19th CALLERLAB Convention 
MILESTONE AWARD
Presented by Bob Osgood
Jerry started his calling in the early 1940’s and discovered that by calling he could help finance his college engineering course. As he worked with youth groups and with the elderly, he became enthusiastic about the recreational values of the activity, and he soon gave up his plans of an engineering career and devoted full time to calling and teaching.
Making the transition from traditional to the contemporary form of square dancing, Jerry was able to remain current in the activity while retaining his early skills and knowledge. Early in the game he created a limited basics form of square dancing that continues to prove successful today.
Jerry has done all for the usuals, attributable to an accomplished caller. He has written many singing calls, patter calls, contras, and even dabbled in rounds. He has been travel calling for almost half a century, covering many of the United States, the Canadian Provinces, and a number of countries overseas. He has recorded on several labels and has appeared on staff in many seminars and callers colleges. An intensely interested and involved individual, his goals have been aimed at developing a permanent and lasting square dance activity, ground the new dancers not only in the basics but in the philosophy of the square dance movement.
Because of his many contributions and dedication to this activity, Jerry was inducted into the Square Dance Hall of Fame in 1979.
Together with his wife, Kathy, he has continued to support the development of leadership and has placed great importance on the home-club program. Jerry served several terms as a member of Callerlab Board Of Governors and a charter member of this organization.