Crosstrailers

The Crosstrailers Square Dance Club is one of the oldest in the Kansas City Area, beginning in 1950 with Tom Gatewood and Taw, Dorothy, in Independence, MO, dancing in Charlie and Winona Patton's basement.

Chuck and Marian Millett were among those first couples of the club and are Charter Members. Today they are still active in square dancing and are the present President and First Lady of the Crosstrailers.

About 1954-55 the club split and Bob Fist became Caller. Tom & Dorothy went on to form the Silver Dollars Square Dance Club.

With Bob Fist as Caller the club grew to 62 members and moved to the old VFW Hall in Sugar Creek, then to Bowling's Barn, a made-over chicken house. In 1961 Bob Fisk went on the road professionally and moved to California.

Guest Callers were used during the next two seasons, '60-*63 along with a rotation of Kenny Shuttle worth and Dick Enderle. During this time Linden (Junior) and Janice Pan knin joined the club. They are still active members of the club.

Bob Kuhn was the Club Caller starting in the Fall of 1963 and continued through the Spring of 1965. The club moved to Holy Cross Church in Kansas City, MO in 1965.

Bob Hurt and Taw, Liz, became the Club Caller in the Fall of 1965 and called for 3 seasons, then moved to Texas.

In 1968 Norman Madison and Taw, Patty, became the Club Caller. The club danced at that time at the Raytown YMCA. The club moved to Pinkerton School in Kansas City for the next season. In May 1970 Norman and Patty left and formed the KC Squares.

Richard Callahan and Taw, Willeta (Willie) was hired 1970 and called until 1978. The club danced at Pitcher School, the Raytown VFW and Tom Korte School during this time.

Dave Courtney and Taw, Betty called for the club from '78-'81 at Tom Korte School.

In 1975 Kansas City hosted the National Square Dance Convention, and more than half of our members served on committees or other duties to make the Convention a success.

Dave D'Arcy and Taw, Debbie was hired in 1981 and called until 1985. The club danced at the Little Blue Barn at that time.

One of the guest callers for the next season was Al Warren when the club was dancing at the 4-H Center in Independence. Al Warren and his Taw, Jan was hired to call in the Fall of 1986 and called until 1993.

The club moved to Holy Family School, then to Ott School, then to Lee's Summit Christian Church.

Guest Callers were used for the *93-'94 season and the club moved back to Ott School. In the Fall of 1994 the club moved to Blue Ridge Elementary School.

In 1994 Mike Kelly and his Taw, Cindy was hired as the caller and called until 1999.
Guest Callers were used during the 1999-2000 Dance Season.

Gary Mahnken and his Taw, Margy was hired in the Fall of 2000 as the club caller and called until 2002.

In 2002 Mike Kelly and his Taw, Joy returned to the club as caller and called until 2005.

Janet Hicks, daughter of Chuck and Marian Millett has been the Line Dance Instructor since '96-97.

For the 2005-2006 dance season the club has used Guest Callers. We are pleased that Stan Brooke and his Taw, Sharon will become our club caller for the 2006-2007 season of dancing. The club is currently dancing at River Blvd Baptist Church in Independence.

Throughout the years the Crosstrailers have also brought in National Callers such as Cal Golden, the Red Boot Boys, Randy Dougherty, Dee Dee Dougherty, Jerry Story, Romney Tannehill, and JR Sparks for Special Dances.

The club has been active in the Vigorous Visitor Program for over 25 years.

Camping and other outings have also been an important part of the fellowship of the Crosstrailers Club throughout the years.

The club is celebrating 56 years of square dancing this 2006 Year*

Submitted by Annette Davis