Oralia Williams of Williston goes square dancing four times a week, continuing a 38 year old tradition she established with her husband, Andy. Now a widow, she is still a member of the Lake Champlain Squares, attending their workshops on Tuesday evenings in South Burlington and their monthly Saturday night dances. She also goes to events sponsored by other local clubs – in Essex Junction, Morrisville, and Burlington. She likes to square dance, she says, because it's fun, inexpensive, and you do not have to come with a partner.

"No one is ever left out at a square dance," she says. "Husbands take turns with single women. Women can take men's parts. It's just friendly and fun."

Hundreds of Vermonters agree with Williams, supporting 19 square dance clubs in the state, three in the Burlington area. Dancers vary widely in age and work backgrounds, but they come together to dance, often several times each week.

"I like it because of the sociability," says Jean Lavigne of South Hero, who along with her husband, Bob, share the leadership of the Green Mountain Steppers. "It's great exercise, it's inexpensive, and it's a good family activity. She notes that the ages of Green Mountain Steppers can range from 9 to 80, with children sometimes coming to the dances with their parents or grandparents. Most of the dancers, however, have gray hair, having started or come back to dancing after their children have grown. The Lavignes have been dancing for seventeen years. "When Bob broke his leg and was laid up for eleven weeks, he still didn't miss a dance," says Jean.

Although square dancing has its roots in 17th century Europe, the common form today - western square dance - was established in the United States in the mid-20th century. All Americans know about Henry Ford and the "Model T", but few realize that Ford was an avid square dancer, built a dance hall for his employees, and helped to modernize the traditional forms and popularize them. The name "square dance" describes the formation of eight people, two on each side of a square. Movements by all the dancers are prompted by a caller. The music varies widely – including country, western, pop, rock, oldies, gospel, show tunes, even Christmas music.

Lester and Marge Durett of Williston, members of the Lake Champlain Squares have been dancing for the past nine years, usually twice a week. "It keeps us young at heart," says Marge. It's great exercise," says Lester. "It raises your heart rate, and it keeps you thinking. It exercises your mind as well as your body."

"Dance for the health of it," says the Mayo Clinic Health Letter. A half hour of dancing can burn between 200 and 400 calories, as many as walking, swimming, or riding a bicycle. Square dancing also improves cardiovascular conditioning, and helps to prevent osteoporosis.

The mental exercise involves learning the different movements or calls. Modern western square dancing is built on layers or levels of dance, explains Fred Smith of Westford, who along with his wife, Betty, leads Checkmates, an advanced square dancing group. A beginner starts out learning 38 basic moves. The next level, called Mainstream, involves some 30 different combinations of these basic moves. Succeeding levels, called Plus, Advanced 1 and 2, and Challenge 1,2, and 3 in turn add many more combinations. "In the books, 5000 figures are available to dancers," says Smith. "Of course, we don't do all of these. Within two years, most dancers are at the Plus level."

Nancy Hall of Colchester, dancing with her husband Wayne since 1990, says, "Square dancing is a great stress reliever because you must concentrate on the steps. You cannot think about anything else."

Each of the three Burlington area clubs sponsors weekly workshops or lessons. The Lake Champlain Squares and the Green Mountain Steppers offer workshops starting with the beginner level, advancing through Plus, with some Advanced dancing. Checkmates offers Advanced and Challenge workshops. The Squares and the Steppers also organize monthly dances. Most clubs charge $4 per person for workshops, $12 per couple for the dances.

Special statewide dance festivals are held throughout the year. On November 18, the Barre-Montpelier Advanced 60's will sponsor their annual Thanksgiving Ball, welcoming new as well as experienced dancers. On February 10, the Lake Champlain Squares will host a fund-raiser dance for the Children's Miracle Network. In March, the Lake Champlain Squares will hold their annual Maple Sugar Square Dance Festival, with five dancing halls and dancers from all over New England and Canada. "Spectators welcome," says Marge Durett.

Modern western square dancing can be found all over the world – with the same steps and always called in English – says Jean Lavigne. She has met callers from Japan, Saudi Arabia, and Belgium. The Aberdeen Twirlers came to dance in Vermont. Shipboard cruises to the Caribbean are organized around square dancing.

"Square dancing is friendship set to music," says Hall. "Just walk into any club, and you're embraced."

For a calendar of square dancing events and club contacts, contact the Vermont Association of Western Style Square Dance Clubs, Bud and Judy Clifford, 802-563-2777 or go to: www.SquareDanceVT.org

Barbara Leitenberg writes on senior issues for the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging. This article originally appeared in the Burlington Free Press.