Generations join for the 2-step

0 Comments | Deseret News (Salt Lake City), Feb 19, 2003 | by Laura HancockDeseret News staff writer

LAYTON -- Back in the days when women sewed their own clothes and teenagers got by on foot because few owned cars, dance halls were the highlight of a young person's social life.

In Cache Valley they flocked to the Logana. In Ogden, big bands played at the White City. One of Utah's best was Saltair because of its enormous size and smooth hardwood floors with generous give -- factors by which dance halls were judged.

On Tuesday about 20 senior citizens relived parts of their past in the sitting room of the Apple Village, an assisted-living home where Northridge High School students hosted a sweetheart dance.

It was a service project for the Health Occupational Students of America, a club for students aspiring to medical professions. They wore formal clothing and gave the seniors silk rose corsages.

"It's for the residents here. It's also for the students," said Mary Hardy, activities director for the home. "It's an intergenerational thing. If they're not dancing, they're chatting."

Despite different dance styles -- the older generation wanted to two-step, the younger is used to informally swaying with the music -- some things never change, such as the awkwardness of the beginning of a dance, when men and women stand around waiting for someone to make a move.

"I was the first person to go out there and dance," said Northridge senior Josh Gifford, who doesn't dance much but grew impatient and grabbed a resident by the hand to break the ice.

On the dance floor, Northridge junior Rob Smith was captivated by the lives of the eight women he danced with. "They have cool stories. They mainly talked about when they went out on Saturday. They danced all the time."

Jenny Leininger remembers when she walked with her seven friends to the White City each Saturday. She also went to church dances and formals at Ogden High School.

"School, dating and dancing -- that was your life," Leininger said.

She was impressed by the students' attire, particularly the girls, many in the same dresses they wore to last year's prom. "I never could afford to have a beautiful dress. How gorgeous. How neat it could have been, when I was in high school."

Mary Bateman, however, did the fox trot, waltz and Charleston, in dresses she made -- such as a red crinkly gown with short sleeves. Sometimes she remembers the dress more than the dates.

Looking at the green carpeted floor of the home, Bateman remembered the dance hall in her Idaho hometown. "They didn't have green rugs," she said. "I used to love to dance. And dancing was my life."

E-mail: lhancock@desnews.com