Seniors kick up their heels to celebrate

Antique Kids line dance group, Covenant Shores retirement community's longest running resident-led program, celebrated 20 years of dancing this year. And after two decades of weekly practices and countless performances, original dance member Fay Christensen, 89, announced she would hang up her dancing shoes.

“Twenty years is a long time and I enjoyed every moment of it,” Christensen said. “But I’m going to hang up my shoes.”

Comprised of residents between the ages of 62-91, the 15-member group celebrated in August by kicking up their heels during an hour-long performance before residents, staff, and visiting family members. Later in the month, the group marked another 20-year milestone when it returned to the stage at the Evergreen State Fair, Monroe, Wash., for its annual performance.

“Age is just a number for our residents. They’re always looking for new experiences, learning opportunities and ways to have fun,” said Resident Life Director Roxanne Helleren.

The anniversary performance included dance numbers to the “Tennessee Waltz,” “It’s a Small World,” “I Want to Be a Cowboy’s Sweetheart,” among five others. Christensen and fellow original member Tom Tang were honored during the celebration. Dancer Olga Wiegert read her poem “The Story of Antique Kids,” and Nellie Cutler-DeVries read her poem, “Antique Rockettes.”

Antique Kids has a repertoire of 26 dances choreographed by Claudia Young, the former activity director who had helped create the group in 1996 and continues to work with them. Resident Sylvia Toland leads the group and runs the workshops and practices. During performances, dancers wear matching black pants, long-sleeved white shirts and red sashes with the words “Antique Kids” in white letters. They dance to music from the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s to stay healthy, socialize, and entertain people of all ages.

About Covenant Shores

Covenant Shores, a faith-based, not-for-profit, continuing care retirement community, is located at 9150 Fortuna Drive, Mercer Island, Wash. It is administered by Covenant Retirement Communities, one of the nation’s largest not-for-profit senior services providers. Covenant Retirement Communities serves 5,000 residents at 15 retirement communities nationwide and is a ministry of the Evangelical Covenant Church. For more information on Covenant Shores, call 877-385-8613 or visit www.covenantshores.org.