While Punxsutawney Phil predicted another six weeks of winter, Hubs Square Dance Club hopes to put an early spring into people’s step with its weekly dance workshops.
While Punxsutawney Phil predicted another six weeks of winter, Hubs Square Dance Club hopes to put an early spring into people’s step with its weekly dance workshops.
“We love the way it gives us a way to be active throughout the winter months,” said Hubs member Lynn Fagerholm, of Auburn Township, regarding square dancing.
The club offers workshops for new dancers every Tuesday from 7-9 p.m. at Valley Presbyterian Church, 17560 Chillicothe Road, in Bainbridge Township.
“We are always encouraging people to join,” Fagerholm said. “The only requirements to dance are that you can hear the calls and can walk. That’s it. The caller will teach you each of the dance patterns and you don’t need to be a couple, many singles join the club.”
HSDC’s history dates back to around 1970, when a large group of Geauga County residents amicably split from the Broken Wheel Square Dance Club in Kirtland to form The Greasy Hubs. In 1987, they officially became Hubs.
Fagerholm grew up in Geauga County and has fond childhood memories of her mom taking her and her two older brothers to square dance lessons led by the Cloverleaf Squares, a 4-H square dance club, at the Auburn Township Town Hall.
About 9 years ago, as an empty nester, she rediscovered the square dance community and joined HSDC for weekly lessons.
“Then, one autumn evening as my husband, Mark, arrived home from work, I had supper ready and invited him to put on comfortable shoes and be in the car at 6:45 for a ‘mystery trip,’” Fagerholm said. “We went to our first square dance lesson together. That evening opened the door to a community of active adults, new friends and a healthy way to have a lot of fun.”
Club President Stan Stewart and his wife, Laura, group treasurer, have been square dancing for 24 years together.
“Square dancing could be labeled as the perfect exercise because it engages the mind and body,” Stan said.
Square-dancing benefits include bone health (both strengthening and osteoporosis prevention); socialization, stress relief and increased feelings of confidence and accomplishment, according to the Mayo Clinic.
When it comes to the type of music HSDC uses, Stan said it depends on the group. New students often start off with music that has a heavy beat, so they can learn timing more easily.
As far as genres go, just about anything goes, he said.
“Our music engineers have done a wonderful job of converting music to the standard dance cycle we use,” Stan said.
Member Ken Campbell has been with the club for 20 years and plays all kinds of genres — pop, rock, easy listening, praise, gospel, Latin and even hip hop.
He includes songs by Neil Diamond, Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Earth, Wind & Fire, ZZ Top, Kiss and Journey, just to name a few.
Campbell has square danced ever since he can remember.
“From the hay loft dances my father hosted for the neighborhood kids, to learning the high levels of dance, I have always enjoyed dancing and it has been a lifelong form of enjoyment for me,” he said. “I do it for the puzzle solving. I have to be clear on my instructions or I visualize something different than the dancers do.”
Campbell has called and danced across the country and Canada.
“The neat thing about square dancing is I can do it anywhere,” he said.
HSDC did a demonstration at Geauga Park District’s The West Woods in January and some of the attendees who came and danced for the first time are now taking lessons.
“Singles and kids can dance, as well,” Stewart said. “You do not need a partner. Kids can dance with their friends or even their parents, which is a nice family activity.”
Kay and Mark Eckman, of Chester Township, discovered the club at GPD’s event.
“It’s a delightful evening of getting out and dancing (exercise bonus) and socializing with nice people,” Kay said. “We are beginners, we had never danced before. We’ve attended three sessions. (It’s) not difficult, even if you have two left feet.”
Laura also enjoys making and selling square dance skirts.
She said the club tries to make every dance fun by doing themed decorations and offering a large variety of themed refreshments.
Campbell held a recent dance featuring all Broadway show tunes.
“We talk almost as much as we dance,” Laura said. “We love it. It is the challenge of doing it right, the friendship, food and fun party atmosphere. If we make a mistake, it is okay, as well. We just keep dancing. Square dancing is family fun, as well. Bring your mom, sister or son. We make lifelong friends, some even from different countries.”
The Stewarts said square-dancing is popular all around the country and in other countries, as well.
“It is definitely not old-fashioned,” Stan said. “You can dance in any country and listen to the same calls in English. At the national conventions, we have people from Germany, England, Denmark, Finland, Japan, Australia and other countries.”
Fagerholm said she and her husband are looking forward to an upcoming Tennessee dance convention and square dance cruise to Norway organized by a caller from Europe.
Other members joined a square dance tour of the United Kingdom in August, visiting and dancing through England, Ireland and Wales, according to HSDC, adding there are several clubs in the Greater Cleveland area to dance at and several events throughout the year, such as state, national and international conventions.
You can book a cruise with a square dance theme. There are even camping square dance events, according to the club.
“In short, no matter what you like to do, there is likely a square dance event associated with it,” Stan said.
Jai and Sena Mayers, of Newbury Township, are enjoying being newer members of the dance group even more than they expected.
“Not only does it keep you moving, it keeps your brain engaged,” Jai said. “If you make a mistake — which even the more experienced people do frequently — you’ll hear, ‘It’s just a hobby,’ laugh, reset and continue.”
The first lesson with HSDC is free. Those interested can call Stan for information at 216-906-1236.
