Red Rock Ramblers square dancing storyline by LaVern
How it all began
HISTORY OF THE RED ROCK RAMBLERS SQUARE DANCE CLUB, October, 15, 1958
– June 29, 2013, by LaVern Johnson
The Red Rock Ramblers began when Bud and Frances Emmerling (aunt and uncle of Mrs. LaVern visited from San Diego, in September, 1958). They had just learned, and wanted to find a square dance. Not knowing the first thing about it, Mr. LaVerne and I found a dance or two with big crowds, all having lots of fun, but we could not do a thing. However, we soon saw an article that Vaughn Parrish was giving square dance lessons in Longmont. We went, had so much fun, and we came home and started our own Club. We had eleven squares in our class with folks from everywhere, including the Ewy, Jones, and Meyers kids. Our kids, Jerry and Ron, were four and six years old stayed with the McConnell grandparents.
We danced in the newly built Lyons High School Gym at 4th and Stickney, with wooden floor, no bleachers, no stage, and Herb Jones got the County to pave over that “red” mud on the parking lot.
The club chose the name of “Red Rock Ramblers” named from the town’s red sandstone, and us traveling to so many clubs.
The next summer, Vaughn suggested we hold summer dances on Saturdays, because Lyons
was “cooler”, and most of the clubs took vacation. We had big crowds, 15-30 squares, and booked callers from throughout the nation, who made their living calling square dances. For several years, the members brought cakes each night, with drinks of water. iced tea, punch, and coffee. Longtime helpers were Jerry (my son) and Marjorie Shannon, Ed Schmidt and Elinor King.
Through the years, Virginia Brindle, Floyd and Hannah Smith, and now Terri Weir (since 1983) has been the cashier. The rent was $5.00 a night in 1983, and is now $150.00, includes hiring a monitor that has to be a school employee. The price was $2.00 a couple; $5.00 in 1983, and now we charge $16.00. We have a 50\50 pot each night, with two or three winners, with the clubs keeping one-half.
Through the years, the school built the bleachers; the cafeteria on the west with restrooms; and we paid for the big fan.
In November of 1995, the first Hall of Fame of the Northeast Council honored: LaVern and
LaVerne, Paul Ledford, Ray and Verna Newman; in 1996-Elson & Ann Wride; in 1997-Spence and
Betty Boudinot and Kay and Paul Thompson. They have a Hall of Fame dance each year.
Square dancing is worldwide; with State, National, and other Festivals, with dances found on the web.
Square Dancing has brought hundreds of folks from near and far to Lyons, including throughout the United States and various countries.
The worst is losing your partner (Mr. LaVerne died 12\97-driving and dancing single). However, Vi & Lynn Andrew have rescued me; I also ride with the Coffey’s, Pardy’s, Joan Bristol, and others.
The Northeast Council honored our 50th Anniversary at the Longmont Senior Center in May, 2008. This year we celebrate 55 years.
Celebrate 60 years
Celebrate sixty years of square dancing in Lyons
Lyons Recorder, 8/28/18 by Kathleen Spring
In 1958, people joined social clubs to expand their ring of friends, and do fun activities together. They might have joined the Lions Club or a church sewing club. Mr and Mrs LaVern Johnson were looking for a square dance in the summer of that year. When they could not find one in the Front Range, they created one themselves; namely, the Red Rock Ramblers, a Modern Western square dancing club. It has continued every Saturday evening during the summer at the Lyons Elementary School Gym. The attendance is a strong 100 plus group, who share the responsibility of bringing home-made buffet treats to the venue. The club attracts people from all over Colorado, as well as nearby states. LaVern is inviting everyone to stop by and have some cake on Saturday, September 1 to celebrate 60 years.
June 2019 – no more weekly dances
TO THE RED ROCK RAMBLERS, I will be 92 in July; our two couples that have helped thru the years are sickly-one in the hospital right now, his wife, hemorrhaging; the other couple had a broken shoulder; he the shingles and a knee replacement. My son, Jerry, helps out (but won’t square dance), thinks I should try to get my life in order..92 is pretty old. We were able to go in with the Foot and Fiddle Club who dance at the Windsor Community Center, (651 North 11th St) so we took it (Longmont Senior Center would not book ahead)
Our first dance in Windsor is June 22; rounds at 6pm; squares 6:30-8:30; we have two callers scheduled – Dave Guille and Mike Hogan. You can determine if you want to wait until June 22th, to get the taste of dancing in Windsor; otherwise, I can meet you at a coffee shop, or wherever here in Lyons. We would usually dance every Saturday after the State Festival, which would be June 22; then we danced every Saturday thru Labor Day, for the past 60 years. It is sad to let it go, but I guess I have to face reality-Old Age is Striking….lots of Fun and Fellowship!
At the request of LaVern, the Red Rock Ramblers will conduct four square dances in 2022, in the Windsor venue
Red Rock Ramblers: 3:30 Rounds, 4:00 Squares; select Saturdays during Summer, at 250 N. 11th St. in Windsor, CO or 6:00 Rounds, 6:30 Squares at Club Tico, 1599 City Park Dr., in Ft. Collins. Contact: Jerry Johnson, 303-823-5925.
June 18: Dave Guille & Mike Hogan, at the Windsor Rec. Center, ($12.50/Person) Hosts: Foot & Fiddle
July 2: Mountain Magic (Roger, Debbie, Jeff, and Bear) at Club Tico in Ft. Collins, ($12.50/Person) Hosts: Square Dusters
July 16: Jerry Junck & Dave Smith, at Windsor Rec. Center; LaVern’s 95th B-day, ($12.50/person) Hosts: Foot & Fiddle
