SOUTH SHORE SQUARES

SOUTH SHORE SQUARES—HOW IT CAME TO BE

With the closure of both Sunrise Squares and LaHave River Ramblers, there left no square dancing west of Halifax.

Through an initiative of Paul and Cathy Langille and seed money from the Square and Round Dance Federation of Nova Scotia, space was rented at the Lunenburg County Lifestyle Centre (LCLC) to coincide with an indoor Christmas Market in 2017. Enough people from the former clubs, attendees of the Christmas market and library patrons showed encouraging support that square dancing could be sustained and grow in Bridgewater and environs.

For lack of a creative title, South Shore Squares (SSS) became the name of the group with Alan Parker as Caller and teacher, making the trek from Dartmouth to Bridgewater weekly until end of March 2018. Laurie Illsley began Calling/teaching SSS in April 2018 with his wife, Wilma, kindly “filling in” squares and assisting dancers through the maneuvers. In May, Laurie graduated 7 couples at the Basic level.

South Shore Squares had outgrown the LCLC meeting room but a new home for South Shore Squares was found at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 78 Alexandria Ave., Bridgewater, since September 2018.

On March 13, 2019, South Shore Squares was abruptly interrupted by Covid-19 mandates, restarting again in September, 2022, and only with the support of returning and newly-interested dancers. The Buccaneers’ Bash was interrupted 3 consecutive years resuming in 2023 with Caller Kerry Fletcher. The ‘Bash’, as it has become known, is attended by dancers from all clubs in Nova Scotia and a guest Caller.

South Shore Squares dances Friday nights from September to May, 7-9 p.m. at the Holy Trinity Anglican Church Hall, 78 Alexandra Ave., Bridgewater. South Shore Squares is a member-run club with an administrator couple in consultation with the Caller.

A warm welcome to all to participate in the joy of square dancing, meeting new (and old) friends and benefitting from body and brain workouts.

South Shore Squares can be found at www.squaredancens.ca.
Contact administrators: Paul/Cathy Langille (902) 685-2366.

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