties Aug. 23 and 30, from 6:30‒8:30 pm, at the Maple Bluff Community Center, 18 Oxford Place. If you like the free dance party and would like to learn more, we offer additional lessons for $6 per person, $3 for those under 18.

Our instructor, Tom Nickel, is a square dance caller, and he is fantastic. His patience and teaching skills are top notch. Each week he plays music and calls out instructions for the dancers to follow, along with reviewing square dance moves we learned the previous weeks. Our square dance lessons are open to everyone: couples, singles and families. Children must have a genuine interest in learning to square dance.

By the time square dance lessons are over, you will be able to dance anywhere in the world. It takes time and practice, though. Whether it’s a dance, workshop or class, it provides some excellent mental and physical exercise. Square dancing will add years of fun to your life.

Many folks have commented on how square dancing has opened a whole new life for them by making new acquaintances, getting more exercise and enjoying it. You may even connect with people who have similar hobbies, like camping, crafting or fishing, to name a few.

We hope you will join us at the free dance party Aug. 23 at 6:30 p m. For more information, contact Eldon and Virginia at 608-244-3694 or visit our webpage, westportsquares.com. You can also find us at facebook.com/WestportSquares.