Boots n’ Buckles Dance offers lessons, good music, and good times
COSHOCTON – On Tuesday nights, the Blue Ridge Grange on State Route 751 comes to life as members of the Boots n’ Buckles Dance Organization dance the night away to some of their favorite songs. Approximately 15 dancers kick up their heels each week while all the stress and tension of the day seems to disappear.
The dancing organization started in January 1997 at the West Lafayette American Legion with instructor Debbie Drinko. After she moved out of the area two years later, the club moved to the Blue Ridge Grange when grange member Norma Ruble suggested they start dancing at the grange hall.
The hall has been their home since 1999 and was turned over to Jay and Donna Simmons in 2010 by Victor Grewell, who was manager of the organization for many years.
“Victor really kept it going,” said Donna, instructor. “He was the one to step in if an instructor wasn’t going to be there that night, and he made sure that it was going to continue.”
The club currently has 30 active members, but with some working different shifts each week or taking classes at night, about 15 members come on a weekly basis.
“We understand that everybody’s active,” said Donna. “So it’s hard to get everyone here on the same night.”
Jay and Donna have been dancing for 17 years and teaching for 15 years. Originally, the couple began teaching family and close friends, but once word got out, Jay and Donna found themselves teaching in many different locations throughout the area including the Stonecreek Jefferson Grange, Jim’s Place in New Philadelphia, and the Claymont Community Center in Dennison.
“We got into dance because we worked so much and we found ourselves doing nothing but work, and we wanted to get into something we both liked and enjoyed,” said Donna. “We liked music and we liked to dance.”
Dancing is not only a great way to relieve stress, it’s also low-impact exercise and a way to learn new things and meet new people.
“I think exercise is one of the things people look forward to here,” said Donna. “Line dancing is fun exercise that doesn’t feel like exercise.”
“It’s also something different every time,” added Jay. “It’s not the same routine.”
The two instructors stand at the front of the class and practice each routine until members feel comfortable enough with the new routine to start dancing. They teach line dancing and some couple dances. They offer a beginner and intermediate level and then open the floor for requests at the end of each session. They take a break in the summer and start up again after the Coshocton County Fair.
The cost to dance each Tuesday is $5.50 and includes two hours of dancing. Beginners dance is from 5:30 – 6:30 p.m., intermediate starts at 6:30 p.m. and open dance starts at 7:30 p.m.
Kay Dennis, an active member of the dance organization, said she enjoys being a part of the group.
“I used to line dance a few years ago,” she said. “I really wanted to get back into it just for something fun to do. I was at a car show and Donna and Jay were there talking about the line dancing, so that’s how I got started. I love it!”
For more photos of the dance club, visit www.coshoctoncountybeacon.com.
beth@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: Clubs & Organizations, Photo Galleries
