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CLUB HISTORY
The FairBees had their beginning in
1957 when a small group of square dancers met in County Commissioner "Squatty"
Lyons's precinct Barn off the old Hempstead Highway, part of which is now
Highway 290 in northwest Houston. You may wonder how the name Fairbees
originated. The precinct barn was located in a small community know as
Fairbanks, hence, the name FairBees.
Through the years, it has been
necessary to move to several different locations, most of them in the northwest
areas of Houston. As an indication of the members' ability to adapt to the
moving situations, our club has survived through one precinct barn, two schools,
one skating rink, and six churches. All of these locations bring back many fond
memories.
During the early years, the
majority of the callers had permanent jobs elsewhere and square dance calling
was more of a part time hobby. The club had a regular caller who called for all
of the club dances except for an occasional visiting caller. Some of our former
regular club callers were Pat Barbour, who began his calling career with the
FairBees, Pat Kotal, Johnnie Wykoff, Wade Driver and several others who are still actively
calling in Houston.
The FairBees first began
having regular round dancing when meeting at the Wainwright Elementary School,
and Leo and Roxy Bacon were the first cuers who taught the club members to round
dance. Maurice and Melba Chambers were our club cuers for several years prior to
our discontinuing round dancing.
In the mid-seventies, a group
of FairBees who owned recreational vehicles decided to reactivate the Houston
Area Camping Squares, a group of square dancing campers that had become
inactive. This was a successful endeavor, and the Houston Area Camping Squares
is still very active and consists of approximately forty camping
rigs.
A club with a history such as
the FairBees is not without some very interesting and amusing
events.
Here are a few:
- A copy of the Treasurer's
Report for June 28, 1965, while the club was still meeting in the precinct
barn, revealed a balance of $69.76 in the treasury.
- At one time a report was
given concerning a rather lengthy meeting of the executive board. According to
the minutes, "After considerable discussion, the meeting was temporarily
adjourned until after the dance. The meeting reconvened at the $1.19 Steak
House, all board members present, except one."
- Selecting club square
dancing dresses seems to often create a problem for the ladies. This is quoted
from the club minutes of November 4, 1965: "The first topic of old business
for discussion was the club dress. Since the members could not agree on the
dress, and there had been so much controversy over it, the board members
agreed that there should be no more discussion about the dress for a while. It
was felt that if this subject was not dropped at the time, the club could lose
members over it which we certainly do not want to happen."
- On one occasion the
FairBees went to the Shrine Circus dressed in the yellow FairBees Tee-shirts,
black shorts and skirts and black and yellow stripe socks. They were all
seated in one section of the Coliseum. To their surprise the spotlight was
focused on them. The announcer recognized them and they received a round of
applause from the audience.
Each year, at the Christmas Special
Dance, the tradition is that the admission charge is a Christmas toy or gift for
a young child. These presents, along with any cash donations, are donated to the
Church who distributes them to the needy.
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