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Mummer-Style Group Still Going Strong

Cheryl Bentley/SUNCOAST NEWS

Mummers strut their stuff to the music of the Ed Salmon String Band every Monday at Aripeka Elks Lodge in Hudson.

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By Cheryl  Bentley | The Suncoast News

Published: February 13, 2008

Updated: 02/14/2008 04:03 pm

HUDSON, Fla. - HUDSON, Fla. - Lorraine Mason brings her walker on Monday nights and prepares to boogie.

Mason, 89, is one of the "strutters" who strut their stuff to the music of the Ed Salmon String Band at the Aripeka Elks Lodge 2520, in Hudson.

The strutters perform every Monday and don elaborate costumes for their act about twice a month and on special occasions.

The 25-member Salmon band is made up of seniors from 50 to 90. During a portion of its concert, the band plays marching music of traditional Mummer string bands of Philadelphia.

That's the music to which about a dozen strutters like Mason move.

Their costumes are the real thing. They were once worn by Mummers in one of the New Year's Day parades in the City of Brotherly Love. Approximately 15,000 Mummers march in the parades.

To the delight of their mostly senior audience, the Salmon strutters parade around the hall during a few numbers at the beginning of the concert.

"You have to do a lot of smiling," said Mason. "It makes you feel good, and I hope it makes people feel good."

After the strut, members of the band play a variety of dance numbers, big band style. Their audience is clearly appreciative.

"The band and people make it a beautiful place to be," said audience member Miguel Torres.

Ed Salmon, a captain in a Philly Mummers band, founded the group in 1978. Salmon passed away in 1984 but the group still bears his name.

Today, the band's leader is 87-year-old Ruggiero Fico, who plays saxophone and drums. He is a World War II veteran who was at Iwo Jima during the raising of the American flag.

He says of the band, "It keeps me young."

The band is at the Elks Lodge every Monday. Members have been performing there for 10 years. Additionally, about three times a week, they play at "any organization that wants us."

They are regulars at home owner associations, charities and mobile home parks from Clearwater to Spring Hill.

The Hudson area has another Mummer-style organization, Strings 'n' Strutters. The two often help each other, said Fico.

The Ed Salmon String Band plays there every Monday. It rehearses from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The program, which is open to the public, is from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

The Aripeka Elks Lodge is at 9135 Denton Ave., Hudson, east of U.S. 19.

For more information on the band call 727-255-9117.

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