The Cincinnati Enquirer from Cincinnati, Ohio • Page 92

Tuesday. Mav 23. 1989THE CINCINNATI ENQUIRER EXTRA 5 200th birthday party in the works for Friday Dancing beneath the sun ft, -x ft, i Down's syndrome dancers discover music is therapy BY BRYAN K. MARQUARD Enquirer Contributor The Sunshine Squares take to the floor with a smattering of "angels" and listen closely to the caller's directions. "When people see them dance, they can't believe what they can do," said Lillian Riddle of Clifton, who coordinates the group.

What some may find remarkable about the performance is that most of the dancers have Down's syndrome or some other "mild to moderate mental handicap," Riddle said. The "angels" are parents or volunteers who fill open spaces in the squares. The idea for the group came four years ago when Riddle and a musical therapist were watching the annual fund-raising square dance for the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati. During the performance, the therapist turned and said, "You know, Lillian, our kids could do this," Riddle recalled. The Sunshine Squares now have a list of performing credits BY WALT SCHAEFER The Cincinnati Enquirer Historians say it's been 200 years since the first settlers made their home someplace between present-day Cooper Road in north Reading and Glendale-Mil-ford Road.

So the Reading Historical Society is throwing a party. The society's first Settler's Day Dinner is Friday, and members hope it catches on and becomes a major fund-raiser. Festivities begin at 5:30 p.m. at the VYOMike Haffey Field House on West Street. In addition to dinner, there will be a band, display of artifacts and pictures of the city's centennial parade.

Reading was one of the valley's first communities, and it grew rapidly in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The bow bridge over Mill Creek connected it to Lockland in the 1920s. "Businesses sprang up on both sides of the Mill Creek," said Tom Plummer, president of the historical society. "But Lockland people would come over to Reading to go to the saloons and these Dutch people over here didn't like it. "A lot of fights broke out," he added.

"So, a fellow named Arken-bauer decided to put the sign: 'Reading: Where Friends Meet' facing the Lockland side of the bridge; and 'Lockland: Where Friends Meet' on the Reading side." The signs so cynical in their origins remain to this day. A group of Reading residents who think the tale of the origin of the bridge signs and other tidbits of Reading lore should never be lost began the historical society two years ago. Artifacts needed "In the 1850s, there was a great influx of Germans into Reading; many of them were tailors," Plummer said. "Upward of 30 tailor shops cottage industries grew. There were about as many tailor shops as taverns." Photographs are the type of thing the society needs.

"We are looking for anything old and dealing with the town's past," Plummer said. Anyone interested in donating items to the historical society should call city hall. f. 4us' W1 1 Lillian Riddle and other Sunshine enjoy themselves Sunday. and have gained enough members to split into two sections of about 25 dancers each who perform regularly each month.

They were to perform Sunday at the United Church of Christ in Oakley. The Sunshine Squares originally limited membership to people with Down's syndrome, she said, but eventually opened up to all adults with mild to moderate mental handicaps. The dancers range in age from the late teens to the early 60s. One section practices at Golf Manor Municipal Building. The Th Cincinnati Enquirer Fred Straub Square Dancers other, did dance at Westwood Town Hall but is looking for a new place, has more advanced dancers, Riddle said.

Riddle's daughter, Barbara, who is 22 and has Down's syndrome, dances with the group. Her mother said the dancing helps her daughter and other members "take their minds off their problems." "They're getting therapy without knowing it." For more information on the group, call Lillian Riddle at 641-3637. SPRING "FINALLY, IS HERE" FLOWERS GJNIUMS TRUCKLOAD SALE $895 A FLAT Big Beautiful Geraniums Choose from Red, Pink, Salmon White 4 for 198 fern I (g 1 32 for $12 I s- a i-'i-we NURSERY STOCK SALE j'f Jgi.f Is Cotton Easter Lj 'SteJ $99 EUS wmu 1 andothe" JESSKw: Impatiens, Begonia, Petunias, Marigold and many more! 32 to 96 Plants per Flat POTTED ROSE BUSH 2 Gallon container $795 4" New Guinea Impatiens Beautiful variegated foilag with larg blooms. Good in tun tmi-tnad. $22fL $199 Puppy Chow 40 LBS.

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