“I wanted to keep it alive with no alcohol or smoking like my Dad (did),” she said and added that she is keeping everything basically the same. ”I wanted to keep it going what dad started 20 years ago, to keep it alive. I wanted a place for people to go and socialize. It has not changed, and we don’t plan on changing anything.”
Patrick and his wife, Marilyn, reside in Germantown, and from home they book the bands. Friday and Saturdays the music is classical country with some ’50s and ’60s and rock ’n’ roll.
A single mother, Shannon has an 18-year-old son, Noah Schlobig. “He does all the cleaning. He helps sell pop and snacks and helps with the stage lights.”
Shannon’s friends, Brian Sarber and Lisa Hoffman from Springboro, help her out. “They have been with me the day I bought the show. They are a big help to me. They come every Friday and Saturday night. Lisa supports the show and helps with the door tickets and the 50-50s. Brian also helps with the 50-50s. They help me with cleaning and decorating when there are big parties. We have big parties going on. They have been a big part of the show since I took it over. They enjoy being there and they love the people.”
At one time, they had different bands come in every Friday and Saturday but since April 1 they began a house band on Saturdays, The Country Legends, with guest singers.
There are several bands that rotate on Friday nights. Both nights they sell snacks — pop, coffee, bottles of water and hotdogs. They also have door prizes.
“They can bring food in or they can order next door to Jocko’s Pizza or Captain 9s Pizza,” said Shannon. The food is delivered.
People’s ages vary from late 40s to their 80s. They come from Montgomery, Warren, Preble and Butler counties for the welcoming atmosphere. A few have even met at the dance and got married.
Some have been coming since Patrick started the band, such as Patsy Woodrome, who since early on was given a table near the dance floor because she was a regular. Now numbers are on most tables for those who want to reserve a table.
Nancy Pond has also been coming since they began in Gratis and she followed them to Germantown. Pond said she will be 87 in September. “This is my favorite place to come every weekend.” She added that her son, Larry Harvey, used to play guitar and sang in Patrick’s band.
Bettie Vogt, along with her dancing partner, Frank, has been coming to the Germantown dance about a year after they began. She said it has a family atmosphere where you can have fun. “People bring a cake and celebrate their anniversaries and birthdays here.
“For me, I think it is great exercise and a great way to unwind from a busy week,” said Vogt. When she is not dancing with Frank; she is line dancing with the women.
Country Legends, a well-known band, has Delbert Barker, steel guitar; George McKinney, drums; Harley Back, bass; Danny Waddell, lead guitar; and Randy Jones, guitar.
There is a senior prom May 20 and a luau party July 15.
Price at door: $7. Doors open 5:30 p.m. and band plays 7 to 9:30 p.m. Friday and Saturdays. Information: 513-594-1282 or 937-901-6109.
Contact this contributing writer at shirl54bel@gmail.com.
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