The Monad Dance Club: A (not so) Brief History
Read by Dick Dickinson, 5/13/76
Al Oliver, an emeritus professor of animal science and, a charter member of the Monad Dancing Club, recalled that in 1921 a group of the younger faculty at Oregon Agricultural College felt the need for more socializing and dancing so they got together for dancing at the Women's Club. After a couple of dances, Mary Hull, secretary to President Kerr, suggested that they all might benefit by some instruction in dancing. This led to obtaining the services of Mr. and Mrs. Hogue to give them instruction. The Hogues had taken dancing lessons in Portland. Mr. Hogue was a harness-maker in Corvallis. This worked out so well that in 1922 they decided to formally organize a dancing club. Delmar Goode, the assistant college editor, was selected as secretary and Professor W.S. Brown, Head of Horticulture, was selected as chairman of the organizing group.
Al Oliver and Delmar Goode recalled that others that helped organize the club were: Dr. B.T. Sand Mr. and Mrs. F.L. Snow. There were others but their memory did not recall them. When it came to naming the club E.T. Reed, editor at the college, and a charter member, proposed Monad. According to the dictionary "Monad" means "eternity" or "a basic individual entity that is indestructible". The first use of the Monad sign was found on the 1926-27 programs. It is composed of two commas joined in a circle. One of the commas is a light color and the other is dark.
Originally club members were selected from the faculty and staff of the college. The first year for which we have a record, 1923-24, there were 46 couples and 4 bachelors. Informal dress was the rule until 1925 when the first dance of the season was held in the newly constructed Benton Hotel, some of the members came in formal dress. Probably the low point for a number of members was in 1933-34 when there were 29 couples and 2 bachelors. This was about the depth of the great depression years for Corvallis.
For many years the Monads danced at the Women's Club on 7th Street. As years went by an occasional spring dance was held at the Willamette Grange south of Corvallis, the Fairmont Grange west of Albany, and the Riverview Grange east of Corvallis. There was a special summer dance held in July 1925 at Colorado Lake. It was decided by the officers to have the first fall dance of the season, 1925-26 at the newly constructed Benton Hotel. There apparently was considerable dissatisfaction with this arrangement. A long letter of explanation to the members from Monad President H.S. Rogers, Dean of Engineering, soothed the troubled waters. In the 1930-31 season the first dance in October, as well as other dances that year, was held in the Memorial Union. That year dances were held also at the Benton Hotel as well as the Women's Club. During the summer of 1931 another extra dance was held at Colorado Lake. These extra dances were paid for by proportionate assessing of those members who attended. Rental of the Colorado Lake facilities was $6 and the orchestra cost $18. During the season 1931-32 the dances were held at various fraternity houses. For several years thereafter dances were held in the fraternities because the cost was low and the depression was bearing down hard on many faculty couples.
At the beginning dues for Monad were $10 per couple. Dues remained at this rate until the 1949-50 season when they were raised to $12 per couple. In 1959-60 the dues were still $12, however, because many members waited to pay dues at the end of the year the bylaws were amended so that dues paid after January 1st would be $17. Inflation was building up so that in 196970 dues were raised to $15 with $5 added if paid after January 1st. In 1972-73 the dues were again raised to $20 as all costs for music, hall and incidentals had increased so rapidly.
With a loss in membership and rising costs the bylaws were amended for the 1973-74 season to take in members other than faculty/staff persons. If the Monad name is resolute a way will be found to survive as an "indestructible entity".
A Short History of The Monad Dance Club
(Fairly Accurate) by Mariellen Harper July 1999
It seems that a dance club which began in 1921 deserves some historical attention. In the enclosed article you will read "in 1921 a group of younger faculty at Oregon Agricultural College felt the need for more socializing and dancing." Our hats are off to those stalwart folks who "danced and socialized" through the "crash of '29", the depression that followed, and even a world at war. Monad means "eternity" or a "basic individual entity that is indestructible". As they did so, must we carry on into the next century. Let us show that same spirit of indestructibility. As we appreciate our past we can celebrate the future.
THE MONAD DANCE CLUB
HISTORICAL HIGHLIGHTS
1921 - Started informally by a group of younger Oregon Agricultural College faculty members who felt there was a need for more socializing and dancing. Dances at Women's Club Building, since removed to make room for Corvallis Library addition.
1922 - Organized formally with Professor W. S. Brown, Head of Horticulture, as chairman of organizing group and Delmar Goode, assistant college editor, as secretary. Name of "Monad" proposed by E. T. Reed, College Editor, with meaning "eternity" or "a basic individual entity that is indestructible".
1923 - Membership of 46 couples and 4 bachelors with dues of $10 per couple. The budget was $61 per party ($15 for the Women's Club and $26 for orchestra of 4 pieces).
1925 - First dance to be at Benton Hotel. Complaints of heat and poor ventilation led to change of attire, formal, to informal, business suits.
1926 - Members, limited to 50 couples, with admittance on the approval of executive board following written recommendations of three members. First use of Monad sign composed of two commas joined in a circle. One of the commas is a light color and the other is dark.
1929 - Three couples listed as emeritus members: Dr. and Mrs. E. M. Dickinson joined in.
1927 - Herb and Harriet Sinnard in 1929. In later years the club presented the Sinnards with tee shirts that said: "I'd rather be dancing." This same message was on their bumper sticker of their car. Dr. and Mrs. Earl Wells became members in 1930.
1930 - The first dance of that year was in the Memorial Union ballroom. The budget for dances in those early years was restricted. In May 1930 it was necessary to sell punch at the last dance in order to raise money. That year's budget had a balance of 50 cents!
1931 - Dances were held at fraternity and sorority houses with rent at $10. A summer picnic and dance was held at the popular resort on Colorado Lake. This was a favorite resort for many college parties, not only for picnics and dances but also for swimming and fishing.
1936 - That year a dance was held at the Corvallis Women's Club. This dance included dinner for 50 cents extra. The club house had a user-friendly hardwood floor. The building entrance had graceful white columns imitating a southern mansion.
1942 - Eliminated the January dance in order to save money. Records of many intervening years have been lost.
1949 - A dues increase to $6 per person with a $2.50 fine if dues are not paid by January 1. What an increase now in the year of 1999 when we pay $60.
1950 - Herschel Davis orchestra of Eugene cost $73 for a five piece orchestra. Herschel played for us for many years. He became an old friend to the club. Dances at the Corvallis Country Club were pleasant. It was lovely to look out over the beautiful green lawn. But the small dance floor was too crowded for dancing
1954 - Dues were $12. Dance numbers four and nine were "mixers". Records show that the President, Paul Bernier, was in France but was unsuccessful in obtaining the "Folies Bergere" to perform for us at intermission. From time to time we had entertainment at intermission. Recently we had a dance demonstration by the "Cool Shoes" a popular Oregon State dance group. At another time we had a slide show of dances. We had Bob and Alice Henderson to thank for that. At a Hawaiian dance this year, Dorrie Lemon demonstrated the clever way to cut a pineapple.
1955 - The Monad letter that year stated: "Take Home Immediately" - your wife wants to see. (Campus Mail?) A quota of 45 members was set with an opening for 4 new members. By this time the Herschel Davis Orchestra cost $82. An all-club party was held at the home of Herb and Harriet Sinnard.
1956 - Dancing began that year at Wagner's Garden Room at $2 per person (dinner?) Remember Wagner's Restaurant? After the big fire this space became Mehlhaf's.
1957 - Newsletter began: "Please take this home". We danced at the Women's Club. To bring the membership to a full quota of 80 there were openings for 11 new members. Constitution stated: "There must be a total of 5 votes for a couple to be admitted."
1959 - We began that year with a formal dance preceded by dessert at Wagners. Prices at that time were amazing: 50 cents for dessert and dues at only $12 per couple!
1960 - Dance programs were used and followed carefully. Mixer dances were fun. Amusing ideas for tags. Potatoes for St. Patrick's day was not successful. The men put them in their pockets. Brooms were exchanged in keeping with the Halloween theme. At one dance ladies shoes were put in the middle of the floor. This was a disaster - it took too long for the partner to find the matching shoe. Since this was an election year one dance theme was "Campaign Capers", colors of course were red, white, and blue. Occasionally when the committee felt ambitious, we had theme dances. Remember the black bag that appeared in one of the classes at O.S.U.? Said bag continued to attend class over a period of time. This made national news. We had two members of the club come in black bags. Curiosity reigned. Who was it? One rainy night the committee planned a "rain dance." The ceiling of the Episcopal Parish Hall was covered with open umbrellas. What a colorful sight as the light filtered through the open umbrellas! Of course, umbrellas were used for the mixer dances.
1962 - A dance held at the Benton County Fairgrounds was called "The Village Barn". Cotton dresses and sport shirts were the appropriate attire. Themes were the order of the day that year: The Hungry I, Toyland, Harold's Club, Sweethearts on Parade, Basin Street, Top of The Mark, Peppermint Lounge and Mardi Gras.
1963 - Monad letter began with this poem:
"It will soon be swingin' and sayin' time,
To miss our dances would be a crime.
So shine up yo' shoes and press yo' gown
Monads are going out on the town."
Theme for that year was states, and Texas was October. We wore Western garb and decorations included saddles, hay bales, saddle blankets and corral - complete with a live mare and a colt. Wouldn't you guess that Hal Schudel, the president, would think this up?
1965 - Herschel Davis, our friend from Eugene, was still playing for us. The unwritten bylaws of the club set a limit of 90 "courageous couples."
1966 - President Charlie Wilson and officers calculated there would be insufficient funds for the operation of the club. They proposed an increase in dues to $15.
1971 - Pre-dance parties were held at Jim Harpers, Guy Reynolds, the John Wolfes homes, The April dance was held at the Peavy Arboretum Lodge. Music was provided by Solveig Meeker. Former Monad members were invited to an "alumni" dance in January.
1972 - Dues were raised to $20 per couple. Bylaws were amended to open membership to include "town people".
1973 - The November dance was held at the Town House. At the February dance we were requested to "wear red." The March dance was held at the Adair Officer's Club. We danced to the banjo band: "Ragtime Time Plus One." Good listening but not easy dancing.
1975 - Welcoming letter that fall was addressed to "swinging smoothies". This was our 54th year. In November the dance was preceded by a potluck dinner at Sinnard's home.
1979 - We shared dances with the Owatonna Dance Club. One dance was preceded by a potluck dinner at the Unitarian church. Before the April dance, a cocktail party was held at the Jim Harper's home.
1981 - September 1981
"This will be the 60th year for Monads, a club of dance-lovers who started in the early 1920's and have been dancing through prosperity, depression, the New Deal, at least three wars, the Alluent Society and even inflation. The Charleston, Jitterbug, Swing, Twist, Rock, Disco and the Punk phenomenon have had their day, but through it all the Monads have stayed happily with their choice -- ballroom dancing and friendly socializing. We have no burning objectives except to have a good time, so join us for a year of good parties, good music and dancing."
November dance was held at the Elks Lodge. Music was provided by Solveig Meeker and Ray Moore. The Elks Lodge had two advantages: a large dance floor and no rental cost if we had dinner there. Dances were now held on Tuesday nights. A cocktail buffet was held at the Russ Lincoln's home. "Bring a hearty sandwich and BYOB".
1983 - Started the dance year with a cocktail buffet at Kay and Buck Davis' country home. In May a "chicken" buffet was held at Jim Harpers, followed by dancing at the Episcopal Parish Hall. Dues were now $40 per couple.
1985 - Monads now in its 63rd year! Ray Moore's orchestra provided music and Harpers had a cocktail buffet before the October dance and Cheneys a party preceding the May dance at the Senior Center. Costume dances were often fun. Prizes were awarded to the best hats and the funniest hats at the "Hat Dance". A Black & White dance required everyone to wear black on white. Irene Cheldelin came in a half white and black costume. Even her face was painted. At a country dance, Evon Smith had a "Gold Medal" flower sack outfit. Noel Bennion wore his bib overalls and a red handkerchief hanging out of the back pocket. Unfortunately the handkerchief caught on fire - no harm done! Hawaiian and Western garb were often the favorites. But thank goodness we had long since given up on formal wear. The men were glad to forego their tuxedos.
1987 - President Bob and Sue Doerges' letter states:
"Our dinner dances at Corvallis Elks Lodge for the past several years. The service and accommodations have been well received and we look forward to another year."
As was said earlier, the Elks had a large, smooth dance floor and the rent was free with the purchase of dinner. This helped the dance club financially.
1989 - The officers for this year set up themes for each dance. October was "Fall Festival", November - "Election Day - Victory Dance", Christmas - "A Jingle Mingle", February - "Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve", March - "Wearin' of the Green", April - "April Showers", and May - "Bring May Flowers".
1990 - Rusty and Martha Stark had a "punch party" preceding the dance at the Elks. The October theme was "Round-up Time" -western dress was appropriate. November theme was "Autumn Leaves", and December - "Christmas Bells". The February dance was called "The Way We Were" and costumes in keeping with this theme were worn. We were featured in the Gazette-Times and Bob Henderson's slides of earlier times entertained us. In March the theme was "When You Kiss the Blarney Stone" and in April, wearing items obtained in foreign countries as we celebrated "Around the World". In May the dance was "The Champagne Waltz" and the punch table was set with a four foot high sparkling champagne fountain. The Monad letter quoted: "John Tyler in 1827 to his daughter:
- The waltz is a dance which you have never seen, and which I do not deserve to see you dance. It is rather vulgar I think. That was in 1827. Wonder what he would say if he could see how people dance now?
1991 - Membership was at 51 couples. The officers decided that dances three and eleven would be Latin and dances four and eight would be mixers.
1992 - Dues were $60 and membership consisted of 45 couples. Dances were held at the Senior Center with The Valley catering the dinner and Ray Moore's orchestra the music. The move to the Senior Center was necessary since the Elks Lodge building was sold to the Corvallis Clinic.
1996 - The letter to the members stated:
"The name Monads was chosen because it means an individual entity that is indestructible. We need 50 couples to live up to our name."
Music was to be by the "Hilltop Big Band". Since they were a performance band we found it not to "danceable". The first party had an international theme and costumes and table decorations carried out that idea. Remember the large "Sphinx" that Butch & Dorrie Lemon brought!
1997 - An interesting year under the guidance of John and Marion Swanson. Jay Thatcher's dance classes were invited to join us for dancing. They were a nice addition to our club. The "Cool Shoes" dance group from O.S.U. put on a dance demonstration. The tables were decorated with various eggs from the Harper's collection. This was the 70th year for the club so a champagne reception preceded the dance.
1998 - We "cruised into the new season on the U.S. Monad Ship", so the letter said. President and Mrs. Schuster and officers requested us to dress "for a cruise on the high seas." We have had good luck with our orchestras but of course some were better than others. Ray Moore and his band seems to be our favorite. On only two occasions were we without a band! One snowy and icy Christmas dance the band never made it. Finally Butch Lemon went home and got his Glen Miller records. Pretty good music after all. This year the New Beginnings band didn't show up. We visited and waited until long after 8:00. Records were the substitute but not as good as the "real thing". We found out later that some of the band appeared at the Senior Center on Wednesday night!
1999 - A new season of dancing! We will never agree with Shakespeare who said: "For you and I are past our dancing years", but rather agree with Lord Byron: "On with the dance! Let joy be unconfined."
Jim & Mariellen Harper July 1999
2004 - Jay Thatcher & Linda Johansen - 2004-5 Co-chairs
2005 - Jim & Sue Noel - 2005-6 Co-chairs
2006 - Bob Yandt & Juliette Vallejo - 2006-7 Co-chairs
2007 - Frank & Marcia Noell - 2007-8 Co-chairs
2008 - Susan Hanley & Jim Andreas - 2008-9 Co-chairs
2009 - Fran & Mike Wong - 2009-10 Co-chairs
2010 - David & Cecelia Gore - 2010-11 Co-chairs
2011-12 - Ann Robinson & Luby Pospisil - 2011-13 Co-chairs
2013 - Alan Kirk & Ann Schauber - 2013-14 Co-chairs
2014 - Max & Marjorie Power - 2014-15 Co-chairs
