Karl & Helen Edwards
Lawrence, Kansas
Karl and Helen were involved in square dancing for over 34 years. They were callers and members of these clubs in Lawrence, Barn Dancers (25 years), the Smooth Dancing Squares (7 years), the 50/50 Club (10 years), and Bluestem Swingers, Emporia (5 years).
Karl and Helen served as Northeast Callers Association President for three years after serving as Vice-President for two years. They served as District Secretary and District Treasurer for two years each.
Karl and Helen were KSDCA Presidents for two terms or more. While KSDA records do not list them as members, their three clubs were members with their schedules appearing in Travel On regularly.
Karl chaired the CALLERLAB Research and Development Committee. He was a caller for 28 years and became an Accredited CALLER-Coach, the only one from Kansas. Karl and Helen conducted six callers’ schools in Kansas.
These dedicated pioneers of dancing in Kansas were the guiding force in the negotiations between KSDA and KSDCA in transferring the State Convention from a “caller run convention” to a joint convention of dancers and callers working together. This is the current governing organization for the Kansas State Convention.
As a caller and dancer, Karl was very professional and treated each dance, each caller and each dancer with the utmost respect. It was a privilege to be taught by Karl and dance in his squares.