HIGHLAND CAPERS
Teaching & Dancing Plus, & Ph II Rounds - Mondays 8:00-10:00 pm, Trinity Church Hall, Queen St., Sydney Mines
Caller: Tom Gardner / Guest Cuer: Wendell Carroll
Contact: Ida & Jack Finney
3 View St.
Sydney Mines, NS B1V 2G8 (902) 763-9289

      The Highland Capers Square Dancing Club of Sydney Mines, Cape Breton was started in 1974 with Charlie Flemming as Caller. The club formed with only four couples. Two of these original couples are still dancing. Cliff and Yvonne Farnsworth and Tom and Gwen Gardner.
      We started dancing at Trinity Church Hall and afer many moves,from the hallways of the Sydney Mines High School, to the top floor of the old Post Office"(now municipal Bldg.)" to Memorial High School and Leisure Services Buildings we are now back at the Trinity Church Hall. There is quite a flight of stairs but a nice hardwood floor to dance on and we have kitchen privileges.
      Charlie Flemming had retired from the Navy and although he was here fall and spring he spent his winters in Florida. When he was away he left us with tapes that we dutifully played and danced to. When Charlie eventually moved to Ottawa we continued dancing to the tapes until we were stumped by "Half Tag, Trade and Roll"
      At this time (1980), Tom Gardner and Lenord Finney (another of the original four) went to callers school at Acadia with leaders John and Fran Essex, Jim and Pat Alguire, and Jack and Delores MacArthur.
      Tom is still calling for the Highland Capers on Monday nights. we don't have a large number but usually average three squares. Visitors are always welcome.
      Our new dancers start at 7:30 p.m. and the regular dancers (Mainstream and Plus) at 8:00 p.m. We alternate tips and have a few Rounds by Club Member Cuer Wendell Carroll.