When Barbara Elko saw the advertisement for free clog dance lessons with the Mon Valley Cloggers two years ago, she quickly signed on.
"Initially, I did it to break up the boredom of winter, but I ended up falling in love with it," Ms. Elko said.
Today the South Park woman is an active member of the Cloggers.
More free lessons to attract members will be held from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Monday and Jan. 19 at the home of Cliff and Pat Loehr, 120 Laura Lane, Forward.
The Loehrs are the founders and directors of the 17-member American folk dance group which, since its inception in 1992, has performed in 622 shows at county fairs, schools, senior living facilities, festivals and more.
Beginners should carry snug-fitting, smooth-soled shoes to the practice, Mr. Loehr said.
They may also choose a pair from the Loehrs' collection of pre-worn clogging shoes.
Those who wish to continue on Monday evenings can take 10 weeks of lessons for $20. The funds, and all donations, are used to cover expenses and purchase materials, such as equipment and costumes.
Clogging, in which shoes with taps are worn, is marked by the general up and down motion of the body in rhythm with the beat of the music, the "double toe" which gives two tap sounds and the "heel click" typically on each down beat.
Mr. Loehr, a retired chemical engineer for PPG Industries, is currently the only male member of the group.
"People in Pennsylvania don't think dancing is macho," he said.
Mr. Loehr said he did not find that in his former Ohio home, where he and his wife clogged in the 1980s as members of Norm's Mavericks and Keith's Grasshoppers.
For Ms. Elko, 54, a homemaker, the biggest challenge is learning the routines while keeping physically fit for the dance's constant movement.
"The first time I danced in public I couldn't breathe I was so nervous. But now it is all exhilarating, from the costumes to the music to having a common bond with the other dancers," she said.
She enjoys it so much that she and fellow Mon Valley Clogger, Darlene Coddington, attend national clogging conventions together.
"The more lessons I took the more I liked it, and now I'm hooked," said Ms. Coddington, 51, of Clairton.
A steelworker, Ms. Coddington said her favorite thing about the dance is "seeing the happy smiles for folks who don't always have visitors in some of the retirement and assisted living homes we play at," she said.
Her mother, Fay Biddle, is, at age 81, the group's second oldest member.
While surgery hampered Mrs. Biddle's participation, home practice contributed to the Clairton woman dancing in two shows last year.
"Usually I'm busy with the family, like running to soccer and baseball," said Ms. Elko, whose husband, John, installed a wooden floor on which she could practice.
"This is the first thing in my entire life that is mine," she said of clogging.
Beginners can register for the free lessons by calling the Loehrs at 412-384-6442, or simply by showing up. For more information, e-mail Cloggin-Cliff@comcast.net.
First Published: January 8, 2009, 3:45 p.m.
