Tonia & Ted Hofmeister
74th NSDC General Chairman
Tonia and I are honored to serve as the General Chairman of the 74th National Square Dance Convention in 2025 in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Tonia and I are second generation square dancers. We were introduced to square dancing by our parents. Tonia’s parents, James and Mildred Lambert and mine, Joe and Dorothy Marchese. Ironically Tonia and I both started dancing over 50 years ago at the same time and started lessons in 1969. Tonia with the Hi Steppin’ Squares and my brother Larry and I, began with the Swing-N-Teens. It’s hard to believe square dancing was responsible for bringing Tonia and I together. We have been married for over 46 years with 4 kids & 13 grandkids (so far).
Tonia worked at Ark Children’s Hospital and served as a substitute teacher for several years; however, we have been blessed that Tonia has taken care and managed our household most of our married life. I graduated from the University of Arkansas at LR and was in the industrial gas business for 43 years. I have transferred 4 times, held various positions in sales management and operations. I have managed multiple operations in multiple states, and we believe this has prepared us to take on the task of General Chairman of the 74th National Square Dance Convention.
A lot of things may have changed in the past 50 years; however, a lot of things with square dancing remains the same. Square Dancers are some of the friendliest and courteous folks anywhere.
Patty & Tom Carlson
Business Chairman
Tom says, “I am very honored to serve the 74th NSDC and appreciate that the General Chairman offered me the opportunity.”
Tom has been an accountant since 1998, has a Masters in taxation and is an Enrolled Agent. He is currently employed as a Comptroller for Avco Roofing in Tyler TX. He also owns an Income Tax Preparation business which he has had since 1998 also. He began Square Dancing in 1990 and has attended six National Square Dance Conventions. Patty is an Income Tax Preparer and has worked for Tom since 2004 and was a bookkeeper before that. She has been dancing since she was eight years old and traveled with her family to many Square Dance Conventions, twenty in all.
Rachael Rose
Social & Special Events Chairwoman
Howdy! I’m from Corpus Christi, Texas; currently live in Madison, Wisconsin. Yes, I love the snow, and no, I don’t miss the heat, but I do miss the tacos! I hold a bachelor’s degree in & a master’s degree in German language and literature from the University of Illinois. I currently work in production planning & purchasing for a major manufacturing company. In my free time, I enjoy reading, cooking, crocheting and obviously dancing. I started square dancing at the age of 11 in Rockport, Texas; I was a recipient of the Texas Teen Square and Round Dancer scholarship upon my graduation from high school. I have been consistently dancing for 17 years, taking a five year break from the squares to take up ballroom, Latin and swing dance in Illinois. Last year, I was asked to be the Assistant Chairman for Social & Special Events for the 73rd NSDC as well as the Fashion Show Chairman for the 64th Wisconsin State Square and Round Dancing Convention. I have really valued the leadership opportunities and challenges of bringing a convention to fruition. Visiting the 72NSDC in Mobile, I saw how great the final product could turn out and volunteered right away to work on Shreveport.
Let's make this the best convention yet!
Cheryl Rush
WebMistress
Cheryl has been dancing on & off since she was 13 years old. Originally from Mobile AL, she joined the Air Force in 1975, where she met her husband Ken. They danced some during military careers but didn't get back into it until Ken's retirement in the mid 1980's; Cheryl finished her time in the reserves while she earned her degree and worked for the Dept of VA. They enjoy travel and have owned RVs since the 80s to bike and see the country. After Cheryl retired from VBA in 2012, they moved to Upper East Texas, got back into dancing and joined the Mineola Railers. They are now members of four different clubs in the area. Cheryl has been active with the East TX Association as Treasurer and as their Webmistress for 5 years. She has worked as a volunteer for several NSDCs but jumped in with both feet to help Ted & Tonia for the upcoming 74th. This is her first time to design a website for something this big but is loving the adventure and learning new skills. Ken is her back up support ready to lend a hand when needed.
Larry Leavett
Vice Chairman - First Aid & Security
My wife (Laura) and I recently moved from California to Shreveport Louisiana and have joined the Southern Swingers Square Dance Club. In California, we were involved with the Northern California Square Dance Association. I have been dancing off and on for about 50 years.
When the opportunity presented itself, we offered to assist Ted & Tonya with the 74th National in Shreveport.
I have a passion for helping others and have a lot of experience dealing with medical emergencies. I was a Lieutenant with a Volunteer Fire Department in Northern California. I also worked for the Ambulance Service on weekends, all while working a full-time job. I am presently Volunteering with the Caddo Parish Sheriff’s Department. I am happy to be the Security and Medical Vice Chairman under Services, for the 74th National Square Dance Convention.
I hope that all who attend the 74th National Convention will have an outstanding experience, and enjoy all of Louisiana Hospitality and of course, the good food.
Marilyn Schmit
Vice Chair for Showcase of Ideas
I was asked to do the Showcase of Ideas shortly after Shreveport was awarded the bid from the National Executive Committee in 2022.
I have about 10 years of experience in doing the Showcase of Ideas for Portland in 1994 and 2005. We were Vice Chairman of Organizations in 2005 (Portland) and 2012 (Spokane). We have been Directors of Showcase in 2012 (Spokane), 2015 (Springfield, MA), 2019 (Atlanta, GA), 2021 (Jackson, MS), 2022 (Evansville, IN), 2023 (Mobile, AL), 2024 (Milwaukee, WI), and 2025 (Shreveport, LA).
We have done the Oregon display since 1990 and have friends that drive to the convention and bring the display to the convention for us, since we fly except for Portland, Spokane, and Evansville and possibly Milwaukee.
Dan & Vicki Hatfield
RV Camping Vice Chairs
We have been camping for over 32 years; we love to travel and see all of Gods beauty in the world. We enjoy the outdoors and over the past six years we have included dancing to the list of beauties. Dan grew up dancing back in the 70's with his parents and brothers. He was a member of the Gold Dust Twirlers. We are club members of Ozone Squares in Covington Louisiana & Casual Corners in Slidell Louisiana and we are trying our best to get our original club of Pelican Squares back up and running in Harahan. We live in Luling and we do not have a close club so we travel a distance to dance. Luckily for us we are retired for the past two & a half years and can hang with the drives. We enjoy it. We hope and pray to continue to be able to do it for years to come. Looking forward to being host at the 74th NSDC campground and meeting even more great people.
Alitia Becker
74th NSDC Assistant General Chairperson
Lois & Kevin Martello
Vice Chair_Program Books
Lois and Kevin are both retired. They have traveled extensively, both within the U.S. and abroad as well as camping. They have two grown married daughters that live approximately one thousand miles in opposite directions, but Lois & Kevin are able to see them all fairly regularly. They have lived in the Bossier City area for approximately 40 years; however, Kevin is originally from Kentucky, Lois claims the south: southern Ohio.
They started dancing in September of 2019, however life (and Square Dancing) came to a halt in March of 2020 until May, 2021, so they have been dancing for almost 2 1/2 years. They attended both the 71st NSDC in Evansville IN in 2022, and the Milwaukee Preconvention last year. They could not make the Mobile Convention but have been receiving help and advice from Tina Wilkins. Thank you, Tina.
They were happy to pitch in and help Ted & Tonia for the 74th NSDC and to take on the Responsibility for the Program books. They are a fun couple to work with and an appreciated member of the Committee Team.
Kathy & Rod Busby
Vice Chair Vendors
If it’s one characteristic of Vice Chair of Vendors that stands out, “ boots on the ground” may best fit their description. Rod started square dancing in 1968 in Yellowstone National Park as a teenage concession worker. Kathy began dancing later in 1975 with her new husband Rod, at the Methow Valley Promenaders of Twisp WA. After several job and university re-locations, in 1987, they became Tammany Twirlers n Slidell LA.
In their retirement years, Rod and Kathy added National Square Dance Conventions to their dancing experience. Their first adventure in 2019 came as volunteers, shadowing the Vice Chair of Vendors in Atlanta GA; they also delighted in dancing at their first Convention! Then there was the cancellation of 69th NSDC in Spokane.
Busbys volunteered again as Vice Chair of Vendors for the 71st NSDC held in Evansville IN, June 2022. Again, it was a great Convention, plenty of new experiences, and super people. Consequently, it only took “mild arm-twisting” to persuade Rod and Kathy to assist with the 74th NSDC Team, headed by Ted and Tonia Hofmeister General Chair, for Shreveport LA in June 2025, again as Vice Chair of Vendors.
The couple has gained a huge appreciation for the hard work and dedication of “our” Vendors, who provide such quality products and services. It is truly a family team-work atmosphere in the Vendor Area of the National Square Dance Conventions.
Rod and Kathy are members of three local square dance Clubs, including Ozone Squares, Pistols N Petticoats, & serve as officers at Tammany Twirlers. They support Louisiana Square Dance Association as delegates. They are also known to square dance six times most weeks, happy to be keeping those shoes (or boots!) on the ground.
Lilly & Art Hardin
Chair of Dance Programs
Art & Lilly have been dancing for 9 years; Mainstream and plus. They also enjoy hiking, biking, skiing, and running ½ marathons. Which means they live in a great place to do all those hobbies, Silverthorne Colorado. They have been married for 39 years. Both are retired from the US Air Force; they then took on second careers. Art retired from the Department of Labor and Lilly retired from the National Park Service. Art holds a master’s degree in computer science. Lilly has the distinction of being in the minority of women who holds a master’s degree in civil engineering; additionally, she is a professional engineer, certified project management professional, a certified planner, and a certified professional ski instructor.
They stay quite busy with square dancing, giving their time as presidents of the Timberline Toppers in Frisco Colorado; they have served as council representatives, vice presidents, presidents. They are now past presidents of the Colorado State Square Dance Association, and currently chair the past presidents committee writing new guidelines for producing the Colorado State Square Dance Festival. Lilly is also the chairman of the education committee. They are in their third year as directors for the Denver Area Round and Square Dance Council. Director’s plan and produce three council dances each year.
They are on the planning committees for both the 2023 & 2024 Colorado State Festival. They have been Colorado State Delegates to the United Square Dancers of America (USDA )since 2019. They are the current newsletter editors for the USDA NEWS a quarterly magazine distributed worldwide.
They were on the promotions committee for the 72nd National Square Dance and of course are now serving as the Program chairs for the 74th NSDC in Shreveport.
Jon & Nelda Eaton
Vice Chair - Clinics
Nelda Eaton and her husband, Jon are serving as the Clinics Vice-Chairmen for the 74th National Square Dance Convention (NSDC) which will be held in Shreveport, LA in June 2025.
Nelda Eaton and her husband, Jon, reside in a small northeast Texas town called New Boston. Nelda is a square dance caller and Jon is a “caller hauler”.
Nelda and Jon began this caller/caller hauler relationship in 2003.
Nelda has called for clubs and/or festivals in Arizona, Arkansas, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, North Carolina, Kansas, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware.
Since becoming a caller, they have attended and she has called at many National Square Dance Conventions. At the 57th NSDC in Wichita, Kansas, Nelda participated in the pre-entertainment portion of the fashion show by performing gospel music. She has also called at the 62nd and the 63rd NSDC Pre-Conventions in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma and Little Rock, Arkansas and has called at several NSDC After-Parties. Nelda and Jon also served as the Vice-Chairmen for Clinics at the 62nd NSDC in Oklahoma City, OK.
Nelda is currently serving as the club caller for the Guys 'N Dolls square dance club in New Boston, TX. From 2008 to 2023, during the winter months, she and her husband traveled to south Texas where from 2010 through 2012 she called at the Fun N Sun Resort in San Benito, TX. Then in 2013, she began calling for Sunshine RV Resort in Harlingen, TX. Prior to 2010, she occasionally called “special dances” at the Tropic Winds Resort in Harlingen, TX. From the fall of 2019 through 2023, she again served as the caller for Fun N Sun Resort.
Nelda is a full member of CALLERLAB, the Texas State Callers Association (TSCA), and the East Texas Callers Association (ETCA). She and Jon are also members of two square dance clubs, Guys ‘N Dolls in New Boston, TX and the Camping Squares of East Texas.
Nelda and Jon love square dancing and Nelda loves to sing (not only at square dances, but also in church). So, she was thrilled when she was asked in July 2018 to join the calling staff and record square dance music for Riverboat Records. Check her out at Riverboat Records Square Dance Music: Home.
As mentioned above, Nelda and Jon love square dancing. So, when they are not at a dance somewhere as a “caller/caller hauler”, giving lessons, or conducting workshops, look for them in a square because they’ll probably be visiting with other square dance clubs --- socializing and dancing with old friends and making new ones.
Philip and Melody Moorehouse
Publicity Committee
Phil began square dancing as a youngster in 1974 while living in Hawaii and attended his first National Square Dance Convention® (NSDC) in Anaheim, California in 1976. A third generation caller, Phil began his calling career in 1978 at the age of 15 for the Diamond Heads ‘n Sides and then also for the Teen Twirlers, Bachelors and Bachelorettes, and the Aloha Paradise Dancers. Phil was one of the teen callers in the National Square Dance Convention®’s Youth Hall way back in the late 1970s and early 1980s. His father, Naaman Moorehouse, who currently resides in Colorado, just recently retired from calling in 2023. His maternal grandfather, the late Anthony Hoegeman, was a caller in the Batesville, Indiana area for many years.
Phil’s parents met in the Navy, and following their military example, he joined the Army National Guard as a Huey Crew Chief and then transferred to the Air National Guard where he became a C-130 pilot and instructor. He took a hiatus from calling for a few years to work on his military and civilian careers. With a degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, where he was also active in theatre, he worked for Riceland Foods, Dassault Falcon Jet Corp., Rockwell Automation, ITT Tech and UALR before accepting a full-time C-130 pilot position with the 189th Airlift Wing at Little Rock Air Force Base. Although Phil recently retired as a Lt. Colonel from military service, he still works at LRAFB in the 189th Airlift Wing as a civilian C-130 pilot and instructor pilot. He is still flying the friendly skies and ensuring the next generation of C-130 pilots are prepared for any mission worldwide.
Phil is currently the square dance caller for the Blue Belles and Beaus in Judsonia, Maverick Mixers in Mabelvale, Star Steppers in White Hall and Heber Springers in Rosebud. In addition to Arkansas, he also calls regionally in Texas, Louisiana, and Tennessee. Besides Square Dance and flying, Phil enjoys clogging, traveling and tinkering with cars and trucks.
Melody did not begin dancing until 2015, a few years after Phil became active in calling again, and that was the same year of her first national convention. She is a club member of the Blue Belles and Beaus in Judsonia, Ark. Shortly after becoming involved in square dance, she had to take some time off to care for a family member but is looking forward to dusting off her dancing shoes. Melody earned both a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism with an emphasis in Public Information and a Master’s Degree in Journalism from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She was the editor and owner for many years of her hometown newspaper, The Sheridan Headlight. While active in the newspaper industry, she also served on the Board of Directors and various committees for the Arkansas Press Association for several years. Now retired, she enjoys spending time with her family, gardening and traveling, especially to our national parks. Phil and Melody have two children and three granddaughters.
The Moorehouses are excited to be working with such a great group of people in the 74th NSDC family!
Karen Gorden & Jim Greer
Services Chair
Rhonda Bailey
Registration & Housing Chairwoman