Gem City Squares is Born

In 1985 Jean Swearingen (now Aills) and Charlie Prass approached Ken Roberts (who was just starting to call) about starting a singles square dance club in the city of Dayton. Ken said that he thought that the best way to start a club would be to start a class and see if that new group of dancers would start a club. Charlie knew of a place we could dance.

With a lot of help from friends, "Sunshine Squares" class began on Sept. 9, 1985 at Salem Lutheran Church, 2000 Catalpa Dr., Dayton, Ohio. Everyone had a good time and Ken even let Charlie Neu do some singing calls. Remember, at this time Ken was a relatively new caller.

There was talk of starting a new club, and on April 7, 1986 the club had their first meeting.

Some of the highlights of the first meeting are:

• Name: Gem City Squares was chosen
• Dance and membership fees were set $1.75, & $2.00; Dues $3.00 per year
• Dance days: 1st & 3rd Sunday, 7:00-10:00 pm, Plus Level
• Date set for election of officers: May 5, 1986
• Ken Roberts named as club caller
• First Club Dance Scheduled for June 15, 1986
• Decided to join MVDC as soon as we can.
• Charlie Prass presented badge design that was accepted that night.

Original 34 members:

Larry & Martha Boyd,  Judy Brackman,  Bob & Sharon Brooks, Hazel Buckley,  Ozal Caldwell,  Nell Campbell, *Bob & Jean DeRegnaucourt,  Kim Dorn,  Lila Dorn, Mike Green,  Sally Hagins,  Bob & Sharon Howard, Rick Kroll,  Martin Matkoski,  *Charlie & Denise Neu, Louise Palmer,  *Charles Prass,  *Ken & Sher Roberts, Brenda Romine,  *Fay Samborsky,  Cathy Schaurer, Bill & Mary Shelby,  Jean Swearingen,  Jack Welch, Joyce Wilfong,  *Louise Willemse and  Grace Willoughby

*Current Charter Members

1^st club officers were:

• Mike Green President & Council Rep
• Rick Kroll Vice-President
• Jean Swearingen Secretary
• Sher Roberts Treasurer
• Bobby Brooks Board Member (this office is now our past Pres.)

Sunshine Squares Class graduated 16 new dancers on May 12, 1986.

1^st Constitution and by-laws accepted July 6, 1986

On May 18, 1987, "Gem City Squares" graduated their first class of seven new dancers.

Joe Bussiner,  Deborah Derksen, Mary Lou Erhart, Tom & Nancy Harker,  David Warsofski and  Leonard Watts