Tuesday, May 24th, 2022
50 years of twirling
By Leslie Gartrell
Photo by Paige Sutter/The Daily Standard
Alivia Priest, Botkins, throws her batons in the air Monday at Memorial Park in St. Marys. Ginny's Gingersnaps, of which Priest is a member, is celebrating 50 years.
ST. MARYS - As time goes on, some things change while others stay the same. The same can be said for Ginny's Gingersnaps, a baton-twirling group celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
Ginny Maurer, owner and director of Ginny's Gingersnaps, said she's seen thousands of girls come to learn the art of baton twirling over the past 50 years.
"It provides girls with a way to participate in community events at a reasonable cost, physical fitness, self-confidence, friendships," Maurer said.
Maurer, 77, said Ginny's Gingersnaps used to feature multiple groups for girls of different ages, including Tiny Tots for toddlers, the Gingerettes for girls in elementary school and older and the Ginger Snaps for girls in middle school and high school. At one time they also had a 16-member drum corps, she said.
At one point, Maurer said 100 girls took part in the baton group and marched in dozens of parades each summer and participated in national competitions.
"Families used to plan their vacations around nationals," she said. "It's a different time from way back when."
Nowadays, Maurer said Ginny's Gingersnaps has consolidated to one group which has about 20 members. Girls have more choices for extracurricular activities and sports than when the group first formed, she said, and many girls participate in several activities simultaneously.
"There used to be a lot more baton groups and more competition," Maurer said. "You wouldn't think about college girls coming home to practice baton twirling (now). A handful of girls went on to teach their own groups or (become) majorettes at their schools."
Although the group's membership may have decreased over the years, the fun has not, Maurer said. The group has several parties and fundraisers over the course of the year and an awards ceremony.
Ginny's Gingersnaps will participate in the Celina Lake Festival and the St. Marys Summerfest parades this year. The group also will perform at several area nursing homes, Maurer said.
All current and former members of Ginny's Gingersnaps are invited to march in the Summerfest parade at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 13 in honor of the group's 50th anniversary, Maurer said. The rain date for the parade is 3 p.m. Aug. 14.
Immediately after the parade, all participants and their families may attend the 50th anniversary celebration above the Wishing Well at 153 E. Spring St., St. Marys.
Photo by Paige Sutter/The Daily Standard
Paige Osborne, 5, St. Marys, swings her baton at a pinata under the gazebo at Memorial Park in St. Marys Monday evening.
Although Maurer said the group is on a break over summer, she still offers private lessons and group lessons will start back up in a couple of months. New members who want to join still have a chance to participate in some parades or performances at nursing homes, she said.
The cost to join Ginnys Gingersnaps is $15 per family, and costumes are provided at no cost, she said. The group meets on Monday nights to practice. For more information about joining, Maurer said she can be reached at gin.saum@hotmail.com or at 937-726-0336.
