Recently someone posted a photo on Facebook that captured my attention. It was actually taken at the high school that I attended. There were shoes set in the corner neatly in pairs.

Now, I remember sock hops, but the shoes were usually in a pile along the side of the dance floor. I do not remember any neatly piled shoes but there they were. The photo was taken from the track that was above the gym.

I think that sock hops had their heyday during the 1950s. They were a lot of fun. Somehow, I think the girls liked them better than the boys, but the boys always complied so as not to step on a girl’s toes. The photo I saw had boys and girls dancing in stocking feet.

When you went to a sock hop you had to be sure you had good socks on. You did not want your heels or your toes sticking out. I also noted that for the girls the socks were just below the hems of the skirts that were worn. That was the fashion in those days. Also, there were a number of pairs of saddle shoes. They were also in at that time.

I am sure they would not be allowed to hold sock hops today – it would be a liability! Just to let you know – no one ever got hurt during a sock hop. It was just something different.

In those days we had a live band that played while we danced. Often the director of the school band was there with his band. I remember singing with that band during one of our dances. I sang “Moments to Remember” and “A White Sport Coat”. Who knows why I remember that but I do!

Dancing to the live bands was fun. The music was great. We all danced our hearts out.

Sometimes we had records instead of a live band. That was fun too. It did not matter if you danced a lot or sat along the side. If you were not dancing you probably sang along to the songs that were played. The dances were fun.

The best dances were always held after the basketball and football games. If we happened to win the game, the dance was especially lively. Everyone was there to celebrate. Since I worked on most Friday nights I showed up in my work clothes. Another fellow and I who also worked usually came together. We were not a couple we just traveled together out of necessity.

We all went out of the gym then paid our way back in to dance. The dances were fundraisers for various organizations. Some of them also sold food. Cold pizza was popular. After the dance we walked home or called one of the parents to pick us up. Life was so different in those days. There was no danger to walking alone. My girlfriend and I parted at the corner and both walked the rest of the way on our own.

Most of the boys had to be persuaded to dance but there were some adventurous ones. I remember a set of twins, a boy and a girl, who often danced together. They were really good. We all enjoyed watching them.

During our school dances there were always polkas – after all, we lived in a town with a lot of Polish people. To this day whenever I hear a polka my feet itch to dance. I have a hard time sitting still when a polka is being played. Most of the couples that danced during the polkas were couples of girls. The boys stood along the sidelines and watched.

Some of the boys were not really very good dancers but if you really liked the guy you put up with it. I remember a couple of guys who pumped your arm like it was a water pump but once again since I liked them I went along with it.

My own kids also enjoyed school dances. Nearly every weekend the cafeteria was filled with teens dancing. My husband and I had to chaperone a few times. The idea was to keep the kids out of the clutches while they danced. Usually we danced so that we could tap some of the couples on the shoulder if we felt they should separate a bit.

I remember that cafeteria floor got so slippery. The humidity made everything wet. The windows steamed up and the floor got wet as well. We made the kids sign in when they arrived and sign out if they left early. Once they went out they were not allowed back in. If the parents wanted to check up on their children the record we kept provided evidence.

If I did not have to chaperone often I went for groceries while my children were at the dance. Believe me the grocery stores were not ready for a big order like mine. They usually had to take someone who was stocking shelves to bag my order. I managed to fit everything in the trunk because we always picked up some of the neighbor kids as well.

I distinctly remember that my daughter told me not to dance when our squad of cheerleaders sponsored a dance. The cheerleaders came and dragged me out there. After the first time, she said it was okay because I could dance so she was not embarrassed.

They do not seem to have the same number of dances today but I am not sure why. My grandchildren did not have the fun that we had. Now the only dances are at Homecoming and Prom. The girls go alone and so do the boys. There are some couples who go but one of my grandsons said he had more fun when he went with a group of boys because then he could dance with all the girls.

“To each his own!” I say.

Ann Swanson writes from her home in Russell, PA. Contact at hickoryheights1@verizon.net.