They Help Us Anytime, Anywhere; Now Let's Help Them

There are many reasons to set aside Friday, Sept. 9th from 8 p.m to midnight to attend the 60th Annual Dance to support the Madison Hose Co., No. 1, Inc.

As the flyer for the event points out, "For over 103 years, Madison Hose Co. No. 1 has been providing protective services to the residents and businesses of Madison. We are an entirely volunteer organization, partially funded through the generosity of the community we serve. We are your friends and neighbors answering your calls for help anytime, anywhere. Now we need your help."

And if that isn't reason enough, here's another great reason. It's a blast.

"People bring their own appetizers and picnics. If it's a nice night, they sit out on the deck. People hang out, and then by the end of the night, the dance floor gets really full," says Madison resident Jesse Gulick, who has been a volunteer firefighter for 11 years, and is on the event committee with his friends and fellow firefighters Bob Gilhuly and Greg Carroll.

No doubt the dance floor gets really full. Eight To The Bar will be playing. Specializing in what it calls "American roots music," they play irresistable swing, boogie woogie, rhythm & blues, soul, and Motown. I have never been to an event with Eight To The Bar where they didn't get just about everyone going on the dance floor.

And, Madison's own Michael Clifford will be entertaining us as well. He is also amazingly talented, as you can see from the video clips with this story.

So, here's the deal: The minimum donation is $40 a couple, which is a great deal for a good time and such great entertainment. And maybe some of us can find it in us to kick in a little more, because these are our friends and neighbors answering our calls for help, anytime, anywhere.

Tickets will be available at the door, but you can send in your donation now to Madison Hose Co. No. 1, PO Box 573, Madison, CT 06443.