Mike and Nancy Holzhausen lead the Riley Wranglers Square Dance Club
Submitted photo
Editor’s note: The Daily Reporter regularly features our “Neighbors,” whether it be someone with an interesting profession or hobby, or a nonprofit group making a difference in our community. Here, Nancy Holzhausen of the Riley Wranglers Square Dance Club shares about her hobby, and the organization’s recent 60th anniversary celebration.
Daily Reporter: How long have you been involved with Riley Wranglers?
Nancy Holzhausen: My husband, Mike, and I have been members since we took lessons in 1993.
DR: How did you get involved?
NH: We saw the Wranglers square dancing at the county fair every year, and we decided that learning to square dance would be great fun.
DR: How many people are in the club? Do you know how many have been involved over 60 years?
NH: We currently have around 75 members. Over the past 60 years, there have been between 400 to 500 people who were members at one time or another.
DR: Tell us about the 60th anniversary party.
NH: The 60th Anniversary Celebration and Dance was held Oct. 23 at Cumberland United Methodist Church. The party was a huge success with 110 members, former members, guests, and square dancers from around the state in attendance. A few came from as far away as South Carolina and Florida. It was wonderful to see old friends catching up and reminiscing about “old times dancing together.” The gym was beautifully decorated for the event. The featured square dance caller from Cincinnati was Pam Courts. Gary Hutton, club caller and Riley Wranglers president, also called. Round dance cuer was Bonnie Lawrence.
DR: Why do you enjoy Riley Wranglers?
NH: Riley Wranglers members are like family to us. Our club is known for being friendly, welcoming, and hard-working. Our members travel all over the state and country to square dance with other groups. Some of our members continue to hold leadership positions in state and national square dance conventions.
We hold regular square dances on the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. Often the dances have a theme such as Luau, Western, “Where’s Waldo,” etc. Many people get into the spirit of dressing up to go along with the theme. Visitors are always welcome, but lessons are needed in order to be able to participate. Lessons begin every year in mid September. See www.rileywranglers.org for more information.
Every year we enjoy dancing on our float in the Riley Festival Parade. Another fun activity is our annual Arts and Crafts Fair the first Saturday of May. It is our fundraiser that enables us to continue dancing through the year.
My husband and I have made life-long friends from all over the country in the thirty years we have been square dancing. Square dancers are the nicest people you could meet!
