Written by Jim Burton
Updated 2001 by Gerry Cummings and Sandy Barnett
Early History based on notes from Helen Anthony

September 23, 2005 marks the 55th anniversary of the Town Howlers Square Dance Club which can trace its origin back to 1945. A group of adults acting as chaperones at a young people’s dance class, taught by Miss Gladding of the Gladding School of Dance, decided that they, too, would like to take dance lessons.

Officers were elected in October of 1946, “Town Howlers” was selected as a club name, and a move was made to the Middletown, RI Town Hall. The program consisted of one hour of ballroom dance instruction every other week, taught by Miss Gladding accompanied by Vera Slocum, pianist. A two hour social was held after lessons.

(when was SD taught) The first square dance was held on March 24, 1950 when Ralph Smith of Norwood, RI called a square and round dance. In March of 1951, Howard Hogue of West Bridgewater, MA called another square dance. Square dancing was alternated with ballroom dancing until October 12, 1951 when square dancing, with Howard Hogue as the caller, was adopted full time and ballroom dancing discontinued. This marks the birth of the Town Howlers as a square dance club. At this time there was a paid membership of 17 couples.

In October of 1952, Houge was hired as caller and Miss Gladding to teach ballroom dancing. This arrangement was ended a month later. Dancing was continued, but only to records. By January of 1953 membership had dropped to eleven couples.

In October of 1953 Ray Anderson of Cranston was hired as a caller for the club, which then had a membership of 19 couples. Ray remained until June of 1953 and was replaced by Dick Ledger who was hired for a fee of twelve dollars per session. At this time the Town Howlers, with a paid membership of twelve couples, changed their name to the “Middletown Square Dancers”. During 1956 Dick Ledger alternated calling nights with Ray Anderson. Dick called his last dance on February 28, 1958 and was replaced by Ralph Smith. Membership dwindled to seven couples as paid members, but the club struggled on, bolstered by guest attendance at the dances.

During 1958, calling was divided between Ralph Smith and Jack Ambrose, membership remained at seven couples. In September of 1959 the name was changed back to “Town Howlers” and dancing resumed with Jack Ambrose calling. In November, Tom Carrol took over and remained as caller until June 1965.

The first square dance lessons were started on January 11, 1960 and the first round dance lessons on March 18. The first graduation, with a class of 42, was held on March 25. Eighteen club members traveled to Nashua, NH for the first “Knot Head” trip. 1960 also marked the first year that square dances were held during the summer months. In June of 1960, 24 additional people were graduated.

On September 5, 1961, the first “Fun Night” was held with 91 people attending. Two lesson groups were started—4 sets at the Anchorage Hall, taught by Tom Carroll, and the other group by Sel Richardson in the basement of his home. It was during this year that the club started having guest callers once a month.

In 1963 Bob and Estelle Hoskins became the first Town Howlers to earn the Century Club badge. Later, Bob and Estelle were instrumental in establishing the Rhody Rover badge. In November of 1964 the 13th anniversary dance was held with Joe and Helen Anthony crowned King and Queen.

Over 100 hundred people attended the fun night held in September of 1965, club membership at this time was 155. George Gray was the new caller and remained until June of 1967.

The fall of 1967 began with a diner dance at the CPO Club. On January 26, 1968 Val Royer was hired to be the regular caller. In June of 1968, Russ and Elsie Mills were awarded the “Mr. and Mrs. Square Dance” trophy for their contributions to the club. Also in 1968 several couples left to form the nucleus of a new square dance group, the “Grand Squares”, at St. Mary’s parish hall in Portsmouth.

The first “Tweetheart Dance” was held on February 14, 1969. This dance was initiated by Russ Mills who also designed the badge. A move was made from Middletown Town Hall to Fenner Avenue Hall in 1969. On January 23, 1970 the club held its first dance at the American Legion Hall in Portsmouth.

November 12, 1971 was a tribute to Bill and John Ottilege and on November 12, 1971 the 20th anniversary dance was held with George and Victoria Martin crowned as King and Queen. In 1971-1972 Irma Morettini became our round dance cuer. Val Royer continued as caller until June of 1974. During the fall of 1974 the club danced to guest callers while searching for a new caller.

On November 30, 1974 the 16th Annual Federation Dance was held at Portsmouth  High School with 600 people in attendance. The dance, which was sponsored by the Town Howlers, who also acted as hosts, featured 26 callers and 10 round dance cuers.

In January of 1975, Bud Whitten, who came to Rhode Island from Illinois, was hired as our caller. Bud remained until January of 1979.

The club’s 25th anniversary dance was held on October 16, 1976 at Portsmouth High School with 400 dancers attending. Irma Morettini left in 1976 and the club was without a full-time cuer until Jo Yakimowski was hired in 1978. After Bud Whitten’s departure Bob Linden took over lessons and filled in at regular dances when a guest caller could not be found. Jo Yakimowski left in mid 1979.

Dancing continued with guest callers until November of 1980, when Bob Linden was hired. Also in 1980, round dancing was started again when Marietta Bullock was hired as our cuer. Marietta left at the end of the 1985-86 dancing season.

The 30th anniversary of the club was celebrated by a very successful dinner-dance at the Pocasset Country Club in Portsmouth  on October 23, 1981.

The first International Night was held in the Fall of 1982. This fun night dance is held with the Junior Foreign Officer Class of the Naval War College in Newport. It was initiated by Dan Gabe (a member of the Town Howlers with his wife) who was on staff at the college. The first night proved to be a great success and was repeated in the spring and fall for many years.

The Town Howlers hosted halls for the New England Square and Round Dance Conventions held in Providence, RI. Anna McDougall was hired as our new round dance cuer at the start of the 1986-87 dance season.

The 35th anniversary was celebrated with a dance at Portsmouth High School with many area clubs attending.

In 1988 our caller, Bob Linden, celebrated 25 years of square dance calling. The club presented him with a plaque marking the occasion.

Anna McDougall resigned at the end of 1990 and Lucille Harris became our club cuer.

The Club’s 40th anniversary was celebrated on October 27, 1991 at the German Club in Pawtucket with over 150 dancers in attendance.

The club was saddened in December, 1991 when Bob Linden passed away. Guest callers were engaged until July 1992 when Jim Schell was hired as the club caller. The club held a memorial dance for Bill Linden at the German Club, in Pawtucket. In 1992 the Club had a mystery ride, the first in many years and also reinstated the President’s Night dances which have continued yearly ever since.

In 1993 at our Valentine Dance, Linda and Clayton Ostergren renewed their wedding vows on the occasion of their 25th anniversary.

During the 1993-1994 season we became a banner club and also had a float in the 1994 Bristol 4th of July parade. In the spring of 1994 we moved to our current home, the Portsmouth Multi-Purpose Senior Center, on Bristol Ferry Road.

In 1995 the Town Howlers hosted the Fall Federation Dance at the German Club.  Also in 1995 the club extended the dancing season through July. In 1995 Sandy and Roger Barnett began a quarterly newsletter filled with news of all the club’s doings.

In 1996 Bob Hamilton and Barbara Bowen were chosen to be the SEMCA King and Queen for the year. They attended dances at SEMCA clubs during their reign.

In 1997 a reunion dance was held for old and new dancers and resulted in many old dancers re-joining the club.

In 1999 the Town Howlers hosted the Fall Federation Dance at the German Club. In 1999 Lucille Harris asked to share the cuing, so that she would cue only one Town Howlers dance a month. Anna MacDougall stepped in and they now each cue one dance a month.

In April 2000 Town Howlers lost a dear friend when Tony Brandao passed away after a long illness. Tony had been a loyal club supporter, having served as President many times over the years.

The Town Howlers extend their thanks to all who have served as officers and members of respective committees over the years. The club looks forward to continued support by all members and future years of success and enjoyable square and round dancing.

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