Skip to content

Stettler Social Society builds partnerships over generations - Spotlight

29993stettler41-Spotlight
Having fun and feeling young – Stettler Social Society hosts several fun and exciting activities

Old-time dances are not just for old people and those in their senior golden years.

As many communities in Alberta are doing, old-time dances are catching on with younger folk.

Now the Stettler Social Society welcomes adults of all ages – young and old – to its monthly old-time dances.

“We would like to promote our dances to all ages over 18 years of age because it is a fun, entertaining and social evening,” said Terry Crisp, president of the social society.

“We are also concerned that the old-time type of dancing is disappearing with the younger generations.”

Although the society has about 100 members, the dances are open to any adult with or without a membership.

“We are looking to increase participation for the benefit of the whole community and get more local and younger people involved,” said Crisp.

Every third Thursday of the month, the organization hosts old-time dances at Stettler Legion Hall.

After the evening kicks off with cocktails and dancing at 5 p.m., supper is served at 6 p.m. with more dancing from 7 to 10 p.m.

“Come and enjoy our next dance on Oct. 21 with a Halloween masquerade,” said Crisp.

For the next three months, the old-time dance is set for Oct. 21 with Old Thyme Aires as a Halloween Masquerade dance with costumes optional, Nov. 18 with the West Lake Echoes and Dec. 16 for a Christmas dance that features Badlanders II.

“We average about 80 participants for the dances, ranging in ages from 50 to 90 years.”

“Our club is known for a full participation of dancers and it is a very friendly and social atmosphere,” he said.

“We receive a number of compliments on our hall decorations, table settings, meals, band, and that it’s a great evening out.”

Regular dancers come from Stettler, Botha, Drumheller, Camrose, Sedgewick and from a number of other similar clubs.

The current dance club was once part of the Stettler Legion Dance Club many decades ago, he said.

For the past seven or eight years, the club has been a separate registered non-profit society.

“The society’s purpose is to enhance the participation in an active and social atmosphere,” said Crisp.

Many other activities are planned throughout the year.

“We are looking into organizing a two- or three-day mystery trip if we can get enough participants,” said Crisp.

For activities and events, the society is also busy with ways to raise funds.

“We participate in raising money through a casino in order to subsidize our activities such as dinner theatres a summer barbecue, hall rental and other activities through the year.”

For more information, phone Crisp at 403-578-8418.