He and his wife spent 35 years mastering square and round dancing, practicing five nights a week when both were still working. They reached Level C3. For those unfamiliar with square dancing terms, this is Challenge dancing, the most difficult level. By C3, the dancers must be familiar with more than 400 calls. The highest level is C4. Although Chuck and  Flo were serious dancers they had tremendous fun with it. This level of dancing provides great mental exercise as well as physical. Says Chuck: “You have to think very hard – it’s like a game of chess.”

Since moving to the Okanagan three years ago the Mortons have not been able to find square dancing at that level and health issues now prevent Flo from taking part. While Chuck continues to square dance once a week at a medium level it doesn’t offer the challenge to which he was accustomed. He says “Unfortunately it’s a couple’s hobby.” He also fears that the “movement is dying down” with more beginner classes being offered and fewer of the Challenge dances available. See the dancers in action at the fourth annual Peachfest Square Dance Festival  in Penticton, August 8 to 11, at the Penticton Community Centre. (http://www.peachfest.com/squaredance.html)

Without his favourite dance partner Chuck has been able to satisfy his’ dancing fool’ urges by partnering with a neighbour for ballroom dance lessons, just because he always wanted to learn ballroom dance.  He began clogging for the same reason and a partner is not required. 

In pursuit of his love of music Chuck, signed up for a  beginner recorder class offered by the Society for Learning in Retirement. After about a year of lessons he was able to join the orchestra and in July attended a week-long Early Music workshop in Washington along with 12 of the 24 orchestra players. If you tend to think of the recorder as an instrument used solely to introduce young students to the joys of playing a musical instrument, think again. Morton saw  recorders ranging in price from $800. to $4,000. at the workshop. He started with a soprano recorder but  now plays a tenor instrument. For those interested in hearing this unique orchestra, they will perform at a concert on August 5 at First United Church in Kelowna at 10:30 a.m.

You can also catch Chuck paddling for the Lift What’s Draggin’ Dragon Boat Team. They train 2 times a week from April to September when they conclude the season with the Kelowna Dragon Boat Festival scheduled for September 14 -16, 2007. His is a team of seniors but they compete in the mixed category against paddlers of all ages and have won  several medals, including a gold. ( http://www.kelownadragonboatfestival.com/ )

 Fulfilling another lifelong dream, this unique man took singing lessons for two years because he had always wanted to sing. Many who know him will learn of that here as he has told no one, other than his wife, that he took voice lessons. He sings in the choir at the Unitarian Church and surprised himself by  performing a solo of Edelweiss in a Variety show.

 Chuck Morton is a man who loves a challenge and has a lot of fun learning and mastering new interests. We’re told by aging experts to stay physically and mentally active in order to remain youthful. Chuck is living proof  that it works. If passion is what you pour into creating a life for yourself that has meaning and purpose, Chuck does that in spades! 

Donna Duke, Act III 

 Contact information:

Clogging Lessons:

Water Street Senior Centre: http://www.waterstseniors.com/  ph. 762-4108 or

Westside Seniors Centre - 768-4004

Society for Learning in Retirement: www.slrkelowna.ca  ph. 762-3989 ext. 125

Square Dancing: http://squaredance.bc.ca/clubs.shtml BC Info Line 1-800-335-9433

Kelowna Dragon Boat Club: 861-1200