Happy Mother’s Day! Here we celebrate the women members of Times Squares who had children that were also members. The family that dances together will have the most fun. True story!
Mark Doyaga joined Times Squares in 1991. It didn’t take long for his mother Emily to see how much fun he was having. She soon was asking questions about who was eligible to join, and she became a member in 1993. There is a very adorable clip of Mark describing Emily’s interest in this short documentary, Partners. Sadly, Emily passed away in 2020.
Jennie Jones was looking for an activity to share with her mom Terry Smith. Jennie’s good friend Jorge Paris was a member of the Austin, Texas based Lone Star Lambdas and recommended square dancing. They began their square dance adventure in 2016 and graduated in 2017. Terry and her husband Clive moved to Portugal in 2022, and sadly Terry passed away in 2025. Note Jennie is the designer of our current official club shirt, the “subway” tee which debuted in 2019 at Square Up at Stonewall 50.
Barbara Bechtel moved to New York and found her way to Times Squares in 2018. She convinced her son Jonathan yo take lessons in 2019. Barbara has since moved back to Minnesota, and Jonathan now has a child of his own. [Read more news from Barbara further down this newsletter.]
Our latest mother-daughter team recently graduated last month. Karen Jackson inquired via email about square dancing, and attended an open house with her daughter Amelia (aka AJ the Grand). Their reaction: “I attended on Tuesday with my daughter and we both had so much fun. I knew we’d like square dancing, but I didn’t anticipate such a kind, welcoming, and fun group of people. ” AJ aced the “Name That Call” portion of the recent Mainstream graduation festivities.
Ron Masker, one of our earliest callers, had the nickname Mother.
Honorable mentions:
Carol and Sherry Kassel, members for many years, brought their daughter Lucy to many dances, especially Peel the Pumpkin. The square dancing bug never bit Lucy but we remember her fondly.
David Kampel recalls “Herman Schimanke, class of 1992, almost always came square dancing with his mother. I’m not sure if his mother danced or not but wherever Hetman was his, mother was usually not far behind.”
Did we miss any other mothers? Let us know.
