Friendship set to music. That’s how many square dancers describe the style to the uninformed.

The Little T Squares hosted square dancing Friday in Lenoir City at My Father’s House featuring caller Mike Sikorsky, who sings part of the songs while calling out dance moves.

Sikorsky, who hails from Arizona, is currently touring the nation.


“I do this for a living,” Sikorsky said. “I host the winter program in Arizona for all different levels.”

Sikorsky travels half of the year, works as a professional song writer and holds caller training classes throughout the year.

“It takes someone who has a mind for choreography,” Sikorsky said. “It helps if they have people skills. They have to like people and remembering people’s names is helpful, although if you remember their dog’s name, they’re more impressed with that.”

Tim Kittle, president of the Little T Squares, said the club includes just over 100 members.

Square dancing classes start in September and run through May, with members actively recruiting dancers in August.

“Our president always serves two years,” Kittle said. “We usually like — although it doesn’t always happen — for our vice president to become president once their term is over. We’ve got somebody who takes care of the drinks each time we meet, and we have a treasurer. It is definitely a team effort and is not a one-man show.”

Tellico Village resident Rick Fisher said he first started square dancing in 2006 and is now serving as vice president of the club.

“My wife invited me for the free meal, and I said OK because who turns down a free meal?” Fisher said. “I told her, ‘I’m not joining anything’.”

A decade later, Fisher said he actively participates because it’s fun and challenging.

“It’s a group of people that are the nicest people,” he said. “I have never met nicer people anywhere. You meet great people. You can walk up to anyone you haven’t seen before and start talking to them. I tell wives this is about the only thing you’ll get to do with your husband together because you’ve got to have a pair of people.”

Joy Merder, past president, said she started square dancing after moving to Tellico Village in 2002.

“It’s a good sport,” Merder said. “It takes a year of lessons before you can dance. It’s a good time of fellowship, and it’s cheap. You get food — of course, we as the Little T Squares provide the food.”

Merder said square dancing provides both physical and mental benefits.

During the year when new dancers are learning moves, more experienced dancers “angel” for the first year.

“If you angel right after the time you graduate, you really solidify the moves you learned,” Merder said about working one-on-one with new dancers.

Hugh and Becky Moore said after moving to Tellico Village in January 2010, they started taking lessons during the fall and graduated the following May.

“I told him when we retired, we would be required to start square dancing again,” Becky said.

Mark Pethtel, president of Denim & Diamonds Square Dance Club in Clinton, said he and his wife looked for a family activity to enjoy with their eight children.

“This is such a wonderful opportunity,” Pethtel said. “I can let my kids wander around and not worry about it. It’s wonderful people in this group.”

Elena Pethtel, 17, said she continues square dancing three years later because she loves it.

“I love all of it,” Elena said when asked what her favorite part of square dancing is. “I do it just for fun and just to learn more.”

Tellico Village resident Virginia Zorovich said she’s square danced since early 2009.

“The dancing — it’s fun,” Zorovich said. “The fellowship is good too.”

John Doggett, club treasurer, said he and his wife started square dancing based on a friend’s recommendation.

“It’s really a lot of fun,” Doggett said. “People are friendly. It’s just a great way to meet people. It also keeps us active by keeping up with the calls.”

Doggett said the club has been using the church’s gym since January.

“This church has just been great to let us use their facility since our regular meeting place over at the War Memorial Building is being renovated,” he said.

For more information, visit http://www.littletsquares.com.