Round dance Cuers & Teachers
Doc and Peg Tirrell have been active in square dancing ever since they attended their first dance in 1949 in Northern New Jersey. They quickly got involved by serving first as officers and reporters for local clubs and later in state and national organizations.
They served as editors of the Grand Squares Magazine, the Northern New Jersey Square Dancing Association’s publication for twenty-five years.
In 1960 the Tirrells started teaching Round Dancing and conducted classes in both squares and rounds. The Tirrells summered in Maine and taught classes there since no round dance teachers were available at that time.
Doc and Peg were trustees to Legacy and served on the board as Executive Secretaries and also as Chairmen for four years. They received Legacy’s Heritage Award for their service to this organization.
They were involved in the formation of ROUNDALAB and served as editors of its publication, The Journal, and as Executive Secretaries. They were presented the Silver Circle Award by ROUNDALAB.
In 1995 they were presented the Silver Spur Award by the Sets in Order American Square Dance Society for their “leadership, support and tireless energies directed toward the square dance activity.”
While raising a family of three children they were involved in scouting and their church. Doc, a dentist, was involved in conventions and served as treasurer of the local dental society for thirteen years. Upon retiring they moved to Vermont and have continued teaching and cueing rounds.
They joined the Vermont Association of Round Dance Leaders and serve as Secretaries/Treasurers of this organization as well as printing the Square and Round Dance Gazette.
Peg is once again involved in Girl Scouting, working in Public Relations and is a volunteer at the Fairbanks Museum in St. Johnsbury. Doc is a Boy Scout Merit Badge counselor and is a deacon at the North Congregational Church.
Doc and Peg have written several round dance routines and with Jo Yakimowski conduct the Pinnacle Round Dance School. They are particularly proud of the fact that their daughter, Barbara, their grandson, Paul, and their granddaughter, Crystal, are all teachers and cuers of round dancing.
They are life members of the Square Dance Foundation of New England and are currently serving as membership chairmen. They are Secretaries and Publicity Chairmen of the 46th and 47th New England Square and Round Dance Conventions.
The Cooperation Committee is pleased to present this award, on behalf of the square and round dancers of New England, for your dedication to the activity.
GIVEN AT BRATTLEBORO, VERMONT
APRIL 24, 2004