| NOVEMBER 26, 2010 -- “This dance is appropriate for children of all ages ... even ones under 50!” cried caller David Kaynor, and the contra dance began.
Held last Friday, Nov. 19, the dance filled the Taghhannuck Grange in Sharon to the brim with spinning, laughing, happy people. Attendees traveled for up to two hours from Connecticut, Massachusetts and New York to be at the event, demonstrating their love for and devotion to this grassroots community.
The dance was the second of its kind at the Grange, following an incredibly well-attended first held last spring. Those who participated have been (loudly) requesting that the events begin to happen more regularly.
The Sharon dances were planned by Grange member Margaret Hopkins, 15, of Cornwall. Margaret said she’s been dancing for her entire life.
“I started out dancing in other people’s arms, then when I got brave enough, on my own feet,” she said.
Contra dancing is a type of folk dancing that is akin to square dancing but is generally done in long lines and large circles. It is a not uncommon feature of Grange halls.
The agriculturally oriented granges were first organized in Connecticut in 1857; the Taghhannuck Grange was formed in 1889. Granges focus on farmers and on supporting residents of rural communities.
“The Grange started out to give the farmers some power,” explained Bill Lyon of Cornwall, adding that now they have more of a social function.
Kaynor, who was the caller for that night’s dancing, also said during a speech that, “They were a controversial organization and went up against some pretty big corporate opponents.”
Today’s Granges are more focused on bringing people together in regions such as this, where the nearest neighbor can be a mile or more away.
“We’re trying to get people in town to be a little more cohesive,” said Taghhanuck Grange Master Barbara Prindle.
This particular Grange does a lot of community service, she added. Their current project is supplying local students with dictionaries, and their goal is for every child to own one.
Beyond paying the musicians (Still, The Home Grown Band), all of the proceeds from the contra dance will be used to support these and other community-oriented projects.
“It’s really a neat organization,” Prindle said.
For more information on Connecticut granges, visit ctstategrange.org. |
