When Celeste Roy became co-president of the North Country Squares seven years ago, she decided to sift through some of the old documents laying around — artifacts of the organization's history.
Dusty boxes residing in the club-house basement contained 43 years of stories, pictures, pamphlets and square-dancing instruction manuals.
She read 43 years worth of monthly meeting minutes — and what she found fascinated her.
Like the fact that the group began with one couple who danced in their barn and their backyard.
Like the fact that the group was almost called the Polar Bears.
Like the fact that before they had a club house of their own, an apple orchard was as good a place as any to kick up their heels.
Fifty years since the organization's founding in 1961, the North Country Squares is thriving, 108-members strong.
"It's unbelievable how people come in and immediately feel that they belong to this family," Roy said.
Upcoming Anniversary
This year's Apple Blossom Dance will accommodate the 50th anniversary celebration, bringing past and present dancers together for an annual square-dancing event.
Community members are welcome as spectators.
At 7 p.m. Friday, advanced dancers will gather at the club house on the Clinton County Fairgrounds in Morrisonville, with mainstream dancers joining them at 8 p.m. The North Country Squares will also extend an invitation to all past callers and dancers May 21 for a free Squares and Rounds workshop from 1 to 3:30 p.m. and a potluck dinner at 4:30 p.m.
Social Opportunity
Roy said members don't have to be stellar dancers, just ready to let go and have a good time.
"Some people have a hard time dancing at first, but within a week they don't care if they have two left feet because they're having fun."
Roy's co-president Dick Crawford said, "The three qualifications to do this is to be able to laugh, laugh and laugh again."
For many dancers, the motivation is the same.
"I've become friends with so many people," Roy said, "and it keeps me motivated to exercise, to be active and socialize with people."
Crawford agreed.
"For me, it's a great big social event. I love doing things with people, for people."
Half A Century
Bill and Norma Harvey founded the North Country Squares in 1961 after moving to Plattsburgh from Manchester, Conn.
According to Roy's research, the couple was experienced in Western-style square dancing and encouraged friends to join in the fun. The group grew to 40 couples.
The women, dressed in white blouses and short skirts with crinoline, and men, donning their bolo ties, responded to the caller's voice as it circulated through whatever space they arranged as their dance hall on any given night.
"From 1961 to 1973, they danced everywhere they could," Roy said.
The group raised $3,500 to lease the land on the Clinton County Fairgrounds.
"The building was built by their own talented carpenters, painters and electricians," Roy wrote in an essay about the group's history.
On Aug. 17, 1974, the North Country Squares settled into their new home.
"The last of the roof was covered and the windows installed that very afternoon," Roy wrote. "They had to cross the dark, wet field to utilize the necessary sanitary facilities — with the benefit of a flashlight, unless you were very adventurous."
The club's tradition of fundraising started back then, with such events as snowmobile races, pancake breakfasts, rummage sales, refreshment stands set up at festivals and any other money-making opportunity. They continued to add to their home and to develop their program.
Learning to Dance
Dancers begin with weekly classes in September and graduate in January.
Newcomers are given two free nights of dancing at the start to help determine if it's right for them, and from there, pay $5 per person, per night. When they graduate, those fees are replaced with an annual $40 membership fee.
Dues go to dance teachers and maintenance of the facility, among other expenses.
Roy and Crawford said the group invites callers — the dance leader who calls out their steps — from elsewhere in the state and the country and from Canada.
Presidents, partners
Roy and Crawford have enjoyed their North Country Squares experiences together from the start.
In September of 2004, Roy's then-neighbors dragged her to a North Country Squares event.
They felt that Roy, a widow, should get out and meet new people. She agreed reluctantly.
Crawford, who always loved dancing but whose wife did not share that passion, attended the dance that night, as well.
At that time, the group was not accepting single dancers, so both Roy and Crawford needed a partner.
They joined together in 2004, graduated together in 2005, and then took on the co-presidency.
Crawford, who is currently the owner of three companies and has served as the president of several nonprofit organizations over the last 35 years, said they work well as a team.
"She's my right hand," he said. "In my 35 years, even between my vice presidents, she's been my best."
Roy laughed.
"He's only saying that because I'm sitting in front of him," she said.
Reminiscent
Crawford's interest in dancing started when he was in his early teens when his sister needed a partner. He was happy to oblige.
"This was a time before computers, before cell phones," Crawford said. "Everybody used to go out and socialize with their neighbors."
Roy's interest stems to her past, as well.
"I was raised in New Brunswick in a very musical family," she explained. "We did a lot of dancing and singing."
In her essay, Roy wrote of the organization's connection to the past: "The history of the North Country Squares is very much like living in the time where families would get together and dance to the music of the fiddle.
"Years ago, at least one member of each family had the gift to play music, dance or sing their heart away … They stayed together and had fun."
Crowning event
During the 50th anniversary celebration, a special crowning event will take place.
A queen and king of the Apple Blossom Dance will be chosen — a tradition that dates back to the first crowning in 1970.
Mary West, 69, of Chazy wore the crown then.
She looks forward to looking back on her years with the group from the vantage point of the first Apple Blossom queen.
"We're (she and her husband, Bob) looking forward to seeing many of the dancers that we used to dance with 40-some years ago come back that weekend," she said, "just to reminisce with us and enjoy a potluck dinner."
She has many fond memories of her time with the group, but one stands out particularly.
West and other members of the North Country Squares were selling refreshments at a snowmobile-racing event years ago.
"We sold michigans and hamburgers and hot chocolate," she said.
"I remember the marshmallows were frozen!"
She laughed, reflecting on the friendships she has formed through her square-dancing days.
"We had so many friends, friends that we would just see every other week when we go dancing and some we would go camping with," she said. "Some lifelong friends of ours, people that we will always remember and think of."
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