Simonton Corners Memories

As I recall, the Simonton Corners contradance was started by Mary Schulien, Beedie Parker and myself, I think in 1978. There were some great contradances around, like the one in Liberty. It seemed as if every Saturday night we'd find ourselves packed into some old jalopy, splitting the cost of gas, driving through a blizzard to some fantastic distant contradance and then straggling home in the small hours.

We figured a Rockport-Camden area dance was a good idea, so we made silk-screened posters and got started at Simonton Corner. As with all the dances at the time, there was no amplification of music or callers. Folks had to encourage each other to be a little quieter and pay more attention. This was kind of nice, since there was no fancy technology, and when learning a dance people listened attentively to the caller.

When we started the Simonton Dance it was really at the beginning of the contradance revival in Maine. I think admission was $2. At that time most of the dancers were in their twenties. Then the babies and children of these dancers started showing up, and some older people as well. You'd find the kids, (my own included), sleeping in some corner or on a couple of chairs, unconsciously absorbing the will to dance.

Now we have a spread of folks of all ages, which is so great. To me it means that contradancing has been fully reestablished here in our communities, with all the delight and community and positive spirit it embodies. Aside from the sheer joy of all that dancing, who knows how many wonderful friendships have formed on the dance floor, and how many couples first met in a contradance line?

But back in the '70's, we weren't thinking so much about the long-term impact. We just knew that contradancing was one of those rare and priceless things in life that are not about money or material wealth, and that It took us outside ourselves, and swept us into a joyful present.

There have not been a many changes at the community dance hall. There used to be a wonderful, huge black double-oven wood fired cook stove in the kitchen. At various times there have been special potluck dinner dances and special Christmas dances. A few summertime special dances were organized at Warren Island, off Ilseboro. Years ago there was an open dance pavilion out there, but only a few foundation stones remain, and we just danced on the grass. Some people stayed overnight, camping in tents. It was lots of fun and something we should do again!

Over the years, there have been many people who have volunteered their time, energy and spirit to keep the dance going. So many great, creative callers and musicians have played awesome dances, and all you dancers have brought so much more than the price of admission to that worn old dance floor. It's especially wonderful that the recent wave of younger dancers has brought their own fantastic energy and style to contradancing.

Isn't it incredible that we've all kept this dance thriving all this time? Let's keep dancing forever!!!

-Paul Cartwright

Contradancing in Coastal Maine