The Hey Lollies are committed to having fun square dancing and, more importantly, to developing close friendships. This latter goal is accomplished through various activities such as an annual cookout at a nearby state park, visitation after-parties, a Christmas party, and a graduation celebration for our square dance class. These special times and the closeness of our members make Hey Lollies a wonderful and unique organization.
Hey Lollies has about 175 members. We dance weekly in Houston, Texas at Chapelwood United Methodist Church, 11140 Greenbay Street. Our club membership is for any plus-level square dancer 18 years of age or older.
The Hey Lollies Square Dance Club was organized under the auspices of the Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church on April 8, 1965 following completion of a learners’ class for 25 couples from the church. The learners’ class was established by Jack and Betty Smith on January 7, 1965 with Nort Robinson, caller for the Texas Star Square Dance Club, as the instructor. The 25 graduating couples voted to organize a club to perpetuate the fun they were having and to offer other married couples (both church members and non-church-members) the same opportunity.
A number of names were proposed for the club. "Hey Lolly" was the dance tune being used to conclude each evening, so a variation of the tune name, "Hey Lollies," won the vote to become the official club name. Club night was set for every Thursday at 7:30 pm at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.
The next learners’ class started in the spring of 1965 and was taught by Rufus Honea. Other class teachers were Vernon "Red" Donaghe from 1967 to 1972, M.K. Knopp in 1972, Randy Collison in 1973, Otto Warteman from 1974 to 1981, and Bob Baier from 1982 to March, 2020. Tim Ploch from 2021 to present
In April of 2023, the bylaws of the Hey Lollies was amended to encourage anyone 18 years of age and older, whether single or married, to join the learner's class and upon completion and approval by the membership committee, become a member of the Hey Lollies club.
Starting in September, new couples are invited to join the Hey Lollies learners’ class and take lessons with our current class instructor, Tim Ploch. After graduation and upon payment of Hey Lollies dues, these members are welcome to dance with the Hey Lollies.
The Hey Lollies are committed to having fun square dancing and, more importantly, to developing close friendships. This latter goal is accomplished through various activities such as sharing meals or treats together at a dance, an annual cookout at a nearby state park, visitation after-parties, a Christmas party, and the Hey Lollies annual June celebration after new members graduate. The Hey Lollies June Jamboree, which replaced the weekend event starting in 2022, gives the new class members and current clubmembers a special opportunity to meet and get to know each other. During this event, and the weeks leading up to it, through working on skits together and planning for the celebration, and then through enjoying meals and dancing together at the event, members bond together in ties of friendship. These special times and the closeness of our members make Hey Lollies a wonderful and unique organization.