On Monday, April 24, 2017, the Morrison Grand Squares dance club and instructor Don Sprosty celebrated the graduation of their newest dancers, in the Odell Public Library. Dancers and students came from the local surrounding areas, such as Savanna, Thomson, Morrison, Moline, Chadwick, and Mount Carroll, IL, and people from Clinton, and Eldridge, IA.
The ceremony, held in the City of Morrison Community Room, included a speech from the Morrison Grand Squares President Butch VanderSchaaf. All new dancers were welcomed. He explained that even though the lessons were finished, the fun, fitness, and friendships developed will continue to grow. He stated the dance club was not only a rewarding experience. It was an opportunity to give back to the local community.
Morrison Grand Squares, which began in 2008, contributes every year to the Morrison Friends Food Pantry, having raised almost $3000 for the organization. For the past three years, the club has run a “Helping Hands” program to donate to a child in need. Each December, the club hosts a dance where a “Giving Tree” is used to collect money for a needy family. Members of the club have also participated with blood drives.
This club meets every month all year long for square dances held within the Community Room, located at 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, IL. For a complete scheduled, visit their website for details. Outside the monthly meetings, Morrison Grand Squares hosts fun social activities, such as mystery trips and outdoor potlucks with dancing. Over 50 members have participated in demonstrations of their skills around the community, dancing at nursing homes, festivals, and schools.
Lessons will start again in January 2018. For more information about the Morrison Grand Squares dance club, visit squaredancemorrison.com. You can also find the Morrison Grand Squares on Facebook.
Pictured left-to-right are, back, Les Nelson, Nancy Potter, Michaela Nelson, Rick Anderson, Ward Frederich, John Lowe, Patrick Bennett, and Dwayne Geronzin; front, Susan Bland, Cindy Anderson, Janell Frederich, instructor Don Sprosty, Diane Lowe, and Fayellen Sanetra.