Eldon & Shirley Genschorck 🌟
Sometimes the best things in life begin with being completely wrong. 😊
Years ago in Denver, Eldon and Shirley Genschorck had friends from work who were square dancers. Their friends invited them to a dance, thinking they could simply “pull them through.”
Wrong. 😂
Eldon wasn’t even sure he would want to square dance.
Wrong again.
They immediately signed up for the next set of classes. Eldon went to that first class—and he was sold.
And that was the beginning of an incredible 50 years of square dancing together. ❤️
As life took them from Denver to Wichita, Schaumburg, Illinois, Fairfax, Virginia, and eventually The Villages, square dancing went with them. In every new place, they found clubs, friendships, and community.
Eldon and Shirley became longtime members of Orange Blossom Squares and an important part of our club family.
Perhaps Shirley summed up those 50 years best:
“All our friends are square dancers or members of our churches in the different locations. Square dancing is truly friendship.”
We couldn’t agree more. 🧡
Thank you, Shirley and Eldon, for sharing your story—and for all the years you spent being part of the Orange Blossom Squares family.
Jim & Sandee Wedekind 🌟
Some people discover square dancing as a hobby.
For Jim & Sandee Wedekind, it became part of their life story.
Their square dance adventure began way back in 1982–83 in Morton, Illinois, when they took lessons from Dale McRoberts. At the time, their children were only 2 and 5 years old—and rather than letting that stop them, they were told to bring the kids along because there would be plenty of “grandmas” happy to help look after them. 😊
That welcoming spirit must have made an impression, because Jim & Sandee kept dancing!
They became members of the Morton Whirl-A-Ways in 1983 and remained members until 2022. Over the years, they didn’t just dance—they became leaders in the square dance community.
In 2006, Jim & Sandee were elected President of the Central Illinois Federation, and in 2010, they were nominated for President of the Illinois State Square Dance Association at the Illinois State Convention.
Square dancing also became part of their travels. After selling their business in 2010, they spent three winters dancing in the Rio Grande Valley in Texas. They attended National Square Dance Conventions in Oklahoma City and Kansas City, and even took their dancing overseas on a two-week square dance tour of Germany and Austria! 🌎💃🕺
And then Orange Blossom Squares became part of their story.
Jim & Sandee joined Orange Blossom Squares in 2013, years before becoming permanent residents of The Villages. In 2022, they made The Villages their full-time home—and we’re very glad they did. 🧡
From bringing two little kids to dance lessons more than 40 years ago... to leadership, conventions, winters in Texas, dancing across Europe, and Sunday nights with Orange Blossom Squares—that’s quite a journey!
Jim & Sandee are a wonderful example of what we mean when we say:
More Than Dancing — It’s Community. 🧡
We’re so happy you’re part of the Orange Blossom Squares family, Jim & Sandee!
Bill & Jane Karpuleon 🌟
SaSome love stories begin with dinner... some begin at work...
Bill & Jane's began at a square dance!
Years ago in Anchorage, Alaska, Bill's brother and sister-in-law convinced him to give square dancing a try with the Dudes & Dames club. Bill started beginner lessons with his daughter while going through a difficult time in his life.
Fortunately, one of the people helping welcome those new dancers was the class coordinator... Jane.
The two hit it off almost immediately.
Bill enjoyed dancing so much that he even started attending Jane's Plus group before he had graduated from Mainstream! Before long, a shared love of square dancing turned into a lifelong partnership.
Over the years, they served together as club presidents and in several other leadership roles, helping their club grow and thrive.
After taking a break from dancing for several years, Bill and Jane moved to Florida and discovered Orange Blossom Squares. They took lessons with Duane Rodgers to join the club, and once again square dancing became much more than just an activity—it became a way to build friendships and become part of a community.
If you've ever enjoyed one of our themed dances, you've probably seen Jane's creative touch! Having owned her own decorating business in Alaska, she helped transform our dance themes into something truly special, bringing extra fun and personality to many of our events.
When asked what square dancing has meant to them, their answer says it perfectly:
"Friendships have been made in Alaska, Florida, and even Europe. It truly is a worldwide family."
That spirit of friendship is exactly what Orange Blossom Squares is all about.
Thank you, Bill & Jane, for everything you've done to make our club such a welcoming place. We're grateful you're part of the Orange Blossom Squares family! 🧡
Buddy & Cindy Johnson 🌟
This week we're excited to introduce Buddy & Cindy Johnson, two longtime members whose love of dancing, travel, friendship, and community has made Orange Blossom Squares a special part of their lives.
Originally from the Memphis area, Buddy and Cindy began square dancing in the mid-1980s. After taking a break during the 1990s, they returned to the dance floor in 2009, taking lessons with Bob Wilson—and they've been dancing ever since!
Over the years, square dancing has taken them far beyond their local club. They've attended five National Square Dance Conventions along with numerous state and regional festivals, building friendships that continue to enrich their lives.
Today, Buddy and Cindy serve as the current Presidents of Orange Blossom Squares. Through the years they've held multiple board positions, and their leadership and dedication continue to help make our club the welcoming, friendly community we all enjoy.
Outside the dance hall, they have some incredible stories to tell!
Cindy, a Memphis native, spent more than 28 years working for a hardware supply company, where she was the first non-family member to work in the office. These days, she enjoys clogging several times a week, playing Mah Jongg, sewing and crocheting for charity, and caring for her beautiful collection of African violets.
Buddy, originally from Greenwood, Mississippi, graduated from Mississippi State University (Go Bulldogs!) and spent 38 years in Information Technology, including the last 32 years with FedEx. Even in retirement, he stays active working at Cane Garden Golf Course—and still finds time to play golf once or twice a week. He and Cindy are also members of the Orange Blossom Specials.
In 2009, they retired and made The Villages their home, embracing everything this wonderful lifestyle has to offer.
When they're not dancing, chances are they're traveling! Together they've visited more than 80 countries, explored every continent—including Antarctica!—and have cruised throughout Europe, Asia, Central and South America, and beyond. In fact, they've now set foot on all seven continents. (Buddy jokes that it was actually warmer in Antarctica one day than it was back in The Villages!)
Their latest adventure was a 10-day cruise through the Great Lakes and Georgian Bay in Canada, and they're already looking forward to wherever the next journey takes them.
Buddy and Cindy say they feel incredibly blessed to enjoy good health, wonderful friendships, and the opportunity to keep exploring the world together.
Thank you, Buddy & Cindy, for your years of friendship, leadership, and service to Orange Blossom Squares. We're so grateful you're part of our club family! 🧡
Joe & Casey Bradshaw 🌟
Joe and Casey have been square dancing for more than 40 years, but neither expected it would become such a big part of their lives.
Joe started because his sister had the car on Saturday nights and was headed to a teen square dance. Casey admits she thought square dancing sounded "dumb and square"—until one visit changed everything!
Today, they're among the biggest supporters of Orange Blossom Squares. Many of you know Joe as one of our club callers and as an instructor for our beginner classes. Together, Joe and Casey help welcome and encourage new dancers, making everyone feel right at home.
One of our favorite things they shared was this:
"Square dancing will enrich your life in more ways than just learning to dance. The center of the activity is learning to work together. That feeling will carry with you to all other aspects of your life."
Thank you, Joe and Casey, for your years of friendship, leadership, and dedication to helping our club grow. ❤️
Ed & Fran Gargiula 🌟
This week we're shining the spotlight on two familiar faces who have helped shape Orange Blossom Squares for more than two decades—Ed & Fran!
Ed and Fran have been members of Orange Blossom Squares since 2002, shortly after moving to The Villages from Long Island, New York.
Their square dance journey began during a Lifestyle Visit when they saw the Orange Blossom Specials perform at Katie Belle's. One performance was all it took—they were hooked! They started lessons that same year and have been active members ever since.
Over the years, they've served as co-presidents, board members, class coordinators, and have been members of the Orange Blossom Specials for 23 years. They've also participated in more than 100 Banner Raids and, for many years, have published the Weekly Update that keeps dancers throughout the area informed and connected.
When they're not dancing, Fran enjoys cooking, water aerobics, yoga, tai chi, and serving as a Eucharistic Minister. Many local residents know her as the beloved "Soup Angel." Ed enjoys gardening, puzzles, and has played in the New Horizons Concert Band for the past 20 years.
When asked what they enjoy most about Orange Blossom Squares, their answer perfectly captures what our club is all about:
❤️ "Besides the obvious benefits of the mental and physical exercise, we treasure the many friendships we have made over the years. These friends have become like family."
Thank you, Ed and Fran, for your years of friendship, leadership, dedication, and service to Orange Blossom Squares.
We are fortunate to have you as part of our family. 🧡