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March Merriment Dance a merry event for CDC

More than 30 square dancers joined the fun for the March Merriment Dance.
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Stampede Whirlaways square dance club members gather to present Nancy Gale

More than 30 square dancers joined the fun for the March Merriment Dance.

Dancers came from the Williams Lake and 100 Mile House area for the dance held at the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre gymnasium March 1.

The square dancers who attended were looking forward to fun, exercise and a welcome break from the unseasonably chilly weather.

But, in addition to their dance shoes, they arrived carrying pies and extra money in their wallets.

First Nick Turner called some square dances, then Mary Anne Turner kept the dancers hopping by cueing some round dances.

After two hours of lively dancing it was time for some pie and ice cream.

Then Nick put on his auctioneer’s hat and the dancers were encouraged to open their wallets for an auction of the remaining home-made pies.

“They were happy to do so because the March Merriment Dance has become an annual opportunity for the dancers to support the Cariboo Chilcotin Child Development Centre in all the good work they do with the children of the area,” says Mary Anne.

“Some lively bidding ensued. Nick wasn’t able to get husbands bidding against wives this year but he did manage to get some dancers bidding against themselves!”

Club president, Marie Gibbons, thanked all the dancers for their generosity and reported that the pie auction, combined with donations from dancers who could not attend that night, totalled $950.

“Quite an amazing feat for a small club to accomplish,” Mary Anne says.

The following week,  the club presented the funds to CDC executive director Nancy Gale, who expressed her pleasure with the donation and talked about the CDC’s plans to build a Cariboo Autism Centre in Williams Lake.

As spring approaches, the square dancers will be winding down their dance season which runs from October to April and looking forward to their big year-end celebration in May.

From May 23 to 25, the Stampede Whirlaways will be hosting a full weekend of square dancing at an event called the Let’s Get Nautical Jamboree.

It will be held at Mountview Elementary School and guests from around the province are expected to attend this event.

“Spectators are always welcome,” Mary Anne says.

For information about the Stampede Whirlaways Square Dance Club and how to join in on their fun, go to their website at www.wmslk.squaredance.bc.ca