2014 Caller/Cuer Couple Scroll of Honour

Bill & Vivianne Knowles

Photo Courtesy Robin Gentry Bill and Vivianne were married in 1966 and began square dancing in the fall of 1967 with Jim MacPherson of the C Squares in Coquitlam. After dancing for 25 years, Bill decided to try calling about 1992 after attending a caller's school by the V&DCTA. He travelled around to many clubs to get experience by calling a tip on the program. His thinking was that he just wanted to see if he could actually do it. Hey, it might be fun later after retirement; well that idea didn't last long. In 1994, the "Mission Star Thurs" (about a square and a half) needed a caller as theirs had moved to Penticton. This was a great opportunity for a new caller even though retirement was still a long way away. They danced a couple of squares that year but dancer's health issues ended the Club after that season. That summer the Buttons & Bows came calling and Bill began calling Monday, Wednesday and every second Saturday. At this point he also had to learn how to cue rounds. Bill taught many New Dancer classes during his time in Langley and was also asked to teach a Basic Round Dance class which was done under protest. In 2000, Chilliwack Rhythm Reelers approached him to call for their New Dancer class and the following year Bill and Vivianne became the Caller Couple for the Rhythm Reelers. At this time, they stopped calling for the Buttons & Bows Club. The Chilliwack Club is an active Club and has participated in many parades with Bill calling from a truck box and the dancers on the decorated float, also several care homes In Agassiz and Chilliwack, and frequently performed at malls and fairs. Over the years Bill has called at the Penticton Jamboree, in BC festivals and conventions. It has been a wonderful and rewarding experience with many great memories to take away such as the time the dancers kidnapped Vivianne and sent him on a wild goose chase to find her, being painted green, his face buried in pie just for the FUN of it and of course the toilet paper thing (mummified). The Chilliwack Club has always been up to something and you never knew what might happen, once changing his shirt seven times during the evening, and on another occasion several ladies shaving both legs (not very well). One evening the Club surprised their caller with twenty dancers showing up at their home (round midnight) demanding a square dance take place and it did. Being Santa and Mrs. Claus at Christmas has always been a great experience and with the grandkids help as elves extra special. As Caller Couple Bill and Vivianne have been involved in many skits and some more than once because of popularity such as "Little People" and "Too Many Feet in the Bed". At this time Bill and Vivianne plan to become dancers again and look forward to seeing friends on the dance floor. Bill and Vivianne have also been very supportive of our young dancers - both mentoring young callers and acting as judges at the Pacific Northwest Teen Square Dance Festival.

Write-up provided by Barb Tryssenaar, Scroll of Honour Award Committee Chair