Hanger Squares Club History

The History of Jones Hangar and the Hanger Square Dance Club

The Hangar, aptly named Jones Hangar, was an airplane hangar on an estate owned by Dr. Bill Jones. The hangar was at the end of his private landing field, and housed his two-engine airplane most of the time. On Saturday evenings, the hangar doors were thrown open, the plane was rolled out and the hangar was turned into a square dance hall for a couple of hours. After the dance, the plane was rolled back in and the hangar reverted back to its original use.

Several years ago, Dr. Jones sold the estate, which was later subdivided, and is now a subdivision of houses. He reserved the hangar and grounds, and donated them to the City of  Friendswood  for recreational use.  Over the years, the hangar has been refurbished with a new interior, including a tile floor and the all-important AC and heat.

A traditional Jubilee has been held the first Saturday in May since 1981. This event features a festive meal, square and line dance workshops, and an evening of square and line dancing. Callers and cuers from the surrounding area have volunteered their time and talent to support this fund raising activity. For the past Seven years the mayor of Friendswood has proclaimed the Jubilee date as “Official Hanger Squares Day” in Friendswood.

The Hanger Squares have always placed a high value on fun, fellowship, and visitation with other clubs, supporting HSRDC activities, and introducing new friends to the fun of square dancing. Over the years, many of our activities such as our Anniversary Dance, Jubilee, Fun-Sti-Toot, and Christmas Dinner have become established annual traditions of our club.

The Hanger Squares dance club was born out of the Family Riders equestrian club. In 1974, the Family Riders began having occasional square dance sessions in The Hangar, a real hangar, airplane and all. These square dance lessons led to the organization of the “Hanger Squares”. The word “Hanger” was originally misspelled and because of a strong sense of tradition among club members over the years, the name was never changed.
Jack Carrender of Pasadena became the first club caller and taught the first two classes. The first class graduated in February of 1975. According to charter member Benny Baker, the first song called at the Hanger was Glendale Train, and the first visitation was to the Petro Chemical square dance club with Jack Carrender. Other charter or early class members still dancing with the club include Loyce Baille and Dicky Arndt.

Hanger Square Dance Club History

After Jack Carrender, there were a number of guest callers for a short period of time. They included Lou Hackney and Paul Gordner. Then Lou Hackney became the second club caller, and taught the third class, which graduated in February 1976. In these early years of the club, it was not unusual for two classes per year to graduate.

The Hanger Squares became a member of the Houston Square and Round Dance Council on July 18, 1976. Since then, club members have actively served in many capacities in the HSRDC and the state square dance organization, the TSFSRD. We currently have two Past Presidents of HSRDC and a past President of the TSFSRD.

In August of 1979, Curtis Byars became our third regular caller and was our club caller until mid-2009. He was the heart and soul of the Hanger Squares for 30 years. We miss you, Curtis!

Hanger Squares is fortunate to enjoy the services of Garland Smith as our Caller and Class Instructor.   Garland became our fourth permanent club caller in October of 2009.   He began his first assignment as our class instructor in January of 2010.  Garland and his wife, Jean, can be seen in the picture on the left.  Garland Smith was distinguished with the Houston Square and Round Dance Council’s Caller and Cuer of the Year award in 2008 and again in 2013.

In 2018, Gary Belcik and Gary Sanders became the Club Callers.

Gary and Julie Belcik  
Gary started dancing in January 1995 with Strawberry Squares in Pasadena, Texas. He attended the Golden Triangle Caller College in May 1996 where Wayne Morvent was the instructor. He started calling for Hanger Squares June 2018 (alternating Saturday nights with Gary Sanders). Gary brings a rock-n-roll flavor to square dancing, influenced by his guitar playing in a high school rock band. He also enjoys and calls to country music. As he puts it, “There is room in square dancing for all types of music.”. Gary has a wonderful wife, Julie who has put up with him for thirty-three years. They have two children: Matt, who graduated from Texas A&M in May 2007, and Michael, who is a student there now.  Gary also calls for Strawberry Squares on Monday nights in Pasadena, Texas.  Gary & Julie enjoy square dancing very much, mainly because of all the friendly people they have met. They hope to stay in this activity for many years to come.

Gary & Lyn Sanders
Gary Sanders met Lyn Cooper at country and western dance lessons in 1988. They married in 1990 and were residents of Houston until they built a home and recently moved to Onalaska, Texas in 2018. In 1995 they were asked to attend square dance lessons at Strawberry Squares Club in Pasadena, Texas on Monday nights. They also took lessons at the Longhorns Square Dance Club on Wednesday nights. Gary was hooked after the first lesson. Lyn was skeptical at first, but finally came around. In 1997, Gary decided to become a caller, and attended the Golden Triangle Caller School given by Wayne Morvent. In 1998 & 1999 he attended the Texas Lone Star Callers College given by Jon Jones, Jerry Story, and Tony Oxendine. Gary started his calling career by calling for the Strawberry Squares and then branching out for hire to other clubs in Houston and other cities. He has also called many square dance exhibitions for schools, nursing homes, fairs, etc. Along the way Gary has served the square dance community in many capacities. He has served as a Trustee on the Texas State Callers Association. He also has been a trustee, treasurer, vice-president, and president of the Houston Callers Association. He has been Exhibition Coordinator, Square Dance Liaison, and Houston Caller Association Liaison for the Houston Square and Round Dance Council. He and Lyn have served as Secretary, and Presidents of the Strawberry Squares. Gary was the caller for Meadowbrook Mavericks Square Dance Club for seven years. In 2004 he helped start up the Alvin Country Squares Club and has been their club caller for 15 years. In 2005 he was voted HSRDC Caller of the Year. He also was recently voted into the Gulf Coast Callers Co-Op, and calls at the Fun-Sti-Toot Dance each year in New Braunfels, TX.
Gary is now a staff caller at Fun Valley, Colorado, and calls a week in June. He was recently selected to join the Texas Po Boys square dance quartet.
Gary is currently club caller for six clubs, the Hip To Be Square Club in Livingston, the Strawberry Squares, the Lake Jackson Promenaders, the Conroe Country Cousins, the Alvin Country Squares, and the Hanger Squares, Friendswood.
Gary became club caller for Hanger Squares August 25, 2018 (alternating Saturdays with Gary Belcik).