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February 2007
Mono-Railers
The Mono-Railers Square Dance Club was founded on November 25,1977, by David
Courtney, a retired Kansas City, Missouri Police Officer. The Mono-Railers name
was copyrighted by David Courtney. The Mono-Railers Badge is comprised of a red
engine with smoke spelling the name of Mono-Railer. David Courtney called for
the Club from 1977 until 1990, when David retired from square dance calling.
John (J.J.) Johnson called for the Club from 1991 through 1993. Bob Clarkson has
called for the Club beginning in September 1994 and has called until the present
time.
The Mono-Railers have 3 charter members who are David Courtney, Hazel Ford and
Jenny Ellis. The Mono-Railers was started as a singles club, but soon thereafter
was changed to include couples and youth. Some of our past Presidents have been
Hazel Ford (5 years), Gretta Auld (3 years), Edna Thomas (5 years). Jerry
Priest, Dustin Cleaveland, Doris Deml and Tom Moore (9 years). There were others
that I have not been able to identify.
The Mono-Railers began dancing at the Boys Scouts Club in Riverside, Missouri.
The Club danced at La Petite Academy at Vivion Road and Chouteau, Kansas City,
Missouri from 1979 through 1986. The Club then danced at Park Hill Christian
Church, Kansas City, Missouri from 1987 through 2000. Starting in 2001 and until
the present time, we are dancing at Gashland United Methodist Church, 7715 North
Oak Trafficway, Kansas City, Missouri.
The Mono-Railers reached 101 members during the 1981-1982 year. From 1977 until
the present time approximately 80 individuals were married from the Mono-Railers.
The Club continued with square dance lessons every fall until 1997. After 1997
We had such a few new lesseners that we joined with other Clubs in the Northland
for lessons. Like Square Dancing in general, our membership has declined in the
past several years. However the Mono-Railers with some very dedicated members
including our Caller and Taw Bob and Linda Clarkson, continue to be very active
in Vigorous Visitation and Banner Stealing programs.
Submitted by Tom Moore |