By Madison Butkus
Hometown Weekly Reporter
On Friday, December 8th, the Walpole Council on Aging (COA) organized a Line Dance Party, encouraging participants to engage in physical activity. Lestyn Gilmore served as the instructor for the afternoon, motivating everyone to get on their feet.
The music selection for the party encompassed various styles, including Country, Christmas, Pop, and more. Several attendees, particularly women with prior line dancing experience, were familiar with the dance steps. While Lestyn introduced a few new dances at the party, the participants quickly caught on.
Although Lestyn was the specific instructor for this event, Nancy is the regular weekly instructor for the Walpole COA, conducting classes every Wednesday throughout the month. Attendees, including Lestyn, expressed great excitement when Nancy joined the class. Many of them have known Nancy for an extended period, with a friendship spanning over thirty years between Nancy and Lestyn.
The party had a total of twelve women, including Lestyn. According to Lestyn, the youngest participant in the group is 67, while the oldest is 85. Despite the majority of these women being in their seventies and eighties, they danced with the energy of individuals in their twenties. One participant not only celebrated a birthday but was also two weeks away from undergoing knee replacement surgery. Despite her circumstances, she actively participated in most dances, taking breaks as needed. Observing these women's line dance was mesmerizing and incredibly impressive.
Lestyn added, “I teach here every other month. On and off I will go between line dancing and ballroom dance. The women here today come from all over to participate in this and we always have the best time. It is a great way for these women to stay active and keep their memory working. When line dancing, you have to remember the steps so they are constantly going back to their memory of how to dance each one. For most of the women here, they have been dancing for over twenty years and just love to keep up with it.”
Nancy went on to further declare, “It is the absolute best thing to do for your health and for your happiness. By doing this, you come back from your injuries very well and fast. I broke my hip awhile back on a Wednesday, got surgery on Thursday, and was up and walking by Friday. The doctors commended the strong muscles I have in my hips and I can thank dancing for that. I think all of us here can.”
For more information about line dancing classes at the Walpole COA, please visit their website at www.walpole-ma.gov/council-on-aging.
