When Irv Perch decided to end country western dance lessons at his Flying Lady in Morgan Hill in 1993, Don van Straaten and Diane Andrews, decided to try and start our own club with the help of a few friends. Our intent was to be able to keep dancing locally for a couple of years. Well here we are 15 years later. In September 1995 Don & Diane were married, the reception included, Country Western Dancing, Square Dancing and Round Dancing, as one might have expected. Our original instructors Wayne & Lynette Harry, founders of the KEEN Kountry Dancers in San Jose, CA, taught on Wednesday nights and Gary & Kim James on Thursday nights. Both couples had been teaching at the Flying Lady, when we started our weekly lessons. After several years, Wayne & Lynette retired from teaching and Gary took over all classes until he moved out of the area and Gary Ranney took over our teaching schedule until he too retired from teaching and Don & Debbie Duffy took over all of the teaching duties as well as DJ'ing our Friday night open dances. When Don & Debbie moved out of the area, Diane van Straaten took over the classes and Don & Diane do the monthly open dance. And that is where we are after more than 15 years. South County Country Dancers is fully insured thru American Callers Association, Inc., which also provides full licensing and compliance with BMI & ASCAP, fully protecting song writers and musicians and the wonderful music they provide for us. |