History of the 4-N-8ers

by Rita and Randy Smith

Alice and Ray Wallner, 1959

Square dancers in the Forest Grove, Oregon area first chartered the club in the spring of 1951. The callers were Vic Winegar and Maurie Walsh. They danced at various halls in the area and in 1959 regrouped with a small nucleus of 20 dancers with Ray Wallner as their caller. There was $78 in the treasury, dues were $2 a couple, and the caller was paid $5 a month. The 4-N-8ers were incorporated as a nonprofit organization on June 13, 1957.

As a club, the 4-N-8ers have danced in various halls. During the years from 1951 to 1966, they danced in the Sunset Hall in Banks and the Watts Hall in Forest Grove. In 1967 they moved their dances to the American Legion Hall in Forest Grove and in 1969 to the Odd Fellows Hall in Forest Grove. In 1970 the dancers moved to the Forester's Hall in Verboort. In the 1990's the club moved back to the IOOF Hall in Forest Grove until they moved to the IOOF Hall in Hillsboro in 1997.

Gerry and Pauline Hilden, Cuers, and Mary and Dan Bloomer, Caller, 1983

During the calling of Vic Winegar and Maurie Walsh, the 4-N-8ers danced to records or to a charter member, Harry Bryant. Ray Wallner called from 1959 to 1968, Glenroy Spangler from 1969 to 1976. Dan Bloomer was hired in 1977. He was caller for the club until Ed Craig was hired in 1996. Ed resigned his position in mid 2008, and we currently work with guest callers from around the region.

Gerry and Pauline Hilden cued the rounds for the club since the late 1960's. Then Ernie Powell became cuer from 1988 to 2002 when he retired. Caroline Stitt joined the 4-N-8ers as Cuer when Ernie Powell retired from 2002 through 2007. Connie Clark began cueing for us in 2007 and remains our current Cuer today.

Charlotte and Ernie Powell, Cuer, 1988-2002

A red print club dress was selected in the late 1950's followed by a black and white dress in the early 60's. In 1968 an olive green dress with a plaid ruffle at the hem and neckline was selected. A bright red dress with white accents was chosen in 1971, and in 1973 a lime green gingham dress was approved by the club. In 1978 the ladies chose hot pink with black calico ruffles, and in 1980 they changed to royal blue with blue checked panels. The new club dress in 1985 was a rainbow of colors. The dresses were identical, each lady choosing the pastel color of her choice. The late 80's saw the return of the black and white gingham with alternating panels. Today the club dress in black skirts, white blouses and shirts and black vests with 4-N-8ers spelled out on the back of the vests in white.

50th Anniversary Dance, February 23, 2001 Callers(L to R): George Clark, Ed Craig, Georgia Bailey, and Darrell Newell. Cuers (L to R): Denise Harris, Bev Flint, Ernie Powell and Carolyn Stitt

The club has had many activities in its many years of existence. The potluck meal at break was initiated in 1963, and the ham dinner for our Anniversary Dance was started in 1964. The first annual beach trip was in 1966 with the Harvest Dance and Corn Feed first held in 1968. That same year, a camp out was organized and has had good participation every year since. The first barn dance was held in Bob Thomas's barn, followed by others at the Flint's Century Farm, Eugene Vandehey's barn and currently at Gary and Betty Hahn's barn.

Since 1975 the 4-N-8ers have sponsored family food baskets at Thanksgiving and Christmas. New Year's Eve parties were started in 1978, and annual visits to the Coast Swingers during Tillamook Dairy Days began in 1981. Other fun activities have been the Vice Versa Dance, trips to visit other clubs, mystery bus trips, dancing to live music, theme dances, and community support activities by exhibition dancing in parades, the county fair, local festivals, Western Days, and at area nursing homes.

Barn Dance at Gene Vandehey's in 1983

In 1981-82, the club compiled a cookbook; it published and sold 500 copies. A silver dollar was taken from a visitation plaque presented to the 4-N-8ers by the Wagon Wheels, and made into a belt buckle worn by Club Presidents, but it has been lost throughout the years. (If anyone knows where it is, please return to the club).

Many changes have taken place since the
4-N-8ers moved to Hillsboro. The club celebrated 54 years as a square dance club in February 2005. Following the Anniversary Dance in 2005, the 4-N-8ers became a PLUS club, dancing on the 2nd and 4th Fridays every month. However, our club currently features mainstream dancing with the option of a PLUS tip or two, if enough PLUS dancers are present at a regular dance.

The 4-N-8ers club is looking forward to many more years of successful dancing, beach trips, visitations, mystery trips, and special callers and cuers.

"Good Food, Good Friends, and Good Fun" is our motto.