Square Dance Leaders
Paul Kelley started square dancing in ‘1973 with Yankee Twirlers Tyro Square Dance Club and served as Class Chairman the next year. He moved immediately into positions of responsibility, starting the Partners in Progress Club in 1974. Paul joined Single Squares in 1978. Louise started square dancing in 1978 with Yankee Twirlers, serving as designated driver, chauffeur and sponsor of her teenagers and their friends at area dances and workshops as well. Paul and Louise met at their daughters’ mutual Northeast Vocational H.S. graduation in 1981. They quickly became dance partners and married in 1989. Louise served as Secretary for Yankee Twirlers in 1987-88 while Paul was the Club Treasurer. They served together as Treasurer of both the 1989-90 and 1998-99 New England Square and Round Dance Conventions in Danvers, MA. Paul served as well as Vice President and later Treasurer of NSSARDA for over ten years. He was Treasurer of the Square Dance Foundation for eight years and was instrumental in guiding the financial operations of the organization during the move to its present home in Manchester, NH. Paul and Louise served as well as members of the Convention Guidelines Committee, including a term as Chair. Paul’s untimely death in 1999 on the eve of the New England Convention removed from the dance world a person of unquestioned integrity and unique abilities to make financial records understandable to all. His infectious laugh and warm, engaging smile showed his wonderful love of life and of Louise, his partner in dance as well as life. It is a privilege to recognize their many years of devoted work on behalf of the square and round dance movement by inducting them to New England‘s Hall of Fame. .
