Mark's Notebook

Club of the week: Spinning Wheels

Spinning Wheels Square Dance Club has been in existence for 47 years! They have five squares who dance Plus on Thursday evenings in Los Altos, CA. The club caller is Jim Osborne.

Spinning Wheels started in November 1957 with caller Don Hills and wife Wilma. Other callers to follow included Jim Fusaro, John Davis, Terry Walden and Charlie Brown with wife Linda who was the club caller for over 25 years, from 1976-2003. Jim Osborne is the current caller.

The club has always danced at Loyola Elementary School in Los Altos. In 2003-2004 the school was closed down, rebuilt completely, and reopened last September. During its closure, they danced at Springer School. Dorothy Carlson says, "We love being back at Loyola and the new multi-purpose room where we dance is beautiful!" The club donated a brick placed in the patio of the new school -- it is inscribed "Spinning Wheels -- Keep Dancing!"

The Shamrock Shuffle is the club's one big event of the year. They also hold parties for members at Christmas, Valentines Day, Cinco de Mayo, etc. and have a yearly Ladies Luncheon. The men get together for tours of the NUMMI plant, the aircraft museum, etc. Several couples regularly attend Winterfest, Solvang, and McCloud dances.

The club also participates in the Fifth Thursday Clubs joint dances. They dance at some community events when asked.

The club invites former members to the annual Christmas potluck and dance and they have numerous theme nights at regular club dances.

The club is a very friendly group and always welcomes visitors.

Shamrock Shuffle

Every year the club sponsors the the Shamrock Shuffle on the second Saturday in March.

This year's hoedown takes place March 12, 2005. The Caller will be Gary Carnes, with Jim & Adele Chico cueing the rounds. The dance is at John Muir School, 1260 Branham Lane, San Jose, CA. 8-11 pm.

Spinning Wheels has a web site here.

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Last updated Tuesday 13 May 2008