Cross Trailers History
As Written By Dorotha Campbell
Prior to 2010.....
The Cross Trailer's Square Dance Club began in 1950 with four couples:
Charlie & Winona Patton, Jack & Lillian Cook, Gene & Pat Fedo, Orban
and Ruth Parker, and caller, Tom Gatewood and Taw, Dorothy, in the
Patton's basement in Independence, Missouri. In 1951, a present-day
active member of the Crosstrailers, Chuck and Marian
Millett, along with
several of their friends took lessons, and the Cross Trailers moved to a
larger place in the basement of the Parker's restaurant. The Cross
Trailers grew under Bob Fisk to 62 members and moved to the old VFW
Hall in Sugar Creek; then on to Bowling's Barn (a made-over chicken
house!!). In 1961, Bob Fisk went on the road professionally moving to
California. During the following two dance seasons, guest callers were used, as well
as an alternating rotation of Kenny Shuttleworth and Dick Enderle during
this period, Linden (Junior) and Janice Panknin joined the Club. (Note, Janice passed in Dec. 2008 and Linden
passed a few years later.) The fall of 1963 thru spring 1965, Bob Kuhn was the Club caller. Bowling's
Barn closed in 1965, and the Cross Trailers moved to Holy Cross Church
in Kansas City, Missouri. Bob Hurt & taw, Liz became the Club caller in the fall of 1965. After three
seasons, he resigned and moved to Texas and then on to Arizona. When Norman Madison and taw, Patty became the caller 1968, we danced
at the Raytown YMCA. We moved to Pinkerton School in Kansas City the
next dance season. In May 1970, the club split again. Norman & Patty left
and formed the K C Squares. Richard Callahan and taw, Willeta (Willie) was hired to call for us and
stayed until the summer of 1978. During this time, we danced at Pitcher
School, the Raytown VFW and Tom Korte School. In 1975, Kansas City hosted the National Square Dance Convention. More
than half of our members served on committees and/or accepted duties
working to make the convention the success it was. The next three dance seasons, September 1978 thru May 1981, Dave
Courtney and Taw, Betty was the Club caller. We were dancing at Tom
Korte School then. Don Reiman cued rounds occasionally during the
1979-1980 dance season. In 1981, Dave D'Arcy & taw, Debbie was hired to call, and the Club moved
to the Little Blue Barn. Dave gave up calling with the end of the dance
season in May 1985, and later moved to Tennessee. The Cross Trailers danced the next season at the 4H building in
Independence using guest callers. One of the guest callers was Al Warren. Al Warren and Taw, Jan was hired to call starting the fall of 1986. We then
moved to Holy Family School in Independence. Due to rent increases,
after two seasons, we moved to Ott School; then to Lee's Summit
Christian Church. Dave and Rita Rimmer were hired to cue rounds in 1992-
'93. Guest callers were used for the 1993-'94 dance season and we moved
back to Ott School. Mike Hines became our round dance cuer. In the fall
of 1994, we moved to Blue Ridge Elementary School (a more central
location for our members). Mike Kelly & taw, Cindy was hired to call for
us. Mike Hines later resigned as our cuer as the Club had few round
dancers. Through the years, the Cross Trailers have brought in professional callers
for special dances many times and with great success. Cal Golden, The
Red Boot Boys, Randy Dougherty (still a teenager the first time), Dee Dee
Dougherty, Jerry Story, Romney Tannehill and JR Sparks are among the
callers brought to this area to call for special dances. Don Whiteman, Don
Reiman and Mike Hines were among the round dance cuer's used for
these specials. For the 1996-'97 dance season, the Cross Trailers hosted dances on the
second Saturday of each month at the Blue Ridge elementary School in
Raytown, Missouri. We still boast of having as members some of the best
cooks around. We continue to provide delicious refreshments for our
guest dancers. Mike Kelly and taw, Cindy is once again our caller. Janet
Hicks, daughter of long-time members Chuck & Marian Millett, is our line
dance instructor. During the 1998-99 dance season, the Club had 44 official visits to
Federated club dances earning a Gold medal to display on the club
banner. The Crosstrailers have been active in the Heart of America
Federation Vigorous Visitor Program for over 20 years. With the start of the 1999-2000 dance season, Mike Kelly's employment
required that he be out of town for extended periods of time. Because of
this, the Cross Trailers began using guest callers. Gary Mahnken has
agreed to become the Club caller beginning in the fall of 2000 if Mike is
still unavailable. In May 2000, Cross Trailers will celebrate 50 years of existence. A free
square dance is planned to commemorate this event. An attempt is being
made to invite former Club callers, cuers & members. Norman Madison
has agreed to be the Emcee for this dance. We hope our many friends will
share this special occasion with us. Update: May 2010.....
Gary & Marge Mahnken called for the Cross Trailers at Blue Ridge
Elementary School from September 2000 thru the summer of 2002. Cross Trailers moved to Ivanhoe United church of Christ the fall of 2002. Mike Kelly and taw, Joy were retained to call for the Club until early Spring
2005. At our dance on May 13, 2005 Jim & Edythe Weber with the Missouri
Federation presented a certificate for the Cross Trailers to Chuck &
Marian Millett for 55 years of dancing. With the fall of 2005, Cross Trailers had many new beginnings. We moved
to River Blvd Baptist Church, started dancing on the third Saturday and
had guest callers. Stan Brooke and taw, Sharon were hired as Club caller for 2006 thru 2008. In January 2008, Julie Pigg started to cue rounds for us. We moved back
to Ivanhoe United Church of Christ the fall of 2008. Julie Pigg gave up
cueing for us after a few months due the failing health of her husband,
Marvin Pigg. In 2008 Cross Trailers once again experience turmoil in our group and
several members left to join other area clubs. In 2010, Cross Trailers started dancing at Ivanhoe Church again and we
were blessed to continue to have Stan & Sharon Brooke remain as our
Club caller & Taw. Our May dance was a free dance at the Sermon Center
in Independence, Missouri on May 22 to commemorate the 60th year of
existence. Mike Hines cued rounds for us. We had many dancers on hand
to help celebrate this milestone. From this point on, Louise Coleman wrote the club history. Update: April 29, 2011.....
During the 2008-2009 dance season. The club decided to have Stash Tosio
cue Rounds on a trial period starting about January 2009. Janet Hicks
continued to lead line dances until April 29, 2011. On that date the Club
was informed by Janet Hicks, speaking for Chuck & Marian Millett,
members since 1951, that the Cross Trailer Club would be closed the
following month at the May dance; that the logo and the name "Cross
Trailer" could not be used by anyone until after 2020. The club money was
to be split between River Blvd Baptist Church, Ivanhoe United Church of
Christ and the VA. She then announced at the Heart of America Federation
meeting the next day that Cross Trailers were folding and would host a
free dance the next month (May 2011). Following much discussion and further investigation in the matter, the
Club membership voted to remain "Cross Trailers" as long as possible
and disputed the suggested disposal of the money. The membership
unanimously agreed that the Club money belonged to the Club, not to any
one individual to dispose of as that person might choose. We also agreed
to go ahead and host the "free" dance; however, the dissenting members
did not attend. The dissenting members along with some other members
left the club at this point. Stash Tosio agreed to continue to cue pre-rounds from 7:00-7:30 pm for
the Cross Trailer dances and alternate with line dancing lead by Carolyn
Goucher & Karen Craig between tips. Cross Trailers dance location for 2011-2012 dance season was changed
to The Point (owned by Graceway Church), 5600 Blue Ridge Cutoff,
Kansas City, Missouri. We hosted dances on the 3rd Saturday of each
month Sept. thru May. Fred Goucher gave lessons and we gained some
new members. Our dances that year, 2012-2013 were well attended. Update: February 2014.....
At a meeting in January, Cross Trailers voted to change the dance
location to Graceway Church Fellowship Hall. Stan Brooke and taw,
Sharon were still calling for us, Stash Tosio continued to cue rounds and
Carolyn Goucher continued to lead line dancing. Karen Craig had her own
club up North and was having major health issues. Cross Trailers agreed to co-host the Missouri Federation NW District
dance on July 26th, 2014 which was held at The Point. October 2016, NW
District hosted the annual MO Federation Festival at Truman High School
in Independence, Missouri. All our club members were active in this event. Fred and Carolyn Goucher were Presidents of the NW Dist., Louise
Coleman was chair of the Fashion Show, Cross Trailer members sold
raffle tickets, Pot of Gold, manned the silent auction, led activities for
Youth dancers, etc. and served Breakfast to the Federation Officers on
Sunday Morning. Update: May 2018.....
We served lunch for the Missouri Federation Officers Meeting in the
spring of 2018. Cross Trailers had their annual Christmas Party on the third Saturday in
December in place of our regular dance. We had a dinner party at the
home of Louise Coleman. The first time was December of 2008 when the
members were invited to a sit down dinner at "Lou's Cafe." They were
served their choice of Ribeye steaks or a Chicken Casserole. They also
had wine and appetizers. All was prepared by the hostess and every one
chipped in on the expenses. The dinner was held 2 years at the home of
Malinda and Robert McKinney but has been back at Louise's house since
then. We hosted a Gospel Special this year called by Bill Roles and Stan
Brooke, which was a great success, also a three-caller special featuring
Bill Reynolds, Bill Roles and Stan Brooke. The proceeds from the 3-Caller
Special were donated to the 67th National Committee. In March, we hosted
our first ever Bar-B-Que Dinner. This was a great success and we are
planning to have another in the spring of 2019. We also had a great special
dance featuring National Caller, Ken Bower. It doesn't get much better
than this! Cross Trailers hosted the Missouri Missouri Federation NW District dance
on July 28th, 2018. Several club members went to Lebanon, Missouri for
the annual Missouri Federation Festival October 19 - 21 and some of us
participated in the Fashion Show. We are a small but very active club. We are one of the longest running
clubs in Missouri with 68 years as of May 2018! Update: August 24, 2020
February 2020 we began hearing rumblings about a deadly virus referred
to as a Coronavirus thought to be from China. We were to have our 3rd
Bar-B-Que in March. However, come early March all dances were
cancelled and people were asked to self-isolate too help prevent the
spread of "Covid-19"! Long story short, as of this writing, we are still not dancing and I don't
anticipate we will before (and hopefully) January 2021. Cross Trailers
were to celebrate 70 years as a continuously active club in May 2020. That
didn't happen! Here's hoping that we will get to celebrate next May with
our 71st anniversary! Keep Safe and Stay Well. Virtual Hugs too All,
Louise Coleman, President
Update: September 24, 2023
Our 70th Anniversary was to be held and celebrated on May 16, 2020, but
the celebration was canceled due to Covid. Instead, a Power Point
Presentation was made to view online. Click Here
Cross Trailers have stepped up to continue dancing, but the Pandemic
has made its mark. We have lost a lot of dancers due to Covid deaths as
well as time lost dancing. Also, people were slow to return to dancing. Stan Brooke, our caller for many years, stepped down as his health was
in decline. Cross Trailers chose to hire Evan Pauley as their new caller. At
the 2021 State Festival in Lebanon, Missouri, we met Evan and really
enjoyed his calling. We also earned a dangle for his calling a tip in the
hotel entry with a wonderful acapella. June 25, 2022, Evan joined us
officially. As 2022 neared its end, we lost two (2) wonderful dancers: Louise
Coleman, President of Cross Trailers for many years (November 2, 2022)
and Dorotha Campbell, Honorary Member for 48 years (November 7,
2022). With Louise Coleman’s passing, Fred Goucher (Vice President) became
President of the club. The Club has grown some, and we are working on growing it more as we
enjoy dancing to Evan Pauley for our new 2023-2024 dance season. Hope to see you on the dance floor with the Cross Trailers for our 74th
Anniversary year. Summitted by Carolyn Goucher & Carol Schloege
