President: Don & Marlene Davis
Vice-President: Janet Pado
Treasurer: Bill Christhilf & Anne Christhilf
Secretary: Elaine Skurka
Banner: Anne & Bill Christhilf
Vice-President: Janet Pado
Treasurer: Bill Christhilf & Anne Christhilf
Secretary: Elaine Skurka
Banner: Anne & Bill Christhilf
Click
History
Club Callers Club Cuers
1951-1953 Howard Hogue 1971-1976 Irma Morettini
1953-1955 Ray Anderson 1978-1979 Jo Yokimowski
1955-1958 Dick Leger & Roy Anderson 1980-1986 Marrietta Bullock
1958 Ralph Smith & Jack Ambrose 1986-1990 Anna McDougall
1959 Jack Ambrose 1991-1999 Lucille Harris & Anna McDougall
1959-1965 Tom Carroll 2000-2005 Lucille Harris & Anna McDougall
1965-1967 George Gray 2006-2011 Anna McDougall & Mike Alexander
1968-1974 Val Royer 2012-Current Mike Alexander
1974 Guest Callers 2019 - Current James Schell
1975-1979 Bud Whitten
1979-1991 Bob Linden
1992- current Jim Schell
Written by Jim Burton
Updated 2001 by Gerry Cummings and Sandy Barnett
Updated 2023 by Don and Marlene Davis
Early History based on notes from Helen Anthony and Jim Burton
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 Bob 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 until Anna became ill in 2011 and Lucille retired. Mike Alexander then signed on in 2011 and split the dance schedule with Anna and after Anna's passing now splits it with guest cuers.
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 new millennium ushered in the next century of square and round dancing to Jim Schell our club caller and Lucille Harris and Anna McDougal our clubs cuers.
Lucille Harris and Anna McDougall were our club cuers from 2000-2005. On September 23, 2001 the Town Howlers held their 50th anniversary dance at the Easton's Beach Rotunda in Newport, R.I. We are not sure what was most the most popular activity that day. The square and round dancing to many callers and cuers, carousel rides, sitting on the seawall enjoying lunch or taking off their square dance shoes and strolling on the beach. No one went swimming!
On September 24, 2006 we held our 55th anniversary dance and on September 11, 2011 we held our 60th anniversary dance also at the Easton's Beach Rotunda. Yes there were carousel rides!
Starting in 2002 we restarted the tradition of a New Year's Eve Dance at the Masonic Hall in Portsmouth, R.I. We changed locations in 2012 to the Portsmouth Senior Center 110 Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth, R.I. Where we still host dancing on New Year's Eve.
The club also hosted the R.I. Square and Round Dance Fall Federation dances in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2013 & 2017 at our current location. In addition the club also hosted the Rhody Rover Summer Kickoff Dances in 2007-2008, 2013-2014 and again in 2017-2019.
In 2002 Curt Oldford and Priscilla Prew were our SEMCA King and Queen followed by Roger & Diane Martin in 2014 and Don & Marlene Davis in 2015. They traveled to all the SEMCA club's dances and represented our club with pride.
In 2008 we started to hold a club summer picnic which turned into a clam boil in 2011, & 2012. In 2013 & 2014 Surfside 8's of Westerly, R.I. joined us as co-sponsors.
Lucille Harris retired in 2006. Anna McDougall along with Mike Alexander became our club cuers. Sadly in 2011 Anna McDougall passed away. We are still sadden at the loss to our square dance families.
In 2012 we held a benefit dance in Anna 's memory. Many callers and cuers donated their time for this event. A considerable amount of money was raised and donated to a worthy cause in her memory.
Following Anna's passing Mike Alexander became our club cuer in 2012 and has continued in that capacity.
A new chapter begins on September 10, 2016. We have changed our dance night to the second and/or fourth Saturday of the month. Dancing still from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. We will continue to dance from September thru July.
We are still offer dance lessons on Sunday evenings starting usually in late September. Check our website townhowlers.org for information or to submit questions.
On September 24, 2016 we will be having our 65th anniversary dance at our current location 110 Bristol Ferry Road Portsmouth, R.I.
The club changed its dance night to the 2nd and/or 4th Saturdays of the month for the 2016-2017 dance schedule and are continuing that format for the coming dancing seasons. On October 14, 2017 we celebrated our 66th anniversary. We also increased our admission price to $8.00 from $7.00.
in 2017. Our split the pot remained the same seven tickets for $3.00. We continued our club member badge $5.00 per drawing at each dance if there is no winner the amount increases by $5.00 until there is a winner. On October 13, 2018 we celebrated our 67th anniversary. Plus our New Year's Dances are thriving. New Year's Eve 12/31/18 we will have two callers Jim Schell & Bob Butler calling & Mike Alexander is cueing as usual.. $15.00 is the admission fee plus there is an appetizer buffet serve all evening which includes soups & endless Hors d' ouvres etc. On September 28, 2019 we celebrated our 68th anniversary and on New Year's Eve December 31, 2019 we held yet another fantastic New Year's Eve Dance with Jim Schell & Bob Butler calling & Mike Alexander cueing. In this current age of social media we have our own Facebook Page Friends of the Town Howlers which has been in place since 2015 & New England Square Dancers plus we've opened a MEETUP.COM page in 2018. After two years with little or no results from MeetUp with withdrew. In addition since 2017 we've placed roadside advertising signs at key locations in Portsmouth, Middletown & Newport, Rhode Island.
Our 70th anniversary will be held in September of 2021. More details will follow. The square dancing community was turned upside down in 2020 because of COVID 19. In February of 2020 the Town Howlers held their last dance all classes & club dancing was suspended in March of 2020. Hopefully in September 2021 square dancing will resume at our new location TBA in July/August for Saturday evening dancing. September 2021 we resumed dancing at our new location the Portsmouth United Methodist Church 2732 East Main Road Portsmouth, R.I. sadly no New Year's Eve Dance out of an abundance of caution. In early 2022 we are planning to start new dancer sessions time & exact date TBA. We resumed Sunday evening new dancer sessions & workshop 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in January 2022 at St. Lucy's Parish Hall 909 West Main Road Middletown R.I. We are continuing with a class/workshop into 2023. Club President's Marlene & Don Davis were nominated & awarded the Local Legend Award for there efforts in promoting Square & Round Dancing presented by the Square Foundation of New England presented by Judy & bud Clifford on March 11, 2023.
The Town Howlers extend their thanks to all who have served as officers and members of respective committees over the years. We also extend thanks to all the callers and cuers. The club looks forward to continued support by all members and future years of success and enjoyable square and round dancing.
here to edit
History
Club Callers Club Cuers
1951-1953 Howard Hogue 1971-1976 Irma Morettini
1953-1955 Ray Anderson 1978-1979 Jo Yokimowski
1955-1958 Dick Leger & Roy Anderson 1980-1986 Marrietta Bullock
1958 Ralph Smith & Jack Ambrose 1986-1990 Anna McDougall
1959 Jack Ambrose 1991-1999 Lucille Harris & Anna McDougall
1959-1965 Tom Carroll 2000-2005 Lucille Harris & Anna McDougall
1965-1967 George Gray 2006-2011 Anna McDougall & Mike Alexander
1968-1974 Val Royer 2012-Current Mike Alexander
1974 Guest Callers 2019 - Current James Schell
1975-1979 Bud Whitten
1979-1991 Bob Linden
1992- current Jim Schell
Written by Jim Burton
Updated 2001 by Gerry Cummings and Sandy Barnett
Updated 2023 by Don and Marlene Davis
Early History based on notes from Helen Anthony and Jim Burton
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 Bob 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 until Anna became ill in 2011 and Lucille retired. Mike Alexander then signed on in 2011 and split the dance schedule with Anna and after Anna's passing now splits it with guest cuers.
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 new millennium ushered in the next century of square and round dancing to Jim Schell our club caller and Lucille Harris and Anna McDougal our clubs cuers.
Lucille Harris and Anna McDougall were our club cuers from 2000-2005. On September 23, 2001 the Town Howlers held their 50th anniversary dance at the Easton's Beach Rotunda in Newport, R.I. We are not sure what was most the most popular activity that day. The square and round dancing to many callers and cuers, carousel rides, sitting on the seawall enjoying lunch or taking off their square dance shoes and strolling on the beach. No one went swimming!
On September 24, 2006 we held our 55th anniversary dance and on September 11, 2011 we held our 60th anniversary dance also at the Easton's Beach Rotunda. Yes there were carousel rides!
Starting in 2002 we restarted the tradition of a New Year's Eve Dance at the Masonic Hall in Portsmouth, R.I. We changed locations in 2012 to the Portsmouth Senior Center 110 Bristol Ferry Road in Portsmouth, R.I. Where we still host dancing on New Year's Eve.
The club also hosted the R.I. Square and Round Dance Fall Federation dances in 2002, 2006, 2010, 2013 & 2017 at our current location. In addition the club also hosted the Rhody Rover Summer Kickoff Dances in 2007-2008, 2013-2014 and again in 2017-2019.
In 2002 Curt Oldford and Priscilla Prew were our SEMCA King and Queen followed by Roger & Diane Martin in 2014 and Don & Marlene Davis in 2015. They traveled to all the SEMCA club's dances and represented our club with pride.
In 2008 we started to hold a club summer picnic which turned into a clam boil in 2011, & 2012. In 2013 & 2014 Surfside 8's of Westerly, R.I. joined us as co-sponsors.
Lucille Harris retired in 2006. Anna McDougall along with Mike Alexander became our club cuers. Sadly in 2011 Anna McDougall passed away. We are still sadden at the loss to our square dance families.
In 2012 we held a benefit dance in Anna 's memory. Many callers and cuers donated their time for this event. A considerable amount of money was raised and donated to a worthy cause in her memory.
Following Anna's passing Mike Alexander became our club cuer in 2012 and has continued in that capacity.
A new chapter begins on September 10, 2016. We have changed our dance night to the second and/or fourth Saturday of the month. Dancing still from 8:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. We will continue to dance from September thru July.
We are still offer dance lessons on Sunday evenings starting usually in late September. Check our website townhowlers.org for information or to submit questions.
On September 24, 2016 we will be having our 65th anniversary dance at our current location 110 Bristol Ferry Road Portsmouth, R.I.
The club changed its dance night to the 2nd and/or 4th Saturdays of the month for the 2016-2017 dance schedule and are continuing that format for the coming dancing seasons. On October 14, 2017 we celebrated our 66th anniversary. We also increased our admission price to $8.00 from $7.00.
in 2017. Our split the pot remained the same seven tickets for $3.00. We continued our club member badge $5.00 per drawing at each dance if there is no winner the amount increases by $5.00 until there is a winner. On October 13, 2018 we celebrated our 67th anniversary. Plus our New Year's Dances are thriving. New Year's Eve 12/31/18 we will have two callers Jim Schell & Bob Butler calling & Mike Alexander is cueing as usual.. $15.00 is the admission fee plus there is an appetizer buffet serve all evening which includes soups & endless Hors d' ouvres etc. On September 28, 2019 we celebrated our 68th anniversary and on New Year's Eve December 31, 2019 we held yet another fantastic New Year's Eve Dance with Jim Schell & Bob Butler calling & Mike Alexander cueing. In this current age of social media we have our own Facebook Page Friends of the Town Howlers which has been in place since 2015 & New England Square Dancers plus we've opened a MEETUP.COM page in 2018. After two years with little or no results from MeetUp with withdrew. In addition since 2017 we've placed roadside advertising signs at key locations in Portsmouth, Middletown & Newport, Rhode Island.
Our 70th anniversary will be held in September of 2021. More details will follow. The square dancing community was turned upside down in 2020 because of COVID 19. In February of 2020 the Town Howlers held their last dance all classes & club dancing was suspended in March of 2020. Hopefully in September 2021 square dancing will resume at our new location TBA in July/August for Saturday evening dancing. September 2021 we resumed dancing at our new location the Portsmouth United Methodist Church 2732 East Main Road Portsmouth, R.I. sadly no New Year's Eve Dance out of an abundance of caution. In early 2022 we are planning to start new dancer sessions time & exact date TBA. We resumed Sunday evening new dancer sessions & workshop 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in January 2022 at St. Lucy's Parish Hall 909 West Main Road Middletown R.I. We are continuing with a class/workshop into 2023. Club President's Marlene & Don Davis were nominated & awarded the Local Legend Award for there efforts in promoting Square & Round Dancing presented by the Square Foundation of New England presented by Judy & bud Clifford on March 11, 2023.
The Town Howlers extend their thanks to all who have served as officers and members of respective committees over the years. We also extend thanks to all the callers and cuers. The club looks forward to continued support by all members and future years of success and enjoyable square and round dancing.
here to edit