A Clarification for the Dunce...

First of all the S.S.S.: apparently they were booked a long time ago. They have to be booked far in advance because of their popularity. When they come to town, they will show up and sing at the U.C.C. (the "other" church in town) and then make their way over to our church. They were all dressed in red jackets, white shirts, black bowties, and most of them sported gray or white hair (or various degrees of baldity).

They "processed" in and across the stage, followed by their piano player (incidentally the only female in the group), who took her place at the piano. They sang a couple of hymns (in 12+ part "harmony") and then moved into patriotic songs (including the songs for each branch of the armed forces -- they asked any members of each branch to stand and be saluted when they sang their song). After some 6-7 songs (including a rousing rendition of This Land is Your Land with an additional chorus of Proud to be an American) they were finally finished and we were allowed to continue with our service.