For the love of square dance

February 9, 2016

Valentine’s Day isn’t far off but for one local caller, she’s been sharing her love of square dance 365 days a year for over 50 years. Iva Plunkett grew up on Cross Country Road and comes from a long line of callers; her grandmother Margaret McCormack and her father Joe McCormack were both callers. Iva learned to square dance and call at home, where her family would often host “house dances” getting together for a bit of fun. This continued with Iva’s own children Margaret, Yvonne and Betty who also learned to dance with their cousins when they would come to visit. A beautiful family tradition.

Iva recognizes not everyone has opportunity to learn with their family and thus has been teaching square dance for about 20 years. She has called or taught in Maynooth, McArthur’s Mills, Fort Stewart, and along with a kind hearted group of musical volunteers and dancers, at the Hastings Centennial Manor in Bancroft. These marvellous volunteers are also offering their expertise and love of square dance to the Train Station Square Dance for Seniors Group, hosted by Community Care North Hastings the first Wednesday of each month ($2 per person) with space provided by the Bancroft and District Chamber of Commerce. Currently this group is fundraising with a draw to purchase sound equipment for the band with a grand prize of a half load of fire logs kindly donated by Freymond Lumber Ltd. Want tickets? Please call Connie at Foot Fix (613-332-4848) or stop by the Harvest Moon in Bancroft.

Iva loves to make people feel happy, likes to laugh and likes to see other people laughing and having fun. She also says square dance is great exercise and offers a little sage advice: “People learn how to do by doing” and “don’t be embarrassed if you make a mistake – that’s how people learn. It’s good to make mistakes and be able to laugh about it.”

Would you like to learn how to square dance? Iva and volunteers Jim, Pauline and Florence are offering beginner lessons hosted by the Hastings Highlands Public Library in Maynooth. Call Miranda at 613-338-2262 for more information. For only $8 ($2 per class) you too can learn the joyful art of square dance. Next dates: Feb. 16, March 1, 15 and 29. Supported by Community Care North Hastings.

Submitted by CCNH