Cactus Corners

Some History
information from Charyle Hartje, the Club’s first Newsletter Editor, and current Music Coordinator, with other information obtained and compiled by Sallie W., Club Web Coordinator.

Nora Wilt, founder of Cactus Corners Dance Club, did so with the right hand support of two of her close friends, Barbara Bell and Gladys Johnson. Nora attended our All Club Dance in 2004; Barbara has attended many times, bringing Gladys before Gladys passed away in 2006 at the age of 98 yrs. All of us loved her; she was a sweetheart.

Nora actually started the club in 1990 and before that, taught country western dance through Livermore Recreation from 1980 to 2000. At one time Nora also taught instructor classes at Swiss Park and a couple of her students included the likes of Charlotte Skeeters and Neil Hale. She told the story that at one time the “Tush Push” was taught at Swiss Park and the people DID NOT like it at all. They said it was “TOO WIGGLY”. Imagine that… we’ve come a long way.

The club started out dancing at the Camp Parks Pavilion, located in Dublin, with a huge dance floor to accommodate approximately 200 Cactus Corners members. At that time there were no “phrased” dances and most dances were taught so that you could do them to any piece of music. Nora elected to bring in live bands instead of playing records/tapes. If we had to play tapes, she was the one who did it with her boom box.

Cactus Corners Dance Club held it’s first election in November of 1990, voting in Bill Stimmerman as President from 1991-1994. Gary Clayton succeeded Bill and served from 1995-1999. The President from 2000-2005 was Rosemary Epler, followed by Gary Clayton starting in 2006-present.

The popular and talented Cactus Corners Demo Team performed at many functions and retirement homes from 1993 until its illustrious career came slowly to a close in 2004. They entertained many small crowds (as well as themselves), judging by the reports written by Phil after each event for the newsletter.

In conclusion, our club continues to host dances approximately two times a month, usually on the 1st Friday and the 3rd Saturday. The club has had other “homes” throughout the years since Camp Parks. Today the dances are held almost exclusively at the Danville Grange Hall. Every January, the tickets sell-out for our Annual Classic Line Dance Workshop at the Grange. On New Year’s Eve, a special dinner dance is held at the Grange to celebrate and welcome in the New Year. We hope to celebrate many more!