Belles And Beaus Square Dance Club Celebrating 40 Years
Posted
Staff Report-
NORTH MANCHESTER – North Manchester Belles and Beaus Square Dance Club will celebrate 40 years of existence at a special dance June 17. The dance will be held from 6 to 8:30 p.m. in the Scout Hall in Warvel Park, North Manchester. On June 18, 1972, 22 couples had an idea to start a square dance club. Chuck Davis was chosen to be the square dance club caller and the first set of lessons began that fall. Serving as officers for the group were Don and Ruth Ann Mylin (president), Charles and Millie Craig (vice president), Chuck and Dorne Goodrich (secretary), and Orrville and Helen Vandermark (treasurer). Other members included Don and Pat Bjortomt, Gerald and Joyce Davidson, Chuck and Janiece Davis, Dennis and Jeanne Dolby, Larry and Irene Donaldson, Phil and Sherry Draper, Sam and Wanda Flohr, Cecil and Lucille Hendrix, Tom and Bea Laird, Dewayne and Janet Manns, Don and Bev Richardson, Jack and Mary Ann Scripter, Charles and Idell Smith, Wayne and Pat Spratt, Jim and Janet Sturtsman, Gerald and Phyllis Taylor, Janice Warren and Ralph and Jan Whitaker. Along with reserving a hall, setting dates for the dances, creating by-laws and all the various duties that go into the creation of an organization, the members decided a coffee pot was needed. Each couple was asked to donate one book of TV stamps, and soon a 101-cup coffee pot was obtained.In December 1972, Janiece Davis was hired to be the round dance caller. The title “caller” was later changed to “cuer” to differentiate between square and round dancing. For a number of years, dances were held on the second and fourth Friday nights of the month, September through April, with each dance lasting three hours, from 7 to 10 p.m. A carry-in meal followed each dance. A guest caller was hired for every fourth dance to add variety to the line-up as well as acquainting dancers with other callers’ voices. During the summer months of May through August, members camped but also attended street square dances and other activities held by various clubs in the area. In the beginning, cake walks were held at most dances to help increase the club’s treasury, and once a Tupperware party was held for the same cause. Theme dances were in vogue, complete with decorations and clothing. For the street dances, matching dresses were made and worn by the ladies, and later on, club members wore matching jackets. The Belles and Beaus Square Dance Club soon became a traveling banner club to increase attendance at the bi-monthly dances and much time was spent on the road retrieving banners from area clubs. Lessons lasting 18 weeks were given for all but a few years during the club’s existence and several years two sets of lessons were given, one set starting in the fall and another set starting in the spring. At one time, the Belles and Beaus not only sponsored their regular set of lessons but also had a class consisting only of young people and children. The children had to have completed the first grade of school in order to be given lessons. An incentive Chuck and Janiece Davis once used to entice new members into the club was to offer current members a steak dinner if they brought in beginner dancers who stayed in lessons for five or more weeks. Throughout the years many special dances were held, many times bringing in national callers. National callers make their living by calling square dances throughout the United States. It is actually a profession. Skits were commonplace, put on by various club members at most of the special dances. During the summer months there were picnics and parties, and many times club members put a float in the local parade. The Belles and Beaus became famous for their Hawaiian Luaus, which were held from 1984-1993. It was a very festive dance known far and wide for its decorations, the whole roasted pig, complete with an apple in its mouth, and other authentic Hawaiian luau cuisine. The Belles and Beaus Square Dance Club has come a long way since 1972, with one of its first year members now serving as the club caller – Jerry Davidson. The club’s membership now stands at 32 and dances are held only once a month – on the third Sunday – at the Scout Hall in North Manchester from 6 to 8:30 p.m. All former members and friends are invited to come June 17 to help the Belles and Beaus celebrate 40 years of square dancing.
