Story and photo by John Burton
MIDDLETOWN – Swinging your partner and do-si-do’s have had members of the Middletown Ramblers coming together for more than four decades, enjoying the shared wonderful company, the activity and of course the pleasure of square dancing.
“It’s the best activity you can find for the body and the mind,” insisted Prudence Frechette. Frechette, an Eatontown resident who likes to be called Pru, has been square dancing for 35 years and really appreciates the physical activity and “the social part.” On top of that, Frechette said, what she likes is its way of leveling the playing field, its democratization on the dance floor. “When you’re on the square,” she said, “nobody knows who’s the street sweeper or the CEO.”
Frechette was one of about 50-plus who squared off to the commands of caller Betsy Gotta last Friday evening at the township’s senior center, at Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road, in the township’s Leonardo section, for the group’s regular dance.
MIDDLETOWN – Swinging your partner and do-si-do’s have had members of the Middletown Ramblers coming together for more than four decades, enjoying the shared wonderful company, the activity and of course the pleasure of square dancing.
“It’s the best activity you can find for the body and the mind,” insisted Prudence Frechette. Frechette, an Eatontown resident who likes to be called Pru, has been square dancing for 35 years and really appreciates the physical activity and “the social part.” On top of that, Frechette said, what she likes is its way of leveling the playing field, its democratization on the dance floor. “When you’re on the square,” she said, “nobody knows who’s the street sweeper or the CEO.”
Frechette was one of about 50-plus who squared off to the commands of caller Betsy Gotta last Friday evening at the township’s senior center, at Croydon Hall, 900 Leonardville Road, in the township’s Leonardo section, for the group’s regular dance.
Beverly Yackel, a River Plaza resident and the Ramblers’ coordinator, said those attending the Friday night dance, were “plus” dancers, Yackel explained, who have reached a certain accomplishment level. Club members have reached “a higher level” of square dancing that comes when they complete the nearly year-long set of two programs conducted by the Monmouth County Park System at a cost of $50 per person for each set of 12 two-hour sessions.
Lessons are held at the Henry Hudson Trail Activity Center, 945 Highway 36 and Avenue D, Leonardo. Classes for the next session begin on Sept. 27 and the first class is free.
Beverly and her husband, Richard, graduated from the square dancing program in 2005.
She likes the activity because, “it helps you physically and mentally.” The dancing provides low-stress aerobic exercise, which is good for any age, and having to work on remembering the different movements and working with others in a square is a good problem-solving exercise, Beverly said.
Along with those benefits, “It does keep me out of trouble,” she said, offering a little smile, then adding, “I still get in a little trouble around here.”
There are about 78 basic calls dancers learn, such as the do-si-do (or dosado), swing your partner, promenade and grand square, which are the more commonly known ones. And while it takes time to learn the basic moves, “All you have to do is pay attention,” to begin to understand and do them, Frechette said. “There’s no dancing ability needed.”
Another appeal of square dancing, participants explained, is that unlike, say, ballroom dancing or tango lessons, you don’t need to bring a designated partner to take lessons or join in the dances. “I think people think you have to know how to dance,” said Bill Smith, Port Reading. “You don’t.”
She likes the activity because, “it helps you physically and mentally.” The dancing provides low-stress aerobic exercise, which is good for any age, and having to work on remembering the different movements and working with others in a square is a good problem-solving exercise, Beverly said.
Along with those benefits, “It does keep me out of trouble,” she said, offering a little smile, then adding, “I still get in a little trouble around here.”
There are about 78 basic calls dancers learn, such as the do-si-do (or dosado), swing your partner, promenade and grand square, which are the more commonly known ones. And while it takes time to learn the basic moves, “All you have to do is pay attention,” to begin to understand and do them, Frechette said. “There’s no dancing ability needed.”
Another appeal of square dancing, participants explained, is that unlike, say, ballroom dancing or tango lessons, you don’t need to bring a designated partner to take lessons or join in the dances. “I think people think you have to know how to dance,” said Bill Smith, Port Reading. “You don’t.”
Or have the partner. There are women who regularly dance the man’s part, if there is a shortage of males on a given evening. All it takes is to have eight dancers to form the square, Frechette said.
Yackel said she can dance both men’s and women’s parts. But that has its difficulties, she acknowledged. “The hardest thing to remember is to move right or to move left,” she confided.
Smith, who started square dancing thanks to friends in Salt Lake City, Utah, who recommended it to him. “I went to a barn dance and enjoyed it and here I am.”
Smith enjoys the exercise and said, “You get to meet different people you wouldn’t get to meet other wise.”
The music ranged from some classic pop tunes, swing-era standards to even Jimmy Buffett. “Whatever the caller wants,” explained caller Gotta.
Gotta, North Brunswick, has been square dance calling for 54 years. The caller’s role, she said, is to “create the dance pattern and communicate it to the dancers.”
“If I stop calling everything stops,” Gotta said.
Yackel said she can dance both men’s and women’s parts. But that has its difficulties, she acknowledged. “The hardest thing to remember is to move right or to move left,” she confided.
Smith, who started square dancing thanks to friends in Salt Lake City, Utah, who recommended it to him. “I went to a barn dance and enjoyed it and here I am.”
Smith enjoys the exercise and said, “You get to meet different people you wouldn’t get to meet other wise.”
The music ranged from some classic pop tunes, swing-era standards to even Jimmy Buffett. “Whatever the caller wants,” explained caller Gotta.
Gotta, North Brunswick, has been square dance calling for 54 years. The caller’s role, she said, is to “create the dance pattern and communicate it to the dancers.”
“If I stop calling everything stops,” Gotta said.
“Not that it’s about power,” she kidded with a small wave of her hand.
Gotta has been square dancing since she was 5, attending dances at the Metuchen YMCA. “A lot of us started dancing when we were young,” she noted. “So pretty much anyone can do it without tramping on their own feet.”
Red Bank resident Phyllis Lamarche was “looking for an activity to do solo.” She wound up meeting Ted Inge, Freehold, when they both started taking classes as part of the SCAN (Social Community Activities Network) program conducted at Monmouth Mall, in Eatontown. Now “We’re dance partners, at the very least,” Lamarche said.
And that was a good selling point for her. “The best part is all the friends you make,” she said.
The Middletown Ramblers was founded in 1970 and decided, first jokingly, to take its name from the type of car owned by three of the original members, the American Motors Rambler.
The group will be holding an open house, offering an introduction to square dancing, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, 805 Newman Springs Road/County Route 520, Lincroft.
Gotta has been square dancing since she was 5, attending dances at the Metuchen YMCA. “A lot of us started dancing when we were young,” she noted. “So pretty much anyone can do it without tramping on their own feet.”
Red Bank resident Phyllis Lamarche was “looking for an activity to do solo.” She wound up meeting Ted Inge, Freehold, when they both started taking classes as part of the SCAN (Social Community Activities Network) program conducted at Monmouth Mall, in Eatontown. Now “We’re dance partners, at the very least,” Lamarche said.
And that was a good selling point for her. “The best part is all the friends you make,” she said.
The Middletown Ramblers was founded in 1970 and decided, first jokingly, to take its name from the type of car owned by three of the original members, the American Motors Rambler.
The group will be holding an open house, offering an introduction to square dancing, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at the Thompson Park Activity Barn, 805 Newman Springs Road/County Route 520, Lincroft.
