June 1957 –Documenting the Happy Wanderers CFRA

The Barn Dance sponsored by the Almonte Chamber of Commerce was held in the Almonte Community Centre on Friday evening. Favoured with fine weather, there was a good attendance in spite of the fact that several other dances were scheduled for that evening. The music supplied by CFRA Happy Wanderers was of their usual high calibre and they were very generous with it. Mr. Milton Symington “called off” for the square dances which were executed with lots of zing. The Alexandra Club operated three refreshment booths which were well patronized.

Outside there was entertainment for non dancers as a number of games were set up and operated by members of the C. of C. This was the first dance to be sponsored by the C. of C. and while there was room for a larger attendance it was voted a very enjoyable evening and probably will be an annual.event. Bob Young held the lucky ticket on the main prize, a $25.00 voucher redeemable at any place of business operated by a member of the C. of C. The second prize, a small pig went to Arnold Pretty and Gary Houston and Bob Hudson were awarded costume prizes.

Also read- Looking for Info on The Happy Wanderers etc.

read–The Hayshakers — Charlie Finner click

Reserve Me a Table –The Silver Fox –Ron McMunn

Memories with Thee Duces — David Lugsdin

Cruisin Through the Dance Halls- From Carleton Place and Beyond!! Larry Clark

The Dawn Patrol on Local Dance Halls

Dance Hall Fire Blakeney

Dance Hall Days with The Coachmen

Down At the Twist and Shout–Wave’s Inn

Straight Outta Carleton Place High School — Wava McDaniel Baker

Lanark County Dance Halls 1950s, 60s & 70s

The Coachmen Return!!! Born to be Wild Circa 1985

The Day I Tried to Long Tall Sally Paul McCartney

Back to The Future — Twisting Your Dignity Away

Saturday Date with “Thee Deuce” in Almonte

Dance Hall Fire Blakeney

The Canadian Beatles aka The Beavers- Mike Duffy was their Road Manager –Bands of the 60s

He Died Stepdancing in Franktown

Dueling Shoes and Fiddles and Step Dancing Contest July 15 1974

He was a Step Dancing Legend from Up da Line..

Gilles Roy-Step Dancer Extraordinare

Notes of Lanark County Dances and Fiddlers

The Fred Astaire of Carleton Place — John Stanzel

Christopher Gower — The Baryshnikov of Carleton Place

What Happened to John Liddle?

Looking for Info on The Happy Wanderers etc.

Carleton Place and Beckwith Heritage Museum photo– CFRA dance from the 70s..Thursday’s Blast from the Past photo

read–The Hayshakers — Charlie Finner click

In spite of rain, 600 persons attended the dance sponsored by the N.L.A.S. In their hall on the fair grounds On Saturday night. The music was supplied by the C.F.R.A. Happy Wanderers starring Bob King,! and Ward Allan. Dances will continue each Saturday night with Almonte Hayshakers supplying the music.

I was reminded of days like this when we would be listening to Rough Rider football on CFRA with Ernie Calcutt. Frank Ryan who owned CFRA was a son of Almonte. Given CFRA’s connection to the valley-remember the Happy Wanderers and Frank Ryan’s farm reports?- I thought Frank Ryan deserved a mention–Lou Chapman

I met Tom Gardiner, at a place outside of town He dropped by, to help me make some sounds Said; you’re the hotshot, who thinks he can play & sing I don’t have time for talking, just make those darn strings ring.–Lyle Dillabough