Healthy dose of fun

“People of all ages are linking arms, sashaying, and do-si-do-ing themselves to longer, healthier and happier lives,” said Linda Shinn, president of the Coeurly Q’s Square and Round Dance Club.

In their long prairie skirts, Levis and neatly ironed shirts, square dancers are easily recognizable, and people love to watch them swing.

“Besides having a lot fun, the health benefits of square dancing are huge,” said Shinn. She explained that square dancing requires four couples, eight dancers arranged in a square with one couple on each side.

Some of the health benefits, according to WebMD, are lower risks of heart disease, diabetes, age-related memory loss, osteoporosis, some kinds of cancers and depression.

For Shinn, square dancing offered another benefit – that is where she met her husband, Stan Flegel. Both are longtime square dancers.

The square dance was first described in writings from 17th century England but has become associated more with the United States because of its popularity here. Nineteen states, including Idaho, have designated it as their official state dance.

The local club was founded in 1960 and currently has about 40 members. The name is derived from the name of Coeur d’Alene and the square dance maneuver called a curly-Q.

Charter members Norm and Doris Peterson and Elvina Doyle continue to dance with the club. Doyle has been square dancing for 60 years and loves the sport for the exercise and the friendships she has made over the years.

“I remember when the record-player needle would skip during a dance,” Doyle said with a laugh.

Doyle now square dances with her grandson, Ryan.

“Ryan doesn’t seem to mind hanging out with grandma on the dance floor,” Doyle said.

The three-generation family tradition lives on with Doyle’s granddaughter, Justine Brown.

“I was born into it,” said Brown, a sophomore at North Idaho College who has won amateur competitions. “Square dancing together as a family is fun.”

Brown started square-dancing lessons at 12 and starting calling and cuing round dancing at age 13. Brown travels in North Idaho, Spokane and Libby, Mont., where she is paid to cue for various clubs. She is an Idaho Federation cuer.

Current board members include Shinn; Helen Brazil, vice-president; Rita Whiteford, secretary; Sharon Huston, treasurer; Bob Hart, area one representative; and Betty Hart, calling chair.

This fall, Coeurly Q’s will offer square dancing lessons beginning Oct. 5 at the Harding Family Center at 15th Street and Wallace Avenue in Coeur d’Alene. Lessons are open to singles, couples, families and children over age 9 accompanied by their parents or grandparents.

Shinn said the first two lessons are free, and after that there is a charge of $3 per person per lesson. Casual clothing and smooth-soled shoes are suggested. The club has scheduled times for modern square and round dancing.

“Square dancing is setting friendship to music,” said Shinn. “Come join us.”