When you think of a library, you may think of people with their noses in a book, students studying and librarians reminding you to keep quiet. It’s a little different at Kennedy Library in Muncie when members of Grand Spinners come to entertain.
Grand Spinners is a club that participates in and teaches Western-style square dancing. The first Sunday of each month, October through June, club members travel to the library to dance. For the past seven years, they have also participated in the Polar Bear Dance where members bundle up to dance outside of the library on New Year’s Day.
The club was established 32 years ago, in addition to four other clubs that already existed in Delaware County. Of the three clubs left, Grand Spinners is the only one to offer lessons. Beth Kroehler, president of Grand Spinners, wants to use lessons to attract new members and keep them coming back.
“We’ve been told sometimes that fear of lessons and that commitment might turn people off,” Kroehler said. Instead, the club labels these sessions as a Square Dance Fun Night.
“We are currently trying to get people interested in square dancing,” Kroehler said. She hopes that people will come, learn the steps and spread the word. If enough interest is generated, these nights will continue.
Kroehler joined Grand Spinners 10 years ago because she thought it would be something fun and interesting. That’s the same reason caller Jolly Baldwin joined.
Baldwin has been a square dance caller for 34 years, 20 of them with Grand Spinners. He started calling after he and his wife took lessons to learn the steps. Square dance callers control the music and lead the dances by announcing the steps throughout each song.
“I love to teach,” Baldwin said. “When you see somebody learn something and having fun, just as long as people have fun. That’s all I care about.”
Baldwin said they usually hold lessons once a year, but they are increasing the number of lessons to get more participation. Current members said they have a hard time finding men to join, as well as younger people. Grand Spinners created Square Dance Fun Night to reach out to the community to share their love for this club and the dancing style.
“It’s just a lot of fun,” Baldwin said. “It’s a lot of nice people.”
Square Dance Fun Night takes place every Monday through April 25, at the Forest Park Senior Center from 6:30 p.m. until 9 p.m. People aged 12 years and older are welcome.
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