Square Dance Caller & Teacher
Ed and Judy Ross Smith have brought cheer-filled dancing to many people for years. They bring cheerfulness, sound human understanding, good voice, responsive calling, innovative and practical suggestions relative to teaching and dance attire. They have made substantial contributions to the quality of sound for square dance enjoyment.
Ed and Judy started dancing contras, folk dances and squares at the PTA in North Hampton, New Hampshire in l954. In 1955, they visited one of the early modern square dance clubs in the area at Kittery, Maine. They joined the workshop and have been dancing since.
In March of 1957, they were prime movers in starting a club in their home town. This became the Wenham Shindiggers. Ed & Judy have been active in the early organization of several other clubs. Ed called his first class for the Shindiggers in January of 1959, and has continued as class teacher for many years.
Ed and Judy have been active in many New England Square Dance Conventions. They were in charge of sound at the Tenth convention at Portland, Maine. At others they were active in the fashion show and/or the panel discussions. At the Sixteenth and Seventeenth N. E. Conventions Ed was the Square Dance Programmer.
Ed has given much of his talents and efforts to the improvement of the activity. He has served as President of Tri-State Callers Association as well as having served in other offices. He has served four terms as Treasurer of the New England Council of Callers Associations and two terms as Chairman of the same group. For many years, he has been one of the very faithful NECCA Delegates to the New England Square Dance Cooperation Committee and he is one of the original incorporators of the New England Square Dance Foundation.
The Ross Smiths are one of the original New England members of Legacy. Judy has been a contributing editor of the New England Caller with a column of square dance fashions called Needle Notes. From this effort, a book has been issued so that the ideas ore available to all.
The Cooperation Committee is pleased to make this Yankee Clipper Award.