January 2011

Merry Mixers

In January of 1967, Clyde Houston assembled a small group of people at the Odd Fellows Hall, 72nd and Leavenworth Road, Kansas City, Kansas, for the purpose of learning square dancing and thus the Merry Mixers Square Dance Club was formed.

After 12 weeks, the first graduation was conducted and dances were held at the Masonic Hall on Southwest Blvd., Kansas City Kansas. The fun of square dancing and the friendship and congeniality of the club was the factor of recruiting additional dancers. This growth forced the club to locate into larger facilities. In 1970, the moved to Johnson County Community Center in Mission, Kansas. The Rosedale Masonic Lodge had completed a new building in Merriam, Kansas, and in April of 1972, the club choose to move once again, into the new facilities.

In May of 1976, Clyde Houston, who had guided and called for the club decided to resign his position in order to expand his dancing talents. In August of 1976, Doug Richie, a caller who had moved here from St. Louis, agreed to be the clubs caller for the year.

On August 1, 1977, Eddie Wiseman took over the calling duties for the club, and after awhile, Gary Schick and Christine Marion aided in his calling duties. Christene left after one year, and Gary and Eddie continued to call for the club until 1982, when Gary moved to Texas.

Eddie Wiseman retired from calling in 1993, but remained as a club member. Jay Krebs was the last and final caller for the Merry Mixers, which continued until 2006. Round dancing has been an integral part of the clubs dances. Everett Myers cued round dancing for years, retiring during the 1986-87 year. Bill Barrett has been cueing for the clubs summer dances, and in 1987-88 started cueing the first dance of each month and continued this schedule until 1990-91 season when he became a full time cuer.

There were many couples who through their hard work and dedication established a club which was a real delight to visit.