Ramblers

The Ramblers Square Dance Club was formed in 1961 by Benz Bundy and Ted Marsh. They danced in Riverside, Missouri. After a couple of years, Benz decided to give it up, and Ted and Lyla Marsh called for the club for the next 25 years. Ted retired in 1987, and the club invited Ralph Hawn to call for them. Ralph and Barbara Hawn were callers of the club until 2002, when Ralph also retired. Bill Kanai was selected as the clubs next caller and also the clubs present caller. The club dances the 2nd Saturday of each month. Round dancing was introduced in to the club in 1991 and Charles and Nadine Simmons were round dance cuers for the club until his untimely death.

In the Ted Marsh Era the club enjoyed hosting an "all-nighter" in January as an annual event. We danced, had skits and entertainment, and fed everyone breakfast of sausage and pancakes shortly after midnight. Ted vowed to call for as long as he had a square of dancers on the floor. He always did, but the tips got longer and longer and the music and calls got faster and faster, until everyone gave up and went home. This usually happened around 3:00A.M. And then we cleaned the hall. But we were young and it was great fun!

Another special event for the Ramblers was our weekend camp out each year. We danced in the shelter house, had potluck picnics, and late night wiener roasts.

The club danced the 2nd and 4th Saturdays for many years, but was forced to cut back to just the 2nd Saturday because we couldn't get the hall on the 4th Saturday. This gave us more opportunities to visit, so we never went back to twice a month.

Barbara Hawn
March 2011

3/25/11