"Rip Van Winkle's" Blog

October 4, 2025

I think I have made a break through in regaining my skills as a caller.  No, I am not instantaneously the caller I was 36 years ago.  I will never be that caller again.  I do not have the same concentration levels that I once had.  I am not going to state here how many squares I could remember and site on back in the day.  Other callers didn't believe me back in the day until I would demonstrate it to them.  Choreography will probably never just flow from my 71 year old brain the way it did from my 35 year old brain which had 18 years of practice.

However, in creating this website I looked deeply into my past and realized I was so busy learning the mechanics of calling again, I had forgotten about the art of calling.  What I am about to say troubles me in just saying it.  The reason for that is I was known for being extremely arrogant when I was younger.  I don't want to be that person again and this may sound arrogant.  Really it is not arrogance it is simply an inconvenient truth.  In the past I  could call to a floor where another caller had problems and I would not.  The dancers could dance to me if I called the same thing another caller couldn't get them to dance to.  It is the ART of calling.  I could excite a floor where another caller couldn't.   It is the ART of calling.  At a dance with 10 squares in attendance a fellow caller could get 8 up to dance, but when I would call all 10 would get up to dance.  It is the ART of calling.

Back 36 years ago I understood the ART of calling.  It is such a complicated process and so many nuances to it many callers never get it.  They may be good callers but they never understand the ART of calling.  Today I must say my return to calling has been void of the ART.  In building this website I have been reminded of that.  Self evaluation has made me understand I still have that info locked in my brain.  I just have to find a way to pull it out while I am calling and put it into practice again.  Now that I am aware of it maybe my skills will start coming back quicker.  I just need mic time!  Anyone want me to call for them?  I'm ready to go!

October 2, 2025

Tonight I saw my first report on how the website is doing.  In the first 72 hours it had 300 visitors.  I realize that is not a lot for online stuff, but it is a lot to me.  Especially when you consider I don't even have the key words put in for internet search engines to find it.  The biggest shock I had was a person from Australia remembered me from the 70s and 80s and reached out to me.  I am eager now to see how I can improve this site now.

September 30, 2025

Tonight I was honored with the opportunity to call for the Laurelaires in Laurel, MS.   We had some visitors from Meridian, MS join us.  It was a great night, we danced Mainstream and Plus.  We even workshopped some Plus moves in one of the tips.  I appreciate these people more than they will ever now.  They have no idea how much I am honored that they have now had me call for them on 3 occasions.

September 29, 2025

Tonight I launched this website.  I had been working on it for about a month.  It is not where I want it to be, but I figured sooner or later I was going to have to launch it.  So, it is up and running.  I think I even have the "contact me" part working.

September 29, 2025

Today we received the approval for my wife, Karen, to have her much needed knee replacement surgery.  This operation will take place on October 10th.  I am really looking forward to her recovery.  I have always enjoyed walking with her holding hands, just like we did when we were young.

After her recovery she should be able to use a clutch in a car again.  She has never driven my sports car and I really want her to have the opportunity. 

September 27, 2025

Tonight I was privileged to take my son, Patrick, to his first special dance.  It was the Mississippi Square Dance Association's North Council Dance.   I am pleased to report he had a great time!  Nick Hartley was the caller and not only did he do a great job, but I believe I made a new friend.  I am looking forward to one day possibly sharing the mic with him at a dance somewhere.  Our philosophies in dancing are close enough to work together while our techniques are different enough to enhance each other's efforts.  I believe it would be a really good dance.  Who knows, maybe some day it will happen.

September 24, 2025

Today I had a much needed eye examination.  My eyesight has deteriorated to the point where I try to have someone else drive for me at night when possible.  The opthomologist informed me he could improve my glasses prescription but it wouldn't be much of an improvement.  It looks like I will have to get cataracts removed.  This makes me very nervous but I know it is done all the time and if others can do this, I can too.  However, I will have to wait on committing to the surgery until we know when my wife, Karen, can have her knee surgery.  Once we have this scheduled we can work in my eye surgery as the calendar allows.

September 20, 2025

Tonight I called for the Belles And Bouys Square Dance Club in Gulfport, MS.   This was a special treat for me.  45 years ago this club tried to book me but I was booked solid for the next year and we couldn't arrange an agreeable date.  This club has a deep and rich history plus some great members dancing at a great level.  It was truly a pleasure to get to call for them.

September 9, 2025

Harry Case is still on vacation so I was blessed to be able to call for the Yellow Rockers once again.  My calling style is different from Harry's and I am sure the club is looking forward to "their" caller returning.  My calling style is a little more aggressive and bolder than Harry's but they always seem to enjoy it anyway.  I appreciate them so much and appreciate the opportunities they give me at this time.  I would never turn away from an opportunity to call a dance for them, but I too will be welcoming Harry back.

September 2, 2025

Tonight I was honored with the opportunity to fill in for Harry Case and call for the Yellow Rockers in Brandon, MS.  It was a great night, the club was awesome once again!  I am looking forward to calling for them again next week once again.

August 26, 2025

Tonight I was privileged to call for Laurelaires again.  This time my wife, Karen, was able to travel with me.  We had a wonderful trip and the club was absolutely fantastic.  On top of everything else I was able to meet Carol Hosch who calls for the club in Meridian, MS.  This meant a lot to me.  I'm afraid it meant a lot more to me than it did to her.  Back in the days when I called before I had a really close relationship with the other callers in my state.  I guess I was wanting to recreate that scenario.  These are not the same times or conditions of those long gone days.  I have developed some online friendships with some other callers.  I guess I just need to give it time.  After all, our state callers association is now practically nonexistent.  I haven't even been able to join it because they no longer have meetings.  Who knows, maybe I can help that if I can just get to know the other callers.

August 21, 2025

Thirty-six years ago when I quit calling I sold my sound equipment.  It was a Hilton AC-300 along with speakers, stands, mic, and record box/monitor.  To make it even more special, it wasn't just a normal AC-300, it was one of Jim Hilton's prototypes for the AC-300.  This was very dramatic for me.  Selling my equipment represented to me that I had truly quit calling, which I loved so dearly.  I also knew I would never again own anything which was so perfectly built.  Every time it is brought up in discussion, my wife reminds me that I cried after selling it.

Today through the generosity of another caller, whom I shall not name here, I received a UPS package.   In that package was a well preserved Hilton AC-300.  This caller from another part of the country had read a comment about how much it hurt the day I sold mine.  He had an AC-300 which had been just sitting around so he offered to give it to me.

It is in beautiful condition and I can not wait to use it again.  No it is not one of the new Hilton amps.  It is old and by most people's judgements it is obsolete.  To me it is a thing of beauty and I will use it with great pride.

August 20, 2025

Last night my son Patrick graduated from square dance lessons.  He was taught by Harry Case at the Yellow Rockers Square Dance Club in Brandon MS.  Harry and the club did a great job teaching him and instilling a love of the hobby in him.  It was great seeing a graduation dance again.

Thank you very much to Harry and the Yellow Rockers. 

August 13, 2025

It may sound silly for someone in my position to create a website.  After all, I am not a national caller.  I am not even a regional caller.  I have had a number of inquiries concerning my availability, how far I will travel, and are there any videos of me calling online?  Everything considered and the importance of having a media presence, today I decided to create a website.  The domaine name with my name and .com on the end of it has been registered by a tattoo artist so I got timhendricks.org which you are reading this on.

I am creating this site myself and it will take a while but I believe it will be worth the effort.  From this point forward the blog events will be written on date shown.  Up until now it has been posted from memory and my date book notes.

August 12, 2025

Tonight I called for the Laurelaires Square Dance Club in Laurel, MS.  They were hoping three couples would show up for lessons.  I was informed this would be their first night and the club wanted me to start them off.  They had a little over a square of club members show up plus a couple visitors from Meridian, MS.  The lessons turned out to be one couple but they were very enthusiastic and are looking forward to learning and being part of the club.

In addition to the lesson tips I called a mix of Mainstream tips and Plus tips.  This club was fully aware of my limitations and my history, I don't think they were expecting much.  Everyone seemed to really be surprised at how far I have come in four months.  They enjoyed themselves enough they booked me again on the spot.  I am very grateful to them for giving me this opportunity. 

August 11, 2025

Efforts to start a club in Crystal Springs has come down to us having 3 couples who seriously want to do this.  We have made a joint decision to have another couple beginner nights.   Maybe this will give us enough people to move forward.  I am impressed with the desire of these people.  We have danced with only 3 couples and I have continued to teach more calls to them.  They are doing fantastic, but they really need a full Square.  We have even danced a square with me in it to fill it out.  Here is hoping the beginner nights brings us another one or two couples.

August 4, 2025

I have made the decision to accept the invitations I have received to call in-state.   I hope I am not making a mistake, but if I don't have confidence in myself how can I expect anyone else to either. 

I have had a few out of state inquiries concerning my calling.  I have been in the situation of having people ask me to call out of state before and I fully understand what you are being asked to do and what it means to accept a commitment such as this.  I know my skills are returning but I also know they are not where they need to be if you accept such a booking.  My skills are currently no where near being ready for such a thing.  Will they be at some point in the future?  I feel absolutely confident they will be, just not yet.  I do need to put some thought behind this as I have had inquiries from Knoxville, Branson and Orlando areas.  I have had people ask how far will I travel to call.  I can see the Square Dance world is smaller than it used to be and callers need to be prepared to travel greater distances.  The days of calling in a tri-state area seem to be gone.

August 3, 2025

I have been booked to call for the Yellow Rockers again on September 2nd and 9th.  Their caller will be away and has asked me not to accept any other booking on the 16th.  He feels I may be asked by another club for that night and he may want to be out an extra week.  I will be glad to honor this request.  I am so appreciative of what he and this club have done for me.

JULY 30, 2025

People are starting to hear about me being back and I seem to be getting attention.   I don't know if this is good or bad.  I have been asked to call for a club in Laurel, MS and one in Gulfport, MS.  I am not hiding my situation from them.  I am telling them how little current experience I have but they want me anyway.  I have explained to them I feel like Rip Van Winkle.  Hmmm, maybe I have stumbled onto the branding avenue for me as a caller.

I have talked with the caller from the Yellow Rockers, as he sees me call each week, and he is encouraging me to accept.  My fear is my efforts will not be good enough and they will NEVER want me to come back.  Worst of all they might not like me at this point and tell others to never book me.  I would rather put off booking elsewhere until I am ready.

July 29, 2025

Tonight I called the whole dance for the Yellow Rockers again.  This was my 3rd complete dance to call.  Everybody but me seems to be happy with my progress.  I guess I am still trying to compare myself with the old me from 36 years ago.

It amazes me these people of so supportive.   I appreciate them more than they will ever know.  Back 36 years ago I had so many calling opportunities I didn't fully appreciate what I had.  Now I am truly grateful for every opportunity I get.

July 7, 2025

The second beginner night in Crystal Springs was tonight.  I knew from text messages some of the people who were there the first week would not be there this week due to prior commitments. 

At the Beginner night tonight we had 1 Square.  Half of these were not there the first week.  We know from experience that people will often come out for one night and have a good time but not return.  They had their fun but don't want to commit to doing it each week.

This is going to be a tough battle.  But, nothing worth doing is ever easy.

June 30, 2025

Beginner  night.  We had 2 squares participate tonight, we had a total of 21 dancers.  Everyone was in high spirits and had fun.  We even had four of the members of the Yellow Rockers come down to show support.  It looks like it could be off to a good start.

June 9, 2025

I have been working all week getting flyers for beginner nights designed and made.  I have posted on every local face book page I can find about our upcoming beginner nights.   Today I placed an ad in the county newspaper for 2 weeks advertising the beginner nights.  I have walked most of the towns business area putting up flyers.  I am doing all I can to promote the beginner nights.

A lot of people on Facebook are interested in how this effort to start where no dancing currently exists will turn out.

June 2, 2025

If I am to improve in calling I need to call more than one tip a week.  There are no other opportunities so I will have to create my own.  If I could teach lessons it would be ideal.

The town where I live, Crystal Springs, once had a Square Dance club.  Interestingly enough their caller was the same caller who calls for the Yellow Rockers now.  The club was successful but disbanded when the town passed an ordinance banning dancing of any kind within the city limits.

Today I visited the Crystal Springs City Hall.  I asked if that ordinance was still in effect.  The Mayor said no and she thought the town would love to have Square Dancing again.  She even told me how to go about booking the towns community center.  I visited the community center, the same place as the club met 45 years ago.  It was available on Monday nights so I booked it starting the last Monday of the month.

Today I started joining Facebook groups pertaining to Square Dancing.   I made a couple posts and am amazed at how much interest there is in my returning as a caller.

May 20, 2025

Called my 2nd full dance for the Yellow Rockers.   I felt more comfortable but am still a long way from being decent.  The dancers were very encouraging and seemed to enjoy themselves.

Once again I am grateful for the opportunities they are giving me.

May 1, 2025

Today I ordered business cards and started buying Square Dance clothes.  My how prices have gone up!  The business cards are not all that original.  In fact they look somewhat generic, but in time I will come up with a better design more appropriate to me.  I have always been good at creating a brand for myself.  It will happen as I give it a chance.  As for the clothes...this is going to be a job in it's self.  Finding the right apparel is proving to be difficult.  Sure you can find western shirts.  Finding designs and materials that match my personality are not that easy.  I am not the brash young man I once was nor am I a farm hand.  I am looking for clothes that say "yes, I am a square dance caller".  Western suits or dressy western pants are even harder to find.  Bolo ties?  There are plenty around locally but nothing that makes a statement.  I may have to commission some to be specially made...or perhaps maybe I can make some creations of my own.

April 28, 2025

I called the Caller for the Yellow Rockers and had a discussion with him.  I told him if they wanted me to come back into calling I was willing to commit to that effort.  With the following caveat.  I knew he would need to be out of the club occasionally and I was fine with filling in for him, but in no way was I interested in taking his place or even splitting calling duties with him.  However if I was going to be able to fill in for him I needed to call a tip each week for obvious reasons.  He seemed to be delighted at this prospect.

He agreed to help me as much as he could.  My how the roles have reversed!  When he started out I was helping him.  All is good.  I also told him my son would like to learn to Square Dance.   He said they have another person who wants to learn so they could teach them both.

I called the president of the Yellow Rockers and informed her I was committing to come back as a caller.  I did emphasize I was not interested in splitting calling duties with their caller, but would be willing to take his place if he could not be there.  She was delighted.

April 23, 2025

After participating in dancing last night, my youngest son, Patrick, has decided he wants to learn how to Square Dance.  I am thrilled that I was the one who introduced him to square dancing and called his first couple tips.

April 22, 2025

Tonight I called my first full dance in 36 years.  The Yellow Rockers went all out welcoming me back.  They had a throw back night to when they were the Dancing Pirates.   Everyone who still had Dancing Pirates badges wore them.  They had party type pirate hats for everyone to wear.  A large picture of a pirate ship adorned the wall and they had a table covered with pirate's booty.  Plus they had snacks for the night.  I was humbled and flattered that people would make this much of a fuss about me.

The dance actually went better than I expected.  Was I as good as their regular caller?  Emphatically I say NO!  However, as they had said, I was better than not having a caller at all.  My youngest son whom had always heard about me calling but had no memory of it attended just to see me call.  He had no idea how Square Dancers operate.  He had no intention to try to dance.  But, as you can imagine, we had a beginner tip for him to join in on.  As I taught him first night stuff and saw him moving around the square I realized he was hooked just as I was now hooked on calling again.  He loved it.

I want to add this...I am truly humbled by the actions and reception of this club.   I am also grateful for them giving me the opportunity for more mic time.

April 8, 2025

Tonight was the 3rd time I have visited the Yellow Rockers.  The first time I went, I was coerced into calling a tip of patter.  The 2nd time I called patter and a singing caller.  Tonight I did the same.  Wait a minute...I no longer had any square dance music, so how did this happen?  Answer, the club caller, Harry Case, let me look through the music on his computer and find some music I somewhat remembered from 36 years ago.  Needless to say these tips were not practiced at all and I was just winging it.  I do appreciate the club and their caller giving me these opportunities. 

The club president surprised me, if it is possible to surprise me anymore, by asking me to call a whole night for them on March 22nd.  I explained I was nowhere near being able to do that.   She smiled and said that if I didn't call they would have to cancel the night as their club caller could not be there that night.  She said they would rather dance to me than not dance at all (Thank you, I think?).  I mean, that is quite a vote of confidence...you are better than not dancing at all!

I talked with the caller and explained I would need some help with the music as I didn't have what was needed.  He agreed to help so I agreed to call.  After all I had 2 weeks to regain what I had lost over 36 years.  A piece of cake!  Right?

March 11, 2025

Tonight I visited the Yellow Rockers Square Dance Club.   I saw old friends and met some really nice people.  Watching them Square Dance memories flooded back to me.  Memories of friends and happy times were so thick I had to brush them away just to be able to see the dancers.  I was amazed to learn how much Square Dancing had dropped off since I was involved.  Our state festival used to have100 squares, this year it had 4.  There used to be 30 callers in state now there are only 5.  There used to be 50 clubs in the state association now there are 9.  I felt like Rip Van Winkle.

Their caller was a man I always considered dear to me.  I was amazed at his skill in moving the dancers around.  He was SO much better than I remembered!  I guess 36 years of practice I hadn't observed would account for that.  He came over once the tip was over and welcomed me.  It was as if no time had passed, I instantly felt the same friendship for him I did years ago.

The next tip the woman who phoned me tried to get me up to dance.  I resisted as I didn't want to be breaking the square down all the time.  You know how insistent some people can be!  She and the rest of the dancers wouldn't let it go so I gave in.  What surprised me was how much came back.  The calls hadn't changed that much.  Most of them were still the same calls we used decades ago.  I actually danced without breaking the square down.  Mind you some dancers helped a little if I hesitated.  But, I actually remembered what the calls meant, or maybe I was just acting on instinct.

This is a universal truth I have learned.   A caller, even after he quits calling, will always be a caller at heart.  I was afraid the caller would ask me to call a tip.  He did.  I declined the invitation, but the dancers were all encouraging me to do this.  Finally I agreed to call a little patter, if I could.  A retired caller always believes in his mind he can still call.  I found out the mind lies!  To say the least it was clumsy but nobody lost any toes or fingers so we were alright.  I now realize this was a trap!  They knew I would be hooked if they could ever get a mic back into my hand.