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Hollyhopper Square Dance Club observes 50th

Carol and Gerrit Kuipers, Luverne, are current presidents of the Hollyhoppers.

The Hollyhoppers are named for the Hollyhock Ballroom, Hatfield, where they began dancing 50 years ago.

When the Hollyhock Ballroom closed in 1954, the club moved to the American Legion Club in Pipestone, and in 1968, moved again to the Jasper Memorial Hall.

Lessons were given in Brown Elementary School, Pipestone, under the Adult Education program. Eventually the club moved to the Jasper Elementary School for both lessons and dances until the school closed earlier this year.

Since then, the Hollyhoppers have been meeting in Brown School for lessons and to dance every first, third and fifth Saturday night. An average dance night brings roughly three squares, or 12 couples - four per square.

Saturday's dance was accented by traditional square dance attire of long-sleeve western-style shirts on men, skirts filled out by can-cans on women.

Though some Hollyhoppers still dress up for regular meetings, most wear jeans or simple straight skirts, according to club co-presidents Gerrit and Carol Kuipers, Luverne.

"We have fun," Carol said, when asked why she joined the group 13 years ago. "It's good exercise as well as the fellowship of all the dancers. It's a friendly group."

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