History of the Docey Dandies
The Docey Dandies Square Dance Club began square dancing in Gardner, Kansas in 1956 when a few enthusiastic couples talked 60 couples into taking square dance lessons. After T. J. Miller, the caller, finished the lessons there were 36 couples remaining. During those lessons, the club name, "Docey Dandies," was selected.
The club survived hard times. Finding places to dance was one of the hardest obstacles to overcome. The club has danced in the school cafeteria,in the city auditorium, in the school band room, above the Old Farmers Bank,on the school patio, in the American Legion Building, in Gay's Little Gray Barn,in the 4-H Building and now dance in the Grange Hall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. At one time, lesson space was provided by Argo's Furniture Store. The Argo Folks would move furniture out of the way to provide dancing space.
Club Callers were: T.J Miller, Dick Enderle, Russ Grove, Bruce Bird, Jim Ellis. Our current caller, Mike Salerno, has been with the Docey Dandies since 1996.
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday night, the Docey Dandies have hosted dances. We've had dancers from all over come to dance with us including dancers from many states and as far away as Canada. We host an Annual New Years Eve Dance at the Grange Hall. We have had as many as 300 dancers for this event from the cities of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, Olathe and Gardner. Guests are served dinner, dance to three callers, ring in the New Year, and have breakfast after midnight.
The Docey Dandies are active participants in the Vigorous Visitors Program sponsored by the Heart of America Federation.
The club survived hard times. Finding places to dance was one of the hardest obstacles to overcome. The club has danced in the school cafeteria,in the city auditorium, in the school band room, above the Old Farmers Bank,on the school patio, in the American Legion Building, in Gay's Little Gray Barn,in the 4-H Building and now dance in the Grange Hall at the Johnson County Fairgrounds. At one time, lesson space was provided by Argo's Furniture Store. The Argo Folks would move furniture out of the way to provide dancing space.
Club Callers were: T.J Miller, Dick Enderle, Russ Grove, Bruce Bird, Jim Ellis. Our current caller, Mike Salerno, has been with the Docey Dandies since 1996.
Every 2nd and 4th Saturday night, the Docey Dandies have hosted dances. We've had dancers from all over come to dance with us including dancers from many states and as far away as Canada. We host an Annual New Years Eve Dance at the Grange Hall. We have had as many as 300 dancers for this event from the cities of Kansas City, Lawrence, Topeka, Olathe and Gardner. Guests are served dinner, dance to three callers, ring in the New Year, and have breakfast after midnight.
The Docey Dandies are active participants in the Vigorous Visitors Program sponsored by the Heart of America Federation.
