The following poem was written for the June 1987 Square Notes, the OPSDA newsletter by two founding members of the Old Pueblo Dance Center.
OPSDA's (Old Pueblo Square Dance Association) Pioneers
There's a story that really needs to be told,
about a group of dancers, well worth their weight in gold.
They really needed a hall to dance in and to call their own,
One that would hold more than eight squares and still be their home.
It was back in the 60s with worries of the unknown,
How can we start? How should we begin? Had no ready cash, and wondered could we get a loan?
Well the dancers put a plan in motion, selecting a few key men right from this notion.
Two of the men volunteered to perform the great task,
giving so much of their time to search our fair city so vast,
for just the right spot, keeping the limited finances always in mind,
and want to tell you how pleased we all were, when the Delano property was found.
Now the big question, how do we raise the much needed dough?
Just to name a few, there were rummage sales, bake sales, organized bazaars
and raffles we all know,
For a couple of years we planned a Pit Barbeque Feast at Randolph Park;
these most delicious meals were served to the public on Sunday till dark,
after then men dancers took turns all thru the Saturday night;
making sure the coals were staying hot to cook the meat just right.
Several callers and dancers donated their time for special Exhibitions,
and last but not least, the hard labor of love in building this Center
we all desired, with so many decisions.
I'm sure that if any of you reading this today, could have heard the raised
voices at the OPSDA board meetings back then,
wouldn't have believed all that we accomplished with so few women and men.
Rising at 3 AM on Saturday morning to work in the cool of the day,
helped us through the trial and tribulations encouraging us to stay.
Then on Saturday nights we all came out to dance at the Old Barn,
And the best part, when we walked out of there, we all were
still the very best of friends.
The camaraderie that was deeply felt but never explained,
told us all that our goals were very much the same,
the strife, the sweat from the toil and strain,
only bound us together in closeness and aim.
The City Fathers couldn't believe that in this group of men,
there was only one who had actual building experience,
and doubted that we would be able to build this huge Center,
for all Square and Round Dancers to enter,
holding our first dance in December of 1971,
feeling such pride in the large job we had done.
Now what do I see when I look at the chairs where these workers once sat?
There's a feeling of sadness for we know where many are at,
I see that one by one they are taking their positions in the ranks of Heaven
and find it has taken a very long time to compile these thoughts,
and finally accomplished in the year of 1987.
Gordon & Wyona Shipp, founders
This is the original barn where the square dancers held their dances before the Old Pueblo Dance Center hall was built.
The above riting is in honor of all those who put their all into this great undertaking,and wish that each one could be told of the joy we share in having this great OPSDA Center to dance in, almost every night of the week.
The Square and Round Dance Association of Southern Arizona promotes and preserves American Folk Dance in Southern Arizona. Our member clubs teach and dance at the Old Pueblo Dance Center, among other venues in the region. Step in and enjoy dancing Square, Round, Clogging or Contra every day of the week.
