Kincardine Tartan Twirlers celebrate 40th anniversary with annual Tart 'n' Cheesecake

The Kincardine Tartan Twirlers modern square-dance club welcomed clubs from Clinton, Lucknow, Owen Sound and Hanover, to celebrate Kincardine's 40th anniversary at the annual Tart 'n' Cheesecake dance, Friday night at the St. Anthony's School gymnasium.

The forerunner of the current club was the "Bluewater Squares," started March 21, 1960, with Bert and Dorothy Hartley and Harold and Mae Harris as early members. Eve and Ron Keddy of Owen Sound were callers for several years, followed by Art Shepherd who later moved to New Zealand.

In February, 1975, the name "Tartan Twirlers," submitted by Ron and Kathy Weisner, was chosen and a new badge proposed.

Dances were held in early 1975 at St. Anthony's Church, with Egbert Jacobs as caller. Finances were tight and Father Grogan paid the caller's fee.
Things improved rapidly, the club became financially stronger, and dances were moved to W.E. Thompson Public School where the club danced until 1999 when it moved to the Anglican Church of the Messiah.

New badges became available in September, 1976. Earlier that year, Audrey Smith, Audrey O'Callahan and Jan Stilling were to research a banner design for the club. April 6, 1977, the club banner that Sue Young made was approved and unveiled at the graduation dance April 29. Other clubs continue to steal that very distinctive banner.

In 1986, the club purchased sufficient red plaid fabric, as close in colouration to the Bruce County tartan as could be found, and members stitched up the first club outfits.

Jacobs continued to call for the Tartan Twirlers until the spring of 1978, when John Gray joined the club in 1978 and called until the spring of 1985. Then, Neva McVittie became the caller and she and Duncan continue to keep the dancers' toes tapping to this day.

Friday night, she received a corsage and he, a boutonnière, in appreciation of their dedication to the club for the past 30 years.



The Kincardine Tartan Twirlers and visiting clubs enjoy the Tart 'n' Cheesecake event, Friday night at St. Anthony's School

For a few years, the Tartan Twirlers had a separate Beginners Club. From 1976-77, Wilf Steele called for this club on Tuesday evenings. In the fall of 1977, Ron Weisner made his debut, calling for the Beginners until 1980.
In the fall of 1997, Derek Spencer agreed to help the Beginners for that season. Since then, Beginners are instructed as part of each regular Friday night dance. It keeps Neva busy calling for all three events - the Mainstream and Plus dancers are there to help the new ones along.

Neva and Duncan have a hectic schedule, as she calls in Rostock on Monday nights, Lucknow on Wednesday nights, Owen Sound on Thursday nights, Kincardine on Friday nights, and has a SWOSDA (South Western Ontario Square Dance Association) dance once per month in Flesherton.

Several Tartan Twirlers now enjoy round-dancing lessons with Dan and Rhetha Roy, Wednesday evenings, at St. Anthony's School.

Over the years, the Kincardine club became well-known for its Valentine's dances, the Tart 'n' Cheesecake Twirl, Spring Fever Dances and Harvest Howls. Some of those events have been discontinued, but the club welcomes visitors whenever they come for a night of fun and fellowship.

As one member described the dances, they are like friendship set to music.

And there's usually a bit of mischief at the Tart 'n' Cheesecake, as visiting clubs come to retrieve the banners that have been "acquired" throughout the year by the Kincardine club. However, in order to do so, they have to follow the caller's directions. Friday night, Neva called for the ladies to dance together, and the men to dance together for a round of square dancing in order to get their banners back.

The Tartan Twirlers have been affiliated with SWOSDA through the years. In October, 1989, they hosted the 30th anniversary dance, a SWOSDA dance in 1995 at the Davidson Centre, and another on April 28, 2001, in Underwood.

The club meets every Friday evening, beginning at 8 p.m, from late September to early May, at the Anglican Church of the Messiah Hall. For more information, contact Wayne and Carol Brownrigg at 519-396-7359, or Ron and Shirley Harris at 519-396-3686.