Moving to the beat
By Kirsten Ballard
Published in News on July 23, 2015 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
A group line dances during the dance social at Peggy M. Seegars Senior Center Tuesday night. This is the third night the party has been held where members are invited to socialize, dance and bring snacks to share. The social is another way to get people out of the house to have fun and get exercise.
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Queenie Skinner, 72, joins in with the rest of the group. She had hip surgery in mid-April, but doesn't have much trouble keeping up.
Yvonne Parnell sat to the side of the dance.
She watched her friends on the dance floor with a smile.
Yvonne has been line dancing for five years.
She tried it one day and says she never stopped.
Her friends keep her coming back.
"There are some very sweet ladies out there," she said, nodding at the dance floor.
Last week, they threw her a surprise 80th birthday party.
Her age wasn't keeping her on the sidelines though. She was just waiting for a song she knew to hop back in.
"I don't know all of these," she said.
She attends classes at the Herman Park Center and Senior Center.
When "Uptown Funk" came on, she got out of her chair and back into the group.
The ladies come to the every other Tuesday and Friday dance socials at the Peggy M. Seegars Senior Center. The socials last from 6 to 8 p.m.
Line dancing knowledge is not required. The moves are demonstrated before a song, and freestyle dancing is encouraged.
Unlike the dances hosted by the Senior Center, the summer socials do not have a disc jockey and are more informal.
Fitness Instructor Sandra Spasojevic-Rodrigez estimates the Friday dances have a crowd of 40 people attend.
"Come as you are, bring a snack to share and your dancing shoes," she said.
She and instructor Lisa Weston take requests. Popular song choices include "The Wobble" and "Cupid Shuffle."
They dim the cafeteria lights and put on a rotating sparkling light. The dances keep the seniors active, with water breaks between songs.
Before starting a song, Lisa goes over a few line dancing moves so the group can learn something new.
"It gives them somewhere to go and something fun to do," Sandra says. "We see new people every week."
Queenie Skinner tapped her red loafers along to the music as she sat on the sideline.
She had a total hip replacement in April.
Although still recovering, nothing can keep her from the dance socials.
"I loving coming, even if I don't get up, I love seeing people," she said.
At 72 years old, she is still very active and determined.
Her favorite song is the "Electric Slide."
"It's just fun," she said.
She comes to a lot of the senior center events.
This Friday, Peggy Seegars will host Senior Appreciation Day from 2 to 4 p.m. The next senior social is July 31.