The Swingles SDC
Swingles Square Dance Club was organized
August 16, 1973 in Huntington, MA by eight graduate
square dancers from the Western Mass area. At that
time,only two singleton clubs existed in the area--
Albany Single Squares, Schenectedy, NY, and Lone Stars of
East Hartford, CT-- both clubs involving a great deal of
travel to participate.
Single dancers, even as a couple, were not really welcome
in the traditional married couples square dance clubs. An
area summer class of lessons was being conducted at the
Eastfield Mall in 1973, with many singles participating;
however, singles were not allowed to graduate into any
area club. SWINGLES was organized in time to accept the
new graduates into the new club on October 2, 1973.
The club caller was Duffy Dauphinais, former caller for
Westover Silver Wing Stompers of Chicopee, MA. The first
president was Joseph Schunk. Dances were held in
Huntington, MA to begin the 1973 season, but were moved
to the Verdi Club in West Springfield, MA-- a more
central location for members coming from Greenfield, MA
to Manchester, CT. In the fall of 1976, larger quarters
were needed so a move was made to the Church of the Good
Shepherd Parish Hall. In November 1985, the Knights of
Columbus Hall became the club home in West Springfield,
MA. Gene King, a charter member, now teaches the class
from October through April.
The club dances on the first and third Friday of each
month with some special Saturday dances
during the summer season.
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