Lake Champlain Squares is on a Covid hold until at least September 2021.
THERE WILL BE NO DANCES OR CLASSES UNTIL AT LEAST SEPTEMBER 2021!
THIS INCLUDES THE MAPLE SUGAR FEISTIVAL!
Lake Champlain Squares will be getting back to dancing as soon as this pandemic will allow!
Lake Champlain Squares History
From an informal group that began to dance in the Burlington area before 1960, the Lakeside Steppers were formed in 1961. Jim Ford was the caller and Bill Alexander cued. In 1969 Lakeside Steppers started the Maple Sugar Festival. When Jim Ford left the area for southern Vermont, Bob Sedlor called for about 15 months. Jim Ford came back and then moved to Florida for good.
In 1967 Covered Bridge Stompers had their first unofficial group of dancers that included folks who learned to dance through the IBM club with Bob Sedlor calling.In 1968 the official club was formed.Fred and Betty Smith were among the 1969-70 class members and are still dancing in 2011. Bob Sedlor returned to calling for Lakeside Steppers after their long time caller left the state.At the time he was still calling for Covered Bridge Stompers.Bob continued to call until 1981 when he left Vermont.It became obvious the two clubs should hold joint workshops.Tom Vititow and Kevin VanVleit alternated calling and John Benedict taught the class for some time.Tom Vititow then assumed the position of full time caller and Bob Grant taught the class for several years. In 1986 Covered Bridge Stompers and Lakeside Steppers merged and became Lake Champlain Squares.When Tom Vititow stopped traveling from New York, Bob Grant took over calling the club level workshops.Rich and Marcie Hoenes taught the class.In 1998 Ray Moskewich began calling for Lake Champlain Squares.