A Real Pool Party

Once a year the costumes are sewn, the music choreographed, the movements planned down to the second, and the rehearsals are held. The performers take the stage – actually, they enter the water – and the music begins. This is the annual water ballet event of Beaver Dam. If you've never heard about this performance, you are not alone. Each year a group of women spend months planning and practicing, all for the fun of it and not for an audience.

Started as Jan's Waterettes well over 10 years ago, this informal group was comprised of participants in the Saturday morning aqua jog class at the YMCA in Beaver Dam. They started synchronized swimming for fun and this idea blossomed into an annual Christmas show. Their first performance was a Caribbean theme to the music of Feliz Navidad. Other shows over the years included Jingle Bells, Swan Lake with real feathers (not easy to do in a swimming pool), and Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer, complete with flashing red noses, antlers and hooves. This last Christmas was Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree, and included a floating tree.

Members of this water ballet group, which has the unofficial title as the Pool Babes, have ranged in age from nine to 93. The performance is strictly for their own enjoyment, many years there are no members of the audience to even witness all the hard work and creativity that goes into the shows. The planning continues year round and those who take part in the water exercise classes at the YMCA are invited to participate. This year, eight women worked together to plan out the costumes, choreography and music.

These women said it would not be the Christmas season without their water ballet. It was said that they become a kid again, and just have fun with the whole event. Long-time supporters plan their vacations and Christmas travels around this performance. After their few minutes of fame is over, the women gather for a Christmas party and start planning the theme for the following year.

The 2009 Pool Babes roster included: Carol Trentham, Mary Janice Powers, Barbara Field Ellefson, Elaine Vanderhei, Sandy Baures, Marion Gade, Dee Kratz and Jan Wrucke.