UADC MEMORIES AND RECOLLECTIONS

Many alumni responded to a request for some of their dance club memories from the past. Here is a selection of what they said...

Lawrence Hazlett (Club Rep, 1984 - 1985)

  • I remember friendly people, fun (and inexpensive) times, and a well run organization. My membership with the club was informative and exciting. It was a marvelous way to spend time.

Gary Ryan (President, 1977 - 1978)

  • Good memories of being a "helper" even if I never did figure out the girl's steps.

Barb Jewell (Vice-President, 1970 - 1971)

  • Long lines of people trying to untangle their feet as they learn a new step.
  • Loves made and lost - to the instructor no less!
  • Jitters before the Winter Waltz hoping we hadn't forgotten anything. Trying to find a partner in class - of the opposite sex.
  • Dancing at the Winter Waltz with a long leg cast on - first day off crutches.

Kristine Towers (Competition Winner, 1981 - 1982)

  • The "Plato's Pizza Club" - a time to be with friends after the Tuesday night classes.

Wendy Lomnes (Vice-President, 1968 - 1969)

  • Thoughts of the dancing associated with the Club bring feelings of nostalgia because I get so few opportunities to participate in that form of dance and I enjoyed it so much.

Merv Tuplin (Teaching Assistant, 1971 - 1974)

  • My first "real" date with my wife was to a Winter Waltz. We've been married 12.5 years.

Mike Smith (Secretary, 1968 - 1969)

  • Having to clean up buffet after the monthly dance: took home enough meat to have sandwiches all the next month. Only way I got through school.
  • Organizing Winter Waltz in '68 - Tom Gray in back of my VW. Nearly got his foot burnt by the hot air from the engine. I had just bought the car and was afraid of stalling it so I kept goosing the engine - big blast of hot air.

Karen Battistella (President, 1980 - 1982)

  • The friendships, the fun, a common interest among us all - to dance, and a common ailment - sore feet.

Don Newsome (President, 1965 - 1966)

  • I have very fond memories of the club and the many people I met and worked with. As far as instilling a life long interest in dancing that I am sure this club has done for many, I must regretfully admit that the last time I took Helen dancing was to the 25th Anniversary of the club; Winter Waltz, 1982. I hope I'm not overdoing it by also attending this one.

Bev (Buck) Pede (Promotions, 1968 - 1969)

  • My memories are all good and wouldn't I like to relive those times!! I can remember running all over campus, pinning up posters for our events, and I remember the good times at our dance parties and the excitement of Winter Waltz and the Dance Competitions. Most of all, I remember all of the terrific people I met both as an executive member, a student, and in helping Hughie with instruction. I'm happy to say that some of my Dance Club friends are still very dear friends - many others are fond memories.

Chuck Fannon (Coordinator, 1978 - 1979)

  • Dance, Dance, Dance. (and of course, Pizza!)

Allan and Bonnie (Debolt) Chappell (Bonnie - President, Allan - Coordinator, 1976 - 1977)

  • We remember all of the hard work and good times spent preparing for the Winter Waltz's first demonstrations. The group Cha-Cha demonstration was quite an experience.
  • We enjoyed our 4 years with the club and have kept in close contact with friends made during that time.

Doug and Marion (Hirabayashi) Oldenberg (Involved Members, 1964 - 1965)

  • The line-up of boys on one side of the room, rushing across to pick out a partner will never be forgotten!
  • The dance club was one of our highlights of our first year at University. It was there that we met and, four years later, we were married.

Barry Botsford (President, 1966 - 1967)

  • I remember with enormous warmth the wonderful, caring spirit of the Dance Club. We were all growing, and growing together as we shared.
  • The last year (66-67) particularly was a fun year, a growing year, a dynamic year. I feel kind of proud that some of the things we initiated are still big features of the club.
  • Thanks for the opportunity to think back on all this and to share it with you.

Bev (Frohlich) Johnston (Teaching Assistant, 1975 - 1977)

  • Teaching students, particularly the "no rhythm" ones, to move to music.

Dan Magnan (President, 1973)

  • It was the best club on campus. I met a lot of wonderful people and had fun. I learned skills that I've used for many years and will use for many more.

Doug and Karen LaValley (Doug - Treasurer, 1977 - 1978)

  • Well organized dances and the price was right! Leaving the lessons because we got upset with each other.

Russ Smart (President, 1964 - 1965)

  • I recall how terrific the annual ball was and still shudder at the thought of the dance exhibition I did with Eileen [Hurnanen]. My club experience did two major things for me. First, I learned to enjoy ballroom dancing and it has become a bit of a hobby for Dianne and I as we have taken more lessons over the years. Second, my wife loves to dance and it was a contributing factor in our courtship and ultimate marriage for which I am very thankful even after 21 years.

Sharon (Hirabayashi) Yuen (Involved Member, 1964 - 1965)

  • I met some wonderful friends at the Dance Club. It was a great place to meet new friends and have an enjoyable evening.

Wanda Kivitt (Instructor, 1985 - 1986)

  • A lot of fun for the whole year. Saw the experience as a period of challenge and growth.

Garet Cormin (Coordinator, 1975 - 1976)

  • Very enjoyable. The dances were wonderful and the friendships great.

Veronica Murphy (Secretary, 1982 - 1983)

  • Truly the most fulfilling and best times of my University social life - and the feeling of homecoming when I arrived from Lethbridge to an Edmonton Dance. Watching in awe the marvelous T.A.s ... actually getting up the courage to be a T.A. and loving it more all the time.

Hughina (Ross) Krucik (Instructor, 1957 - 1973)

  • [My memories] could fill a book. The excitement when enrollment started each year, the enthusiasm and support of so many wonderful people, the respect and friendship that they offered to me, the help of Provost Ryan and Murray Smith in acquiring space for classes.
  • It was a portion of my life that I will always remember fondly.

Tom Gray (President, 1968 - 1969)

  • Going four nights a week to dance and still passing third year!
  • Running down a hall and leaping onstage to turn off a microphone screaming in agony of terminal feedback.
  • The absolute gluttony of "cleaning up" leftover buffet after a dance party.
  • Placing 5th in a dance contest (in a field of 5!).

Kirk Jensen (Treasurer, 1984 - 1985)

  • Meeting a group of people that had basically the same interests in life as myself.

Bev (Loch) Blair (Competition Winner, 1970 - 1971)

  • I have very fond memories of Hughie, our excellent dance instructor. She was a very fine person who inspired me to dance well and helped me to develop a greater self-confidence. I loved every moment I spent at dance club and thoroughly enjoyed helping Hughie instruct the beginners. Every class was fun. One time Vicki was going to show me some kind of turn. It was at the beginning of the break and so I said okay. Well, the floor was very dusty and slippery and with the greatest of ease - instead of doing the turn, I was flat on my back! My surprise was .... tremendous. I still don't remember the turn!

Mary Kletchko (President, 1979 - 1980)

  • I spent 4 years in the club and enjoyed it thoroughly.
  • I especially remember my two years in the executive.
  • One of my favorite memories was the trip the helper group made to Saskatoon to do dance exhibitions at the U. of S.

Don Lucas (President, 1986 - 1988)

  • My first dance club memories are of being dragged to class, kicking and screaming all the way, by my girlfriend (now wife) Karen. Since then, thousands upon thousands of students, the dance classes, socials, costume parties, dance routines, the road trips to other university's functions, golf tournaments, ski trips and picnics, crazy antics and crazy photo sessions, for all of the above. But most vividly, the people, the friendships; lasting or broken. What a unique organization.

Kathy Sloane (Competition Winner, 1971 - 1972)

  • Hughie was our instructress and her friendly encouragements kept us all coming back week after week.
  • Hughie's coaching made me take the risk of entering the dance competition at the beginner's level. Her strategy for my partner and I to win was for me to wear a short dress as the judge was partial to shapely legs. Amazingly enough I was the only female wearing a shortdress and we won!

Dieter Hedlich (Promotions, 1963 - 1964)

  • Fond, a few pictures, remember few names, but many good times and many fine people.

Vince Visconti (Teaching Assistant, 1976 - 1980)

  • Fun and fond memories.
  • A meeting place for friends.
  • A restoring hideaway from the university academic grind.
  • The trek to Saskatoon for the annual dance and exhibition.

Val Lecomte (Involved Member, 1959 - 1963)

  • It was a pleasant break from academics. It led to private group lessons and half of the couples in the group ended up getting married.

Andy Odenbach (President, 1971 - 1972)

  • Five years ago my wife and I attended the 25th anniversary and enjoyed it greatly. It was also good to see people there I knew and the dance exhibitions were excellent.

Holly Burton (Secretary, 1985 - 1986)

  • Trips to Saskatoon Dancero, Greaser dances. New Year's Eve Ball at the 700 Wing.

Margaret (Hammerlindl) Myroon (Secretary, 1976 - 1977)

  • Moving chairs/tables before and after classes when they were held in Dinwoodie (SUB). Custodian checking that they were "perfectly" placed.
  • The dilemma of trying to provide hot food at the dances when suddenly required by the ALCB. Getting a liquor permit.
  • Arguing with my partner about who was right or wrong. The "hoards" of people who showed up for the first few classes.
  • Good times. Good friends.

Deloyce (Tolonen) Burns (President, 1957 - 1958)

  • Without the tremendous dedication and encouragement from Hughie and Tony, our instructors, it would never have been the success it was.

Peter Enns (President, 1963)

  • While Bert Hunt was president we bought a student union executive at a slave auction.
  • Four of the executives from that year ended up marrying each other.

Rob Lake (President, 1983 - 1986)

  • Learning a social skill which will be with me all my life, being on campus for 6 years and not knowing about the club, serving as president while simultaneously working full time and doing graduate studies. More importantly, the fun, the friendships, the appreciation of the wide variety of human personalities and traits, watching the club help people develop skills in addition to dance, and marveling at the type of people attracted to the dance club year after year.

Sylvia Krogh (Teaching Assistant, 1967 - 1970)

  • Very pleasant memories.

Gordon Howell (Teaching Assistant, 1976 - 1980)

  • Dinwoodie and giant classes.
  • Pineapple pizzas and Irene.

Patricia McMahon (Vice-President, 1982 - 1983)

  • Close friendships, long hours of practice, the fear and fun of "performing", registration line-ups.

Pat Brown (Secretary, 1970 - 1971)

  • Memories include classes, especially "Old Time" night as well as extra classes at Hughie's so we could help her with the group classes, and many more good times.

Lynn Moen (Vice-President, 1976 - 1977)

  • I remember all the friendly people, and particularly Irene, the instructor.
  • I particularly remember 2 Winter Waltzes - the first I attended as a helper when we did a Cha Cha formation. And the last one I attended as a judge with Bill Shaw.

Deirdre McKay (Vice-President, 1969 - 1970)

  • Catering the Christmas Party for 200-250 people in 1969.

Sharon (Long) Loewen (Vice-President, 1965 - 1966)

  • I met some friendly people (two of these friends became so "friendly" in fact that they became married).

Reynold Woelcke (Coordinator, 1982 - 1983)

  • Many enjoyable times, learning to dance, close friendships developed, helping other people learn and enjoy ballroom dancing.
  • I wish that I did not forget the dance steps as fast as I do, though once shown, they come back quickly.

Dolores (Rebus) Gillett (Treasurer, 1974 - 1976)

  • Hiring Irene ... my first year on the executive.
  • The first exchange with Saskatoon (1979).
  • Beautiful "Silver Waltz" for the 25th celebration.
  • The first exchange with Calgary - the surprise because of the age of the Calgary club.

Vicki (Kendall) Lawrence (Teaching Assistant, 1969 - 1975)

  • Dancing in Dinwoodie Lounge - and being able to find a parking space behind the building.
  • Special training sessions at Hughie's house in her basement, practising, taking notes - hard work but lots of fun.
  • Enjoying friendships today that I made then.

Lorraine Lynch (Competition Judge, 1976 - 1987)

  • I've seen a lot of changes in the club and I hope they never lose their spontaneity and creativity in both their dance and social networks.

Glen Bailey (Teaching Assistant, 1972 - 1976)

  • I have many fond memories of the U. of A. Dance Club. My most memorable experience was the Tango exhibition that Dolores (Rebus) Gillett and I presented at the Winter Waltz of 1976 as well as the Cha Cha exhibition that was presented with the helper group. I was some nervous because this was the first time that I had ever performed anything in front of such a large audience. The whole experience was exhilarating and I am glad to have done it. I thank you for getting in touch with me and for allowing me to say a few words about a most pleasant experience - one which I will never forget.

Robert Hunt (President, 1967 - 1968)

  • Trying to have an executive meeting with Bob and Heather (Hardman) Baser always holding hands and looking at each other - unaware that some of us were actually trying to solve the girl/boy ratio problem.
  • A wonderful idea for the 30th. Realizing I was there for the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th - and I didn't even know I was a part of history!!

Many thanks to all those who took time to record their thoughts and memories of the UADC.