The annual Spring Fling Birdhouse Dance was 5 squares of fun, fun, fun!!!  We were joined on the dance floor by visiting dancers from Palouse Promenaders(Moscow), Twin City Twirlers(Lewiston/Clarkston), Silverleaf (Emmett), Magic Valley Singles(Jerome), Capital Squares(Boise), and Butte, MT.   Thank you to dancers who donated the many creative birdhouses that lined the auction/raffle table.  

A BIG, BIG THANK YOU to dancers who helped decorate the hall and cleanup after the dance.   We appreciate Katherine and Jim for their willingness to transform an otherwise ordinary-looking space into something festive and magical.  It really lifted my spirits to see the Mountain Dew-ers “Spring Fling” banner flying again; and, financially, we ended the evening with a small increase to our treasury.

Happy Birthday wishes to Phil Rowan who turns 90 this year.

Congratulations to our 19 Mainstream graduates and our 8 Plus graduates.

Steve Rieger earned the “100 Percenter” award for this year.  Steve attended every lesson, every workshop, and every regular square dance this year.  Rain or shine–Steve was always there.


The Spring Fling was our final Saturday night activity for the 21-22 dance season.  We will be dancing rounds on Tuesday (7-9) and square Mainstream Workshops on Thursday (7-9) the first 2 weeks in May.  A Mainstream Workshop is the next step up from a lesson–more dancing and less instructor talking.

May Square/Round Dance Events @ Clearwater Valley Middle School

May 3    (Tuesday 7-9) Choreographed Ballroom Dancing
May 5    (Thursday, 7-9 pm) Mainstream Workshop
May 7    (Saturday)  No dancing @ CVMS (Blossom Daze, Clarkston)
May 10  (Tuesday 7-9) Choreographed Ballroom Dancing
May 12  (Thursday, 7-9 pm)     Mainstream Workshop

Summer Travel Dance Opportunities:  

** May 7                         Twin City Twirlers Blossom Daze, Clarkston, WA
                                             Adam Izbicki, caller                John Rich, cuer
** May 27-30                  Montana State Festival, Helena, MT
                                             Craig Abercrombie, caller      Doug & Leslie Dodge, cuer
** June 3-4                      Mountain Mixer, Lolo Dance Center, Lolo, MT
                                             Butch Suttey, caller               Sharon McNair, cuer
** June 10-12                   Idaho State Festival, Sandpoint, ID
                                             Rod Shuping, caller                 Debbie & Paul Taylor, cuer       
** June 17-18                   Washington State Festival, Spokane, WA.
                                              Mike Bramlett, caller              John and Fran Downing, cuer

Hello Dancers and Friends,

My conversation with one of the young visitors at last week’s square dance lesson reminded me of why we dance....   
                 “Why do all those people have smiles on their faces?” she asked. 
                  “Because they are square dancing.” was my reply.   
She was right; there were a lot of smiling faces on the dance floor.   The winter session of square dance lessons will finish this month.  There are two mainstream  moves left to be taught before the mainstream list is completed.   Congratulations to all of you on a job well done!!!

The Mountain Dew-ers' Spring Fling is coming up soon(April 23rd) .  Is your calendar marked?   Is your birdhouse ready?  Our 2022 birdhouse specialists Robert and Cathy Ward will choose 3 birdhouses for the silent auction.  Other birdhouses will be raffled off.  One free birdhouse raffle ticket comes with your dance entry fee.  Additional raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 6 tickets for $5.00.  Evening activities begin with a potluck at 5:30 followed by pre-rounds at 6:30 and a mainstream dance with rounds from 7- 9 pm with guest caller Gary Baker from Spokane Valley and guest cuer John Rich from Moscow.

Upcoming April Square/Round Dance Events @ Clearwater Valley Middle School

April 5 (Tuesday 7-9)                        Phase II Waltz Review
April 7 (Thursday, 7-9 pm)                Mainstream Lesson  #13
April 9 (Saturday,  5-7 pm)                Mainstream Dance  with rounds, Plus dancing @ 7 pm
April 12 (Tuesday 7-9)                       Phase II Waltz Review
April 14 (Thursday, 7-9 pm)              Mainstream Lesson  #14
April 19 (Tuesday 7-9)                       Phase II Waltz Review
April 21 (Thursday, 7-9 pm)              Mainstream Lesson  #15

April 23 (Saturday,  5:30-9 pm)        Spring Fling Bird House Dance.  Is your birdhouse ready?

April 26-30                                    No dancing at CVMS.  Hall closed for prom decorating.  


Summer Travel Dance Opportunities:  
** April 23                       Mountain Dew-ers Spring Fling Bird House Dance.  Is your birdhouse ready?
                                                              Gary Baker, caller                  John Rich, cuer
** May 7                          Twin City Twirlers Blossom Daze, Clarkston, WA
                                                              Adam Izbicki, caller                John Rich, cuer
** May 27-30                  Montana State Festival, Helena, MT
                                                              Craig Abercrombie, caller      Doug & Leslie Dodge, cuer
** June 3-4                      Mountain Mixer, Lolo Dance Center, Lolo, MT
                                                               Butch Suttey, caller               Sharon McNair, cuer
** June 10-12                   Idaho State Festival, Sandpoint, ID
                                                              Rod Shuping, caller                 Debbie & Paul Taylor, cuer       
** June 17-18                   Washington State Festival, Spokane, WA.
                                                               Mike Bramlett, caller              John and Fran Downing, cuer


Keep Smiling and Happy Dancing!!!!

Hello Dancers and Friends,

March is the month to mark your dance calendar for special club dances, state festivals and other fun summer square dance events.  We are fortunate to have guest caller Gary Baker from Spokane Valley, Washington, and guest cuer John Rich from Moscow coming to entertain us April 23rd at the Mountain Dew-ers Spring Fling, also known as the “Birdhouse Dance”.   Evening activities begin with a potluck at 5:30 follow by pre-rounds at 6:30 and a mainstream dance with rounds from 7- 9 pm.  Birdhouses donated by dancers are auctioned and raffled off at this fun event.  The cost for this special dance is $5.00 per person.  Don’t miss out on good food, fun dancing, and a chance to win a birdhouse made by our creative, talented dancers.

Save the dates: (flyers for these events are available @ https://mountaindewers.weebly.com/news)

** April 23                       Mountain Dew-ers Spring Fling Bird House Dance.  Is your birdhouse ready?
                                                              Gary Baker, caller        John Rich, cuer
** May 7                          Twin City Twirlers Blossom Daze, Clarkston, WA
                                                              Adam Izbicki, caller      John Rich, cuer
** May 27-30                  Montana State Festival, Helena, MT
                                                              Craig Abercrombie, caller      Doug & Leslie Dodge, cuer
** June 10-12                   Idaho State Festival, Sandpoint, ID
                                                              Rod Shuping, caller Debbie & Paul Taylor, cuer       
** June 17-18                   Washington State Festival, Spokane, WA.
                                                               Mike Bramlett, caller John and Fran Downing, cuer


Tips for Beginning Dancers:
∙ Listen to the music and move to the music.
∙ Take smaller steps.
∙ Stand tall and move lightly.
∙ Keep your weight forward–Step using the ball of your foot rather than your heel.
∙ Use the traditional shuffle step, with your feet gliding along the floor.

Name Badges:
A sign up sheet to order Mountain Dew-ers square/round dance name badges is available next to the sign in book.  Badges will be ordered the first part of April.  Cost for a Mountain Dew-ers name badge is $5.00.

Fun Fact:      Did you know that the Mountain Dew-ers have been dancing as a club since 1981.  

Happy Dancing!!!!

January was a good month for square dancing in the Upper Clearwater Valley.  Judging by smiling faces and the amount of laughter in the room, our first Community Dance was a smashing success.  Articles about the event were published in The Clearwater Progress and the Idaho County Free Press with pictures on the front page.  Yes, some of you are now famous!!!!   We are grateful for the support received from the dance community. Thank you to Katherine for decorating the tables for the Winter Festival Dance.  Thank you to club members who help with the Mainstream lessons on Thursdays—your efforts are noticed and appreciated.  It is exciting to see new dancers progress through the lessons. Thank you to those who help setup and takedown equipment and tables.

At the Area II 5th Saturday “Open Mic” Dance last weekend, we were favored with singing calls/cues from Phil, Sarah, Adam, and Sylvia.  Lorna helped us practice the line dance Elvira.   The plus lessons following the 5th Saturday Dance were a reminder of how much we have grown together this year as a club– we are all dancing better at the mainstream level, Adam learned to call plus, and 12 dancers learned plus moves. 

It is not too early to begin marking your calendar for upcoming special dances and summer festivals.
** April 23 –Mountain Dew-ers Spring Fling Bird House Dance.  Get your birdhouses ready.
** May 7 –Twin City Twirlers Blossom Daze, Clarkston, WA
** May 27-30 –Montana State Festival, Helena, MT.
** June 10-12 –Idaho State Festival, Sandpoint, ID.
** June 17-18 –Washington State Festival, Spokane, WA.

Mountain Dew-ers are now on the internet @  https://mountaindewers.weebly.com/. The website is updated regularly and includes information about weekly schedules, news regarding upcoming events, dance videos for both squares and rounds, pictures of free square dance clothes, and FAQs. 

Mountain Dew-ers Valentine’s Mainstream Dance/with Rounds is Feb 12th from 5-7 pm.  Get dressed up and come whirl and twirl with us. 

Hope to see you on the dance floor soon!!    ​