CHI-TOWN SQUARES

The Eric B. Calimag Yellow Rock Award

For square dancers, a "Yellow Rock" means a friendly hug. In 1995, our long time class instructor and caller, Lin Jarvis, donated the Yellow Rock Award to Chi-Town Squares to annually honor a club member for outstanding service. Each recipient then chooses whom to pass it along to the following year. 

Chi-Town's president in 1995, Steve Miller, awarded the first Yellow Rock Award to John Pope, the year of our first national convention. In 2005, the award was renamed the Eric B. Calimag Yellow Rock Award, in the memory of Eric Calimag, who passed away shortly after receiving the award in 2004.

Congratulations to all past and current recipients for their contributions to the success of Chi-Town Squares over the years.

  • 2024 — Michael Maltenfort

  • 2023 — Phil Davis

  • 2022 — Kevin Randall

  • 2021 — Lee Casteel

  • 2020 — Julia Sportolari and Mark Seaman

  • 2019 — Diva Mihelic

  • 2018 — Joe Kerouac

  • 2017 — John Wood

  • 2016 — Jeff Hutchins and David Stewart   

  • 2015 — Rich Jentzen and Jim Cosenza   

  • 2014 — Bob Siegel

  • 2013 — Kate Reed

  • 2012 — Richard Sehnert

  • 2011 — Arlene Kaspik

  • 2010 — Andrew Mondt

  • 2009 — Rick Simkin

  • 2008 — Rob Sierzega

  • 2007 — Nancy Vedder

  • 2006 — Larry Tradup

  • 2005 — Bob Sundal and Ken Jancy

  • 2004 — Eric Calimag

  • 2003 — Peter Holden

  • 2002 — Chuck Pease

  • 2001 — George Nelson

  • 2000 — Michael Brown

  • 1999 — Fred Steinhauer

  • 1998 — Mike Flynn

  • 1997 — Ian Henzel

  • 1996 — Allan Rosen

  • 1995 — John Pope