Square dancing [the state folk dance of Illinois], is good clean fun for all ages.  You can 
dance every night of the week, if you so desire.  Within a 50 mile radius of Chicago, there 
are over 100 clubs to choose from, [family, couples, or singles].  Square dancing can be 
enjoyed nationally and internationally as well.  Throughout the year, national and state square 
dance conventions are held across the country, many expressly for singles.  Bachelors ‘n’ 
Bachelorettes is organized on an international level with an international board.  It was 
started in California 46 years ago.  Since then, more than 50 chapters have been chartered 
across the country.  The country is divided into regions.  The Batavia Chapter of B ‘n’ B 
belongs to the Northern Illinois Region along with her sister chapters, McHenry, Chicago, 
Flossmoor, and Lombard.  There are two satellite chapters, Peoria, and Quincy.  The Northern 
Illinois Region has approximately 400 members.  Batavia was the first chapter to be chartered 
in the area.

In late 1973, Marie Davis Cooke began to think that the local area needed a square dance club 
for singles.  She talked to a number of others and all concurred - a singles club was a 
necessity.   The search began for a caller and Guy Thorn was approached and asked if he was 
interested.  He said he was.....and that started it all.  An ad was placed in several local 
newspapers, inviting one and all to come to a beginners dance in January of 1974.  They had 
approximately three squares and all were enthusiastic; a class was started.  The Batavia 
Chapter was chartered on August 23, 1974 by the international president, Mr. Jay Metcalf.  
Officers were elected and installed for six month terms and Batavia B ‘n’ B was on the way to 
becoming a way of life to some and a source of pleasure to all.