Charlie Brown Squares
Club History
The Charlie Brown Squares came into existence in 1967 when Denny Lantz and several local dancers decided to form a club. The club was very small in the beginning and Denny was a very new caller. The dances were held in the Isaac Walton Building in Riverside Park near the boat ramp.
Before long, the club moved to its present location sharing the building with several other clubs. The club grew and flourished over the years. Other callers have had the pleasure of being the Charlie Browns club caller. These have included Loren Cochran, Bob Studevoss, Wayne Weaver and Ken Trowbridge. During its 39 year growth, the club has had some great leadership and workers to keep it strong.
More recently, the "Charlie's" have acquired a nickname of "Rowdy Browns." Their fun loving nature and eagerness to tease and please have earned them this title.
The Charlie Browns have grown considerably in the past three years and has a membership of over 160 dancers. It is one of the largest clubs in Southern Oregon and is still growing. Their members include dancers from Southern Oregon and Northern California.
Denny Lantz, Caller
Denny has been square dancing for 58 years, and has been calling for 48 years. When he started calling he formed a teen club known as the Teasin' Teens. Then in 1967, he and several dancers decided to form a club. They wanted a unique name. Denny was a great "Peanuts" fan and suggested something on that order. They tossed around the idea of "Snoopy Squares", but it just didn't have the right ring to it. They finally liked "Charlie Brown Squares" and it has proven itself for over 45 years.
Denny has been club caller for many clubs in Southern Oregon: "Rooster Crow Squares", "Ramblin' Rogues", "Lords 'N Ladies", & "Siskiyou Swingers" to name a few. Denny is currently calling for the "Charlie Brown Squares" and "Lantz's Dantzers." He also teaches clogging for the "Misty Mountain Cloggers."
During the past 48 years, Denny has called in Oregon, California, Nevada, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Hawaii, and Canada. He has traveled to Australia and New Zealand to call festivals and was one of the featured callers on a cruise to the Caribbean/West Indies in 1978.
Denny recorded "I'm Happy Every Day I Live" on the Stirrup square dance record label.
