By Debbie Smith Wagner
There are shortcuts to happiness and dancing is one of them! Most of us can remember special occasions where dancing was important; but our question today is all about our memories of learning to dance.
I perform for many senior communities and the one thing that everyone has in common is memories of music and dancing. Dancing evokes so many feelings related to family, friends and school years. I hope the following answers from our readers inspire you to put on your favorite music and strut your stuff!
“I learned how to dance to polka from my folks.”
– Jenda George, Pittsburgh
“When we were young, there was a hotel in my mom’s hometown that had a small ballroom. We would have something to eat then my dad would dance with each of us girls, then with Mom. Funny, I don’t remember my brother dancing at all.”
– Holly Mathias, Ambridge
“My mom taught me all types of dances. It was always fun to go to weddings and parties with dance music playing because she would always be the first one on the dance floor”
– Sabina Simpkins, Florida (formerly Beaver)
“I always loved dancing. I learned from a show on television.”
– Litza Beers, Pittsburgh
“Family, dance instructors and just danced my way through life with my husband. We were known for our dancing prowess.”
– Judith Bridge, Cincinnati
“I was taught by my dance teacher Miss Janet and I really loved doing competitions. My favorite ones were held at Seven Springs. They were like a mini-vacations because we’d swim and play in the arcade.”
– Jaye Borowsky, Hopewell
“My mother said I came out the womb dancing! I
enjoyed watching mom and dad dance. They were lovely together.”
– K. M. Moffett, Pittsburgh
“Sock hops and Friday night dances at school.”
– Adele Fatur, Zelienople
“My mother and father were jitterbug champions in Cincinnati. I learned to dance from both of them, and absolutely love all my memories of it!”
– Debbie Wagner, Beaver County
Vintage Debbie is a vintage history buff and performance artist with a unique style of era-specific music, dance and dress. She entertains area seniors through an interactive and fun music memory experience in Beaver, Lawrence and Butler counties. To learn more, follow Vintage Debbie’s World on Facebook, search Vintage Debbie’s music videos on YouTube, or view videos of her performances by visiting pittsburghseniornews.com.
To book her for an event, email wagner.debbie@ymail.com.