Farmers and Charmers History
In compiling the history of the Farmers & Charmers, we discovered that the early records (minutes, rosters and financial statements) of our club have apparently been destroyed.
Many thanks to Don and Dawn Farabee and Mary and Howard Jennings for their help in reconstructing the past. They have given freely of their time in talking with us and with the Bennetts, Goochs, Slotars and Turners, whom we also thank for their recollections of those early years.
We hope you enjoy reading about us as much as we have enjoyed writing about us!
Ken and Jerry Parsons
March 11, 1977
13th anniversary Dance
Mulholland Junior High School
Van Nuys, CA
It all began in the spring of 1964 when 8 couples decided they would like to start a Square Dance Club. They had completed a class at the Methodist Church in Chatsworth with call Bud Ganzell. Of the original 8 couples, 4 dropped out, but approximately 8 other couples joined the group, making a nucleus of 12 couples.
Herb and Gene Slotar and Ray and JoAnn Turner were the originators of the Farmers and Charmers and chose that name from several which were submitted by other members of the group. Herb and Gene were the first Presidents before the club was recognized by A Square D and Ray and JoAnn were the first Presidents after the club joined A Square D.
Among the first decisions made was the one to adopt JoAnn’s design for a club badge. The badge you are now wearing is the original design. From this design also came the wood visitation banners which were made early in 1964, and in 1969 additional ones were made by Joe Bellante. The one on the front of this book is an original. George and Beverly Harris designed and made the first current felt banner in 1975. Although the visitation badges had been in use since 1964, the first recorded mention of them is in 1969 when 100 were ordered for 15 cents each.
Don and Dawn Farabee have been active members of the Farmers and Charmers since the fall of 1964. Sid and Dorothy Temple and Dom and Norma Magnone joined in 1965. Also, in 1965 Jim and Virgina Miller joined, and we’re happy that they have become active members again. Howard and Mary Jennings joined in 1967 and Nat and Jane Albin and Bob and Karen Carpentier in 1969. All of these couples have served on the Board many times, and they are still active club members.
During the first few years the club had a special events dance once a month, many of them costume dances and several with outside entertainment. Among the special events dances were luaus, an International dance, a Back to School dance, a Grand Taste dance, a Circus dance, Hard Times dances, Pot Luck dances, a Box Dessert dance, a Hobo dance and the regular special events dances such as St. Patrick’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving, etc. At their Christmas dance in 1965 they had a Santa and a tricycle race!
We became the owners of the horse collar in either late 1964 or early 1965. The club went to a White Elephant dance in San Juan Capistrano, and during the evening a raffle was held. However, the items being raffled were not known until they were won. Gary Bennett, having won the collar and not owning any horses, gave it to the club. His wife, Marjean and Francene Gooch decided to do something constructive with it. Earl Gooch made the wooden insert for the collar and Marjean, and Francene dressed the dolls in their club dress. Reider and Toni Andersen dressed the dolls in our current club dress in 1975.
Marjean and Francene were the first to suggest and follow through with a club dress. For a few years the club had seasonal club dresses.
On March 18, 1965 the Farmers and Charmers held their first anniversary dance at McDonald’s Barn, from 1:00 – 5:00 P.M. with 8 guest callers. Bud Ganzell, the club caller, was MC and Ed Barkas, Ray Clairmont, Scotty Langland, Benny Matthews, Dale McClug, Harry Ramsberg, Bob Stratton and Paul Maupin shared the mike and squared them up. For this first anniversary dance, Ray and Joann Turner made a 3 tier cake. It consisted of wood and cardboard and a beautiful realistic silicone frosting! The frosting was so realistic that certain people were observed trying to taste it!
The monthly newsletter began in June 1970 as a direct result of the club members complaining that they did not know what was going on at the Board meetings or what plans were being made for the club. In July 1970 the donation was raised 25 cents to $1.25 and in the spring of 1974, it was raised to the current $1.50.
From 1964 to early 1970 the Farmers and Charmers were an active and solvent club. Their dances were very successful. However, in 1970 a drop in revenue and membership was noted. The club at that time had no regular caller and their beginner's classes were not sustained. By early 1971 the situation was acute, and in April, by club membership ballot, Clyde Driver became our club caller/instructor. The first Farmers and Charmers beginners' class was held on September 23, 1971 with Barbara and Clyde. With their help and expertise, and with the continual support and work of club members, the Farmers and Charmers have grown to their present membership of approximately 65 couples. The beginner's classes are now an integral part of our club.
One of our past Presidents, Ron Hunter, has been a caller/instructor for the past two years and has been a guest caller for us. Ron and his wife, Ann, were graduates of a Farmers and Charmers class in 1972.
From the beginning, the Farmers and Charmers have always enjoyed getting together on picnics, pot lucks, campouts and bus trips. We continue to do so today with an annual campout complete with club orchestra and chorale! On one of the trips to Lake Arrowhead, in 1969 or 1970, Bud Houghtaling squared them up in the middle of the night .. after they were sound asleep!! And the trip to Catalina in 1973 will never be forgotten .. something about the accommodations, wasn't it??
In addition to our Christmas parties, graduation dances and regular special events dances, for the past two years we have had great fun with our spider Stomp costume dance and our Summer Comfort dance.
All in all, in spite of the ups and downs and growing pains which our club has struggled with, we perceive that the spirit of Square Dancing has never diminished with our out-going, fun loving, wonderful group of Farmers and Charmers.
Ken and Jerry Parsons
March 11, 1977
1989 Update
As we approach our 25th Anniversary, we felt it was incumbent upon us to freshen up our Club's Photo Journal History. In so doing, we thought we might add a few written words to the above excellent record.
The Farmers and Charmers continued to grow in number until our Club Membership leveled off at around one hundred couples. Several large beginner classes kept us strong. In the mid-80's, classes fell behind in membership and Angel support likewise. They were no longer self-supporting and were making big inroads in a falling treasury. A decision was made to go "dark" with classes in the fall of 1988.
The Club has well attended monthly dances with Visitations from other Clubs and our Club responds well to return them. We hold many banners. We continue with Hi-lighted dances, such as the Sweetheart Ball, the anniversary Dance, Spider Stomp and Turkey Shoot.
The annual Campout and Picnic continues to attract the majority as do the very popular Summer Luau and Christmas-Holiday Dinner Party. We are a congenial group of people that do love to get together.
During the fall of 1985, a group of four couples got together to design costumes for the Spider Stomp (costume dance). Large heads with small bodies. Lots of fun, lots of creativity and "Klutzy" dancing went into pure enjoyment for those who were watching. Many more Farmers and Charmers wanted to be a part of this group until it grew to its present size of 32 dancers - 4 squares. We are known as the "Klutzy Runts" and have given many exhibitions. We entertain at our own, as well as other Half-Way dances, club dances, private parties and we felt privileged to be among the exhibition groups at the 1988 National Convention in Anaheim, California.
With all of this going for us, we feel we cannot fail now as we go forth with a new Beginners Class. It started in January, 1989 with Larry Ward as the Class Caller.
We would like to restate what has been written before us in 1977.
- "All in all, in spite of the ups and downs and the growing pains which our club has struggled with, we perceive that the spirit of Square Dancing has never diminished with our out-going, fun-loving wonderful group of Farmers and Charmers."
Barbara and Alan Taylor
January, 1989
TO BE CONTINUED...