As a member of the Pan American Club from 1964 to 1981, I have lots of good memories of New Year’s dances, the Valentine’s Dinner Dance Installation, Mother’s Day Dance, Fathers Day dances, Halloween dances and Thanksgiving dances.

Throughout the years, my wife and I enjoyed dancing to the music of Lupe Manriquez Band, Monsanto Band, Manuel Contrerras Band, Ray Camacho Band, Paul Sauceda Band, Bobby Avila and singer Linda Avila, Bobby Avila and singer Isabel Verduzeo, Octavio Ruelas Band, Ben Torres Band, Arturo Carazos Band, Beto Garcia and GG’s Band and Johnny De Lao Band, who also played for our wedding Dec. 27, 1953.

My wife and I enjoyed most dancing to the music of Ray Camacho Band who went overseas to entertain the soldiers one year, and also played for Bill Clinton in Washington for his inauguration.

I have a great memory of a New Year’s Dance at Hatfield Hall. The Pan Am Club Board decided to put money inside the balloons and at 12 midnight, the balloons would come down from the ceiling, and all the members and guests were jumping to get one of the balloons.

I remember this friend of ours, Robert Chavira, was hit by an elbow, and passed out, and we took him outside to get some fresh air, and about 12:45 he came out of it, and he told his wife, “Vera, honey, let’s go back in.”

So I told Robert, “the dance is over,” so we all went home.

I also have a good memory of a Halloween Dance in 1971 at Odd Fellows Lodge.

Eddie Chapa,
Madera

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