Most elementary school students will say lunch is their favorite subject. I would say, recess was my favorite. I enjoyed running and playing with my classmates. I was always full of energy. I attended four schools before I entered high school. We never moved, but the population increased and the school boundaries changed. I was able to make friends with more kids that way.
Growing up in a family with no brothers and one older sister caused me to spend most of my time with other kids in the neighborhood. My parents didn't worry about me. I was always with a group. Just listen for the noise of fun and laughter, and they knew where to find me.
High school was no different. All my old friends from elementary school plus some new friends were there for me. In September of my senior year, I met this one special boy. His name was Stan. He would be waiting for me when I got off the bus in the morning. He would walk me to my classes. We shared the same science lab. We studied together. He was special! After all these years, he is still my best friend, AND MY HUSBAND.
Stan and Jane at Club Dance in Knoxville
Stan and Jane at Bootscooters Dance Hall
Stan and I have two children. I was able to put my energy into raising two active little boys. As the boys grew older, they found their own friends, and I had to find another direction for my energy. I joined a health club, and I loved it! I spent seven days a week there. I had many new friends. I got involved in weight lifting and bodybuilding, took calisthenic classes, aerobic classes, and yoga. Before long I was asked to work at the club. Get paid for having fun and meet people too!! COOL!!! I worked there for two years before it had to close.
The boys were grown. The oldest, left for the Air Force and the youngest, had joined the Marines.
Time to settle down, relax, start a hobby. Stan and I started collecting Coca-Cola and Avon collectibles. We purchased a 1974 Pontiac Grandville and a 1966 Mustang convertible. We were busy with classic car shows and flea markets. Stan has won many trophies and plaques for his cars. It was another great way to meet nice people.
I soon discovered I needed more. What? Now what do I do?? Line dance???
YES
I remember my first line dance lesson. It was at BOOTSCOOTERS DANCE HALL in Waterford, PA. I remember meeting Shirley Fenno at the door. I gave her my $3.00 and asked her "If I wasn't satisfied, could I get my money refunded?" She laughed and said "no". I learned the COWBOY HIP HOP (*see webmasters note below). I didn't need a refund. I was hooked!
My husband and I started taking line dance lessons, then couples
classes. We were enjoying this time together for excersise and
stress relief. We met some of the nicest people dancing. It wasn't
long and I had the fever. I was overcome with LDD. (line dance
disease)
I started choreographing and teaching. (*see webmasters note below)
I dance six to seven days a week.
After dancing several years at BOOTSCOOTERS , I have started
to travel and go to other clubs and dance halls. We went to Knoxville,
Tennessee to tape fifteen shows for Club Dance and danced
at Cottoneyed Joes. I danced at several places in Nashville.
On one visit, I was able to demonstrate my COUGAR STRUT, NOT A CHA
CHA and the RED, WHITE AND BLUE STRUT at the Wild Horse Saloon.
I have had the privilege to travel to many different dance spots
in Ohio, New York, Tennessee, Nevada, Wyoming, California as well
as southern Pennsylvania to dance and teach. I formed a dance demo
team called the "Dance Till Dawn Dancers". We perform line dance
exhibitions at many organizations such as nursing homes, fairs, charities, grand-openings , etc.
I have met so many great people! Line
dancing has changed my life. I hope to keep dancing and traveling
and making new friends.
We still have the Grandville and Mustang and we still collect Avon and Coke items. I now collect western boots too, but FRIENDS are the BEST collectibles. Maybe I'll meet you on the dance floor sometime. I'd like to collect another friend.
Webmasters notes:
Jane and Stan are very good friends. Jane has helped me at the dance hall many times and
her eldest son even covered DJ'ing while we had another engagement.
Jane's first dance lesson was the Cowboy Hip Hop and was taught
by a guest instructor, Mr. Ed Hammer.
Jane has taught the mentally and physically handicapped at the Gertrude Barber Center in
Erie, taught a class at a local Fire Department, kids in area schools & NWPA Girl Scouts and has assisted
me in some of my classes at the West Erie Senior Center and the
Millcreek School District.
Jane is one of the most prolific choreographers I know. In addition
to having a number of her dances published in various C/W dance
publications, "The Calamity Jane, Not A Cha Cha, Big
Rig, Georgetown Bump, Keep In Touch and Nashville Nights" have been published in Country Weekly Magazine.
So far she has over 100 dances choreographed. Janes dances, Jane E Baker and Nebraska Twister, were on a British CD as recommended dances. Her Red, White and Blue Strut comes at a time when patriotism is on the increase and is done to Brooks and Dunn's "Only In America".
Jane has written her first book, "GET IN LINE WITH CALAMITY JANE", which shares her energy secrets, some of her favorite recipes and line dance descriptions
Take me to Jane's Home Page
For more great links and info, please go to BOOTSCOOTERS HOME PAGE