The following quotations from Orange Coast Lariats members are expressions of their thoughts regarding their club and square dancing. Collected by Norm and Petra Nager, they are meant to convey the spirit of our club. We thought dancers and non-dancers alike would enjoy.
"For us two, love of music and dance is a natural way of expressing ourselves. We sing along while dancing. It reduces stress and promotes a sense of fun and wellbeing. It's a way to play together and bring about a closeness and appreciation for each other we so often lose in hectic, busy lives."
"I think square dancing is challenging. It's one of the things my husband and I do together. We laugh and talk with each other and all our friends. It's a great evening. Also, it's a pretty good way to get a little exercise."
"The Orange Coast Lariats is not just our square dance club, but an extension of our family. They're fun to be with, are always ready to help out, and always provide a HUG when needed."
"It's sweet to get personal 'sunshine'cards on your birthday and anniversary, but also when your sick, hurt, or something happens to anyone in your family. We've got a club that rejoices and is concerned for us. It also shows in the newsletter and the weekly e-mail news (or calls from a volunteer)."
"The friendly people always impress me. Being single, I appreciate how members help out with singles rotation. A husband or wife will sit out a tip just to make sure us singles have a partner for the next square."
"We found the people here so friendly! The members make a point of learning our names and greeting us each week."
"We met in a square, fell in love, and married!"
"Well, for my husband and me, it's just like one big family and the members are always ready to welcome new people into their group. You know, he comes to keep me company; he's not able to dance too much these days. But other couples, if there are not enough singles to go around, make sure I get to dance. The other folks who decide to sit out a tip keep him company."
"I joined because everyone made me feel so welcome and really wanted. One great thing is (Caller) Bruce & Dottie (Jackson). They treat everyone like you're their friends."
"It's nice we have so many friends that if we need anything, they're just a phone call away, ready and willing to help."
"The very first thing to know about us is that we're a fun club! Making dancers smile is very important to us."
"Smile, smile, smile. We all need so much of it. Check that out for yourself at our next dance."
"It's fun joining other 'angels' to mentor, partner, and square up with students in our classes and watch them learn and fall in love wiith square dancing. It doesn't do me any harm either, 'cause it keeps me from getting rusty. And a bunch of us go out to Norm's after class, and that's fun."
"We laugh a lot while dancing, never at somebody who misses a step, but with them. It's a nonjudgmental group."
"This is a fun loving group! We picnic, go to plays, party to celebrate the 4th of July and Christmas holidays. We travel to square dance festivals out of town. After dances or visitations, we go out for a bite to eat and lots of conversation."
"The dances, visits, and other activities are inexpensive fun that parents, older kids, and adult children can enjoy together."
"(Caller) Bruce and Dottie (Jackson) have arranged lovely adventures: Alaska and Hawaii cruises, a trip to the Grand Canyon, a Palm Springs Follies outing, campouts, BBQ's, a bus trip to a ball game, and after parties at dance festivals."
"Serving as host club for home dances is more fun since 2003, when members no longer were asked to prepare or buy food each month. It's great when three couples volunteer to be responsible for both bringing and serving munchies for just one month. And we're a volunteering kind of club."
"Part of the fun of square dancing is the tempting array of goodies at our club's potluck events and the snacks at our dances and visitations. We have choices, though, of sinning or going for veggies, fruits and low-fat/low sugar foods."
"Our club, and so many others, are NOT just for old fogies. We're either youthful or the square dancing keeps us that way. You get your physical exercise and mental exercise at the same time. It's just downright good, clean sport."
"I love 'hot hash' for members right after the club's classes. And I love callers at dances who make it challenging and fast. It's my secret for eating well without gaining weight."
"If exercise of the brain helps keep Alzheimer's at bay, as medical research indicates, I KNOW square dancing with the Orange Coast Lariats and other clubs must surely help!"
"It's claimed that people who square dance live 10 years longer. I wouldn't know about that, but I sure do know that exercise, fun, and friendship improve the quality of life."
"The whole experience is exhilarating; it gets the adrenalin going. Dancing helps keep me fit. What's great is that I forget that I'm really exercising while I'm dancing."
"Sometimes it challenges and sometimes it relaxes. Relaxing is good too!"
"I like alcohol-free and smoking-free. It's a wholesome, healthy environment."
"I feel dancing promotes physical agility and coordination and stimulates my mind. We need it throughout life."
Dance Schedule for 2005 Check the list of callers!