Dancing Birders

The Dancing Birders

Our January event was a dance held at the Willowbrook Ballroom. The Willowbrook Ballroom, in south suburban Willow Springs, is one of five ballrooms left in the country! It has been around for 85 years and the original wooden dance floor has a spring to its step. Thirty CTCC members enjoyed a gloriously sunny Sunday afternoon at Willowbrook, dancing and swaying to a live big band. A family style luncheon was served in a cozy, private dining room with a roaring fireplace. The luncheon included platters of beef, chicken, and sausage along with some kraut, perfectly steamed vegetables and home-style mashed potatoes. Cheesecake was served for dessert - plenty to eat and delicious too!

Willowbrook is also home to a ghost -- Resurrection Mary (buried in a local cemetery) --- the story is that she was on her way to her prom and was struck by a car. Every so often she is spotted in her flowing gown dancing the evening away. However, no sightings when we were there!

The Kramer's thank everyone who came - being new to the club, we welcomed the opportunity to plan an event. We hoped it would be fun and something a little different. It turned out that everyone in attendance had a great time. Maybe we should make this an annual event -- just maybe. Not to worry, you don't have to know how to dance -- it is a great people-watching place too!

The Dancing Birders included; Ken and Kathy Smizinski, Dick and Karen Bruck, Mitch and Pat Mitchell (drove the farthest - from Pekin, IL) Len and Mary Keil, Len and Irene Vinyard, Paul Ureche and Maryann Graziano, Bill and Liz Werth, Gordon Gluff and Mary (voted best dancers of the group), Lloyd and Joan Schellin, Paul and Urszula Mounts, Bob and Helen Hoge, Larry and Karen Kelly, Joe and Sandy Kraatz, and Pete and Marylu Kramer.

-- Marylu and Pete Kramer

Editor's note: you can view additional pictures from the CTCC Willowbrook Dance on the Photos page.