The air was filled with toe-tapping music and the dance floor with colorful square dancing outfits during County Line Squares Alzheimer’s benefit dance last Friday.

 

Held at Pinewood Elementary in Monticello, the event featured Abe Maier as the caller directing the square dancers and Ken LaBoe as the cuer for the round dances.

 

Along with dancing, 140 attendees from all over Central Minnesota enjoyed a pot luck supper and had the opportunity to bid on nearly 30 silent auction baskets, most of which were donated by the square dancers.

 

It was the first fundraiser held by County Line Squares, who chose the Minnesota-North Dakota chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association as their beneficiary. The event raised $2,060, which thrilled organizers.

 

“It affects a lot of people,” said member Carol Maier when asked why the organization was chosen. “Plus, studies have been done that show square dancers are known to live longer because of the music, exercising their brain by following the commands, and exercising their bodies through the dances.”

 

County Line Squares consists of over 70 members of all ages, many of which are from Becker, Big Lake, Clear Lake, Clearwater and Monticello.

“We’re a good, friendly group,” said Maier. “Square dancers are known to be nice.”

 

Anyone interested in learning to square dance is encouraged to attend lessons through Monticello Community Center; the next ones begin in September. County Line Squares holds dances at Pinewood Elementary on the second and fifth Fridays of each month with the exception of June, July and August.

 

The club also visits care centers and nursing homes, and often teaches Girl Scout troops about square dancing.

 

Residents interested in learning more about County Line Squares can call Abe Maier at 320-558-6386 or visit countrylinesquares.com