Thirty-five dancers of the SaddleBrooke Line Dance Club (SBLDC) gathered at the HOA-2 Ballroom to celebrate the arrival of Spring with song and dance, food and fellowship on Wednesday, May 1.
Because May 1 is evocative of flowers, May Baskets and preparations for the Kentucky Derby, and because SBLDC leadership declared a Derby-Day hat contest, many dancers arrived sporting lovely, creative and sometimes comic hats which they had crafted themselves. There were wide-brimmed straw hats in abundance, topped with bright ribbons and bows, flowers and lace. One elegant design had blue, white and lavender blossoms on the crown encircled by tiny horses racing around the brim. Some hatmakers took a whimsical approach to the task of creating a Derby-Day hat. Minnie Pearl, American comedian of Grand Ole Opry fame, whose signature was a straw hat covered in flowers with the price tag dangling from its brim, was the inspiration for Dorthy Wood’s humorous hat. Even the hatless were dressed in outfits suitable for the Derby: flowing dresses, sun-drenched colors, lace sheaths and dotted swiss enlivened the ballroom. The hat contest was won by Deb Kresnicka, whose pretty bonnet was covered in white, red and pink rosebuds.
As usual, the Social Committee and the Music Committee did a fabulous, painstaking job of selecting theme-appropriate music and dance pairings for the program. Instead of dancing to the familiar signature songs, there were tunes worthy of any Kentucky Derby dance including “Rose Garden”, “Red Roses for a Blue Lady”, “Roses and Violets”, and other popular, nostalgic Springtime hits. In addition, the talented dance leaders deserve thanks for reviewing and leading dancers through the myriad of dances in the program.
When dancers took a break for lunch, they dined on delicious turkey breast sandwiches or cobb salad, washed down with iced tea or lemonade followed by a decadent selection of cookies. While they dined and chatted, some dancers were coaxed into talking about their Springtime memories. One dancer in particular, Julie Kalar, remembered children making and delivering May Baskets, and elaborated that, “Growing up in Minesota, springtime meant tulips, daffodils and fragrant lilacs.” Then, when she moved to Washington State, she was surrounded by “beautiful ‘rhodies’ and azaleas.” Now that she resides in SaddleBrooke, she enjoys the “cacti and ocotillo in bloom,” noting that, “each one is beautiful!” A lovely and theme-appropriate closing to the SaddleBrooke Line Dance Club’s flower bedecked ‘Spring Fling.’
Line dancing is good for the mind and body! If you are interested, there is a new Novice class beginning Wednesday, July 3. For more information, visit our website at sbldc.weebly.com. Come on, kick up your heels and try line dancing!
The Mount Rushmore of Arizona Wildcats men's basketball players
