The Daily Reporter from Dover, Ohio • Page 20

If) ThiTlMtS-REPORTtft IU OOVtflNtW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO Sounds of the past echoing in new' Spanish Ballroom ByJUANITAAim The Spanish Ballroom In Dover, also known as Wentz Hall, has been completely remodeled and reopened to the public after being closed nearly 30 years, but echoes of the past can be heard. Listen carefully and you will hear the sounds of shuffling feet moving to the rhythm of the "big band sounds" in the third-floor ballroom the notes of local musicians who got their start in the popular dance hall the tinkling laughter as friends met and shared happy moments the sighs of young lovers as they waltzed to "their song." Many happy memories are recalled by local residents who found the ballroom a center of social activity when they were uncounted years younger. Some, you can be sure, have told their children and grandchildren about running down the long flights of stairs or the fire escape at intermission to be sure to be In time for a table at Karl Dilger's Confectionary on the first floor of the building or at The Spoon or The Log Cabin down the street. Or, of going to Ren's or Curlle Ross 1 for spaghetti or sandwiches after the dance. FOR MEMBERS of the once active Alpha Pi and Phi Sigma Chi fraternities the memories include sessions in their rooms on the second floor of the building where they planned the gala Thanksgiving and Christmas dances they sponsored.

along with other parties in the ballroom. The Alphas hosted the Thanksgiving dance and the Sigs hosted the Christmas gala. Memories of them bring happy smiles to many women who recall their Joy as a young girl at receiving coveted invitation to the dances which were the social events of the sea son. It was an occasion for formal attire and perhaps the greatest thrill was to be the date of the fraternity president and with him lead the grand march. Although the building has changed ownership several times, it continues to be known as the Wentz build- Ing since its construction at the turn of the century by Frederick Wentz.

DURING THE World War I years, one of the most popular groups at the hall comprised Marie Geib, pianist; John (Toos) Helwick, drummer, and William Belknap, saxophonist, all of Dover, and William Geib of Canton, vocalist. The latter three are deceased. Miss Geib, a well-known pi- teacher, recalls the fun enjoyed at the ballroom but admits that with the passing years she has forgotten the most popular tunes of that day. During the 1920s the dance hall was managed by Vic Hanson and Glen Harper and during the 1930s and early 1940s by Vincent (Pete) Weber of Dover. Weber, a personal friend of many well-known band leaders and their agents, booked some of the country's best known groups as did the fraternities.

Some of the directors who brought their musical aggregations to Dover were, Guy Lombardo, Paul Bussie, Rudy Bundy, Blu Barron, Red Nichols, Dick Stabile and Ray Anthony. A former fraternity president remembers paying about $800 for such bands, a munificent sum in those Depression years. ONE OF THE most popular local groups of the 1930s which played for the Friday night dances was Shively- Yates Orchestra. Bob Andreas'of New Philadelphia usually took over the baton while Shively played drums and Yates played saxophone, the group was formed by the two young men from Strasburg under whose names it was billed. Musicians comprised local young men, many of whom still reside in the area.

They were Bill Ellenburger, "Babe" Mathews, Raymond (Skeet) Bptdorf, Frank (Tonk) Goodrich, Pete Maurer, Willard Wallick and Bob Weber. Among the popular vocalists with the group were June Souers Herman of Dover and Wanda Davis Cush of Dennison, formerly of Dover. AFICIONADOS OF modern music might dispute it, but some of the best loved and longest remembered songs were written during that era and were as popular in the Spanish Ballroom as in the Black Hawk in Chicago or Trianon in New York. Still remembered are Smoke Rings, Stardust, Tangerine, I've Got Rhythm, WeCan Make Believe, Sunrise Serenade, Little White Lies, String of Pearls, The Carioca, These Foolish Things Remind Me of You and My Reverie. Weber featured special parties at Halloween, Valentine and other holidays and also staged beauty pageants.

One ad from 1935 lists the ad- POPULAR DOVER DANCE HALL IS RE-OPENED The original floor and ceiling were retained in the remodeling mission price as 20 cents per person and notes that the winner of the "Miss 1935 Queen of the Ball" would receive a prize. Runners-up were to receive other prizes including 25 free dance passes. Just before its closing in the 1940s, the ballroom was rented by Henry Finzer who sponsored square and juke box dances. In latter years the room was used as a dance studio but had been gathering dust and memories until its recent renovation. WENTZ, A great-uncle of A.

J. Bernhardof Dover, also constructed many other buildings in Dover including the South Avenue and Second Street Schools, First Methodist Church, St. Joseph's Catholic Church and the Herbert Hotel, now the Dover Hotel. The Wentz building was sold to C. G.

Fuller and latter to Dale and Robert Kreisher and more recently to Charles Snyder, owner of Snyder Bicycle and Toy Store. The first and second floors of the building have, over the years, housed a drug store, insurance agency, ice cream parlor, shoe repair shop, Dover Chamber of Commerce, a barber shop, offices, living quarters and sorority and fraternity rooms. Business places now occupy the ground floor and an attorney's office and living quarters are on the second floor. THE RE-OPENING of the ballroom has been the "brain child" of Ray Seibold of New Philadelphia who is promotion manager. Jack, Tiebaut of Dover is business manager.

Seibold, who has been responsible for renovation of the building and decorating the ballroom, has added greatly to the beauty of the room while keeping the air of nostalgia. Two fans which twirled lazily overhead in the pre-air conditioning days have been kept in place and a mirrored, revolving ball has been added which reflects colorful lights on the ceiling and floor and recreates the nostalgia of the times. A light from a "moon" suspended from one corner of the ceiling reflects on the floor and sets the ro- mantic mood for some of me old favorite songs. The original ceiling, of pressed steel made by Reeves Mfg. and the original floor with its highly polished natural floors are other reminders of the past.

A balcony, which doubled occasionally as a bandstand but was used primarily by spectators or romantic young couples who liked a little privacy, now has a snack bar and small tables. Among the innovations are a carpeted bandstand, expanded restroom and lounges, paneled walls and draped windows. Seibold, who plans a gala grand opening in the near future, has booked a variety of musicians including bands for round dancing, a banjo player, country-western musicians and polka bands. He also plans to make the room available for private parties and wedding receptions. Perhaps, with the wave of nostalgia sweeping the country, the Spanish Ballroom will again become the center of the county's social life.

THE SHIVELY-YATES ORCHESTRA This picture was taken in 1939 when the group made frequent appearances at The Spanish Ballroom A MOMENTO OF THE PAST This picture of an Alpha Pi Halloween dance in 1913 was furnished by A. J. Hernhard of Dover.