STEP OUT WITH THE SQUARE DANCE CLUB.

Byline: JOANNE CRAWFORD Education

LANCASTER

The Aces and Deuces Square Dance Club, recently celebrating its 31st birthday, continues to invite people of all ages to attend the organizational meetings and classes and become actively involved with the group.

The nonprofit group meets from 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. the second Saturday of every month at the Palmdale Senior Center, 1002 E. Ave. Q. The cost is $5. In addition, classes and workshops meet from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Thursdays at Sunnydale Elementary School, 1233 W. Ave. J-8, Lancaster; lessons are $4.

``I think once they try it they will really enjoy it,'' club Vice President Theresa Pfleugrath said. ``Square dancers all have a great time. We enjoy ourselves. They are very friendly. They are very willing to help out other people.

``It's good exercise. You mingle with other people and it's a lot of fun.''

Singles and couples of all ages are welcome to experience the art of square dancing, Pfleugrath said. One recent graduate was a local third- grader, while many middle-age dancers and senior citizens participate regularly, as well.

``They have to start at the beginning,'' she said. ``You progress along and you are learning new calls every week and adding them to your repertoire.

``You may start out with 10 basic calls and then the next week there may be another five or six and you keep adding. . . . By the time you are done with the course, you probably learn 40 different kinds of movements.''

After dancers complete two 17-week courses, they can graduate and be full-fledged members of the Aces and Deuces organization, she said.

The Aces and Deuces are part of the Antelope Valley Square Dancers, along with the Palmdale Wheelers, the Renegada Right and the Crossfire Squares clubs, she said.

Aces and Deuces members often work with the other groups, and all are open to making appearances at no charge for fund-raisers and other community events.

``We all work together,'' Pfleugrath said. ``We had a huge benefit for someone who needed a liver transplant. We have sent kids to diabetic camp when the parents couldn't afford it. We have donated to the St. Jude's Hospital for children. . . . We gave a scholarship to a high school and there are numerous things . . . we have put on demonstrations for the convalescent hospitals and the Poppy Festivals here. We go out and we don't charge for any of that.''

The group is also wiling to perform demonstrations at schools, Pfleugrath said.

Last May, the organization held a three-day festival at the Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, with the purpose of celebrating the love of the dance and did not include any type of competitive activities, Pfleugrath said.

The Aces and Deuces has a board consisting of four husband-and-wife duos, including Presidents Doris and Don Foster, Vice Presidents Theresa and Rod Pfleugrath, Secretaries Diana and Forrest Comer, and Treasurers Linda and Leonard Willey.

The Pfleugraths have been active in square dancing for 20 years, Theresa Pfleugrath said.

Members encourage participants to plan on attending regularly and progress through the necessary learning stages of the activity, learning the different calls, terminology and moves.

The group always welcomes donations from the community, she said. For more information on the Aces and Deuces, contact Doris Foster at [phone].

LANCASTER - The Palmdale High School Band Boosters organization is seeking donations and volunteers interested in supporting student athletics.

For more details, contact Cindy Lintemoot at the school, [phone], Ext. 101.