PDF: 8.10.2026 HSRDC Weekly Email (2)
HSRDC 3rd Quarter Meeting and “Summer Nights” Dance This Sunday, August 16
Join us for the HSRDC 3rd Quarter Meeting (4:00pm) and Dance “Summer Nights” (5:00pm) on Sunday, August 16 with Vernon Jones calling. Jim Earles will be remembered with donations to provide funding to strengthen and expand square dancing opportunities in the Houston area. We will have the election of 2027 Officers and recognize Clubs that have participated in the Steal the Banner Competition. A special drawing will be held for Hoedown registrations purchased that day. Please bring summer goodies to share. Dress is traditional or summer casual. https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/18/join-us-for-the-hsrdc-3rd-quarter-meeting-election-summer-nights-tribute-dance/
2027 Slate of Officers
The slate for the 2027 HSRDC Officers includes Sally and Phil Henderson, Presidents; Brenda and Jerry Fabian, First Vice Presidents; Rikki and David Vaughan, Second Vice Presidents; Donna Bowen, Treasurer; and Linda Reaves, Secretary. The new additions for 2027 are David and Rikki Vaughan. They have been square dancers for many years. David began dancing with his family in the early 1970s, and Rikki took lessons in 1979. After marrying in 1981 and raising their family, they returned to square dancing in 2003, joining the Hey Lollies in 2004. After another break, they returned to dancing in 2024, taking lessons from Tim Ploch and rejoining the Hey Lollies in 2025. They currently serve on the club’s Caller Committee and also dance with the Texas Renegades.
David has owned and operated printing businesses for more than 35 years and serves as a resource to other franchise owners nationwide. Rikki worked in the legal field before joining David in the printing business and later returned to law firms until her retirement in 2019. They are members at Trinity Bible Church. David and Rikki are excited to share their love of square dancing through HSRDC leadership and promote the benefits of square dancing throughout the Houston area for people of all ages.
Steal the Banner Competition Wraps Up on August 16!
The Steal the Banner competition wraps up on August 16. Bring your visitation certificates to the HSRDC meeting to be eligible for prizes! To see more info and print the certificate go to https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/04/27/steal-the-banner-competition/
Celebration of Life Event for John Stewart on August 22
Debbie Holmes would like to extend an invitation to honor John Stewart at a celebration of his life on Saturday, August 22 from 3:00-5:00 PM at the Westin Houston Downtown. The address is 1520 Texas Avenue. John was a member of Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus and visited other clubs with Debbie.
Please respond email bbbbsugarland@gmail.com if you plan to attend as the hotel needs to know the headcount. Information is provided to purchase Astros tickets.
Caller Clinics on August 15 and August 22
We really appreciate all the dancers who are supporting the Saturday Caller Clinics. Your participation makes a real difference! On Saturday August 15, Vernon Jones will lead the clinic and dancers are needed only from 1:00 – 3:30pm (This is a change from the original schedule and will be Mainstream!) The following Saturday, August 22, the clinic will be led by Tim Ploch and dancers are needed between 11:00am and 4:00pm.
If you can come to dance, our local callers would be very appreciative! These clinics will be held at Concordia Lutheran Church, 4115 Blalock Road, Houston, TX 77080 (same location where the Texas Renegades dance). You do not need to stay the whole day—coming for even a couple of hours is a big help. Thank you for supporting our callers as they continue to develop their skills. These seminars are not only helpful for our callers, they’re fun, fascinating, and often funny as you get a peek into how callers think!
2026 Houston Hoedown “Dance Around the World!” October 23-25
Make plans now to attend the 78th Annual Houston Hoedown “Dance Around the World!” on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 23–25 at the Pasadena Convention Center! Dan Preedy is the guest caller, and the Ski’s will be leading rounds. Wear international-themed attire on Friday night and show your club spirit on Saturday! Make plans now to attend this great event! For more information, check out https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/06/78th-annual-houston-hoedown-dance-around-the-world-october-23-25-2026/ and https://houstonsquaredance.com/flyers/
Please help Dan Preedy’s daughter and son-in-law. Dan and his family live outside of Spokane, Washington where many people have been displaced because of wild fires. Dan’s daughter and son-in-law, Sydnee and Spencer, lost their home to the fire only one week after their wedding! Please consider donating to this GoFundMe to help them out! No contribution is too small to help. Here’s the link to the fundraiser: https://gofund.me/0dc59d7ec
Annual Award Nominations due by August 31
Nominations are now open for Dancer of the Year, Dance Leader of the Year and Lifetime Achievement Awards which are presented each year at the Houston Hoedown. Please send the nominee’s name(s) and qualifying reasons to HSRDCpresident@gmail.com by August 31. https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/05/dancer-of-the-year-caller-cuer-of-the-year-lifetime-achievement-award-nominations-due-august-31/
LESSONS
- Tim Ploch’s First Tuesday Series is a great place to learn the new calls that have been added to the Plus list.
- Fairbees are offering a 40-minute Plus lesson workshop on Thursdays at 7pm. The workshops include the 8 new Plus Calls and Rusty Hinges from previous week, Spring Branch Presbyterian Church, Houston
- Bluebonnet Squares are hosting four workshops on the 8 Plus Calls with Pat Kotal on Monday, August 10, 17, and 24, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring
- Hey Lollies “Introduction to Square Dancing” September 3, Tim Ploch, Caller, Chapelwood Methodist, Houston
- Bluebonnet Squares “Fun Night” September 14 and 21, Pat Kotal, Caller, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring
- Brazos Bottom Belles and Beaus “Fun Nights” August 25 and September 1, Keith Klix, Caller, Faith Sugar Land Church
- Tomball Promenaders will begin Plus lessons on Mondays starting October 5, Dennis Ray, Caller, VFW Hall, Tomball
More information is available on the on the HSRDC calendar at https://houstonsquaredance.com/lessons/
UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS AND OTHER DANCE OPPORTUNITIES
August 15, Hanger Squares Luau Dinner and Dance Fundraiser, Matt Barnes, Caller, Jones Hanger, Friendswood 8/15/26 — Hangar Squares Hawaiian Luau
August 16, HSRDC 3rd Quarter Meeting/Election of 2027 Officers and “Summer Nights” Dance in Memory of Jim Earles, Vernon Jones, Caller, Concordia Lutheran Church, Houston 8/16/26 — Summer Nights
August 20, Fairbees “Loving Arms Pet Rescue” Fundraiser Dance, Gary Sanders, Caller, Spring Branch Presbyterian Church, Houston 8/20/26 — Rescue Pet Dance
September 7, Bluebonnet Squares, Labor Day Dance with Tony Oxendine, Guest caller, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring 9.7.26 Bluebonnets Labor Day dance with Tony Oxendine
September 19, Tomball Promenaders 41st Anniversary Dance “Saturday in the Park” Brad Caldwell, Caller, Klein United Methodist Church, Spring 9/19/26 — Tomball Promenaders Anniversary
October 23-25, HSRDC 78th Annual Houston Hoedown “Dance Around the World” with Dan Preedy, Caller, The Ski’s, Round Dance Leaders, Pasadena Convention Center https://houstonsquaredance.com/2026/07/06/78th-annual-houston-hoedown-dance-around-the-world-october-23-25-2026/ 10/23-24/26 — HSRDC Hoedown
November 15, HSRDC 4th Quarter Meeting/Installation of 2027 Officers and Dance, Mike Seastrom, Caller, Concordia Lutheran Church, Houston
See the HSRDC calendar for more information about upcoming dances, lessons, and exhibitions at https://houstonsquaredance.com/calendar/
If you know any dancers who are not receiving the HSRDC emails, please share this link for them to sign up Newsletters – Houston Square Dance or email info@houstonsquaredance.com.
Keep on dancin’! See you on the dance floor!
Carol and Charles Thornburg