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EAGLE LAKE — It was a night for love and dancing at the Senior Valentine Dance this past Friday night.
The dance, held at the Community Center on Feb. 3 from 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., is one of many monthly dances that helps keep Friday nights alive for those that attend.
“There was nothing here for the older people,” Helen Supak, co-organizer of the event, said. “Way back, we had people come in and they found their partners and got married.”
Helen Supak and her husband Harry Supak moved to Eagle Lake in 1960. She said they started the series of monthly dances with another couple, who are now deceased, back in July 1992 at the old K.C. Hall in Eagle Lake. After 5 years, they moved to the Community Center once the hall closed.
“My husband had a band for 30 years when we first started,” she said. “He used to play monthly and then after that, we started hiring other bands.”
Harry formed the family band in early 1970 and called it the Country Playboys. Supak said her children played in the band as well as her grandchildren, all taught by her husband.
The Boogie Allen Band took the stage this past Friday with a variety of country music, fast and slow.
“We try to really make it nice and cozy for the people,” she said. “We are trying to get more people, older people to come out and join us and have a good time,” she said.
Though the event is centered around older couples, some younger couples also attend.
Supak said she has seen people come in on walkers and then no longer need any assistance once they get on the dance floor.
“This is the best exercise they can do,” she said. “And you meet a lot of friends.”
Supak said someone came as far as Plantersville to attend the dance.
“I wish we could get more locals,” she said. “It’s mainly outof- towners that [attend] all of the dances.”
The intermission period includes food, door prizes, and a photo backdrop for guests to take pictures. Supak said at times, they will recognize birthdays and anniversaries.
“This is a fun thing,” she said. “It’s like a large family.”
Supak said her children, Martha Jones, Shirley Jones, Carol Richter and Larry Supak, and grandchildren does most of the work to get the dances set up. Her husband, who just turned 91, was unable to attend the dance due to the cool weather, also attends regularly.
Supak said she looks at the dances as a form of community service.
“We don’t do this for money,” she said. “Whatever we get at the door, half goes to the band and half goes to the city.”
The dances take place the first Friday of each month, except for Good Friday. The next event is scheduled March 3 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $10. The band performing will be Blue Denim, which is Martha’s (Supak’s daughter) band.
