JAYCEES TRY A NEW DANCE: ORGANIZATION RUNS FORMER STRODER COUNTRY

JACKSON, Mo. -- The name has changed but the two-step is still king at 1820 Old Toll Road.

After nine years in business, the dance hall called Stroder Country has closed only to reopen three days later as the Jackson Jaycees Community Center.

The Jaycees bought the 6,700-square-foot hall because "the Jaycees have always had a dream of having their own home," says member Rick Saupe.

In Stroder Country, they found a home that already was paying for itself.

The Jaycees will continue renting out the dance hall to country and western dance clubs two nights a week and holding a public dance on Saturday nights with live country music. Soon, they will begin holding dances for ages 16-20 on Friday nights. Flashing lights will be installed and the dancers will be able to request whatever kind of music they want.

They view the teen dance as a new community project. The hall also will be available for private parties.

The non-profit Jaycees Charitable Foundation now owns the 4.1-acre property.

Organization's rebirth

The Jackson Jaycees have made a resurgence since beginning a membership drive at the end of 1999. In only a few months, the membership doubled to 51 and now is over 75.

Since then, the Jackson Jaycees have increased the size of their July 4 celebration while maintaining their other projects at Christmas, Easter and Halloween. Being able to buy the dance hall is just their latest sign of health.

Gary Lange, a former Jackson Jaycees president who now is too old for membership in the leadership training organization, is one of six non-Jaycees who sit on the board of the charitable foundation. He says the group does not plan any dramatic changes in the hall.

Like Stroder Country, the Jaycees have a consumption license which allows patrons to bring their own alcohol.

"We didn't want to turn this into a bar," he said.

So far, the Saturday night crowds have been slightly smaller than Stroder Country drew, he said.

Thursday night, about 50 members of the Hi-CotN dance club scooted across the floor. Desert Rain will perform from 7:30-11:30 at this week's Saturday night dance. The Jackson Jaycees Community Center grand opening on April 14 will feature a performer who calls himself Marvellous Mark, Ambassador of Celebration.

Saying goodbye

Last New Year's Eve, 360 people turned out to say goodbye to Stroder Country owners Lina and Harold Stroder. One weekend night during Stroder Country's first year of 1991, only 10 people came through the door -- not counting the band.

Stroder Country opened as an alcohol-free establishment run by Stroder's brother, Roy, then later allowed patrons to bring in their own alcohol. Harold and Lina Stroder bought all the business after 15 months.

They employed a dance teacher to give weekday lessons until 1997, then leased the building to two dance clubs. Saturday nights with live bands remained their staple.

Harold Stroder said his health problems led the couple to begin thinking about selling, though they thought that would be a few years off. But when the Jaycees and two churches approached with good offers they weren't expecting, the couple decided to go ahead. "We had four or five good years," Harold Stroder said.

"... In nine years we never had one occurrence were we had to get on anybody. If people didn't dance, they would visit."

Some came every weekend. "If they couldn't be there they would tell us they were going out of town or on vacation," he said.

Stroder is happy the Jaycees are taking over his dance hall. "They really are trying to open it up for any members of the community," he said.