Ray and Patti Wheelingtons Biography

In 1953, Ray Wheelington hit the square dance floor and then began teaching lessons and calling in 1958 to a group known at that time as the Radar Squares. The Radar Squares left the Radar base in Texarkana and found other locations in which to dance in that town. The club then changed their name to the Guys 'n Dolls but never changed their club caller. Ray has taught lessons in Texarkana for over forty five years . He also formed clubs and taught lessons in Hope, AR; Delight, AR; DeKalb, TX; Ashdown AR; and Fouke, AR. He taught lessons for two clubs in Shreveport, LA, but is currently teaching only in Texarkana.

Ray has served as Vice President of the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation in 1964 and as President in 1965. He has served as President of the East Texas Callers Association in 1999 and 2000. He is a member of Callerlab, East Texas Callers Association, North Texas Callers Association and calls extensively in Arkansas, East Texas and Louisiana.

His wife Patti waltzed into a set of Square Dance lessons he was teaching in 1986 and then dragged him into Round Dance lessons in 1987 to make sure he would learn to Waltz, Two Step and Jive. She eventually picked up the microphone at an Amateur Callers/Cuers night in fun. After Ray heard her cue, he offered to pick up a few records for her and soon Patti was cueing for those clubs who had Round Dancers present but no cuer contracted. It wasn't much longer before she began to get her own bookings for dances, weekend retreats and festivals.

Although Patti tries to accompany Ray to all his dances and he to all of hers, the Wheelington's have been known to go their separate ways, when necessary. Patti is a member of Roundalab, East Texas Callers Association, North Texas Callers Association and served five years as Round Dance Chair for the Arkansas State Square Dance Federation through 10/05. She teaches Round Dance on Monday evenings in Texarkana and will start a new set of lessons in January 2009.
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BIOGRAPHY