HISTORY OF TRI SQUARES

Formation of the Tri Squares

In September 1998, three long-standing square dance clubs — the Tigard 59’ers, the Merry C-Saws, and the Robin Hoods — came together to form a new club: the Tri Squares.

The Tigard 59’ers were established in 1959 following a large square dance class sponsored by the Suburban 8’s. With 19 couples participating, the group quickly grew large enough to create a club of its own. The 59’ers danced at the Tigard Grange and enjoyed many callers and cuers throughout the years, including caller Jack Peterson and cuer Joyce Hooper. The club was known for its active social calendar, which featured campouts, visitations, mystery trips, ladies’ luncheons, and club dinners. Former 59’er Nadine Collett continues to dance with the Tri Squares today.

The Merry C-Saws Square Dance Club was founded in 1960 by Clyde and Fran Walker. In the early years, Clyde handled the patter calls while Fran performed the singing calls. In 1967, Marvin Kedroske became the club caller, followed over the years by Bill Gregory, Wally Wallway, Bill Helmsand, Bob Stutevoss, and Dick Click. Their first dance was held on April 16, 1960, at the Leedy Grange on Saltzman Road in Cedar Mill. The club later danced at Skyline Grange before eventually settling at the Tigard Grange, where they remained until joining the merger that created the Tri Squares. In 1985, the club added round dancing with Loni Boule as cuer, later followed by Connie Clark.

The Robin Hoods began in Sherwood in 1964 as the Sherwood Square Dance Club with caller Johnny Wohlgamuth. The club initially danced at the Odd Fellows Hall and later at St. Francis Parish Hall. In 1971, the club adopted the name Robin Hoods and moved to the Tigard Grange. During the 1970s, a life-sized figure of Robin Hood sat beside the caller at every dance, becoming a memorable symbol of the club. Their annual Halloween Dance became famous throughout the square dancing community for its elaborate “spook house,” a haunted walkthrough leading dancers onto the dance floor. In 1981, the Robin Hoods hired their first round dance cuer, Joyce Hooper. During the club’s final years before the merger, they danced as a traveling club at the Winona Grange. In 1998, the Robin Hoods joined with the Tigard 59’ers and Merry C-Saws to form the Tri Squares Dance Club. Former Robin Hoods members John and Edith Prouty continue dancing with the Tri Squares today.