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LANNY & CAROL WEAKLEND

 

Nebraska Square & Round Dance Caller Association
Hall Of Fame Members


LANNY & CAROL WEAKLEND



LANNY & CAROL WEAKLEND

Like most caller's this caller began as a dancer, but with many years of playing guitar and banjo, his love for music and love for square dancing led him to the stage. In short time he became a very accomplished caller calling as club caller and instructor for multiple clubs. After the untimely passing of his first wife, he continued calling and eventually met, fell in love with, and married his new wife. He continued to expand his calling footprint and together they became well recognized leaders in the square dance activity.

They have served multiple years on both the Nebraska and Omaha Caller's Association Boards in several positions, likely 15 or more for each organization. He has served as the Vice Chairman of the CALLERLAB Mainstream Committee and on multiple CALLERLAB Committees for several years. They served as Vice Chairman of Square Dancing for the National Square Dance Convention in Des Moines. She has served for over twelve years on the Square Dance Omaha board working to improve new dancer recruitment in the Omaha area. He helped introduce the concept of Multi-Cycle square dance lessons to the Omaha area. And while not a CALLERLAB Accredited Caller Coach, he has helped mentor many callers at the start of their calling careers.

   The participation in the multi-cycle lesson program between Swinging Squares, Merry Mixers and Heartland Singles provided the financial stability each club needed and continued to bring new dancers into the clubs. Without that program and them accepting full financial responsibility for it, each club would have needed to cover approximately $500 to $750 in net expense per year to conduct lessons, resulting in either no lessons, or bankruptcy. This program alone has sustained the dancer population in the Omaha Area far better than other areas of the country.

   Anyone who knows the business of Square Dance Calling knows there is often no profit at all derived from being a square dance caller. He has maintained a large schedule of dances and lessons annually for many years. Efforts like conducting lessons for whatever is left after the rent is paid is an example of giving up profit for the betterment of the activity. Anyone who knows them knows that when they see a need, be it someone to serve in an officer position, someone to volunteer for committee work, etc., they are quick to raise their hands to help. Many callers over the years have asked for help with equipment, records, training, software usage and so on. They are always willing to help in any way they can.

   Their influence is strong in Nebraska but carries well beyond our borders. Many callers, caller associations and dance organizations across the Midwest have asked for their input on several topics. They have done many presentations at conventions and caller organizations to help educate others about square dancer recruitment, club leadership and calling skills.

   He has called now in well over half the states in our country and continues to travel and keep a robust calling schedule, a testament to his ability to call and entertain the dancers, and they continue to serve the greater square dance activity through their unselfish leadership.


Hall Of Fame Members



Harold & Lil Bausch - inducted 2007 Bill & Phyllis Speidel - inducted 2007
Ernie & Naomi Gross - inducted 2008 Les & Doris Henkel - inducted 2008
Wes & Dorothy Mohling - inducted 2009 Ed & Shirley Claflin - inducted 2009
Jerry & Glenda Wright - inducted 2010 Ed & Phyllis Spurgeon - inducted 2010
Mal & Shirley Minshall - inducted 2010 Orvile & Arra Pittam - inducted 2011
John & Bev Chunka - inducted 2012 Jim & Carol Tucker - inducted 2015
Jerry Junck - inducted 2018     Lanny & Carol Weaklend - inducted 2021
Mike & Denise Hogan - inducted 2022