Dance Party To Benefit Senior Center

Photo by Rick Hiduk
Columbia Senior Center members (from left) Pearl Moyer, George Kitch, Beverly Splain, and Helen Byerly practice the Twist in preparation for the Fall ’50s and ’60s Sock Hop slated for Saturday, Oct. 24. Proceeds from the event will benefit the senior center.

By Rick Hiduk

The Columbia Senior Center will host a Fall ’50s and ’60s Sock Hop in the basement of Columbia United Methodist Church, 510 Walnut St., from 1 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 24.

"This will be our biggest fundraiser ever," said center director Helen Bechtold. The seniors are hoping to purchase a larger television, on which they can play a recently donated Wii game system. New computers and software are also needed to accommodate computer classes that start this week and will be held twice per month through February 2010.

Food items such as hot dogs, sloppy Joes, baked beans, baked goods, and other snacks are included in the cost of the tickets, which can be purchased in advance or at the door the day of the event.

Music will be provided by DJ Dave Bender, who specializes in doo wop and other music from the ’50s and ’60s. Bechtold related that the seniors are excited about the event and have been practicing the Mashed Potato, the Watusi, the Cha Cha, and the Stroll.

"They love to dance, and they love good music," Bechtold said of the seniors. "But we're hoping to get the whole community out, because this dance is for all ages."

A number of regular participants plan to bring their grandchildren, she added, and all chaperoned teens are invited.

"They are interested in this type of music," Bechtold remarked in reference to teens and a renewed affinity for early rock ’n’ roll. Because of the popularity of genre-specific satellite radio, she noted, the youths are exposed to more oldies than they might hear on radio.

The church basement, where the seniors meet on weekdays, will be decorated, and dance patrons will have opportunities to win door prizes such as themed gift baskets. The disc jockey will also distribute prizes for the spotlight dance and a Twist contest. Bechtold related that there will also be ladies' choice dances and plenty of slow dances.

For more information, interested readers may call the Columbia Senior Center at 684-4850.

Columbia-Wrightsville Merchandiser - 10/07/2009

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