The lads are managing to play it cool, but the way their legs twitch to the beat betrays their general desire to bust a move. The girls sit primly in their dresses, waiting, expectantly yet somewhat impatiently, for some young guns to sweep them off their chairs and onto their feet. As usual, the ladies far outnumber the gentlemen, but if those boys would get up the nerve to at least ask someone to dance, it might help disperse this awkward air! Ugh, it's always those dumb boys' fault. Believe me, I know. I went to middle school too.
But wait! What's that you say? This is no middle-school dance, you say? This is a senior prom? Surely those high-schoolers have long since overcome such displays of bashful timidity!
But wait! What's that you say? This is no high school dance, you say? This is the Presidential Oaks Senior Prom? As in senior citizens? Doesn't that just sound like a blast?
Believe me, it was. I didn't really know what I was in for when the Insider asked me to attend, but I was educated when the surprisingly strong hands of a lady named Lillian pulled me out onto the dance floor. The patterns of her feet were very difficult to follow, and I haven't felt like such a bumbling fool in a long time. I was rather relieved when she admitted that she had no idea what she was doing either, and that she had been improvising the whole time. The music ended and I smiled shyly at her, but she dismissed me to search for a more capable partner. I walked back to my corner of the room to scribble a few dejected notes. Alone. Oh Lillian, if only you knew. . . . Needing a distraction from my broken heart, I went in search of the brave couple who had made those courageous first steps onto the dance floor. I found them taking a quick breather and got them to answer a few of my questions.
Richard White has been a Concord resident all his life. When I asked him how long he thought he'd been dancing, he guessed about 150 years, give or take a few. Judging by the smooth, assured way he moved his feet around the floor, I kind of believed him. He and his wife follow dancing around southern New Hampshire and jump on every opportunity they find to dance. His favorite dances? “Everything.” (I wonder if he knows that Soldier Boy dance?)
I decided it was time to get some more information on this particular event. I went to talk to Sarah Hefter, administrative coordinator for Presidential Oaks, who organized it. She said the retirement home usually offers about four events like this each year. “[The residents] really love the live music, even if it's not so apparent.” She was referring to the lack of overwhelming participation by the residents. After observing her for a little while, however, it was plain to see how happy having just one couple on the floor made her. The big smile on her face and the work she had put into the event were further proof of said personal fulfillment.
The employees at Presidential Oaks organized a collection of second-hand prom dresses for the ladies to try on and choose from. They also helped with hair, make-up, jewelry, and shoes. Their work paid off, for the gals showed up in all their finery and were absolutely breathtaking.
I moseyed on over to the snack table and helped myself to a few (or more than a few) chewy chocolate chip cookies. And some punch. After deciding the snacks were up to par, I talked to Ann Wilson, who had demonstrated a few of the more popular dances a few minutes before. She runs The Traveling Dance Studio, which brings dace lessons to you. Ann has been dancing for seven years now, ever since she got tired of being a professional nanny. “It's hard to dance and not have fun!” she claims.
After the dancing was over I tracked down the members of the Woody Roberts Band, who had provided the event's music. It consists of a drummer, pianist, bassist and a singer. The band is based in Contoocook/Hopkinton, and they play most of their music at events similar to this one. They play as a hobby, and they enjoy bringing the hits of their generation back to the ears of the eager.
I left the event wondering what dances would be like in my retirement home. Will we still be popping, locking, and dropping it? I kind of doubt it, if only because nobody actually knows what that means.
Tommy, formerly our German correspondent, is back home in Concord, working for the summer until he starts school in the fall.
