He started dancing in the early 80’s in Fredericton with one of the local clubs. He graduated in 1981 from the Royal Stars and within a couple of years of graduating along with his then late wife held several positions within the club. A couple of years after they graduated they were Secretary Treasurer for the club eventually moving up to President which they held the position for 3 years. In 1987 he got to see his own son join the club and take classes at a very young age of only 12. The club, along with their caller at the time, did not allow anyone under the age of 16 to join the activity. Changes were upon the club and it seen the first graduating class within this club in 1988 of 2 members under the age of 16.
It was at this point that his son started to learn to become a square dance caller under the watchful eye of Bill Clarke. For him, he was unable to attend those weekly training sessions as he was very much involved in the start up of his own business in the last year and it took a bit of his time. None the less the support for his son and his calling was always strong. It still holds true today as well. He still travels whenever possible to dances where his son is calling. He spent a year travelling with him to Woodstock to call on a bi weekly basis, he travelled to St Stephen for 3-4 years every Friday night after work, travelled to Cambridge Narrows when a new club was being started down there as well and several special events throughout the provinces over the years.
She started dancing around the year 2006 but cannot quite confirm the actual start date. She attended classes that were being offered for free in the Village close to where she was living. She along with several coworkers from the local Nursing Home decided to attend and see what this activity was all about. Like many clubs face in today’s society the class had too many women and not enough men to dance so she took it upon herself to learn to dance as the man in her first year. She graduated within a year or so after that. She remains active in the club each week even though some of those coworkers have since dropped off from dancing for one reason or another.
They both remain active in the club in Cambridge Narrows even though they have not held any official positions in the club they are some of the first ones to help out when needed. They have sold the 50/50 tickets for the club for quite some time and remain in that job today. They also cart the water to club each week when dances are held. They have always donated time, food or monetary donations to the annual Strawberry Dance held for many years within the club. Some may find it a struggle to drive for miles to get helium filled balloons but they always come through.
Their dedication and love for the activity remains strong. After the passing of his wife, a friendship on the dance floor turned into an eventual marriage a few short years ago. Family is everything – she spends a lot of time in the care of her parents who have always had a great love for music. He still works every day with his son in the family business and together he and she will attend as many dances around as possible if his son is calling.
Together they are what many clubs look for in the glue that helps hold an activity together and they devote as much time as possible to helping out the activity in any way they can. Demonstrations at the nursing home where she once was employed and now her father resides was always a priority when the time was given to entertain the seniors. The activity as a whole is what brought them together and they support the activity to the fullest they can.
We as a club feel they are deserving of the Federation of Dance Clubs of New Brunswick, Inc. Distinguished Service Award. To Joey & Brenda Hebert they are what dancing is all about. Fun and friendship and dedication to the activity.