By VERNON ROBISON
Moapa Valley Progress
It was a regular small town country hoe-down at the Old Logandale School on Saturday evening. More than 50 people came, with dancing boots on, to kick up their heels at a Country Barn Dance organized by the Old Logandale School Historical and Cultural Society (OLSHACS).
The evening began with members of the Overton Senior Center Line Dancers taking the dance floor and teaching the crowd a new line dance. After a brief instruction session, the crowd lined up on the floor and spent some time practicing the dance.
After a while, the Nelson Family Band took to the stage to provide some live music for dancing. With four generations of family members in the band, the Nelsons provided a sweet, down-home sound that encouraged folks out of their seats and onto the dance floor.
OLSHACS board member Robin Maughan said that the organization had been talking about holding regular events that would draw the community to the Old Logandale School facitility as a gathering place. A Barn Dance felt like a natural fit, Maughan said.
“That’s what this building is all about, really,” Maughan said. “It’s music and dancing and bringing the community together..”
Maughan said that the original idea for the dance came from Moapa Valley Art Guild President and OLSHACS board member, Jackie Worthen. Worthen also is a member of the Senior Center Line Dancers which meet regularly at the Senior Center every Tuesday and Thursday morning.
“We were talking about various ideas of events we could have,” Worthen said with a smile. “I suggested that we do a Barn Dance. Robin said that it was a great idea and then she put me in charge of organizing it.”
Attendees stayed throughout the evening and enjoyed visiting and dancing. Moapa Valley native John Robison said it reminded him of the old days.
“Some of my earliest memories are of events just like this right here in this room,” Robison said.
“I don’t usually do a lot of dancing anymore, but this has been a lot of fun,” said Dennis Holtz who had just returned from the dance floor.
Maughan said that the barn dance is just the beginning. The OLSHACS board plans to put on a community event regularly throughout the year; including another barn dance in the fall. Watch future editions of the PROGRESS for details.