'Dance Through the Ages' kicks off Jackson bicentenial commemorations

Jackson is nearing its 200th anniversary July 4, and the yearlong celebration started with an afternoon whirl on the dance floor Sunday.

The bicentennial city's "Dance Through the Ages" drew 150 people to American Legion Post 158, 319 N. High St.

"There is a lot of history in our community," said city outreach committee member Janice Lumsden. "We want to honor the older generation and the history they have, and educate the younger generation and involve them as well."

Lumsden said a count of participants showed 150, opening with waltzes and polkas at 2 p.m. and proceeding through mixers and contras, or circle dances, swings, jitterbugs, cha chas and salsas.

"Dancing was important to a lot of people growing up," she said.

Noting that Jackson was the first city in the U.S. to be named after Andrew Jackson, Mayor Barbara Lohr said photos of all the city's mayors since 1814 will be displayed at city hall next month.

Wearing Oxford shoes, a red poodle skirt and the Southeast Missouri State College football letter jacket earned by her late husband, Bob, in 1959, Lohr said, "We felt a dance in February would be appropriate because of Valentine's Day.

"It's a good opportunity for the older generation who has been around here for a long time to get together and have fun. July 4 is our true anniversary because they had a vote of everyone who was there that day in 1814 to name the town for Andrew Jackson before the Battle of New Orleans or his election as president."

Tommy Hubbs and Country Generation of Anna, Ill., performed the music while Marc Strauss and Mary Pensel instructed the dancers, most of whom wore conventional attire; however, there were a few period costumes like Lohr's and some 19th or early 20th century dresses.

Lohr said bicentennial buttons and plates are available at city hall for $10 and $25 and that a photo-laden commemorative book will be published next year.

Retired teacher Pat McClard has had both knees replaced but was enjoying the event nonetheless.

"I love the music, and I like to watch the people showcase the talent they have," McClard said.

Sitting on the other side of the table, Richard Roberts said Pensel "is an old friend" whose instructions are always entertaining.

"I already know the steps, but Mary is an excellent teacher," Roberts said.

Charles and Diane Rellergert had been doing the dances the teachers demonstrated, but they preferred the later styles. The Rellergerts planned to continue till the dance ended at 6 p.m. and chuckled to say they "might have to learn some new ones."

Ted Westrich and Janet Hitt said they "are line dancers, so this is a change of pace for us."

"After being shut in [because of the cold weather], it's good to get out and do something fun," Hitt said. "We only worked one day last week at the senior center in Scott City. When you go to the dances here or in Cape, you see a lot of the same people. I'd say most of these people already know how to dance."

Pertinent address:

319 N. High St., Jackson, Mo.