Cool Moves Mop Up New Dance Floor
Posted on: Wednesday, 29 June 2005, 09:00 CDT
The Bartlett Senior Center has resumed its Friday night dances after putting them on hold due to remodeling.
The renovations began Feb. 14 and took nearly 3 months to complete. The new, larger hardwood dance floor replaced the tile floor and can accommodate nearly 150 dancers.
The Senior Center, 5727 Woodlawn, across from Bartlett High School, was home to the Bartlett Police Department, Fire Department, City Hall, Public Works and the Water Department for decades.
Hank Johnson, police chief 1976-1983, says that when he hired on with the Bartlett Police Department in 1970, the building housed all the city's main departments. There were four full-time police officers.
You could pay your water bill there or have court in the mayor's office. In the early 1980s, the fire department and city hall moved to their current locations.
In 1999, the Police Department moved into the new Justice Center at 3730 Appling Road near the Bartlett Recreation Center and the Bartlett Performing Arts and Conference Center. The building on Woodlawn became home to the Senior Center.
During the reopening dance, the men and women arrived in attire ranging from dress casual to formal. Many of the ladies glittered in sequins and rhinestones while others were comfortable in long pants and summer sweater. The men were mostly in tie and coat; however, some donned a button-down and dress slacks. All wore their dancing shoes.
It did not take any persuasion once the music by Rita Renee and Kim began playing, mostly big band sounds. The duo had the dance floor full of seniors.
The Bartlett Senior Center, operated through Bartlett Parks and Recreation, no longer has dark wood paneled walls but has instead freshly painted white walls that complement the lighthearted and cheery disposition of the nearly 1,300 members of the facility.
Several classrooms will be used for the many activities offered. A new computer room will soon house nine computers. A new conference room is available.
Membership for seniors 55 and over costs only $10 a year.
Many activities are offered at the center, such as a lunch served at 11:30 a.m. Monday through Friday. A monthly menu is available, and notification of attendance is suggested.
Daily activities include fun cards at 9:45 a.m. Games played during the week include pinochle, bingo, mahjong, bunco and bridge. Several fitness classes are available; such as A.M. Stretch at 9:20 on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
Dancing is a great and fun way for seniors to work in physical activity. It is also one of the most popular activities at the center. Clogging and beginner and intermediate line dancing and ballroom dancing are taught.
For something a little more relaxing, seniors can participate in crocheting classes, learn how to make pottery in the ceramics class or grab a manicure or pedicure on pre-scheduled days.
For those interested in learning a second language, Spanish is taught by Dr. Luis Bueno.
A writing club is headed by Danna Shirley. The seniors can participate in music appreciation class, a choral and drama group or jam sessions for musicians. And if all the excitement gets their blood pressure up, they can have that checked daily, too.
Trips are a big part of what is available. Whether it be the monthly trip to a Tunica casino or a cruise up the East Coast to see the fall foliage in New England and Canada, the opportunities are outstanding.
A one-day trip to Marlsgate Plantation, a mansion built in 1833 south of Little Rock, and featured in many movies and the television show "Designing Women," is planned for late November.
A Christmas trip to New York City will include two Broadway performances, and tours of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
The center is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. It is managed by Margie Holmes and three other full-time employees.
Volunteers assist at the center. Many of the activities are free. A monthly newsletter and activity schedule are available. Call 385- 6439.
Source: Commercial Appeal, The
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