He thought there might be a little birthday party, but nothing like this.
Ken Brownlee Night

This event was to be a surprise for Ken and surprise it was. Although plans were in the works for a while, it was all very hush hush on the part of each and every square dancer in Zone One, and anyone else who heard about it. After being brought to Unity’s Legion Hall by president couple Mervyn and Jean Cooper, who were supposedly taking him out to supper somewhere, he was met by comparatively new dancers Linda Surine and Lynn Romanowski, who escorted him to the head table to the accompaniment of claps and singing of Happy Birthday by the 78 appreciative dancers of Zone One and elsewhere, who had risen to their feet upon his arrival. Perhaps he didn’t immediately notice the streamers and balloons, and the Happy Birthday lettering on the ceiling and entrance way. It is not every day that a fellow sees two long rows of tables with smiling faces lined up on both sides, who are focussed on you alone. The smiling faces belonged to people from the Edgerton Merry Mixers, Fiske Funtastics, Kindersley Whirls and Twirls, Livelong Pinetoppers, Lloydminster Chain ‘N Circle, Luseland Tumbleweeds, North Battleford Grand Squares, Ruthilda Grand Squares and the Unity Wagon Wheel Club co-hosted by the former and hosted by the latter. In fact Ken was a little quiet for a while.
After Ken was seated and had begun to eat, this writer asked him if he was able to really taste the delicious food from the dozens of pot luck dishes brought by every individual and couple present. His answer was: “Oh, yes.” It was the responsibility of the Unity Club to provide the hot dishes and fresh veggies, while Ruthilda, the club to which Ken so devotedly contributed his time and talents faithfully from the beginning of it’s formation in 1972, brought desserts and buns.
Caller Allan Zwierschke from Holden, Alberta kept the responsive crowd happy with his lively musical numbers and energetic calling prior to and following the program. By the way, we ladies did not allow Ken to ‘sit around’, when Allan was calling.
During the program Ken sat in a chair as the guest of honor. He was almost 90 you know, and MC Mervyn Cooper did an excellent job of recalling Ken’s historical past in the square dance world. Mervyn believed it was fitting to call it Ken Brownlee Night as he, on October 31st, was on the threshold of his 90th birthday. Mervyn considered him to be a great neighbor and a true friend. He remembers when he and Ken were amongst many others who paid $10.00 for square dance lessons in 1958, in order to belong to the newly formed Unity Wagon Wheel Club. A neighbor had phoned to ask Ken and Eileen to join the square dance sessions. Ken wasn’t too sure whether he wanted to become involved. Then he said, ”Okay, we’ll go, but we’ll not be running all over the country!” “Oh, how glad we are that you changed your mind Ken,” said Mervyn.
He recounted all that Ken has offered to the square dance world - that he was on the founding board of zone one thirty years ago, and is still going strong, that he has given lessons to clubs or groups from Ruthilda, Luseland, Wilkie, Czar, and the Senlac - Winter area as well as in Unity, that he has attended countless dances in Saskatchewan and Alberta, plus National dances throughout our country, that he is always available with his equipment and records to call for shut-ins and senior homes throughout our zone, and when July rolls around he asks, “Have we got any new prospective dancers for the fall?” He treasures the memory of people who recall taking lessons from him years ago. In short, President Mervyn said that Ken has done quite a bit for a fellow who is “not going to run all over the country.” He knows that Ken’s greatest hope has been that after the lessons these people would adhere to the club(s) as long-time members. On behalf of the Unity Wagon Wheel Square Dance Club, Mervyn then presented Ken with a framed honorary life membership certificate, and wished him many more happy years of square dancing.
Mervyn then invited representatives of the rest of the square dance clubs, beginning with Ruthilda Grand Squares, to offer their appreciative remarks and good wishes to Ken. Ron Rawson, one of the original club members, noted that Ken placed a high priority on proper dress code at all times when square dancing, and on “no fooling around during lessons.” President Carmel Waddington mentioned the spin-off effect of Ken’s lessons beginning with the formation of the Ruthilda Grand Squares in 1972 when his friends Walter and Violet Hanson, founding members of the club, persuaded Ken to be their caller over 40 years ago. Ken and Eileen were like family to the Ruthilda members. He was indirectly responsible for starting four new clubs as Ruthilda members George and Mildred Fast started Biggar Big R Squares and the member- callers Wes and Marlene McCarthy and Dale and Kathryn Olson started the clubs Dodsland Dixie Chains, Rosetown Belles & Beaux and Fiske Funtastics. She concluded that Ken brought much fun and enjoyment over the years to the many people he taught square and round dancing. Carmel then presented Ken with a framed certificate from the Canadian Square and Round Dance Society, to honor him on his 90th birthday. Picture Click Here
The Luseland Club member Carol Body mentioned that Ken has been available to call for their club as recently as 2008-2009, when they entertained at Pioneer Haven and the Bona Vista Nursing Home in Kerrobert plus the Villa Marie in Macklin. Kay Hauer, President of the Saskatchewan Square & Round Dance Federation, presented him with a special card from the Federation. President couple of Zone One and caller Ray and Misel Rosler brought greetings from Zone One and the North Battleford Grand Squares. Caller and cuer couple Dale and Kathryn Olson spoke on behalf of both themselves and the Fiske Funtastic club.

President caller couple Marvin and Sharon Dales were the spokespeople for the Kindersley Whirls and Twirls, Tim and Florence Rogan for Lloydminster Chain ’N Circle, and Ron and Margaret Faas for the Edgerton Merry Mixers.
Fran Swan from the Kindersley Whirls and Twirls, and the Miurheads from the Livelong Pinetoppers, acknowledged Ken in their own unique styles. Note the following:
There once was a man who took a big chance,
That I think I can teach you how to square dance,
It was wonderful, many dancers were there,
Now the teacher’s the same, just a little less hair,
Over the years, he put miles on his car,
Calling for dances, some near and some far,
He still hasn’t said enough is enough,
Congratulations Ken, keep doing your stuff.
*********
We are two jesters from Livelong,
We travelled the road with a song,
Our task is to bring best wishes to Ken,
Our friend in days of yore,
And now in present times,
Young at heart and in his prime,
He’s just where he belongs
*********
Amongst Ken‘s responsive remarks and thank you’s, two will especially be remembered. I thought maybe there’d be a little birthday party, but nothing like this. I didn’t know so many people could be so sneaky. This brought forth a lot of laughter. He also said that he considered each one of us to be his friends.
For he’s a jolly good fellow, was sung with feeling by his FRIENDS. This will surely be a night for Ken and his friends to remember.
Submitted by Helen Savostianik
Unity Wagon Wheel Square Dance Club.