Sechelt Seniors Centre
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37 YEARS - DANCING WITH THE STARS!
Some history
Some history
The Sunshine Coast Country Stars Square Dance club came into being on the 27th of October 1971. It was formed by the amalgamation of two clubs, the sechelt Promenaders and the Gibson's Squarenaders. The Country Stars held their first dancesin the sunshine Coast Golf and Country Club in Roberts Creek butwhen the Golf Club decided to put carpet down the Country Stars were forced to find new accommodations. They moved to various halls, gymnasiums in and around the Sechelt area. The callersat that time, Harry Robertson and Maurice Hemstreet, alternated as callers for the new combined club. Harry Robertson, who worked at the Pulp Mill, recalled how he would race home from work and go to the hall to start a fire in the old wood stove, then race home, clean up and return to the hall and then home from a night of calling.
In 1985, the club was invited, by the President of the Sunshine Coast Senior's Branch #69, to join with the Senior's organization. The Senior's Organization was in need of more members to swell their ranks so that they would be eligible for a Government Grant to build a new hall on Trail Avenue. Since that time the Country Stars and the Sechelt Seniors have maintained a close relationship. Through this membership arrangement the seniors gave the Square Dance Club Special Recognition in their Constitution. Harry Robertson and Maurice Hemstreet continued to call for the Club until the late 80's when Maurice's hearing began to become a problem. Harry continued to call until 1992 when he hung up his spurs. In 1992, one of the club members, Cliff Salahub, had been practicing some calling. Cliff and his wife Glenna took over as couple caller for the club for some three years. In 1995, Ken & Sally Crisp from Port Coquitlam, became our new caller couple and have remained until this day. They are teaching the beginner lessons Tuesday evenings with SCRD Parks and Recreation.
The club had also produced a caller from within it's own ranks, Louise Parker, a local school teacher. Louise has taught several groups of her students to square dance; and taken them to competitions at which they have won trophies. She and her partner Bob Mackey, have won a silver medal square dancing at the Senior Games in Utah.
The club also has Round Dancing which is pre-choreographed ballroom dancing. A cuer tells the dancers what steps to do as they go along. Alex and Doris Ticknor were dedicated Round Dance Teachers for many years, and retired from teaching classes in 2007. With the help of computer technology, they have put most of their cueing on CD so that Round Dancers can continue learning and practicing in the hall Monday evenings.
The Sunshine Coast Country Stars has sixty-two regular members and five new dancers in training. The Square and Round Dancing is fun and health-promoting for people of all ages. The Country Stars welcomes anyone over the age of 18. The Club holds their regular Wednesday dance evenings in the Senior's Activity Centre on 5604 Trail Avenue. For more information on square or round dancing contact Ron and Diane Atkinson at 604-885-9434.
In 1985, the club was invited, by the President of the Sunshine Coast Senior's Branch #69, to join with the Senior's organization. The Senior's Organization was in need of more members to swell their ranks so that they would be eligible for a Government Grant to build a new hall on Trail Avenue. Since that time the Country Stars and the Sechelt Seniors have maintained a close relationship. Through this membership arrangement the seniors gave the Square Dance Club Special Recognition in their Constitution. Harry Robertson and Maurice Hemstreet continued to call for the Club until the late 80's when Maurice's hearing began to become a problem. Harry continued to call until 1992 when he hung up his spurs. In 1992, one of the club members, Cliff Salahub, had been practicing some calling. Cliff and his wife Glenna took over as couple caller for the club for some three years. In 1995, Ken & Sally Crisp from Port Coquitlam, became our new caller couple and have remained until this day. They are teaching the beginner lessons Tuesday evenings with SCRD Parks and Recreation.
The club had also produced a caller from within it's own ranks, Louise Parker, a local school teacher. Louise has taught several groups of her students to square dance; and taken them to competitions at which they have won trophies. She and her partner Bob Mackey, have won a silver medal square dancing at the Senior Games in Utah.
The club also has Round Dancing which is pre-choreographed ballroom dancing. A cuer tells the dancers what steps to do as they go along. Alex and Doris Ticknor were dedicated Round Dance Teachers for many years, and retired from teaching classes in 2007. With the help of computer technology, they have put most of their cueing on CD so that Round Dancers can continue learning and practicing in the hall Monday evenings.
The Sunshine Coast Country Stars has sixty-two regular members and five new dancers in training. The Square and Round Dancing is fun and health-promoting for people of all ages. The Country Stars welcomes anyone over the age of 18. The Club holds their regular Wednesday dance evenings in the Senior's Activity Centre on 5604 Trail Avenue. For more information on square or round dancing contact Ron and Diane Atkinson at 604-885-9434.
Past president couple (and good sports!)
Dieter and Dagmar Lauber wearing their fun Easter Bonnets!
Dieter and Dagmar Lauber wearing their fun Easter Bonnets!
Two of the Club's past president couples:
Diane and Ron Atkinson, and John and Donna Stevenson.
Ken and Sally Crisp, Caller Couple for the Sechelt Country Stars Square and Round Dance Club
Club members at a Round Dance event in Abbotsford.
Square dance at Halloween in 2006.
As can be seen in these pictures, crinolines are definitely not required for ladies.
Our entry in the Canada Day parade in 2007.
The theme was "Green Power" to celebrate and encourage carbon-neutral lifestyle, so we used Pedal Power to pull the sound equipment!
The Sunshine Coast Country Stars has sixty-two regular members and five new dancers in training. The Square and Round Dancing is fun and health-promoting for people of all ages. The Country Stars welcomes anyone over the age of 18. The Club holds their regular Wednesday dance evenings at 7:00 PM in the Senior's Activity Centre on 5604 Trail Avenue. For more information on square or round dancing contact Ron and Diane Atkinson at 604-885-9434.
Louise Parker and Bob Mackey "squaring up" for a dance
Ida Maissoneuve shows of her latest prize
SOME PICTURES FROM OUR PAST
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Our President Couple
Deborah and Gerry Pageau (on either side of a friend) at a "Hobo" theme square dance.