Page 19 - Sports Energy News, Cornwall, Issue No 113

www.sportsenergynews.com Issue #113 June 2022 19

Give it a Whirl: If You Can Walk, You Can Square Dance

By Christine Ouellet patterns or sequences; the caller will
tell you what to do!”
odern square dancing is Both the Cornwall and Alexandria
Man evolution towards a clubs are members of the Seaway
contemporary activity with modern Valley Square and Round Dance
music and casual attire. The focus is Association, Border Boosters Square
on fun, fitness, and friendship. The and Round Dance Association, as well
fitness level you need is the same as the Eastern Ontario Square and
as for walking. Square dancing has Round Dance Association which has
many health benefits - amongst them, 20+ clubs and over 700 dancers. There
it is reported that this form of activity are many opportunities to mingle with
helps to slow the heart rate, lower other clubs if you wish to during special Charlene and Ron Gardner
blood pressure, and reduces the risk events. They are very community- Photo Submitted
of Alzheimer. This form of dance has focused and host fundraisers for many
been categorized as a sport (activity) organizations in the area such as local and Bob MacCallum 613-330-4873
by the Eastern Ontario Health Unit. food banks, Baldwin House, Maison helenmaccallum@sympatico.ca
Carole and Bernie Lauzon started Interlude, and the Salvation Army. Glengarry Tartans Alexandria:
square dancing six years ago with the Square dance clubs in Ontario Carole and Bernie Lauzon 613-931-
Swinging B’s in Cornwall. They gave it have implemented very strict sanitary 1783 clauzon55@sympatico.ca
a try and loved it and have been dancing measures and are very cautious about Eastern Ontario Square and Round
since. While she was on the Advertising COVID regulations such as “Mask & Dance Association: https//www.
Committee, Carole received a call eosarda.ca
VAX required to participate”. Eastern Ontario Square and Round
from someone in Alexandria who was For information, please contact:
looking for something closer to his Swinging B’s of Cornwall: Helene Dance Association Facebook: https://
home. With her husband, they started www.facebook.com/groups/eosarda
the Glengarry Tartans Alexandria club.
“It’s a lot of fun, we are more of a
social dance club. While there are
different levels to square dancing:
beginners, mainstream, plus, and it
Photo Submitted
goes on, there is no pressure to move
up to a higher level of dance. We are including country, pop, rap, and we
a basic dance club where we learn a have been known to dance to hymns
few steps weekly and we dance them,” and Christian music. In business since 2009.
explains Carole. The square-dancing season starts in
Helen and Bob McCallum are the September and ends in April. Interested
Presidents of the Cornwall Swinging folks can pop in during the free open
B’s Club. The club has been in existence houses hosted in September 2022.
since 1976. Helen MacCallum states, Occasional workshops are planned
“The B’s are a community minded during the summer as well and you’re Do you need :
group. We do a cereal drive at invited to “give it a whirl”; if you are
Christmas time to benefit the Salvation a couple, great, and if you are single,
Army and we man some of their kettles you will be matched up with a dancing √ a new website for your business ?
at Christmas. We also co-sponsor partner. √ an existing website redesigned ?
annual Charity Chili Challenges At the open houses, you will get
with the benefits going to non-profit familiar with a few basic steps and √ help with an online store ?
organizations in the Cornwall Area. soon become comfortable with phrases √ help maintaining a website ?
We have provided entertainment at the like circle left, allemande left, do-see- √ a website optimized for local search ?
Williamstown and Newington Fairs.” do, right and left grand, promenade
The Swinging B’s and the Glengarry and swing. Lauzon adds, “If you can
Tartans offer an opportunity for walk to the beat of Boot Scoot Boogie, bernadette@dragon ywebcreations.com
exercise and social activity for men count to 5, know your left from your 613.363.7112
and women of all ages. The clubs right, you can easily do modern square www.dragon ywebcreations.com
dance to all different kinds of music, dance. You don’t have to memorize