ON WEEKENDS, THIS ROOM WOULD BE PARTICULARLY SUNNY DURING THE DAY. FRIENDS AND FAMILY WOULD GATHER TO SOCIALIZE. WE ENTERTAINED GUESTS FREQUENTLY, AND THIS ROOM WAS THE CENTER OF THIS ACTIVITY. THE BENCH SEAT IN THE ALCOVE WAS ALWAYS A FAVORITE FOR YOUNG COUPLES WHO WANTED TO SIT SIDE BY SIDE. THERE IS AMPLE SPACE FOR MANY PEOPLE TO SIT TOGETHER OR IN SMALLER GROUPS.

AS TEENAGERS, THE CHILDREN OF THE FAMILY WOULD HAVE DANCE PARTIES WITH FRIENDS FROM SCHOOL AND FROM THE COMMUNITY. THESE PARTIES WERE ALWAYS FESTIVE AND EXCITING. GIRLS WOULD WEAR PRETTY DRESSES AND SPARKLING HAIR ORNAMENTS. BOYS WERE WELL GROOMED AND DRESSED IN COAT AND TIE. MUSIC WOULD COME FROM THE RECORD PLAYER. EACH BOY WAS EXPECTED TO DANCE AT LEAST ONE TIME WITH EACH OF THE GIRLS ATTENDING. THERE WAS ALWAYS ONE ADULT COUPLE TO CHAPERONE, BUT AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, THIS WAS WHERE YOUNG ROMANCES BEGAN. WE STILL LOOK BACK AT “THE GOOD OLD DAYS” AND THE EXCITEMENT OF OUR FIRST LOVES. CLOSE YOUR EYES AND YOU CAN HEAR THE MUSIC AND FEEL THE DANCERS SWIRLING AROUND THE ROOM.