Coming

Home
February 6 Our Return Date
GOOD NEWS! Gil Rocha (Eureka Valley Recreation
Center Director) confirmed that groups will begin to
move in the first week in February. He says that he has
just last week hired and/or confirmed staff to cover the
hours needed. WSD has the downstairs space with the
stage (same as before only with an accessible ramp) on
Mondays and Wednesdays from 7:30 – 9:30 pm. He
felt that our official start date at EVRC would be Monday,
February 6.
WSD has been dancing at EVRC for about 20
years. About two and half years ago, we had to relocate to Mission Playground to
accommodate the center’s remodel. In September 2005, we began our new Mainstream
class at Studio 204 at 3435 Cesar Chavez. Returning to the Castro is satisfying and a
dream come true.

Please see the back page for details

February Club Night will be our official Coming Home celebration. Michael Levy

Anniversary
will be calling from 7:30-9:30 pm on February 15. Come out and see our space. Our
sojourn is over. We’re coming home.
March 25, 2005
Celebrate WSD Style!

Dance

24th
BEAU BRUMMELY-- Dressed to Kill
MILAN—Jackie Kennedy wearing Oleg Cassinni. Audrey Hepburn in
Givenchy. Liza Minelli in Halston. Couture marches on. Now the
glitterati all demand a Joe&Todd original. Be sure to tune in on Oscar
night when the red carpet will provide a promenade for their latest
creations.
Of course, there is always competition— Tomas in vintage Mr. Black-
well, or convention medallion recipient Ed Mah in that Chanel knock-
off. It is always difficult to narrow the list down to a Top Ten; but that In the vanguard-- Joe and Todd introduce the
is a full square, an heir and a spare. Let the count-down begin! wolfpatch-shoulder look

10. MERLE 9. JAMES 8. ERIK 7. DAVIDA 6. MARIO

Brokeback Wampum Hello Dolly/Goodbye Deli Leather Hunk Seeing spots Good Hummer Man

5. DANIEL 4. FREEMAN 3. JERRY 2. MATT 1. TODD

Anything for a buck Like the chrome off a Last Lap, Indy 500 Utilikilting Sheer and see-thru…
trailer hitch Peek-a-boobery
Fresh from his record-breaking tour in “Brigadoon,”
The Pine Valley Playhouse HEAR WHAT THE
CRITICS ARE SAYING!
is Proud to Present
Russ King in “I saw it twice”—
MANBOOBS—THE MUSICAL Josef Prochnow
with Elaine Stritch as Jim Dewsnap
“Josef needs new
Words & Music Lava-Lamp Lighting Design Choreography
glasses”—
Brenda Line Steve Scott Rich Reel
Tom Ophardt
“DESTINED FOR BROADWAY”
1st 1983 Phil Payton Club Night, Golden Gate YMCA
2nd 1984 Phil Payton & Doug Clark Golden Gate YMCA
3rd 1985 Eric Henerlau Golden Gate YMCA
4th 1986 Vanya Leighton & Scott Byars California Club
5th 1987 Mel Liter Golden Gate YMCA
6th 1988 Paul Marcum Golden Gate YMCA
7th 1989 Paul Waters Golden Gate YMCA
8th 1990 Paul Marcum St. Paulus Lutheran Church
9th 1991 Paul Infanti St. Paulus Lutheran Church
10th 1992 Mike DeSisto & Paul Marcum Fly-in, Russian Center
11th 1993 Deborah Parnell St. Paulus Lutheran Church
12th 1994 Shelby Dawson St. Paulus Lutheran Church
13th 1995 Deborah Parnell Temple United Methodist Church
14th 1996 Eric Henerlau Temple United Methodist Church
15th 1997 Andy Finch Temple United Methodist Church
16th 1998 Darren Gallina Temple United Methodist Church
17th 1999 Bill Eyler Temple United Methodist Church
18th 2000 Vic Ceder Temple United Methodist Church
19th 2001 Todd Fellegy Most Holy Redeemer Church
Fly-in, EVRC, MHR & School
20th 2002 Anne Uebelacker & Saundra Bryant
Cafeteria
21st 2003 Scott Byars The Center
22nd 2004 Vic Ceder Friends Meeting House
23rd 2005 Eric Henerlau Friends Meeting House
24th 2006 Eric Henerlau Ebenezer Lutheran Church
25th 2007 ???
Volunteers needed to organize the 25th Anniversary celebration (Fly-in?). We can make it happen only
with your help! Please speak to a member of the Board of Directors.
 The Newsletter Editor
interviews the WSD
Administrator or talking to
myself: a lazy way to fill up space (see
#3 below)
1. Favorite color: Red. Sometimes purple or blue or yellow. 15. How & why did you start square dancing? Ed Mah, Josef
2. Favorite food: Almost any kind of chicken and rice. Prochnow, and Nobu Yamagi were raving about how much fun
3. If you could be any animal, what would you be? A sloth they had square dancing, but I resisted mostly due to the
or a koala. hooky factor. Finally, I came out one evening in October 2002,
4. Lucky number: 7: I was born on the 7th day of the seventh and was hooked. Square dancing has done tremendous things
month. I have several 7s in my life. for my life, physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally.
5. Favorite movie: A Clockwork Orange 16. Funniest or happiest experience square dancing:
6. Favorite song: Pachelbel’s Canon in D Blindfolded dancing at the Blue class graduation.
7. Your hero/idol: Thomas 17. Favorite call: Weave the
Merton Ring, Teacup Chain, Spin Chain
8. Other hobbies: Reading, & Exchange the Gears if I get
computer graphics and such, to lead the parade,
baking, collecting hats, 18. Least favorite call: 8 Chain
downloading porn Thru
9. Where born/raised: Born in 19. Favorite callers: Rich Reel,
Tyler, Minnesota, raised Eric Henerlau, Howard
outside of Arco (population Richman, Michael Kellogg,
about 100, counting dogs and Deborah Carroll-Jones
cats; the main business is a 20. Favorite dance partners:
bar/liquor store, naturally), The ones with good energy
about 11 miles away. Went to and a warm smile.
school in Ivanhoe (population 21. I like square dancing
719, a major urban area in because it makes me feel
those parts, yah, you betcha!) energized, and I get to spend
about seven miles in the other time with friends.
direction. As the youngest of 22. Tell about your club
eleven children (a Catholic leadership roles. I started
farm family in Minnesota where with the newsletter. It hadn’t
the winters are cold and folks been published regularly for
do what they have to do to some time, and I volunteered
keep warm), I learned early to do it. The first issue was
about crap flowing downhill, pretty awful, but each one
but managed to turn out okay. after that was a little better.
I think. I’ve very pleased to provide
10. WORST subject in high the finest gay square dance
school: Woodworking newsletter possible. Other
Shop—nothing I made ever club tasks fell into my lap, and
looked anything like it was Angel Island Picnics were
supposed to. Ultimately, I’d revived. I was immensely
put a groove in it and call it an honored when I was elected
ashtray. The teacher hated me. Administrator last fall. The
11. Education & training: It New Year’s Dance was my
only took me 20 years to get idea, and I hope we can make
my BA in Linguistics from San it an annual event.
Diego State. My MA in 23. Future square dancing
Teaching English as a Foreign Language from SF State only plans: I plan to stay with WSD for some time. I have no
took two years. interest in taking Advanced class. Plus dancing is satisfying for
12. Tell about your boyfriend(s): Ha! Applications are being me.
accepted. 24. Personal plans: I hope to die before I get old, and have
13. Tell about your work: I taught foreigners to speak bad some fun along the way.
English with a strange accent. I spent more than two years 25. Advice to new dancers: While you should try to be the
teaching in a refugee camp in the Philippines for Southeast best dancer you can be, remember that some people have
Asian refugees. I spent three years teaching rich kids in Seoul, problems that affect their dancing—age, injury, medication, etc.
Korea. All together I’ve lived about twelve years in Asia. Be patient with them. We are here to have fun. It isn’t a test
14. What is the BEST thing about you: I have a warm, giving nor is it a contest. Don’t take it too seriously. Go to the
personality with a good sense of humor. convention!
February 4 New Year’s Ball Capital City Squares. Jet Roberts calling. 2:30-5:30 A1,/A2/ C1* 7-10 MS/Plus/A1* Bell Avenue
2:30-10 pm School, 1900 Bell Avenue, Sacramento
PACE Ben Rubright calling. Friday A2 Diablo Light Opera Co. 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, Saturday
February 10-12
C1/C4 American Musical Theater, 1717 Technology Drive, San Jose, Sunday C3A/C3 Pleasant Hill
February 15
7:30-9:30 pm
CLUB NIGHT! Michael Levy caller. EVRC
February 17-19 ACDC VII DC Lambda Squares www.dclambdasquares.org/acdc/
February 25 ¾ Thru Winter El Camino Reelers Andy Shore calling. Plus/A2 $8/$10 St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, 4111
7:30-10-30 pm Alma Street, Palo Alto
February 26 Midnight Squares Andy Shore calling. Details being determined.
PACE Vic Ceder calling. Friday A2 Diablo Light Opera Co. 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill, Saturday
March 10-12
C2/C4 Location TBA, Sunday C3A/C3 Pleasant Hill
March 10-12 Rain Festival 2006 Puddletown Dancers www.puddletowndancers.org
March 11
Flip the Flowers Diablo Dancers Anne Uebelacker calling. MS/Plus/A*. Details to be determined.
7:30-10:30 pm
March 15
7:30-9:30 pm
CLUB NIGHT! Fen Tamanaha caller. EVRC
March 18-19 2nd Central Coast “Mini” Fly-in Cuesta Squares Vic Ceder, Darren Gallina, Dave Rensberger callers. MS-C1
Arch & Dive Thru St. Louis 2006 Gateway Squares Kris Jensen, Gary Monday callers.
March 24-26
gatewaysquares.50megs.com/custom.html
March 25 24th Anniversary Dance Eric Henerlau caller. MS/Plus/A* $8/$10 Ebenezer
7:30-10:30 pm Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco
March 31-April 2 Philadelphia Freedom XIV Independece Squares independencesquares.org
Western Star Dancers
584 Castro Street #480
San Francisco, CA 94114
Happy 24th Anniversary
Leaving Edith Headless
HOLLYWOOD—As Women’s Wear Daily had predicted, couture from
The House of Joe & Todd dominated the red carpet promenade
throughout the recent awards season. Faux fur shoulders, African
print Western wear, sheer glitter fabrics, and electric pinwheel
pendants were all very popular among most of the award nominees
and presenters. Starlets arrived in matching frocks; and rumor has it
that Tom Cruise appeared in tablecloth chaps.

Although jewelry from the Merle Adams Collection or from Paul

Gonyea Designs continued to adorn the throats of the film industry
elite, hypnotic, illuminated pinwheels are now the choice of
Hollywood’s new edgy generation. But older Hollywood was also
represented with Ed Mah in jewelry inspired by Freeman
Stamper, and Joan Rivers mistook Davida for Virgina Graham. Seeing Double. Faux Fur and Glittery Gossamer

The red carpet welcomed both Him and Her prints Jewelry favored by Ed Mah wore his Davida in
Hillary Swank traditional Chanel The Color Purple
MORE GLAMOR SIGHTINGS!
Matt and Steve attended the Peter Berlin
Look-Alike Contest. Their baskets were un-
appreciated; however, congratulations must
be extended to WSD Purple Class
“Herselvis” Leigh Crow’s Whoa Nellies
partner Peter Fogel, who actually won the
coveted title.

Happy Anniversary, April Fool and

Ta-Ta from Tinsel Town!
Matt— Steve— Tablecloth Tom—
Brenda Line Should have worn Chanel Should have entered the
Carol Channing Contest
Oilcloth chaps and
fleshview shirt
April 15 California Twirl into Spring Dance Foggy City Dancers. Joe Saltel caller MS/P/A* $8/$10. Ebenezer
7-10 pm Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco Silent Auction
April 19
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night! Ron Masker caller. EVRC
April 20-23 Southern Belle Meets Elvis Cotton Pickin’ Squares, Memphis, TN Todd Fellegy caller.

April 21-23 Ropin’ the River 2006—Spin the Big Top Grand River Squares, Grand Rapids, MI Bronc Wise, Betsy Gotta callers

April 22 Walk & Dodge into Spring El Camino Reelers. Seth Levine caller. P/A2* $8/$10 St. Andrew’s Methodist Church,
7:30-10:30 pm 4111 Alma St., Palo Alto

April 28-30 Peel Off in Palm Springs 2006 Men Only Todd Fellegy caller. CCBC Resort, Cathedral City, CA

Pass the Ocean Hon 20th Anniversary Chesapeake Squares. Callers: S. Bryant, E. McAtee, A. Ubelacker, D.
May 4-7
Hodge, M. Disisto. Rehoboth Beach, DE
PACE (Fri-A2; Sat-C2, C4; Sun-C3A, C3) Barry Clasper caller. Diablo Light Opera Co. 1948 Oak Park Boulevard,
May 5-7
Pleasant Hill
May 15
7:30-9:30 pm
Purple MS Class Completion Party, EVRC
May 17
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night! Gary Young caller. EVRC
Stumptown Stomp Capital City Squares. MS/P/A/C1* Mike DiSisto, Eric Henerlau callers. Veteran’s Hall,
May 19-21
Guerneville. Info: George (916-929-8697
May 22
7:30-9:30 pm
Free Intro to Plus. Rich Reel, Instructor. EVRC
Western Star Dancers
584 Castro Street #480
San Francisco, CA 94114

ONLY ten months remain until the Western
Star Dancers’ 25th Anniversary Blowout!
Details are few, but imaginative Todd
Young, Special Events Coordinator, is
heading up the committee. Volunteers to
assist in this noble endeavor should call
Todd (436-9161) or speak to him at class.
This will not be a traditional fly-in, nor will
it be merely a dance. What it will be
remains to be seen, but we know it will be
fabulous!
THE Board of Directors is sponsoring a
25th Anniversary logo design contest. The
contest is open to everyone in the whole
world. Deadline for submissions is July
31, 2006. The author of the logo that is
chosen will receive some sort of nice
award or prize or honors. Anyway, give it
a try, and you might win something!
WSD—Bigger & Better
Western Star Dancers now number 59, an increase in
membership of nearly twelve percent over last year. In an era where
straight square dance clubs are in a decline and gay clubs are being
constantly challenged to maintain their membership, the Western Star is
in ascendance.
Club Administrator Daryl Daniels commented, “I’m ecstatic
about the club growth. When I first joined the club a few years ago, the
membership seemed lethargic. It is exciting to see the enthusiasm and
energy that now characterize all of our activities.”
Membership Coordinator Joe Casserly echoed those remarks,
“Our club is doing fine and dandy. Attendance to our dances is up. We
have an enthusiastic class. I do not see any [anticipated] crisis, and I
don’t think that I'm being shortsighted.”
Several fun activities are in the works. Besides the IAGSDC
23rd Annual International Convention in Anaheim over the July 4th
weekend, which many of you will attend, there are some local plans. In
August (date to be determined) we will host the annual Angel Island
Picnic. Watch your mailbox for more information.
WSD will hold a yard sale, probably in September. This is a
chance for you to clean out some of the “treasures” you have
accumulated, and let someone else enjoy them. Our attempts at a silent
auction in the past were disappointing. We hope that a yard sale (in a
really prominent location) will let us make some money, have some fun,
and maybe recruit some new dancers.
Our summer activities will culminate with the Castro Street
Fair. Once again, we will have a booth with dancing. Plan now to join
us in our primary recruitment activity.
These are exciting days for the club. Join in. Don’t stop. Don’t
slow down.
Quarter Century Countdown
The Western Star Dancers have entered In 1982, the blockbuster movies were E.T.
their 25th year of square dancing and will be and Tootsie, San Francisco defeated Cincinnati
celebrating the completion of a quarter- in the Super Bowl (26-21), and the median
century at festivities to be held in March of household income was $20,171 (in current
2007. Of course, most of the WSD dollars).
members were not dancing 25 years ago.
Most were involved in other pursuits. Some Jim, what were you up to in ’82?
were in diapers and were breast feeding
(some still are). “I'd moved to San Francisco in mid-1980
(from a teaching job in South Carolina) with
my 16-year-old daughter, Winter. I met my
lover, Bob (a former Catholic priest), at 21st
Street Baths in early '81.”

In 1982, Michael Jackson released “Thriller,” Matt—During his days as a driver for a fire
the biggest selling album in history; Ronald department in Ohio.
Reagan was in the White House; and the
“The Stage Door in Dayton—a twenty-
cost of a first-class postage stamp was 20
minute drive from Yellow Springs—was my
cents.
favorite place for an after-work beer and
Hey Matt, where were you in ‘82? game of pool. Walking in the front door, you
would see a bar very similar
“This is the group I worked with as a to the Rainbow Cattle Company in Jim enjoying a bay cruise in the early
volunteer for thirteen years in the village of Guerneville. Next best place was The 1470, a 1980s.
Yellow Springs, Ohio.” club of mixed (but mostly Gay) patrons.
Loved it. Learned a couple of now-forgotten “By '82 I'd finally gotten a job (as a writer for
line dances there. Met a few hotties, too.” Shaklee Corp.) that paid my share of the rent,
and Bob and I and Winter, had moved in
together.”

Sadly, Bob is no longer living. Does

your daughter still reside in the area?

“Winter is married and she is living in Mt.

“Square dancers have become my Juliet, TN, (near Nashville).”
replacement in many respects for this group.
Dance classes replace weekly skills training. Thanks, Daddy Jim, for your memories
Car fire calls and EMS response have become of days gone by.
equivalents for Saturday night dances, and Matt (right), pretending not to lust after the
Convention is sort of like those rare barn fire department’s medical doctor.
fires, or working house fires that require a
whole lot of neighbor people and Thanks for sharing, Matt. And who
equipment from all over the county.” would have thunk there were Castro
Clones in Ohio during the ‘80s?
“I owned and operated a foreign car garage
in Yellow Springs during the ‘70s & early ‘80s.
Then I went to work as the buildings and
grounds director for a local, community- Having
finally
sponsored non-profit skilled nursing facility.
reached his
That was a fantastic job—a real personal purple
growth period spanning eight years.” prime, Matt
recently
graduated
Mainstream Jim—Golden Jim—Applauding
(again). Gate Park, for Matt at Gradu-
25 years ago. ation, 2006.
Interview by Dan Smith
D: So your name is…?
S: Steve Scott.
D: Where were you born Steve?
S: I was born in Little Rock, Arkansas.
You can’t tell by my southern accent.
D: Where were you raised?
S: My Father worked as an accountant
for a construction firm so we literally
lived all over the country. Whenever a
dam was built or a bridge was finished,
we moved on with the entire construction
firm. I attended school in multiple states-
-South Dakota, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio,
West Virginia, etc. We moved every two
or three years.
D: How many sisters and
brothers do you have?
S: I’m an only child.
D: Can you tell me your first
realization about being gay?
S: I have lots of memories of
having ‘fun in the hayloft’ with
my younger male cousin.
Visiting my Grandparents in
Arkansas was like summer
camp because most of my
cousins lived out in the
country and had horses,
cattle and chickens. I helped
with the chores and rode the
horse out to Spring Lake and
played around in the barn. I
really didn’t think of those
experiences as being gay I
was just having fun.
In high school I did the hetero dating
scene. I went to my junior and senior
high school proms with a girl. I was
always trying to have sex with everyone
and anyone of either gender as much as
possible. Well, it really only happened
with guys (laugh)! After high school I
kind of realized that… “Hm, maybe there
is something to this?”
I have an interesting coming out story,
if you will. I attended the University of
Illinois in Champaign-Urbana and
received a BA degree in Psychology. The
final year I took a Sociology course. We
were supposed to interview a criminal for
our final paper; it was for half our grade.
At that time, 1969, homosexuality was a
crime in the state of Illinois and so I went
to a Greyhound [station] (Steve chortles)
picked up an older man (‘Older man’ at
that time was someone about 35), had
sex with him, got some information from
him and wrote up an A+ paper. Those
days it was pretty dark because
homosexuality was a DSM diagnosis
(Diagnostic and Statistical Manual). That
book was a labeling device for mental
health disorders and homosexuality was
in it. I was undeterred however (laugh)
and I experimented a lot more. After that
I got a Masters Degree in social work
from the University of Oklahoma in
Norman. And that’s where I really started
experimenting sexually with men and, I’d
say, really identified as being a gay man.
After college I got a job in
Northeastern Arkansas at a Community
Mental Health Center in Jonesboro. I
worked there for about four years. Then
in 1975 I decided that I had met my
commitment to my home state and I
needed to explore my sexuality a bit
more. I literally went on a ‘happy home-
ground’ search. It struck me that maybe
Phoenix, Los Angelis or San Francisco
might be good places to, I don’t know,
be who I am. So I explored those cities
and it was a pretty easy choice. When I
got off the plane in San Francisco, I
remember it very clearly, I saw a man
coming off the plane and being greeted
by his boyfriend/lover with a big kiss.
And I thought, “Well I’m going to live
here.”
D: Tell me about you and dancing.
S: Oh, well! Dancing, we want to get into
dancing? I will credit my mother; she
took me to a dance studio when I was
about ten. It had ballet classes. I was the
only boy in a class of girls. I absolutely
hated it and I was awful at it too. The
teacher said I wasn’t graceful. I went
home and complained. Mother said, “Well
they have tap dancing at that studio too.”
I thought “That’s noise and that sounds
interesting.” Well I was really good at
that and I loved it. The class introduced
me to rhythms and that’s very important
in all kinds of dancing, including square
dancing. I took individual lessons up
through high school. I was
quite good, if I say so myself.
Out here in San Francisco it
was disco! Let me tell you I
was hitting the disco clubs
every single weekend. I was a
disco bunny and loved it. I
also took a little country
western, two-stepping. At
rock concerts, I’d move to the
beat. Music and dance has
always been a part of my life.
D: How did you get into
square dancing?
S: I had been in an 18-year
relationship, and when it
ended in 97 I thought, “What
the heck am I going to do
with myself?” One day I went
to the Folsom Street Fair. I heard some
country kind of music…came upon WSD’s
booth and saw people dancing. I realized
immediately, “Well that’s it of course;
dancing, I’ve always loved dancing.” I
saw it as an opportunity to meet people,
well, specifically gay men. I actually
thought, “Oh, who knows I might find my
next lover, oh just any minute?” More
then that, because it was in San
Francisco and because I was going
through what I was going through
emotionally and it was a gay club and
there were men dancing with men and it
was ‘hugs all around’ at the end of the
tip…
Felix Fornino, who used to be an
administrator of the club, was there with
his lover. Felix gave me the application or
the information and I signed up. (To be
continued)
June 3 Diablo Dancers 16th Anniversary Dance Tim Crawford calling. MS/P/A $8/$10 Jewish Community
7:30-10:30 pm Center, 2071 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek
June 4 Midnight Squares A2 Graduation Tim Crawford calling. A/C1* $8/$10/Graduates Free Jon Sim
2-5 pm Center, 1519 Mission Street, San Francisco
PACE Ross Howell calling. Friday 7:30 pm A2, Saturday 11 am, 2:30 pm C1. Sunday 11 am C3A, 2:30
June 9-11
pm C3 Diablo Light Opera Co., 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
June 17 Foggy City Dancers Pre-Pride, Pre-Convention Dance Mike Kellogg calling. MS/P/A* $8/$10
7-10 pm Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco
June 18 Midnight Squares C2 Graduation Dance Mike Kellogg calling. C2/C3A* $8/$10/Graduates Free Jon
2-5 pm Sim Center, 1519 Mission Street, San Francisco
June 21
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night Gary Young calling. Eureka Valley Recreation Center
June 24 Pride Dance Saundra Bryant calling. MS/P/A* $8/$10 Ebenezer Lutheran Church,
7:30-10:30 pm 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco
IAGSDC 23rd Annual Convention When You Wish Upon a Thar MS through C4
June 30-July 3
Anaheim Marriott, Anaheim, CA
PACE John Sybalsky calling. Friday 7:30 pm A2, Saturday 11 am, 2:30 pm C2. Sunday 11 am C3A,
July 14-16
2:30 pm C3 Diablo Light Opera Co., 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
July 19
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night Neil Heather calling. Eureka Valley Recreation Center
Western Star Dancers
584 Castro Street #480
San Francisco, CA 94114
 Club Notices -- Information You Can’t Live Without
Nominations are open for candidates for
election to the Board of Directors. The
annual club meeting and election will be on
September 20. Nominations should be
received by August 20. Bob Brundage, Joe
Casserly, Daryl Daniels, Dan Smith, and
Todd Young have announced that they will
stand for another term. The club bylaws
allow up to seven board members.
Joe Iser and Dave Murphy have resigned
from the Board due to personal reasons.
Joe had served several years on the board,
most recently as the Dance Coordinator.
He booked top-flight callers well in advance,
and brought in a variety of club night callers,
two of whom were making their calling
debuts. This was Dave’s first year on the
board. He was the Archangel for the
Purple Mainstream Class. Both will be
missed.
E-mail and spam being what they are, the
members of the board request that the
Subject line of your email include “WSD.”
Some of us, maybe all of us, receive huge
amounts of spam. Flagging the subject line
with “WSD” will help avoid inadvertent
deletions. Your cooperation is greatly
appreciated.
Get well wishes to Kip Mackey and Freddy
Papapietro. Kip had back surgery that he
says has greatly reduced the amount of pain
he experiences. He hopes to get back to
square dancing soon. Freddy had abdominal
surgery. He is home now recovering, but is
quite weak. Hang in there, and hope to see
you both on the dance floor again soon.
Kip is feeling so good that he is hosting a
pool party again this year. The Pool Party
will be Labor Day weekend on Saturday,
September 2 from 1-8 pm at 1035 Las
Gallinas Avenue in San Rafael. Guests are
requested to bring party foods to share, as
well as whatever intoxicants you may desire.
RSVP if you plan to attend to
kipmackey@aol.com or call (415) 479-
4759.
MATCH THE MUGSHOT WSD Quarter-Century Countdown. Part 2 in a Series.
Welcome back from Anaheim. Everyone had a good time: Cinderella went to the ball, and Daniel stalked Betsy Gotta for the second year in a
row. Rich called a couple of swimming pool tips, Gary tried to pass for twink in the Under-30 specialty tip, and Grey squared up for A2 even
though he has never studied A1. Luckily, Randy Laroche and David Laudon are juxtaposed alphabetically, so they were called simultaneously
from opposite sides of the stage, received their 10-Year Medallions, embraced and were photographed hand in hand.
Enough fun for now.
We need to get back to
business. So, as part of
our 25th Anniversary
Countdown, it is time
to play Match the
Mugshot. The num-
bered photos are either
from about 25 years
ago, or from when the
poser was approxi-
mately age 25! Match
them with the recent
lettered photographs.

Time’s up. How did

you do? Number 1=D:
Our WSD Administra-
tor Daryl. 2=E: Davi-
da (Duh!). 3=C: Twin-
kle-toed and top hatted
terpsichorean Steve.
Number 4=A: Russ, who has been around
WSD for nearly a quarter century. 5=B: Fred
(during his stint in the army).
Describing his days as a young buck in
uniform, Fred says, “I went to Fort Roberts for
training (infantry); but after 6 weeks I signed
up to go to the State of Washington to be a
radar operator. I wasn't crazy about that, so I
became the Battery Clerk for the rest of my
time there to complete my two years. I got
drafted. I got a lot out of it—the first time in
my life I was away from home. It was difficult
but I managed.”
That leaves Number 6=F: Last, but certainly They first met in 1957 in the Pacific
not least, Merle. Northwest, visited San Francisco the next
year, then moved to The City in 1962.
“Twenty-five years ago, I was playing softball Merle remembers, “Our rent was $85 a
with a pick-up team, and sometimes I’d go month, furnished.” Times have changed.
hiking to Mt. Tampalpias. We traveled a lot In 1978, they moved into the home on
in 1982, also. My partner, Jed, and I would Diamond Heights where they still live.
travel to his Chemical Conventions. I got to
see a lot of U.S. cities—and to shop. In 1982,
we went to some Gay motorcycle week-
ends. Also, spent a lot of our time
supporting the S.F. Gay Chorus—we still do
that.”

Merle—soon after moving to San Francisco.

What is the secret of maintaining a relation-

Debonair Fred—25 years ago.
Merle and Jed—on a biker run.
Twenty-five years ago, Merle and Jed were
celebrating 25 years together! They are now
approaching their 50th Anniversary.
ship for 50 years, or even 25 years? “It’s a
lot of work,” Merle explains, “and you don’t
have to think like each other, but you have
to respect each other.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to my research, photo and proof-
reading staff (Gary, Daniel and Steve). And
who would have thunk I’d be moist from
thinking about Merle?
Brenda Line
 Steve Scott Interview Part 2 (Continued from last month)
by Dan Smith
STEVE: I took Ballroom dancing in junior to be twirled. That was easy, I mean I friends through it. When I’m walking with
high. I was very popular at lunch breaks was one of the first ones over there to the my non-square dancer friends I always
because when the kids went to the gym girl line and that continues to be my say, “Oh, that’s another square dancer,
and turned on music I was the only boy favorite position. I’m, so called, bi-dancial that’s another square dancer.” I always
dancer. The girls would dance together. now, I can dance the boy part also. I like feel very pleased about the fact that I’m
The guys would just kind of sit watching. to think that I’m a pretty good boy, leader. recognized and I know other people
Well I’d get out on the floor and dance, I love people who will allow me to twirl through this activity.
making me very popular with the girls. I (Steve laughs) as much as I possibly can I was invited to be on the Board by Alan
loved ballroom dancing. without spinning me out into the universe. Turpin who became a very, very good
DAN: Did you ever dance with a guy as a D: You took the Basic/Mainstream class friend of mine. He was a part of a small
kid? at Western Star, did you immediately go group of square dance drag queens and I
STEVE: No. to Plus? became one of those. Alan Turpin’s drag
DAN: That’s sad. S: I took the Plus class from WSD as soon name was ‘Crystal Ball’. Alvin had red as
STEVE: Yes it is, knowing what people can as it was offered. Foggy City Dancers his color and my color was green and my
do now legally and with support. I think started their Mainstream class well after name was ‘Tammy’.
that’s terrific. WSD so even though my WSD’s D: Was that name because of Tammy
DAN: Tell me about learning to square Mainstream class was not quite finished I Wynette?
dance? was able to Angel FCD’s new Mainstream S: And Tammy Tell Me True. It’s the
STEVE: I learned at Eureka Valley class. I learned Boy doing that. I did the country girl in me.
Recreational Center. Ron Masker was my same thing with Plus if I recall correctly. D: Had you done any interesting drag
first Mainstream caller. I remember that I D: How did you find Foggy City? activities before meeting Alan.
loved it right away. I love it because you S: Andy Shore was teaching and I found S: When I lived in Northeastern Arkansas,
that there were many in Jonesboro, working at my first post
more squares so that education job there were no gay activities,
was interesting in some literally, OK, period! So every weekend I
ways but, I don’t know, drove for about an hour and a half to
it felt a little crowded. Memphis Tennessee to a very famous
What I got out of it was drag bar. I have memories of seeing
a different Instructor, fantastic drag shows at that bar. Famous
teaching things performers like I Will Survive, Gloria
differently and I think Gayner performed there.
that is still a useful tool. Alan as you know is a very talented
D: Did you also move on seamstress. He has in his basement all
to A level at some point? kinds of costumes. His favorite holiday is
S: I guess spent a year Halloween. He and his lover Harold, who
dancing Mainstream were both in Western Star, would go out
then went onto Plus and on Halloween dressed as queen Elizabeth
danced at that level, and Glenda the Good Witch from the
which remains my Wizard of Oz. Because I was part of their
favorite level for three entourage I was introduced to drag again.
or four years. After that There were four of us (Alan, Alvin,
I took Advanced class Douglass and myself), all members of the
twice. A Class consists Board of WSD, the Rainbow Girls, who
of A1 and A2. I still feel appeared at events like Castro Street Fair
like I don’t get enough to recruit new class members. Western
floor time with A and Star as you know does a color of the
can be a single person and join a square
don’t feel really strong at it. I enjoy going rainbow designation for the different
once you learn the moves; the fact that
to Midnight Squares, where you go at classes. We didn’t quit have 6 colors but
the moves are a set of calls that are
least in San Francisco to advance beyond we called ourselves the rainbow girls. We
known across the world was really
Plus. I have angeled the A class at least would go to the Castro Street Fair in
appealing to me.
two times and I’m doing that right now. complete drag and square dance and that
D: Did you take girl or boy first?
D: Cool, so you have a lot of experience. was a lot of fun. We also did that at the
S: Oh girl, that was easy. Ron said, “The
When did you first think about becoming convention.
way to decide about being boy or girl: do
some kind of official in Western Star? D: Thank you Steve.
you want to twirl someone else or do you
S: You know I have always felt grateful to S: No, thank you.
want to be twirled?” Well, HELLO, I want
the club because I have met so many
August 5 Star Across Summer El Camino Reelers. Howard Richman caller. 5-7 pm Potluck/Intro (free), 7:30-10:30
7:30-10:30 pm pm Plus/A2 $8/$10 St. Andrew’s Methodist Church, 4111 Alma Street, Palo Alto
PACE. Saundra Bryant caller. Friday 7:30 pm A2, Saturday 11 am, 2 pm C1, Sunday 11 am C3A, 2:30 pm
August 11-13
C3. Diablo Light Opera Co., 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
August 12 Picnic & Promenade (Potluck Picnic & outdoor dancing in the Oakland Hills) Oaktown 8s. Bay Area callers.
4-8 pm MS/Plus/A*tip $8/$10 Skyline Community Church, 12540 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland
August 16
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night Fen Tamanaha caller. EVRC
August 19 Angel Island Picnic. Rich Reel caller. $20 Advanced reservations suggested (includes ferry). Contact Todd
9:45 am-? (415) 436-9161
September 2 Kip Mackey’s Pool Party. Potluck. 1035 Las Gallinas Avenue, San Rafael. RSVP: kipmackey@aol.com or
1-8 pm (415) 479-4759
PACE. Anne Ubelacker caller. Friday 7:30 pm A2, Saturday 11 am, 2 pm C2, Sunday 11 am C3A, 2:30 pm
September 8-10
C3. Diablo Light Opera Co., 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
September 9 WSD Yard Sale 4056 – 18th Street. Bring your stuff to sell. Buy good things. Volunteer to help raise
10 am-6 pm money for your club!
September 9 Harvest Dance Foggy City Dancers. Eric Henerlau caller. Class/MS/Plus/A*tip $8/$10 Ebenezer
7-10 pm Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco
September 20
7:30-9:30 pm
Annual Membership Meeting & Club Night Ron Masker caller. EVRC
September 23 Leather & Lace 2006 Andy Shore caller. MS/Plus/A*tip $8/$10 Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 678
7:30-10:30 pm Portola Drive, San Francisco
September 25
Purple Plus Class Completion Party EVRC. Partners, friends invited.
7:30-9:30 pm
October 1
Castro Street Fair Volunteers needed to dance and help recruit. Rich Reel caller.
All Day
October 2
Free Introductory Red Mainstream Class Rich Reel caller. EVRC
7:30-9:30 pm
Western Star Dancers
584 Castro Street #480
San Francisco, CA 94114
The Red Mainstream Class of 2007 will square up with two
free introductory lessons on October 2 and 16. This will be our
first class since returning to Eureka Valley Recreation Center. The
Board is hopeful that our fabulous venue in the heart of The
Castro will facilitate recruiting. Hundreds of flyers and brochures
are being distributed, and we have placed ads in the Bay Area
Reporter. A good turnout is anticipated.
The always-exciting, always-entertaining Rich Reel has again agreed
to be our class caller. The class per se will begin on October 23.
The schedule calls for 26 weeks of Mainstream, followed by 15
weeks of Plus program. The cost of the class will be $100 for
beginning dancers (a real bargain—and easy payment plans are
available). Any former WSD members who wish to brush up on
their dancing for our 25th Anniversary will be charged only $50.
This is a special offer just for our Silver Anniversary.
Bring your friends, partners, colleagues, classmates, roommates,
comrades, buddies, homies, and amigos. They make the BEST
dancers!
 25th Anniversary
Countdown
Third in a series
Babies, Barbies and Bargains
While some current Western Star Dancers were
already promenading with crinolines aflutter 25
years ago, a few others had only just learned to
walk. Now, not only can they walk and dance,
some can dance and jump at the same time!

Turning back the hands of time, Ammon relates what AMMON: Little Daniel—Caught in the Gary—During the
he was up to in the early 1980s. Heartbreaker act. Truman Administration.

“During the time when these pictures were Gary and Daniel—Anaheim ‘06
taken I was a young lad living with my mom and my EXCLUSIVE!
grandparents in Melrose, Brenda interviews Gary
Massachusetts, which is a Brenda Line: So, how is it that you got to be
suburb of Boston.” included in the group who were tiny tots 25
At left—Ammon sitting on years ago?
some old guy’s lap. Gary: I danced in the “Under-30 Tip” at the
“My favorite pastimes
Convention this year.
included watching game
Brenda: Are you sure you’re under 30?
shows on TV with
Gary: I have a dangle to prove it.
Grandma (shows like
"Card Sharks", "Jokers Wild",
and "The Price is Right") and Oh Baby, Baby
playing with my cousin Tracy, Fearful that our reader-
who lived just down the ship might fall if we
road. I used to think that do not move on to
Tracy had all the coolest more mature
toys, including a Jacuzzi spa subjects, we decided
for her Barbie dolls, and a
to focus on Bob
board game called "Bargain
Hunter", which was all about
in his sporty
shopping at the mall using foundation
credit cards. Such joy. I garments.
didn't have too many career
aspirations at age 3, although I do remember that I Daniel Bob modeling
really wanted to be one of the kids on Sesame Keeping limber—This NY Wrestling Team shirt
Street.” position might come in Looking back to a quarter century ago, Bob
Daniel liked to spend quality time with his handy some day. remembers, “I was living in S.F. at that time, but was
grandma, too. At age three, he was living in Florida, Ammon a member of the New York wresting club. I always
spending most of his toddler time munching on All grown have been interested
Cheerios, and devouring ice cream cones. In those up. in wrestling, sexual
bygone days, his and pro style. I was
favorite flavor was also a member of
vanilla. And, his wrestling clubs here
favorite pastime was in S.F. Being from
reading “The Charlie New Jersey, I had a
Bob certain bond with
Brown Encyclope- Still
dia” with Grandma growing. some guys from New
(most likely because York. They asked me
he did not have a to join their club. This
cousin with Barbie pic-ture was taken for
dolls or credit their monthly news-
cards). letter back when I
was the Wrestler of
Creamy lips—Probably ice cream. the Month.”
An Interview with Marilynn Fowler by Dan Smith
D: Your name is?
M: Marilynn Fowler.
D: So Marilynn where were you born?
M: San Francisco.
D: Oh wow! And have you lived here all of your
life?
M: Pretty much, yea. I went to Grattan
Elementary when I was really little, then to
Westmoor High in Daly City. I also have a BA
from Berkley in Social Science field major, with
emphases in mass communication and Social
Psychology.
D: So that’s what you do for a living?
M: No I build web pages. I used to work at
this company, I call it the evil company; it’s
the evil place. I was building a data base for
them, so they lent me a computer because I
didn’t have one at home. While using the
computer I thought, “Well what’s this
thing they call the web?” I found free E-
mail and a free web site. So I went to this
web site and I followed the template. One
day I wanted to do something more then
what the template offered. Again I thought,
“I wonder what would happen if I did
this?” and “Oh! It worked, it worked.” I
went on line, found tutorials and taught
myself.
With the web you see right away
what you’ve made. “Well I’ll try this, how
does that look? Um no; OK change this.
OK THAT’S what I want!” I like the
challenge of figuring out the Java script.
How to get it to work the way I want it.
D: How did you happen to hear about square
dancing?
M: Through Joe and Todd. They invited me one
evening and everyone was having a good time. I
also went to Class Completion. Joe and I go way
back, we’ve known each other since 1988 or 1989.
I met Todd through Joe when they started going
out. In fact I live in Joe’s old apartment.
Its fun to say, “Oh let’s do gay square
dancing. You want to come with us?” I like all the
little stylings. A bunch of my friends came to
class completion and they loved it. Well, one
woman really wasn’t in to it but her friend Zach
just loved it. We think he’ll be coming back and I
think my friend Steven might want to square
dance and my friend Jon expressed a real interest.
I enjoy it because my friends are in it. When I
went to the freebie thing (Class) and there was
Leigh and Laurie, in addition to Joe and Todd;
that sealed the deal.
D: And already you’ve impressed us by calling two
tips.
M: Those were memorized. I didn’t … they’re
not extemporaneous.
D: They may be memorized but they were
executed flawlessly without any nervousness
apparent what so ever and without squares
breaking down really.
M: Oh! (Marilynn laughs)
D: Do you want to continue with that?
M: I think it would be fun. Part of my history was
as a choreographer. I used to be a dancer with a
group called Voice Farm and at this club named
The Box on Divisidero, we were The Box Dancers.
Joe (Casserly) was also a Voice Farm dancer. He
came on probably a year after I did. Then I did
some choreography for some shows…
D: Tell us about the shows?
M: My favorite show that I did choreography for
was Hillbillies on the Moon, it was a musical and
Leigh Crow and Laurie were in it. Leigh was one
of the two hillbillies and I was the evil insect
queen…Oh! The other show I really liked was
Women’s Prison Christmas. That was fun
although I didn’t choreograph it. And my favorite
show that I choreographed where I hated the show
would be Rocky Horror Superstar. I loved all the
people that I met but it was a disaster. But the
dancing was flawwwwless, I was really happy.
D: Have you done any other kind of dancing?
M: I tried the Brazilian martial art Capoeria until I
got kicked in the head and realized that it was just
a little bit beyond me. Then I learned the Cuban
couples dance called Danzó́n. With Danzó́n you
have to listen to the music because there’re specific
things you’re suppose to be doing depending on
what the musicians are playing.
D: You’ve done a lot of dancing and choreography.
Did you go to Rich’s Caller Lab several weeks ago?
M: Yes. I sucked but it was fun. It was so hard
‘cause I had all these people standing there looking
at me expectantly and I’m standing there going,
“Hummmm…” and they’ll be whispering little
helpful hints…”Do this.” I realized I had no idea
what it was I needed to do to get the people back
where they need to be. I remembered the stuff
Rich told us on how to resolve things but
otherwise I had no clue. (Marilynn softly claps her
hands together). I like the kaleidoscopic nature of
managing people. I think that Calling
would give me that ability to manage a
group of people.
D: Have you done any other artistic things?
M: Well once I had a fake art show. I
knew this woman who had a hair salon
slash art gallery. She Ask me, “Want to
have an art show?” and I said, “Sure.” So I
made up all this fake art…”
D: Why is it fake art?
M: Because I’m not an artist. It was just
like drawing all this stuff. I did a couple of
paintings; I did some collages with stuff I
got from the Weekly World News…I cut
out “Is your roommate a space alien?” I
said I was the daughter of a Senegalese
expatriate and a Dutch lesbian or
something like that. I gave all my friends,
who were coming, lines to say; things you’d
hear at a pretentious art gallery, such as
“Oh I think it is terrific, of Mahler.”
D: “This reminds me of Vermeer.” (We both
laugh)
M: Oh I’m a deejay at a radio station, KPOO;
Poor Peoples Radio, Monday 9a.m. to noon. I
play the blues. I get lots of callers. They’re the
ones who help me make the show. I also started
fencing at the end of 87.
D: Why?
M: Because it’s chess with blades. I’m a member of
Halberstadt Fencers Club which is on 17th and
South Van Ness; I fence foil. In foil it’s all about
right of way and only the torso is the target.
D: Is there anything else that you want to do that
you haven’t done yet?
M: Oh there’s tons of things. I want learn how to
weld, hula dance, silkscreen and I want to learn
how to play the piano.
D: Thank you!
M: And thank you.
October 2
7:30-9:30 pm
Red Mainstream Free Intro Night, EVRC – Angels Needed!
PACE, Betsy Gotta caller. Friday 7:30 pm A2, Saturday 11 am & 2:30 pm C1, 7:30 C4, Sunday 11 am C3A,
October 6-8
2:30 pm C3. Diablo Light Opera Co. 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
October 7 Oaktown 8s Gotta Pass the Pumpkin. Betsy Gotta caller. MS/P/A* $8/$10 Redwood Heights Elementary
7-10 pm School, 4401 – 39th Avenue, Oakland
October 14 Diablo Dancers Spin Chain & Exchange the Seasons. Pat Carnathan caller. MS/P/A* Jewish Community
7:30-10:30 Center, 2071 Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek
October 16
7:30-9:30 pm
Red Mainstream Free Intro Night, EVRC – Angels Needed!
October 18
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night Fen Tamanaha caller. EVRC
October 23
7:30-9:30 pm
Red Mainstream 2007 Class begins. Rich Reel caller/instructor. EVRC. Angels Needed!
PACE, Ett McAtee caller. Friday 7:30 pm A2, Saturday 11 am & 2:30 pm C1, 7:30 C4, Sunday 11 am C3A,
November 3-5
2:30 pm C3. Diablo Light Opera Co. 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
November 4 Foggy City Dancers 23rd Anniversary Dance. Mike DeSisto caller. Class/MS/P/A* $8/$10 Ebenezer
7-10 pm Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco
November 11 El Camino Reelers Trade by Fall. Todd Fellegy caller. P/A2 $8/$10 St. Andrews Methodist Church, 4111
7:30-10:30 pm Alma Street, Palo Alto

November 12 Midnight Squares Dance with Todd Fellegy caller. Details to be determined.

November 15
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night Ron Masker caller. EVRC
Prime 8s & Capital City Squares Afternoon of Dancing & 25th Silver Anniversary Dance. Phil Farmer caller. 2-
November 18
5 pm A2, 7-10 pm MS/P/A* Afternoon $7 Evening $8 Bell Avenue School, 1900 Bell Avenue, Sacramento
For the latest dance information, check www.bayareadancecalendar.org
National & International events can be found at www.iagsdc.com Click on Events
Western Star Dancers
584 Castro Street #480
San Francisco, CA 94132
 2007 Red MS
Class Got
the Mojo!
Bright new Faces, High Energy,
four squares of Dancers

E lectricity was zinging through the

air during the first night of the
2007 Red Mainstream Class at
Eureka Valley Rec. There are 14
students in the class, as well as three
angels returning to active duty.
Archangel Todd Young is absolutely
Janet Jacobs
Dani Lawler
Steven Miller
ebullient when speaking about the David Ramirez
class. “These are really good Donald Robertson
dancers. Many of them have Michael Sui
previous dance experience, and that Kathy Tuccio
helps.” Instructor Rich Reel was Eloise Twining
pleasantly astounded when four Jon Wessel
squares formed on the floor. He Mark Yee
has never seen that before while The returning angels are:
teaching for WSD. Mimi Mueller
Registered for the Red MS Mike Kleemann
Class are: Greg Gomez (from Cap City Squares)
Marilynn Fowler (retaking)
Connie Champagne Angels are always great to
Scott Cunningham have around. Come down and join
Steve Huggins us on Monday nights!
 th
25 ANNIVERSARY
COUNTDOWN

Part 4 in a series

New class members may not realize that WSD will soon be celebrating a milestone anniversary. Acknowledging
our quarter-century theme, for the past few issues of the newsletter, several dancers have volunteered to share a
moment in time and let us know where they were and what they were up to 25 years ago—or when they were
age 25 themselves and celebrating their own quarter-century. ______________________________________
- Simulated and Stimulated - Steve Trips Down Memory Lane
Brenda Line Interviews Tomάs Twenty-five years ago, I had just moved in with the man who would be my
lover for 18 years. We lived in a top corner apartment in Presidio Heights
Brenda: So far, Merle is in the lead in the national “I with a great view of the Golden Gate Bridge and Russian Hill area of San
Would Have Done Him” Poll. The line of former young Francisco. We were both into going to the gym. We had two cats that lived
bucks continues to step up to the plate. Tomas, where until age 20. The cats were both male, and we called them "Fred" and
were you as you approached age 25?
"Ethel"...one was a swish, so it worked.
Tomas: I was in the U.S. Army, stationed in El Paso,
Texas. I was at Biggs Field to study Vietnamese with
the Defense Language Institute.
I’m sure that comes in handy for reading menus.
What did you do for fun in those days?
Once I went to a bar across the boarder in Juarez,
Mexico. A woman sitting next to me had a cough, so I
offered a lozenge.
And what did she offer you?
It turned out that she was a performer in the simulated
sex show there; so she got me naked to join her in the
show. In order to control my stimulation, the Master of
Ceremonies kept inserting cocktail straws into my butt.
How picturesque…

Construction
Worker Steve
Cowboy Steve

THE DILEMMA OF THE EARLY ‘80s:

Trying to decide which of The Village People to emulate.

I had a Master's in Social Work; but I had been working as a bar back in a gay
bar, also in retail, as a waiter in a cafe, and doing data processing. I was on the
Soldier boy Tomάs— verge of making the connections that would lead to a social work career
Out of uniform. working with the developmentally disabled.
The SF Gay Freedom Day Marching Band
We had better go back to discussing how you helped had several offshoot groups, including the SF
make the world a safer place for Democracy. Tap Troupe. I performed with this group for
I went to Vietnam during the war to serve as an several years in such venues as Davies Hall,
interrogator. I was supposed to be interrogating POWs The Closet Ball, Men Behind Bars, and even
from the North Vietnamese Army; but when my the Hollywood Bowl.
colleague arrived, he discovered me learning folk Dancing (disco,
dancing from the POWs. tap, or square)
War is hell. has always been a
part of what I do
for fun.
Sexagenarian
Contemporary
Tomάs
Steve
with his
faux-Gal Pal, He’ll never guess
the ageless where that
Davida Ashton cocktail straw
might have been
My favorite color used to be Red, but now
that I’m in my ‘70’s, it has mellowed to
Yellow.
My favorite food is Roast Lamb with mint
sauce.
If I could be any animal, I’d be a giraffe.
I have no lucky number.
My favorite movie is Robert Altman’s
Nashville.
One of my heroes is Bill Clinton.
Other than square dancing, I guess reading
is my favorite hobby (non-fiction rather than
fiction). I write some, too.
I was born and raised in northern New
Jersey (about 25 miles west of NYC). Born
in Bloomfield, NJ, and reared in Cedar
Grove, NJ. I went through the 8th grade in
Cedar Grove, but had to go back to
Bloomfield for high school as Cedar Grove
was too small and rural to have its own high
school in those days.
My worst subject in high school was physics
(I should have taken chemistry!) Had it not
been for Sylvia Waters, my lab partner who
rigged all the experiments, I never would
have passed.
I went to Bowdoin College in Brunswick,
Maine, for my B.A. Then on to Navy Officer
Candidate School and three years aboard
the USS Jonas Ingram (DD-938), a brand
new Destroyer. Got to go through the
Panama Canal and down to Peru. Got to go
on a State Department cruise to 14 countries
in Africa (from Dakar on the west coast to
Dar es Salaam on the east coast. Spent six
months in the Mediterranean. Got out of the
Navy in Charleston, SC, and landed a job as
a City Reporter for The Charleston Evening
Post. Met my wife when we were cast
opposite each other in a
play at Charleston’s
Dock Street Theatre.
Thence to Penn State
for an M.A. in Theatre
Arts. And finally, years
later, I got my Ph.D. in
English Literature at
The University of
Georgia. Have been
Chairman of the Drama
Department at Brenau
College in Gainesville,
GA; an Associate
Professor of English at
Georgia College in
Milledgeville, GA; and
ended my teaching
career as Professor and
Chairman of the English
Department at Francis
Marion College (now
University) in Florence,
SC.
My marriage lasted 10
years. I have two daughters: Winter
Frennier, who lives in Mt. Juliet, TN, (outside
of Nashville) and Amanda Redding, who
lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC (across the Cooper
River from Charleston). I have three
grandchildren: Josh, Jami, and Anne
Kathryn.
I moved to San Francisco in 1980 (twenty
years in the Deep South was enough!) and
started clawing my way up the corporate
ladder. Worked for Shaklee Corporation as
a writer and manager of a Sales
Communication department for five years.
Was laid off in ’86 and subsequently decided
that working for morons was no longer an
option for me. I got certified as a massage
therapist and became a registered Jin Shin
Do acupressurist and worked at home until I
retired last year.
To supplement my income, I wrote gay erotic
fiction and published 30 stories between
1987 and 2000 when the internet put most of
the sexy pulp magazines out of business. I
still write occasionally for an internet site
(Masculine Gay Men Stories) out of
Knoxville, TN, run by a guy named
Hawkman.
In San Francisco, I’ve had two partners: the
first was Bob Dreher, a former RC priest
whom I met at The 21st Street Baths in ’81.
We were together for eight years until he
died of AIDS in ’89. I met Jim Turnipseed on
my massage table in late ’90. We became a
couple in ’94, dividing our time between Fair
Oaks, CA, and SF. He died of a heart attack
in ’96 at the age of 42. I’ve opted since to
live alone.
I started square dancing in 2001 when a
bowling buddy, Gordon Levitt, told me he’d
started a beginner’s class. “I got more hugs
last night than I have in the past three
months!” he said, and that sold me. I gave
up bowling and joined the Orange
Mainstream class. I began dancing just in
time to join the festivities of the 20th
Anniversary Fly-in. And I’ve been dancing
ever since.
I was treasurer of the club for two years
(2002-03) and am now back on the Board as
secretary.
I think joining Western Star Dancers was the
best decision I’ve made in the past 6 years.
I’d say that 90% of my friends now are
square dancers since most of the friends I’d
made in the ‘80’s are no longer here,

An interview by Dan Smith
D: What is your name?
B: Bob Brundage.
D: Where were you born?
B: Orange, New Jersey; in the Northern
part.
D: Mother and Father?
B My Mother was a waitress, then a
secretary. She’s 84 and is still in New
Jersey. Father’s passed away. He was a
truck driver for a small company.
D: Where did you go to school?
B: I went to West Essex’s High School in
New Jersey. I attend Muhlenberg College in
Allentown Penn.; a Lutheran school. I
majored in Mathematics. I graduated in
1968.
D: After you left school what did you do?
B: I worked for AT&T. That was before it
broke up. Sometimes they had transfers
available. I got one and moved to
California. I loved it here and haven’t been
back in 30 years, except to visit. I moved
to the San Jose area first; it was nice. I
mean it was California, something different.
I lived in a singles complex and was young.
I sat around the pool. It was kind of fun to
be warm in the winter time. I was only
there for about two years. That was 1976,
I kind of realized I was gay and
thought there was a better chance to be
happy in San against the wall and while we were
Francisco. I got a wrestling the bed fell down on top of me
computer job at a but I wasn’t hurt. Wrestling is fun.
business that was D: How did you find out about square
very disorganized. dancing?
For about 5 or 6 B: I had a lover for 14 years and when we
months I did broke up, a friend Gary Linders, who was
nothing but push President of Foggy City Dancers at the
papers around. I time, suggested it to me. He tried to
finely got so bored push me. It took me about a year before
that I quit. I’d always I’d actually do it. I was sort of resistant at
wanted to go to first. Finally I said, “OK, I’ll try it.” I wanted
Europe so I spent to meet guys so that’s why I went into
about three weeks square dancing. I enjoyed square dancing
in Germany, at Foggy City, one night I heard that
Switzerland and Western Star had their club night and I
Austria. I had a started going there. Steve Scott asked me
good time. When I if I wanted to join and I said. “Yes, why not?
came back I took a The price is right; it’s not that expensive.”
job at a small 95 D: What’s your favorite level to dance at?
room hotel and I’ve B: I just finished A2 at Midnight Squares
been there for last April and I still want to perfect it more.
almost 30 years. I For now Plus is my favorite level. I’ve also
do everything: danced at Diablo, El Camino. I went to
answer questions, PACE a couple of times with Don Queen--
give directions, the Queen brothers. A lot of straight
make reservations people are there. I danced Girl there but I
and help with bills. don’t feel real comfortable doing that.
Lots of times our Being from New Jersey I danced at the
manager is not at Times Squares in New York when I went
the front desk so I back last
become a site Christmas. I saw Ammon there, Betsy
manager. I direct the bell man, “Do this. Gotta was calling.
It’s got to be done.” Often there’s only one D: What’s been your favorite experience in
person on the desk so I’m security too. If I square dancing; something you really
see someone coming in who I feel enjoyed?
shouldn’t be there I question them and B: It’s my feeling is that it’s a way to meet
shoo them out. I’ve had people kind of guys and sometimes guys you wouldn’t
swear at me because I’ve pushed them out normally meet or fit into your…you know
the door. So we’re Jack-of-all-Trades. like bear type guys, people who are
D: When you came to San Francisco did different then your own classification. I
you get any kind of social activities going enjoy just the interaction of being with a
on or were you a bar and bath person? whole bunch of guys.
B: I did get into a wrestling club. We were D: When did you become interested in
a bunch of guys interested in wrestling becoming an officer (Treasurer) for
who liked to get together. A guy over in Western Star?
Bernal Heights had a ring so we all fooled B: Joe Iser was the one who sort of pushed
around there. He also had a pool, so we me to do it. He told me, “Why don’t you
had parties. Some guys would go down get on?” So I said, “OK I’ll try it.” I’ve been
and wrestle and some guys would set on the Board for a year and a half. I like
around the pool. Sometimes the man in controlling money. I’ve always been a
Bernal Heights would say, “OK you guys finance person.
are invited over and if you only want to D: Has the club set aside any money for
wrestle fine but if you meet somebody and 25th Anniversary?
have a private match afterwards…” But a B: We have some CD’s [Certificates of
lot of times guys at the ring just wanted to Deposit] and one of them will be put it in
wrestle. They were serious about it. our checking account and it’ll be used as
I also belonged to a New York we need money for the 25th Anniversary.
wrestling group; I had my name on a list of D: So there wouldn’t be a financial
guys interested in wrestling and when guys problem with the event as long as the club
passed through they’d call me up and see is sensible?
if we wanted to get together. One time I B: Right exactly.
and a gay were at the Hyatt Regency down D; Thank you Bob.
at Embarcadero and we put the bed up B: You’re welcome.
 Meeting Minutes
In order to keep members informed of the affairs of the club, the Board of Directors decided to publish our minutes. Any
comments may be directed to any board member. Members are welcome to attend board meetings.
Annual Meeting – September 20, 2006
The Western Star Dancers Annual Meeting was called to order at the
Eureka Valley Rec. Center by Administrator Daryl Daniels at 8 p.m.
Daniels announced that all six club members running for the 2006-07 Board
had been elected: Bob Brundage, Joe Casserly, Daryl Daniels, Jim Dewsnap,
Russ King, and Todd Young.
Daniels reviewed the past year of club activities. He also mentioned the
fact that two Board members had resigned mid-term. A discussion
followed regarding the resignations having to do with a push to merge
another club with ours.
Our September 9th garage sale netted $444.05, and we received a $200
‘credit’ from Community Thrift with the proceeds going to the Aids
Emergency Fund.
The next item of business was a discussion of plans for the 25th Anniversary
celebration in March 2007. The consensus was that this would not be a full
weekend Fly-In. Plans are for a gala party/dance on Saturday evening, with
other activities taking place in and around the weekend. Russ King voiced
his wish that an emphasis for the celebration should be the inclusion of
former members of Western Star. The Anniversary Celebration
committee will meet again in November.
Former Administrator Steve Scott voiced his appreciation for the outgoing
Board for having provided us a very ‘vital’ year.
The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 p.m.
Board Meeting, September 30, 2006
Members present: Brundage, Daniels, Dewsnap, Young
Administrator Daryl Daniels called the meeting to order at 4:05 p.m. The
minutes of the Annual Meeting (September 30) were approved.
Daniels stated for the record: “As long as I am Administrator of Western
Star Dancers we will not merge with another club.”
He gave a “Well done!” for both the Yard Sale (9/9) and the Leather and
Lace Dance (9/23), commenting on the “curious lack of WSD members at
the dance – only 18.”
Final plans were made for the start of the Red Mainstream Class (10/2) and
the booth at the Castro Street Fair (10/1).
The Board decided to raise Rich Reel’s remuneration for teaching/calling
the class from $250 to $300 with an added bonus if we have more than 14
students.
Discussions of roles for the new Board and of a possible 4th of July picnic
were tabled until the next Board meeting (scheduled for 10/21).
The Treasurer’s report was approved.
Daniels reported that callers are already booked for next year’s dances and
that Russ King is working on scheduling callers for class nights.
A discussion followed on how best to encourage more member
participation in organizing and attending club functions. Various incentives
were suggested.
The meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.
Board Meeting, October 21, 2006
All Board members were present.
Administrator Daryl Daniels called the meeting to order at 4:04 p.m. The
minutes of the September Board meeting were approved.
The Administrator gave a ‘well done’ for the Castro Street Fair but added
there was not as much member participation as one would hope.
Rich Reel has been given his contract for the 2006-2007 Mainstream [$300]
and Plus [$300] classes. He will return it when signed. Our agreement
with Rich is if there are more than 15 students, the pay increases to $350,
and if there are more than 20 students, the pay will increase to $400.
Roles for the new Board have been defined as follows:
Administrator: Daryl Daniels
Treasurer: Bob Brundage
Secretary: Jim Dewsnap
Dance Coordinator: Russ King
Class Coordinator/Archangel: Todd Young
Special Events/Anniversary Coordinator: Joe Casserly
[Webmaster: Joe and Todd will take this over until a new
Webmaster is found.]
Because the 2007 IAGSDC convention will be held over Memorial Day
weekend, we will plan a Fourth of July picnic on Angel Island instead of an
August picnic.
The Treasurer’s report was accepted.
The Class Coordinator reported there are 14 prospects for the new
Mainstream class. Todd will contact all of them before the first class on
September 23. It was agreed that there would be no limit to the number
of new students.
The Dance Coordinator reported that we have booked all three of our
2007 dances at Ebenezer Lutheran Church. They have raised their rental
rate to $300 plus $75 for the janitor (up from $200/$50). All callers for
our major dances have been secured. No Club Night callers have been
booked as yet.
The Special Events/Anniversary Coordinator reported on tentative plans
for the 25th Anniversary. The proposals include events on Friday and
Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoon.
There was a brief discussion as to how to get more member participation
at our events. It was strongly suggested that we involve new members.
The next Board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on November 20.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:10 p.m.
December 2 Diablo Dancers: Relay the Reindeer Mike Kellogg caller. MS/Plus/A* Jewish Community Center, 2071
7:30-10:30 pm Tice Valley Boulevard, Walnut Creek
PACE: Caller Appreciation. 11 am C1, 2:30 pm C1 Diablo Light Opera Company, 1948 Oak Park
December 9
Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
December 16 Celebration of the Life of Tommy Valdez Fen Tamanaha & Richard Tuck callers. MS/Plus/Floor FREE
7-10 pm Bring food to share. Ebenezer Lutheran Church, 678 Portola Drive, San Francisco
December 20
Holiday Party with White Elephant Gift Exchange Rich Reel caller. EVRC
7:30-9:30 pm
December 25
January 1
Happy Holidays! No dancing. Celebrate responsibly.
January 7
Midnight Squares: Winter Dance Kris Jensen caller. A2-C3A (tentative) Other Details TBA
2-5 pm
PACE, Mike Jacobs caller. Friday 7:30 pm A2, Saturday 11 am & 2:30 pm C2, Sunday 11 am C3A, 2:30
January 12-14
pm C3. Diablo Light Opera Co. 1948 Oak Park Boulevard, Pleasant Hill
January 17
7:30-9:30 pm
Club Night Surprise Guest Caller! EVRC
January 22 Free at Last! M.L. King Day No dancing. Shop responsibly.
For the latest dance information, check www.bayareadancecalendar.org
National & International events can be found at www.iagsdc.com Click on Events

Club La Star – The Next Generation

March 21, 2007, in conjunction with our 25th Anniversary Celebration
Performers (talented or otherwise) needed!
Contact Russ King or Joe Casserly to sign up
Western Star Dancers
584 Castro Street #480
San Francisco, CA 94114