January 2008

Live Wires

In April 1967 the "Dickey Goobers" square dance club was federated with the Heart of America Federation. The caller was Ted Posey, and the Club danced every Friday night at the Delta Wing Service Club, Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, Belton, Missouri. The sponsoring clubs were Rhythm 8s, Grandview Squares, and Town & Country Squares.

At the start of the 1967-68 dance season, caller Ted Posey received orders for service in Vietnam and Bill Coleman became the new caller for the "Dickey Goobers". Previously, before coming to Missouri, Bill had called since 1957, for three square dance clubs in Tennessee while stationed there.

In February 1971, at the request of the base commander, the name of the club was changed to Live Wires Square Dance Club. In keeping with the communication mission of Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base, a symbol of communications was selected for the club emblem.

In the fall of 1977, caller Peery Lindsey, gave lessons to six couples and formed the Belmo Tops Square Dance Club. Although the club did not have sufficient membership to be federated, they were an active club, and had another class of students in the fall of 1978. Late in 1978, the Live Wires visited the Belmo Tops and had an enjoyable evening of dancing. Caller Bill Coleman, now retired from the Air Force and in the insurance business, wanted to retire from calling, and he felt that Peery Lindsey was the caller to replace him with the Live Wires. In January the two clubs decided that the Belmo Tops would join with the Live Wires, and both gentlemen called for the club for the remainder of the dance season. Bill Coleman retired from calling but remained a member of the Live Wires, and a big booster for square dancing, until his death in 1999.

In September 1979, Peery Lindsey became the full-time Caller for the Live Wires with his Taw, Mary, and remained their Caller until 2020. After dancing for many years at Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Belton, Missouri. The Live Wires danced for a brief time at St. Matthews Presbyterian Church in Grandview, and Scott Elementary School in Belton, MO. In June 1981, the Club moved to Hillcrest Elementary School. The next move was to the Belton Christian Church in 2013 and danced in that venue until 2021.

During the spring of 2020 Covid hit square dance clubs hard. During the pandemic, in the fall and winter of 2020-2021, the Live Wires kept their dance skills sharp by donning masks and staying three feet apart while joining weekly line dancing at the Belton Christian Church.

Starting in 1983, the Club began social activities and community endeavors. The Live Wires Square Dance Club has been a visible part of the community; participating in “Operation Handshake “at the Air Force Base from 1978 through 2004 and square dancing at Belton Community Days each June. The Club collected for the Cass County food pantry where several members volunteer at the West Central Missouri Community Action Agency. Some of the Club’s vocalists belonged to the Kansas City Metro Men's Chorus that raised money for local causes. The Club donated to the Veterans Home in Warrensburg, MO, and to the Toys for Tots Program. Live Wires members have traveled to Sedalia to dance at the Missouri State Fair in August and back again in October to Dance at the Missouri State Festival of Square and Round Dancing. Club members and families enjoyed campouts, hayrides with hot dog roasts, annual picnics and ice cream socials for all current and former members.

During 2012, the Live Wires started bike riding on the state’s local trails with group lunches following the rides. In 2015-2016 the Club performed a demonstration at the Pleasant Hill Railroad Days, and performed for the Harrisonville Chamber of Commerce in 2016 at Big Iron Town in Pleasant Hill, MO.

The Live Wires voted to join the Missouri Federation of Square and Round Dance Clubs, INC. in January of 2019.

In late 2021, to the present time, January 2023, the fun, and community outreach activities continue with many of our Club members playing pickleball, visiting wineries, volunteering at Harvesters, and visiting stables for horses and alpacas!

In the Fall of 2022, the Club changed the venue to Centerview Community Center in Raymore, MO. Dana Schirmer became the Caller for the Live Wires with his Taw, Donna. The Live Wires partnered with the Raymore Parks and Recreation Department to offer mainstream lessons to the residents of Raymore and its surrounding cities. This partnership drew in many new students, which resulted in many graduates, and many new club members.

In January 2023, the Live Wires have an active club with 74 members who participate in Banner Stealing and Vigorous Visitor programs when dancing with the Heart of America Federation Square Dance Clubs, INC. The Club is also dancing and sponsoring dances with the Missouri Federation of Square and Round Dance Clubs, INC.

After the pandemic, square dancing was running at a slow pace, but quickly got up to speed! Currently, our club is off and running with a vengeance! The Live Wires are hosting dances, attending visitation dances, and participating in social and community activities. The Live Wires are still making history!

Updated 1/26/23