Seniors keep two-stepping
The Butler Two-Steppers Club may be an aging group, but they are not afraid to hit the dance-floor at the end of every month.
“When you get older, life is humdrum,” Kathie Wilson, a longtime member, said. “Everybody who comes lives for the dance.”
The Butler Two-Steppers is an organization that offers two-step and line dancing opportunities open to members and nonmembers alike.
The club hosts one dance monthly and multiple annual potluck events, such as a Spring Fling, Summer Bash and Fall Festival.
Wilson joined the club when they began to accept line dancers and has remained a member for 20 years.
“The club started for couples doing two-stepping, but the couples got older, so they had to either disband or let line dancers in,” Wilson said.
In her time with the club, Wilson has served as board president. Now, she holds the title of “supply clerk,” and is in charge of providing refreshments at the dances.
However, one of her most recent contributions was helping the club find a new home for their dances.
Recently, the Butler Two-Steppers had to leave behind their old meeting place at the Tanglewood Center for the St. Peter’s Catholic Church social hall.
“The cost for the church is a little higher, but it’s affordable,” Wilson said. “We’re not trying to make money. We just want to keep it going for the enjoyment.”
Wilson came to the club’s board and presented the idea of the social hall as a new venue.
On Jan. 24, the Two-Steppers held their first dance at the new venue, something Rene and Andrea Kiebler felt they needed to fly in from Florida to attend.
“It was the first one, and we’re down here from December to March, but we couldn’t miss it,” Rene Kiebler said.
As for the new location, members expressed concerns about the floor, but ended up liking the venue.
“There was not a lot of complaints at all. Everyone seemed pretty happy there,” Wilson said.
“It’s all been positive responses,” Kiebler echoed. “The space is big and the floor is nice.”
Kiebler, who serves as club president, moved to the Butler area with his wife, Andrea, in 2018. The Kieblers had danced on the eastern side of the state and had worries about finding that community again.
“To move over here and not know if line dancing would be offered was a bit scary,” he said.
The Kieblers became involved with the Two-Steppers shortly after their move, and took on roles within the club’s board to further their involvement.
“I love to give back to the community,” Kiebler said. “We would love to see Two-Steppers go on for another 30 years.”
The club has members of all age groups, with the youngest dancers being children and the oldest being in their 90s. However, a majority tend to be in their 60s and 70s.
“The club is aging, but our membership has been steady,” Wilson said. “We get over 50 members at almost every dance, and 70 at our potlucks.”
The club motivates Wilson to stay active, so she started going to the YMCA a few times a week.
“I started to go so I make sure I can still dance,” Wilson said.
She said she believes the club serves as exercise, but also as an entertaining leisure activity.
Kiebler said that the dances do serve as physical exercise for him, as he can accumulate thousands of steps within just a few hours.
“Line dancing is a great way to keep feeling young,” he said.
Kiebler said he also believes the constant learning and recalling of dances helps to maintain mental acuity.
“We can do upwards of 60 dances a night,” he said. “It seems like a lot, but you learn them one at a time.”
The club is open to members of all ages, but Kiebler said the number of dances they do can be daunting for new members.
“We don’t care if you know the dances,” he said. “You might not know one, but people will show you.”
He recommended those who are interested look into YouTube videos and dance classes to instill confidence.
Dances are usually held on the fourth Friday of the month. Admission is $7 for members and $8 for nonmembers. Those interested can join the Butler Two-Steppers Facebook group for more information.
