The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1920-08-31
PEMBROKE GROVE
DANCERS MEET
AT OLD SAYBRO0K
Reunion of Bridgeporters
AS Tribute Is Paid
Father Huston

crammed their way into the Town
hall at Saybrook last Saturday even
ing, after having serenaded Rev.
James ". Huston, formerly assistant
pastor of st. Charles church this city
and now rector of st. Johns at Say
brook, on the occasion of Bridge
port Night" at the annual fair of
the Saybrook Catholic church. The
trip to and from the rustic seashore
town was made in automobiles. up
on their arrival in Saybrook the
faithful admirers of Father Huston
serenaded him at the rectory. he
was deeply affected and responded
with great difficulty.
What was originally intended as a
party of serenaders developed into
grand reunion of some of the older
residents of Bridgeport. AS the WISH
tors gathered at the town hall, where
the parish fair was held, men and
women bordering on three score and
more years met once again in an
auditorium after many years of sepa-
ration The Saybrook townsfolk
uo~e dancing a waltz when the
Dvidgeporters entered the auditorium.
The word went around that the
Bridgeport crowd had arrived. The
dancing Immediately ceased and the
rafters fairly rung with the welcom-
ing cheers which greeted the visi-
tors.
Memories of the memorable
Cartridge Shop Grove, on the shore
of Pembroke Lake were revived, as
the local friends of Father Huston
were exchanging greetings. John j.
OEeil, famous as prompter on the
dance floors of Bridgeport thirty
years ago, was among the party 1t
was suggested that square dances
supplement the waltz for brief per-
h h Q1
boy as he majestically strobe to the
center of the ancient dance hall and
in sharp commanding tones prompted
the maneuvers of the dancers in the
square sets.
Among the partners were Mrs.
Margaret Dunnigan, famous as a
square set dancer lin this city in the
haIcyon days when Kelly's hall and
St Patrick's T. b & l.. auditorium
were the meccas of dancers in this
city Also Mr.. and Mrs. James ].
Nolan winners of the Hartley loving
cup, in a dancing contest in Penn
broke grove 80 years ago.
AS the partners were about to
swing to the accompaniment of one
lone fiddler, "A commotion started
near the entrance to the dance floor.
Two men were. dragging two girls
onto the dance floor, two girls who
had not glided DER a dance hall floor
in 20 years, and who were a wee bit
bashfuI The enthusiastic males were
Ed Reddy and Jack McLarney, both
famous as square set dancers when
Hough's grove was a prominent spot
in this city. The woman finally
submitted amidst the plaudits of the
younger set and soon Il dance was on
which will never be forgotten by the
Saybrook folk. The younger people
were overjoyed at seeing their cid
ers swinging about in perfect rythm
After the first set two famous art
istic dancers, now summering at Say
brook Point and who are engaged fol
the coming season at the Hippodrome
theatre in New York city, volunteered
their services and gave a perform
ance which was respondent will
grace. They were forced to respond
to several encores.
The feature of the evenings enter
tainment came when Mrs. Dunnigar
challenged Richard May, also of thi:
city, to dance an Irish akdown, &
repetition of the famous meeting o
this pair 25 years ago in Pembroke
grove and at which time the woman
won the prize. She was again sue
cessful on this occasion. 1t was al
evening long to be remembered by
those fortunate to be present.
The town hall was filled to over
flowing and hundreds more gathered
on the beautiful lawn outside where
refreshments were served. Member
of the committee in charge of tn,
parish fair stated that this year
event surpasses any ever given by st
Johns church and already the gros
q receipts which total $4,000 for tire
evenings receipts, almost triples tn
amount totaled by the fair of tn
preceding year.
Father Huston was overjOyed a
the tribute rendered him by his for
mer Pensioners in this city. Man
of the visitors remained over nigh
and attended services at st. John
church the following morning. 1t wa
a memora BILE affair and far more sue
cessfu1 than anticipated by the mos
optimistic. 1t is an assured fac
that there will be a repetition on
year from now.