SIO's Article: DOWN IN FLORIDA, as in many other sections of the country, senior citizens' groups in housing areas and trailer parks have formed the nucleus of a rather expansive phase of the square dancing activity. One of these times we're going to cover a few of these outstanding groups but this month we want to turn the Sets in Order spotlight on a pair of senior citizens who have been actively engaged in square dancing for a goodly number of years.

Firm believers that square dancing is not only a couple activity but is a family recreation as well, Harold "Dad" and Gene Brundage not only call and accompany square dances but have been a great source of encouragement to their two sons who have also contributed much to the square dancing picture.

Living in Danbury, Connecticut, in the 1930's the Brundage family became the focal point of neighborhood entertainment. Through Mother Brundage's encouragement the family and neighbors converted a chicken coop into a clubhouse and dance hall, and while she played the piano her sons and a group of their friends formed a dance band known as the King Street Pioneers.

(The original King Street Pioneers — 1935. Gene Brundage-Piano, Al Brundage (A)— trumpet and Bob Brundage (B)—drums.)

By the late 1930's the small hall and the activity had grown considerably and in addition to playing for ballroom type dances the group had become pretty versatile at square dances which had long been in vogue in the area.

Encouraged into calling the dances the two sons, Al and Bob Brundage, had developed quite a reputation. In 1940 when the boys left for college Mother Brundage encouraged Dad to step in and do the calling in order to keep the activity going.

Following the war, when square dancing began to sweep the country with its popularity, the Brundage family was right in there pitching. Both parents and Bob and Al are actively calling today. We ran across the elder Brundages a couple of years ago in Tampa, Florida. Mother Brundage, still at the piano just as she was twenty-five years ago with the King Street Pioneers, now accompanies Dad as he calls a minimum of four nights every week for senior citizens' groups, Grange gatherings, and others who enjoy this hobby he loves.

The biggest thrill for the Brundage duo is a regular Saturday night dance with the Senior Citizens' Club which averages two hundred dancers each week.

To this wonderful couple who so typify the true family and couple spirit of square dancing, Sets in Order proudly dedicates its cover and this issue.